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(Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua) PHNOM PENH, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The number of Cambodian evacuees from the ongoing border fighting with Thailand has risen to more than 300,000 as of Friday afternoon, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior said in a press release. Nearly 90,000 families with over 300,000 people had fled their homes near the Thai border for safe shelters, the press release said. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict was still going on as of Friday afternoon, said Cambodian Defense Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata. "At 13:27 p.m., the Thai troops deployed aircraft to bombard Veal Intry area (in Preah Vihear province)," she said in a press briefing. Socheata added that the Thai army also intensified its artillery shelling and toxic smoke at Prey Chan village in Banteay Meanchey province on Friday afternoon. Cambodian evacuees gather to register for relief items at a safe zone in Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia on Dec. 12, 2025. The number of Cambodian evacuees from the ongoing border fighting with Thailand has risen to more than 300,000 as of Friday afternoon, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior said in a press release. (Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua) Cambodian evacuees queue to register for relief items at a safe zone in Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia on Dec. 12, 2025. The number of Cambodian evacuees from the ongoing border fighting with Thailand has risen to more than 300,000 as of Friday afternoon, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior said in a press release. (Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua) Cambodian evacuees stay at a safe zone in Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia on Dec. 12, 2025. The number of Cambodian evacuees from the ongoing border fighting with Thailand has risen to more than 300,000 as of Friday afternoon, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior said in a press release. (Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua) Cambodian children gather for snacks donated by charitable persons at a safe zone in Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia on Dec. 12, 2025. The number of Cambodian evacuees from the ongoing border fighting with Thailand has risen to more than 300,000 as of Friday afternoon, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior said in a press release. (Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua) (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) NANJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). Despite the winter chill, thousands dressed in dark attire gathered at the public square of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, with white flowers pinned to their chests, to take part in the ceremony. China's national flag was flown at half-mast in front of the crowd that included survivors of the massacre, local students and international guests. Sirens began blaring at 10:01 a.m. Drivers in the downtown area stopped their vehicles and honked in unison, while pedestrians paused to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims. The Nanjing Massacre took place when Japanese troops captured the then-Chinese capital on Dec. 13, 1937. Over the course of six weeks, they proceeded to kill approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of WWII. A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) People strike the Bell of Peace during a national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) Doves are released during a national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) Editor: Xiong Jian National Guard mobilizes in support of floods in Western Washington By Joseph Siemandel December 11, 2025 CAMP MURRAY, Wash. -- As catastrophic flooding continues to cause damage across the state, the Washington National Guard will mobilize up to 300 personnel to help local agencies respond to the ongoing crisis. "There will be significant impacts following this disaster. I want to thank the governor for signing an emergency proclamation, which allowed us to get our Washington National Guard personnel ready to support those affected," said Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, the adjutant general, Washington National Guard. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Emergency Proclamation 25-07 on Dec. 10, authorizing the use of the Washington National Guard. Guard members will assist with evacuation efforts, staff traffic control points and support sandbag operations. Army National Guard helicopter crews also may be used to support search-and-rescue missions. Washington National Guard members have responded to numerous flood events in recent years, including incidents in Lewis (2007, 2008, 2009, 2022), Skagit (2021), Snohomish (2021) and Spokane (2015, 2016) counties. The Washington National Guard is the state's proven and reliable force, comprising Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen from communities across Washington who stand ready to protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address December 12, 2025 By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News Hegseth, Senior Leaders Attend Spacecom Relocation Ceremony Secretary of War Pete Hegseth joined numerous members of Congress and a handful of senior military officials today to mark the official relocation of U.S. Space Command from Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, to Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Prior to assisting in unveiling three large signs denoting that the future Spacecom headquarters will be built on site at Redstone Arsenal, Hegseth delivered brief remarks in support of its relocation. "Air Force Secretary [Troy Meink] made the right choice recommending to me [and] recommending to [President Donald J. Trump] that this is the place to continue to establish space dominance right here in Alabama," Hegseth said. Along with Meink's support, building the new Spacecom headquarters at Redstone Arsenal which is adjacent to the city of Huntsville was also championed by the previous two Air Force secretaries, according to U.S. Rep. Mike Rodgers of Alabama's 3rd District, who also spoke briefly at the ceremony. Hegseth said that, along with the values of peace through strength and putting America first, the Trump administration and the War Department also view using common sense as crucial to success. "It's common sense that this is precisely where Space Command should be; it's common sense that we need to move rapidly and expeditiously, and we will," he said. "We are deadly serious in committing to cutting every piece of red tape and bureaucracy to get this headquarters established as quickly as humanly possible," he added. Hegseth noted that today's relocation ceremony was more than just symbolic and served as a recognition that ground needs to be broken for Spacecom's new headquarters quickly, so it can be built and provided with the people and capabilities it needs as soon as possible. "Because first it was 'He who controls the skies,' [and] now it's 'He who controls the space domain' understands what the future of warfare will look like, and who controls that dominance," he said. "That's why I'm here today; because the quicker we establish this, the more robust the capabilities are, the more likely we are to deter the next conflict and if necessary stand prepared to overwhelmingly defeat our enemies," he continued. Trump officially announced the relocation of Spacecom which is one of the U.S. military's 11 unified combatant commands to Alabama, Sept. 2, 2025. The command was initially created in September 1985 before being disestablished in October 2002, and its forces and responsibilities were transferred to the U.S. Strategic Command. Trump reestablished the command in August 2019 during his first term. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement from The Combined Space Operations Initiative Principals' Board Meeting in Toulouse Government of Norway News story | Date: 12/12/2025 From December 2-4, 2025, the annual Combined Space Operations (CSpO) Initiative Principals' Board convened in Toulouse, France. Gathered at the newly inaugurated French Space Command Headquarters, senior space officials from the ten CSpO Initiative nations met to continue building interoperable, agile and resilient architectures, and to reaffirm their determination to protect and defend against intensifying space threats. Representatives from the ten CSpO Initiative nations shared their concerns regarding the threat posed by increasingly irresponsible and hostile behaviors from some countries. These actions undermine the strategic stability of the space domain on which our societies rely for economic prosperity and national security. Further, such actions can create confusion jeopardizing the safety and security of the space environment - which could lead to escalation due to miscalculation, both in space and on Earth. Facing such challenges, the Principals reiterated their commitment to international law. They restated their roles as responsible actors in preventing conflict, ensuring a stable and viable domain, and opposing activities that threaten operations in, from, to, and through space. The CSpO Initiative nations will not stand by in the face of increasing space threats. Senior leaders remain committed to improving cooperation, coordination, and information sharing; to building a greater shared understanding of space threats; and to strengthening interoperability to enhance resilience at every level. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sweden and United States extend outer space cooperation Government Offices of Sweden Press release from Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Education and Research Published 12 December 2025 Minister for Defence Pal Jonson has signed an extension of the existing framework agreement with the United States on cooperation in the research and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. The agreement, established to promote scientific and technological development, builds on the long-standing partnership between our countries on space issues. "Space is both a field for research and a vital public resource. Space research provides unique insights into the universe and drives innovation that creates jobs and export opportunities. At the same time, space technologies strengthen our military capabilities and the resilience of our total defence. By continued cooperation with the United States and actively supporting the growth of Swedish space companies, we secure both Sweden's security and our long-term competitiveness," says Mr Jonson. "Space activities play an increasingly important role in various essential services, and space research provides us with valuable knowledge about the universe and an increased ability to innovate and benefit society. Through continued cooperation with the US, the world's largest space nation, we are promoting the Swedish space sector. The Government invests heavily in the space field. In the past year, through the research policy bill we have launched three national space programmes and a space research school, which will further increase opportunities for Swedish space actors to become attractive partners for American actors," says Minister for Upper Secondary School, Higher Education and Research Lotta Edholm. Purpose and significance of the Agreement The extension of the Agreement means that Sweden and the US will continue to cooperate on space research and the use of space. This collaboration helps develop innovations that benefit both society and industry, while promoting international peace and security. As an example of the Agreement's cooperation, the Swedish National Space Agency, via the Swedish company ECAPS, is financing the development of a rocket engine system consisting of an environmentally friendly fuel and associated engine. It is intended to replace the highly toxic hydrazine-based fuel systems that are currently most common on the market. The importance of space for total defence By enhancing expertise in space research and technology, the conditions for robust and secure systems that are crucial for both civil and military defence, are improved. Access to advanced space infrastructure can, for example, contribute to better crisis preparedness, monitoring of natural disasters, and secure communication in a heightened state of alert. Mr Jonson signed the Agreement during his participation at the North Star Space Forum in Washington DC. In his speech, he stressed the importance of space as a platform for cooperation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong Had a Courtesy Meeting with Joint Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs of India Sujit Ghosh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: December 11, 2025 23:07 On December 11, 2025, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong had a courtesy meeting in Beijing with Joint Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs of India Sujit Ghosh, who came to China for the consultations between officials of the Chinese and Indian foreign ministries. Sun Weidong said that in August this year, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a successful meeting in Tianjin, providing guidance on elevating China-India relations to a new level. Sun Weidong expressed the hope that both sides will effectively deliver on the important common understandings reached between the leaders of the two countries, embrace a broader vision, build mutual trust, make solid efforts, work steadily to advance cooperation, respect each other, properly manage differences, and promote the continuous development of China-India relations. Sujit Ghosh said that India-China relations are very important. India is willing to work together with China, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, to resume institutional dialogue, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and consolidate the development momentum of India-China relations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Regular Press Briefing of the Ministry of National Defense on December 5, 2025 Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source China Military Online EditorLi Weichao Time2025-12-12 09:46:33 (The following English text is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.) Jiang Bin: I have a piece of news to announce at the top. The Chinese and UAE militaries will hold Falcon Shield 2025 joint air force training in the UAE from December 9 to 22. This is the third time for the two militaries to conduct the serial training, which will help the two sides enhance mutual learning and deepen substantialcooperation on defense. Journalist: It is reported that theOutline of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military (the outline) compiled by the Political Work Department of the CMC has been published by the PLA Publishing House. Please share with us more details. Jiang Bin: The publication of the Outline of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military facilitates the whole military to fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, pushes the integration of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military into the curriculum as training textbooks, and helps service members to internalize the Thought. It is an important step to better cultivate talent with great moral character and strong warfighting competence. As a comprehensive and systematic textbook on Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, an authoritative reference for political theory curricula at military academies, and a significant outcome of the research on the systematization and theoretical development of the Party's military guiding theories in the new era, the outline is framed around the Eleven Clarificationsin Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military. It consists of an Introduction, 15 Chapters and an Conclusion. It expounds onthe significance, scientific system, essence and practical requirements of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, reflects the historic achievements and shifts in the cause of strengthening the military guided by the Thought, and interprets the Party's goal of building a strong military for the new era and the arrangements and requirements of elevating the people's military to world-class standards in all respects. It shows a new leap forward in adapting Marxist military theory to the Chinese context and the needs of our times, and the truth and strength in the Thought. The publication and use of theoutline is of significance to bettereducating and arming the minds of the military by Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military. It guides junior-level service members to have in-depth understanding of the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments", lay solid political foundation of upholding the Party's leadership and building a strong military and endeavor to be a new generation capable of undertaking the vital mission of strengthening the military. Journalist: It is reported that the Japanese government recently approved a supplementary budget proposal for fiscal year 2025, increasing its total defense expenditure to 11 trillion yen and achieving the goal of defense spending accounting for 2% of GDP ahead of schedule. In addition, the Japanese side is in negotiations with the Philippine side on the export of Japan Self-Defense Force's Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile. What's your comment? Jiang Bin: In recent years, Japan has repeatedly breached its commitments under the pacifist Constitution, substantially increased its defense budget, pushed for the export of lethal weapons, and sought to revise its three non-nuclear principles. As it accelerates the pace of loosening restrictions on military development, Japan's militarism is poised to make a comeback. As the Chinese saying goes, "Individuals can't establish themselves without being trusted, just as a nation can't thrive without being credible." We urge the Japanese side to fully meetits obligations as a defeated country in WWII in accordance with international law, stop challenging the post-war international order, refrain from sabotaging peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific, and not tosay one thing but do another. Should the Japanese side insist on barreling down the wrong path, it shall provoke widespread outrage and ultimately face the judgment of both history and justice. Journalist: The Chinese side recently released the white paper, China's Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation in the New Era, urging Japan to destroy theabandoned chemical weapons (JACWs) thoroughly in a clean manner and at an early date. Please brief us on more details. Jiang Bin: During the war of aggression against China, in blatant violation of international law, Japanese militarists used large amounts of chemical weapons, causing over 200,000 Chinese military and civilian casualties. To cover up its crime after being defeated, the Japanese side abandoned a large number of chemical weapons on Chinese territory, poisoning over 2,000 people. Until now, the JACWs still gravely jeopardize the safety of people's life and property and harm the environment. The Japanese side should have destroyed the abandoned chemical weapons in China in a secure, clean and thorough way much earlier. Yet the overall disposal process has been severely delayed due to the lack of proactive efforts from the Japanese side. Eliminating the hazards of JACWs is Japan's unshirkable historical, political and legal responsibility, and also an international obligation under theChemical Weapons Convention. The Chinese side urges the Japanese side to conduct serious soul-searching on its crime of aggression, earnestly fulfill its responsibilities and obligations, increase input in various aspects, and make all-out efforts to expedite the JACWs disposal process. We request the Japanese side to spare no effort to collect and provide information about the JACWs for the Chinese side in a timely manner, fully assist us in leads search and identification, earnestly shoulder its responsibility in the treatment of polluted water and soil, so as to restore a safe and clean environment to the Chinese people at an early date, and "a world free of chemical weapons" for humanity. Journalist: The Australian Department of Defense reportedly claimed that it monitored a Chinese naval flotilla possibly sailing towards Australia. Can you confirm the report? Jiang Bin: The PLAN task group carries out far-seas training in accordance with international law and practice, which is not directed at any country or target. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on December 12, 2025 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: December 12, 2025 19:24 At the invitation of Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry of the Republic of Singapore Gan Kim Yong will be in China from December 15 to 16, and co-chair with Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang in Chongqing the 21st meeting of the China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, the 26th meeting of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council, the 17th meeting of the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council, and the ninth meeting of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity Joint Steering Council. China News Service: The World Bank, the IMF and the Asian Development Bank recently revised up China's growth forecast for 2025 by 0.4, 0.2, and 0.1 percentage points respectively. Several institutions have noted that China's economy has demonstrated notable resilience despite the impact it faces. Foreign media have compared China to an "oasis of certainty" in an uncertain global environment. What is your comment? Guo Jiakun: Optimism for China's economy has increasingly become a prevailing consensus among various parties. Heads of international economic organizations attending the "1+10" Dialogue in China said that China's economy has sustained steady and sound growth over the past year, making important contribution to global growth. The upgrade of China's growth forecast by several international institutions once again demonstrates the growing confidence in China. The Central Economic Work Conference was just successfully concluded. The conference identified eight priority tasks for next year's work on economy, including letting domestic demand serve as the main driver of growth, building a robust domestic market, staying committed to opening up, and promoting win-win cooperation in various areas. This has charted the course for China's economic development, and provided the prospects for steady growth, momentum of innovation, and a list of opportunities for the world economy. As China will launch its 15th Five-Year Plan next year, it will continue to unleash the benefits of policy continuity, economic stability and growth predictability, providing much-needed certainty for the world. China's new-quality productive forces will enjoy thriving development. Products made in China will be of higher standard, more intelligent and greener. China's innovation momentum will drive global innovation cooperation, lower the cost of new technologies and promote sustainable development. China will further advance high-standard opening up. We will steadily expand institutional opening up, uphold the multilateral trading system, and promote reform and development through opening up. China's door will open wider to the world. In an uncertain world, China is the biggest certainty, and will continue to serve as an important engine for global growth. We welcome countries to board China's development express, share in China's big market and, with deeper integration of interests, achieve mutual success and common development. Shenzhen TV: We've learned that the APEC Informal Senior Officials' Meeting was held in Shenzhen recently. Can you share more information about the meeting and its outcomes? Guo Jiakun: The APEC Informal Senior Officials' Meeting was held in Shenzhen, Guangdong, from December 11 to 12. This eventthe first China held as the host of the 2026 APECmarks the opening of the APEC "China Year." Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu attended and addressed the meeting. Positive outcomes were achieved at the meeting. First, the meeting agreed on the theme for next year's APEC cooperation. At the APEC meeting in Gyeongju, the ROK, President Xi Jinping noted that China stands ready to take the opportunity of hosting the 2026 APEC to bring all parties together to build an Asia-Pacific community, charting the course and providing fundamental guidance for China to host the APEC in 2026. The theme China proposed, "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together," was highly commended by various parties and adopted unanimously at the meeting. Second, the meeting planned for priorities for next year's cooperation. In the face of new opportunities and new challenges to the development of the Asia-Pacific, China identified "openness, innovation and cooperation" as the three priorities for next year's APEC cooperation. Openness is the lifeline for Asia-Pacific's prosperity, innovation is its source of impetus and cooperation is its supporting basis. The three priorities meet the aspirations of various parties and represent the most extensive common ground for parties' participation in APEC, and thus were supported by participating parties of the meeting. Third, the meeting finalized arrangement for the whole year's events. There will be around 300 events to be hosted by multiple cities around China during the APEC "China Year." From November 18 to 19 next year, the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Shenzhen, and there will also be supporting events, including the APEC CEO Summit and the APEC Ministerial Meeting. In February, May and August next year, three senior officials' meetings will be held in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Dalian respectively. Starting from May next year, about ten ministerial-level meetings and high-level events will be held in various places, covering areas of trade, digital economy, transport, tourism, human resources, small and medium-sized enterprises, energy, food security, finance and women. Various parties have expressed their support for the arrangement for the whole year's events and their readiness to work for fruitful outcomes at the events. Visiting activities were arranged during the meeting. Representatives to the meeting expressed their admiration for the modernization achievements in Shenzhen and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Reuters: Reuters understands that India has cut red tape to speed business visas for Chinese professionals. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment? Guo Jiakun: We've noted this positive move. Easing cross-border travel serves the common interests of all parties. China will maintain communication and consultation with India to further facilitate people-to-people exchange. Beijing Youth Daily: Tomorrow marks the 12th National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and amid the current tensions between China and Japan caused by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan, how will China commemorate the day? Guo Jiakun: This year marks the 88th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre. In accordance with the decision ratified by the National People's Congress, China will host the annual national memorial commemoration for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre to honor those who lost their lives. The massacre in Nanjing is a horrendous crime committed by Japanese militarists. There is no room for denial. The slaughter of 300,000 Chinese people forms the darkest page in human history. Japanese militarists' war of aggression against China and other Asian countries under the pretext of the so-called "survival-threatening situation" and untold crimes against humanity are nothing but a disgrace in the history of human civilization. International legal instruments, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, clearly stated the opposition against aggression, the punishment of war criminals and the elimination of militarism. The International Military Tribunal for the Far East was established by the Allied Nations for the trial of Japanese war criminals. However, the Japanese government has long abetted the right-wing forces' retrogressive moves. Several prime ministers and political dignitaries have paid tribute to the Yasukuni Shrine, where class-A war criminals are honored. Some politicians have publicly called into question the Murayama Statement which showed reflection on and apologies for Japan's colonial rule and aggression. The Japanese side even attempted to whitewash its war crimes and change the verdict on its history of aggression by revising textbooks more than once. Those egregious moves constitute a blatant challenge to the post-war international order and an affront to human conscience. This triggered strong indignation and vigilance in the international community. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War as well as China's recovery of Taiwan. Eighty years ago, the Chinese people, after heroic and strenuous fighting, defeated Japanese militarism, recovered the territories, including Taiwan, stolen by Japanese aggressors, defended national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and upheld international fairness and justice. Eighty years on, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable. China will never allow Japan's right-wing forces to turn back the wheel of history, never allow external forces to lay their hands on China's Taiwan region, and never allow the resurgence of Japan's militarism. Japanese militarism is the enemy of people worldwide. China will work with all peace-loving countries and people to jointly safeguard the outcomes of World War II victory and the post-war international order. We urge the Japanese side to deeply reflect on and learn from history, make a clean break with militarism, and take concrete actions to get rid of the specter of militarism that still haunts it. CCTV: The Japanese government has been recently refusing to explicitly reiterate Taiwan-related statement set forth in the four political documents between China and Japan and has kept dodging the issue by repeating that its position "remains unchanged." At the same time, the DPP authorities echoed Japan's erroneous remarks and deeds by lifting import restrictions on Japanese seafood and sending groups to visit Japan to show support. We noted that many Chinese people, including those from various sectors in the Taiwan region, believe that given the innumerable war crimes committed by the Japanese military in Taiwan, the Japanese government's evasion of history is unacceptable and the DPP authorities' political manipulation is just invincibly shameless. What's your comment? Guo Jiakun: Over the 50-year occupation and colonial rule, Japan has committed innumerable crimes in Taiwan. Hundreds of thousands of our Taiwan compatriots were murdered by the Japanese military, accounting for about one-fifth of the population at that time. Under Japan's massive economic plundering and spiritual enslavement, 70 percent of Taiwan's land was occupied, and natural resources, including coal and gold mines, were destructively exploited. Over half of the rice produced in Taiwan was shipped to Japan, while the local people were starved to death. Many Taiwanese were used as forced laborers, among whom 40 percent died. Around 200,000 young Taiwanese were forced to serve in the Japanese military and tens of thousands of them died as the "cannon fodder" of Japanese militarism. More than 2,000 Taiwanese girls and women were forced to become "comfort women." The Taiwanese, who were slaves living on a conquered island, had no political rights, freedom of belief or cultural freedom. The DPP authorities have turned a blind eye to the countless tragedies and evidence, and instead blatantly glossed over Japan's colonial rule by using the term "end of the war" to fudge historical facts and avoid mentioning "the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression" or "Taiwan's recovery." The DPP authorities have whitewashed Japan's colonial rule and oppression on Taiwan as "development" and "contribution," turning its back on the Chinese nation, selling Taiwan out to ingratiate with Japan, and serving as the accomplices and pawns of Japanese militarism. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the Japanese leader once again cited "survival-threatening situation" regarding the Taiwan question. It amounts to a challenge to human conscience and international justice, and has undoubtedly met with strong outrage from the Chinese people and the international community. What awaits the "Taiwan independence" separatists who have betrayed their ancestors is contempt from the people and the judgment of history. AFP: A Hong Kong court announced today that there will be a verdict on Jimmy Lai's case on Monday. In response, the Reporters Without Borders, an NGO, criticized "the short notice announcement" and also called the trial a "sham." Does the Foreign Ministry have any response to this? Guo Jiakun: The fundamental premise of One Country, Two Systems is to safeguard sovereignty, security and development interests of our nation. The Central Government firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR in upholding national security in accordance with the law and bringing criminals who endanger national security to justice. The Paper: After assuming the G20 presidency this month, the U.S. publicly said they will not invite South Africa to participate in the G20 Summit next year as well as cooperation within the G20 framework. What's China's comment? Guo Jiakun: Last month, South Africa hosted the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. It's a full success highly commended by the international community. The G20 has long been committed to solidarity, cooperation and equal-footed consultation. As a founding member of the G20, South Africa attended all the previous summits and has all along played an important role in the group. China supports South Africa in continuing to participate in G20 cooperation. We look forward to working with South Africa and all other G20 members to defend multilateralism, promote world economic growth and improve global economic governance. CRI: The U.S. military seized a tanker in waters near Venezuela who was transporting the country's oil. The U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on six tankers, including a Hong Kong-flagged vessel. What's China's comment? Guo Jiakun: China opposes unilateral illicit sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council, and the abuse of sanctions. AFP: Yesterday, the U.S. signed an agreement with Japan, South Korea, Australia and others on securing supply chains of rare earths to ensure that countries are not dependent on China for developing AI technologies. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this pact? Guo Jiakun: We noted the report. Parties need to follow the principles of market economy and fair competition, and jointly keep the global industrial and supply chains stable. ********************************************************** The following question was raised after the press conference: Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi spoke with the U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over the phone. Both sides expressed "serious concern" over the "radar illumination" incident, saying that China's actions "increase regional tensions." What is China's response? Guo Jiakun: We've responded to this issue more than once. The facts are very clear. The Japanese side's wishful, contradictory and self-deceiving remarks lay bare its real intention of creating tensions and spreading disinformation. We urge the Japanese side to face up to the crux of the current difficulties in China-Japan relations, earnestly reflect on and correct its wrongdoing, and retract Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan, rather than diverting attention and creating more troubles. We hope the international community will tell right from wrong and not be deceived by the Japanese side. Japan's allies, in particular, need to see clearly the Japanese side's intentions and avoid being misled by it. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China issues new policy paper on Latin America, Caribbean after 9 years Iran Press TV Friday, 12 December 2025 6:16 PM China has released its third policy paper on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), serving as a comprehensive guide for enhancing China-LAC relations. This latest policy paper follows the first China-LAC policy paper from 2008 and the second from 2016. With over 10,000 words, the document acts as an extensive "cooperation checklist" outlining key areas of collaboration between China and LAC. The checklist includes both "hard-core" infrastructure projects essential for LAC's development and "warm-hearted" initiatives in education, healthcare, and cultural exchange. Current cooperation efforts are undergoing a significant upgrade, focusing on deeper integration of industrial and supply chains, collaborative scientific and technological innovation, and inclusive sharing of benefits for people's well-being. The new policy paper addresses LAC countries' urgent need for modernization while showcasing China's commitment to shared development in the region. Cai Wei, China's Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized at the launch ceremonyattended by diplomats and media from multiple LAC countriesthat this policy paper reflects China's dedication to strengthening ties with LAC. "This shows the great importance China attaches to this relationship and its deep commitment to pursuing common development with LAC countries," Cai stated, adding that the paper will serve as a roadmap for China-LAC relations in the new era. Future growth for China-LAC relations is outlined in proposals for exchanges and cooperation across over 40 areas, actively responding to LAC countries' needs in trade, investment, finance, science and technology, innovation, climate change, and more. The document establishes a framework to advance five key programs with LAC: the Solidarity Program, Development Program, Civilization Program, Peace Program, and People-to-People Connectivity Program. It addresses high-level exchanges, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, trade and investment, scientific and technological innovation, as well as military exchanges. The paper also highlights collaboration in reforming the global economic governance system and advancing the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative. "In presenting this document, we confirm that our relationship is not limited to economic transactions and exchanges, but is grounded in shared values that transcend political and economic circumstances, and in the deep conviction that together we can build a more prosperous, fair, and sustainable world," said Martin Charles, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps of Latin American and Caribbean States in China and Ambassador of Dominica to China. He added that implementing the policy paper will be crucial for advancing a China-LAC community with a shared future, directly impacting cooperation in infrastructure construction, education, culture, agriculture, and more. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ceremony of Welcoming Return of KPA Unit of Engineers Held with Splendor Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, December 13 (KCNA) -- The Korean People's Army regards the absolute loyalty to the Workers' Party of Korea and the revolution as its sacred mission and duty and keeps performing brilliant military exploits with its unparalleled fighting spirit and through mass heroism, adding luster to the prestige and honor of our state. The officers and combatants of the KPA unit of engineers who had been dispatched to an overseas operational area by the order of the Central Military Commission of the WPK returned home in triumph after fulfilling the assigned military task. A ceremony took place with splendor at the plaza of the April 25 House of Culture in the capital city of Pyongyang on Dec. 12 to welcome the 528th Regiment of Engineers which returned home after carrying out the combat order of the Party in the overseas operational area. The plaza was overflowing with great enthusiasm for welcoming the officers and combatants of the unit of engineers who demonstrated the irresistible might of our army again after the officers and men of the KPA special operations force performed legendary combat feats in an alien land to shine long in the history of building the Juche-oriented army. The proud sons of the people who entered the plaza with the great pride of defending the absolute prestige of our state were warmly welcomed by officers and men of the KPA and citizens of the capital city. Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, attended the welcoming ceremony. Present there were participants in the 13th Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the WPK, commanding officers of the Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK and the large combined units of the KPA, families of the combatants of the regiment of engineers, service personnel, citizens and youth and students in Pyongyang. When the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un arrived, service personnel and people raised stormy cheers of "Hurrah!" to reverberate throughout the sky of December, looking up to the ever-victorious iron-willed brilliant commander who has trained our armed forces into an invincible strong army, which is winning only victories by means of definite superiority in ideology, spirit and strategy and tactics, with his outstanding military strategic idea, rare commanding art and great trust and love. Kim Jong Un sent a militant salute to the officers and men of the unit of engineers who defended the immortal reputation and prestige of the KPA and returned home with honor. A commanding officer of the overseas engineers combat unit courteously reported to the Supreme Commander of the armed forces of the DPRK that the unit carried out the Party's combat order. Kim Jong Un warmly congratulated the regiment on its proud combat achievements. He made a speech in congratulation of the homecoming of the unit of engineers. He warmly encouraged the officers and soldiers of the regiment of engineers who came back to the motherland after fully discharging their combat orders from the Party by displaying matchless bravery and specialized features and referred to pain of waiting for one hundred and twenty days in which he had never forgotten the beloved sons even for a moment and to the combat feats the regiment performed to shine forever in the history of the overseas military operations. He said that the blood and sweat the soldiers of our armed forces shed and the sacrifice they made in the overseas operational area will never remain in vain and the feats the officers and soldiers of the 528th Regiment of Engineers performed will shine forever along with the fame of our powerful army. Expressing gratitude and paying ennobling respect to the devoted service of the officers and soldiers who are always faithful to the country, he ended his speech. When he finished his speech, all the participants raised stormy cheers of "Hurrah!" once again, looking up to him with the boundless excitement and happiness of returning to the embrace of the father whom they yearned for and the greatest honor and pleasure of being blessed by the great brilliant commander. Kim Jong Un proclaimed that the motherland decided to award the regiment the Order of Freedom and Independence 1st Class and nine combatants fallen in the course of completing their military missions the title of the DPRK Hero, the Order of National Flag 1st Class and the Order of Soldier's Honor 1st Class in order to highly appreciate and add eternal luster to the bravery displayed by the unit and its brilliant combat feats. Upon the authorization of the Party and the government of the Republic, he fixed the order awarded by the motherland to the colours of the unit shining with the immortal feats. The venue of ceremony was full of great emotion and joy of all the officers and men of the regiment of engineers. Kim Jong Un warmly congratulated the soldiers of the regiment upon receiving the thanks and worthy honor offered by the Party, motherland and people. There took place a march-past of the columns of the overseas engineers unit of the KPA with their glorious colours. The participants enthusiastically applauded the soldiers of the unit of engineers who were granted a special favor of being reviewed by their supreme commander after making a report on victory. Kim Jong Un met with the exemplary officers and combatants of the regiment of engineers and warmly encouraged them, highly appreciating the moral world and military feats of them who absolutely remain faithful to the order of the Party and the motherland. The emotional scene of the venue of the ceremony in which the leader shared noble fraternal feelings with his soldiers was an impressive picture eloquently showing what made our motherland great and what made our army strong. Kim Jong Un said that the motherland and people would always remember the military feats of the combatants of the unit of engineers who showed the feature of the true soldier, officer and human being who remain faithful to the motherland and people and are proud before them with their transparent faith and will and self-sacrificing efforts in battlefields, not with words and the bravery and heroism displayed by our soldiers in the sacred war for defending justice and dignity would be kept as the greatest pride of our state. Expressing the belief and conviction that the brave combatants, who fully proved the law of the victory and development of the revolutionary army invincible with ideology and getting stronger by dint of it in overseas battlefield, would vigorously glorify the dignity and honor of the KPA with the worthwhile military feats of our generation, he had significant pictures taken with them, which will be eternally recorded in the history of army building. At the end of the photo session, the venue of the ceremony resounded with the enthusiastic cheers reflecting the transparent faith and will of the combatants to more bravely struggle for the great Comrade Kim Jong Un and great our state and people. Kim Jong Un visited the memorial wall erected at the central hall of the April 25 House of Culture. Reverently recollecting the noble life of the martyrs who dedicated their lives to the sacred war for defending the honor and dignity of the country, he fixed the medal of the DPRK Hero, order of national flag and the order of soldier's honor beside their portraits. He laid a white flower before the memorial wall and observed a moment's silence, hoping that the noble soul and spirit of the martyrs will be immortal along with their honor. And flowers were placed before the memorial wall by commanding officers of the Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK and the large combined units of the KPA, commanding officers of the regiment of engineers and the bereaved families of the martyrs. Kim Jong Un met the bereaved families of the martyrs and warmly consoled them, sharing with them the pain of loss. A performance was given to congratulate the return of the combatants who devotedly carried out the Party's combat order in the overseas operational area. When Kim Jong Un appeared in the auditorium together with the commanding officers of the unit of engineers, the combatants broke into cheers, overcome by deep emotion of being honored with the highest glory and happiness in their lives under the care of the country and the great father whom they longed for even in their dreams. The performers put on the stage songs of best wishes for the well-being of the motherland sung by the brave soldiers in battlefields of the alien land and the songs of the revolutionary army which always inspired them with unyielding courage and encouraged them to win victory. The audience was filled with deep emotion by the images showing the self-sacrificing combat spirit, the loyalty and patriotism of the combatants of the unit of engineers, who dash into a mine field or a hail of bullets without hesitation and open the road of advance for victory to carry out the order of the leader and the Party. Deeply moved by the traces our soldiers left in every bloody battlefield and their warm feelings, the audience was more firmly convinced that the motherland will be always strong as it has the reliable lifeguards who are possessed of the pure mind of remaining absolutely loyal to the Party, matchless heroism, ardent patriotism and comradeship as their mental qualities. The performance was acclaimed by the audience as it reflected the firm will of the service personnel of the People' Army to reliably defend the security of the country and the people, holding the arms of the revolution more firmly while highly displaying the ideological and mental superiority peculiar to our army, through fine ideological and artistic depictions. When the performance was over, the audience broke into stormy cheers again, looking up to Kim Jong Un . Kim Jong Un warmly waved back to the officers and combatants of the unit of engineers as an expression of encouragement. All the officers and men of the unit of engineers firmly pledged to cherish the heavenly love and trust of the great Party Central Committee as a vein of their destiny and nutrition fostering heroism and record only victories on the glorious colours shining with proud military feats of defending the motherland and revolution. A reception was given in the evening to welcome the soldiers' homecoming. Present on invitation were the officers and combatants of the 528th Regiment of Engineers, their families and officials concerned. Also present there were leading officials of the Party and the government. The spirit of carrying out the order of the Party unto death, mass heroism and unparalleled self-sacrificing spirit displayed by the officers and combatants of the 528th Regiment of Engineers of the KPA will be handed down forever along with the history of eternal victory of the powerful revolutionary army of the great Comrade Kim Jong Un . -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Speech of Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un at Ceremony of Welcoming Return of KPA Overseas Engineers Unit Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, December 13 (KCNA) -- The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un made a speech at the ceremony of welcoming the return of the overseas engineers unit of the Korean People's Army. The full text of his speech is as follows: Dear officers and soldiers of the 528th Regiment of Engineers of the Korean People's Army, I warmly welcome all of you, officers and soldiers of the regiment, back to your country. In performing your overseas mission you demonstrated the heroic spirit of our army and its specialized features with credit, and carried out your combat tasks in a responsible manner. I really appreciate you all for coming back in good health. Just as you yearned, every moment of the day on the foreign battleground, for all the precious things in your country, everyone in your country have never forgotten their beloved sons even for a moment. Upon receiving the daily reports about your combats, I was deeply moved by the unyielding mettle you displayed in executing the orders from your Party and country death-defyingly. And each time, my wish grew stronger for every one of you to return safely and gladly. In retrospect, for me, this can be said to be a year of longing; to the marrow of my bone, I have felt the pain of waiting that I have never experienced before. One hundred and twenty days have passed since the moment when I had to dispatch you, combatants of this regiment, to the dangerous battleground; every day of this period seemed like a decade, just as when I had been waiting for the combatants of the special operations units, who had been involved in the liberation battles. As the days went by, I found myself unable to accustom myself to, or get used to, worrying about the safety of the precious sons of this country who were fighting on the foreign battleground. Now I feel at ease. I am fairly relieved to see all of you come back like this. You have fought very bravely. True to the expectations of the Party, the country and all who are dear to your hearts, you displayed your mettle befitting true combatants, to the admiration of the world. Now you look more robust and dignified, and once again I warmly congratulate you, all the combatants of the regiment of engineers, for returning home with pride. Comrades, The 528th Regiment of Engineers is another proud combat unit that justly represents the matchless bravery and powerfulness of our army and its specialized features. This regiment was formed on May 28 according to the decisions and orders of our Party Central Military Commission to build on the valuable victory in the overseas military operations. Early in August you, engineers of the regiment, left for the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, which your comrades-in-arms had retaken at the cost of their lives, and you achieved brilliant results in the course of performing your combat tasks there. You fought in a life-and-death situation, braving the grave invisible dangers here and there, and your faith and willpower were tested every step of your way. Despite the harshness of the circumstances on the battleground, our engineers of the regiment never vacillated or hesitated, but all of you were courageous and responsible all the time. As all of you, both officers and soldiers, displayed mass heroism overcoming unimaginable mental and physical burdens almost every day, you could work a miracle of turning a vast area of danger zone into a safe and secure one in a matter of less than three months, the task which was believed to be impossible to be carried out even in several years. The cardinal importance of the battle results the regiment achieved this time lies evidently in that they were not feats performed by a few well-trained fighters but the fruition of mass heroism displayed by all the officers and soldiers. In the rigorous battleground, where even a trifle slip or carelessness was not allowed and where even going to and from the battleground was accompanied by combats, you, caring for your comrades-in-arms first, shielded one another from the bursting shrapnel, and fulfilled your missions unto death even when you were critically wounded. Your ennobling comradeship, matchless self-sacrificing spirit and indomitability deserve everybody's admiration, I believe. I was convinced that our regiment of engineers would fight like that as they were ordered by the Party Central Committee. Your brilliant battle results were also associated with the devoted efforts of the signalmen and medics who accomplished their tasks faithfully risking their lives almost every day. All the officers and soldiers were equally brave, competent, devoted and heroic, indeed. The fundamental key to the invincible fighting strength our regiment of engineers demonstrated in the alien battleground lies in the revolutionary fighting spirit that prevailed in the entire unit. As definite precedence was given to political work, which was conducted in an ingenious, fresh and prompt way to suit the frontline situation, the spiritual and moral merits of our army were fully displayed typically to demonstrate the unconditional implementation of orders, loyalty, patriotism, unity between officers and soldiers, and comradeship. What impressed me particularly were the performances given by company art groups in humble barracks on the holidays of September 9 and October 10, and the soldiers singing revolutionary songs on their way to the battleground and reciting the poems of their creation and writing letters to their home towns and villages at breaks of the mine-clearing hours. Such a way of life could hardly be seen in such deadly circumstances unless they are men of optimism who are strong in faith and will as they are entirely filled with affection and respect for their Party, their country, their home towns and their parents and siblings and are firmly convinced of their victorious cause. No other armies could imitate our service personnel's ennobling ideological mentality of considering it a source of their honour instead of death to sacrifice themselves for their country, nor could they produce at any exorbitant cost mass heroism, a powerful weapon unique to our army. The armed villains of the West, armed with whatever latest military hardware they are, cannot match this revolutionary army with an unfathomable spiritual depth. It is regrettable that I cannot enumerate now all the combat feats performed by the hundreds of officers and soldiers of the regiment of engineers. However, these feats will shine forever in the history of our army's overseas military operations as well as in the history of the unit of engineers. Comrades, You left your homeland without much fanfare on receiving the order of the Party, but you have returned with something really great that adds to the glory of your country, your fellow people and army. Your regiment accomplished the order unto death, but there was no reward or remuneration for it. Yet, it has earned the most valuable thing in the world that cannot be bartered for anything else. That is the trust and confidence of the Party, the country and the people in our army. Our army should expect nothing other than the trust of the Party, the country and the people. By displaying an unrivalled fighting spirit and writing legendary tales in your combat records, you have faithfully and wonderfully lived up to the trust and confidence of your Party, your state and your fellow people in you. The regiment of engineers has once again etched in history and highlighted in front of the world the unique mightiness of our army that has held ideological and spiritual perfectness, the core of which is the absolute loyalty to the Workers' Party of Korea, as a banner of making itself a strong army. Herein lies the special significance of the feats performed by the regiment. I, in the name of the Party and the country, extend thanks to all the officers and soldiers of the 528th Regiment of Engineers, who, by displaying matchless mass heroism and indomitable fighting mettle, carried out to the death the combat order issued by the Party and fully demonstrated once again the prestige of our state and the fame of the Korean People's Army. Comrades, The priceless blood and sweat the regiment shed and the invaluable sacrifice it made in the course of perfectly carrying out the combat order of the Party will never remain in vain. The immortal feats and exploits you performed will shine forever along with the fame of our powerful state and army and with our socialist country that will prosper infinitely. Except the heartrending loss of nine lives, all the officers and soldiers of the regiment have returned to the motherland, and I express my thanks to you for this. All the officers and soldiers of the armed forces of our Republic will regard the fighting spirit and exploits of the 528th Regiment of Engineers as another model. And your parents, siblings, wives and children, and the teachers of your alma maters will feel greatly proud of you. I really feel proud of you, ranks of stalwart soldiers, and your powerful combat unit. I hope that in the future, too, you will continue to perform brilliant exploits on the sacred road of safeguarding our great state and people. The motherland decided to confer the Order of Freedom and Independence on your regiment in order to highly appreciate and add eternal glory to its bravery and brilliant combat feats. In addition, it decided to award the title of Hero of the DPRK, Order of the National Flag 1st Class and Order of Soldier's Honour 1st Class to the nine engineers who, to our regret, fell in the course of carrying out their combat orders. Today I, upon authorization of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and the government of the Republic, will confer the Order of Freedom and Independence 1st Class on the colours of your regiment, its banner of victory and glory, and fix the orders on the portraits of our fallen comrades-in-arms. I express my gratitude and pay ennobling respect to you, who are always faithful to your country, for your devoted service. Long live the heroic Korean People's Army! -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting on peace plan for Ukraine planned in Paris not to take place media A meeting between U.S., Ukrainian, and European delegations on the peace plan was scheduled in Paris for Saturday, December 13, but these talks will not take place, RFM24 reported. "There will be no meeting on Ukraine in Paris on Saturday," a source at the Elysee Pa The 2026 Federal Foreign Office budget - setting the course for strong foreign policy Germany Federal Foreign Office 09.12.2025 - Article With a total budget of around 6 billion euro for 2026, the Federal Foreign Office is facing up to global challenges and prioritising foreign policy that remains resolute and capable even in difficult times. Our budget underlines not only Germany's responsibility in the world, but also our clear focus on the fundamental aims of freedom, security and prosperity as the guiding principles of our foreign policy. Security and prosperity in Europe and worldwide through support for crisis management In a world that is shaped by geopolitical tensions and numerous conflicts, Germany's foreign policy is aligned more closely than ever with supporting peace and stability. The ongoing war in Ukraine, the fraught situation in the Middle East and the humanitarian crises in Africa require resolute action. Germany plays an active role both in crisis management and in stabilising affected regions, whether through humanitarian or preventive action. The budget for 2026 shows that, despite current financial pressures, Germany remains a reliable partner in international crisis assistance - both in acute emergencies and in longer-lasting conflicts in places such as Ukraine, Gaza and the Sudan. The 1.048 billion euro earmarked for humanitarian assistance will be used to support people in emergencies and help alleviate the greatest suffering. One example is support for mine clearance in conflict zones, which is an essential step in order for reconstruction to take place and safety to be restored. A further 353 million euro of funding will contribute to stabilising affected regions and make it possible to curb violence and begin reconstruction after the acute phase of the crisis has ended. This includes mediating peace, fighting and preventing extremist violence, fighting transnational organised crime, reforming the security sector, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration, strengthening legitimate state structures and improving living conditions, as well as promoting democracy and the rule of law. One key issue remains the situation in the Middle East, particularly the reconstruction of Gaza. Germany is already providing urgently needed humanitarian assistance and will continue to champion the reconstruction of Gaza within the international community. We are implementing the 20-point plan for Gaza together with our partners. We are also supporting the International Stabilization Force in Gaza that was recently endorsed by the UN Security Council, with the aim of bringing lasting stability to the region. Responsibility for global stability Security remains a crucial pillar of German foreign policy, and the 2026 budget takes this into account. In times of growing threats to the international order, such as the ongoing Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, Germany has increased its support for military and civil measures. The Enable and Enhance Initiative managed jointly by the Federal Ministry of Defence and the Federal Foreign Office has been substantially expanded. A total of around 12 billion euro (including revenue and reflows) for military support for Ukraine shows that Germany is prepared to take on responsibility in order to preserve security in Europe and beyond. Moreover, Germany remains flexible in its international cooperation and can swiftly respond to new threats, whether from natural disasters or sudden geopolitical tensions. Through efficient budgeting, funding can be reallocated at short notice in order to swiftly respond to acute crises and ensure security in affected regions. Support for education and academia One core element of the budget is the defence of our freedom in an increasingly polarised world. Education and cultural exchange are particularly important in this regard. The 2026 budget therefore once again includes funding of almost one billion euro for cultural relations and education policy. An important component of this policy is the 136 German schools and the Goethe-Institut, which serve as bridges between Germany and the world, foster understanding of our country abroad and communicate our interests and values. Through its support for education and academia, for example through the German Academic Exchange Service ( DAAD ) and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany remains a global supporter of academic freedom and intercultural exchange. Skilled workers - the key to making Germany's economy fit for the future In 2026, recruitment to address the ongoing shortage of skilled workers remains a priority for the German economy. The Federal Agency for Foreign Affairs, which was tasked with coordinating visa processing for skilled workers from abroad in 2021, plays a crucial role in integrating international talent. With an increased budget of 67.5 million euro for 2026, the Agency will be able to further boost skilled immigration - from granting visas to supporting integration into the labour market. Efficient and capable despite reductions The Federal Foreign Office will remain fully capable of action despite staffing reductions in 2026. More than 12,000 staff at 225 missions abroad and the headquarters in Berlin are deeply committed to implementing Germany's foreign policy goals. While making necessary budget adjustments, Germany will remain able to effectively carry out its global tasks even in times of crisis. The 2026 budget ensures capable foreign policy that takes account of Germany's interests and international obligations. Through targeted expenditure in fields such as humanitarian assistance, culture, education and military support, Germany is showing that it can contribute its share to international crisis management and peacekeeping even in difficult times. The 2026 budget is thus also a clear commitment to the values that shape Germany's foreign policy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Speech by Foreign Minister Wadephul at the "MSC in Berlin"-event with the Secretary General of NATO Germany Federal Foreign Office 11.12.2025 - Speech If you want to know Russia's actions, listen to what it accuses others of. A couple of years ago, we all got used to a constant Russian lament about supposed Western plots to influence Russian society. In reality, of course, it is Russia that is spending millions of dollars subverting democratic processes around the world. Later, when the Russian regime was trying to justify its invasion of Ukraine, it alleged a systematic oppression of Russian speakers in the Donbas. In reality, of course, it is Russia that is today trying to erase the Ukrainian language and cultural identity in the territories that it occupies in Ukraine. What can we learn from this? First, that a behavioral pattern like this is often referred to as "projection" in psychology. And second: that when Putin tells Russian media his country is not planning to fight European countries, but if Europe were to start a war, he is "ready right now", we should all be worried indeed. Because Russian hybrid actions are already targeting us in Europe as we speak: Parcels sent to German logistics hubs that go up in flames. Spy drones hovering over airports and Bundeswehr barracks. Cyber-attacks against key nodes of our civilian infrastructure. These actions are calling for an adequate response. Ladies and Gentlemen, colleagues, It is not a matter of choice that the harsh logic of military deterrence is the main strategic imperative of our time. It is a matter of fact. I am glad that in this day and age it is you, Secretary General, dear Mark, whose leadership we count on, on both sides of the Atlantic. And I am glad that we agreed at our Summit in the Hague to a new Defense Investment Pledge of 5%. Germany will meet our new spending target well before the 2035 deadline. This year alone, as many of you well know, Germany made relevant steps towards facing up to our geopolitical reality. In March, we adapted our Constitution to allow for more adequate military spending. Last week, the Bundestag passed a reform of our conscription law. And, importantly, this year, Germany has also become Ukraine's biggest supporter, in terms of both military and non-military assistance. At last week's NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting, together with Norway, Poland and the Netherlands, we announced financing for two additional packages of acquisitions under the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List, bringing our total contribution to 700 million dollars. But I also want to say this: more Allies, more Allies in Europe, need to urgently step up. We are grateful for the United States' efforts in pursuing a lasting peace in Ukraine. Relevant progress has been made, with crucial Ukrainian and European involvement, in sketching out key principles for this. This includes, in particular, securing an end to the war that leaves Ukraine sovereign, independent and secure from future Russian aggression. Ukraine has shown remarkable flexibility, most importantly an openness towards an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. But we are yet to see any meaningful Russian readiness to negotiate. The Russian position today seems to almost boil down to: "if we don't get for free what we couldn't get during 11 years of fighting, we won't even talk". That is not a serious negotiating position. But it is a potent reminder that this war will probably only end when Putin feels that the consequences of continuing it have become too painful. To get there, there are, in my view, two things that we as European Allies need to do. First, we need to increase the pressure on Russia. We need to let Russia know that the costs, especially the long-term costs, of continuing its senseless war, are only about to rise. Leveraging Russia's frozen sovereign assets in Ukraine - as proposed by German Chancellor Merz - is a necessary step towards that end. But secondly, and even more importantly, we need to maintain cohesion within NATO. For what sets us apart from Russia is this: We say what we do. We do what we say. And we stand on the side of freedom. And as free countries, the differences in political outlook that will never cease to exist between us should never drive us apart. For they are first and foremost this: an important source of our strength. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Transcript of Special Briefing by MEA on Prime Minister's visit to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman (December 12, 2025) India - Ministry of External Affairs December 12, 2025 Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming for this special briefing by Secretary (South) Dr. Neena Malhotra and Secretary (CPV & OIA) Shri Arun Chatterjee on Prime Minister's upcoming visits to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman. For this briefing, we are also assisted by Additional Secretary (Gulf) Shri Aseem Mahajan, Joint Secretary (WANA) Shri Suresh Kumar, and Joint Secretary (East and Southern Africa Division) Shri Janesh Kain. With that, first I will invite Secretary (South) to give you an overview as to what lies ahead on Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Jordan, Ethiopia. Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South): Thank you, Randhir. Namaskar, Good Evening, and thanks for your presence here. Let me begin with the Jordan leg, first. At the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will embark on a bilateral visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from December 15 - 16, 2025. This will be Prime Minister's first full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan which is coinciding with the 75th year of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Jordan. Some of you may recall, earlier Prime Minister Shri Modi had transited through Jordan in February 2018, while on his way to the State of Palestine. Even though it was a transit visit, exceptional courtesies were accorded to him by His Majesty the King, making it more than just a transit visit. This, the current full bilateral visit is taking place after an interval of 37 years. India and Jordan share warm and friendly relations marked by mutual trust and goodwill. The relationship spans across sectors including political, economic, defense, and strong people-to-people ties. Our bilateral relations are marked by strong understanding at the leadership level. Since the last visit of His Majesty in 2018, both the leaders have met four times with the latest being on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy in June 2024. The leaders are in touch with each other telephonically as well, and both the leaders also spoke recently in April 2025 after the ghastly Pahalgam terror attacks, during which His Majesty condemned the terror attacks, and said that terrorism should be rejected in all its forms and manifestations. His Majesty also reiterated his support for India's fight against terrorism and both countries have cooperated in counter-terrorism including by India's participation in the initiatives launched by His Majesty such as the Aqaba process. India and Jordan also share strong economic ties with India being the third largest trading partner of Jordan, and the bilateral trade between the two countries is valued at 2.8 billion dollars. Jordan is also a leading supplier of fertilizers for us, particularly phosphates and potash. There is also a joint venture named Jordan India Fertilizer Company (JIFCO) with an investment of 860 million dollars between IFFCO of India and Jordan Phosphates Mines Company (JPMC) of Jordan. In the field of investment, there are around 15 garment companies with an investment of 500 million dollars located in the qualified industrial zones of Jordan. Jordan is home to a vibrant Indian diaspora of over 17,500 who are employed in different sectors such as textiles, construction, manufacturing and others. As regards connectivity, Royal Jordanian has recently started direct flights between Amman and Mumbai, and plans to expand their operations to New Delhi. Jordan provides tourist visa on arrival to Indian tourists and have recently started electronic visa. As regards the program of the visit, Prime Minister will arrive in Amman on 15th of December. On the same day, he will meet His Majesty King Abdullah II for a one-on-one talk, to be followed by delegation level talks. On the next day, Prime Minister and the King are expected to address the India-Jordan business event to be attended by leading businessmen from both sides. Prime Minister will also interact with the vibrant Indian community in Jordan and along with Crown Prince, Prime Minister will visit the historic city of Petra, a city which shares ancient trade linkages with India, weather permitting of course. From there, he will emplane for the second leg of the visit, that is Ethiopia. As regards Ethiopia, the dates are 16th - 17th of December 2025. It's a State Visit to Ethiopia, it's at the invitation of the Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, and this is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since 2011. Ethiopia is an important and trusted partner in Global South and the African context. The Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed has been a prominent participant and key speaker during the past editions of the Voice of Global South. The current visit reflects India's commitment towards deepening South-South cooperation and strengthening of partnership with Africa. The visit will also help consolidate cooperation across a broad spectrum of areas including economy, trade, culture, and people-to-people contacts. On the economic front, discussions are expected to focus on diversifying trade, enhancing connectivity, and identifying new opportunities for investment in infrastructure, IT, mining, agriculture and manufacturing. India and Ethiopia share a long history of partnership in the sector of education, skilling, and capacity building. India has been offering scholarship and training opportunities to Ethiopian students and professionals through ITEC and ICCR scholarships. Here it is worth mentioning that several of the presidents or vice presidents, which are equivalent to vice chancellors or registrars of Indian universities in Ethiopia, they have studied in India under ICCR and other government-sponsored scholarship schemes. Therefore, ITEC continues to be a vital platform for skill upgradation and re-skilling for human resource development in Ethiopia. Climate action will be another important pillar of cooperation. India continues to support Ethiopia's renewable energy initiatives through the International Solar Alliance and International Solar Alliance engagement in Ethiopia has progressed substantially with several initiatives such as the establishment of Solar Technology Application Resource Center (STARC) at Addis Ababa University. Also, completion of Ethiopia's first ever grid connected solar rooftop and many other such activities. As regards the program in Ethiopia, the Prime Minister will have one-on-one and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed. There will be an address to the joint session of the Parliament by our Prime Minister. There is an interaction with the Indian community and some other activities. The visit will also reinforce the strong role of Indian diaspora in Ethiopia serving as a natural bridge between the two countries. During the visit of Honorable Prime Minister, a number of MoUs and agreements are expected to be signed. These will strengthen our multifaceted partnership, expand development cooperation and open new avenues of collaboration between two countries. The visit reaffirms India's role as a trusted and long-term partner for Ethiopia. India remains committed to working with Ethiopia to build a stable, secure and inclusive global order and in advancing Africa's priorities in line with Agenda 2063 and common global objectives. We feel that the upcoming visit is expected to give renewed momentum to bilateral ties and chart new pathways for cooperation in the years ahead. I shall stop here and take a few questions. Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Thank you, Ma'am. Now, I invite Secretary (CPV & OIA) to brief us on Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Oman. Shri Arun Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA): Thank you, Randhir. Namaskar and Good evening to all of you. It's indeed a great pleasure to meet you all and to inform you about the forthcoming visit of the Hon'ble Prime Minister to Oman. I start off where Secretary South has ended. At the invitation of the Head of State of the Sultanate of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will be visiting Oman on 17 and 18 December 2025. Prime Minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation. This is the second visit of Prime Minister to the Sultanate of Oman, after his last visit in February 2018. It also follows the State visit of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman to India in December 2023. This visit is of great significance as it will be taking place when India and Oman are together celebrating the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations. As mentioned earlier, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik paid a State visit to India in December 2023. Prime Minister and His Majesty the Sultan had together agreed on a future roadmap to deepen ties between the two countries. I can inform you that various initiatives have already been taken under this, and also some are under implementation. Friends, India shares a special partnership with the Sultanate of Oman, built on centuries-old contacts, and underpinned by trade linkages and people-to-people ties. In modern times, our relationship has evolved into a strategic partnership characterized by robust cooperation in diverse areas. There exists excellent political relations between India and Oman. The frequent visits at the highest level, followed up by ministerial and official-level interactions, signify the depth of our bilateral partnership. One of our oldest strategic partners in the Gulf region, India's relations with Oman are all-encompassing and spans diverse fields such as trade and investment, maritime cooperation and connectivity, energy security and green energy, agriculture and food security, health, defense and security, technology and culture. I will briefly delve on some of these areas of bilateral cooperation. Trade and investment relations are key pillars of our relations with Oman. Our bilateral trade for FY 2024-2025 stands at USD 10.61 billion. Bilateral investment flows have also been robust, as reflected in the numerous joint ventures established both in India and Oman. There are several India-Oman joint ventures present in Oman contributing to the country's economic growth and development. India and Oman have cooperation in the defense sector which includes joint exercises, training, and exchange of visits. In recent years, both countries have cooperated in ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. Oman has a vibrant Indian community of over 675,000 who call Oman their second home and have made a meaningful contribution to the development of the Omani economy. They serve as a living bridge uniting our two countries and strengthening our relationship. Coming to the various elements of the visit, Hon'ble Prime Minister will hold comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of the bilateral relations with His Majesty the Sultan of Oman and also exchange perspectives on regional and international issues of mutual interest. He is expected to address business leaders from both the countries at a business forum and also address the Indian community in Oman during the visit. At this stage, I can inform you that a number of documents that are expected to be signed during the visit are in the last stages of their finalization. The areas and other details of these various documents that are expected to be signed will be shared after the visit. In conclusion, I can say that carrying forward from the historic visit of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman to India in 2023, the present visit of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Oman will build on the momentum gathered in bilateral relations, and further consolidate our strategic ties with Oman in this important 70th year of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It will reinforce our strategic partnership, is expected to open new avenues of cooperation, and further strengthen the ties between the people of the two countries. Thank you. And if there are any questions, I would be happy to answer them. Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Thank you, Sir. With that, we open the floor for questions. Megha Sharma, NewsX: Hello, Good Evening Sir. And my question is about the Free Trade Agreement between Oman and India. Is that agreement formally going to be signed during Prime Minister's visit? And is the Commerce Minister also traveling along with the business delegation that you were talking about? Akhilesh Suman, DD News: Sir main Akhilesh Suman hoon DD News se. Pradhanmantri Narendra Modi Jordan ja rahe hain. Jordan Israel ke theek bagal mein hai, aur Gaza mein shanti ki baat ho rahi hai, kis tarike se wahan suraksha di jayegi, kis tarike se reconstruction hoga, ispe bhi baat chal rahi hai. Donald Trump ka bhi prastav aaya hai. Toh kya Pradhanmantri Jordan mein jab baat karenge, toh in muddon par bhi baat karenge, apni taraf se bhi koi prastav denge ya usme shamil hone ki koi baat karenge? [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, I am Akhilesh Suman from DD News. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Jordan. Jordan is right next to Israel, and discussions are underway about peace in Gaza, including how security will be ensured there and how reconstruction will take place. There is also a proposal that has come from Donald Trump. So, when Prime Minister is in Jordan and holds discussions, will these issues also be taken up? Will he put forward any proposal from India's side or indicate India's willingness to be part of such efforts? Rishabh, Times Now: Good evening, Sir. Rishabh from Times Now. Sir, Prime Minister is traveling to Oman, there are reports that Oman has agreed to hand over their retired Jaguar fleet to India which can be used for the spare parts, with the fleet that India have for Jaguar. If we can have more details on that? Sidhant, WION: Hi Ma'am, Hi Sir. My question is, both Oman and Jordan are part of the OIC, the Organization of Islamic Grouping. This grouping has been used by Pakistan for its own anti-India propaganda activities. How much the Indian side is going to sensitize both countries over the misuse of OIC, and also Pakistan's support to cross-border terrorism? Ayushi Agarwal, ANI: Good evening, this is Ayushi Agarwal from ANI. During Prime Minister's Ethiopia visit, will there be any discussion on next India-Africa summit? Shri Arun Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA): See, the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, we are all very optimistic about it. The teams from both the sides, we have been working very hard for its early finalization. And we are working towards it. As I mentioned that several of these documents are still under various stages of finalization, and awaiting for approvals of both the sides. But we have here immense faith that this agreement, if it is signed during this visit, will significantly deepen the economic ties between India and Oman. And it will open up a new chapter in the history of India - Oman trade and commercial relationship. Now, regarding the recent reports about the handing over of spare parts. We can inform you that some of the elements of the report were not fully correct. The Royal Air Force of Oman used to operate Jaguar jets, but they were then retired from their service sometime back. Now, they are having many spares of these aircrafts which they would be are willing to transfer to us in the near future. And we are expecting that the supplies of those spare parts are likely to come in the coming days. As far as, Sidhant, your question is concerned. You see, both with Oman and Jordan, our relationship has its own importance. Whether the leaders, as I mentioned in my talks ... they will be discussing regional and international issues of mutual interest. I won't be at this stage be able to tell what all issues will be coming up. Maybe, post the visit we will be able to brief you what all are the regional issues that might have come up during the talks of the two leaders. Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South): Thank you. Aapne prashn kiya ki kya do aapas mein Palestine ya Gaza pe baat karenge. Main yeh toh nahi jaanti jab woh milenge toh kya baat karenge, lekin aisa maana jaata hai ki jab do deshon ke neta milte hain, toh sabhi muddon pe charcha hoti hai. Dwipakshiye muddon pe bhi charcha hoti hai, kshetriye muddon pe bhi charcha hoti hai. Toh humein... ho sakta hai ki donon neta in... in mamlon pe charcha karein. [Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Thank you. You asked whether they will discuss Palestine or Gaza. I cannot say exactly what they will talk about when they meet, but it is generally understood that when leaders of two countries meet, they discuss all relevant issuesbilateral as well as regional. So it is possible that both leaders may also discuss these matters. Regarding the Gaza peace plan, well, we have welcomed the signing of first phase of Gaza peace plan. And you know our position. We also attended the Sharm El-Sheikh summit. Our Minister of State for External Affairs had attended. And we generally support any effort towards building lasting and just peace. Thank you. Regarding Ethiopia, of course Ethiopia is an important country in Africa. It's part of the African Union, it's actually headquarters of the African Union. We have had some editions of India-Africa Forum Summit in Ethiopia when we had Banjul Formula. I don't know what would be the discussions regarding the forthcoming summit. Yes but I know that we have been working with our African partners to organize the next edition of India-Africa Forum Summit. So, as and when something is concretized, we shall definitely get back to you. Thank you. Yeshi Seli, Business India: This is Yeshi Seli from Business India. My question is, on the FTA one of the roadblocks is, you know, Oman talks about Omanisation where they want to take only their nationals for work, and there is a big Indian community there. So, you know, will there be talks on protecting the interests of Indian labor there? Also, in the wake of sanctions that we have, the U.S. sanctions on oil, are we going to increase our energy imports from Oman to India? Niraj, News18 India: Ma'am, mera sawal ye hai ki Ethiopia mein Bharat teen bade investors mein se hai, FDI ki agar baat karein, foreign investors... investment ki baat karein, toh kya Bharat isko aur badhane ko lekar bhi aage dekh raha hai is daure ke dauran? FDI? [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Ma'am, my question is that India is among the three major investors in Ethiopia when it comes to FDI and foreign investments. So, during this visit, is India looking at further increasing its investments there? FDI? Neeraj Dubey, Prabhasakshi: Namaskar Sir, main Neeraj Dubey Prabhasakshi se. Sir, Jordan, Ethiopia aur Oman teeno hi mein Cheen ki achhi wahan par prabhav hai, wahan par teeno hi China ke BRI ke member bhi hain. Toh Pradhanmantri ki is yatra ke aise kaun se mehatvapoorn pehlu hain jo ki in teeno deshon ki Cheen par nirbharta kam karne mein sahayak honge? Aur doosra Ethiopia ke saath sir vyapar asantulan bana hua hai, toh is yatra mein kya uspar bhi kuch baat cheet honi hai? [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Namaskar, Sir. I am Neeraj Dubey from Prabhasakshi. Sir, China has significant influence in Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman, and all three countries are also members of China's BRI. So, what are the key aspects of the Prime Minister's visit that could help reduce these countries' dependence on China?And secondly, Sir, there is a trade imbalance with Ethiopia. Will this visit also include discussions on addressing that issue? Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South): Thank you. As far as Ethiopia is concerned, I think the visit is coming at a significant moment when Ethiopia has embarked on comprehensive economic reforms. They are opening up all key sectors including the banking sector, the capital markets etc. So, India does seek to align our development cooperation and economic engagement with Ethiopia's priorities, and we definitely would like to explore new avenues for cooperation which are mutually beneficial to both sides. You are very right about our investments. I think in the textile sectors we have huge investments, we have investments in the other sectors. We have over 175 companies present in Ethiopia from India. So, there is definitely a scope. Regarding the trade with Ethiopia, we usually, from our side, export pharmaceuticals. In fact, nearly 40% of all our exports to that country are pharmaceuticals. And from there, we purchase pulses and beans. Right now, the trade volume is about 550 million dollars. So, both sides will definitely try to enhance the bilateral trade, both exports and imports to that country. Thank you. Shri Arun Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA): So, as you know, I mentioned about that we have more than 675,000 Indians in Oman, of which a little more than 5 lakhs are Indian workers in Oman. Large number of them are working in the private sectors. Now, the sectors where our workers are there is construction, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, hospitality, transport, logistics, ports and shipping, tourism. So, it's a huge list if I keep on mentioning. Yes, Omanisation is there, but it is our view that despite the Omanisation which is a policy followed by the government of Oman, it is still anticipated that Oman would continue to employ skilled individuals to support its large infrastructure plans, and its sustained economic growth.So, we are of the view and it's our expectation that the demand would continue in all these sectors, and the Omani government would continue to employ Indians in these particular sectors, and the new and emerging areas that are likely to come in the coming years. Coming to the question on energy cooperation. Now, the traditional hydrocarbon trade with Oman is one of the significant components of our bilateral trade. We are also looking at new avenues of cooperation in green energy and energy security. We import crude oil, petroleum products, and LNG from Oman, and these exports are in substantial quantities, and we also export petroleum products to Oman. So, we expect that this hydrocarbon cooperation between India and Oman will continue in the coming years as well. India's relationship with any country should not be viewed through the prism of a third country. India builds its own relationship with whether it is Jordan or with Oman, irrespective of whatever is happening between that country's relationship with a third country. So, on this same principle, I would suggest that we would continue to develop our bilateral cooperation with Oman as well as Jordan. Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: With that, ladies and gentlemen, we come to the close of this press briefing. This visit starts on 15th, we shall keep you updated on each of the legs of the visit and we will keep you updated on all the developments. Thank you, very much. New Delhi December 12, 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin: Russia supports Iran on nuclear issue IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Dec 12, 2025 Moscow, IRNA -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Tehran and Moscow maintain close and continuous contact on sensitive international matters, including Iran's nuclear issue, and emphasized that Russia supports Iran. Putin made the remarks during a meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday, held on the sidelines of the International Peace and Trust Summit in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. He noted that Tehran is well aware of Moscow's position, adding that Russia backs Iran at the United Nations. Putin also highlighted that the foreign ministers of both countries remain in regular contact on various issues. The Russian president extended his greetings to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and praised the growth in bilateral trade - 13% in 2024 and 8% during the first nine months of 2025. The international gathering in Ashgabat was convened on Friday to commemorate the International Year of Peace and Trust, the International Day of Neutrality, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, with the participation of leaders from several countries. Turkmenistan's neutral status was first recognized internationally in 1995. In 2017, at Ashgabat's initiative, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating December 12 as the International Day of Neutrality. 9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian On the sidelines of the forum, President Vladimir Putin met with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian. December 12, 2025 12:20 Ashgabat President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, I am very glad to see you. We meet regularly, and earlier this year we not only held talks but also signed an important and comprehensive agreement on our strategic partnership. Before we begin, I would like to ask you to convey my sincere wishes for good health and wellbeing to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Mr Ali Khamenei. I would also like to note that relations between our countries are progressing very constructively. Last year, our bilateral trade grew by 13 percent, and in the first three quarters of this year, it has risen by an additional 8 percent. We continue to advance our major joint projects, including the Bushehr nuclear power plant and key infrastructure initiatives such as the North-South transport corridor. We are also exploring opportunities for cooperation in the gas and electricity sectors. Significant joint work is underway in agriculture as well. And, of course, we maintain close coordination on all key international issues, including all matters concerning the Iranian nuclear programme. You are aware of our position: we support Iran at the United Nations, and our foreign ministers remain in constant contact. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to meet with you on the sidelines of today's events. President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian (retranslated): I am very pleased to meet with you again. I would like to thank you for supporting our political positions on the international stage. As set out in our comprehensive strategic document, we are committed to implementing everything we have agreed. Regarding the Astara-Rasht railway, I would like to inform you that we have already completed around 100 to 110 kilometres, and we plan to finish the entire project by the end of the year. Vladimir Putin: 93 kilometres. Masoud Pezeshkian: Over 100 kilometres - 106, to be precise. I monitor this issue on a weekly basis. Vladimir Putin: Good. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel admits it inflicted less damage to Iran than initially thought Iran Press TV Friday, 12 December 2025 10:03 AM Israel has admitted that it inflicted less damage to Iran during the 12-day war in June than it initially thought, a report says. The Israeli military's intelligence directorate head Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder told visiting US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz earlier this week that Israel believes that Iran's ballistic missile program suffered less damage in the war than initially thought. The al-Monitor website cited a source familiar with the issue as saying that Tel Aviv is again urging Washington to act against Iran. "This is a threat that Israel will not be able to accept for long, and we must coordinate with the Americans the red lines and actions we will take in the future, perhaps even in the near future," the source added. This comes as the Times of Israel claimed that Iran currently "possesses around 2,000 heavy ballistic missiles, roughly the same number it had on the eve of the war." On June 13, Israel launched an unprovoked war against Iran, assassinating many high-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists, and ordinary civilians. More than a week later, the United States also entered the war and bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, in a clear violation of international law and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In response, the Iranian Armed Forces targeted strategic sites across the occupied territories as well as the US al-Udeid air base. On June 24, Iran, through its successful retaliatory operations against both the Israeli regime and the US, managed to impose a halt to the illegal assault. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Separatist Group Jaish Al-Adl Rebrands As Wider Iranian Opposition By Kian Sharifi and RFE/RL's Radio Farda December 12, 2025 The Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl says it has joined forces with several smaller Baluch paramilitary groups to form a new coalition targeting Iran's clerical establishment. In a video statement released on social media platforms, an unidentified spokesman said the new group would be called the Popular Resistance Front and framed its creation as an effort to "strengthen the effectiveness of the struggle" against the "tyranny" of the Islamic republic. Notably, there was no explicit mention of Baluch independence, with the spokesman instead appealing to broader Iranian unity against the establishment. Jaish al-Adl appears to have shifted from its original separatist agenda to presenting itself as part of a wider Iranian opposition movement, marking a significant evolution in its stated objectives. Abdul-Sattar Doshouki, director of the London-based Center for Balochistan Studies, made a similar observation, telling RFE/RL's Radio Farda that the new group's flag bears no symbol associated with Baluch separatist movements. "This may suggest that Jaish al-Adl has slightly moved away from its traditional stance," he said. Doshouki noted that since the Islamic Republic came to power in 1979, Baluch militant groups have been driven by religious or ethnic grievances against Iran's Shi'ite rulers, adding that only time will tell whether this apparent shift is genuine. He added that Jaish al-Adl remains the coalition's largest and most prominent member, while its other partners have been largely dormant in recent years. There has been no official reaction from Tehran to the new coalition's formation so far. Fars news agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), has downplayed the announcement, claiming that Jaish al-Adl is merely "shedding its skin" to attract potential financial backers. Iran has long accused the United States, Israel, and Saudi Arabia of arming Jaish al-Adl but has not publicly provided evidence. Analysts told RFE/RL last year that the group's main funding comes from wealthy Baluchis based in Persian Gulf states and from drug smuggling, rather than foreign governments, while weapons from post-2021 Afghanistan and black market purchases also help supply the group. Observers have also noted that Jaish al-Adl has begun raising funds through cryptocurrency donations. Jaish al-Adl, meaning "Army of Justice" in Arabic, emerged in 2012 as the successor to Jundullah, a Baluch militant organization. Jundullah, which took shape around 2003, staged sporadic bombings and armed assaults against Iranian security forces before being largely dismantled in a fierce government crackdown that culminated in the capture and execution of its leader, Abdolmalek Rigi, in 2010. Tehran accuses Jaish al-Adl of operating from Pakistan and has repeatedly criticized Islamabad for failing to take action against the group -- an allegation Pakistan denies, saying the organization has no structured presence on its soil. Jaish al-Adl is designated as a terrorist organization by both Iran and the United States. A US State Department spokesperson told RFE/RL that Jaish al-Adl "under any name remains designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist." RFE/RL has contacted the US State Department to clarify whether that designation extends to the newly formed "Popular Resistance Front." On the same day it announced its formation, the group claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on an IRGC border patrol in Iran's southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan province, killing three members of the IRGC Ground Forces. Nasrin Afshar of RFE/RL's Radio Farda contributed to this report. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/jaish-al-adl-new-group- iran-opposition/33621554.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 Iranian Noble Prize Laureate Narges Mohammadi Arrested By RFE/RL's Radio Farda December 12, 2025 Iran's 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi has been arrested, along with several other human rights activists during a memorial ceremony in the northeastern city of Mashhad. According to the Narges Mohammadi Foundation, the arrest took place on December 11, during an event marking the seventh day after the death of Khosrow Alikordi, a prominent lawyer and human rights advocate. A large crowd attended the ceremony, which drew numerous well-known activists, former political prisoners, and families seeking justice for victims of state violence. A post on Mohammadi's account on X stated that she was "violently arrested by security and law enforcement agents." Her husband, Taghi Rahmani, who lives in France, confirmed that "Narges Mohammadi, Sepideh Gholian, and several others" were detained at the gathering. Clashes With Security Forces Videos circulated on social media show a large turnout, with participants chanting slogans critical of the Islamic Republic. In one widely shared clip, Mohammadi and fellow activist Sepideh Gholian stand atop a vehicle, leading the crowd in chants such as "Long live Iran!" Other footage shows security forces clashing with attendees, with officers attacking participants as protesters chant slogans against the authorities. Mashhad officials later confirmed that several civil activists had been arrested. According to Hasan Hosseini, the city governor of Mashhad, the activists' detention was temporary and ordered by the prosecutor's office due to what he described as "norm-breaking slogans." He claimed those detained were placed "under protection" and that the arrests were carried out "for their own safety." Earlier reports indicated that several other prominent figures, including Nasrin Sotoudeh, Aliyeh Motallebzadeh, and Hasti Amiri, were also present at the memorial. Narges Mohammadi, 53, has spent much of the past decade behind bars. She was serving a combined sentence of 13 years and 9 months before being released on medical grounds in early December 2024. At the time of her new arrest, she was reportedly undergoing treatment. Since her release, Mohammadi had resumed her human rights work, meeting with civil activists across Iran and taking part in international discussions, including virtual conferences with foreign audiences. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-noble-prize- laureate-narges-mohammadi-detainment/33621765.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 Iran to Continue Cooperation With Russia in Security Sphere Sputnik News 20251212 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia and Iran are working on strengthening bilateral ties in the field of security, the chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Ebrahim Azizi, said on Friday. "Some forces are trying to hinder Iranian-Russian military-technical cooperation. For our part, we believe that any cooperation with Russia, especially in defense industry, should be based on clear and transparent principles," Azizi told Russian media. Azizi noted a strategic and multifaceted character of the bilateral relations between the two countries. He added that the parties exchange technological innovations, information, and conduct regular military drills. In early December, Russia participated in the Sahand 2025 counterterrorism exercise, held in Iran, as a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization alongside other members - China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with President of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid Vladimir Putin held a meeting in Ashgabat with President of the Republic of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid. December 12, 2025 18:10 Ashgabat President of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid (retranslated): Mr President, I am delighted to see you. As you know, relations between Iraq and the Soviet Union, and later between Iraq and Russia, are long-standing. We share a rich history of cooperation across a wide range of areas - industry, the economy, trade, and humanitarian affairs. A large number of Iraqi engineers have completed their training at Russian universities. The number of visits between our countries is also increasing. We have now reached a stage where additional efforts must be made to give new impetus to these relations and interactions. As you are aware, major developments are taking place in the Middle East. I am referring to the challenges many countries in the region are facing in political and security matters. Therefore, we advocate strengthening political coordination between our two states. Mr President, we are also in need of the technologies that are rapidly advancing in the Russian Federation. We seek your support in this area, particularly in mechanical engineering, infrastructure development, and agriculture, areas in which previously we used to cooperate in. We need even deeper engagement with your country. If possible, I would like to visit the Russian Federation and meet with you. I would then take along a large delegation, including ministers and other representatives of Iraqi society. Vladimir Putin: Mr President! We have already discussed this matter. You have a standing invitation to visit Russia, and we will be glad to welcome you at any time convenient for you. We will coordinate this through the Foreign Ministry. I fully agree with you: our relations are deep and long-standing. And throughout their entire history, there has never been a dark moment. Despite all the turbulent events in the region and in your country, we have, curious as it may appear, always maintained very good relations. They remain so today. In general, we enjoy positive economic cooperation. Many of our companies are working with you and are showing interest in further collaboration. Our relations are diversifying and becoming more diversified, and we are set to continue working together in this direction. I also agree with you that the situation in the region requires our constant consultations [and our close attention]. I want to emphasise that we have always supported Iraq's territorial integrity and the Iraqi leadership's efforts to stabilise [the situation]. Rest assured, this position is fundamental for us. Let me conclude by returning to what I have said at the beginning: we are pleased to welcome you to Russia. I want to reiterate that this invitation is official. We can also always stay in touch by phone. Thus we will maintain contact. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine Nearly 10,000 participants took part offline and online in the Ukraine-wide Conference "Development of Nursing." "Kyiv hosted the Ukraine-wide conference 'Developing Nursing Through Professional Standards: Ukrainian Experience and International Practice,' which brought together more than 9,700 participants both offline and online," the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) reported on its Facebook page on Saturday. During panel discussions and expert debates, participants presented the concept of a multi-level system of professional development and launched the preparation of legislative changes, as well as the harmonization of nursing professional standards with European ones. "The Ukrainian Red Cross Society stood at the origins of nursing as a profession based on humanity, service, and trust. Supporting professional standards is our contribution to quality care and the resilience of the healthcare system," URCS President Mykola Polischuk said while opening the conference. According to Kateryna Komar, Director of the government institution Center for Nursing Development of Ukraine's Ministry of Health, the involvement of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society in developing professional standards guarantees their practicality and viability. "Developing professional standards is an investment in the sustainability of the healthcare system. They strengthen the role of nurses in communities and ensure high-quality, safe care," said Hanna Hluschenko, a nursing development specialist at the URCS Healthcare Department. The event brought together representatives of government authorities, the professional community, educational institutions, international partners, healthcare experts, the National Qualifications Agency, as well as representatives of employers and trade unions. The conference became a key platform for shaping a shared vision for the development of nursing in Ukraine, based on trust, professionalism, and responsibility to people. The event was organized by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society jointly with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the government institution Center for Nursing Development of Ukraine's Ministry of Health, and the URCS professional college, with the support of the Norwegian and French Red Cross societies, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the Volyn and Zhytomyr Medical Institutes. UK leadership imperative as Myanmar's crisis deepens ahead of junta's announced sham elections: UN expert UNOHCHR Press releases Special Procedures 12 December 2025 GENEVA -- A UN expert today urged the United Kingdom to help mobilise international opposition to the Myanmar military junta's claim that the election that it will stage later this month is legitimate, while taking other measures to strengthen its support of human rights in Myanmar. "I am heartened by the United Kingdom's rejection of the junta's election scheme," said Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, in a statement at the end of his visit to the UK. "I urge the UK Government to proactively reach out to other Governments, especially those in Asia, to ensure they do the same. A strong, coordinated rejection of these sham elections is essential to deny the junta the means to fabricate credibility and legitimacy," he said. Andrews urged the UK Government to take stronger measures to address a deepening human rights crisis in Myanmar. "While the military continues to escalate its attacks on civilian targets, there have been no new targeted UK sanctions issued against the junta since October 2024 and protection pathways for desperate Myanmar people appear to be narrowing under newly announced policies," he said. The Special Rapporteur noted that the UK's Human Rights and Democracy Annual Report has not been published since July 2023, leaving a noticeable gap in the articulation of the UK Government's position and perspective on deteriorating human rights conditions, including those in Myanmar. "I am also concerned that the Security Council's engagement on the crisis in Myanmar has fallen short," the expert said. "As Security Council penholder on Myanmar, I urge the UK Government to increase the visibility of the crisis while demanding junta accountability." "The UK could, for example, move to convene a public session on the junta's failure to implement provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice in the Rohingya genocide case," Andrews said. "A stronger human rights lens should be integrated into Security Council engagement." The Special Rapporteur expressed his horror at the bombing of Mrauk-U General Hospital in western Rakhine State on Human Rights Day, which reportedly killed at least 30 people and injured more than 60. "This attack, carried out on a day when we reaffirm our commitment to human rights, illustrates and underscores the junta's complete disregard for civilian lives and blatant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law," he said. "The United Kingdom is in a unique position to help drive a strong international response, drawing on its leadership role as penholder on Myanmar at the UN Security Council, as a country that has helped restrict the junta's access to weapons and financing through sanctions, and as a major humanitarian donor," Andrews said. "The people of Myanmar have shown extraordinary courage. They deserve an international response that matches their determination," the Special Rapporteur said. "The United Kingdom can play a decisive role and now is the moment to act." Thomas Andrews is the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan: Imran Khan's solitary confinement and inhumane detention conditions must end, UN expert says Press releases Special Procedures 12 December 2025 GENEVA -- The UN Special Rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, today urged the Government of Pakistan to take immediate and effective action to address reports of inhumane and undignified detention conditions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, warning that they could amount to torture and other inhuman or degrading treatment. "I call on Pakistani authorities to ensure that Khan's conditions of detention fully comply with international norms and standards," Edwards said. "Since his transfer to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on 26 September 2023, Imran Khan has reportedly been held for excessive periods in solitary confinement, confined for 23 hours a day in his cell, and with highly restricted access to the outside world," she said. "His cell is reportedly under constant camera surveillance." The Special Rapporteur stressed that prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement is prohibited under international human rights law - and when it extends longer than 15 days, it constitutes a form of psychological torture. "Khan's solitary confinement should be lifted without delay. Not only is it an unlawful measure, extended isolation can bring about very harmful consequences for his physical and mental health," she said. According to information received, Khan is not permitted outdoor activity or interaction with other detainees and is unable to join communal prayers. Visits from lawyers, family members and others authorised by the courts are frequently interrupted or ended prematurely. Imran Khan is held in a small cell that lacks natural light and adequate ventilation. Temperatures reportedly become extreme in both winter and summer, and poor air circulation leads to foul odours and insect infestations. As a result, he has reportedly suffered nausea, vomiting, and noticeable weight loss. "Anyone deprived of liberty must be treated with humanity and dignity," the expert said. "Detention conditions must reflect the individual's age and health situation, including appropriate sleeping arrangements, climatic protection, adequate space, lighting, heating, and ventilation." Imran Khan, aged 72, has a history of significant health issues, including a serious spinal injury from a 2013 accident and gunshot wounds from a 2022 assassination attempt. "Khan has reportedly been denied adequate medical attention," Edwards said. "I urge the authorities to allow a visit by his personal physicians." The Special Rapporteur has raised Imran Khan's situation with the Government of Pakistan and will continue to follow developments. Alice Jill Edwards is the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The 205th ROK-U.S. Joint Committee of the Status of Forces Agreement Joint Press Release Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea Date 2025-12-12 Representatives of the Republic of Korea and the United States of America held the 205th Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) Joint Committee Meeting at Camp Humphreys, Pyeongtaek, on 12 December, 2025. The ROK delegation was led by Director-General Hong Jeepio, North American Affairs Bureau, the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The U.S. delegation was led by Lieutenant General David R. Iverson, Deputy Commander, United States Forces Korea. During the discussions, the two sides reaffirmed ROK-U.S. partnership over seven decades, recognized the importance of the ROK-U.S. SOFA as a force enabler, and committed to supporting the evolution of the ROK-U.S. Alliance into a future-oriented, comprehensive strategic alliance in the face of an evolving regional security environment. The 205th Joint Committee acknowledged 24 months of active consultations on various alliance issues such as civil-military relations, environmental management, immigration, and the protection of U.S. military installations. The ROK and the U.S. also agreed to expedite the ROK-U.S. SOFA consultations related to the relocation and return of U.S. military bases in the ROK in accordance with the ROK-U.S. SOFA and related agreements. The ROK and the U.S. representatives recognized the Noise Mitigation Subcommittee's efforts toward the second comprehensive noise evaluation survey to assess the impact of military operations on surrounding communities and their residents. Both sides agreed that various civil-military projects serve as a strong bridge connecting the peoples of the two countries and further consolidating the ROK-U.S. Alliance. The two representatives also greatly valued efforts of the Disease Prevention and Control Subcommittee to collaborate on the active exchange of information and policy consultations on infectious disease prevention and control. Finally, the two representatives, emphasizing that the ROK-U.S. SOFA remains a critical component of the ROK-U.S. Alliance, agreed to continue to closely discuss issues related to SOFA. //End// NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tsahkna: EU decision confirms that Russia will pay for its actions Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12.12.2025 | 20:10 The Council of the European Union decided today that 210 billion worth of assets belonging to the Central Bank of Russia will remain frozen until Russia ends its war of aggression against Ukraine, compensates Ukraine for the damage caused, and its military activities no longer pose a threat to the EU's economy. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that this is a critically important decision and a necessary step towards the European Council's expected decision next week to grant Ukraine a loan backed by the frozen assets. "Today's decision confirms that Russia will pay for its actions," Tsahkna stated. "Europe's most powerful leverage for supporting Ukraine is Russia's frozen assets," Tsahkna emphasised. "Now I expect the European Council next week to decide to put these assets to work for Ukraine - swiftly, decisively and without excuses." According to the European Commission's proposal, Ukraine will receive a 90 billion loan over the next two years, backed by the Russian central bank assets frozen in the EU, which amount to around 210 billion. These funds will ensure long-term and predictable financing for Ukraine's defence and reconstruction. "Ukraine needs at least 70 billion a year to survive," Tsahkna said, adding that it is time to use the aggressor's own money to rebuild what it has destroyed. "Estonia has advocated for this and worked towards it since March 2022." The damage caused to Ukraine already exceeds 500 billion, and Russia has shown no intention of compensating it. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov Following the plenary session of the International Forum Peace and Trust: Unity of Goals for a Sustainable Future, Vladimir Putin met with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. December 12, 2025 11:50 Ashgabat President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov: President Putin, Welcome to Turkmenistan. We are truly delighted to host you here in Ashgabat today. We extend our sincere gratitude for accepting our invitation to this forum, which celebrates the International Year of Peace and Trust, observes International Neutrality Day, and marks the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality. Your participation in this international forum is a powerful demonstration of your commitment to strengthening the foundations of peace, trust, and mutual understanding. We are deeply grateful for your active participation in this international forum dedicated to peace and trust. It is both a great honour and a privilege to welcome you on Turkmen soil. Welcome! President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much, Mr Berdimuhamedov, and first of all, for the kind invitation. Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the today's event and the 30th anniversary of neutrality. This is a significant event for Turkmenistan - one made possible by Turkmenistan's initiative, which led the United Nations to adopting a corresponding resolution on neutrality. This policy of neutrality is fully justified. As I noted in my public remarks today, it plays a vital role in stabilising the region and creates favourable conditions for developing bilateral relations with many countries - including, I am pleased to say, the strong partnership between Russia and Turkmenistan. Our relations continue to advance successfully in a spirit of friendship and neighbourliness. Much has already been accomplished across all areas of our cooperation, and I am confident that even more can be achieved, given our many mutual interests. Our economic ties are becoming increasingly diversified. Trust continues to grow in the political sphere. And we work together closely and effectively on all international platforms. We are grateful to you for the trust that has been established between us in all these areas. Later, we will have an opportunity to discuss briefly what steps we might take in the near future. And of course, we very much look forward to welcoming you in St Petersburg, as agreed, at the end of this month. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin Decree Forces Foreigners Seeking Russian Residency To Sign Army Contracts By Svetlana Osipova, Yelizaveta Surnacheva, Abdulla Zhusupaliev, Systema and Azattyq Asia December 12, 2025 Summary Many foreign men seeking Russian residency or citizenship must now sign a military or emergency services contract in order to apply. Systema and Azattyq Asia discovered the little-advertised decree, which Putin issued in early November. An analyst told Systema the decree aims to boost military recruitment and discourage long-term migration. Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a little-publicized decree last month that requires many foreign men who seek permanent residency or citizenship to sign a contract with the military in the midst of Moscow's war against Ukraine, an RFE/RL investigation has found. State-run and privately owned Russian media outlets have made almost no mention of the requirement, which is highly unusual in international practice, since Putin signed Decree No. 821 on November 5. But the new measure is already pushing migrants who have built their lives in Russia to choose between conscription and leaving the country, Systema, RFE/RL's Russian investigative unit, and Azattyq Asia, its Russian-language unit covering Central Asia, have discovered. Akif, a 48-year-old who came to Russia from Azerbaijan four years ago, found out about the requirement when he visited a Federal Migration Service office recently to ask what documents he needed to apply for permanent residency, his wife, Maria, told RFE/RL. She spoke on condition that their last names be withheld. 'Pawns In The Meat Grinder' Akif and Maria, a Russian citizen, were married three years ago and have built a house and farm in the Nizhny Novgorod region, where they keep sheep, goats, and rabbits. Akif had met other requirements, passing a Russian language test and receiving temporary residency. But the couple has decided to leave the country, abandoning Akif's plan to seek permanent residency. "We don't know what to do -- we are pawns in this meat grinder," Maria said. A permanent residence permit gives migrants legal stability: they can leave and reenter Russia without additional visas and work without a separate work permit. For many migrants from other former Soviet republics, it is the only path toward citizenship. Under Putin's decree,in order to apply for permanent residency, certain categories of men must present a military contract for at least one year of service, a contract for service in the Emergency Situations Ministry, or a certificate from a military enlistment office stating that they are unfit for service. Similar rules apply to men seeking Russian citizenship: They must present a certificate stating that they are unfit or proof that they have served in the military or Emergency Situations Ministry and were discharged before February 24, 2022, the first day of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. These requirements apply to men seeking permanent residency or citizenship based on long-term residency or family circumstances. Applicants in other categories, such as highly qualified specialists and those seeking documents based on studies in Russia, are exempt. The decree does not apply to men from Belarus, Russia's military ally. And for citizens of Kazakhstan and Moldova, the requirement is in place only for applications for citizenship, not permanent residency. Separate rules exist for citizens of Ukraine. The decree says the measures are temporary, but gives no timeframe. 'I Forbade Him To Sign' Another migrant who learned of the requirement unexpectedly is Burxon, 24, who came from Tajikistan about a year ago and works in the oil-producing Khanty-Mansiisk region. He was told at a government office that he would sign a military contract to apply for permanent residency, according to his father. "He listens to me. And I forbade him to sign a contract," Burxon's father told Azattyq Asia in Tajikistan. Other than a repeat of the unpopular September 2022 mobilization drive that prompted many to flee the country, the Russian military has left few paths untrodden in its effort to maintain manpower in the war, in which Western intelligence agencies and others say more than 1 million Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded. Russia has recruitedmen from around the world and sought to draft male migrants since the start of the full-scale invasion. Some foreigners have signed contracts voluntarily in exchange for large payments or simplified citizenship procedures. Moscow has steadily expanded such incentives as the war has dragged on. Foreign soldiers fighting in Ukraine do not have to pass the Russian-language exam for citizenship, for example. And Russian lawmakers have recently considered a draft law clarifying that foreigners who fought on Russia's side would not be extradited to other countries that seek them for criminal prosecution or enforcement of a sentence. In May 2025, Russian Investigative Committee chief Aleksandr Bastrykin said that at least 20,000 naturalized men from Central Asia were fighting at the front, while another 10,000 had been sent "to dig trenches." Not The Norm Newly naturalized citizens have been summoned to migration offices and threatened with losing their citizenship if they refuse to fight. Recently, naturalized migrants have also been detained in large-scale raids and pressured to sign military contracts. Officially, the decree marks the first time the pressure is reaching non-citizens. It marks a departure from widespread practice globally: In most countries with mandatory military service, it applies to citizens and, less often, to permanent residents. The news coverage, or lack thereof, is also unusual. Russian outlets routinely publish or describe Putin's decrees, but in this case, reports on the decree in major print and electronic media did not mention the requirement directly, saying that a simplified procedure to receive residency or citizenship was in place for foreigners who join up. Temur Umarov, a fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin, said there appeared to be two motives behind the decree. "With these rules, the Russian government solves two problems," Umarov told Systema. "It increases mobilization at the expense of people who have limited ability to defend their rights, and it makes long-term migration to Russia less attractive." "Migrants in the future will have to come to Russia exclusively as a labor resource and workforce," he said. Adapted from the original Russian by Ulviyya Asadzade Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-decree-russian- citizensip-residence-permit/33621628.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 Bank of Russia Launches Battle Against Euroclear for Illegal Asset Actions Sputnik News 20251212 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Bank of Russia said on Friday that it had filed a statement of claim with the Moscow Arbitration Court against the Euroclear depository for recovery of losses caused to the regulator. "In connection with the illegal actions of the Euroclear depository causing losses to the Bank of Russia, as well as in connection with the mechanisms officially considered by the European Commission for the direct or indirect use of the assets of the Bank of Russia without the consent of the Bank of Russia, the Bank of Russia is filing a claim with the Moscow Arbitration Court against the Euroclear depository for recovery of losses caused to the Bank of Russia," the bank said in a statement. Euroclear's actions caused harm to the Bank of Russia due to the inability to dispose of its funds and securities, the regulator said. The Central Bank of Russia said that it had issued a statement regarding the European Commission's plans to use its assets, calling them illegal and contrary to international law. The statement comes in response to the European Commission's remarks regarding its two solutions to support Ukraine's financing needs in 2026-2027 and its draft regulatory act on proposal establishing the reparations loan to Ukraine. "The mechanisms provided for in this document for the direct or indirect use of the assets of the Bank of Russia, as well as any other forms of uncoordinated use of the assets of the Bank of Russia, are illegal, contrary to international law, including violating the principles of sovereign immunity of assets," the statement said. The Bank of Russia also said that it reserves the right to defend its rights in all available ways without additional notice, noting that it will challenge any actions of the bloc entailing a uncoordinated use of the regulator's assets in all available competent authorities. Following the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in 2022, the European Union and the G7 nations froze nearly half of Russia's foreign currency reserves, totaling approximately 300 billion euros ($350 billion). Around 200 billion euros are held in European accounts, predominantly in Euroclear, a Belgium-based securities depository. The Kremlin has said that any attempts to confiscate Russian assets would be a theft and a violation of international law. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Motions seeking Lai defense briefing sent to 2nd reading, negotiations ROC Central News Agency 12/12/2025 09:01 PM Taipei, Dec. 12 (CNA) Opposition motions requiring President Lai Ching-te () to take questions from the Legislature on his proposed NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget were sent directly to a second reading and cross-party negotiations on Friday. The move comes after Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) lawmakers, who together hold a majority in the 113-seat Legislature, twice voted to reject the Cabinet's 2026-2033 spending proposals for major U.S.-linked weapons purchases and joint development programs. In its motion, the KMT pointed to Lai's remarks on possible Chinese military readiness in 2027 and argued that the eight-year plan could total NT$4.5 trillion with sustainment, squeezing out social and economic spending. While it supports strengthening national defense, the KMT argued that the Cabinet's plan lacks transparency, includes unproven weapons systems and items without strategic validation, and risks wasteful spending. The KMT added that the Constitution and the Act on Exercising Legislative Yuan Powers allow lawmakers to invite the president to brief the chamber and take lawmakers' questions. The TPP's motion, meanwhile, noted that Lai has already budgeted NT$949.5 billion for defense in fiscal 2026 and pledged to raise defense spending to 5 percent of GDP, calling the scale unprecedented and a major shift in fiscal priorities. It said Lai should honor his campaign pledge to brief lawmakers on national security, cross-strait developments, U.S. arms purchases and defense budget planning before any review of the special budget. During floor debate, KMT lawmaker Hsu Chiao-hsin () said the president must take lawmakers' questions, arguing that a one-way speech would be meaningless. Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Puma Shen () said the opposition motions were politically driven, and asserted that the Constitutional Court had ruled on-the-spot questioning of the president unconstitutional. Shen said that if the opposition is concerned about waste or budgetary pressure, it should allow the special act to enter committee review so details can be examined. As party caucuses reached a consensus before Friday's sitting, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu () ruled that both motions would bypass a vote and go straight to a second reading and cross-party negotiations. (By Kuo Chien-shen and Lee Hsin-Yin) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. urged to expedite F-16 collision avoidance system installation ROC Central News Agency 12/12/2025 05:10 PM Taipei, Dec. 12 (CNA) Taiwan has asked the United States to expedite work on installing an automatic ground collision avoidance system (AGCAS) across its F-16V (Block 20) fleet, the Air Force said Thursday. That appeal came after a Taiwanese pilot recently experienced a brief G force-induced loss of consciousness during a routine training mission flying the F-16V (Block 20) fighter, the Air Force said, potentially endangering his life. The AGCAS uses data such as aircraft speed, heading and terrain to assess the risk of a ground or sea collision and alert the pilot. If the pilot does not respond, the system automatically adjusts the aircraft's attitude and altitude to prevent a crash. In 2020, the Air Force incorporated the AGCAS into its F-16 upgrade program and said in early 2022 that installation work on Taiwan's F-16V (Block 20) fighters was scheduled to begin in November 2023. The work, to cover the country's 141 F-16V (Block 20) fighters, was expected to be completed in 2028. The Air Force did not say Thursday how much earlier it hoped the U.S. could finish the AGCAS installations. Public concern over when the system will be fitted into the Block 20 fleet was heightened because of the incident involving a pilot flying a single-seat F-16V that was disclosed Tuesday. The 66 F-16V (Block 70) fighters that Taiwan has ordered, however, will come equipped with AGCAS, Major General Chiang Yi-cheng () from the Air Force Headquarters said at a news conference on Wednesday. In response to a CNA query, the Air Force said the AGCAS upgrade involves three components -- software updates, wiring modifications, and flight control computer adjustments -- and does not require a full replacement of the flight control computer. The Air Force added that the upgrade is part of the Phoenix Rising program, which runs from 2012 to 2028, to bring Taiwan's fleet of F-16 Block 20s to F-16V specs. It said it has used a dedicated project management mechanism to urge the U.S. to speed up work on retrofitting the F-16V Block 20s with AGCAS. (By Wu Su-wei and Sean Lin) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese Embassy lodges solemn demarche with Israeli side at earliest opportunity over Taiwan regional official's visit Global Times By Global Times Published: Dec 13, 2025 09:50 AM Asked to comment on reports that Wu Chih-chung, the Taiwan region's so-called "deputy foreign minister," had recently paid a secret visit to Israel, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Israel said that Taiwan is a province of China and there is no such thing as a "foreign ministry." China has consistently and firmly opposed any form of official interaction between countries that have established diplomatic relations with China and the Taiwan region. The Chinese Embassy in Israel has lodged a solemn demarche with the Israeli side at the earliest opportunity. The spokesperson noted that the one-China principle is a widely recognized consensus of the international community and a basic norm governing international relations. It is also the political foundation and prerequisite for China's establishment and development of diplomatic relations with countries around the world, including Israel. The Joint Communique on China and the Government of the State of Israel on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations clearly states that "The Government of the State of Israel recognizes that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China," said the spokesperson. The Taiwan question concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and constitutes the core of China's core interests. It is a red line that must not be crossed. We once again urge the Israeli side to earnestly abide by the one-China principle, correct its erroneous actions, cease sending any wrong signals to separatist forces advocating "Taiwan independence," and take concrete actions to safeguard the overall development of China-Israel relations, the spokesperson added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Photo: State Emergency Service Russian forces carried out one of the heaviest air attacks on Odesa region overnight on Saturday, December 13, said Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration. "Over the course of the night, civilian facilities, as well as energy and industrial infrastructure, were damaged. The strikes caused fires, administrative buildings and energy facilities were damaged. Rescuers are working to eliminate the consequences. In some areas of the region, power supply disruptions are being observed," Kiper wrote on Telegram. As a result of Russian strikes on Odesa region overnight on December 13, three people were injured, the Office of the Prosecutor General reported. "According to preliminary data, three people were injured. Information on the number of damaged civilian facilities is being ," the statement said on Telegram. Damage is currently known to energy infrastructure facilities, a two-story residential building, and five private households. PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2025.12.13 Issuing AuthorityPolitical Warfare Bureau PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Date 6 a.m. Dec. 12 (Fri.) to 6 a.m. Dec. 13 (Sat.) (UTC+8) 2.PLA activities 9 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 4 out of 9 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities. 1141213_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window] 1141213_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window] NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan Vladimir Putin met with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Peace and Trust: Unity of Goals for a Sustainable Future International Forum. December 12, 2025 13:30 Ashgabat The meeting between Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan began with expanded talks involving members of their respective delegations. It was noted that relations between Russia and Turkiye are developing steadily across all areas. The comprehensive and diversified nature of Russian-Turkish cooperation, particularly in trade and the economy, allows to withstand international challenges and pressure from third countries. A number of major joint projects remain on the agenda, foremost among them the continued construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. A detailed discussion on Ukrainian, regional, and international issues also took place. Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed European attempts to seize Russian assets, and the President of Russia reiterated his well-known assessment of these efforts. The parties agreed that such ill-considered actions by European states would effectively lead to the collapse of the Bretton Woods system and the underlying principles of the international financial system. Russian-Turkish talks continued in a restricted format. Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif later joined the meeting. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever: 12 December 2025 Press release The Prime Minister met Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever in Downing Street this afternoon. From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP Published 12 December 2025 The Prime Minister met Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever in Downing Street this afternoon. The leaders welcomed the close and growing relationship between their two countries on a range of shared priorities, with an emphasis on migration, security and growth. On Ukraine, they discussed the latest on peace talks and agreed that these were at a pivotal moment for Ukraine's future. It was clear, they agreed, that keeping up the economic pressure on Russia and putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position would remain the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace. They discussed ongoing work, together with European partners, on addressing Ukraine's financial needs, including through the use of the value of immobilised Russian Sovereign Assets. They agreed to continue to work together closely to make progress on this complex issue. The Prime Minister also welcomed agreement from Belgium to strengthen efforts to tackle the shared challenge of illegal migration, including greater collaboration on innovative solutions on returns and readmissions and enhanced law enforcement cooperation. They looked forward to speaking again soon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Defence Minister congratulates servicemen on liberation of Seversk (Donetsk People's Republic) 11 December 2025 10:43 'In the course of the special military operation, the servicemen perform combat missions in the most difficult directions, demonstrating courage and valour, defeat the enemy on his homeland, bringing our victory closer,' the Russian Defence Minister said in a greeting telegram. The Defence Minister noted, that the servicemen are making steady progress in Seversk direction, breaking through the enemy's defence and ensuring the advance of the entire group of forces. 'We will always remember the names of the servicemen who gave their lives in the battle for the Motherland,' the Russian Defence Minister stressed. Andrei Belousov thanked the servicemen for successful carrying out combat missions and for their loyalty to military duty, and expressed confidence that they would continue to honourably fulfil their military duty, reliably defend national interests and ensure security of Russia. Department of Information and Media Affairs of Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Defence Minister congratulates servicemen on liberation of Kurilovka in Kharkov region 11 December 2025 10:31 'In harsh years of the Great Patriotic War, the regiment's servicemen showed examplary courage, inexorable resilience and tenacity in the fight against the German-fascist invaders,' the Russian Defence Minister said in a greeting telegram. The Russian Minister of Defence noted that today the regiment's servicemen successfully carry out the tasks of the special military operation in Boguslavka direction, repel enemy attacks, break through enemy defence, thus ensuring the successful advancement of the entire group of forces. 'We will always remember the exploits of the soldiers who shed blood for our Motherland,' the Russian Defence Minister stressed. Andrei Belousov thanked the servicemen for their loyalty to the Fatherland and their oaths, and expressed confidence that they would continue to fulfil their military duty with honour, bringing our victory closer. Department of Information and Media Affairs of Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Swiss Government Press release Published on 12 December 2025 Berne, 12.12.2025 -- On 12 December, the Federal Council expanded the sanctions lists concerning Russia and Belarus. Switzerland is thus adopting various changes that the EU decided on as part of its 19th package of sanctions. The measures will come into force on 13 December. In response to Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, the EU adopted new measures against Russia on 23 October as part of its 19th package of sanctions. The Federal Council has decided that Switzerland will adopt several listings. Measures against Russia Twenty-two natural persons and forty-two companies and organisations are now subject to asset freezes and a prohibition on making funds available. The individuals are also banned from entering and transiting Switzerland. The newly sanctioned persons and organisations are primarily those that belong to or serve the Russian military-industrial complex or the Russian energy sector, as well as companies that manage ships in the shadow fleet. In addition, 116 new ships will be subject to comprehensive bans on purchases, sales and services. These are mainly tankers that are part of Russia's shadow fleet and, in particular, circumvent the price caps for Russian crude oil or Russian petroleum products (oil price cap) through the use of risky transport practices In the trade sector, 45 new companies, including in third countries, are subject to stricter export control measures. The aim of this measure is to counteract deliveries of critical goods to Russia's military-industrial complex. Five Russian banks and four branches of Russian banks in third countries have been placed under a transaction ban, in particular because they use Russian payment systems. Further, eight companies in third countries have been placed under a transaction ban because they significantly undermine the purpose of the sanctions. The amendment to the Ordinance on Measures Relating to the Situation in Ukraine also includes the extension of deadlines for granting exemptions to enable Swiss companies to withdraw their investments from Russia in an orderly fashion. The EU's 19th package of sanctions provides for a range of additional measures affecting the financial, energy and trade sectors, which were presented to the Federal Council at its meeting on 12 December. The Federal Council will subsequently consider these sweeping measures and provide an update. Measures against Belarus On 23 October, the EU also imposed measures against Belarus in light of its continued involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine. Switzerland has adopted the EU listings and subjected two natural persons and three companies to an asset freeze and a prohibition on making funds available. The individuals are also banned from entering and transiting Switzerland. At a subsequent stage, the Federal Council will consider the sectoral measures against Belarus and provide information on this matter. G7+: Statement of the Co-Chairs of the G7+ Ukraine Energy Coordination Group Ministerial Meeting European External Action Service (EEAS) 12.12.2025 EEAS Press Team The G7+ Ukraine Energy Coordination Group met virtually today, December 12, 2025, to reaffirm its united support for Ukraine's energy security and strongly condemn Russia's deliberate strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The meeting was co-chaired by Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the EU and Vice President of the European Commission, and Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, with the participation of Yuliia Svyrydenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine, and EU Commissioner Dan Jrgensen. Recalling the G7 Foreign Ministers Joint Statement in Niagara and the G7 Energy Ministers Statement on Ukraine's Energy Security in Toronto, participants reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty, and independence. For nearly four years, Russia has inflicted increasing damage on Ukraine's electricity infrastructure, gas networks, nuclear power plant substations, and renewable energy sources. Millions are being left without heat, light, or access to essential services, with vulnerable populations disproportionally affected. The G7+ Ukraine Energy Coordination Group called on Russia to immediately stop all strikes on civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure. Participants reiterated that an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire is urgently needed, leading to a just and lasting peace. The G7+ Ukraine Energy Coordination Group committed to putting Ukraine in a position of strength by boosting resilience through active and passive air defence of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, to avoid the continuation of the 'we repair, they destroy' pattern; of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, to avoid the continuation of the 'we repair, they destroy' pattern; continuing to ensure that all the repairing and restoring capacities of Ukraine remain available, and in addition to supplying Ukraine with the necessary equipment , which is not available locally; of Ukraine remain available, and in addition to supplying Ukraine with the , which is not available locally; ensuring that Ukraine receives enough gas and electricity for the winter of 2025-26, of 2025-26, closing the financial gap between the needs and the funding of the Ukraine Energy Support Fund; between the needs and the funding of the Ukraine Energy Support Fund; putting an emphasis on reinforced outreach to third countries to encourage support from beyond the usual donor countries in the energy sector; accelerating the reform of Ukraine's energy markets , to make energy production, transmission and distribution more efficient and sustainable, thereby maximising the impact of the G7+ support; and, , to make energy production, transmission and distribution more efficient and sustainable, thereby maximising the impact of the G7+ support; and, supporting Ukraine in addressing governance in state-owned enterprises while drawing all necessary lessons from ongoing investigations in the energy sector. Participants underlined the need for strong and independent anti-corruption institutions and authorities in Ukraine, to develop and adopt the Anti-corruption Strategy and the State Anti-Corruption Programme, and for effective and comprehensive investigation of corruption cases. They highlighted the importance of further strengthening the independence of Ukraine's energy regulator. Based on the results of the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Rome and looking ahead to the 2026 URC in Poland, the G7+ Ukraine Energy Coordination Group reiterated its commitment to supporting Ukraine's immediate needs and vision of a more decentralised, diversified, resilient, and sustainable energy system that is fully integrated with Europe. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address G7 + Ministerial Meeting on Ukraine Energy Sector Support Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan December 12, 2025 On December 12, Dr. KUNIMITSU Ayano, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended the G7+ Ministerial Meeting on Ukraine Energy Sector Support. The representatives from G7 countries, Ukraine, other countries in Europe and international organizations participated in the meeting. The overview of the meeting is as follows: In this meeting, the participants discussed the issue of maintaining and restoring energy infrastructure in Ukraine. They shared information on each country's efforts and confirmed that they will provide continued assistance to Ukraine in the energy sector. State Minister KUNIMITSU stated that assistance in the energy sector is urgently needed as Russian Federation's intermittent attacks on energy facilities have had a negative impact on the power supply, while as a harsh winter is approaching. She also stated that, to date, Japan has supported Ukraine's energy supply and the protection of its power generation facilities through the provision of gas turbines, generators, transformers, gabions and other equipment. State Minister KUNIMITSU stated that, based on Ukraine's evolving needs, especially energy sector, Japan will continue to provide tailored and seamless assistance to contribute to the better recovery of Ukraine. (Reference)G7 + Ministerial Meeting on Ukraine Energy Sector Support This meeting is attended by ministerial-level participants from the G7, Ukraine, other European countries, and international organizations to discuss support in the energy sector for Ukraine. Meetings have been held online or in person in November 2022, January 2023, March 2023, June 2023, and September 2024. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Parliamentary Secretary in Lviv: Ukraine's accession to the European Union is in Latvia's security interests and an essential security guarantee for Ukraine Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12.12.2025 On 10 and 11 December, Artjoms Ursulskis, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in the informal meeting of European Union (EU) Ministers for European Affairs, which took place in Lviv, Ukraine. Artjoms Ursulskis emphasised Latvia's unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor Russia on its path to a just and lasting peace: "Ukraine is part of Europe, and Latvia will continue to support Ukraine's integration into the EU by providing political and practical support." At the meeting, ministers discussed current issues related to Ukraine's European integration. Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, reported on the reforms implemented over the past year, including in the areas of the rule of law, public administration reform, and the functioning of democratic institutions. Ukraine confirmed its commitment to continuing the progress made on reforms. The Parliamentary Secretary met with Yevhen Perebyinis, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, to discuss current bilateral relations and participated in a ceremony commemorating fallen Ukrainians at the Lviv Military Cemetery. After the meeting, Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, and Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, issued a joint statement expressing their determination to promote Ukraine's European integration by accelerating the reform process. The parties presented a 10-point plan for Ukraine to be implemented over the next year. For more information, see: ec.europa.eu NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Rejects Zelenskyy Donbas Referendum Proposal Ahead Of High Stakes Weekend For Diplomacy By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service December 12, 2025 Summary Russia reportedly rejects Ukraine's proposal for a referendum on giving up territory in the eastern Donbas region, insisting the area is Russian territory. Ukrainian, US, and European officials are preparing for high-stakes peace talks in Berlin, as disagreements over territorial control and security guarantees persist. US President Donald Trump is pressing for elections in Ukraine despite martial law. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a cease-fire is needed first to ensure the vote can proceed safely. Russia has rejected a proposal to hold a referendum to let Ukrainians decide on giving up territory in the eastern Donbas region, much of which Moscow claims to control, highlighting a key sticking point as negotiators head to Berlin for high stakes talks amid pressure from the United States for a deal to end Russia's war on Ukraine. "This area is Russian territory," Yuri Ushakov, foreign policy adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin said on December 12 during a trip to the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat. Ushakov, who was referring to Russia's 2022 illegal annexation of the Ukrainian region after it had launched its full-scale invasion earlier that year, made the comments a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed a vote be held in Ukraine to decide the issue. After the United States proposed a 28-point peace plan that critics say heavily favored Russia, Ukraine and European nations have been seeking changes that would leave a deal less lopsided and, crucially, ensure Ukrainian security against any future Russian attack. Kyiv submitted a 20-point plan earlier this week. Ukrainian and European officials are expected to further refine their stance at weekend meetings planned for Berlin, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying he'd send a representative "if we think there's a good chance. And we don't want to waste a lot of time if we think it's negative." A German government spokesperson said in a statement that Zelesnkyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will then hold talks on December 15 with other European and NATO leaders joining them afterward. The status of the Ukraine's Russian-held Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is another divisive issue, Zelenskyy said. While Russia has given few signs it's ready to back away from long-standing demands, US and Ukrainian officials have been wrangling over the details. Zelenskyy said on December 11 he had an "in-depth" discussion with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense chief Pete Hegseth, and White House special envoy Steve Witkoff. The US is proposing that that Ukrainian troops withdraw from the well-fortified portion of the Donetsk region that they still control, Zelenskyy said, and "the compromise is supposedly that Russian troops will not enter" this area, where Washington calls for establishing a "free economic zone." "They do not know who will govern this territory," Zelenskyy said, adding that Russia refers to it as a "demilitarized zone." He also said that Ukrainians should have a say on any proposed territorial concessions, "whether through elections or a referendum." Following reports that US President Donald Trump set a December 25 deadline for Ukraine to accept the peace proposal, Zelenskyy said that Kyiv had not been given a firm deadline but that "I think they really wanted, or perhaps still want, to have a complete understanding of where we stand with this agreement by Christmas." Trump has been seeking to broker an end to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine since he took office in January of this year, but has encountered high hurdles including Russian President Vladimir Putin's rejection of calls for a cease-fire. On elections, which the US has been pressing Ukraine to hold despite the fact that they are forbidden under martial law, Zelenskyy said on December 11 that a cease-fire would have to be in place. Trump told Politico in an interview published on December 9 that "it's time" to hold elections, and Zelenskyy said later that day -- for the first time -- that he would push parliament to draft legislation allowing for elections during martial law. He said a vote could follow in 60 to 90 days provided that security guarantees in place to make sure voting would be safe for Ukrainians. Speaking to Current Time, Maryna Stavniychuk, a Ukrainian legal expert and former member of the Venice Commission, said that "specific issues as wartime and post-war elections are not regulated in any way by the electoral code of Ukraine. Therefore, a special set of legislative norms is needed, and this takes time." Kyiv must "look for options that, without violating the constitution or further undermining the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government, would allow elections to be held," she added. Kyiv residents hold a variety of opinions about holding elections in a country at war. One resident told Current Time that elections should take place so that Ukrainians "can prove whether they trust Zelenskyy." Another resident said that elections shouldn't be held during wartime due to security concerns. "If there is a massive attack on election day, how will people vote?" she asked. "This would be very dangerous in terms of civilian casualties, and it would not fully reflect the will of the people," she added. A third speaker said that holding elections now "would be a misuse of funds." "We need to support the armed forces that are protecting our country, not spend money on PR," he told Current Time, adding that Ukraine "needs something that unites us, not something that divides us." In specifying that cease-fire would be required, Zelenskyy may have been seeking to calling Russia's bluff -- Putin has baselessly charged that Zelenskyy is illegitimate because election were not held on schedule in 2024 -- but also left any plan to hold elections vulnerable to rejection by Moscow unless a peace agreement is in place before voting is held. With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and Axios Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-terrirory-security- zelenskyy-peace-talks/33621374.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 Photo: https://x.com/coe/ The Council of Europe and the Netherlands are convening leaders and senior policymakers from European countries and beyond for a Diplomatic Conference aimed at establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine. The relevant Convention establishing the Commission will be adopted on December 16 in The Hague at a Diplomatic Conference to be held at the World Forum venue. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, told Interfax-Ukraine: "Ensuring accountability for the appalling damage and loss suffered by Ukraine and its people has been central to the Council of Europes work over the past years. By launching the Convention on the international claims commission for Ukraine, the Council of Europe takes a hugely important step towards the setting up of an international compensation mechanism. The Register of Damage for Ukraine its first component and the International Claims Commission, the second one, will be the independent international tools dealing with the question of compensation for Russias aggression." As is known, the Register of Damage for Ukraine was established in 2023 and collects and records compensation claims submitted by individuals, organizations, and state authorities in Ukraine. To date, 44 states and the European Union have joined the Register, and more than 80,000 claims have already been filed. The Council of Europes Media Department explained that for the International Claims Commission to be established, the Convention that creates it must first enter into force. This Convention will be adopted and opened for signature on 16 December in The Hague. From that date onward, members and non-members of the Council of Europe will be able to sign it. Afterwards, it will need to be ratified. The Convention will enter into force after 25 such ratifications. It is expected that more than a dozen states and organizations will sign the new Convention in The Hague next week. The Secretary General said: "The overwhelming support we have witnessed during the negotiations of the convention is proof of the determination of the Council of Europe members and other states and organisations to hold Russia accountable for its internationally wrongful acts in and against Ukraine. We look forward to the first signatures next week in The Hague and trust that other states will join soon." The Media Department of the Council of Europe said that the International Claims Commission will consist of Members (the states or regional integration organisations that became parties to the convention). Members will participate in the governance of the Claims Commission through various bodies (the Assembly and the Council, as well as of the Financial Committee). The claims will be examined by panels of Commissioners independent experts in fields such as international law, dispute resolution, damage assessment, who will work in their personal capacity. The Convention requires that the panels of Commissioners must follow the highest standards of independence, impartiality fairness and objectivity. The Executive Director who will represent the commission and act on its behalf, will be elected by its assembly bringing together all the Members and appointed by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, for a renewable term of 4 years. The director will lead a secretariat that will support the functioning of the commission. As for the sources of funding for the Commissions work, the Council of Europe said that it will have its own budget within the framework of the Council of Europe. It is expected that the Russian Federation, should it become a member, will bear the costs of the work of the commission. Until then, the Commission will be financed through the annual assessed contributions of members and through voluntary contributions. The Council of Europe also said that the commission will decide on the claims submitted to and recorded by the Register of Damage, as well as submitted directly to the commission after its establishment. "As soon as possible after the commission will be set up, the work of the Register (including its digital platform, all information about claims and evidence, other documents and archives, its property, etc.) will be transferred to the commission, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the Register until its termination. So, the functions of the register (receiving and recording claims) will continue as part of the commission," detailed the Media Department. As for the mechanism for assessing damages, the Council of Europe said that claims for damage will be examined by panels of commissioners who will decide if the claims are substantiated, and determine any amount of compensation. As for the issue of compensation payments, it still requires discussion. "The International Claims Commission is the second step in the international compensation mechanism, after the Register of Damage. The third step, namely a compensation fund, and the modalities of its functioning, still needs to be discussed. Interested parties are continuing to explore possible sources of funding for the compensation that will be determined and awarded by the Claims Commission," the Council of Europe said. While an ad-hoc review possibility is foreseen in the process of deciding on the claims, within the commission, its final decisions will not be subject to further appeal or review. "The Commission will operate in a transparent manner and regularly inform the public about its activities. The Commission, including its Council, Panels and the Secretariat, will operate according to the highest standards of independence, impartiality, fairness and objectivity," assured the Media Department. Briefing by Major General Aleksei Rtishchev, Chief of Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Protection Troops of Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on issues of violation by Ukraine and Western States of international agreements in the field of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction 12 December 2025 02:30 Materials of the briefing by the Russian Defence Ministry on issues of violation by Ukraine and Western States of international agreements in the field of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction The Russian Ministry of Defence continues to examine materials received in 2025 during the special military operation concerning violations by the West and Ukraine of the provisions of the conventions on the prohibition of chemical and biological weapons as well as international treaties in the of nuclear security sphere. The Western aggressive biosecurity policy and the expansion of NATO military and biological programmes pose more threats to the biological weapons non-proliferation regime. We presented the facts that U.S. Department of War employs the basis of Ukrainian biolaboratories, which were repeatedly confirmed by U.S. officials. These include National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby, Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, and United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In an interview to American journalist Tucker Carlson in August 2025, a professor of organic chemistry at Cornell University Dave Collum confirmed pharmaceutical testing on the Ukrainian population in 38 laboratories. To ensure the secrecy of such research, the sponsors are not military agencies, but rather civilian agencies and non-governmental organisations. One of them is the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which was terminated by U.S. President Donald Trump's decision. In the United States, the Agency funded the Event-201 exercise designed to deal with an epidemic of an unknown coronavirus. I would like to stress that the exercise was held in October 2019 right before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In February 2025, Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, called USAID a 'criminal organisation,' which again confirms the conclusions of the Russian Defence Ministry regarding the Agency's involvement in illegal activities including the coup d'etat in Ukraine and the commence of a propaganda war against Russia. No less serious concerns are raised by Ukraine's activities in the field of radiation safety, including Kiev's attempts at nuclear blackmail. Andrey Yermak, former head of the Ukrainian presidential office, has a special role in this regard. He personally supervised the organisational, logistical, and financial flows of spent nuclear fuel imported into Ukraine without notifying IAEA and other relevant organisations. The supply chains were organised through Poland and Romania. This creates the risk of creating a so-called 'dirty bomb' and then using it under a false flag. This is evidenced by the training methods of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) available to us. One of the training areas is simulating the situation of stealing ionising radiation sources, manufacturing an explosive device, and detonating it in a crowded place. I would like to remind you that spent nuclear fuel as well as calibration radioactive sources can be used to create such devices. Earlier, we had cited the report to the Prime Minister of Ukraine by the Secretary of the National Security Council of Ukraine. It reports the loss of 68 ionising radiation sources including highly active ones on the territory of Kharkov region. The report says, quote '..the loss of control over sources of ionising radiation is classified as a radiation accident...' In this regard, I would like to draw attention to the prognosis developed by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. In case of a radiological accident on the Russian-Ukrainian border, only the Russian Federation will suffer. However, a different scenario would be more possible as the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and the radioactive substances would spread to a large part of Ukraine and Europe taking into account the average annual wind rose. The situation at the Prydniprovsky Chemical Plant also causes concerns. Between 1949 and 1991, this manufacturing plant processed uranium concentrates and uranium ore currently employed for a different purpose. The plant's buildings are currently in a critical condition. By getting into rooms, the atmospheric precipitation washes away radioactive waste and gathers in the basements. Under these conditions, the risks of contamination of the Dnepr River basin and the release of dangerous uranium decay products into the Black Sea are increasing. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the Russian Federation has not shelled the facility. Thus, military and financial aid from of the West provokes numerous violations by the Kiev regime of international standards for handling nuclear materials. At the same time, Western patrons do not take into account that the deterioration of the state administration system is capable of bringing not only Ukraine but also a whole number of European states to the brink of an environmental disaster. In addition, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation continues to record violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention by the Kiev regime. In the course of the special military operation, it is reported that Ukraine more than 600 times employed riot-control chemical agents (Chloroacetophenone, CS), and listed chemicals as chloropicrin, BZ, and prussic acid. The AFU regularly use U.S.-made grenades with the CS agent, Ukrainian smoke chemical irritant hand grenades marked Teren-6, and improvised chemical munitions filled with a mixture of chloropicrin and Chloroacetophenone. In 2025, similar attempts were reported on the territory of the Lugansk and Donetsk people's republics. The caches containing CS and chloropicrin are located on the territory of Rakitnoye (Belgorod region). Attempts to poison Russian servicemen and administration officials of the new regions continue unabated. In November 2025, Russian troops have prevented the AFU attempts to sabotage using drinks containing a mixture of toxic chemicals of colchicine and tretbutyl bicyclophosphate. This chemical compound is comparable in its toxicity and rapid reaction to a nerve agent (VX). One of the perpetrators who confessed has been detained. I would like to draw your attention to the Ukrainian nationalists' attempts to destroy chemically dangerous facilities in the territories of the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, putting the civilian population of the region at risk of chemical contamination. Massive missile strikes have repeatedly targeted the following industrial plants: Zarya in Rubezhnoye, Azot in Severodonetsk, and Koksokhim factory in Avdeyevka. Russian troops have prevented the enemy attempts to use UAVs against chemical plants in Velikiy Novgorod and in the city of Rossosh (Voronezh region), containing substances of the first class of danger. At the same time, the Kiev regime is trying to accuse Moscow of 'deliberately creating a man-made disaster'! Another fact! During the operational activities, it was established that foreign mercenaries, Romanian citizens, and MLRS systems, were located on the territory of the Odessa Portside Plant in the settlement of Yuzhnoye. According to the information, received in September 2025, the head of the enterprise requested the Odessa Regional Military Administration to vacate a first-class danger facility from unauthorised persons and equipment, since in case of a fire damage, more than 200 tonnes of liquid ammonia will be spilled and, as a result, cause a man-made disaster in the region. Realising that Russian troops do not launch strikes at chemical facilities, Kiev uses them as a man-made shield, regardless of the possible risks to the local population, and follows the inhumane principles of 'scorched earth' and 'fight to the last Ukrainian. 'I would like to draw the attention of the public to another alarming fact! Earlier, we reported that AFU troops are being trained to use chemical munitions in Western-made artillery systems. Methodological tutorials about how to handle artillery ammunition filled with chemical substances were found in abandoned Ukrainian positions. During an offensive in Vremevka tactical direction near Ternovatoye (Zaporozhye region), on 9 December this year, an AFU UAV command post was destroyed, which contained documents, presented on the slide, regarding the technical requirements for the Ukrainian-made Baba-Yaga unmanned aircraft system. These documents were agreed on in 2024 with the National Guard of Ukraine. In accordance with paragraph 39 of the technical requirements, UAVs are required to deliver up to 15 artillery shells equipped with '...nerve, blister, or choking agents...'! I would like to point out that the document has also been agreed with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine for compliance with national legislation. Thus, contrary to the requirements of the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the Kiev regime openly allows the use of chemical warfare agents. This is also evidenced by the supply to Ukraine of Western-made personal protection equipment in volumes that are excessive for a country that does not have chemical weapons. Since the start of the special military operation, the NATO countries have already delivered more than 280,000 chemical protection suits and gas masks, 150,000 sets of antidotes, and 20,000 tests to quickly detect chemical agents. In 2025, the Kiev regime additionally requested more than 200,000 gas masks and chemical protection suits, as well as more than 160,000 individual dosimeters. The Russian Federation regularly brings to the attention of the OPCW Technical Secretariat and the state parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention the use of non-lethal agents and chemical agents by Ukrainian armed groups. All the necessary evidence has been submitted to the OPCW Technical Secretariat, but we have not received a meaningful response. This demonstrates the double standards of Western countries under the control of the OPCW. They not only cover and cooperate with the Kiev regime, but also note as disinformation any allegations by the Russian Federation about the use of toxic chemicals by Ukrainian nationalists. The leadership of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will continue to inform the world community about violations, committed by the countries of the West and Ukraine, of the provisions of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Convention, as well as international treaties relating to radiation safety. Department of Information and Media Affairs of Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hungary's Szijjarto Accuses NATO Chief of Undermining Ukraine Peace Talks Sputnik News 20251212 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is inflaming tensions and undermining peace talks on Ukraine, and Hungary, as a NATO member, rejects his statements about the need to prepare for a war with Russia, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Friday. On Thursday, Rutte at a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich called on European countries to increase defense spending to be ready to "fight the Russians." He also urged member states of the bloc to adopt a military mindset, claiming that the alliance is Russia's "next target." "The NATO Secretary General has never spoken such wild things before, but his speech is a clear sign that everyone in Brussels has lined up against the peace efforts of [US President] Donald Trump. With this statement, the NATO secretary general essentially stabbed the peace talks in the back," Szijjarto said on social media. According to Hungary's top diplomat, if there were any remaining uncertainty about the prevailing stance in Brussels, Rutte's yesterday's speech would have decisively clarified it. "We, Hungarians, as members of NATO, reject the Secretary General's words! The security of European countries is guaranteed not by Ukraine, but by NATO! Such provocative statements are irresponsible and dangerous! We call on Mark Rutte to stop inflaming military tensions!" Szijjarto added. On Monday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that the EU's intention to admit Ukraine to the bloc by 2030 would mean the start of a war with Russia, for which Europe had already begun preparing. Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that Russia does not intend to fight with Europe, but if Europe wants and starts a war, then Russia is ready right now. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Erdogan, Putin Discuss Peace Initiatives for Ukraine at Meeting in Turkmenistan Sputnik News 20251212 ANKARA (Sputnik) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed comprehensive peace efforts in Ukraine during talks in Ashgabat, and Ankara expressed its support for them, the Turkish presidential office said on Friday. "Bilateral relations between Turkiye and Russia were discussed during the meeting, as well as comprehensive peace efforts in the context of the war between Ukraine and Russia. Turkiye's support for peace efforts was reiterated. Furthermore, all issues, including the European Union's freezing of Russian funds, were discussed in detail," the office said. Erdogan expressed Turkiye's readiness to host negotiations on Ukraine in any format, the office said, adding that the leaders also discussed the situation in Syria and South Caucasus in detail during talks in Ashgabat. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Seversk's Liberation Shows Russian Military Has the Strategic Initiative Across the Entire Front Sputnik News 20251212 While the liberation of the strategic Donbass city is another "important element in the piggy bank of the future victory," it also carries much broader implications, Igor Korotchenko, Director of the Center for analysis of world arms trade and editor in chief of "National Defense" magazine, told Sputnik. Big picture-wise, it shows that "today the Russian Armed Forces hold the strategic initiative along the entire line of contact," he added. "We are advancing, addressing challenges in specific situations and combat zones, and confirming our military superiority." Seversk's liberation also carries "important political significance in the context of the developing international situation around Trump's peace plan," Korotchenko said. Specifically, "if the policy of ending the conflict through diplomatic means becomes impossible due to the positions of Kiev and the Europeans, we will solve the special military operation's tasks by military means." With that said, while Seversk's fall has strategic implications, including "more favorable" conditions for future advances westward, Korotchenko urged against any "euphoric" sentiments, emphasizing that there's a long fight ahead if the conflict cannot be resolved diplomatically. "We'll have to continue to storm and liberate settlements and agglomerations that Ukraine, with Western support, has transformed into a powerful and fortified defense system," Korotchenko summed up. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Donbass Is Russian': Kremlin Aide Shoots Down Zelensky's 'Referendum' Scheme Sputnik News 20251212 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Responding to Volodymyr Zelensky's scheme of holding a "referendum" on "territorial questions", Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov emphasized on Friday that all of Donbass is Russian territory in line with the Russian Constitution. On Thursday, Suspilne, a Ukrainian broadcaster reported that Zelensky was weighing the possibility of holding an all-Ukrainian referendum on territorial issues. "Donbass is Russian. All of it. There is a Constitution," Ushakov said. Donbass will sooner or later come under the full control of Russia, Yury Ushakov said. "Sooner or later. If not through negotiations, then by military means this territory [of Donbass] will come under the full control of Russia. Everything else will depend on this alone," Ushakov said. A ceasefire in Donbass can only come after the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops, Kremlin aide added. "And what will happen after that, in my opinion, it is possible to have a conversation about it. Because it is quite possible that there will be no troops there directly, neither Russian nor Ukrainian. Yes, but there will be the Russian National Guard, there will be our police, there will be everything that is needed to maintain order and organize life," Ushakov said. Volodymyr Zelensky's goal at the talks in Europe is to introduce proposals unacceptable to Russia into US documents on a peaceful settlement of the situation in Ukraine, Ushakov said. "Of course, of course, at least to include some passages and proposals unacceptable to us in the documents the Americans are preparing," Ushakov told reporters when asked if there was a sense that Zelensky was trying to derail the peace process in Europe. Currently, the United States is working on documents with Ukrainians and leading representatives of a number of European countries, the Kremlin aide added. "We have not yet seen these documents, which are currently being compiled, taking into account the comments of Europeans and Ukrainians, but it is unlikely that these comments will be positive," Ushakov said. Ushakov said that he does not rule out the possibility that Volodymyr Zelensky views the elections in Ukraine as an opportunity to seek a temporary ceasefire. "It is possible he will view this as an opportunity to simply achieve a temporary ceasefire. That is all," Ushakov said. What the United States is discussing with Ukraine and European states will be sooner or later discussed with Russia, Ushakov added. "Sooner or later, active contacts with the Americans will resume, because what the Americans are currently coordinating with the Europeans, with the Ukrainians, must eventually be shown to us," Ushakov said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Will Help with Security Guarantees for Ukraine Trump Sputnik News 20251212 The United States will take part in Saturday's meeting with representatives of Europe and Ukraine if there is a good chance for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, US President Donald Trump said. "There is a meeting on Saturday. We'll see whether or not we attend the meeting. We said we'll attend the meeting if they think there's a good chance. They want me to attend. They want us to attend. And we'll be attending the meeting on Saturday in Europe if we think there's a good chance. And we don't want to waste a lot of time," Trump told reporters at the White House. US President Donald Trump said that people in Ukraine - except Volodymyr Zelensky - would like to reach a peace deal with Russia. "In fact, other than President Zelensky, people love the concept of the deal," Trump told reporters at the White House. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No: 250, 12 December 2025, Regarding the Attack on Ukraine's Chornomorsk Port Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs Today's (12 December) attack on Ukraine's Chornomorsk Port, in which a foreign flagged vessel owned by a Turkish company was damaged, validates our previously stated concerns regarding the spread of the ongoing war in the region to the Black Sea, and its impact on maritime security and freedom of navigation. According to initial information, the crew and truck drivers on board are being evacuated, and no Turkish citizens have been harmed in the attack. Our Consulate General in Odessa is closely monitoring the developments and providing the necessary assistance to our citizens. We once again underline the importance of urgently ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, and reiterate the necessity of an arrangement whereby the parties suspend attacks targeting the safety of navigation as well as each other's energy and port infrastructure in order to prevent escalation in the Black Sea. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Guyana Hugh Hilton Todd Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 12 December 2025 18:58 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "During my call with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Guyana Hugh Hilton Todd I expressed gratitude for Guyana's steadfast support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We both share the view that respect for international law and the UN Charter is crucial to ensure international peace and security. We discussed ways to deepen our political dialogue, strengthen bilateral relations, and develop joint initiatives in areas of shared interest. I expressed Ukraine's readiness to share experience in the security sphere, particularly in unmanned technologies. We agreed to continue close cooperation within international organizations, first and foremost within the United Nations. I also invited my colleague to visit Ukraine". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At the Command Post of the Tactical Group Kupyansk, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Heard a Commander's Report on the Frontline Situation and Discussed the Warriors' Needs President of Ukraine 12 December 2025 - 17:18 In the Kharkiv region, at the command post of the Tactical Group Kupyansk, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard a report from the commander, spoke with the warriors, and presented them with state awards. The commander of the Tactical Group Kupyansk, Viktor Solimchuk, reported to the Head of State on the progress of the operation to locate and destroy the remaining enemy forces in Kupyansk, ongoing counter-sabotage measures, and the organization of the city's further defense. The Brigadier General also briefed the President on the components of the Tactical Group, their strength and equipment, the tasks assigned, and the area of responsibility of each unit. Special attention was given to discussing the warriors' needs, ensuring stable logistics, and their experience in rapidly evacuating the wounded, including through the use of ground robotic systems (GRS). The President also spoke with the warriors, congratulated them on their professional holiday, and awarded the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, I-III classes, "For Courage," III class, and the Medal "For Military Service to Ukraine." "Thank you for your service, for defending our state and our sovereignty, for who you are, and for what you do every day. I wish you victory and peace. I also congratulate you and your families on the upcoming holidays. Above all, I wish you to take care of yourselves - this is extremely important to us. You are our strongest security guarantee - and our weapon," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In the Kharkiv Region, the President Received a Report on the Defense of Kupyansk and Presented State Awards to the Warriors of the 2nd Battalion of the 101st Separate Guard Brigade President of Ukraine 12 December 2025 - 17:02 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the warriors of the 2nd Battalion of the 101st Separate Guard Brigade of the General Staff named after Colonel General Hennadii Vorobiov. Battalion commander Artem Vasianovych briefed the Head of State on the tasks his unit is performing to defend Kupyansk - the part of the city where clearing operations against Russian occupiers are currently underway. The commander noted that Russians attempted to enter Kupyansk through gas pipelines but suffered heavy losses. During the briefing, Artem Vasianovych also provided information on the types of weapons used by the brigade, the work of drone units, and coordination with the Unmanned Systems Forces. The President congratulated the defenders on Land Forces Day and awarded them the Order "For Courage," III class, and the Medals "For Saved Life." "Thank you for everything you do - to you and your brothers-in-arms. I am very grateful to have this opportunity to personally thank you for defending Kupyansk and the Kupyansk sector. When the Russians boast about some fictional achievements, we take pride in our real warriors and their real accomplishments. The fact that you are holding Kupyansk commands great respect and allows everyone else - diplomats included - to engage in discussions with confidence," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has suggested that a limited ceasefire targeting energy facilities and ports would be beneficial, according to the Turkish presidential administration. The Turkish leader said that efforts aimed at ending the war "with a just and lasting peace are valuable, and that he believes progress can be made in areas with practical benefits for both sides." Erdogan said Turkiye is closely following the negotiation processes aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, adding that Ankara can host talks in all formats. In Kupyansk, the President Met With Warriors of the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade and Congratulated Them on Land Forces Day President of Ukraine 12 December 2025 - 16:46 At the forward command post of the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great in Kupyansk, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, together with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, met with warriors and congratulated the defenders on Land Forces Day. The Head of State received a briefing from the brigade commander, Anatolii Lysetskyi, on the operational situation within the brigade's area of responsibility, as well as on joint actions with adjacent units in support of defensive missions, including on the left bank of Kupyansk. The discussion also covered the failed attempts by Russians to consolidate positions in this part of the city. According to the Lieutenant Colonel, the Russian command on the ground provides false information about actual control over Kupyansk - not only to the Russian military-political leadership but also to the soldiers sent on blind assaults. The President also spoke with the warriors of the units involved in the city's defense about their ongoing tasks. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the defenders for their service and honored them with state awards. "Congratulations on your day - Ukraine's Land Forces Day. It is an important day. Important not only for you, but I am confident also for all your families, loved ones, and for the whole of Ukraine. I know many of you have been fighting since the very beginning of the war, and many have been on the front line without pause. I highly value your dedication to Ukraine, to our state. Without you, we would have simply lost it," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Head of State awarded warriors with the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, I and III classes, and the Orders "For Courage," I-III classes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION TO THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, December 12, 2025 - Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. (the "Company" or "Prospect Ridge") (CSE:PRR)(OTCQB:PRRSF)(FRA:OED) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of up to $800,000 through the issue of up to 8,888,889 critical mineral flow-through units (the "Units") at a price of $0.09 per Unit. Len Brownlie, Ph.D, President and CEO of Prospect Ridge, commented: "Our multi-faceted 2025 exploration campaign was successful in identifying multiple drill targets on the Company's Excalibur, Castle and Camelot copper-gold porphyry projects. The next step towards a discovery on each of these projects will be to drill test them. While our recently completed financing added $1.6M to the treasury to fund the initial 2026 drilling program, the Company has elected, in light of further investment interest, to accept additional funds for the program at this time. The additional funds will alleviate market uncertainty and ensure that the Company is able to secure all required contractors and supplies early in 2026 - ahead of an expected shortage in the summer of 2026 - allowing management to begin drilling as soon as possible and to more fully focus on the program itself." Each Unit will consist of one flow-through common share (an "FT Share") of the Company and one-half of a warrant, with a whole warrant (a "Warrant") being exercisable to purchase one non-flow-through common share (a "Warrant Share") of the Company at a price of $0.15 for a period of two years after closing. The Warrants will be subject to accelerated expiry if the Company's common shares trade or close on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange") at $0.25 or more for ten consecutive trading days. The Company intends to use the gross proceeds from the FT Shares to incur, on its mineral projects in British Columbia, eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that will also qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "ITA"). The Company intends to allocate the funds to its 2026 drill programs at one or more of the Company's Excalibur, Castle and Camelot projects. The closing of the Offering is subject to certain closing conditions, including the receipt of all necessary approvals including Exchange acceptance. All securities issued will be subject to a statutory and/or Exchange hold period of four months plus one day from closing. The Company may pay finder fees in compliance with applicable securities laws and Exchange policies and subject to the receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals. The securities to be offered under the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. is a British Columbia-based exploration and development company focused on critical metals and gold. Led by a management and technical team with over 100 years of combined mineral exploration experience, Prospect Ridge is dedicated to advancing its portfolio of properties in the Golden Horseshoe and Cariboo regions of north-central British Columbia that have the potential to become the next large copper/gold porphyry discovery across this vastly under-explored region. Contact Information Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. Mike Iverson - Chairman, Director Email: [email protected] 24549 - 53 Avenue Langley, BC V2Z1H6 604-351-3351 Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This release includes certain statements and information ("FLI") that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. FLI relates to future events or future performance and reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company's management. Anything that is not historical fact is FLI. Generally, FLI can be, without limitation, identified by the use of forward-looking wording such as "plans", " intends", "believes", "expects", "anticipates" or "estimates", and statements or phrases that certain actions, events or results " may", "might", " could", " should" or " would"occur, and similar expressions. FLI is not historical fact, is made as of the date of this news release and includes, without limitation, statements and discussions of future plans, intentions, expectations, estimates and forecasts, and statements as to management's intentions and expectations with respect to, among other things, positive exploration results at the Camelot, Holy Grail/Knauss Creek, Castle or Excalibur Projects. FLI involves numerous risks and uncertainties, and are based on assumptions, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any FLI. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the availability of financing to continue exploration activities, the availability and cost of qualified exploration personnel and service providers, and that future exploration results at the Camelot, Holy Grail/Knauss Creek, Castle or Excalibur Projects will not be as anticipated. In making any FLI in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that future exploration results at the Camelot, Holy Grail/Knauss Creek, Castle or Excalibur Projects will be as anticipated. Although management has endeavored to evaluate and use reasonable assumptions and to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in FLI, these assumptions may prove incorrect and there may be other factors that cause results not to be as intended, expected, anticipated or estimated. There can be no assurance that FLI will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed in FLI. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on FLI, and are further cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any FLI expressed or incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor. SOURCE: Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Stearman Resources Inc. (CSE: STMN) ("Stearman" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the final tranche (the "Final Offering") of both its non-brokered private placement of flow-through units (the "FT Units") and the non-brokered private placement of non-flow-through units (the "NFT Units"). The Company has raised an aggregate of $1,979,999.40 through the issuance of NFT Units and an aggregate of $2,123,000 through the issuance of FT Units during the course of the financing. Under the Final Offering, the Company issued an aggregate of 3,490,000 FT Units at a price of $0.20 per FT Unit, for gross proceeds of $698,000. Each FT Unit is comprised of one flow-through common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "FT Warrant"), with each whole warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share at an exercise price of $0.30 for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance. Under the Final Offering, the Company issued an aggregate of 3,199,996 NFT Units at a price of $0.15 per NFT Unit, for gross proceeds of $479,999.40. Each NFT Unit is comprised of one common share (a "Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Share at a price of $0.30 for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance. All securities issued in connection with the Final Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four (4) months and one (1) day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable securities laws. The FT Units will qualify as "flow-through shares" as defined in subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada). The gross proceeds of the First Tranche will be used to incur qualifying Canadian exploration expenses that will be renounced to purchasers of the FT Units in accordance with the Income Tax Act (Canada) and applicable regulations. In connection with the Final Offering, the Company paid aggregate cash finder's fees totaling $26,880 and 134,400 finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrants"). Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Share at a price of $0.30 for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance. In addition, the Company is announcing that Mr. James Place has resigned as a Director of the Company, and that in his vacancy, the Company has appointed Mr. Tyler Thorburn to the board of directors, effective immediately. The Company would like to thank Mr. James Place for his contributions to the Company and wish him the best in his future endeavors. Mr. Tyler Thorburn has been involved in resource exploration, development and extraction projects since 2008. Tyler has worked on projects for Enbridge, Williams Energy, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., Centrica and Trans-Northern Pipelines coordinating land acquisitions, environmental permitting and aboriginal consultations. Tyler is currently the President & CEO of TSX-V listed Total Metals Corp. Tyler holds an MBA from Warwick Business School. "With completion of this final tranche not only are we fully funded for our Murphy Lake spring drill program, but the additional capital supports disciplined advancement of our exploration programs at both Zoo Bay and Neocore in the new year," said Lester Esteban, Chief Executive Officer of Stearman Resources Inc. "we are also pleased to welcome Tyler Thorburn to the board, his experience in resource exploration and corporate leadership will be a valuable addition to our team as we continue to advance on our strategy." About Stearman Stearman Resources Inc. is a Canadian-based junior mineral exploration company doing business as UraniumX Discovery Corp., singularly focused on advancing uranium discovery in Canada's Saskatchewan Athabasca Basin. Its core assets sit on the eastern margin of the Athabasca Basin, a premier global district known for hosting 10 of the world's top 15 highest-grade uranium deposits. Murphy Lake Uranium Property is the Company's flagship, where Stearman is earning up to 70% through an option with F4 Uranium. Adjacent to the world-class Wollaston Domain, the property benefits from conductors, strong alteration, and proven 2022 drilling that intercepted anomalous radioactivity near the Basin's unconformity. The Company also owns 100% of the Zoo Bay Uranium Project (15 claims; 19,850 ha), positioned near structural and magnetic features historically linked to uranium-thorium occurrences and conductivity corridors near Newnham Lake and neighbouring claims. Stearman further holds a 100% interest in the NeoCore Uranium Property (6 claims; 13,012 ha), located 65 km southeast of McArthur River Mine, within a stable, high-grade mining district supported by mills, power, all-season roads, and established exploration infrastructure. Exploration programs incorporate geophysics, drilling, and a research collaboration with University of Saskatchewan leveraging quartz-degradation analytics to sharpen target selection. On Behalf of Stearman Resources Inc. Lester Esteban, CEO Contact: Stearman Resources Inc. Howard Milne, President Email: [email protected] Telephone: (604) 377-8994 Website: www.stearmanresources.com Forward Looking Statements This news release may contain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events, conditions, or developments the Company expects or anticipates may occur constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to: statements regarding the expected use of proceeds from the Final Offering, the Company's ability to incur and renounce qualifying Canadian exploration expenses to purchasers of the FT Units, the Company's exploration and development plans for the Murphy Lake, Zoo Bay, and NeoCore uranium properties, the anticipated benefits of the appointment of Mr. Tyler Thorburn to the board of directors, and the Company's broader strategic, operational, and financial objectives. Forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "intends," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "potential," or variations of such words, and phrases such as "may," "could," "would," "should," or "will" occur. Although the Company believes that 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 expressed or implied in the statements. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, but not limited to: the Company's ability to incur and renounce qualifying Canadian exploration expenses as expected; risks related to mineral exploration and development activities; uncertainties inherent in geological interpretations and exploration results; commodity price volatility and adverse market conditions; operational and technical risks; regulatory and permitting requirements; reliance on key personnel; risks associated with future financings; and other risks described in the Company's public disclosure documents available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information contained herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its regulation services provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Canadian Critical Minerals Inc. (TSXV: CCMI) (OTCQB: RIINF) ("CCMI" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has closed the first tranche of its previously announced private placement for gross proceeds of $588,850 through the issuance of 16,824,286 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.035 per Unit (the "Offering"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant of the Company (a "Warrant"), with each Warrant exercisable into one Common Share at a price of $0.05 for a period of five (5) years. The Company expects to complete a second tranche of the Offering next week. The Offering remains subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. In accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Units were issued to Canadian purchasers pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106, as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). The Common Shares and Warrants issued to purchasers resident in Canada are immediately freely tradeable in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. There is an offering document related to the Offering and the use by the Company of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption that can be accessed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.canadiancriticalmineralsinc.com. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid finders fees of $2,401 and 68,600 finders warrants with each finder warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one common share at a price of $0.05 for a period of two years. The finder warrants and the underlying common shares are subject to a four month and one day hold period from the closing date of the Offering in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering to complete its application to restart the Bull River Mine project near Cranbrook, BC. and for working capital. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About CCMI CCMI is a mining company primarily focused on copper production assets in Canada. CCMI's main asset is the 100% owned Bull River Mine project (150 million lbs of copper) near Cranbrook, British Columbia which has a Mineral Resource containing copper, gold and silver. CCMI also owns a 5.3% interest in XXIX Metal Corp. which holds a 100% interest in the Thierry copper project near Pickle Lake, Ontario and a 100% interest in the Opemiska copper project near Chapais-Chibougamau, Quebec. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans with respect to the Company's projects and the timing related thereto, the merits of the Company's projects, the Company's objectives, plans and strategies, the use of proceeds of the Offering and other matters. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward- looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other agency or governmental clearances, necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, risks of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Data Analysis and Retrieval + (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. 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. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States Robex Resources Inc. ("Robex" or the "Corporation") (TSX-V: RBX, ASX: RXR) announces that, further to the announcement on December 10, 2025, it has filed an addendum (the "Addendum") to the management information circular of the Corporation dated November 11, 2025 (the "Circular"). The Addendum provides certain information regarding the amending agreement (the "Amending Agreement") entered into between Robex, Predictive Discovery Ltd. ("Predictive") (ASX: PDI) and 9548-5991 Quebec Inc. ("Acquireco") to amend the previously announced arrangement agreement dated October 5, 2025 among Robex, Predictive and Acquireco (together with the Amending Agreement, the "Arrangement Agreement"), pursuant to which Acquireco, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Predictive, will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Robex ("Robex Shares") by way of a statutory plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") under Chapter XVI - Division II of the Business Corporations Act (Quebec) (the "Transaction").The record date for determination of Robex Shareholders entitled to receive notice and vote at the Meeting remains at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on November 3, 2025 (6:00 a.m. Australian Western Standard Time on November 4, 2025) ("Record Date").The Addendum is being sent to holders of Robex Shares as at the Record Date ("Robex Shareholders") in connection with the special meeting (the "Meeting") of Robex Shareholders scheduled for December 30, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) (9:00 p.m. Australian Western Standard Time) for Robex Shareholders to consider and vote on a special resolution (the "Arrangement Resolution") to approve the Transaction. A copy of the Addendum has been filed on the Corporation's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.Based on the unanimous recommendation of the special committee of independent directors of Robex (the "Robex Special Committee"), and after consultation with its outside financial and legal advisors, the board of directors of the Corporation (the "Robex Board") has unanimously determined that the Arrangement is in the best interests of Robex, and that the Amended Consideration to be received by Robex Shareholders pursuant to the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Robex Shareholders. Accordingly, THE ROBEX BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT ROBEX SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ARRANGEMENT RESOLUTION AT THE MEETING.The Meeting, previously scheduled for December 15, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) (9:00 p.m. Australian Western Standard Time), has been postponed to December 30, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) (9:00 p.m. Australian Western Standard Time) to allow Robex Shareholders additional time to deposit proxies or voting instruction forms.The Meeting will be held virtually. To participate, Robex Shareholders must register online at www.icastpro.ca/q04g09 (English) or www.icastpro.ca/hzwy58 (French) by 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on December 22, 2025 (6:00 a.m. Australian Western Standard Time on December 23, 2025). Robex Shareholders will be able to access and participate in the Meeting using the same registration links provided above, which will serve as the entry point to the Meeting.The form of proxy, voting instruction form (including the CDI voting instruction form) and letter of transmittal that were mailed to Robex Shareholders with the Circular remain valid. No further action is required of Robex Shareholders who have already voted their Robex Shares if there is no change to their vote. If you have not already submitted your form of proxy or voting instruction form or you wish to change your vote, please carefully review the updated instructions below.The deadline to deposit proxies has been extended to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on December 29, 2025 (6:00 a.m. Australian Western Standard Time on December 30, 2025) (the "Revised Proxy Deadline"). To be valid, the proxy form must be received by the Corporation's transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. by Internet, telephone or mail at their Toronto office, 320 Bay St., 14th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 4A6 no later than the Revised Proxy Deadline.The deadline to submit CDI voting instruction forms has also been extended. CDI voting instruction form must now be received by the Corporation's CDI register, Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited by Internet at www.investorvote.com.au, by post to GPO Box 242, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia or by fax to 1800 783 447 (within Australia) or +61 3 9473 2555 (outside Australia), no later than by 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on December 28, 2025 (6:00 a.m. Australian Western Standard Time on December 29, 2025) (the "Revised CDI VIF Deadline"), and CDI Holders are encouraged to submit their CDI voting instruction forms as soon as possible to ensure their instructions are carried out.Beneficial Robex Shareholders must submit their voting instruction form to their intermediary in advance to ensure their intermediary can vote by the cut-off. The chair of the Meeting may waive or extend the proxy cut-off without notice.The information contained in the Addendum supplements the information contained in the Circular to provide Robex Shareholders with sufficient information concerning the Amending Agreement, in order to permit Robex Shareholders to form a reasoned judgment concerning voting their Robex Shares in respect of the Arrangement Resolution. The Addendum should be read in conjunction with the Circular.Under the Amending Agreement, Robex Shareholders will now receive 7.862 fully paid ordinary shares in the capital of Predictive ("Predictive Shares") for each Robex Share held (the "Amended Consideration" or the "Amended Exchange Ratio"). Following completion of the Transaction, existing Predictive shareholders and former Robex Shareholders will own approximately 53.5% and 46.5%, respectively, of the combined company on a fully diluted in-the-money basisEach of Cormark Securities Inc. ("Cormark") and Canaccord Genuity Corp. ("Canaccord") were engaged to evaluate the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Amended Consideration to be received by Robex Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement. Cormark provided an updated fairness opinion to the Special Committee (the "Second Cormark Fairness Opinion") to the effect that, as of the date of such Second Cormark Fairness Opinion, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set out therein, the Amended Consideration to be received by the Robex Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement, is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Robex Shareholders. Additionally, Canaccord provided an updated fairness opinion to the Robex Board (the "Second Canaccord Fairness Opinion" and together, the "Second Fairness Opinions") to the effect that, as of the date of such Second Canaccord Fairness Opinion, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set out therein, the Amended Consideration to be received by the Robex Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement, is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Robex Shareholders.The full text of the Second Fairness Opinions is attached as Exhibit A to the Addendum.Pro Forma Capitalization As a result of the Amended Consideration, certain pro forma information provided in the Circular has changed. The following table sets forth the pro forma consolidated capitalization of the Robex and Predictive (the "Combined Company") using the Amended Exchange Ratio, after giving effect to the Arrangement as of June 30, 2025. Securities(1) Pro Forma After Giving Effect to the Arrangement (A$)(2)(3) 4,793,405,455 1,251,722,072 As of June 30, 2025, after giving effect to the Arrangement, there will be: 98,275,000 Predictive Warrants consisting of 98,275,000 Robex Warrants from and after the Effective Time, as adjusted by the Amended Exchange Ratio, 90,395,140 Predictive Options consisting of a combination of (i) 37,562,500 Predictive Options, and (ii) 52,832,640 Robex Options from and after the Effective Time, as adjusted by the Amended Exchange Ratio; 76,750,000 Predictive PRs; and 40,489,300 Predictive PSUs consisting of 40,489,300 Robex PSUs from and after the Effective Time, as adjusted by the Amended Exchange Ratio. Assumes that outstanding Robex DSUs will be settled in cash rather than for an aggregate of 3,931,000 Predictive Shares; however, such determination will be made by Predictive prior to the Effective Time. The pro forma capitalization of the Combined Company assumes that the accelerated expiry of Robex's listed common share purchase warrants was completed as of June 30, 2025. Based on the unaudited pro forma financial information following the completion of the Arrangement included in Exhibit B to the Addendum, accumulated losses at June 30, 2025 on a consolidated basis totaled A$125,407,956. Number Percentage Predictive Shares 4,793,405,455 94 % Predictive Warrants 98,275,000 2 % Predictive Options 80,634,723 2 % Predictive PSUs 40,489,300 1 % Predictive PRs 73,680,000 1 % Total (on a fully diluted basis)1 5,086,484,478 100.00 % Name of Predictive Shareholder and Municipality of Residence Number of Predictive Shares % of Total Outstanding Predictive Shares BlackRock, Inc. New York 676,349,071 14.1% The following table sets forth the expected number and percentage of securities of the Combined Company expected to be outstanding on a fully diluted basis after giving effect to the Arrangement. The information in the table below is based on information available to each of Robex and Predictive as at December 12, 2025.The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information of the Combined Company giving effect to the Arrangement and the accompanying notes have been updated to reflect the Amended Consideration and are included as Exhibit B to the Addendum.The unaudited pro forma financial information has been prepared in a manner consistent with Predictive's and Robex's respective accounting policies as applied and disclosed in the Predictive Financial Statements, the Robex Financial Statements, and the condensed interim financial statements of Predictive for the period ended December 31, 2024 and the condensed interim financial statements of Robex for the period ended June 30, 2025.The unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of financial position as at June 30, 2025 gives effect to the Arrangement as if the transaction had closed on June 30, 2025. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the twelve months ended June 30, 2025 give effect to the Arrangement as if the transaction had closed on July 1, 2024. The unaudited pro forma financial information is based on the respective historical consolidated financial statements of Predictive and Robex.The unaudited pro forma financial information and adjustments, including the allocation of the purchase price, are based upon preliminary estimates of fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, current available information and certain assumptions that Predictive believes are reasonable in the circumstances, as described in the notes to the unaudited pro forma financial information.The unaudited pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be indicative of the results that would actually have occurred, or the results expected in future periods, had the events reflected herein occurred on the dates indicated. The actual financial position and results of operations of the Combined Company following completion of the Arrangement may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected in the unaudited pro forma financial information due to a variety of factors.To the best of the knowledge of the directors and officers of each of Robex and Predictive, upon completion of the Arrangement, the following persons or companies will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over, Predictive Shares carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to the Predictive Shares:After giving effect to the Arrangement, it is expected that the directors and executive officers of the Combined Company as a group will beneficially own or control or direct, directly or indirectly, approximately a total of 22,207,062 Predictive Shares, representing 0.46% of the outstanding Predictive Shares.Robex also announces that it has filed an amended and restated Circular (the "Restated Circular") to attach the unaudited pro forma statement of financial position as at June, 30 2025 and the unaudited pro forma statement of profit or loss for the 12 months ended June 30, 2025 for the Combined Company (the "Pro Forma Statements") to the Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information appended as Appendix K to the Restated Circular. The Pro Forma Statements were inadvertently omitted from the initial filing of the Circular. A copy of the Restated Circular is available for viewing under the Corporation's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.Robex Shareholders who have questions about the information contained in this press release or require assistance with voting their shares, may contact Robex proxy solicitation agent and shareholder communications advisor:Laurel Hill Advisory GroupToll-Free: 1-877-452-7184 (for Shareholders in North America) or1-800-861-409 (for CDI holders in Australia)International: 1-416-304-0211 (for Shareholders outside North America)By Email: [email protected] Robex has engaged Canaccord Genuity as financial advisor, Peloton Legal Pty Ltd as Australian legal advisor, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP as Canadian legal advisor. Cormark Securities Inc. has been engaged as financial advisor to the Robex Special Committee.This announcement was approved by the Managing Director.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.Robex Resources Inc.Matthew Wilcox, Managing Director and Chief Executive OfficerAlain William, Chief Financial OfficerEmail: [email protected] Investors and Media:Michael Vaughan, Fivemark PartnersPhone: +61 422 602 720Email: [email protected] Robex Resources is a Canadian gold mining company listed on the TSX-V and ASX, and headquartered in Quebec, Canada. Robex's material properties consist of the Nampala Project in Mali and the Kiniero Project in Guinea.No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements and applicable U.S. state securities laws.This announcement contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "Forward-looking Information"). These include statements regarding future outlook and anticipated events, such as the consummation and timing of the Transaction and the satisfaction of the closing conditions under the Arrangement Agreement; the timing of the Meeting and of the Revised Proxy Deadline and Revised CDI VIF Deadline; the filing and delivery of the Addendum, press release and any other ancillary materials; pro forma ownership of the Combined Company; and future plans, projections, objectives, estimates and forecasts and the timing related thereto. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address circumstances, events, activities or developments that could or may or will occur are Forward-looking Information. Forward-looking Information is generally identified by the use of words like "will", "create", "enhance", "improve", "potential", "expect", "upside", "growth", "estimate", "anticipate" and similar expressions and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", or "should", or the negative or grammatical variations of such terms, are intended to identify Forward-looking Information. Although Robex believes that the expectations reflected in the Forward-looking Information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on Forward- looking Information since no assurance can be provided that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking Information is based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or good faith belief of the officers and directors of Robex as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the Forward-looking Information. Forward-looking Information involves numerous risks and uncertainties. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, risks related to the closing of the Arrangement, changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange fluctuations and general economic conditions, increased costs and demand for production inputs, the speculative nature of exploration and project development, including the risks of obtaining necessary approvals, licenses and permits and diminishing quantities or grades of reserves, political and social risks (including, but not limited to, in Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali and West Africa more broadly), changes to the legal and regulatory framework within which Robex operates or may in the future operate, environmental conditions including extreme weather conditions, recruitment and retention of personnel, industrial relations issues and litigation, as well as the risks identified in the section titled "Risk Factors" in Robex's most recently filed Annual Information Form which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking Information is designed to help readers understand Robex' views as of that time with respect to future events and speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by applicable law, Robex assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any Forward-looking Information contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the Forward-looking Information. If Robex updates any Forward-looking Information, no inference should be drawn that Robex will make additional updates with respect to such or other Forward-looking Information. All Forward-Looking Information contained in this announcement is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement._____________________Assumes that outstanding Robex DSUs will be settled in cash rather than for an aggregate of 3,931,000 Predictive Shares; however, such determination will be made by Predictive prior to the Effective Time. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/ Russian troops continue to shell communities in Dnipropetrovsk region in Ukraine, leaving two people injured and damaging infrastructure and power lines, said Regional Military Administration head Vladyslav Haivanenko. In particular, after midnight the enemy struck the Ukrainian city of Dnipro with UAVs. A fire broke out in a building that was not in use. Vehicles were destroyed and damaged. There were no casualties. Meanwhile, according to the regional head, two people were injured in the Nikopol area. They are men aged 43 and 67. The latter sustained multiple shrapnel wounds and thermal burns; doctors assess his condition as serious. Both local residents remain hospitalized. Russian forces also shelled the area with artillery and FPV drones. Two vehicles were damaged, one of which caught fire. A power transmission line was also hit. Overall, loud explosions were reported in the district center, as well as in the Marhanets, Myrove, and Pokrov communities. Republicans enjoy nearly total dominance of the Midwest. The GOP holds every governor's office in the region, save for Minnesota, as well as every legislature except Illinois.That looks likely to change soon. The Midwest this year offers the Democratic Party its best opportunities for cutting into the Republicans' 2-to-1 advantage among governors nationwide."The Midwest has arguably been the most competitive region in America for a very long time," says Kyle Kondik, an elections analyst at the University of Virginia. "It may be that the Midwest is swinging again."Democrats hold clear leads in the races for governor in Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota. Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker, who is seeking a third term, has been trailing in recent polls by modest but clear margins."Walker seems to be aware this is going to be a tough year for him," says Barry Burden, director of the Elections Research Center at the University of Wisconsin. "He really has not faced an electorate that has been as hostile to his party as this electorate is going to be."The races in Iowa, Ohio and Kansas all look like tossups at this point. The only Republican in the entire Midwest who looks like a certain winner is Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts. Even in South Dakota, which hasn't elected a Democratic governor since 1974, a poll back in July showed Republican Congresswoman Kristi Noem with just a four-point edge over rancher Billie Sutton. That has kept prognosticators from writing off the Democrat's chances entirely."After eight years of Republican governors in most of these states, voters are ready for a change," says Jared Leopold, communications director for the Democratic Governors Association. "Democrats in the Midwest are running on bread-and-butter issues, focusing on jobs and health care and education."President Trump was elected largely because he performed better in the Midwest than prior Republican candidates. He won Michigan and Wisconsin, which hadn't voted Republican since 1984, while easily carrying Ohio and Iowa, which had supported Barack Obama twice. The 206 counties that swung from Obama to Trump in 2016 were heavily concentrated in the Midwest. Iowa had the most, with 31 counties moving from the Democratic column to the Republicans'.But now Trump is a drag on Midwestern GOP hopefuls."The bottom line is you truly have a Trump effect in Michigan," says Ed Sarpolus, a Republican pollster in the state. "Right now in Michigan, they don't like what's happening in D.C."The president's approval ratings are low around the country. In the Midwest, voters aren't happy with the effects his tariffs are having, particularly on agriculture, despite the administration's plan to subsidize farmers who have been hurt."What's happened in China has been just an unmitigated disaster," says Lawrence Jacobs, a political scientist at the University of Minnesota. "Farmers are furious that they've lost these markets that took them decades to build, and now they're losing money." poll released Saturday showed Democratic Iowa businessman Fred Hubbell in the lead -- albeit by a statistically insignificant two points -- over GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds. "To say it's a tossup is good for Democrats," says Dennis Goldford, a political scientist at Drake University in Des Moines. "The fact that [Reynolds] has been running negative ads in her own name suggests that they're nervous."Following in the footsteps of Terry Branstad, who was serving his sixth non-consecutive term as Iowa governor before being appointed ambassador to China last year, Reynolds still faces the challenge of how to "craft her own narrative," says Christopher Larimer, a political scientist at the University of Northern Iowa.She has emphasized her small-town Iowa roots, while seeking to paint Hubbell as an out-of-touch rich guy. "The Democrats still haven't figured out, here at least, how to penetrate these rural areas," says Goldford, the Drake professor. "They won't even listen to the Democratic message, let alone be persuaded by them."Health care has been a resonant issue elsewhere.Republican Attorneys General Bill Schuette of Michigan and Mike DeWine of Ohio, who are now their party's gubernatorial nominees, have both been critical of the Affordable Care Act. Although they have softened their stances since winning their respective primaries, Democrats are warning that they'd put their states' Medicaid expansions at risk. Neither Schuette nor DeWine has been endorsed by the outgoing GOP governor of his state (Rick Snyder in Michigan and John Kasich in Ohio)."Schuette may be perceived as a bit too conservative for the state," says Edie Goldenberg, a public policy professor at the University of Michigan. "He's taken positions that are definitely more conservative than Snyder. That's not going to help him."In the Midwest and across the country, outcomes will be determined by Democrats' ability to win over wavering suburbanites while earning a strong showing from their backers in bigger cities."The main population centers in Minnesota, Michigan and Madison, [Wis.], these are all hotbeds of progressive fury at Trump," Jacobs says.Democrats are hoping that turnout will be stronger among their voters than has been the case in recent midterms. But an NBC/ poll released Sunday showed that 73 percent of seniors are interested in this year's elections, while only 35 percent of young people are."It seems like several groups are interesting in moving younger voters," Larimer says. "In the last midterm in Iowa, their turnout was 23 percent."In short, this year's elections may shape up to be "a slightly more intense plain vanilla midterm election," Jacobs says. "You've got a president who's a bit less popular, and an opposition party that looks pretty intense."The president's party nearly always loses seats in midterms. It looks like that will translate for Democrats into more Midwestern governorships. That's certainly welcome news for the party. Given the party's weakness in the South and Mountain West, if Democrats continue to be shut out in the Midwest, their strength would be almost entirely coastal in nature.But a comeback in the gubernatorial ranks doesn't necessarily predict that they'll reverse Trump's gains in a presidential year, when the electorate will look a lot different."The Midwest frequently swings between the parties, depending on national conditions," says the University of Virginia's Kondik. "If it does, don't assume it won't swing another way in 2020." Ghana urged to adopt new financing models and modern technologies to strengthen national data system Next article: Ghana urged to adopt new financing models and modern technologies to strengthen national data system Azumah Resources closes equipment deal with FLSmidth for Black Volta Gold Project Graphic Online Business News Dec - 12 - 2025 , 21:16 Azumah Resources has closed a long-lead equipment order deal with FLSmidth (FLS) as a key strategic technology and equipment supplier partner for the Black Volta Gold Project. The deal was signed on Friday [December 12, 2025] in Accra. Announcing the deal, the Board of Directors of Azumah Resources Ghana Ltd said it was for the supply of all Long lead items valued at $37million as the construction and development of the Black Volta Gold project takes significant step forward. With this signing ceremony and equipment order placed, the Black Volta Project Construction and Development to first gold has commenced. As an indigenous Ghanaian owned mining company Azumah Resources Gh Limited, explained it has chosen FLSmidth (FLS) as its strategic technology partner and supplier of all major equipment and main process technologies owing to the 140years + global expertise of FLS in the mining ecosystem, the quality of its equipment and robustness of its brands. The initial order for the long-lead equipment and associated technical support services is valued at approximately US$37million. The equipment is due to be delivered in 2026, ahead of mine start-up date in 2027. As part of the long-lead equipment, FLS will supply among other equipment: gyratory crushers, raptor cone crusher, SAG and ball mill, A pre-leach thickener, Screens, apron feeders KREBS cyclones, Pumps. The order also includes equipment for absorption, desorption and refining and detoxification. FLS will also provide technical support to the EPC contractor during the detailed engineering phase and site support for erection and installation, start-up, commissioning and site training. In addition, the order includes spare parts as well as a performance guarantee for the process equipment. About FLSmidth FLSmidth is a full flowsheet technology and service supplier to the global mining industry. It enables customers to improve performance, lower operating costs, and reduce environmental impact. Mission Zero is its sustainability ambition towards zero emissions in mining by 2030 and works within fully validated Science-Based Targets, have a clear commitment to improving the sustainability performance of the global mining industry, and aim to become carbon neutral in its own operations by 2030. Ibrahim Mahama at the signing ceremony for work on the Black Volta Gold Project to commence immediately, with Azumah Resources Ghana signing a $37 million contract with global mining technology giant FLSmidth. The deal covers long-lead equipment such as gyratory crushers, SAG pic.twitter.com/0lNnz8nvmW DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) December 12, 2025 About Azumah Resources Ghana Ltd Azumah Resources Ghana Ltd on its part is a Ghanaian-incorporated mining company holding the Black Volta and Sankofa Gold Projects in the Upper West Region of Ghana. The companys mission is to responsibly explore, develop, and operate these assets to generate long-term economic and social value for Ghana. Abu Trica to face US justice as EOCO announces extradition plans GraphicOnline Dec - 13 - 2025 , 08:59 2 minutes read The Economic and Organised Crime Office has announced that Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, will be extradited to the United States to face criminal charges over his alleged role in an eight million dollar romance fraud scheme targeting elderly victims. In a news release dated December 12, 2025, EOCO said the extradition will follow the arrest of the Ghanaian national on Thursday, December 11, after a coordinated operation involving several local and international law enforcement agencies. Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng, is accused of being part of a criminal network that operated across borders from 2023. EOCO said the arrest was the result of months of intelligence gathering and investigations conducted jointly with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Narcotics Control Commission, the International Criminal Police Organization, the National Investigations Bureau, the Cyber Security Authority and the Office of the Attorney General. According to the statement, Abu Trica was part of a network that targeted elderly victims in the United States through romance scams, using Artificial Intelligence software to assume false identities online. The perpetrators allegedly formed close personal and romantic relationships with victims before deceiving them into parting with money and valuables. These victims were often elderly and engaged in romantic relationships with the perpetrators, EOCO said, adding that the individuals were commonly targeted through social media and online dating platforms under false pretences. The office said once trust had been established, the network obtained funds from victims and routed the proceeds through associates as part of a wider transnational scheme designed to conceal the origin of the money. EOCO confirmed that following his arrest, Kumi will be extradited to the United States of America to face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy and a forfeiture specification. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. The announcement comes amid heightened public interest in the case due to Kumis high profile presence on social media, particularly Snapchat, where he was known for flaunting cash and luxury properties. EOCO said the case highlights ongoing cooperation between Ghanaian authorities and international partners in addressing cyber enabled financial crimes and protecting vulnerable persons from online fraud. The office congratulated its local sister agencies as well as the FBI for their collaboration in bringing the suspect to book. Next article: Recruit physically challenged persons for all sectors - Foundation to govt GhanaFest Europe debuts in The Hague Daily Graphic Dec - 13 - 2025 , 09:57 2 minutes read The inaugural "GhanaFest Europe: Live in Holland Trade & Cultural Expo" has ended in The Hague, marking a new chapter in GhanaNetherlands economic and cultural ties. The three-day event, which took place from December 3 to 5, 2025, brought together Ghanaian and Dutch businesses, policymakers, traditional leaders and diaspora communities to explore opportunities in sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals and fintech to cocoa, horticulture and real estate. Activities included trade exhibitions, cultural showcases and business-to-business networking sessions. Event It was organised by RAM Media Concepts in partnership with the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GNCCI) and the Representative Council of Ghanaian Organisations in the Netherlands (RECOGIN). It was also with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the Ghana Embassy in The Hague and the Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President. The expo was aimed at providing a platform for Ghanaian businesses, especially those in the small-scale industries sector, to connect with European buyers and explore export opportunities. It offers European businesses a chance to learn about the current Ghanaian business environment, connect with potential Ghanaian partners, and explore investment opportunities in Ghana's growing economy. Additionally, it provided a platform for Ghanas rich culture to be exposed to the rest of the world. During the event, traditional leaders and cultural troupes added a ceremonial touch to the programme, which also included a farewell dinner. Annual affair The Chief Executive Officer of RAM Media Concepts, Mr Augustine Mark, in an interview, expressed appreciation for the strong commitment shown by participating institutions and dignitaries. He stated that with its successful debut, GhanaFest Europe was poised to become a major annual platform for promoting Ghanaian enterprise and cultural excellence on the European stage. Next article: Vice-President of Colombia pays homage to Kwame Nkrumah Recruit physically challenged persons for all sectors - Foundation to govt Previous article: Recruit physically challenged persons for all sectors - Foundation to govt Ghanas Ambassador to South Korea presents credentials Daily Graphic Dec - 13 - 2025 , 09:57 1 minute read Ghanas Ambassador to South Korea, Kojo Choi, has presented his Letter of Credence to President Lee Jae-Myung, signalling the start of his official duty. At the ceremony yesterday, Mr Choi, South Korean by birth, but who has now naturalised as a Ghanaian, said he was beginning his mission with full authority and a deep sense of duty. With deep honour, I begin this mission in full authority, dedicated to lifting Ghanas light even higher on the world stage. God bless our homeland, Ghana, and make our nation Great and Strong, he added. Ghanas Ambassador described the moment as both personal and historic, noting that he was born the same year Ghana and Korea established diplomatic relations, a bond he said has shaped his life and now guides his mandate. He also stated that Ghana was entering a new era of genuine partnership and shared destiny with South Korea as both nations approach 50 years of diplomatic relations. Mr Choi highlighted the symbolic significance of his appointment and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening Ghanas presence on the global stage. As we approach 50 years of GhanaKorea relations, we step into a new era of genuine partnership and shared destiny. Ghanas story has always been one of resilience, brilliance and divine purpose, he wrote in his post on Facebook. Security services show force in Accra ahead of Christmas Joshua Bediako Koomson Dec - 12 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and other key security institutions, has embarked on a large-scale Show of Force Exercise through some principal streets of Accra to demonstrate their preparedness ahead of the festive season. The exercise, which involved the Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the Ghana Immigration Service, formed part of ongoing joint security operations aimed at enhancing readiness, deterring criminal activities and assuring the public of a safe Christmas period and beyond. The mechanised route march began at 10 a.m. from the Black Star Square, moved through various corridors of the capital with armoured vehicles and patrol pickup trucks. The personnel were divided into five operational teams, each covering strategic routes across the Greater Accra Region, stretching through areas such as Kasoa, Madina, Aburi, Ablekuma, Amasaman, Tema, Ashaiman and the central business district. Commendation The Deputy Minister of Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, described the exercise as a clear demonstration of the countrys resilience and united security architecture. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, IGP addressing the troops Mr Brogya Genfi said the coordinated participation of all the security services underscored the countrys commitment to safeguarding citizens at a time when many countries in the sub-region grapple with instability and threats of violent extremism. This well-coordinated exercise has clearly demonstrated the unity, strength, readiness and professionalism of our security architecture. It is a deliberate show of force not to intimidate, but to reassure the good people of Ghana that their safety and security remain paramount, particularly as we approach the festive season, a period that brings joy but also increased public activity, the Deputy Minister of Defence said. Mr Brogya Genfi emphasised that the government deeply appreciated the sacrifices made by the security agencies, especially during holidays when personnel stand guard while the public celebrates. While many citizens spend this period with family and loved ones, you remain vigilant, often at great cost, to ensure peace, law and order across our nation. Ghana continues to enjoy enviable stability in a region confronted by complex security threats, and this is largely due to your dedication, he noted. Mr Brogya Genfi assured the security agencies that the government was fully committed to providing modern technology, logistics and welfare support to help them confront emerging threats. Aim achieved The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General William Agyapong, lauded the personnel for displaying unity, resilience and cooperation across the joint services. Ernest Brogya Genfi (left), Deputy Minister of Defence, interacting with Lt Gen. William Agyapong, Chief of the Defence Staff, GAF The purpose of this show of force was to realign our resilience, our posturing and our cooperation. From the feedback we have received, that aim has been achieved, he said. He further revealed that under the governments Great Push Initiative, the security services would soon witness major improvements in platforms, accommodation and essential equipment. Lt Gen. Agyapong announced that a final major exercise would be held on December 23, thus calling on personnel to remain fit and prepared. Operational readiness The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, applauded the efforts of all participating agencies and emphasised that the operation was meant to send a clear message of readiness. Lt Gen. William Agyapong, Chief of the Defence Staff, GAF, delivering his address As we approach Christmas, this exercise assures Ghanaians that we are ready to protect them throughout the festive season and beyond. Whether by vehicle, by air, on the sea or on the ground, we are ever ready to protect the public, he said. He urged the public to support the security services by providing information on suspicious activities, stressing that criminals live among them and could be exposed through citizens' vigilance. Vice-President of Colombia pays homage to Kwame Nkrumah Diana Mensah Dec - 13 - 2025 , 09:57 2 minutes read The Vice-President of Columbia, Francia Elena Marquez Mina, has paid a visit to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Museum in Accra to pay homage to the countrys founding President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Accompanied by her delegation, the Vice-President laid a wreath on the statue of Dr Nkrumah and observed a moment of silence in honour of his lasting contributions to freedom, unity and social justice. The delegation was welcomed by the Head of Museum, Eugenia Ivy Quartey, who also led them on a guided tour of the site. The park, designed by Don Arthur, is the iconic final resting place of Ghanas first President and his wife, Fathia Nkrumah. The Colombian Vice-President was also accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Yussif Issaka Jajah, and other government officials. Visit The visit formed part of the Vice-Presidents three-day official visit to Ghana. It also marked a moment of deep historical reflection and a renewed commitment to bilateral friendship between the two nations. She will also meet with the executive of Fidelity Bank Ghana and call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, before departing later today. Ms Quartey led the delegation to the bronze statue of Dr Nkrumah, which is mounted at the exact spot where he stood to declare the countrys independence from British colonial rule on March 6,1957. The delegation then proceeded to the catafalque at the centre of the park, where the remains of Dr Nkrumah and his wife, Fathia, are interred. Vice-President Mina laid another wreath on the tomb of Dr Nkrumah to honour his legacy as a pioneering figure in Ghanas independence struggle and the broader African liberation movement. The Vice-President concluded her tour at the VVIP Lounge, where she signed the Visitors Book. Background Vice-President Mina arrived in the country last Wednesday, leading a business delegation on an official visit, marking her second visit since she took office, and signalling a deepening partnership between the two nations. She held bilateral discussions with the Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, during which the two countries hailed their relationship as a model of effective South-South cooperation and a collaboration between developing countries that bypass traditional North-South development frameworks. The meeting of the two Vice-Presidents concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Colombias Diplomatic Academy and Ghanas Foreign Service Institute, formalising academic cooperation and institutional exchanges between the two countries diplomatic training bodies. Two arrested in Accra over guns, Tramadol and stolen police phone Jemima Okang Addae Dec - 13 - 2025 , 17:41 2 minutes read The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested two suspects in separate but related intelligence-led operations over the unlawful possession of firearms, narcotic substances and suspected stolen items, raising fresh concerns about the circulation of illegal weapons and drugs in parts of the capital. The arrests followed an operation carried out on December 10, 2025, by a joint team from the Accra Regional Police Command and the Police Intelligence Directorate. One of the suspects, Suleiman Danjumah, also known as Solomon Addai and Innocent, had earlier been granted bail by the Adabraka District Court on November 25, 2025, in connection with a previous case involving a Smith and Wesson pistol and 30 rounds of 9mm ammunition. According to a police press release, Danjumah was picked up during a follow-up operation after intelligence suggested he was again in possession of an illegal firearm. A search conducted during the arrest led to the recovery of another unregistered pistol, identified as a 9mm Parabellum Arcus 94. The police further retrieved a cache of items from the suspect, including military uniforms and caps, a Police-issued Huawei mobile phone, four assorted mobile phones, a shocker, a jackknife, 34 blisters of Tramadol 225mg and an unregistered jungle motorbike. Preliminary checks confirmed that the Police Huawei handset had been stolen from a police officer. Further investigations, the police said, revealed that Danjumah admitted to dealing in narcotics at Las Vegas, Achimota. He is also alleged to have fired warning shots during an altercation with another suspected drug dealer, Mutala Mohammed, prompting further action by the police. Mutala Mohammed was subsequently arrested, and a search at his premises uncovered two parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, along with 19 blisters of Tramadol 120mg, popularly known as Red. During interrogation, the suspects mentioned one Usman Ali as the source of the firearm. The police said efforts were underway to locate and arrest him to assist with ongoing investigations. All the suspects are currently in police custody assisting with investigations, while the seized narcotic substances and other items have been retained as exhibits and will be forwarded to the Police Forensic Science Laboratory for further analysis. Photo: National Police Russian troops attacked critical and industrial infrastructure in Mykolaiv region in Ukraine overnight on Saturday, leaving part of the settlements without electricity, Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych reported. "Overnight, the enemy attacked critical and industrial infrastructure in the region. At present, settlements in the Bashtanka and Mykolaiv districts are without power supply," he wrote on Telegram. According to him, restoration work is currently underway. As of now, there are no casualties. Two arrested in Accra over guns, Tramadol and stolen police phone Next article: Two arrested in Accra over guns, Tramadol and stolen police phone Weija Paediatric Hospital project ongoing - Ministry of Health clarifies Jemima Okang Addae Dec - 13 - 2025 , 17:43 3 minutes read The Ministry of Health has dismissed reports suggesting that construction of the Weija Paediatric Hospital has been halted or cancelled, stating that work on the project is progressing steadily. In a statement issued on Saturday, December 13, the Ministry explained that construction activities by Awerco Construction Limited are continuing without interruption. It emphasised that no notice of termination or suspension has been issued to the contractor. The Ministry further clarified that the World Banks involvement in the project is strictly limited to funding support and does not extend to contracting or procurement oversight for the hospitals construction. The clarification follows media reports referencing a World Bank Post-Procurement Review into the purchase of medical equipment under a previous administration. That review reportedly found prices higher than prevailing market rates, leading to the cancellation of US$3.8 million in funding. According to the Ministry, the issues raised in the review are unrelated to the ongoing Weija Paediatric Hospital project and do not affect its completion. It noted that the facility is nearing completion, with snagging works and preparations for operationalisation currently underway. The Ministrys spokesperson, Tony Goodman, urged media organisations and the public to verify information with official sources before publication. He reaffirmed the Ministrys commitment to completing the hospital and delivering quality paediatric healthcare services to residents of the Weija-Gbawe area and beyond. Read the full statement below PRESS RELEASE Weija Paediatrics Hospital Project: A World Bank Project and Matters Arising - The Ministry of Health has become aware of media publications on the ongoing Weija Paediatrics Hospital, a World Bank Project under the Ministry. The Ministry of Health wishes to state as follows: 1. That we have not made, nor caused to be made, any publication whatsoever regarding the said Hospital Project. We further wish to clarify that work on the project by Awerco Construction Limited is ongoing and continues without any form of interference from the Ministry. 2. The Weija Paediatric Hospital Project is contracted by the Ministry of Health and Awerco Construction Ltd. on a Design-and-Build basis. 3. The contract includes supply and installation of medical equipment. 4. The World Bank is not a party to either the Works or Equipment contract with the Contractor except for the funding of the project. 5. The Ministry of Health has not issued any notices of termination, suspension, or cancellation to the Contractor. 5. For the record, the World Bank conducted a Post-Procurement Review (PPR) of the CT scanner purchased for the project by the previous government. 6. Their finding was that the price was high, that all items purchased were three to 11 times the average or fair market price. 7. This has caused the World Bank to cancel $ 3.8 million US Dollars which was used to procure these equipment. 8. The Ministry of Health has not cancelled the Weija Pediatric Hospital Project or any contract with Awerco Company Ltd. 9. The project is still a Ministry of Health facility nearing completion, with snagging ongoing and preparations underway for takeover and operation. 10. The Ministry continues to engage the Contractor and the World Bank separately, in accordance with their respective contractual and funding roles. 11. The Ministry of Health wishes to advise media houses to cross check their facts from the official sources of the Ministry before publishing their stories. 12. The Ministry will continue to work in the interest of the people of Ghana in providing quality healthcare. Tony Goodman Head, Health Training Institutions & Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health 13th December, 2025 Ghana must lead its lithium future: Dr Kpikpi demands 90% state stake at Parliamentary hearing GraphicOnline Politics Dec - 12 - 2025 , 06:43 3 minutes read Ghana must reposition itself as the principal stakeholder in its emerging lithium industry if it is to secure meaningful long-term value from the mineral, Dr John Kpikpi has told Parliaments Committee on Lands and Natural Resources. The 2024 presidential candidate of the Progressive Alliance of Ghana (PAG) made the call during a public hearing that brought together government officials, civil society groups, industry analysts and members of the public to examine the countrys lithium agreement. Dr Kpikpi expressed dissatisfaction with the current structure of negotiations, arguing that Ghana continues to approach mineral contracts from a position of weakness despite owning the resource. He said the country needed to move away from an arrangement that leaves foreign companies with dominant equity and decision-making authority. He criticised what he described as the longstanding assumption that Ghana contributes less to mining partnerships than foreign firms, noting that this perception does not reflect the true value of the countrys mineral deposits. Up until now, weve been treated as those who are coming empty-handed, and then the company is coming from abroad with 100 million, so they have to cut all their kindness of heart. Give us 5% 10% no, we own the thing and the value of the thing. We should bring that to the table. he laments. Dr Kpikpi proposed that Ghanas share of ownership should be determined by the full in-ground value of its lithium deposits rather than the capital foreign companies bring into the country. He argued that such a valuation model would radically shift the negotiating power in favour of the state. So 90 billion. Here we are, and the company brings 10 billion That is what it should be like, because 10 billion compared with the value of the resource, that should be the starting point. And from that moment, we call the shots. he said. He insisted that this approach would not only secure a larger share of revenue for the nation but would also enable Ghana to assume strategic control over the direction of its mining sector. According to him, meaningful economic returns depend on Ghana taking a dominant role in ownership, oversight and benefit-sharing. Beyond equity concerns, Dr Kpikpi urged policymakers to prioritise skills development and entrepreneurial support for Ghanaians working in the mining value chain. We want to get people interested, helping our people to rise up, acquiring skills and techniques and entrepreneurial to organize these minds. Mining is not a difficult thing. he said. He further raised alarm over what he described as extensive capital flight associated with multinational mining operations, asserting that the country has lost billions under existing contractual arrangements. As we speak, $80 billion has leaked out of Ghana over a 10-year period, but its due to this kind of arrangements So I was expecting that already pushing for an agreement that actually flips it over, where Ghana becomes 90% shareholders he emphasizes. Dr Kpikpi argued that with empowered leadership and a stronger institutional framework, Ghana could rent or lease equipment, draw on international technical expertise and reposition itself as the commanding shareholder in its mineral sector. He maintained that such reforms would mark a decisive break from the unequal structures that have long defined the countrys extractive industry contracts. Next article: Kpandai seat: Rule of Law at risk Minority accuses Speaker of enabling unlawful EC actions Just say no to a presidential third term! Previous article: Just say no to a presidential third term! Galamsey, sustainable development, and the failure of leadership Professor Jeffrey Haynes Politics Dec - 13 - 2025 , 09:57 5 minutes read Artisanal mining is a significant livelihood source for many in rural Ghana. The number of Ghanaians working in galamsey (illegal artisanal and small-scale gold mining) is difficult to determine precisely, although recent estimates range from over 1 million to as many as 3 million people. Given that around 15 million people are estimated to comprise the countrys workforce, then up to 20 per cent of working age Ghanaians may be involved in galamsey. Unregulated mining activities result in severe land degradation, biodiversity loss, pollution of water bodies, and acidification of soils, all of which are extremely damaging to the biophysical and socio-economic environment. Galamsey not only wreaks havoc on Ghanas environment but also fatally damages the chances of sustainable development. Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This concept has a key component: the concept of needs, especially the essential needs of Ghanas poor. Ghanas poverty rate varies by definition, with World Bank data showing around 23-24 per cent living below national poverty lines, while the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI; details at https://ophi.org.uk/global-mpi) estimates suggest closer to 45-48 per cent multidimensionally poor (that is, lacking in health, education, living standards), especially in rural areas and the north of the country. Leadership failure Galamsey is a hot topic and traditional and social media are filled with stories about it. Many discuss galamsey in the context of perceived deficiencies of democracy and the failure of Ghanas leaders to deal with it. The Daily Graphic recently published two articles about the newly-established National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS). Working under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, NAIMOS was established in July 2025 to combat galamsey by coordinating nationwide operations, reclaiming degraded land, and restoring polluted water bodies. One of the Graphics NAIMOS stories identified chiefs as one of the main factors in galamsey, while another mentioned Asian foreign nationals as being involved. Beneficiaries Does the involvement of chiefs and foreign nationals amount to the full list of those benefitting from galamsey? Sadly not: apart from the 1-3 million Ghanaians working in the industry, research has also identified that some churches, while officially condemning galamsey for harming the environment and communities, also benefit indirectly from the gold money or participate in the practice. Some mainstream religious bodies (for example, Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian) actively lead protests and advocate its cessation, viewing it as a moral and national crisis, not a source of benefit. Then there are the politicians and political elites who personally benefit significantly from galamsey and the political parties that may rely on galamsey for an income, especially at election times. Running for president in Ghana now requires around $200 million, a price tag that risks turning politics into the preserve of the wealthy elite. The involvement of politicians and political elites is a major reason why efforts to stop galamsey have largely failed. Dr Emmanuel Dei-Tumi, founder and Executive Director, Africa Future Leaders Institute of Global Affairs (AFLIGA) and Fellow of the Frimpong Manso Institute (FMI), Leadership and Governance thematic area, recently wrote in the Graphic that across Ghana there is a growing cry for leadership that does more than manage systems leadership that inspires trust, restores hope, and unites people around a moral and non-partisan national vision. From boardrooms to pulpits, from the corridors of government to the classrooms that shape the minds and character of our youth, it has become clear that progress without principle is fragile. Dr Emmanuel Dei-Tumi does not mention galamsey. Yet, successive governments in Ghana claim, as he notes, to do more than merely manage systems; they also seek to project leadership that inspires trust, restores hope, and unites people around a moral and non-partisan national vision. But many Ghanaians believe that they have failed: Ghanaians generally express low levels of trust in government and its key institutions. Recent data from Afrobarometer and other studies indicate that concern is driven by anxieties about corruption, economic mismanagement, and a perceived lack of leaders accountability. In addition, as Dr Dei-Tumi asserts, from boardrooms to pulpits, from the corridors of government to the classrooms that shape the minds and character of our youth, it has become clear that progress without principle is fragile. Recent research indicates that young Ghanaians often trust mentors, successful peers (those who have made it, that is, got rich quickly), community figures, and faith-based organisations, alongside seeking reliable information from digital sources. In addition, there is growing scepticism towards institutions, including government, due to unmet promises, leading many young Ghanaians to value tangible support from non-governmental organisations, some international groups, and locally led initiatives that offer real skills and opportunities, especially for sustainable careers in the digital and green economies. Conclusion In conclusion, Ghanaians are generally aware of who benefits from galamsey: up to three million workers, some foreign nationals, chiefs, politicians and political elites, and churches. Thus, a wide range of people are beneficiaries, ranging from individuals seeking economic survival to powerful political and traditional elites and international players. There is significant public frustration with the governments perceived failure to resolve the galamsey crisis. Leadership is found wanting. What to do about galamsey is a crucial issue both for now and for the future of sustainable development in Ghana. It cannot be ignored or marginalised. The writer is an Emeritus Professor of Politics, London Metropolitan University, UK Today Google is finally revamping Google Translate, infusing it with Gemini capabilities in order to improve translations, especially on phrases with nuanced meanings like idioms, local expressions, or slang. This, Google says, is state-of-the-art translation quality, and you can find it in Google Search and in the Translate app on iOS and Android. The update is rolling out in the US and India today translating between English and "nearly 20 languages" including Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, and German. There's also a new beta experience that lets you hear real-time translations in your headphones. This preserves the tone, emphasis and cadence of each speaker to create more natural translations and make it easier to follow along. Just put on your headphones, open the Translate app, and tap Live translate. This beta is now rolling out in the Translate app on Android in the US, Mexico, and India. More than 70 languages are supported. It will land in more places and on iOS in 2026. Finally, the language learning tools in Translate come with improved feedback - tips based on your speaking practice. There's also a way to challenge yourself and reach your learning goals by tracking how many days in a row you've been learning. The learning tools are also expanding to "nearly 20 new countries" and territories including Germany, India, Sweden, and Taiwan. Source Its the holiday season, which means that youll be able to find some good discounts on smartphones. If youre looking to buy a new phone, check out the deals currently available on Amazon UK. Most of the devices in Samsungs Galaxy S25 lineup are available at a discount. You can save 200 at checkout when purchasing the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Ultra, and the Galaxy S25 Edge. The Galaxy S25 series, including the Galaxy S25 Edge, is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The Galaxy S25 Edge and the Galaxy S25 Ultra get a 200MP primary rear camera, while the smaller Galaxy S25 makes do with a 50MP main sensor. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 FE and the Galaxy A56 are 150 off. Both phones are powered by an Exynos chipset and feature a 6.7-inch Full-HD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. If youre interested in a foldable from Samsung, then the latest Galaxy Z Fold7 is also part of the 200 off at checkout deal. Notably, Prime Student members will also get another 100 off, bringing down the price of the 12GB/512GB variant to 1,504. Another foldable phone, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, has also received a price cut. The 1TB variant of the phone is available at 1,899 and Google is also throwing in a free Pixel Watch 3. Want an even bigger display? The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra and the standard Tab S11 are both discounted. The tablets are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset and run Android 16-based One UI 8. The Tab S11 Ultra features a massive 14.6-inch display and an 11,600mAh battery. Next, the Xiaomi 15 and the 15T are available with good offers. The former is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, has a 6.36-inch LTPO AMOLED screen, and a triple 50MP rear camera setup. The Xiaomi 15T is equipped with the Dimensity 8400 Ultra SoC and gets a larger 6.83-inch AMOLED display. It offers a 50MP primary, 50MP telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide rear camera setup. The Google Pixel 10 is another good compact phone that is now available at just 547 for the 128GB option. This years base Pixel has a triple rear camera setup with a periscope telephoto camera, a larger battery, better display, and a faster chipset. If youre looking for some budget/mid-range phones, the Poco X7 Pro and M7 Pro are good options, especially since theyre both 100 off their normal selling price. The X7 Pro has a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, Dimensity 8400 Ultra SoC, and a 6,000mAh battery. The Poco M7 Pro also offers a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen, dual-rear cameras, a 5,110mAh battery, and is powered by the Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset. Lastly, the Apple Watch Series 11 46mm (GPS) is also available at a modest discount. Its not a huge price drop, but given how rarely Apple products go on sale, its still worth checking out. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Donovan Allen Chargualaf Ornellas, accused of beheading a man, may never regain competency to stand trial, raising the possibility that his case could be dismissed or that he could face civil commitment, Superior Court Judge Alberto Tolentino said Thursday. If we identify who would make that call, then it would basically leave us with the two choices: either straight up acquittal, dismissal of the case or, unless he presents a danger to himself or the community, some sort of civil commitment would be the next step, he said. Civil commitment involves legal procedures mandating treatment or confinement for individuals whose conditions pose risks to themselves or others Ornellas, who appeared before Tolentino via Zoom is accused in the high-profile 2021 Santa Rita-Sumai murder case. Ornellas is accused in the death of his uncle, Andrew Ray Castro, 61. He was arrested in January 2021 after Castro was found decapitated in a unit at the Vales Apartment complex in Santa Rita-Sumai. He is currently housed at the Post 7 annex of Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center. The initial forensic evaluation by clinical psychologist Dr. Juan Rapadas determined Ornellas is currently not competent to be proceeded against. Potentially, or I think it was like he did lack substantial capacity to appreciate that he met the standard, Tolentino said Thursday. Ornellass attorneys, William Pole and Terrence Timblin, raised concerns over treatment and medical oversight at GBHWC What we dont have is anything from Post 7 on what actual therapy hes receiving, Pole said. Clay Marley, a social worker at Post 7 at GBHWC, confirmed Ornellas is being seen by attending psychologist Dr. Mary Fegurgur and attending physician Dr. Carla Haddock. Legal questions also arose over civil commitment statutes. Prosecuting attorney Christine Tenorio explained that under the law, a person cannot be civilly committed if criminal proceedings have already begun, and said her offices appellate team had reviewed the issue. Tenorio also clarified why the civil commitment process had not moved forward for Ornellas. It specifically says that there is an exception that of people who are prosecuted criminally, and if were using the mechanism it accepts it from the civil commitment statute. So that is actually the hold up of why we didnt believe we can go forward with a civil commitment, because the civil side of our office was trying to do that, Tenorio said. Defense attorneys emphasized Ornellass refusal to participate in certain treatments, including psychotropic medications. He doesnt want to participate in treatment thats being suggested, the psychotropic medications, which would help. And thats where I would say theres some confusion, Pole said. They do say that he can comprehend some treatment, so its just not drugs, but hes still availing himself there to the therapy that is available. The court also addressed concerns about medical care. The very serious issue, theyre claiming that because hes in the annex, they cant give him medication, which means that hes not being properly treated for any [other] medical condition, Pole said. They explicitly say that because hes in the annex, hes not in the Department of Corrections, medical contractors cant help him. He asked the court to consider subpoenaing the treating psychiatrist and another official who could respond to concerns that Ornellas was not receiving adequate medical services. Tenorio suggested appointing an independent evaluator to determine if Ornellas could regain competency. I do think that the solution is, as I said before, if your honor can appoint an independent evaluator, she said. That way, we get the final say on whether it be restorable or not, and then go from there. A follow-up status hearing is scheduled for Feb. 18, 2026, where briefs and updates on Ornellass competency and medical care will be presented. Ukudu power plant will run continuously for seven days starting Sunday to test for reliability, Guam Power Authority said in a Friday release. GPA said its the final and most critical step before the facility is commissioned and placed into commercial operation. While isolated outages may occur during this phase, GPA does not anticipate widespread or prolonged disruptions. The power authority is just a little over two weeks out from its Dec. 31 goal date to have the already late Ukudu plant fully online. Ukudu comes back up for testing following a combustion turbine issue that sent a 33-ton rotor off-island for fixes in September, and required further repair work locally. GPA said the coming phase is the strongest indication yet that Guam is nearing the finish line on a major transformation of the island-wide power system. Reliability testing requires the new plant to run continuously for seven days under real operating conditions. During this phase, Ukudu will be online so engineers can confirm that the new plant can safely and consistently carry Guams electrical load as designed, GPA said. GPA personnel will remain fully staffed and on standby throughout testing. Reliability testing is where everything comes together, said GPA General Manager John M. Benavente in a statement. The 198-megawatt capacity Ukudu plant can shoulder well over two-thirds of the islands peak power demand on its own. That demand is now met by several, older generators across Guam. If system conditions require it, GPA crews are prepared to return generators to service to manage generation capacity and meet demand as needed, the power authority stated. Should an unexpected interruption occur during testing, the reliability testing period would restart which is standard procedure and an important safeguard for ensuring long-term performance. This phase is designed to validate that Ukudu can perform safely, efficiently, and consistently before it is accepted into commercial operation. Any adjustments made during this stage are normal and expected in the commissioning of a power plant of this scale, Benavente said. GPA is aware of community concerns about the reliability of the new power plant. Reliability testing exists for this exact purpose, GPA said. This phase is designed to put Ukudu through sustained, real-world operating conditions so engineers can identify and correct any issues before the plant enters commercial service, GPA added. Completing this process ensures the plant meets all contractual performance requirements before it is transferred to GPA at the end of the 25-year Build, Operate and Transfer, BOT, term, GPA said. GPA and its contractors are completing a final flurry of work as the Ukudu Power Plant moves toward commissioning. This includes previously announced transmission line work feeding the Ukudu Power Plant and the transition from pre-reliability performance testing into the full reliability testing period. These activities represent the final steps required before Ukudu enters commercial operation. Crews will remain prepared to respond quickly should any issues arise. Our teams will be ready around the clock monitoring the system, said Benavente. Reliability testing could affect service, but we are working to minimize impacts on customers as we move through this final phase. Our goal is to complete testing, to ensure that the new plant is reliable, and prepare for Ukudus commissioning before the end of the year. Once commissioned, Ukudu will replace aging generation, reduce annual fuel consumption by more than 900,000 barrels, enhance system stability, and support long-term affordability for ratepayers, GPA said. Last month, the island saw three nights of power outages after issues at the Ukudu plant and other generators meant not enough energy capacity. With limited capacity production and a rise in peak demand, GPA implemented a rotating power outage schedule lasting up to one hour. Benavente has previously said Guam would remain vulnerable to load shedding until Ukudu power plant is back online. Guam now has 16 new police and correction officers after they completed an eight-month academy as physically punishing, mentally grueling, and emotionally transformative. The graduates of the Guam Police Departments 15th Police Officer Trainee Cycle and the Department of Corrections Basic Corrections Officer Trainee Cycle 2025-01 were honored at a packed ceremony at the Rihga Royal Laguna Guam Resort in Tamuning on Friday. Keynote speaker police officer Tiffanie J. Rodrigues told the class their achievement went far beyond endurance. You didnt just get through the academy. You emerged hardened, sharpened and ready to face the world, she told them. She shared how disorienting the first days felt when she started. I remember early mornings smelling of sweat and fear, the late nights running off of coffee and beef jerky and staring at my boots for hours trying to figure out how to get rid of all the stuff in these home sessions, Rodrigues said, reminding them she entered just as uncertain. I was just as lost as you when I recorded in for day one. I didnt know what to expect. Rodrigues pointed to the cadre who shaped the cycle, including one sergeant whose blunt style left a lasting impact. [He] is very tough and straight to the point. But if you really listen to what he has to say, if you really, really break down his words, it has so much weight and meaning. With a mix of humor and respect, she recalled how instructors pushed them hard while offering encouragement and wisdom. Rodrigues added that one sergeant became a stabilizing presence for the class. Hes the pick-me-upper you all need, after an intense morning formation, she said. Hes someone that will level with you when you need it, but also put you in your place to keep order. And like he always says, You gotta live hard to be hard. From there, she reminded the group what their bodies and minds had endured. We train you to be hard targets. That is what you are. You survived the challenging [physical training] sessions, she said. Rodrigues shared what they should do as they work as the islands newest officers. Anyone can wear a uniform. The true test of an officer is in the emotional and the psychological arena, she said, urging the graduates to stay grounded. First, be the good neighborSecond, stay united And lastly, remember your why? Be the protector She ended her speech with an important reminder. The people of Guam are handing you a sacred trustYou are ready. You are trained. Now go out there and be the protector the people of Guam deserve, she said. Corrections officer Jacob Garrido, of Mangilao, said the ceremony hit him unexpectedly hard. It was very heartwarmingEverybody that was there made me very proud, he said. Garrido, who served eight years in the Marine Corps, was shaped by both the boot-camp environment and the responsibility of leading his class. The biggest highlight for me was going through all this new training in terms of post certification, learning about the prison and how it works and runs, he said. But managing four very different personalities as class commander tested him in new ways. He said they were four very unique individuals, all capable of doing the job. Before the academy, the idea of working inside a prison unsettled him. Before, it was very terrifyinginmates will test you, Garrido said. However, now its still terrifyingbut its more under the idea that its along the sign of respect because of our island and our community. Once inside, his outlook about the prison changed. We got to learn from the inmatesWe built a rapport with them alreadyIm more open to it, Garrido said. Im more understanding in terms of that these are just individuals who committed wrongdoingWere just there to make sure that they are safe. He described respect as a two-way street, essential for the safety of both staff and inmates. Big achievement Gianni Crisostomo, 27, of Inalahan, said earning her badge as a woman in GPD carried deep meaning. Being a female in the Guam Police Department is a really big achievement. Its a feeling like no other, she said. She and the other female trainee, who was absent from the ceremony, played a crucial role in supporting the entire cycle. She really helped me push through, Crisostomo said. Working with mostly male recruits pushed her out of her shell. They are really big motivatorstheyre gonna push you, make you come out of your comfort zone, she said. She learned quickly that trust among officers is essential. My biggest takeaway, you know, make sure that you act with trust, your partner, your groupyou have to trust who has your back, Crisostomo said. The hardest part was becoming more vocal. I would say my biggest hurdle was actually just getting out of my comfort zoneintroverted just quiet on the side, she said. Wearing the badge, she said, carries great powerYou will change someones life. Crisostomo said her motivation comes from home, where her two children are her greatest inspiration. She added that becoming an officer changed how she views local policing. It really changed the perspective on policemenwe need to change that, she said. Son follows fathers footsteps For fellow Marine Corps veteran Adam Paulino, 38, stepping onto the stage felt like both a homecoming and a challenge. It was very emotional but also, like, pretty much, like, a joyful momentmy father, hes served GPD for over, like, 30 plus years. His father was also present at the ceremony. Paulino said his lifelong goal of becoming a police officer was shaped by watching his fathers pride and dedication, though he first pursued a career in the Marine Corps before returning to law enforcement. While he did grow up around law enforcement, it didnt give him a shortcut. Paulino forged his own path into the department. I believe that the Marine Corps helped me with my transition to the Guam Police Department, he said. Paulino said his father had a mix of pride and concern when he chose to join GPD after the Marine Corps, reflecting both parental care and respect for the demands of the profession. His father told him officers endure a lot and have many hardships. But he always told me. Trust in God and have that support system, which is my family, Paulino said. His eight years in the Marines may have shaped him but did not spare him from surprises. I went through the hardest Marine Corps boot campGPD was totally different experience, he said. He shared the academics were the hardest part and they wouldnt be released until night. That shift pulled him into a different rhythm of policing, one centered on people rather than missions. You have to show compassion always, he said. What stayed with him most was the camaraderie. He said, The brotherhood is its second to none. Ukraines Defense Forces have liberated Kondrashivka, Radkivka, their surrounding areas, and several districts in northern Kupiansk, according to the press service of the National Guard of Ukraine. "The command of the National Guard Corps Khartiia reports the successful conduct of an operation to stabilize the situation in the Kupiansk direction. Kondrashivka, Radkivka, their surrounding areas, and several districts in northern Kupiansk have been liberated. In total, from September 22 to December 12, 1,027 Russians were killed, 291 wounded, 13 taken prisoner. More than 200 occupiers are encircled," the statement said. According to the report, following enemy actions and an escalation of the situation in the city in September of this year, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky created the Khartiia search-and-strike grouping, which launched an operation to eliminate the Russian breakthrough. Planning and command of the operation were carried out by the 2nd National Guard Corps Khartiia in cooperation with the Kupiansk Tactical Group and under the direct supervision of Syrsky and National Guard Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko. "The operation involves the Khartiia Brigade, the 475th Assault Regiment Code 9.2 of the 92nd Assault Brigade, units of the Foreign Legion of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense, and the 144th Mechanized Brigade. The grouping broke through to the Oskil River, cutting off enemy supply lines," the statement said. Haiti - Justice : Unwarranted search of the residence of Port-au-Prince Mayor Ralph Youri Chevry Following a nearly three-hour search of his residence, conducted without a warrant or explanation, the Mayor of Port-au-Prince, Ralph Youri Chevry, issued the following statement: "I hereby confirm that an intervention took place today at my residence in Juvenat, between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m. I was awakened by gunshots when my dog was unjustifiably killed. Statement by Mayor Ralph Youri Chevry : "Me Fritz Patterson Dorval, the Government Commissioner of Port-au-Prince, accompanied by several armed men wearing uniforms from various units of the Haitian National Police, including specialized units, violated my home in an intervention for which I was not formally notified. At this time, no warrant has been presented to me. One of my security agents was arrested and then released in Delmas. During this operation, no charges were brought against me. Following the operation, the PNH weapons assigned to my security detail were confiscated. These included a Galil AC 22 (Taurus), a T4, an AR-15, as well as a communication radio, ammunition, and a surveillance drone. I would like to remind you that, according to Article 24.1 of the 1987 Constitution, 'the home is inviolable. No search may be conducted except by law and in accordance with the procedures it prescribes.' Furthermore, under the Code of Criminal Procedure, any search must be authorized by a competent judge, accompanied by a reasoned warrant, and executed in the presence of witnesses. This necessitates legal clarification regarding the absence of a warrant and formal notification, in accordance with the principles of the rule of law. I cooperated calmly and responsibly, respecting the institutions, while acknowledging the specific circumstances of this operation. I reaffirm my commitment to the rule of law, respect for legal procedures, and transparency. I also remain devoted to my hometown, Port-au-Prince, and to my beloved country, Haiti. Any necessary clarification will be provided through appropriate channels, in consultation with my legal counsel. I urge respect for the established facts to avoid any confusion or manipulation." Ralph Youri Chevry Mayor of Port-au-Prince HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : 18 countries ready to deploy security forces to Haiti On Friday, December 12, 2025, Albert Ramdin, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), announced that 18 countries had pledged their readiness to deploy security forces to Haiti as part of the new Gang Supression Force (GSF) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46393-haiti-flash-first-infos-on-international-contributions-to-the-gsf.html , approved by the UN Security Council to replace the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45891-haiti-flash-the-security-council-has-voted-for-the-new-gang-repression-force.html "Eighteen countries have committed to providing forces. The key is that they all work together, according to the same rules and regulations. Thats why, [due to training], the establishment of this new force is taking so long," he explained. The total force will consist of 5,500 personnel, primarily police officers and military personnel, Ramdin confirmed, in accordance with the roadmap developed under the auspices of the United States. African countries are leading the way in offering support, alongside Asian countries such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, he revealed. Some Latin American countries (which he did not name) have also expressed their willingness to contribute. The deployment will be phased in gradually, without waiting for all countries to reach the same level of training, he specified, adding, "I think the first 1,000 troops will leave soon, if all goes well in January." "Approximately half of the 5,500 personnel are expected to be deployed by April 1st, the date on which the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (BANUH) will become operational." "The goal is to act quickly, to mitigate the impact of the gangs, to fight them, but also to capture their leaders, imprison them [...] or neutralize them." Should be noted that Kenya deployed a fifth contingent of police officers this week to relieve those whose mission had ended and to provide reinforcements to maintain pressure on the gangs. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46379-haiti-flash-kenyan-reinforcements-have-arrived-in-port-au-prince-video.html See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46393-haiti-flash-first-infos-on-international-contributions-to-the-gsf.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46381-haiti-flash-international-conference-of-gsf-contributing-countries.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46379-haiti-flash-kenyan-reinforcements-have-arrived-in-port-au-prince-video.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46337-haiti-flash-official-visit-to-haiti-of-albert-ramdin-secretary-general-of-the-oas.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45891-haiti-flash-the-security-council-has-voted-for-the-new-gang-repression-force.html S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... "D-2" 44,460 candidates registered for the permanent baccalaureate exams On Friday, December 12, 2025, Yves Roblin, Director General of the Ministry of National Education, announced that 44,460 candidates are registered for the permanent baccalaureate exams, including 43,576 for the NS4, which will take place from December 15 to 18, 2025. He urged everyone to follow the guidelines during these exams. USA and Canada Welcome Commitments to the GSF "The United States and Canada welcome the commitments and participation in the Mobilization Conference for the Gang Supression Force (GSF) in Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45891-haiti-flash-the-security-council-has-voted-for-the-new-gang-repression-force.html held on December 9 on behalf of the Permanent Group of Partners [...] With 18 entities committing to provide personnel, resources, and technical support, their commitments underscore the breadth of international mobilization around this mission. This responsibility-sharing approach ensures that the GSF mission will have the necessary tools to fulfill its mandate [...]" statement issued on December 12 by the governments of the United States and Canada, on behalf of the Permanent Group of Partners. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46393-haiti-flash-first-infos-on-international-contributions-to-the-gsf.html See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46411-haiti-flash-18-countries-ready-to-deploy-security-forces-to-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46393-haiti-flash-first-infos-on-international-contributions-to-the-gsf.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45891-haiti-flash-the-security-council-has-voted-for-the-new-gang-repression-force.html Denial of the PNH The Haitian National Police's Communications Directorate formally denies the information recently circulated by some medias, alleging that a government helicopter en route to Mirebalais was shot at, causing injuries among officers on board as it flew over Saut-d'Eau. The PNH deplores the dissemination of this false information, which is likely to sow anxiety among the population, erode trust in security institutions, and foster an unnecessary climate of confusion and misinformation. UNESCO Supports PAPJAZZ 2026 On Thursday, December 11, Erika Francillon, UNESCO's Culture Programme Officer, welcomed the launch of the 19th edition of the Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival, scheduled for January 7-10, 2026. She emphasized that PAPJAZZ allows Haitian and international artists to share their practices and creates essential spaces for cultural diversity. She stated that this is why UNESCO supports this initiative. Program : https://www.papjazzhaiti.org/line-up-fr Laurent Lamothe Will Reveal His Truth at Noon "For 11 years, a well-orchestrated and funded campaign has tried to smear me and rewrite my history. I remained silent, believing that the truth would speak for itself. But today, I understand that she too deserves to be fought for. Because it's never too late to do the right thing. Saturday, December 13th at 12:00 PM, I will finally share MY truth. Not to justify myself. Not to be a candidate. But because restoring the truth is now MY FIGHT. I invite you to tune in to my channels: YouTube, Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn." Laurent Lamothe Football Final : CIMO Victories over DGPNH [1-0] Thursday, December 11, 2025, as part of the football tournament organized to mark the 26th anniversary of the Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI), the Intervention and Law Enforcement Corps (CIMO) won the final with a score of [1-0] against the team from the General Directorate of the Haitian National Police (DGPNH). HL/ HaitiLibre Photo: About a hundred people, including five Ukrainians, are being released from Belarus, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, presented details regarding the preparation of a special mission to free civilians held in Belarus. Thanks to the active role of the United States and the cooperation of our intelligence agencies, around one hundred people are regaining their freedom now, including five Ukrainians," he wrote on Telegram on Saturday. "We are helping our American partners so that the relevant support is provided to Ukraine. As needed, the special services of our European neighbors are also involved," the president said. In addition, Zelenskyy instructed the Defense Intelligence and all services represented in the Coordination Headquarters to maximize efforts on the Russian direction so that the release of Ukrainian POWs can take place before the New Year. The Telegram channel Pul 1, close to Alexander Lukashenkos press service, reported the "pardon" of 123 foreigners serving sentences in Belarusian penitentiaries. The decision was made "as part of the agreements reached with U.S. President Donald Trump and at his request, in connection with the lifting of illegal sanctions against the potash industry of the Republic of Belarus imposed by the Biden administration, and in connection with the practical implementation of the process of lifting other illegal sanctions against the Republic of Belarus." "This gesture was also carried out in response to requests from other heads of state and based on humanitarian principles and universal and family values," the channel added. According to the report, "in recent times, taking into account the decisions made by Alexander Lukashenko at the end of November, the total number of pardoned individuals is 156." Among them are British subjects, citizens of the United States, Lithuania, Ukraine, Latvia, Australia, and Japan. The debate about Europe's digital sovereignty and the strategic use of US cloud infrastructures in sensitive areas is gaining new momentum. A previously unpublished expert opinion, prepared by legal scholars at the University of Cologne on behalf of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, has now become publicly accessible as part of a Freedom of Information Act (IFG) request. It concludes that US authorities have far-reaching access to data even when it is stored in European data centers. Continue after ad Access by Intelligence Agencies The experts were tasked with clarifying whether and to what extent US intelligence agencies and other state bodies have a legal right of access to data in the cloud, even if the infrastructures are operated outside the United States. According to the opinion, the Stored Communications Act (SCA), extended by the Cloud Act, and Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), in particular, allow US authorities to compel cloud providers to hand over data. A sensitive point is the finding regarding the scope of US jurisdiction. Companies are therefore required to hand over data even if it is stored outside the USA. The decisive factor is therefore not the physical storage location of the information, but the control over it by the affected company. This implies that even data stored in data centers on European soil and managed through German subsidiaries are subject to access. The prerequisite is that the US parent company exercises ultimate control. Reach of US Jurisdiction However, the reach of US laws does not end here. According to the opinion, the jurisdiction of the United States can impact not only European subsidiaries of US companies. It also has the potential to affect purely European companies, provided they maintain relevant business connections in the USA. This extends the risk of indirect or direct data access to a wide range of companies operating in the European internal market. Although a cloud provider could technically prevent itself from accessing the data, for example, through encryption, this does not necessarily avoid the disclosure obligation. US procedural law requires parties to store procedurally relevant information even before the start of legal proceedings. A cloud service provider that is regularly confronted with disclosure requests could therefore be obliged to retain data. If it excludes itself from access through technical measures, it risks significant fines or criminal consequences. In Europe, supervisory authorities may prohibit the disclosure of information to authorities in third countries based on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Data transfers to the USA can currently be based on the shaky adequacy decision of the EU Commission the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. However, the opinion highlights the legal tensions arising from the global reach of US laws. It points to the need to develop European alternatives to strengthen digital sovereignty. Continue after ad What does this mean for MS 365 & Co.? Lawyers Stefan Hessel, Christina Ziegler-Kiefer, and Moritz Schneider conclude in a current analysis that the use of the cloud-based solution Microsoft 365 in compliance with data protection regulations is still fundamentally possible. The abstract risk, stemming from extraterritorial US powers, does not in itself constitute automatic unreliability of the processor, as long as no systematic violations of European law are proven. Those responsible must concentrate on their compliance obligations and conduct a data protection impact assessment if the risk is high. Other experts do not see it that way. (wpl) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. We're a family of eight living in Georgia where Andrew's a professor at GSU and Nancy is a PhD student at UGA. You can read more about us here The removal flight departed from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport at 03:48 on Tuesday. The aircraft, operated by Freebird Airlines, made stops in Malmo and Vienna before landing in Baghdad at 14:15. According to a passenger on the same flight, the operation included dozens of deportees and approximately 150 officials. Milan Jaff, 25 , has been deported from Finland to Iraq following a Frontex-led operation, according to information obtained by Iltalehti . The deportation took place during the night between Monday and Tuesday, ending a years-long legal and criminal history in Finland. The Helsinki Police Department confirmed a joint deportation flight involving individuals from multiple countries. Head of the permit and immigration unit, Chief Superintendent Simo Kauppinen, told Iltalehti that several individuals on board had deportation orders for criminal convictions. Milan Jaff, originally from Iraq, had his residence permit revoked earlier this year by the Finnish Immigration Service. The agency ordered his removal and issued a permanent entry ban covering the entire Schengen Area and EU member states. He lodged an appeal with the Helsinki Administrative Court, which was rejected. A further appeal was made to the Supreme Administrative Court but did not suspend enforcement of the deportation. According to Iltalehti, Jaff had been held at the Joutseno detention centre in Lappeenranta since his release from prison in August. He had told media he did not wish to return to Iraq, claiming no ties to the country. He first arrived in Finland as a 17-year-old in 2017 during the refugee influx. Over the next eight years, Milan Jaff accumulated a significant criminal record. He received his first conviction at 19 in 2019. He was later sentenced for attempted manslaughter, rape, and drug offences, as well as for planning an armed attack on the Kaivohuone nightclub in Helsinki. He was also convicted of firing shots at a house party in Espoo. In October 2022, the District Court of Eastern Uusimaa sentenced Jaff to 10 years in prison. In 2024, the Helsinki Court of Appeal reduced the sentence to six years and two months, ruling that the so-called Kurdish Mafia group was not a formally organised criminal organisation. While incarcerated, Milan Jaff was the victim of a violent assault in 2023. He was released from Turku prison in August 2024 and immediately transferred into immigration detention. Jaffs involvement in violent crime and his role as a figurehead in the Kurdish Mafia gang made him a central figure in the national debate on street crime. A 2024 non-fiction book Like brothers the truth about Finland's street gangs described Jaff as a frontman rather than a decision-maker, possibly used as a shield by others in the group. During the return operation, he was reportedly escorted by multiple officers and then transported by car from Baghdad to the Kurdish region of northern Iraq. A family member told Iltalehti that his return was a surprise to relatives, especially to his mother. The deportation was part of a coordinated Nordic removal effort under the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex. It involved deportees from several countries. HT According to Moodys, Finlands credit standing is supported by its strong institutional framework, high wealth levels, and a well-educated labour force. The decision followed a routine periodic review and did not include any credit rating action. Moodys Ratings has upheld Finlands credit rating at Aa1 with a stable outlook, confirming the countrys position at the second highest level of investment grade. The agency noted that Finlands long-term economic potential is backed by support for innovation and structural policies favouring a knowledge-based economy. The Ministry of Finance released the announcement late on Friday evening. Finance Minister Riikka Purra welcomed the assessment. This is a clear message that the Government has taken the right actions. However, we need to continue efforts to strengthen Finlands economy, particularly public finances. Adjustments will have to continue during the next parliamentary term, she said. Moodys acknowledged recent fiscal reforms and structural measures, which it said will reduce the public deficit and stabilise the debt burden. The upcoming national fiscal framework, due in early 2026, was identified as a key factor. At the same time, Moodys warned that weak GDP growth has offset the impact of consolidation efforts. While the government has an ambitious agenda to address the deterioration in public finances in recent years, weak real GDP growth has outweighed the impact of a series of fiscal consolidation packages, the agency said. Minister Purra said the assessment underlined the need to follow through on fiscal agreements. The Parliamentary Pact for Fiscal Policy is an important step, but it is even more important to make sure it is put into practice, she said In July, Fitch Ratings downgraded Finlands rating by one notch from AA+ to AA, citing rising public debt levels. The downgrade placed increased attention on the Governments fiscal policies and added pressure to meet budgetary targets. Moodys emphasised that the current assessment does not indicate whether a future rating action is likely or not. Credit ratings affect the terms on which countries can borrow money. While higher ratings usually suggest lower borrowing costs, actual market rates depend on broader economic conditions, investor confidence, and monetary policy environments. Finlands rating has remained at Aa1 since 1995. Standard & Poors, another major rating agency, currently holds Finlands rating at AA+. HT The Health Ministry said laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium leprae, the bacterium that causes leprosy. All four individuals are women from Indonesia employed as masseuses at a spa salon in Cluj-Napoca, in north-western Romania. The cases came to light after two of the women, aged 21 and 25, sought medical care on 26 November for skin lesions. Romanian health authorities have confirmed two cases of leprosy, the first in the country in over four decades. According to Romania Insider , two additional suspected cases are under investigation. One diagnosis was confirmed through a skin biopsy showing acid-fast bacilli. Further testing ruled out tuberculosis and supported a diagnosis of Hansens disease. Cluj Public Health Directorate head Corina Criste confirmed to Agerpres that the second case had also been verified. Both women are receiving treatment. Health officials said specific medication, in line with World Health Organization (WHO) protocols, has already started. Once treatment begins, the risk of transmission drops significantly. Minister of Health Alexandru Rogobete said that two other spa employees are being monitored. One had recently returned from Asia, where her mother, also infected, remains hospitalised. The spa salon has been closed during the investigation. Authorities carried out ozone disinfection of the premises, intensified cleaning procedures, and ordered mandatory health checks for all staff. Authorities said the risk to the general population is low. Leprosy spreads slowly and requires prolonged exposure to an untreated individual. It does not spread through casual contact such as handshakes or shared spaces. The Health Ministry has launched expanded contact tracing, workplace inspections, and epidemiological surveillance. It has requested support from the WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to review diagnostic and treatment protocols. The last confirmed leprosy case in Romania was reported in 1981. The disease, once associated with high transmission and stigma, is now treatable with antibiotics. WHO data shows that leprosy remains present in over 100 countries, with around 200,000 new cases each year, mostly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. HT Rushing honored as Public Library Director of the Year Trina Rushing The North Carolina Public Library Directors Association has awarded Trina Rushing, director of the Henderson County Public Library, the prestigious 2025 Director of the Year Award. Related Stories Presented at the NCPLDA Awards Ceremony on Dec. 11, the award recognizes Trinas extraordinary contributions and dedication to enhancing library services and community engagement. Since assuming the role of director in 2015, Rushing has worked to steer the library in a community-focused direction. Her leadership inspires staff at all levels to become advocates of library services. Her encouragement for staff to partner with local committees and organizations has fortified the librarys role as a key community resource. Her active involvement in groups like United Way underscores her commitment to community service. To further extend library services in Henderson County, she coordinated the acquisition of a new Mobile Library that launched in September 2025. Rushing has been involved in several state-level organizations and committees, including the Outreach, Promotions and Partnerships Advisory Committee and Resource Advisory Committee for NC Live, the NC Digital Library, NC Cardinal and NCPLDA. Her leadership within NCPLDA has been instrumental, particularly through her roles on the Legislative Committee advocating for literacy and library funding. Her strategic engagement with legislators and state leaders has been pivotal in promoting library needs and initiatives. Rushings commitment to public libraries and her community makes her a role model and a deserving recipient of the 2025 Director of the Year Award, Henderson County noted in a news release. Her leadership continues to inspire and elevate the standard of library services across the state. Judges, DAs, clerks, bar pan state's eCourts portal North Carolinas new eCourts system remains a pain point for courthouse staff in many counties, not to mention the state legislators who represent them. Related Stories But Administrative Office of the Courts Director Ryan Boyce told a joint legislative oversight committee on Thursday that theres hope on the horizon for those waiting for improvements. Kind of like your iPhone, this software updates pretty regularly, he said. The next large update is scheduled for the middle of 2026 for a new version update. I have not seen whats in it, but I have heard it has kind of a more modern feel, and it takes care of a lot of the little issues. Another update in the middle of 2026 targets the systems search function, he said. The present one, called Portal, works but it is a little clunky, Boyce said. The news yielded caution reactions from the members of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Public Safety, several of whom say theyre still getting an earful from court clerks and lawyers in their districts. Sen. Buck Newton, R-Wayne, said in his area, everybody thats a player in the system magistrates, DAs, clerks all say theyre drowning as they adapt to the new system. Magistrates kind of say, Well, Im doing the job the clerks used to do. DAs say, Im doing the job the clerks used to do.' Private lawyers say, Im doing the job the clerks used to do. And the clerks all tell me, Were drowning, we need more help. Rep. Reece Pyrtle, R-Rockingham and a former police chief, said clerks there have told him the system is more [of] a labor-intensive initiative, at least in the beginning. Rep. Paul Scott, R-Rutherford, said the software has reduced the throughput of the court system in his region. The amount of cases we can handle in court has gone down drastically, he said. We just had grand jury last month, and it took three weeks to input all the indictments. Boyce acknowledged that the system is slower than it needs to be, and said AOC has docked Texas-based contractor Tyler Technologies because of that to prod the company to make improvements. But behind that, there certainly is a learning curve for everyone involved thats making courthouses do business in new ways, he said. Its completely changed every single workflow weve had for hundreds of years, so thats a big part of it, Boyce said. The eCourts system, which went live in Henderson County in July 2024, replaced an antiquated, mainframe-based system that functioned mainly as an index to paper records kept in each countys clerk of courts office. Its replacement is cloud-based, and like the federal courts PACER network allows files to be accessed from anywhere. But it doesnt work exactly like PACER, and Boyce acknowledged that its missing PACER features like email notifications to lawyers when theres a new filing in their cases. As somebody whos married to an attorney who uses that, I understand how valuable a tool that is, and thats something we're working with the vendor really hard to get rolled out, Boyce said. The state contract for the base system envisioned paying Tyler an S&P 500 company that netted $263 million in calendar 2024 $85 million over 10 years. It says it provides statewide case-management software to 14 states. The system was online in all 100 North Carolina counties as of Oct. 13, AOC says. Online Chinese video competition held in Ethiopia to promote cultural exchanges Xinhua) 13:38, December 13, 2025 Zhang Yawei (L), cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, presents a prize to a winner at an award ceremony of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Dec. 11, 2025. The Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia on Thursday announced winners of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition at a ceremony held at the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute in Addis Ababa. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua) ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia on Thursday announced winners of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition at a ceremony held at the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital. The event that ran from September to November involved making and sharing videos of singing Chinese songs, performing traditional Chinese dances and other activities, highlighting the China-Ethiopia friendship and cultural relations. Speaking at the event, Zhang Yawei, cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, said the contestants have played a significant role in promoting the Chinese language and culture in Ethiopia, enhancing the cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. "Over the course of three months, we received 42 valid entries, which collectively garnered over 200,000 views on social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. This fully demonstrates the remarkable progress and immense enthusiasm of Ethiopians in learning the Chinese language and engaging in Chinese culture," Zhang said. Biruk Kedir, director general of the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute, said every video submitted was a personal journey, a story told through the beautiful medium of the Chinese language, reflecting not only their hard work but also unique perspectives as young Ethiopians. "What we witness in this competition is more than linguistic proficiency. It is the courage to express, the vision to share, and the genuine desire to build bridges between cultures of the two countries," Kedir noted. Speaking about the significance of learning Chinese, Aliya Abdulselam, winner of the Best Popularity Prize, said the language serves as a tool to experience a new world. "This award is just a beginning. I want to study the Chinese language deeply, speak better, and learn the culture," Abdulselam said. The competition was jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, the Confucius Institutes at the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute, and the Addis Ababa University. Young Ethiopians perform at an award ceremony of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Dec. 11, 2025. The Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia on Thursday announced winners of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition at a ceremony held at the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute in Addis Ababa. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua) Young Ethiopians attend an award ceremony of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Dec. 11, 2025. The Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia on Thursday announced winners of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition at a ceremony held at the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute in Addis Ababa. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua) Biruk Kedir, director general of the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute, speaks at an award ceremony of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Dec. 11, 2025. The Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia on Thursday announced winners of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition at a ceremony held at the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute in Addis Ababa. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua) (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) Ukraines Cabinet of Ministers of will begin paying compensation in cases where journalists are killed or injured while performing their professional duties. The relevant decision provides for one-time assistance through the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko reported. "We are making the first payment to the father of journalist Viktoria Roschyna, who died in Russian captivity. This program is provided for in the state budget for 2026. For the Ukrainian state, this is a matter of justice toward those who selflessly sought the truth, documented the facts of Russian crimes, and lost their lives because of it," Svyrydenko wrote on Telegram. She added that since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has killed 21 journalists in the line of duty, including both Ukrainians and foreign nationals. "These are all crimes for which Russia must be held accountable," she said. On Saturday, Ukraine and Belarus carried out a transfer of civilian persons: 114 civilians were handed over to Ukraine, including Ukrainians who had been held on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported. "The youngest Ukrainian released is 25 years old. His wife was returned during a previous release. He and the other Ukrainians are civilian citizens who were detained in Belarus and accused of working for Ukrainian special services," the Coordination Headquarters said on its Telegram channel. Belarusian citizens who had been imprisoned on political grounds and were serving lengthy prison sentences were also handed over to Ukraine. Among them are well-known Belarusian public and political figures, including Maria Aleksandrova, Viktor Babariko, journalist Marina Zolotova, and others. "The released Belarusian citizens, after receiving the necessary medical care and at their own request, will be transported to Poland and Lithuania," the post said. The statement emphasized that the current transfer of civilian citizens is an example of successful joint work between the United States and Ukraine. "We express our gratitude to the United States and President Donald Trump for the productive work in returning civilian and military Ukrainians from the territory of Belarus and the Russian Federation. We also thank all involved government agencies for their assistance and joint efforts," the post said. Oleksandr Sanchenko, head of the music industry subcommittee of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy (Servant of the People faction) and president of the Ukrainian Association of Music Events (UAME), believes that fines for playing Russian music in restaurants and pubs should exceed UAH 50,000 in order to be effective. "The ban on Russian music in food service establishments, restaurants, pubs We are also working on this. There are certain bureaucratic nuances there. I think that as a committee we will come out with a decision next year," Sanchenko told Interfax-Ukraine. He said that he has discussed the issue with State Language Protection Commissioner Olena Ivanovska in order to find workable mechanisms. "There must be a clear procedure for how this is done and a clear sanction. Because now, even if the police show up, the fine is UAH 170. We all understand that for large establishments this is not an amount. They can pay UAH 170 every hour and keep going. I think it should be more than UAH 50,000 so that establishments are truly afraid to do this," he added. As reported, in August 2023 the then State Language Protection Commissioner Taras Kremin said he supported tougher fines for the use of banned Russian musical content. China's top legislator holds talks with president of Luxembourg parliament Xinhua) 09:42, December 13, 2025 Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, holds talks with Claude Wiseler, president of Luxembourg's parliament, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, held talks with Claude Wiseler, president of Luxembourg's parliament, in Beijing on Friday. Zhao said that since their establishment of diplomatic ties 53 years ago, China-Luxembourg relations have maintained healthy and stable development, setting an example of harmonious coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between large and small countries. He said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China is willing to work with Luxembourg to enhance mutual understanding and trust, deepen exchange and cooperation, and promote the continuous advancement of bilateral relations for the greater benefit of both peoples. Despite differences in the national conditions, systems and cultures of China and Luxembourg, their cooperative achievements have required mutual respect, trust, and consideration of each other's core interests and major concerns, Zhao said. He said China appreciates Luxembourg's long-standing adherence to the one-China policy and is willing to deepen political mutual trust with Luxembourg, noting that the two countries are complementary in terms of practical cooperation. China is ready to strengthen its alignment of development strategies with Luxembourg, and to expand cooperation on new materials, high-end manufacturing, clean energy, artificial intelligence and green finance, Zhao said. He said the two countries will promote cultural exchange and deepen cooperation on culture, education, tourism, and science and technology. They will also enhance multilateral coordination on global issues of common concern, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity. With this year marking the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations, China hopes Luxembourg will play a greater role in advancing China-EU relations based on mutual respect, open cooperation, mutual benefits, and seeking common ground while reserving differences, Zhao added. He stressed that the National People's Congress of China is willing to maintain high-level exchange with Luxembourg's parliament, and to advance communication among specialized committees, bilateral friendship groups, and deputies and parliamentarians. It is also ready to share its experience and practices in the rule of law, environmental protection and sustainable development, and to approve, revise and promulgate legal documents conducive to bilateral cooperation in a timely manner. Wiseler said that Luxembourg adheres to the one-China policy and has observed the rapid economic and social developments in China closely. He noted that Luxembourg is willing to enhance cooperation with China on finance, investment, artificial intelligence, the automotive industry, the "Air Silk Road" and cultural exchange to achieve mutual benefits and win-win outcomes. Noting that China is an important partner of the European Union, Wiseler said Luxembourg is willing to strengthen cooperation with China to promote world peace and development. Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, holds talks with Claude Wiseler, president of Luxembourg's parliament, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Tao) (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) The CEO and founder of Science Corp discusses his companys latest breakthrough: an ocular prosthesis, implanted with a chip under the retina A California-based startup named Science Corp. has just announced that several patients with severe eyesight problems have regained the ability to read letters and numbers after receiving their PRIMA ocular prosthesis. Some have even read entire pages of a book. This breakthrough was recently reported in The New England Journal of Medicine. And with all that has happened since, the companys CEO, 36-year-old Max Hodak, speaks about the milestone as if it had happened long ago, even though the announcement was only made at the end of October. A biomedical engineer by training, Hodak, who was born in New York State, is the co-founder of Elon Musks company Neuralink, where he previously served as president. In 2021, he founded Science Corp., after ending his partnership with Musk. The startup focuses on restoring vision through brain-computer interfaces. Hodak gave an interview to El PAIS at the Web Summit in Lisbon, where he was one of the keynote speakers. His conversation style is serious, fast-paced and technical, somewhere between the scientist and the startup founder that he is. Question. On your personal website, you mention that you were interested in brain-computer interfaces from a young age. Thats a complex topic for a child Answer. The brain is the seat of your entire experience. Its the only organ that I really care about. The rest of the body exists to support the brain, move it around and facilitate its functions. This was quite clear to me from a very early age. And, with brain-computer interfaces, certain effects can be achieved that arent possible in [the field of] medicine. Q. How so? A. With brain-computer interfaces, you place an implant in the motor cortex and, 30 minutes later, you have a patient playing video games with the PRIMA retinal prosthesis. Patients go from being almost blind so much so that they cant recognize faces to being able to read every letter on an eye chart and do crossword puzzles. Q. How much of what you dreamed about as a child is now a reality? A. A lot. All of this was really just science fiction 20 years ago [but] now, there are many advances happening rapidly. Q. Your company focuses on restoring vision. Can you explain how PRIMA works? A. Its a small chip. If you look at it under a microscope, you see it as a set of tiny hexagonal cells. And each of [those cells] is a solar panel. This chip is placed under the retina, behind the eye. [It then] works in conjunction with the glasses that are worn by the patient. These lenses have a camera that looks out at the world and a laser projector that [shines light] into the eye. Q. This is the basic hardware, but how is the information transmitted? A. The camera records videos of [a patients] surroundings. Then, an infrared emitter projects the images onto the implant, behind the eye (the information has been pre-encoded to form patterns that can be transmitted this way). When the infrared light hits the retina, it stimulates it so that, in essence, PRIMA acts as an electronic photoreceptor. This is only viable for patients who have grown up with sight. Their brain knows what its like to see and the optic nerve is intact, but the light-sensitive cells in the retina the cones and rods (photoreceptor cells) have died for some reason or another. Q. Which eye diseases could be treated with this approach? A. There are many diseases that cause the death of the cones and rods in the eye, from age-related macular degeneration (the paper that was published about PRIMA discusses results in patients living with this condition), to retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, or, in some cases, diabetic retinopathy. If the brain can see and the retina is still connected to the brain even if its no longer sensitive to light our chip allows us to stimulate the retina directly, bypassing the dead cones and rods. Q. So, it seems like youve taken a mechanical approach? A. An electronic approach, yeah. It works because the brain is an information-processing organ: you can interact with it informationally. Q. Whats it like for you and your team when you see a patient able to read words again, after years of being unable to do so? A. My maternal grandfather had retinitis pigmentosa, so I grew up around blindness. And seeing this solution reach patients is very exciting. Q. Was your grandfather able to treat his condition? A. He used a kind of magnifying glass to try to mitigate the vision loss. Q. I suppose it wasnt an efficient method A. Clearly, it didnt work. Thats why I was so excited to see PRIMAs work on the cover of Time magazine, because I grew up seeing devices like this on the cover of Wired when they didnt work and were said to be just around the corner. And now, 25 years later, they really are. Q. Perhaps this is a poorly-worded question, but let me ask it: how far are we from curing blindness? A. I wouldnt use the expression curing blindness. People often push me to say this, but the vision achieved isnt as good as natural vision. The patient would prefer to have their normal vision back. Perhaps, in the next five to seven years, we could achieve normal visual acuity. Q. Are we talking about the same resolution that the eye naturally has? A. I think, within one or two generations of devices, well be able to get to 20/20 vision. But the other factor were still missing is color. Right now, PRIMA only produces black-and-white results. I think well be able to have color in the coming years. Red and green are easier to detect than blue, for example. But I believe that, by the beginning of the next decade, there will be a range of options for patients that will be almost as good as their original vision. Max Hodak founder and CEO of Science (left) and Alex Kantrowitz, founder of Big Technology, on the main stage during the first day of Web Summit 2025. The event was held at the MEO Arena in Lisbon, Portugal, on November 11, 2025. Paul Devlin / Web Summit / Sportsfile (Sportsfile) Q. Excuse my impertinence, but what about curing blindness? A. Yes, when we talk about curing blindness, its important to point out that there are many different reasons why a person can lose their sight. The degeneration of the cones and rods is one; the loss of the optic nerve is another, usually due to glaucoma. And our approach doesnt work with glaucoma. For that, you would need a different approach that regenerates the connection between the retina and the brain. Q. Yours is a broad field; what systems does it encompass? A. Brain-computer interfaces range from ocular prostheses to cochlear implants, or closed-loop neuromodulation (electrical stimulation of the brain) for diseases like Parkinsons. For many interested people, this field has become synonymous with motor cortex decoders, as weve seen with Neuralink and [other firms]. [This technology is seen as a] kind of gateway to the brain that allows for an implant to be used like a computer. This is just one type of brain-computer interface. Q. Is surgery necessary for all these applications? A. Actually, I think many of these [advances] will be possible noninvasively, with wearables. You wont need an implant for decoding speech. Q. What can we expect in the coming years from a growing sector like this? A. If we think about the broad perspective of what it means to engineer the brain, we could even ask ourselves: when a patient has had a stroke and has lost part of their brain that gave them a faculty that they [no longer] have, can you restore that? And that starts getting into a kind of non-traditional brain-computer interface technology. Q. Is this already being explored? A. Its being researched. Its been tested in animal models, but I think it could reach humans in the coming years. Q. How long until PRIMA is approved by regulators in the United States and Europe? A. Were currently going through the review process in Europe. In the United States, with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), its a bit slower. It will probably reach European patients before it reaches American patients. Q. When do you expect the device to be available in Europe? A. We expect it to be on the market sometime next year. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The presidents tax law, which was passed over the summer, cut funding for hormone treatments. This has led to medication shortages and long waits at clinics, causing uncertainty within the trans community This past July, Evanna Vasquez arrived at the Betances Health Center, in Manhattan. She was hoping to pick up her monthly dose of estradiol, an estrogen steroid hormone. Over a year ago, this Peruvian woman migrated to the United States and began her gender-affirming treatment in New York. Since then, this community clinic has been providing her with the medical care she needs. But during one visit over the summer, the doctor greeted her with shocking news: there were no supplies. Concerned, she called Javier Tejada. Hes the social worker who has supported Vasquez since her arrival in the city back in 2023. Tejada managed to obtain the doses she needed, thanks to donations, but the uncertainty of not knowing if she will be able to access her monthly medication has become a constant. Some months, they give me injectable estradiol. Other months, pills. Every time they get a donation, they contact me, says Vasquez, 35. The problem is that I need a double dose of estradiol, because my [estrogen] levels are very low. And that makes everything more difficult. Estradiol is the most important female sex hormone, and is primarily produced in the ovaries. In trans people, it plays a crucial role in gender-affirming hormone therapy, which is used to induce feminizing physical changes, such as breast development, redistribution of body fat, decreased body hair and reduced muscle mass. Low estrogen levels in transgender women can lead to a lack of development or reversal of female characteristics. Since late-2024, trans rights activists in the United States have reported that the community is facing a shortage of gender-affirming medications, as well as long wait times for appointments at clinics that offer these services. This situation worsened in July following the passage of Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This legislation prohibited the use of federal funds to cover gender-affirming treatments and cut Medicaid, leaving people with humanitarian visas like Vasquez, an asylum seeker without medical coverage. With the reduction in federal funding, people who have lost Medicaid coverage are turning to nonprofit clinics. Similarly, since undocumented immigrants lack access to preventive healthcare services through Medicaid, theyre also turning to these same clinics, because they offer low-cost or free options for people without a stable income. This situation is overwhelming the clinics operational capacity and lengthening their wait times. And the impact on trans migrants is significant: approximately 174,000 of them live in the United States, many of whom came to the country fleeing transphobia, violence, or lack of healthcare in their countries of origin. In Latin America, conditions for trans people are so precarious that their life expectancy doesnt exceed 35 years, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. A wave of anti-trans laws Trumps tax reform bill is intended to reduce taxes and modify spending for various federal programs. However, it has been criticized for its ideological manipulation of the federal budget. And, in the healthcare sector, it prohibits the use of federal Medicaid funds for gender-affirming procedures, such as surgeries and hormone therapy. Protest for the trans Latino community in Queens. Andrew Lichtenstein (Corbis via Getty Images) This legislation joins a growing list of federal and state laws that restrict the rights of trans people, including their sexual and reproductive rights. Earlier this year, the Trump administration cut funding to Planned Parenthood, the largest sexual and reproductive health organization in the U.S., which provides gender-affirming treatments, contraception and treatment for HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), 616 other anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in various states. And, in addition to legislative changes, the Justice Department has issued more than 20 subpoenas to investigate doctors and clinics that provide gender-affirming medical care to minors. Because of all these attacks and the fear surrounding a second Trump administration, the demand for gender-affirming medication containing hormones such as estradiol, testosterone and spironolactone has been increasing. As far back as during the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump had announced that he would cut federal funding for gender-affirming treatment. As a result, many people decided to stock up in large quantities of medication. And now, not only is there still high demand for these medications, but clinics that offer these services are also becoming overwhelmed. Were receiving referrals from women coming from other healthcare facilities, because of the shortage of doctors or other healthcare professionals due to budget cuts, says Denise Gutierrez, director of the Transgender Family Program at Community Healthcare Network. This New York-based organization is operating normally, because its funding doesnt depend on the federal government. Rather, it receives municipal funds and grants from private entities. When Lady Dariana Camas, a 35-year-old Ecuadorian trans woman living in the Bronx, arrived in the United States in 2022, she was already receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy. At the time, she didnt feel pressured to undergo certain surgeries like facial feminization to affirm her gender. However, with the return of Trump, she saw that her chances of accessing these kinds of surgeries were being limited. As a result, she decided to seek treatment as soon as possible. But when she went to her doctor in December 2024, he told her that the surgery she wanted wouldnt be available until the following year. Now, with the budget cuts, Im starting to feel like I have to get my face done quickly, before something happens and they tell me no, Camas sighs. Like her, other trans people are trying to move up the surgeries they want, fearful that the cuts will make them unattainable in the near future. This is confirmed by Chance Krempasky, medical director of Community Healthcare Network. Some activists and gender-affirming clinics are counting on local and state governments to guarantee the rights of trans people. States like Oregon, Connecticut and Vermont have passed laws that protect trans people who are seeking gender-affirming services. Meanwhile, cities like Boston and West Hollywood have declared themselves to be sanctuaries for trans people and the wider LGBTQ+ community. New York has laws on the books that protect people who legally seek or provide gender-affirming services in the state. And the legislature in Albany recently passed a bill that seeks to strengthen legal protections, so that people who provide or receive reproductive or gender-affirming care are protected from civil or criminal liability outside of New York. This legislation is expected to be signed by Governor Kathy Hochul. Local public policies are the only way to survive, says Mila Hellfyre Hernandez, a Puerto Rican activist for the rights of transgender Latinas in the United States. Shes also vice president of the Equality Empowerment Center, a nonprofit organization that defends the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Florida. Im talking at the city level, because in cities, the state is in control; not all the support has to [come from the federal government]. The enactment of local or state policies to protect the transgender community has led 48% of trans people in the U.S. to migrate internally or consider relocating to other states with laws that safeguard their rights. This is according to a report that was published in May of 2025 by the Williams Institute, a public policy research center focused on issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Many transgender people are going to want to leave certain Republican states [where theyre] under constant attack and are going to want to come to states that welcome them, Jesus N. Soto explains, from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. So, even though [a states budget may be sufficient for now], theyll need more [money] in the future. This means that the ability of local or state governments to protect access to gender-affirming services may be affected by demographic changes. Concern and fear Evanna Vasquez has had to migrate twice. In 2017, she left Peru, after her family began harassing her for expressing her gender identity. She chose to go to Panama, where she worked for a long time as a stylist. It was there that she met her current husband. But with the Covid pandemic, her salon closed. When the lockdown eased, she tried to find work again, but she couldnt. Feeling desperate, she decided to go to the United States. Migrating a second time meant leaving everything behind again: selling all her belongings, hugging her friends and saying goodbye to Sirius, Jade and Nagini (her two cats and her dog). The journey was difficult; they were robbed, lost their identity documents and, on multiple occasions in Mexico, Vasquez suffered sexual abuse. But there was no time to process the pain. The United States presented itself as a place where laws existed that would allow Vasquez to change her name, access the healthcare she needed and finally marry her partner. I come from a country where everything [was] taken from us, only to have it taken away [again] in a country where we have even more laws designed to protect us, she laments. My community really needs the governments support. The federal healthcare budget for 2024 was $1.9 trillion, during the Democratic administration of President Joe Biden. That funding was projected to increase by 5.8% in 2025. However, with the passage of Trumps tax reform bill, the government cut it by 15%, according to an analysis by the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. Meanwhile, other departments, such as the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security (DHS) the latter being responsible for the presidents immigration policy are projected to receive increased funding. The DHS budget, for example, is set to increase by 65% next year. Another consequence of the lack of access to gender-affirming services and the rise in anti-trans laws is that the suicide rate among members of this community may increase. For our community, access to gender-affirming services is seen as a fundamental suicide-prevention measure, William Lopera warns. Hes a representative of Voces Latinas, an organization dedicated to reducing the HIV transmission rate among migrant communities. Trumps tax law has generated great uncertainty and stress, leading clients to feel hopeless and to expedite surgeries and [update their ID cards], for fear of losing access [to these procedures in the future]. This has had a direct effect on the mental health of the community, Lopera adds. For Vasquez, not being able to access her medication regularly is a major concern. It reminds her of other periods in her life when she hasnt been able to take estradiol continuously: those were times of abrupt hormonal changes, headaches, depression and gender dysphoria. For now, she approaches the 16th of each month with both hope and worry, trying to overcome the fear of not being able to receive her medication. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition In a conversation with EL PAIS, 10 young people between the ages of 16 and 26 describe their search for stability and security, in a country that they feel is increasingly hostile The flag of the Straw Hat Pirates, from the Japanese anime series One Piece, is waved at Generation Z demonstrations. It symbolizes, in the words of the shows fans, freedom and justice. The word freedom is repeated as a yearning among those who attended the march on Saturday, November 15, in Mexico City. It was also repeated among the 10 young people interviewed by EL PAIS. But what is this freedom that they so desperately seek? While it doesnt always mean exactly the same thing for everyone, for these youngsters, it generally materializes in the form of employment, education, mental health, public transportation, housing and security things that allow them to feel less vulnerable. In less than a week, Mexico City has seen two protest marches (one much more successful than the other) that were organized on social media and described as targeting young people between the ages of 15 and 28. The actual turnout, however, was quite different, as most of the attendees were over 30. But the absence of those who were supposed to lead these mobilizations wasnt due to a lack of youths: although the last census is from 2020, UN projections estimate that 38 million people in the country belong to Generation Z, or about a quarter of the Mexican population. EL PAIS interviewed 10 people between the ages of 16 and 26 students, workers and residents of various parts of Mexico City and the surrounding State of Mexico (Edomex) to learn about their concerns and how they feel about the country that they live in. Their personal experiences differ widely: some commute for up to three hours a day on public transit, while others have precarious jobs. Some experience the anxiety of choosing a fulfilling career path, and others are frustrated about not being able to find work at all. However, they all share a similar list of the issues facing Mexicos young people: an uncertain job market, the impossibility of owning a home, the feeling of living in an unsafe country, as well as a deep distrust of the political class. There are also nuances: while those who attended the second march on November 20 place themselves ideologically in the center, those who rejected it say they are left-leaning, but nonpartisan. Some, like Bruno Trejo (Mexico City, 17 years old), try to stay abreast of the news, while others, like Javier another 17-year-old from Mexico City admit that their worldview depends entirely on the TikTok algorithm. Even so, they all agree that theyre reaching adulthood while facing more adverse conditions than previous generations. Most young Mexicans (seven out of 10) have a higher educational attainment than their parents. However, this percentage decreases every two years, according to the Espinoza Yglesias Center for Studies. Carla Arroyo (21), Dalay Ledezma (24), Aaron Morales (20), Alec Penaloza (20) and Emilio Villalba (20) are all university students, and they attribute this decline to the fact that a degree guarantees them nothing. I dont see a good future. Were a generation without opportunities, Ledezma sighs. I know my field of study pays very little. I dont know what Im going to do when I graduate, Morales shrugs. These youths view their professional and economic future with despair. For economically active young people in Mexico especially those between the ages of 20 and 29 unemployment is higher than in any other age group. Ledezma sums it up this way: Ill never be able to buy a car or a house. We think about becoming independent, [yet] we dont see a future without roommates. Rent is unaffordable. And its not enough to just have a job; the conditions that come with it are also crucial. Before studying, I had a job and suffered from depression working made [me feel] worse because, no matter how lousy I felt, I still had to produce. And it will be like this my whole life, with no opportunity to retire, she laments. Members of this generation have the lowest earnings among the labor force, with salaries ranging from just under 3,000 pesos ($163) to 9,000 pesos ($490). Although the legal working age in Mexico is 15, informal employment leads to the participation of children and teenagers in the workforce. And, across all age groups, women and girls earn lower wages. From ages 20 to 29, economically active young people suffer the most from unemployment among all workers in Mexico, far more than the 35-to-39 age group. Angelica Ochoa, 26, is experiencing this firsthand. She graduated with a degree in International Relations and has been looking for work for months: Im saving up for a postgraduate degree, otherwise Ill never be able to work. Its very frustrating, she adds. Not having a job is depressing. Most of those interviewed by EL PAIS doubt that they can ever afford to live independently, let alone aspire to own property. Arroyo, from the Mexico City borough of Coyoacan, sees that gentrification will affect his future. Rent keeps going up and up. The Americans come and everything goes up, she laments. Bruno Trejo, although hes younger, is no more optimistic about the situation: Im worried about my job prospects, housing whether Ill ever be able to buy anything. Alec Penaloza, a student, assures EL PAIS that this isnt a fatalistic view. My concerns about whether Ill have a job, whether Ill be paid well, or whether Ill be able to be independent are valid right now. You dont need to graduate to be worried about the situation in the country. Generation Z is disillusioned with politics. Each year, they move further to the left, with a clearer trend among women, who are asserting themselves slightly more than their male counterparts. However, none of those interviewed declared themselves to be supporters of any Mexican political party, not even those who marched. Arroyo shares this disaffection with political parties, although she identifies as left-leaning. It would be a mistake to simply say Im with MORENA (the ruling party). None of [the political blocs] look out for our well-being. Theres ill will among us toward all the leaders, she asserts. While most young people voted for President Claudia Sheinbaum if they were eligible to do so back in 2024, they dont show a clear interest in national politics. Of the five young adults interviewed by EL PAIS who voted last year, all cast invalid ballots. Young people say that theyll exercise their right to vote when the time comes, but confess that politics seems distant and predictable to them. All politicians lie and steal, Javier summarizes. Hes a 17-year-old factory worker. Generation Z has voted slightly less than the average for the population, with the exception of 18- and 19-year-olds, who tend to be more likely to go to the polls. The young people surveyed spend between four and nine hours a day in front of a screen. They use seven different social media platforms, although TikTok is the favorite, followed by Instagram. The algorithm dictates what they know about Mexico and the rest of the world. All but one confesses to feeling misinformed. I dont know how to differentiate between fake and real news. I just listen and thats it, Javier admits. Morales acknowledges that the information affects him: Seeing chaotic news makes me anxious, so I prefer to ignore it. Trejo reflects on his screen time: I spend a lot of time [on social media] and its really just junk content. Penaloza is surprised when he considers how many hours he spends on his phone each day. With the amount of time I spend on screens, I should be better informed. Mexicos youth have a stronger presence on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, although they tend to interact across most of the available options. Social media platforms typically withhold data about minors, in order to protect their privacy. However, the behavior of young adults between 18 and 28, who make up the majority of this generational group, is well understood. Some networks, such as Twitch and Discord, arent included in these studies, but sites like Resourcesera indicate that, globally, Discord users spend approximately three to four hours per week on the platform, while 41% of users are between 18 and 24 years old. Of the 10 young people interviewed by EL PAIS, nine say they suffer from anxiety or depression. For some, this is their primary concern. Mental health is what worries me the most. The internet distances us from reality [...] I would like to see a social security reform, so that everyone has guaranteed mental health care, Ledezma affirms. Morales, for his part, shares a plea: We dont want to play the victims, but were being forced into vulnerability. We just want [there to be] empathy and some understanding of our social context. Morales details what he sees as the biggest problem that has defined his generation. I was born during Felipe Calderons presidency (2006-2012), surrounded by violence. We were raised with a fear of going out, of protesting, of raising our voices. [Mexico] has never been peaceful for us. What worries me most is the drug trade. Insecurity emerged as a topic of concern in all the testimonies, although its particularly pronounced among those who attended the Generation Z demonstration on November 20. Among its vague demands, the march called for action against the safety crisis thats plaguing the country. Eighteen-year-old Diego believes that security is the most important issue. We have the right to live without fear of being killed. Sixteen-year-old Jose, who marched alongside Diego, adds: We live in a narco-state. Im marching because Im tired of living in fear. I dont see a good future. Were a generation without opportunities, says Samantha Ledezma, 24. Ginnette Riquelme Quezada "Rent keeps going up and up. The Americans come and everything goes up," says Carla Maria Arroyo, 21. Ginnette Riquelme Quezada "Seeing chaotic news makes me anxious, so I prefer to ignore it," says Aaron Morales, 20. Ginnette Riquelme Quezada "You dont need to graduate to be worried about the situation in the country," says Alec Penaloza, 20. Ginnette Riquelme Quezada For his part, Emilio Villalba, who resides in Chalco, a city in the State of Mexico, expresses a concern that, for him, is the most important one at hand. It takes me ages to get to the university. It takes me at least two hours, sometimes three. And I spend 60 pesos a day [on transit]. Im worried about losing so much of my life just commuting. Collectively, the testimonies portray a generation thats growing up amidst long school days, complicated commutes, low wages and a digital world that shapes how they access information and connect with reality. With nuances and contradictions, the 10 young people interviewed express the same observation: becoming an adult in Mexico means living in a country where the promise of stability seems increasingly distant. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Jerry Moore recounts how the question struck him one evening in his living room. This archaeologist and writer had his cat on his lap; he gazed at it intently, and pondered: How on earth did this get here? The answer to his question is Cat Tales: A History (Thames & Hudson), a vast and ambitious book, written from the perspectives of archaeology and anthropology, in which Moore takes us on a journey spanning from the Pliocene era of terrifying saber-toothed beasts to Instagram cat videos. It is a history of thousands of years of coexistence, from mutual predation to happy domestication, demonstrating that the question Moore posed has a very complex answer. For decades, the narrative was unquestionable: the ancient Egyptians domesticated cats roughly 4,000 years ago. As rodent predators, cats guarded grain silos and were protected and admired. Families mourned their deaths, cat mummies were kept with reverence, and Bastet, the feline goddess, was venerated and appeared in sculptures and paintings as a protector of the home and family. From there to Moores living room, the leap seems logical: the cat is a useful and beautiful animal that was domesticated for human convenience and ended up stealing our hearts and our laps. However, archaeology has a habit of wresting narratives from the hands of historians. Moore, in fact, decided to explore the human-feline bond through archaeology because much of the evidence for such relationships is not found in written histories or among living cultures, but underground, he says. And underground, in a 2004 excavation at the Neolithic village of Shillourokambos in Cyprus, something was found that challenged conventional history: a 9,500-year-old joint grave where a human and a cat had been buried together, surrounded by offerings such as seashells and polished stones. The cat, only eight months old, rested less than half a meter from the deceased human. Their bones were arranged with care and attention. A cat mummy in ancient Egypt. Daniel SIMON (Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) That Cypriot grave has redefined feline history. For Moore, its significance goes beyond the dates. What Shillourokambos reveals is something more fundamental: the very nature of how cats and humans learned to live together. The concept of domestication, as artificial selection for specific traits and reproductive control, is very valuable, explains Moore, also professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of California, in an interview with this newspaper. However, it doesnt seem relevant to understanding the earliest interactions between sedentary populations and wild cats attracted to the mice and rodents living in the granaries and storehouses of Neolithic settlements. The author explains that, for him, mutualism is a better concept: Both people and cats benefited from these new interactions, during the Neolithic and later. Humans gained pest control, and the felines obtained a source of food and shelter. The cats became, as Moore explains, companions [of humans] by their own free will. Whats fascinating is that cat domestication didnt happen everywhere. Although agriculture spread globally, modern domestic cats all descend from a single species: Felis silvestris lybica, the African wildcat. Cats were attracted to rodents (particularly the invasive house mouse, Mus musculus) that infested human granaries in Europe. However, Moore explains that in Mesoamerica they didnt have the specific mouse species, and therefore the mutualism never developed. Cats were the last animals to be domesticated, long after dogs (around 30,000 years ago) and cattle (10,000 years ago). This domestication is unique because cats do not contribute to human sustenance, guarding, or labor, and the process did not initially involve human control of reproduction, as it did with other species. Cats were common traveling companions on ships (from Greek triremes to Spanish galleons) to protect food stores from rats. This, however, led to cats becoming invasive species on remote islands, decimating local wildlife, which remains a massive problem today, with 400 million domestic cats running rampant around the world. Intimate enemies However, for thousands of years, humans and cats were enemies. In the Paleolithic caves of Chauvet, 32,000 years ago, early artists carved images of lions into the rock. Big cats and humans were mutual predators, and they still are, even in urban environments; the book cites dangerous pumas in Los Angeles and tigers in Mumbai. But what is extraordinary, Moore says, is that we are the only primates that actively live alongside feline predators. Our relationship with them, moreover, is different from the one we have with the other great pet, dogs; it is less hierarchical, less dependent on training, and more based on a strange balance between independence and closeness. The lions painted in the Chauvet cave. Heritage Images (Getty Images) Why is this so? What is it about cats that has captivated millions of humans throughout history? Moore dedicates an entire chapter to exploring what he calls the charisma of felines; that magnetism that simultaneously attracts us, inspires respect, and sometimes terrifies us. I think that fascination is deep and universal, says Moore. Although we commonly apply the term charisma to other human beings, such as movie stars, rock musicians, and, less often, politicians, the term applies to fascinating non-humans, such as lions, tigers, and other felines. That such widespread recognition exists among modern people from different cultures and nations suggests a deeply evolutionary origin. In fact, a 2018 study did indeed find that big cats were considered the most charismatic animals. A historical reflection of this fascination occurred in 525 BC. The Persian general Cambyses II knew of the Egyptians love for cats, so he captured hundreds of them and tied them to his soldiers shields. The Egyptian army surrendered without a fight in the city of Pelusium to avoid harming the cats. It is the first documented surrender for love of an animal in history. The most curious thing is that the scientific evidence gathered in the book, from ancient DNA to modern behavioral studies, shows that the domestic cat is barely different from its wild ancestor. Moore sums it up like this: feline domestication is so slight that the domestic cat is practically a docile version of the Felis silvestris lybica. Ive lived with several cats and I havent understood any of them, the writer confesses, a sentiment likely shared by hundreds of thousands of humans who also currently have a cat in their lap. How did this happen? Moore wondered, observing his domestic cat. That mystery is, in itself, the central theme of the book. The answer, still contradictory and full of nuances, lies in hundreds of thousands of years of shared evolution, from predator to ally, from ally to god, and from god to companion. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Children attending the Quanzhou International Puppet Festival prepare for a puppet show in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 12, 2025. The puppet festival, which is part of the 2025 Maritime Silk Road International Cultural Tourism Festival, kicked off here Friday. Puppeteers home and abroad presented various puppet shows here, delivering a visual feast for the audience. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong) Russian youth attending the Quanzhou International Puppet Festival pose for a group photo with a Chinese performer in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 12, 2025. The puppet festival, which is part of the 2025 Maritime Silk Road International Cultural Tourism Festival, kicked off here Friday. Puppeteers home and abroad presented various puppet shows here, delivering a visual feast for the audience. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong) Chinese puppeteers perform during the Quanzhou International Puppet Festival in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 12, 2025. The puppet festival, which is part of the 2025 Maritime Silk Road International Cultural Tourism Festival, kicked off here Friday. Puppeteers home and abroad presented various puppet shows here, delivering a visual feast for the audience. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong) A Russian performer attending the Quanzhou International Puppet Festival interacts with a boy in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 12, 2025. The puppet festival, which is part of the 2025 Maritime Silk Road International Cultural Tourism Festival, kicked off here Friday. Puppeteers home and abroad presented various puppet shows here, delivering a visual feast for the audience. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong) Foreign puppeteers perform during the Quanzhou International Puppet Festival in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 12, 2025. The puppet festival, which is part of the 2025 Maritime Silk Road International Cultural Tourism Festival, kicked off here Friday. Puppeteers home and abroad presented various puppet shows here, delivering a visual feast for the audience. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong) Chinese and foreign puppeteers are pictured during the Quanzhou International Puppet Festival in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 12, 2025. The puppet festival, which is part of the 2025 Maritime Silk Road International Cultural Tourism Festival, kicked off here Friday. Puppeteers home and abroad presented various puppet shows here, delivering a visual feast for the audience. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong) Malaysia to convene special ASEAN meeting on Cambodian-Thai border clashes: PM Xinhua) 15:14, December 13, 2025 KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Saturday that Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, will convene a Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting soon on Cambodia-Thailand border tensions. He noted that the meeting will assess the situation and support de-escalation measures. The prime minister made the remarks on social media, saying he received a phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump, during which they discussed the conflict, bilateral relations, and global issues of mutual concern. During the phone conversation, Anwar said, he outlined Malaysia's role in urging both countries to exercise restraint and return to dialogue through bilateral channels and ASEAN mechanisms. Malaysia remains ready to support efforts to de-escalate the situation, protect civilians, and help restore regional stability, in line with ASEAN's spirit of good neighborliness, he said. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Dec. 7, causing casualties to both sides. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) This photo taken with a mobile phone on Dec. 8, 2025 shows a statue of Mona Rudao in a memorial park in Nantou County, southeast China's Taiwan. (Xinhua/Wang Chenghao) TAIPEI, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- About an hour's drive southeast of Taichung, a major city in Taiwan's central-west, deep into the mountains lies the Qingliu Tribe, a quiet home of about 600 Seediq ethnic people carrying a heroic yet tragic family memory. The story of their legendary ancestors has been depicted in numerous literary and media works. Among the most widely recognized is the film "Seediq Bale," directed by Wei Te-sheng, which premiered in Taiwan in 2011 and is being re-released on the mainland on Friday and Saturday. In 1930, after more than three decades of Japanese colonial rule in Taiwan, members of six villages, belonging to a branch of the Seediq ethnic people, killed more than 100 Japanese people in an uprising in Wushe -- now part of Nantou County -- following longtime harsh governance and discriminatory treatment by the colonial authorities. They were swiftly and brutally suppressed, with Japanese forces deploying artillery and poison gas. In 1931, the survivors of the six villages were forcibly relocated to what is now Qingliu, dozens of kilometers from Wushe, and merged into one. They never returned to their ancestral lands. The uprising, later known as the Wushe Incident, was one of the most thrilling and heartbreaking events in more than 100 resistance uprisings against the Japanese colonial rule by ethnic minority people in Taiwan between 1895 and 1930. The film "Seediq Bale" originally screened in Taiwan in two parts, totaling 276 minutes, while its mainland release in 2012 was a single, edited 153-minute version. The re-release this time, however, will present both parts separately over the two days. "It's a good thing that more people from the mainland can get to know these stories, which remain resonant (today)," said 61-year-old Mahung Pawan, a member of the Qingliu Tribe. Her mother, a descendant of the Wushe survivors, was adopted by the daughter of the widely known anti-Japanese hero Mona Rudao, who led the fight in Wushe and is also the central figure in "Seediq Bale." "The words 'Seediq Bale' mean 'real human' -- a real human would not likely be able to carry on living under such humiliation," she said. "We would rather fight on a path of no return than live like that -- at least we would be worthy of our ancestors." Under Japanese colonial rule, Seediq communities in Wushe were forced to abandon their customs and surrender the shotguns and ammunition they had relied on for generations for hunting. Men were turned into laborers for the Japanese, while many women were married to Japanese policemen and later abandoned. "There was so-called voluntary labor for transporting timber, and it was painful for our people. They were used to carrying loads on their backs, not on their shoulders," said 74-year-old local resident Takun Walis, who is also a descendant of the Wushe survivors. As a deterrent to those they called "savages," the colonists took ethnic minority community leaders to Japan to visit the military facilities and view modern weapons. As a village chief, Mona Rudao was among them. Upon returning, he told his people that Japan had more soldiers than "pebbles in the Zhuoshui River and leaves in the forest." "But his resolve to fight was stronger than Mount Qilai," Mahung said. On the other hand, she insists that her great-grandfather, who took his own life in the uprising rather than be captured, should not be seen as the sole hero. "Mona Rudao could never have carried out the uprising alone -- it was all the villagers with him," she said. "Every family here has its own memories -- and sorrow -- from the events." Mahung began to pick up those memories after appearing in "Seediq Bale" as one of the many amateur actors recruited for the film. She returned to Qingliu from Taipei, where she had lived for years, to collect the tribe's stories and pass them on to younger generations. "The film certainly helped promote our (history), but our next generation cannot learn about their past solely from a movie. Many things can only be interpreted by us, and we need to sort out our own history," she said. She began to listen more closely to her parents' stories and interview other elderly residents. It turned out that the wounds had left a lasting, muted pain within the community. Many elderly residents were still reluctant to speak about it, fearing the colonists even years after Japan's surrender. "Some elderly residents just told me that the Japanese said they would come back," Mahung said. Today, the painful stories are no longer taboo for the younger generation in Qingliu. Mahung now runs a Seediq cultural experience hub in the village to introduce their traditional culture. For the past decade, she has shared them with local children, as well as visitors from various regions and countries, including Japan. Many of the residents in Qingliu have received higher education and worked as civil servants. "We don't dwell on the trauma; instead, we find a way through the tragedy and carry on," said Mahung. "But at the same time, the Wushe Incident should always remain a warning to people today," she stressed. The community holds several memorial events each year to honor the ancestors who fought against Japanese colonial rule, including on the anniversary of the Wushe Incident's outbreak. A memorial building has also been established in the community to introduce the Wushe Incident and the life of Seediq people under Japanese rule. However, the building is currently closed to the public due to a lack of funding for maintenance and repairs, according to Takun Walis. "Many people have now forgotten how their ancestors were killed during the Japanese colonial rule in Taiwan, and remember only the infrastructure the Japanese left behind," Takun said. Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities are widely regarded as pro-Japan. On Aug. 15 this year, the 80th anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II, the island's leader Lai Ching-te posted on social media, referring to the day as "the memorial day for the end of the war," a term used by the Japanese government. Takun, who returned to his hometown after university and then worked for local authorities for decades, has written a prayer for his ancestors that is printed on a panel inside the memorial building, which can now only be read with a cellphone flashlight in the powerless room. "Beloved Mona and all our elders, the feats you accomplished are beyond what words can fully describe... No matter how the Japanese imperial authorities humiliated our people at the time, you struck back through our ancestral code," the prayer reads. "We will keep your honorable deeds forever in our hearts and pass them on to generations to come." This photo taken with a mobile phone shows Mahung Pawan speaking in an interview with Xinhua in Nantou County, southeast China's Taiwan, Dec. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Chenghao) by Adhere Cavince About a month ago, the Communist Party of China (CPC) held the Fourth Plenary Session of its 20th Central Committee and adopted the recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan. Since 1953, these rolling blueprints have steered the world's most populous nation from post-war devastation to global powerhouse status, lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty and cementing its role as the manufacturing hub of the planet. Like many others before it, the 15th Five-Year Plan embodies a distinctive strength of China's national governance: the ability to blend long-term vision with adaptive execution. Unlike the short-term electoral cycles that plague many advanced economies where new administrations dismantle predecessors' policies thereby breeding inconsistency, China's plans offer continuity with flexibility. Over the years, modernization has remained the enduring theme, but specifics evolve with the times. From heavy industry focus in the 1950s to digital innovation today, the persistence, coupled with adaptability, has allowed China to navigate crises like the 2008 financial meltdown and the COVID-19 pandemic without derailing its development trajectory. What elevates these plans is their democratic ethos, a vivid embodiment of whole-process people's democracy. In January 2025, the CPC solicited opinions from Party members and non-Party figures. By February, six research teams fanned out across 12 provinces, while central departments tackled 35 key topics. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a symposium on China's economic and social development in the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) in Shanghai in April, drawing input from diverse regions, followed by Chinese Premier Li Qiang's sessions with economists, scientists and grassroots voices. In a world where policy often feels imposed, China's approach demonstrates how planning can be both scientific and inclusive, fostering legitimacy and public support. Beyond governance, China's five-year plans are market-enabling marvels. The 15th Five-Year Plan, for example, is expected to articulate national priorities, optimize public resource allocation, and steer private investment toward synergistic goals. By signaling clear policy directions, the blueprint stabilizes expectations, allowing both domestic and foreign businesses to plan with confidence. China's fervent implementation of the plan has enabled it to create the twin miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, thereby transforming itself in just a few decades from a poor and backward country into one with a per capita GDP exceeding 13,000 U.S. dollars. China's manufacturing output today accounts for around 30 percent of the global total. China's planning consistency offers veritable reference points for many emerging economies that often struggle to formulate sustainable national strategies that can deliver long term prosperity. China's stability has effectively bolstered the economic growth of the Global South. Under the 15th Five-Year Plan, the opportunities for the Global South are as vast as they are actionable. As domestic demand surges, with household consumption rates climbing and internal markets driving growth, for countries like Kenya, this translates to inexhaustible opportunity for exports, joint ventures and foreign direct investments. Second, high-level opening up will supercharge trade and investment. China pledges to negotiate bilateral pacts, including partnership agreements with African nations like Kenya. It will diversify markets, balance imports-exports, and extend zero-tariff treatment to 100 percent of tariff lines for African countries with diplomatic ties with China. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation is also poised to blend major signature projects like Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway with small and beautiful welfare initiatives, such as solar micro grids to vocational training, thereby directly touching livelihoods in partner countries. Third, China's scientific and technological innovation will catalyze industrial leaps. By prioritizing original breakthroughs in core technologies, China aims to fuse innovation with industry, ballooning emerging sectors like biotech and renewables. This provides a window for technology transfer to Africa while harnessing the continent's partnership for a more livable planet through resource beneficiation. Ultimately, these opportunities culminate in a shared future. China has become the strongest champion of the rights of developing countries in the global arena. By championing the Global Development Initiative, alongside other initiatives, Beijing is leading the search for a more rational and inclusive globalization. Solidarity with the Global South means amplified voices in forums like the United Nations, increased aid, and public goods like debt relief or climate funds. By opposing bullying, be it trade wars or unilateral sanctions, China can significantly safeguard collective interests, upholding humanity's common values. Finally, in building a community with a shared future, the 15th Five-Year Plan will cement a platform of mutual elevation, where Kenya's youth can innovate alongside Shenzhen start-ups, and Africa's resources fuel equitable growth. Editor's note: Adhere Cavince is a scholar of international relations with a focus on China-Africa development cooperation based in Nairobi, Kenya. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Xinhua News Agency. BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- With a high-level meeting wrapped up in Beijing this week, China set out a clear roadmap for how it intends to steer the economy as the next five-year plan period is set to begin. The annual Central Economic Work Conference, chaired by President Xi Jinping, laid out the country's economic work priorities for the coming year -- including implementing more proactive and impactful macroeconomic policies, continuously expanding domestic demand and optimizing supply, fostering new quality productive forces according to local conditions, and developing a unified national market -- measures aimed at ensuring a solid start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). As the current five-year cycle approaches a strong finish, China is looking to carry that strength into the next one, laying even stronger foundations for its ambition of basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035, a goal marked in part by lifting per capita GDP to be on par with that of a mid-level developed country. While acknowledging risks and challenges ahead, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said the fundamentals supporting China's long-term growth remain unchanged and called for bolstering confidence, harnessing advantages and meeting challenges head-on to consolidate and build on the steady economic momentum. RESILIENCE AMID HEADWINDS Despite mounting pressures from escalating global trade tensions and domestic cyclical and structural headwinds, China's economy has held firm this year. A set of data illustrates the economic vitality. Every day, roughly 24,000 new businesses spring up nationwide and more than 120 billion yuan (around 17 billion U.S. dollars) in goods cross the country's borders. Each second, over 1.43 million gigabytes of data stream through the cloud, while some 6,000 parcels enter logistics networks. Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lifted its 2025 China growth forecast to 5 percent, up from 4.8 percent in October -- a move echoed by the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the OECD, all raising their projections in quick succession. "China's economy has shown notable resilience despite facing multiple shocks in recent years," said Sonali Jain-Chandra, who led an IMF team that visited Beijing and Shanghai early this month. During an inspection in Henan in May, Xi called for remaining confident and unswervingly managing the country's own affairs well amid a complex external environment, and confronting uncertainties with the certainty brought by high-quality development. Over the year, Xi traveled across China's economic map -- from the northeastern heavy-industry heartland to the innovation centers of the eastern coast -- and presided over a string of major meetings that discussed topics from boosting consumption to private sector development. These trips and meetings were aimed at reviewing on-the-ground conditions and refining policies for stable and sustainable development. On factory floors from Liaoning's steel mill to Henan's bearing plant, Xi stressed that the real economy remains the backbone of national strength, calling for advancing manufacturing along high-end, intelligent and green pathways. Talking with entrepreneurs at a symposium, Xi assured that supportive policies would remain unchanged and that private businesses have broad prospects ahead, shoring up confidence in the private sector. This year, the country enacted a law to promote the private economy, introduced targeted measures to spur private investment, and sped up the clearing of overdue payments to companies. In particular, innovation has emerged as a central focus for Xi. At a fast-growing large-model incubator in Shanghai, Xi was briefed by a number of start-ups, including Infinigence AI, then less than two years old, which has rapidly scaled its cloud capacity to more than 25,000 petaflops across 53 data centers in 26 cities. Xia Lixue, CEO of Infinigence AI, said the company's breakthroughs were made possible largely thanks to strong national support for AI development. Accelerating innovation in digital and intelligent technologies such as AI has been written into the CPC Central Committee's recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) adopted at a key Party plenum in October. China must deliver substantial progress and new breakthroughs in boosting scientific and technological innovation, fostering new drivers of growth, and promoting economic structural improvement and upgrading, Xi said. BRAVING CHALLENGES WITH REFORM, OPENING UP The next five years will present a landscape where strategic opportunities sit alongside risks and uncertainties. But China remains steady-handed: the tougher the challenges, the more it will lean on reform and opening-up to unlock potential and cultivate new drivers of growth. Following the key Party plenum in October, Xi inspected Hainan and Guangdong provinces last month. His selection was highly symbolic. Hainan is preparing for the launch of island-wide special customs operations for the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), representing China's latest landmark move of opening up. Guangdong, the cradle of many of the country's early reform initiatives, is aiming to carry its pioneering role forward. During the trip, Xi highlighted the significance of the Hainan FTP in expanding high-standard opening up and advancing an open world economy. For Guangdong, he called for comprehensively deepening reform and opening up to drive high-quality development. These messages reflect China's enduring commitment to reform and opening up. In 2025, an array of key reform measures came into effect. Efforts to build a unified national market gained pace, as authorities cleared market access obstacles, enforced a revised anti-unfair competition law, and curbed "involution-style" competition. Progress continued on drafting an ecological environmental code and strengthening the national carbon market. Meanwhile, the negative list for foreign investment was further trimmed, and access in service sectors such as telecom and healthcare was expanded. Analysts believe the reform and opening up drive, anchored in an upgrading and transforming economy, is creating more opportunities for global companies and investors. Multinationals doubled down on China this year. FAW-Volkswagen rolled out its 30 millionth vehicle in October, and Tesla's new Megafactory in Shanghai, dedicated to manufacturing energy-storage batteries, launched production in February, which is the first of its kind outside the United States. Siemens Healthineers is constructing a new manufacturing and research facility in Shenzhen, and Airbus launched its second Final Assembly Line for A320 family aircraft in Tianjin in October, which is also its second such facility in China and in Asia as a whole. In March, Xi met more than 40 representatives of the international business community in Beijing, reassuring them that China will open up wider by focusing on lowering the threshold of market access, ensure equal national treatment for foreign businesses, and uphold fair market competition. China has been and will remain an ideal, secure and promising destination for foreign investors, and investing in China is investing in the future, Xi said. Looking ahead to the next five years, China will continue to share its opportunities with the world and foster common development. The CPC Central Committee's recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) called for opening wider to the outside world, promoting the innovative development of trade, expanding two-way investment cooperation, and pursuing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Spanish economist Pedro Barragan underscored the significance of an open, fast-evolving China moving steadily toward modernization in an unsettled global environment, calling China's five-year plan "an anchor of stability." "As China manages to maintain orderly economic growth, advance reforms that promote a more open and diversified business environment, and sustainably stimulate domestic demand, its role as an engine of the global economy will be strengthened," Barragan said. What does it take for a family to afford a week away? Today, Eurostat estimates that for more than one in four Europeans the answer is that they cant. Rising prices and tighter household budgets mean that millions are being priced out of the chance to travel even though travel has never mattered more for connection, culture, and moments of rest and renewal. Thats why transparency, choice, and razor sharp focus on the customer arent abstract concepts to us at Booking.com. They are the principles that guide how we build and innovate, and the ones that help travelers make every euro count. And research by Oxford Economics shows that online travel platforms like ours deliver: lowering prices, expanding choice, and giving people the clarity they need to book with confidence. Travel is a powerful force for human connection, cultural understanding, and local vitality especially in destinations where tourism supports jobs and community prosperity. In a time when many households are watching their budgets closely, well-structured information and fair prices give travelers the confidence they need to make informed booking decisions. Mapping the $158 Billion Impact of Online Travel Agencies Source: Visual Capitalist, Oxford Economics Affordable travel through competition and choice When competition works, travelers benefit. A global study by Oxford Economics examined hotel prices between 2019 and 2021 and modeled what the world would look like without online travel agencies. The results were clear: Travelers saved $158 billion worldwide in just three years and thats just in the markets covered by the research. In Europe alone, consumers kept $69.4 billion in their pockets. Prices fell by nearly $10 per night on average in Europe due to the presence of OTAs . Markets with more OTA usage saw the greatest consumer savings. These arent abstract figures they represent real families able to afford a vacation, young people able to take their first trip abroad, and countless travelers finding better options at the right price. Transparency travelers rely on Useful information is one of the most effective tools consumers have and comparison is one of the most reliable ways to decide what offers the best value. New research, by Statista, shows that travelers value Booking.com for helping them evaluate alternatives and choose the option that best meets their needs. According to a 2025 Statista survey of 8,000 EU users: 84% say ranking and filters help them easily compare options. 83% view Booking.com as a trustworthy platform valued for its transparency. 82% find cancellation and payment terms easy to understand. 81% say prices are trustworthy, with no surprises at checkout. Booking.com users value transparency and comparability matters: how Booking.com helps consumers save and make informed choices Source: Statista & Booking.com These findings reflect years of investment in price integrity, full-cost display, and user-friendly tools that support confident and informed decision-making. Trusted, authentic reviews are another pillar of consumer confidence. Millions of verified reviews on Booking.com help travelers understand what to expect, compare quality across properties, and feel assured that their choice reflects real experiences. Earlier this year, we endorsed the EUs new Code of Conduct for Online Ratings and Reviews a major step forward in strengthening trust in digital marketplaces. Why affordability matters Over the past generation, rising incomes, more efficient transportation, and digital access have turned travel from a luxury enjoyed by a few into something readily attainable for modern middle classes. Yet despite this progress, affordability challenges persist. Eurostat (2024) reports that more than one in four Europeans cannot afford a one-week holiday, and in some Member States that share is closer to half of the population. More Than a Quarter of Europeans Cant Afford a Week-Long Holiday Source: Statista, Eurostat In this environment, the consumer savings and transparency created by digital platforms are not simply conveniences they help ensure travel remains accessible. Online platforms broaden choice and reduce information asymmetry between consumers and service providers that can lead to higher prices. Supporting a fair, competitive travel market Booking.com connects millions of travelers with hundreds of thousands of accommodations worldwide from family-run guesthouses to international hotel chains helping ensure that properties of every size can compete on visibility, quality, and value. Independent hotels, which often fall in the category of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), make up over 70% of Europes accommodation market, and a level playing field helps them thrive. When SMEs can reach customers globally, it strengthens local economies, diversifies supply, and increases competitive pressure outcomes that benefit travelers through better prices and more meaningful choice. European Independent Hotels are Outspent by Chains Almost Two to One Source: Statista By making prices, room types, amenities, and terms easily comparable, our platform turns competition into something consumers can actually see. This drives fairer prices, better service, and a more dynamic travel sector. At the same time, we continuously review and improve our design and disclosures. Our goal is consistent: to provide clarity, fairness, and choice at every step. Competitive and transparent prices for travelers In this context, we are aware that two Dutch consumer organizations the Consumers Association (Consumentenbond) and the Consumer Competition Claims Foundation (CCC) supported by third-party litigation funders, have launched a collective action in the Netherlands. We take their concerns seriously, but we do not agree with the claims presented. We have always been committed to showing travelers the best possible prices and the best user experience and reject any claims to the contrary. Service providers set their own prices on Booking.com, and our role is to present those prices clearly and consistently so travelers can compare their options. Transparency, price integrity, and consumer trust are core to how Booking.com operates. Our platform is designed to help travelers make informed decisions which is why we provide full-cost display, straightforward cancellation terms, and easy-to-use comparison tools. Research shows that consumers recognize these efforts: according to a 2025 Statista survey of 8,000 EU travelers, 83% consider Booking.com a trustworthy platform that they value for its transparency and useful information, and 81% say prices on our platform are trustworthy, with no surprises at checkout. Some of the issues raised in the Dutch claim relate to parity clauses historically used across the accommodations industry. As we have explained previously, these clauses were removed across Europe as part of our compliance with the EU Digital Markets Act. While once common practice in many sectors seeking to ensure consistent and transparent pricing for consumers, we have adapted our agreements to reflect evolving regulatory expectations. As with any public claim, the existence of allegations does not determine their accuracy. We remain fully committed to cooperating with relevant authorities, engaging constructively with consumer organizations, and continuing to deliver the transparency, choice, and affordability that millions of travelers rely on every day. View source Chelsea Kilburn of Stoss answers questions about the potential designs for Marshall Street after Friday's presentation. What a reconfigured Center Street could look like. Attendees discuss the map that was handed out. Mayor Jennifer Macksey opens the presentation. PreviousNext Study Recommends 'Removal' for North Adams' Veterans Bridge NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Nearly a year of study and community input about the deteriorating Veterans Memorial Bridge has resulted in one recommendation: Take it down. The results of the feasibility study by Stoss Landscape Urbanism weren't really a surprise. The options of "repair, replace and remove" kept pointing to the same conclusion as early as last April "I was the biggest skeptic on the team going into this project," said Commissioner of Public Services Timothy Lescarbeau. "And in our very last meeting, I got up and said, 'I think we should tear this damn bridge down.'" Lescarbeau's statement was greeted with loud applause on Friday afternoon as dozens of residents and officials gathered at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art to hear the final recommendations of the study, funded through a $ 750,000 federal Reconnecting Communities grant The Central Artery Project had slashed through the heart of the city back in the 1960s, with the promise of an "urban renewal" that never came. It left North Adams with an aging four-lane highway that bisected the city and created a physical and psychological barrier. How to connect Mass MoCA with the downtown has been an ongoing debate since its opening in 1999. Once thousands of Sprague Electric workers had spilled out of the mills toward Main Street; now it was a question of how to get day-trippers to walk through the parking lots and daunting traffic lanes. The grant application was the joint effort of Mass MoCA and the city; Mayor Jennifer Macksey pointed to Carrie Burnett, the city's grants officer, and Jennifer Wright, now executive director of the North Adams Partnership, for shepherding the grant through. The report, available here on the city's website, is 115 pages of history, engineering, traffic design, and possibilities for renewal, economic development and pedestrian access. The appendices are 551 pages. The summary presentation was made by Chris Reed, founding director of Stoss, with help from senior associate Chelsea Kilburn. Reed said the study received more than 5,000 individual inputs over the past 10 months, which he thought was amazing for a communities this size. "You told us we need safer pedestrian crossings. We need more spaces for people and bicyclists. We need central community gathering spaces for this community to come together, right? We want to rediscover our river. It's hidden right by all the infrastructure that's out there. We want flexible space," he said. "This is a community that's ready for change. You've told us that very clearly." Initial designs envision restoring Center Street and reducing the lanes on Route 2; Reed pointed out that North Adams is the only community west of Athol where the highway has four lanes and it's only six blocks while the traffic is lower. The removal of the overpass would not only capture people moving east or west, or from the museum, it would open a rather forbidding area of the city to more pedestrian and bike access. This would include extending Veterans Memorial Park and opening up areas for the long-promised housing and retail development. It also envisions creating a greenway and river access on Marshall to induce people to make their way downtown. "We have the opportunity to create two new community destinations, closing part of Center Street around Veterans Park, to give that space the tranquility and honor that it really deserves, and to really extend the life and usability of that space, and also to create a new waterfront plaza right on the river, right at the front door Mass MoCA, and to connect this with a tree-lined boulevard," Reed said. "That is a central move that creates a new sense of community, a new sense of connectivity and a new identity for the downtown, but it also then sets up opportunity for new development, particularly in the St. Anthony's lot and on some of Mass Moca properties right along Marshall Street." A lot of the questions that followed were about traffic, particularly truck traffic on Main Street, East Main and Eagle. Reed said a lot of thought had gone into redirecting traffic, using roundabouts and traffic calming measures. The main access west would be West Main Street, the original route, which will require some engineering of the road and intersection to make it two-way again. Most of that design work will be done once the project moves forward. And will it move forward? Reed pointed to former Gov. Mitt Romney's pet project to build a direct highway overpass at the Sagamore Rotary he got it done in one term. "Because there was support at all levels local, state, federal government and you need community members to do that," he said. "We're going to need money guys, so start shaking those trees. No matter who's president, North Adams is going to fund this project one way or the other," said Macksey, pledging that the falling down bridge will eventually come down (after a short-term fix). "There's a lot more work to come, and there's a lot more community engagement that's going to occur now with the state and the federal government, one would hope we would get another Reconnecting Communities." Kristen Elechko, director of the governor's office in Western Mass, took the microphone to say the Healey administration "really believes in this project." Mass MoCA Director Kristy Edmunds sees the project as not only a way to heal an urban wound but something that shows optimism can change things, and that city can heal. "The other way that this matters is that when we start to normalize something that is a deep and profound scar, we also end up normalizing a certain kind of pessimism that a community voice may not actually be able to move the needle," said Edmunds. "This moved the needle, y'all, and it also moved that needle from 'it's too daunting, it'll never happen' into 'it is possible.' Here's the proof, and here's a way forward." Route 2 Overpass Study by iBerkshires.com BRUSSELS, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Council of the European Union (EU) on Friday decided to prohibit any transfers of immobilized assets belonging to the central bank of Russia within the bloc back to Russia, citing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. "This decision was taken as a matter of urgency to limit damage to the Union's economy," the Council said in a statement. The measure bans any direct or indirect transfer of assets or reserves of the central bank of Russia, as well as transactions involving "any legal person, entity or body acting on behalf of, or at the direction of, the central bank of Russia," it said. European Council President Antonio Costa wrote on social media X that EU leaders were committed to keeping Russian assets immobilized in October's European Council meeting. "Today we delivered on that commitment," he said. The statement called the step "temporary," but said it should remain in force as long as giving Russia major financial or other resources for its war in Ukraine causes, or could cause, serious economic problems for the EU and its member states. The move would lock in assets estimated at around 210 billion euros (247 billion U.S. dollars). The bulk of the assets, approximately 190 billion euros, is held at Euroclear, a Belgium-based financial services company. The money was frozen under EU sanctions imposed on Russia after the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in 2022. Those sanctions have to be renewed every six months by unanimous agreement of all 27 member countries. Hungary and Slovakia oppose stepping up support for Ukraine, but Friday's decision means they will not be able to block the rollover of the sanctions, making it easier for the EU to keep the assets immobilized and move toward using them. "With today's decision, the rule of law in the European Union comes to an end, and Europe's leaders are placing themselves above the rules... Hungary protests this decision and will do everything in its power to restore a lawful order," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wrote on X. In a letter to Costa on Wednesday, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that he is "not in the position to support any solution to Ukraine's financial needs that would include covering Ukraine's military expenses for the coming years" at the next European Council. The decision came a week ahead of the December European Council, where EU leaders are due to discuss how to implement their commitment to meet Ukraine's pressing financial needs in 2026-2027. At their October meeting, EU leaders failed to agree on a plan to use Russia's frozen assets in Europe to back a 140 billion-euro "reparation loan" for Ukraine, with Belgium emerging as the main holdout. The Bank of Russia said on Friday that it would take legal action in response to EU plans involving the use of its assets, warning that such measures violate international law and the principle of sovereign immunity. According to the Russian state news agency Tass, the Bank of Russia filed a lawsuit against the Euroclear depository in the Moscow Arbitration Court on Friday. The lawsuit claims damages caused to the Central Bank by Euroclear's illegal actions. NANJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- In memorial halls in east China, park spaces in California and across social media, Iris Chang, whose best-selling book "Rape of Nanking" documented one of the most barbaric atrocities in the Second World War, was remembered on the memorial day that marked the Nanjing Massacre. Saturday is China's 12th national memorial day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre, which took place in the then Chinese capital on Dec. 13, 1937, when Japanese troops slaughtered 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in just six weeks. Chang, a Chinese-American journalist and historian, conveyed the horrors of Nanjing to a Western audience through "The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II," which was published in 1997. Nanking was the old Western name for the eastern Chinese city. Chang's seminal work and spirit have been highlighted and honored this year as Japan's right-wing provocateurs attempt to break from the pacifism, moving farther down the path of military buildup. In early November, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that the Chinese mainland's "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, implying the possibility of Japan launching an armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait. These remarks were almost a repeat of the extremely dangerous pretext that Japanese militarists employed 88 years ago when they initiated the macabre aggression. "Takaichi's remarks have become much more outrageous than they were when Iris wrote the book. It's clear that the Japanese government wants to resurrect militarism, and probably wage another war on China, and that leaves us no choice but to be more vigilant," Iris's mother, Ying-Ying Chang, said in an interview with Xinhua. "In 1997, Iris awakened the world with her pen of sorrow and indignation. Today, facing the clamor of the right wing, we must solidify memory with memorials, because forgetting means a second massacre," she said. She was quoting holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, who wrote in his memoir "Night": "To forget would be not only dangerous but offensive; to forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time." Iris Chang spent years interviewing survivors to record precisely what happened in Nanjing before succumbing to the crushing endeavor and taking her own life on Nov. 9, 2004. "Though I had heard so much about the Nanking massacre as a child, nothing prepared me for these pictures," she wrote. "In a single blinding moment I recognized the fragility of not just life but the human experience itself." In San Jose, California, a public memorial will be held in a park that has been named after Iris Chang, her mother said. On Saturday, visitors at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders gathered to place flowers at a bronze statue of Chang. Chang was born in Princeton, New Jersey, and grew up in Illinois. Huai'an city, about a two-hour drive from Nanjing, was her ancestral home. A memorial hall built in her honor in Huai'an admitted over 3,000 people every day, and over 1 million people have visited since it opened in 2017. At the entrance to the hall, a white marble bust of Chang is accompanied by the words, "Lest We Forget." "She sought justice and never flinched under the threat of the Japanese right wing. To remember her is to guard the lonesome yet courageous figure, carrying on her spirit in seeking the truth despite how painful it is, and to remember the value of peace and justice," said He Rui, curator of the Iris Chang Memorial Hall. On Saturday, the wails of sirens pierced through Nanjing, where Chang had once examined one of the most tragic chapters of World War II. Her videos and speeches have garnered millions of views and comments on Chinese social media, and her books have been reprinted in multiple editions and translated into over a dozen languages worldwide. "She passed away, but her legacy lives on," said Liu Hui, who has worked at the Huai'an memorial for eight years. 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 Indias largest airline IndiGo said the compensation for millions of customers left stranded during a recent aviation crisis that brought air operations to a standstill is more than 5bn (41m). Top aviation officials have blamed the carrier for the week-long collapse of operations which IndiGo said was caused by mismanaged crew rosters and their unpreparedness with a recent policy change that seeks to enforce stricter rest times for pilots. Indigo said it is the process of identifying flights where customers were severely impacted and stranded at airports between 3 to 5 December. The major private airline which has a monopoly in the Indian aviation landscape said it will reach out to all such customers in January so that compensation can be extended smoothly. The airline will compensate customers whose flights were "cancelled within 24 hours of departure time and/or to customers severely stranded at certain airports", it said in a statement. IndiGo faced criticism for failing to plan for the new rest periods and duty rules, leaving planes grounded and disrupting travel plans. Officials have said IndiGos senior management misjudged the number of pilots it would need for its winter schedule due to new duty and rest rules that came into effect on 1 November. open image in gallery A security personnel stands beside a digital departures board at Kempegowda International Airport ( AFP via Getty Images ) This comes just days after the Indian government ordered IndiGo to cut its winter schedule by 10 per cent in the wake of cancellation of more than 4,600 flights, causing days of disruption at almost all major airports. Indias federal civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu explained the deduction in IndiGos winter schedule, stating that the government finds the move necessary to restore stability and that the airline will continue to cover all its destinations as before. IndiGo, under the new directive to reduce its operational control, will have to cancel more than 200 daily services now during peak travel season. The recent fiasco caused India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, to deploy some of its own personnel at IndiGo's corporate headquarters in Gurugram a suburb in the national capital region to monitor the carrier's network and recovery. open image in gallery An IndiGo Airways aircraft prepares to land at the Mumbai airport ( AFP via Getty Images ) The DGCA personnel will monitor IndiGo operations including crew utilisation, unplanned leave and routes affected due to crew shortages, and are required to submit a daily report to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, an order showed. Another set of personnel deployed will oversee IndiGo's on-time performance, flight cancellations, baggage return and passenger refunds. The airline said it hoped to return to normalcy in the coming days, but its troubles have drawn warnings from both politicians and aviation experts who said the poster child of Indias aviation boom took its position for granted. IndiGo has apologised but has not disclosed financial losses from the crisis. 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 Italian luxury fashion brand Prada is set to launch a limited-edition collection of footwear, it claims has been inspired from Indias Kolhapuri sandals despite a massive controversy. Prada announced its plans to sell the footwear after signing a memorandum of understanding with Indian leather development corporations of Karnataka and Maharashtra states despite facing backlash for allegedly appropriating the decades-old traditional Indian footwear. Lorenzo Bertelli, Pradas head of corporate social responsibility said, the brand will mix the original manufacturers standard capabilities with our manufacturing techniques. The collection will go on sale in February 2026 across 40 Prada stores worldwide and online, the company said. The Italian luxury group plans to make 2,000 pairs of the sandals in the regions of Maharashtra and Karnataka under a deal with two state-backed bodies, blending local Indian craftsmanship with Italian technology and know-how. The brand planned to sell each pair at around 800 euros ($930). Earlier this year, Prada faced criticism after showing sandals resembling 12th-century Indian footwear, known as Kolhapuri chappals, at a Milan show. Photos went viral, prompting outrage from Indian artisans and politicians. Prada later admitted its design drew from ancient Indian styles and began talks with artisan groups for collaboration. It has now signed an agreement with Sant Rohidas Leather Industries and Charmakar Development Corporation (LIDCOM) and Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation (LIDKAR), which promote Indias leather heritage. We want to be a multiplier of awareness for these chappals, said Bertelli, who is the eldest son of Prada founders Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli. A three-year partnership, whose details are still being finalised, will be set up to train local artisans. The initiative will include training programmes in India and opportunities to spend short periods at Pradas Academy in Italy. Chappals originated in Maharashtra and Karnataka and are handcrafted by people from marginalised communities. Artisans hope the collaboration will raise incomes, attract younger generations to the trade and preserve heritage threatened by cheap imitations and declining demand. Once Prada endorses this craft as a luxury product, definitely the domino effect will work and result in increasing demand for the craft," said Prerna Deshbhratar, LIDCOM managing director. Bertelli said the project and training programme would cost "several million euros", adding that artisans would be fairly remunerated. Bertelli said Prada, which opened its first beauty store in Delhi this year, has no plans for new retail clothing shops next year or factories in India. We have not planned yet any store openings in India, but it's something that we are strongly taking into consideration," he said, adding that this could come in three to five years. The luxury goods market in India was valued at around $7bn in 2024 and is expected to reach about $30bn by 2030, according to Deloitte, as economic growth accelerates to 7 per cent this year and disposable income among the middle and upper classes rises. The market, however, is dwarfed by China, which generated about 350bn yuan ($49.56bn) in value in 2024, according to Bain. Most global brands have entered India through partnerships with large conglomerates like Mukesh Ambani's Reliance group and Kumar Mangalam Birla's Aditya Birla Group. Bertelli said that Prada would prefer to enter the country on its own, even if it took longer, describing India as "the real potential new market". 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 been ordered to pay a 10 fine and will be deported from Bali on Friday following her arrest in Bali for alleged pornography offences, according to reports. The adult content creator, 26, was detained earlier this week along with at least 17 male tourists from Australia and the UK, most of whom were released after questioning. Police seized camera equipment, contraceptives and the so-called Bang Bus used by Bonnie Blue whose real name is Tia Billinger during a raid of a studio where they were committing the alleged offences. The incident appeared to breach Indonesias strict morality laws but authorities say they have not yet found evidence that the group made pornographic material. Ms Billinger arrived at a court in Denpasar on Friday, where she was ordered to pay a fine of AU$20 (10) after being found guilty of failing to use a goods-transport vehicle for its intended purpose of carrying goods, according to ABC. If the fine is not paid promptly, she will be forced to spend a year in jail. open image in gallery The controversial former OnlyFans star arrives at court in Denpasar ( AFP via Getty ) She will be deported from the popular tourist island on Friday evening and is facing a potential 10-year ban from the Indonesian province for violating immigration laws, the broadcaster reported. Ms Billinger is said to have told the court she did not drive the vehicle, but rode as a passenger. She would have faced up to 15 years in jail had she been charged with pornography offences. We will immediately take firm action, deport them, and submit them for blacklisting, Winarko, an immigration chief at Bali airport who did not give his full name, told AFP on Thursday. open image in gallery The adult content creator smiles during her sentencing in Denpasar ( AFP via Getty ) Local police chief Muhammad Arif Batubara said earlier this week that authorities were conducting a joint investigation regarding activities involving alleged criminal acts of pornography or ... material that violates decency. Two Britons and one Australian man were among those detained after police received a tip-off from a concerned citizen, Mr Batubara said. Police received complaints that she had hired a bus to travel around the island to film explicit material during schoolies week, when Australian teenagers celebrate finishing high school. She was allegedly joined by at least 17 male tourists aged between 19 and 40, of British and Australian nationalities. 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. open image in gallery Bonnie Blue will reportedly be deported on Friday night ( AFP via Getty ) The head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office said earlier this week that Ms Billinger was still being investigated and they wanted to follow up on several things that were found by police, the Daily Mail reported. Ms Billinger this week made her first comments to the media since she was detained, while walking into the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office in Jimbaran, south of Kuta. Asked whether she intended to make more explicit content in Bali, she responded according to the Mail Online: Subscribe and youll find out. The Bang Bus is now over, Ms Billinger said in a video seen by the outlet. 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 Thailand's leader vowed to keep fighting on the disputed border with Cambodia as fighter jets struck targets on Saturday, hours after US president Donald Trump said he had brokered a ceasefire. Prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul posted on Facebook that the Southeast Asian nation would "continue to perform military actions until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people". Mr Trump, who brokered a ceasefire in the long-running border dispute in October, spoke to Mr Anutin and Cambodian premier Hun Manet on Friday, and said they had agreed to "cease all shooting". Neither of them mentioned any agreement in statements after their calls with Mr Trump, and Mr Anutin said there was no ceasefire. "I want to make it clear. Our actions this morning already spoke," Mr Anutin said. open image in gallery Village security volunteers and resident run into shelter while the blasts sounded too close in Buriram province, Thailand, Friday, 12 Dec 2025, following renewed border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the continued fighting. Mr Hun, in a statement on Saturday on Facebook, said Cambodia continues to seek a peaceful resolution of disputes in line with the October agreement. Since Monday, Cambodia and Thailand have been exchanging heavy-weapons fire at multiple points along the 817km (508-mile) border, in some of the heaviest fighting since the five-day clash in July. Mr Trump halted that fighting, the worst in recent memory, with calls to both leaders. Mr Trump, who has repeatedly said he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, has been keen to intervene again to rescue the truce. Thailand suspended it last month after a Thai soldier was maimed by a landmine, one of many that Bangkok says were newly laid by Cambodia. Cambodia, which nominated Mr Trump for the peace prize in August, rejects the landmine allegations. On Saturday, a Thai Defence Ministry spokesman, Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, told a press conference that clashes had taken place across seven border provinces and Cambodia had fired heavy weapons, "making it necessary for Thailand to retaliate". open image in gallery A woman plays with a dog as she takes refuge at Chonkal district in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia Thursday, 11 Dec 2025, after fleeing from home following a fighting between Thailand and Cambodia over territorial claims ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Cambodia's Information Ministry said Thai forces had struck bridges and buildings overnight and fired artillery from a naval vessel. Mr Anutin dismissed comments by Mr Trump that a "roadside bomb" that wounded Thai soldiers was accidental, saying the incident was "definitely not a roadside accident". Mr Hun said he had asked the US and Malaysia, which has been a mediator in peace talks, to use their intelligence gathering capabilities to "verify which side fired first" in the latest round of fighting. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice New tests have revealed the fruit and vegetables most affected by potentially cancer-linked pesticide mixtures. Using data released by the government last month, the Pesticide Action Network (Pan) UK found 12 food items were at risk of a cocktail effect, meaning several pesticides mixed together increase the toxicity level of the chemicals. While the governments health and safety food monitoring programmes concluded that the vast majority of samples tested contained a safe level of pesticides, Pan UK said the report only tested individual pesticides and not a mix. Grapes were found to be the worst of all the food groups, with one sample containing the residue of at least 16 different pesticides. At least 90 per cent of the 108 grape samples tested contained multiple pesticides. A sample of sultana grapes from Turkey included man-made PFA forever chemicals, which are toxins that do not break down in the body naturally and can accumulate, leading to cancer and environmental damage. Grapes were the worst offenders, according to analysis of government data ( Getty ) Grapefruit fared poorly, with around 99 per cent of samples found to contain multiple pesticide residues. One sample was found to contain 10 different types. Other foods affected included 79 per cent of 24 lime samples, 67 per cent of 73 banana samples, 49 per cent of 96 sweet pepper specimens and 46 per cent of 97 melons. Chilli peppers were found to contain 11 different pesticides, while one sample of broccoli contained eight. Beans, mushrooms, aubergine and dried beans were also included in the so-called dirty dozen. We found that a quarter of vegetables and three-quarters of fruit contain multiple pesticides, Pan UK wrote. It explained that 123 different chemicals were found in the 17 types of fruit and vegetable tested, which included 42 pesticides with links to cancer and 21 known to interfere with hormone systems that could potentially lead to birth defects, developmental disorders and reproductive issues. The governments food monitoring programmes tested 3,482 samples each for an appropriate range of pesticides, testing a total of 1,153,009 food and pesticide combinations. Surveys conducted across the UK found that 51.26 per cent of the samples had none of the residues the programmes looked for, and 46.67 per cent had residues found at or below the maximum residue limit. Only 2.07 per cent of the samples had residues above this limit, according to the report. However, Pan UK has argued that the limits need to be reassessed, as they do not take into account chemicals exposed through plastic food packaging and water. Around 29 per cent of the pesticides found during testing are not approved for use by British farmers, but can slip into the food system when imported from outside the UK. A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs told The Independent: "We have placed strict limits on pesticide residues, which are set after rigorous risk assessments to ensure levels are safe for the public. These limits apply to both food produced domestically and imported from other countries. 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 Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will not face a criminal investigation over claims he asked his taxpayer funded bodyguard to investigate his accuser Virginia Giuffre, police have revealed. Reports claimed the disgraced royal passed his Metropolitan Police protection officer Ms Giuffres date of birth and social security number and asked them to dig up dirt on her in 2011. The Met has been looking into the reports, which emerged in a series of leaked emails allegedly seen by the Mail on Sunday. Andrew reportedly wrote in an email to Ed Perkins, Queen Elizabeths deputy press secretary: It would also seem she has a criminal record in the [United] States. I have given her DoB [date of birth] and social security number for investigation with XXX, the on duty ppo [personal protection officer]. Ms Giuffre, who does not have a criminal record and took her own life in April this year, claimed that she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times, including once in London, after being trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein. The prince has always vehemently denied the claims. Following a review, Ella Marriott, the Mets Central Specialist Crime Commander, has today announced that the royal will face no further action. However Ms Giuffres family said they were deeply disappointed and feel justice has not been served. open image in gallery Prince Andrew was pictured with Bill Gates in pictures from Jeffrey Epsteins estate released at the US House Oversight Committee ( Getty ) In a statement, the commander confirmed the Met first received allegations of trafficking for sexual exploitation involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2015. She said officers interviewed Ms Giuffre and contacted several other potential victims, and this did not result in any allegation of criminal conduct against any UK-based nationals. A decision was made in November 2016 not to proceed to a full criminal investigation, she added. That decision was reviewed in August 2019 and again in 2021 and 2022; in each instance, the position remained unchanged, and Ms Giuffre and her legal representative were informed. A further review following the latest claims involving the bodyguard did not reveal any evidence of criminal acts and they will be taking no further action, she said. open image in gallery Virginia Giuffre, who died this year, alleged she was trafficked by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein ( Bebeto Matthews/AP ) Commander Marriott added: Following recent reporting suggesting that Mr Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor asked his Met Police close protection officer to carry out checks on Ms Giuffre in 2011, the MPS has carried out a further assessment. This assessment has not revealed any additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct. The Met remains committed to thoroughly assessing any new information that could assist in this matter. To date, we have not received any additional evidence that would support reopening the investigation. In the absence of any further information, we will be taking no further action. As with any other matter, should new and relevant information be brought to our attention, including in any information resulting from the release of material in the US, we will assess it. In statement following the announcement, Ms Giuffres family said they were deeply disappointed in the decision. We emailed with a detective from the Metropolitan Police yesterday, Friday, Dec. 12th, who gave us no indication that this announcement was imminent, the family added. Indeed, he asked us if we had any evidence we would like to present; we had not yet replied. With the Epstein files about to be released by Congress since the passage of the Epstein Transparency Act, we are surprised that the Metropolitan Police didnt wait to see what further evidence might appear. While we have hailed the UKs overall handling of the case of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor previously, today we feel justice has not been served. We continue to challenge the system that protects abusers, especially as more evidence comes to light that can hold people accountable. Our sister Virginia, and all survivors, are owed this much. open image in gallery Andrew has been told he must leave the Royal Lodge ( Reuters ) This week, Andrew was one of a number of high-profile figures featured in photographs released by the Democrats, revealing Epsteins links to the rich and powerful. In October, Andrew, 65, was stripped of all his titles as the Palace attempted to draw a line under a string of scandals over his friendship with the disgraced financier. Andrew paid millions to Ms Giuffre to settle a civil sexual assault claim in 2022, but has always denied any wrongdoing. The King also served formal notice on his younger brother to vacate the sprawling 30-bedroom Royal Lodge in the grounds of Windsor Great Park. 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 Public engagement with cancer screening information has seen a notable surge following the King's recent health update, a charity has confirmed. Cancer Research UK reported that its new 'Screening Checker' tool has attracted approximately 100,000 visitors since its launch on 5 December. The online resource helps individuals identify relevant cancer screening options available through the NHS and Northern Ireland's Public Health Agency. The vast majority of those visits occurred after King Charles announced his plans to scale back cancer treatment in the new year during the Stand Up To Cancer live show on Friday. This response shows just how important open conversations about cancer can be, Michelle Mitchell, chief executive at Cancer Research UK, said on Saturday. Knowing which screening youre eligible for, and what happens next, isnt always straightforward, which is why weve launched this simple new Screening Checker. Taking just a few minutes to check what screening youre eligible for could be an important step towards protecting your health and could ultimately save lives. The King had a procedure for an enlarged prostate in January 2024 (Victoria Jones/PA) ( PA Archive ) In a video message in support of the Stand Up To Cancer campaign, Charles said that early diagnosis had enabled him to continue leading a full and active life, even while undergoing treatment. However, the King said he had been deeply troubled to learn that at least nine million people in the UK are not up to date with the cancer screenings available to them. In his video message, Charles paid tribute to the specialists, nurses, researchers and volunteers who treat and support cancer patients, saying he had been profoundly moved by their work. During the festive season, he asked people to join him in finding a special place in your hearts for the hundreds of thousands of people across the country who receive a cancer diagnosis each year, as well as those who care for them. Charles revealed he had been diagnosed with a form of cancer in February 2024. While Buckingham Palace has never specified what type of cancer he has, officials said it was discovered after treatment for an enlarged prostate revealed a separate issue of concern. 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 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) minister has given an update on Labours decision to freeze the cap on the total amount out-of-work benefits a family can claim, saying it is the best interest of children. The benefit cap separate to the two-child limit will be frozen for the fourth year in a row in 2026, it was confirmed at the end of November. This limits the amount of benefit a non-working household with children can receive to 22,020 a year (or 25,323 in Greater London) the rate set in 2023/24. This does not apply to universal credit claimants who are caring for disabled people or are severely disabled themselves. Speaking in the House of Lords, Baroness Maeve Sherlock, a minister of state for the DWP, told peers there are no plans to lift the cap. She added: The benefit cap aims to incentivise work as, where possible, it is in the best interest of children to be in working households. open image in gallery Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the two-child benefit cap would be scrapped at Labours autumn Budget (Luke Jones/PA) We are delivering a step change in employment and skills support for parents, enabling parents to balance work and caring responsibilities through high quality, flexible jobs, and improving access to childcare so parents are better able to work. There is a statutory obligation on the government to review this level every five years, with the next review being due in November 2027. However, this does not prevent ministers from making decisions on it sooner. The reiteration of the policy comes despite Labours pledge to scrap the two-child benefit limit, often known as cap, from April 2026. The increase families receive in the child element of universal credit for their third or subsequent child from this decision will be counted towards the benefit cap. This means some families wont feel the full impact of the change, as the amount they receive will be limited by the cap. And for families that are above the cap already, there will be no increase in income at all. There were around 124,000 families hit by the benefit cap in October, according the the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), containing nearly 300,000 children. The charity had urged the government to scrap the cap alongside the two-child limit, terming the policies evil twins. open image in gallery CPAG says around 300,000 children are affected by the two-child benefit cap (Gareth Fuller/PA) ( PA Wire ) CPAG researchers argue that removing the cap would lift these children from the deepest poverty at a cost of 300 million. Their analysis showed that the cap leaves an Inner London lone parent with three children renting a private sector, three-bedroom home, with just 3 to live on after rent. The Resolution Foundation has calculated that one in six children hit by the two-child benefit cap will not fully benefit from its abolition, as their household is either already at or will reach the benefit cap. Alex Clegg, an economist at the influential think tank, said: The benefit cap arbitrarily breaks the link between need and entitlement in the benefit system. It doesnt impact as many families as the two-child limit, but those who are hit by it can be pushed into acute hardship in a similar way. The fact that the value of the cap is frozen by default and has been cut in cash terms since it was first introduced in 2013 means its impact gets worse over time. The real value of the benefit cap for families is 14,500 lower in 2025-26 than when it was introduced in 2013-14. A DWP spokesperson said: We know that work is best route out of poverty, which is why we're transforming employment and skills support for parents, with high-quality, flexible jobs and improved access to childcare. 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 Duke and Duchess of Sussex are unlikely to reconcile with their sick fathers, according to reports, despite recent hints that the damaged relationships could be healing. Meghan Markle sent a letter to her estranged father Thomas Markle while he was in hospital in the Philippines this week, while Prince Harry met with his father King Charles for the first time in two years in September. But the contact made by both still does not indicate that there will be a wider reconciliation, reports suggest. For the seventh year running, the duke will again not spend time at Sandringham for Christmas with the rest of the royal family, The Times has reported. It has been suggested that he has not been in phone contact with his father, who is battling cancer, since they met three months ago, after a misplaced accusation that Harrys aides leaked details of that meeting to sabotage the relationship. A source told The Times that the relationship is moving in the right direction and claimed the pair do speak, but another said this is laughable. open image in gallery For the seventh year running, Prince Harry will reportedly again not spend time at Sandringham for Christmas with the rest of the royal family ( AP Photo/Martin Meissner, Pool, File ) It comes as the monarch opened up about his overwhelming personal journey with cancer in a broadcast message released on Friday. He announced that his treatment would be rolled back in the new year in what he called a personal blessing. Meanwhile, the duke is still not in touch with the Waleses, after his explosive memoir Spare detailed a number of damning allegations about the royals, including that Prince William had punched him to the floor in a fight. When it comes to the duchesss relationship with her father, a source told the newspaper that it was too soon to say if the life-threatening blood clot Mr Markle, 81, recently faced would lead to a family reunion, although it is unlikely in reality. open image in gallery Thomas Markle recently endured a life-threatening blood clot ( Good Morning Britain ) After life-saving surgery on the island of Cebu during which his left leg was amputated, the 81-year-old invited the US editor of the Daily Mail to his bedside for an interview. The publication is part of the same newspaper group that Meghan defeated in a privacy case in 2021, while Harry is currently battling the group in the UK courts over alleged phone hacking. Mr Markle told the Mail on Sunday: Of course I want to speak to her, but I am not sure if these are the right circumstances. Meghan reportedly wrote her father a letter over fears that communication over the phone would be leaked to the tabloids, although a source said she no longer even has his number, and there is little hope the note will lead to anything more. Police officers lay coffins during a mass burial for victims of floods and landslides in Agam regency, West Sumatra, Indonesia, Dec. 11, 2025. The death toll from floods and landslides that struck three provinces on Indonesia's Sumatra Island has exceeded 1,000, with 218 people still missing, according to the latest data released Saturday by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). (Photo by Andri Mardiansyah/Xinhua) JAKARTA, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from floods and landslides that struck three provinces on Indonesia's Sumatra Island has exceeded 1,000, with 218 people still missing, according to the latest data released Saturday by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The disasters have caused extensive infrastructure damage. BNPB data listed damage to about 1,200 public facilities, as well as 219 health facilities, 581 educational facilities, 434 houses of worship, 290 office buildings and 145 bridges. Abdul Muhari, head of BNPB's Data and Information Center, said at a press conference on Friday that data verification and cross-referencing with civil records are ongoing at the sub-district level. He noted that victims are being confirmed by name and address and that the verification process continues in several districts. Meanwhile, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said during his visit to disaster-hit areas in Aceh on Friday that the government continues to work to fulfill various basic needs of the community. "Together we will improve this situation. The government will step in and help with everything," Prabowo said. He also called on all citizens to remain steadfast and keep their spirits up during the recovery process, expressing hope that community activities, including teaching and learning for children, can return to normal soon. A villager moves timber amid debris after floods and landslides hit Aceh Tamiang regency in Aceh, Indonesia, Dec.10, 2025. The death toll from floods and landslides that struck three provinces on Indonesia's Sumatra Island has exceeded 1,000, with 218 people still missing, according to the latest data released Saturday by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). (Photo by Gatha Ginting/Xinhua) Villagers move a motorcycle across a river after floods and landslides hit Bener Meriah regency in Aceh, Indonesia, Dec. 9, 2025. The death toll from floods and landslides that struck three provinces on Indonesia's Sumatra Island has exceeded 1,000, with 218 people still missing, according to the latest data released Saturday by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). (Photo by Yulham/Xinhua) An aerial drone photo shows a bridge damaged by floods in Bener Meriah regency, Aceh, Indonesia, Dec. 9, 2025. The death toll from floods and landslides that struck three provinces on Indonesia's Sumatra Island has exceeded 1,000, with 218 people still missing, according to the latest data released Saturday by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). (Photo by Yulham/Xinhua) 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 senior bishop in the Church of England has hit out at fake claims that Christmas has been cancelled and criticised those seeking to politicise Christianity ahead of a carols event organised by anti-migrant activist Tommy Robinson. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has urged supporters of his Unite the Kingdom movement to put the Christ back into Christmas this Saturday with an outdoor event in Whitehall. In a significant intervention, the Right Reverend David Walker, the Bishop of Manchester, has said it is offensive that people are appropriating this great Christian festival of light triumphing over darkness as a prop in a dim culture war. Writing for The Independent, Dr Walker said: Each year we see a rather strange tradition: familiar claims that somewhere, someone is trying to ban Christmas. He warned that populists are keen to scour the internet in search of something, anything, to show that Christmas is supposedly being taken away. open image in gallery Rt Rev David Walker has warned against using Christmas to spread anger ( PA ) He continued: While they focus on something different each time, at heart its usually the same tale: that some other out there wants to erase the traditional idea of Christmas. Sometimes it is said to be a shadowy but somehow ubiquitous woke elite, sometimes minorities, and often people of other faiths. The people behind these stories are not doing this to share the message of Christmas of joy and love but to spread division. He hailed Christmas as one moment in the year when, even in our more secular society, the powerful message of love, of God coming and living among us as one of us, cuts through. This holiday season, Dr Walker, who has been bishop of Manchester since 2013, called on believers and non-believers to look up towards the angels proclaiming peace on Earth and goodwill to all, rather than scroll down in the comments. open image in gallery Dr David Walker: The people behind these stories are not doing this to share the message of Christmas of joy and love but to spread division ( PA ) The intervention comes ahead of a Christmas carols event organised in London by the far-right activist, Robinson. In preparation for Saturdays event, Robinson has been sharing claims on X (Twitter) that Christmas is cancelled in Paris or that Muslims in Manchester were disrespecting a Christmas market. The anti-migrant campaigner has planned a follow-up event to his Unite the Kingdom march, which saw more than 100,000 people turn out for what was billed as a free speech protest and included Elon Musk telling the crowd that violence is coming to you and you either fight back or you die. open image in gallery Robinson has been sharing claims that Christmas is cancelled in Paris or that Muslims in Manchester were disrespecting a Christmas market ( Getty ) Robinson, who has been speaking more about Christianity since coming out of prison in May this year, has promised speeches and music at the Whitehall event on Saturday. In a recent video posted to X, he told his followers: We cant keep moaning in this country, saying Its a Christian country... unless we are going to celebrate and identify as Christians and be Christians. He has pledged that Saturdays event will not be a political protest. Writing in The Independent, Dr Walker said: It is a precious time of year. And in the times in which were living, its simple but powerful message, sung by angels peace on Earth, goodwill to all could scarcely seem more urgent. Yet each year we see a rather strange tradition: familiar claims that somewhere, someone is trying to ban Christmas. open image in gallery For all the talk of defending the Christian essence of Christmas, they are doing the very opposite, says Dr Walker ( AFP via Getty ) Referring to stories about Christmas being taken away, he said: For all the talk of defending the Christian essence of Christmas, they are doing the very opposite: reducing the majesty and mystery of the birth of Jesus, God coming to live among us, to silly stories about the labelling of consumer products. His intervention comes as the Church of England posted a video on their social media account on Friday, challenging claims that Christmas is under threat. Every year, we hear stories that somehow Christmas is being cancelled, or that somehow the joy of Christmas is under threat, the video said. Its news to us, because in every church, every parish, every Cathedral in every corner of our country, you will find a story of hope and love. The post added: It's Christmas. It belongs to us all, and everyone's invited. Meanwhile the bishop of Southwark, the bishop of Croydon, the bishop of Kingston, and the bishop of Woolwich issued a joint statement condemning any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith to exclude others. They said: We are gravely concerned about the use of Christian symbols and rhetoric to apparently justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric. The bishops spoke directly to Robinsons supporters, saying: We would encourage them to think again, to consider what kind of world they want to be a part of and to choose compassion and understanding over hostility and conflict. Robinson has seen some support from Christians outside of the Church of England, with Ceirion Dewar, who is listed as a Bishop in the Confessing Anglican Church, featuring in the trailer for the event. open image in gallery Several bishops issued a joint statement condemning any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith to exclude others ( Getty ) Chris Wickland, a pastor from the Living Word Church Network, is also pictured in the promotional material, as is Rikki Doolan, a musician who wrote a theme song for the Unite the Kingdom rally. The Right Reverend Arun Arora, the bishop of Kirstall and the Church of Englands co-lead on racial justice, told The Independent last weekend that the Church had a duty to confront and resist the capture of Christian language and symbols by populist forces. Speaking about Robinsons recent activism, Bishop Arun said: I rejoice that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon has recently come to faith in prison. Having experienced the wide mercy of Gods grace, Stephen does not now have the right to deny it to others. Having embraced and accepted Gods welcome, he cant now restrict it from others who may be equally lost. Nor does he have the right to subvert the faith so that it serves his purposes rather than the other way round. 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 Far-right activist Tommy Robinsons latest event drew far fewer numbers on Saturday, as he led what he called an effort to put the Christ back into Christmas in London. Only around 1,000 people gathered in Whitehall on Saturday for the carol concert, according to reported estimates. It marks a sharp drop off in attendance compared to the estimated 110,000 to 150,000 people. people who participated in a London protest led by Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, in September. Ahead of the event, Bishops at the Diocese of Southwark said they were gravely concerned about the use of Christian symbols to justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric. Writing for The Independent, Right Reverend David Walker, the Bishop of Manchester, also hit out at fake claims that Christmas has been cancelled and criticised those seeking to politicise Christianity. open image in gallery ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire ) After gathering outside Downing Street on Saturday afternoon, crowds listened to speakers on stage give readings and sing hymns. Attendees received hymn sheets, while a vendor sold St Georges flags and Santa hats as chants of Christ is King and tributes to Charlie Kirk were heard. Closing the event, Yaxley-Lennon said he used to hate the church but met a pastor in prison who taught him about the bible. A priest sitting among the crowd shouted that Jesus had been a migrant. open image in gallery ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire ) Ive worked with lots of former offenders like Tommy Robinson, she said, offering to speak to attendees about Christianity. His Unite The Kingdom gathering was separated from a counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism in central London at the same time. While previous confrontations between similar groups on Whitehall earlier this year resulted in police violence, Saturdays demonstration appeared to proceed peacefully. open image in gallery Attendees received hymn sheets, while a vendor sold St Georges flags and Santa hats. ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire ) In September, Robinson organised a Unite The Kingdom rally in central London attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people. More than 150 reports of anti-Muslim hate were made to the Tell Mama charity monitoring the issue in the seven days following the rally. Officers were assaulted as they faced significant aggression from protesters, the force said. open image in gallery ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire ) Projectiles were thrown by Robinson protesters towards the counter-demonstrators as thousands from both sides stared each other down on Whitehall. Posting on X before the event on Saturday, Robinson said: I want to remind everyone this is a religious celebration, this is not a political event. No face coverings, and no drinking please, as we have always done, lets self police, behave respectfully and lets make sure we honour our faith, our culture, and our heritage in the very best way we can. Two arrests were made overall. One person was arrested earlier in the day for an assault on a mounted officer in nearby Whitehall Place. The second arrest was for a man suspected of directing homophobic abuse towards an officer at a previous protest. 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 Met Office has issued a stark warning of potential danger to life across parts of northern England and southwest Scotland this weekend, as fast-flowing or deep floodwater is anticipated from relentless heavy rains. Homes and businesses in these regions face a high likelihood of flooding, with "very heavy and persistent rain" forecast to continue throughout Sunday and into Monday. A new amber alert for rain was issued on Saturday, specifically targeting southwestern Scotland, including Dumfries and Galloway, the Lothian borders, and Strathclyde. Some areas within this alert zone could experience between 110mm and 130mm of rainfall. Much of the warning area will have 50mm to 70mm of rain, but strong winds will likely exacerbate conditions, the Met Office said. The alert begins at midnight on Sunday and will last until 23.59pm on the same day. Vehicles drive along a flooded coastal road as Storm Bram brings widespread weather warnings, heavy rain and high winds across the United Kingdom earlier this week ( REUTERS ) An amber alert for rain has also been issued for Cumbria, starting at 6am on Sunday and lasting until 6pm on Monday. More than 200mm of rain could accumulate in some places, particularly in the western parts of the region, the Met said. Those in the areas covered by the amber alerts for rain should avoid floodwater where possible. The forecaster said it is not safe to drive, walk, or swim through floodwater. People affected by fast-flowing or deep floodwater should call 999 and wait for help, the forecaster added. People should also prepare to avoid travelling by road as conditions are expected to become potentially dangerous because of flooding. The washout will likely lead to power cuts, and some communities could be cut off because of flooded roads. The Met Office advised residents in affected areas to prepare a flood kit, containing insurance and any other important documents, a torch and spare batteries, a first-aid kit and prescription medicines. The kit should also contain supplies for looking after family members or pets, as well as warm and waterproof clothes, blankets, and food and water, the Met Office said. Several yellow alerts for rain are also in place on Saturday and into Monday in parts of Scotland, the north of England, including Derbyshire, Durham and Northumberland, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Yorkshire, parts of Wales, and Northern Ireland. 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 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 Zack Polanski has seized on Labours shift to the right on immigration and human rights by announcing that the Green Party would allow migrants who arrive on small boats to live and work in the UK. The Green Party leader has accused Sir Keir Starmer and Labour of matching the racist rhetoric of the far right, from Nigel Farage to Tommy Robinson and insisted that a new approach is needed for the migrant crisis. On a trip to France, Mr Polanski was seen assisting people getting on to small boats and filling their water tanks. His intervention comes amid concerns that Labour is losing more support to the Greens than it is to Reform. open image in gallery ( Getty Images ) We need to make racism unacceptable again, he told The Times in France. Weve seen situations where people from Ukraine have rightly been welcomed into the country with open arms, and so they should be, theyre facing an illegal invasion. But where is that same hospitality to the Sudanese people, Eritrean people, people from Yemen? I dont think that British people are inherently racist at all. But its the scarcity mindset that is true because we have a government committing austerity and underfunding of communities matched with the racist rhetoric of the far right, from Nigel Farage to Tommy Robinson. Thats what is fuelling all of this. He said: I think Nigel Farage is setting the direction and Keir Starmer is catching up as quickly as he can. This is why we see a Labour Party that is tanking in the polls because they refuse to stand for anything and I think the British public are smarter than that. I think theyre kinder than that. Of course people will be concerned about heinous crimes, whether thats from a migrant or whether thats from someone who is born in Britain. But thats a deliberate muddying of the conversation about lots and lots of people who are fleeing war and persecution who are stuck in Calais. On his own plans, Mr Polanski, who describes himself as a green populist, said: I think from the moment they arrive in the UK, people should be able to work or should be given the ability to work, because that means theyre then paying into the tax system. He said that sticking the migrants into hotels and temporary accommodation with no means of earning money is cruel. open image in gallery Tony Blair interviews Shabana Mahmood on stage at the TBI Christmas party ( David Maddox ) But it comes after Labours home secretary Shabana Mahmood recently announced new measures to tackle the migrant crisis and end abuse of the visa system as well as water down human rights such as the right to a family life. At a Tony Blair Institute event earlier this week, Ms Mahmood said of the immigration crisis that the British people are decent, honest and tolerant towards immigrants but only if they come here legally. And she claimed that there is support for strong controls on illegal and legal migration from both white and non-white working-class communities. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Two students were killed and at least nine others were injured after a gunman fired into a classroom at a prestigious Ivy League university in Rhode Island. Saturdays mass shooting at Brown University in Providence forced campus buildings and parts of the city into lockdown, with students barricading themselves in buildings for hours while hundreds of law enforcement officers swarmed the city. The suspect escaped before police arrived and except for one brief surveillance video showing a person dressed in black rounding a corner outside the campus all but disappeared. A person of interest was detained in the early morning hours Sunday, but officials said he was released late that night. He has been ruled out of the investigation. Here is everything we know. open image in gallery More than 400 law enforcement officers descended on Brown Universitys campus after a mass shooter killed two people and injured at least nine others December 13 ( AP ) Campus building attacked while exams in progress More than 400 law enforcement officers many from surrounding communities and some from the federal government descended on the city on Saturday, December 13, to join the manhunt while others cleared university buildings and evacuated students. Officials ordered residents to shelter in place as sirens flashed throughout the neighborhood. Students hid under desks, while a bride and groom were forced to shelter at their wedding venue, according to WPRI. A gunman fired into a final exam review session for an economics class, according to professor Rachel Friedberg. The classroom was located on the ground floor of an engineering building on campus, and according to officials, it appears that no other classrooms or buildings were targeted. Manhunt sees arrest of person of interest who is soon cleared Police said on Sunday morning that a person of interest was detained at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, early Sunday morning. The people of Providence should breathe a little easier this morning, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said at a Sunday press conference. CNN journalists happened to be staying in the same hotel and witnessed at least 20 police officers, U.S. Marshals and FBI agents entering a room there. open image in gallery Police tape off hotel rooms where the person of interest was arrested December 14 after a shooting at the Rhode Island university ( AP ) Hotel guests were woken around 4 a.m. ET with police banging on a door, saying, Open up, according to the network. Officers could be heard in the hallway saying, We have a warrant for your apartment, and that the suspect was being taken back to the cruiser, CNN reported. But in a hastily announced press conference late Sunday night, officials announced that the person was being released. Law enforcement officials said evidence now points in a different direction. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha told reporters Sunday that sometimes you head in one direction, and then you have to regroup and go in another, and thats exactly what has happened over the last 24 hours or so. Obviously we have a murderer out there, frankly, and so were not going to give away the game plan, he said. open image in gallery Eight hours after the shooting, authorities released a video they say shows a suspect walking away from the scene ( Reuters ) He also said finding the killer could happen very quickly or it could take some time. In a video released late Saturday night, a suspect can be seen dressed in all black walking away from the engineering building and turning a corner before disappearing off-frame. There is no gun in the photo, and the shooter's face is not visible. We know there is no clear shot of the face, Mayor Smiley said at the time of the videos release. Law enforcement and local officials asked residents in the area to check their doorbell and exterior cameras for any sign of the shooter, or to call in any tips, no matter how small. On Monday afternoon, the Providence Police Department released another video of the person of interest, encouraging people who may recognize the individual to come forward. The video shows a figure in dark clothing walking down a residential street. Who were the victims? Two students were killed in the shooting: Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov. Umurzokov was studying to become a neurosurgeon, according to a GoFundMe campaign launched by his family. He was described as incredibly kind, funny and smart, and his familys biggest role model. He always lent a helping hand to anyone in need without hesitation, and was the most kind-hearted person our family knew, the GoFundMe reads. Our family is incredibly devastated by this loss. open image in gallery Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an aspiring neurosurgeon, was one of two students killed at Brown University ( GoFundMe ) Cook, who was from Alabama, was the vice president of the Brown University College Republicans and a parishioner at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham. Reverend Craig Smalley described Cook as an incredible, grounded, faithful bright light, according to AL.com. The College Republicans of America said Cook was known for her bold, brave and kind heart as she served her chapter and fellow classmates. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also honored Cook in a post on X: There are no words. Thinking of her family and friends, especially her parents. God please bless them. open image in gallery Ella Cook, a Brown University student from Alabama, was killed in Saturdays shooting ( College Republicans of America ) Brown University student Kendall Turner has also been identified as one of the nine people injured in the shooting. Durham Academy, a private K-12 school in Durham, North Carolina, told Fox News on Monday that Turners family has confirmed shes being treated at a hospital. We were deeply saddened to learn that Kendall Turner 25, a beloved Durham Academy alumna, was wounded in the mass shooting that occurred at Brown University, the schools statement reads. Her family has informed us that she is currently in critical but stable condition and is receiving care at a local hospital. Her parents are with her. We hope for her continued strength and recovery. Students describe harrowing attack Spencer Yang told the Brown Daily Herald he was shot in the leg after the gunman entered the ECON0110 Principles of Economics final exam review session. Just as were getting ready to leave, we hear gunshots, Yang said. So everyone kind of scrambles to try to get to the front of the class and hide.I didnt make it all the way to the front, so I kind of (lay) between some seats, he said. Then the shooter came in, started shooting I got hit in the leg. Max McCord, a Brown University junior, told The Washington Post that his girlfriend another student at the school told him her brother had been shot through his thigh. She called him at 4:15 p.m. ET to tell him about her brothers injury, he said. The student said her brother had been studying in the engineering building when the suspect began shooting. McCord, who is from Pittsburgh, said his girlfriends brother was in the hospital but was recovering well. He said that while he was talking to his girlfriend, his roommate burst into their room, winded, after running when he heard gunshots. The young men were in lockdown for hours after the shooting. Across Providence, the Providence Place Mall shut its doors early, as did some nearby nightclubs and bars. Police gathered outside the AMP music venue to protect a Goose rock concert, and the NFLs Buffalo Bills, who are set to play the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon, were forced to shelter in a downtown hotel. open image in gallery Officers escorted students near the Barus & Holley engineering building at Brown University as the campus was in lockdown with an active shooter present ( AFP/Getty ) Back at Brown, two students had to relive some of the most horrific events they had ever experienced. Mia Tretta, a junior at Brown University, was wounded in a school shooting at her high school in Santa Clarita, California, in 2019, she told NBC News. She was on campus when she received a flood of text messages and alerts about an active shooter on campus. No one in this country even assumes its going to happen to them," she told the outlet. Once it happens to you, you assume or are told it will never happen again. And obviously that is not the case. She said her community at Brown is in shambles after the attack. Zoe Weissman, 20, is a sophomore at Brown University. She survived the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were killed and another 18 were injured. She told MS NOW that she is really angry that this is happening to me all over again. And Im just in shock, she said. After she survived the 2019 attack, I have not been the same person I was that day ever again, and I assume it won't be any different for the students at Brown, she said. open image in gallery Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and other officials faced a barrage of questions asking how there could be so little information about the suspect more than seven hours after the attack on campus dotted by surveillance cameras ( Getty ) There have been at least 154 incidents of gunfire at schools in the United States so far this year, according to gun safety advocacy group Everytown. At least 49 people have been killed and 135 injured in the attacks. Students on college campuses should be preparing for final exams and winter break not enduring yet another all too familiar tragedy caused by gun violence, Everytown president John Feinblatt said in a statement. While we await details, one thing is clear: todays shooting at Brown University is another unacceptable reminder of our nations gun violence crisis. We either take action, or we bury more of our kids." 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 When Eddie Wicks and his wife went to bed in their house next to the Snoqualmie River on a Washington state farm known for its sunflower mazes and Christmas trees, they werent too worried about the flooding heading their way. After 30 years living in the city of Duvall northeast of Seattle, their family had plenty of experience with floods and always made it through largely unscathed. But as they moved their two donkeys to higher ground and their eight goats to their outdoor kitchen, the water began to rise much quicker than anything they'd experienced before. It was hours, not days," he said. In four hours it had to come up 4 feet. As the water engulfed their home Thursday afternoon, deputies from the King County Sheriffs Office marine rescue dive unit were able to rescue them and their dog, taking them on a boat the half mile (800 meters) across their field, which had been transformed into a lake. They were among the thousands forced to evacuate as an unusually strong atmospheric river dumped a foot (30 centimeters) or more of rain in parts of western and central Washington over several days this week and swelled rivers, inundating communities and prompting dramatic rescues from rooftops and vehicles. The record floodwaters were expected to continue to slowly recede Saturday, but authorities warn that waters will remain high for days, and that there is still danger from potential levee failures or mudslides. There is also the threat of more rain forecast for Sunday. Still, no deaths have been reported. Authorities have yet to estimate the costs, but photos and videos show widespread damage, with entire communities or neighborhoods flooded around western and central Washington. Officials have conducted dozens of water rescues, debris and mudslides have closed highways, and raging torrents have washed out roads and bridges. President Donald Trump has signed the states request for an emergency declaration, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said. Officials issued go now orders Wednesday to tens of thousands of residents in the Skagit River flood plain north of Seattle, including the farming city of Burlington, home to nearly 10,000 people. By Friday morning, muddy water overflowed a slough and rushed into homes, prompting more urgent warnings for Burlington. The rain arriving Sunday will cause rivers to rise again, said Robert Ezelle, director of the Washington Military Departments emergency management division. National Guard fans out to help with evacuations National Guard members knocked on hundreds of doors in Burlington early Friday to tell residents about the evacuation notice and help transport them to a shelter. By late morning the evacuation order was lifted for part of the city and waters were slowly receding. The Skagit River drains a wide swath of the rugged Cascade Range before winding west across broad, low-lying farmlands and tulip fields on its way to Puget Sound. Cities like Burlington sit on that delta, leaving them especially vulnerable to floods. The river crested overnight Thursday into Friday at 37 feet (11.2 meters) in the valleys biggest city, Mount Vernon, surpassing the previous record by a few inches. A flood wall held fast and protected the downtown area. About 1,000 Burlington residents had to evacuate in the middle of the night, Ferguson said. The water was reportedly 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 centimeters) deep in certain areas as it flooded homes, police department spokesperson Michael Lumpkin said. Mario Rincon had been staying at a hotel with his family, including a week-old infant. They returned to their Burlington property Friday but couldnt get inside, as murky floodwaters reached part-way up the first floor. Its going to be a few days before the water recedes, he said. Near the U.S.-Canada border, Sumas, Nooksack and Everson which together have about 6,500 residents were inundated. The border crossing at Sumas was closed. In a social media message, Sumas Mayor Bruce Bosch acknowledged community members were anxious to return to their homes. Hang in there," he wrote. In King County, crews worked through the night to fill a sinkhole on a levee along the Green River in the Seattle suburb of Tukwila, County Executive Girmay Zahilay said Friday. Crews reach people by boat and by helicopter Authorities across the state in recent days have rescued people from cars and homes. Helicopters rescued two families on Thursday from the roofs of homes in Sumas that had been flooded, according Frank Cain Jr., battalion chief for Whatcom County Fire District 14. Near Deming, two homes collapsed into the Nooksack River as erosion undercut them. No one was inside at the time. Climate change has been linked to some intense rainfall. Scientists say that without specific study they cannot directly link a single weather event to climate change, but in general its responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme storms, droughts, floods and wildfires. ___ Rush reported from Portland, Oregon, and Golden from Seattle. Associated Press writers Gene Johnson in Seattle and Corey Williams in Detroit contributed to this 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 A Georgia woman is recovering from severe burns after someone poured a corrosive chemical onto her head while she was walking at a public park in Savannah, the victim's son and a close friend said Friday. Savannah police confirmed they are searching for a suspect in the chemical attack at Forsyth Park, one of the historic city's landmark green spaces that attracts runners, picnickers, playing children and sightseeing tourists. Police said the woman appears to have been attacked by a stranger. The victim, 46-year-old Ashley Wasielewski, was being treated for second- and third-degree burns at a burn center in Augusta , her son, Westley Wasielewski, told The Associated Press. He said the injuries cover roughly half her body, including her scalp, face, hands and legs. We dont know who did it," he said. "She doesnt have any enemies. She is a friend to everyone. Westley Wasielewski said his mother was walking laps at the park on Wednesday night after attending a Christmas program at a nearby church. He found out about the attack in a call from a bystander who came to his mother's aid. He said he could hear her agonized screams over the phone. Chemical Attack-Georgia ( Connor Milam ) From her hospital bed, Ashley Wasielewski told family and friends she was walking the sidewalk along the park's perimeter when she noticed a shadow from someone approaching her from behind. She was turning to face the person when he poured some liquid over her head, said Connor Milam, a close friend. She was instantly like, `Why are you pouring water on me?' And then her skin started to burn, said Milam, who has been at the burn unit with her friend. She looked down and her pants were starting to burn off her body. She started screaming. Savannah police spokesman Neil Penttila said Friday that detectives are working with the FBI to identify the chemical used in the attack. Wasielewski's son said investigators told the family it was so corrosive that it melted the key fob to his mother's car that was in her pocket. Savannah Police Chief Lenny Gunther said officers have been conducting extra patrols at parks throughout Savannah since the attack. No arrests had been announced by Friday afternoon. Police said they were seeking a person of interest and released a security camera image of a man wearing what appeared to be a dark hoodie with a large cartoon rabbit on the front. Police said in a social media post that the man was not currently a suspect in any crime. Our Police Department is treating this case with the highest urgency, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said in a Facebook post. He added: While this attack is deeply troubling, there is currently no information indicating a broader or ongoing threat to the public. Police did not name Wasielewski as the victim. Her son and Milam both said she wanted to share her story in hopes that people would come forward with information that helps police make an arrest. Milam described her friend as a giving person who volunteered at a local nature center and packed grocery bags with snacks, toiletries and other essentials to give to homeless people. She said those close to Wasielewski are shocked and baffled by the attack. They didnt rob her. They didnt take anything from her," Milam said. This was a random person in the park who went out of their way to disfigure another human being." 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 man who was the last inmate to be apprehended following an audacious New Orleans jailbreak has been handed two life sentences for a double murder committed in 2018. The Louisiana judge presiding over the case sternly rebuked Derrick Groves for the disruption caused by his five months on the run. Groves, 28, appeared in a New Orleans courtroom in shackles and an orange jumpsuit, two months after investigators finally tracked him down and captured him hiding beneath a house in Atlanta. He and nine other inmates had made their escape in May by crawling through a hole behind a jail toilet, leaving behind graffiti that brazenly declared, "To Easy LoL." Last year, a jury convicted Groves of two counts of second-degree murder for the killings of Jamar Robinson and Byron Jackson during a shooting at a Mardi Gras party in 2018. He had also previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter in two separate fatal shootings. New Orleans Jailbreak Orleans Parish Judge Dennis Waldron stated that Groves escape had caused "concern, disappointment, frustration and displeasure" to the court. The judge highlighted how the killings compounded a tragedy already endured by Groves family, noting that his grandmother, Kim Groves, was murdered in 1994 on the orders of a corrupt New Orleans police officer after she reported misconduct. "He chose to not honor the memory of his grandmother as she lay in that street in the Ninth ward, shot to death," Waldron said. "He made that conscious decision to go the other way and to kill, not once, not twice, not three times, but four times." Kadija Jackson, the sister of one of the victims, shared her grief, explaining that she sends photos of her brother to his daughter so the girl can show friends she once had a father. Ms Jackson recounted finding her brother dying inside a car after Groves fired an AK-style rifle. "He lifted his head, but deep down, I knew he wasnt going to make it," she said sobbing. "That moment shattered something inside me. Since that day my life has felt like it is missing a a piece that it felt it could never replace." As she spoke, Groves was observed smirking and nodding from the defence table, later turning to stare at her and the other victims supporters across the courtroom. Peter Freiberg, Groves attorney, stated that his client maintains his innocence and plans to appeal his convictions, while expressing sympathy for the victims families. However, the judge asserted that Groves showed no remorse and that the city would be far safer with him imprisoned for life. In addition to the two life sentences, Groves was convicted of two counts of attempted murder for wounding others in the 2018 shooting. Judge Waldron imposed two 50-year sentences for these convictions, to be served consecutively with the life terms. The judge also referenced video footage of Groves smiling and blowing kisses while being led away after his capture in Georgia. "It is almost as if Mr. Groves thought he were a guest at a presidential motorcade as opposed to a captured fugitive, riding in a police SWAT convoy," Waldron said. "These actions may be considered a final act of defiance." 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 blast of arctic air is plunging south from Canada and spreading into parts of the northern U.S., while residents of the Pacific Northwest brace for possible mudslides and levee failures from floodwaters that are expected to be slow to recede. The catastrophic flooding has forced thousands of people to evacuate, including Eddie Wicks and his wife, who live amid sunflowers and Christmas trees on a Washington state farm next to the Snoqualmie River. As they moved their two donkeys to higher ground and their eight goats to their outdoor kitchen, the water began to rise much quicker than anything theyd experienced before. As the water engulfed their home Thursday afternoon, deputies from the King County Sheriffs Office marine rescue dive unit were able to rescue them and their dog, taking them on a boat the half-mile (800 meters) across their field, which had been transformed into a lake. Big cities like Chicago, Minneapolis brace for Arctic air As the Pacific Northwest begins to recover from the deluge, a separate weather system is already bringing dangerous wind chill values the combination of cold air temperatures and wind to parts of the Upper Midwest. Shortly before noon Saturday, it was minus 12 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 24 degrees Celsius) in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where the wind chill value meant that it felt like minus 33 F (minus 36 C), the National Weather Service said. For big cities like Minneapolis and Chicago, the coldest temperatures were expected late Saturday night into Sunday morning. In the Minneapolis area, low temperatures were expected to drop to around minus 15 F (minus 26 C), by early Sunday morning. Lows in the Chicago area are projected to be around 1 F(minus 17 C) by early Sunday, the weather service said. The Arctic air mass was expected to continue pushing south and east over the weekend, expanding into Southern states by Sunday. The National Weather Service on Saturday issued cold weather advisories that stretched as far south as the Alabama state capital city of Montgomery, where temperatures late Sunday night into Monday morning were expected to plummet to around 22 F (minus 6 C). To the east, lows in Savannah, Georgia, were expected to drop to around 24 F (minus 4 C) during the same time period. Danger of mudslides, levee failures continues in Pacific Northwest The cold weather freezing much of the country comes as residents in the Pacific Northwest endure more misery after several days of flooding. Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate towns in the region as an unusually strong atmospheric river dumped a foot (30 centimeters) or more of rain in parts of western and central Washington over several days and swelled rivers, inundating communities and prompting dramatic rescues from rooftops and vehicles. The record floodwaters were expected to continue to slowly recede Saturday, but authorities warn that waters will remain high for days, and that there is still danger from potential levee failures or mudslides. There is also the threat of more rain forecast for Sunday. Officials have conducted dozens of water rescues as debris and mudslides have closed highways and raging torrents have washed out roads and bridges. SYDNEY, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The first large-scale hotel developments in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to apply modular construction are progressing steadily, the constructor said recently, adding that some projects have moved from factory manufacturing to on-site assembly. Feng Wanhao, general manager of CSCEC Science and Industry (South Pacific) and CSCEC STEEL (PNG), told Xinhua that the modular hotel projects in PNG include the Kerema Heritage Hotel project in PNG's Gulf Province, as well as the Kikori Heritage Hotel and Kutubu Heritage Hotel projects in Southern Highlands Province. CSCEC Science and Industry, a subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), has undertaken modular building projects in Australia, New Zealand and other markets. Under the "factory manufacturing plus on-site assembly" model, the Chinese constructor produces the buildings in standardized modular units integrating structural, mechanical and electrical, and interior finishing functions. After about 95 percent of structural work, installation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, interior finishing and furniture integration is completed in factories, the company will deliver the modules to the project site for installation. Feng said modular construction can reduce overall project timelines by 30 to 50 percent and significantly lower exposure to challenges such as the rainy season and complex geological conditions. The company uses standardized production, mechanization and multiple rounds of quality inspections to ensure that modules are fully tested before delivery, enabling immediate use upon installation. He added that modular construction is greener, more environmentally friendly, customizable, scalable and relocatable, making it particularly suitable for PNG's remote regions. The phased delivery and operation of the modular hotel projects will help improve PNG's local livelihoods, support industrial development, enhance regional reception capacity, and meet accommodation needs for personnel in the energy and mining sectors, said Feng. The projects also demonstrate deepening cooperation between China and PNG under the Belt and Road Initiative, while providing replicable experience for future developments such as schools, hospitals and office buildings, and promoting green and energy-efficient construction in the South Pacific nation, he 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 United Airlines flight departing from Washington, D.C., Saturday was forced to turn around after one of its engines lost power and ignited a small brush fire near the runway, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Flight 803, bound for Tokyo, departed from Dulles International Airport around 12:35 p.m., but lost engine power shortly after. According to reports, the engine troubles caused some brush to catch fire near the airport runway. Emily McGee, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, told the Washington Post, that the fire was extinguished and the flight returned to Dulles at about 1:30 p.m. when it was checked by airport fire responders. The flight, carrying 275 passengers and 15 crew members, returned to safety with no injuries reported. The FAA is investigating the incident. open image in gallery Smoke rising from a small brush fire that was ignited when a United Airlines flight lost engine power December 13 ( HOUMAN HEMMATI via REUTERS ) It remains unclear what caused one of the engines on the Boeing 777-200 to fail, but Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said that a piece of the engine cover separated and caught fire, sparking a brush fire on the ground. Duffy said he had been briefed about the incident and reiterated that no passengers or crew members were harmed. United Airlines said it temporarily closed a United Club lounge at Dulles to use it as a hub to help passengers get to their destination. Those aboard the original flight to Japan were expecting the airline to reschedule the flight for late Saturday using a different aircraft. United is grateful to our crews and to the teams at Washington Dulles for their quick work to help ensure the safety of everyone involved, the airline said in a statement. open image in gallery An emergency vehicle puts out a brushfire near the tarmac after United Airlines Flight 803's engine failed ( REUTERS ) Flight 803s engine failure occurred just as the plane was taking off from Dulles, but the plane could not immediately conduct an emergency landing. Pilots circled the plane around the airport for roughly 45 minutes, according to FlightAware. On social media, several travelers said they saw the plane dumping fuel over the area as it was preparing to land. Audio from the air traffic control broadcasts, obtained by CNN, indicated the plane crews were dumping fuel as part of protocol. Generally, planes dump fuel before landing to reduce the weight of the aircraft, preventing damage to the landing gear or other structure. 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 U.S. Border Patrol is reportedly shifting away from sweeping immigration raids, such as those at Home Depot and other locations, to make operations more tailored to specific individuals, according to a report. Under senior Border Patrol officer Gregory Bovino, teams will begin focusing their attention on specific targets, including undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes, Homeland Security sources told NewsNation. Since enforcement operations began, the administration claims it is targeting the worst of the worst, but government data indicate less than 30 percent of those detained or deported had a criminal conviction. Instead, the administration has been conducting raids at locations where larger populations of undocumented immigrants live or work. Among those rounded up and deported have been veterans of the U.S. military, the parents of U.S. citizen children, students on visas, and hundreds of thousands of others. As a result, President Donald Trumps approval rating on immigration has sunk from 49 percent in April to 38 percent in December, according to an AP-NORC poll. open image in gallery Border Patrol operations, under senior official Gregory Bovino, will move to more individualized targets rather than sweeping operations ( Getty Images ) Seemingly, to improve public approval of immigration raids, Border Patrol is changing up its tactics. However, in a statement to The Independent, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security appeared to contradict NewsNations report, saying, We have always been going after the worst of the worst first. There are no operational changes to announce. Ongoing sweeping operations, such as Catahoula Crunch in New Orleans, are expected to continue, NewsNation reported. Those sweeping operations, which have been conducted in Chicago, Los Angeles, Charlotte, Washington, D.C., Portland and other cities, have received widespread negative attention for the aggressive tactics Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other departments have used. Members of the communities have pushed back on law enforcement, leading to clashes between protesters and immigration enforcement throughout the country. open image in gallery Border Patrol enforcement officers have clashed with protesters while conducting immigration operations throughout the country ( AFP via Getty Images ) A signature pillar of Trumps agenda is mass deportation. On the campaign trail, he promised to deport undocumented immigrants whom he falsely characterized as criminals. In the administration, officials such as Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff and architect of Trumps immigration deportations, have pressured officials to increase deportation numbers. Its under that pressure that enforcement officials have conducted the sweeping operations. 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 With only six legislative days left on the House calendar for the rest of the year, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee Friday decided to drop a trove of new photos the committee received from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein. The photos specifically show the late convicted sex offender with such famous faces as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Bill Gates, former president Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. In particular, one photo shows Trump, years before his first presidency, surrounded by six women. Trump has distanced himself from Epstein and has not been accused of any wrongdoing. The selective release of the photos comes a full week before the legally mandated deadline for the Department of Justice to release all files related to Epstein. For those who may not remember, last month, Congress passed legislation to force the department to release the files within 30 days. The drop-dead date is next Friday. Immediately after the votes on Friday, House members bolted for the weekend and then Oversight Democrats dropped their oddly timed tranche of photos. It came at a peculiar juncture. At the moment, Republicans are scrambling to try and find an alternative plan as enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Acts health insurance marketplace will expire at the end of the month. The Senate voted down a Republican proposal to give Americans money for health savings accounts and a Democratic effort to extend the Obamacare tax credits for three more years. open image in gallery One of the 95,000 photos from Epsteins estate received by House Democrats featured an image of a condom that had President Donald Trumps face on the wrapper. ( House Oversight Committee ) To boot, a handful of Republicans from swing districts filed a discharge petition the very same legislative tool used to force a vote to release the Epstein files to extend the credits for two more years. As members filed out, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered his weekly press conference, where he remained laser-focused on health care. When The Independent asked Jeffries about the images, he offered some boilerplate talking points. The so-called Department of Justice under the Trump administration, needs to comply with the law, he said. And we as Democrats, led by Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, are going to continue to make sure that we're holding this administration accountable. Garcia won the race to become the top Democrat on Oversight earlier this year after the death of Gerry Connolly, beating out Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who is now running for Senate in Texas. The former mayor of Long Beach has followed a pugnacious approach in his spot as the Democrats top attack dog on the committee. open image in gallery Rep. Robert Garcia has followed a pugnacious approach since becoming the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee ( Marvin Recinos/AFP via Getty Images ) We will continue to put out more photos in the days and weeks ahead, but I just caution folks that the redaction process and ensure that we are protecting the survivors and the women who were abused by Epstein are protected, he told reporters on the Capitol steps. Alongside the Department of Justice having to release files related to Epstein, the committee is conducting its own investigation. And for a committee known for sharp elbows and partisan bickering, the investigation has remained surprisingly bipartisan. Congress is not only allowed to but expected to conduct its own investigations to make sure the executive branch does not simply police itself. But the message seems to be a deviation from Democrats larger efforts to hang the impending doubling and tripling in health care premiums around the necks of Republicans. Despite Democrats not getting an extension of the credits during the shutdown, they successfully forced the issue of health care ahead of the 2026 midterms. In addition, releasing some of the Epstein photos including of sex toys risks retraumatizing the survivors of his horrific actions. open image in gallery Epstein survivors have campaigned for investigations into his crimes ( REUTERS ) Rather than focusing on the grooming efforts or the pyramid scheme to keep a steady pipeline of teenage girls coming to Epstein, the photos can likely just turn the investigation into another round of salacious headlines instead of justice for the now-grown women who fought so hard for this vote. Democrats would argue they can walk and chew gum at the same time. And, in their defense, Trump has dragged his feet on Epstein, going from calling it a hoax to bullying Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene out of her seat in Congress to saying there should be a unanimous vote. House Speaker Mike Johnson played possum with a vote for far too long, delaying the swearing in of Adelita Grijalva since she would provide the last signature to release the files. But doing it on a Friday when everyone is leaving means Republicans can now coalesce around defending Trump instead of tripping over themselves on health care. 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 Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released a new batch of photos from Jeffrey Epsteins estate on Friday, including images of Donald Trump and several other powerful figures in the late sex offenders circle. Trump has distanced himself from Epstein and has not been accused of any wrongdoing. One of the photos shows the then-real estate mogul with six women, whose faces have been blurred out by the committee. A grinning Trump is sporting a suit while the women are wearing leis around their necks. Another image shows a collection of condoms going for $4.50 each depicting a caricature of Trumps face above the phrase: Im HUUUUGE! Oversight Democrats released just 19 photos Friday morning, but later in the day, they increased that number to more than 70 in the interest of transparency. open image in gallery The House Oversight committee released a photo of Trump surrounded by six women ( House Oversight Committee ) open image in gallery Steve Bannon meeting with Epstein ( House Oversight Committee ) Oversight Dems received 95,000 new photos from Jeffrey Epstein's estate, House Oversight Committee Democrats wrote in a social media post Friday. These disturbing images raise even more questions about Epstein and his relationships with some of the most powerful men in the world. Time to end this White House cover-up. Release the files! Speaking to reporters at an unrelated event at the White House Friday evening, Trump said the newly released photos showing he and Epstein mingling with several women were no big deal, but later claimed he had not seen them. Everybody knew this man [Epstein] he was all over Palm Beach, he told reporters Friday evening. He has photos with everybody... there are hundreds and hundreds of people that have them. That's no big deal... I know nothing about them." open image in gallery At an unrelated event at the White House, Trump said the newly released photos showing he and Epstein mingling with several women were no big deal, but later claimed he had not seen them. ( AFP via Getty Images ) Both the White House and Republicans on the panel dismissed the photos as "cherry picked." Once again, Oversight Democrats are chasing headlines by releasing a handful of selectively censored and cherry-picked photos from the Epstein Estate. Democrats' hoax against President Trump has been completely debunked, the GOP-led Oversight Committee wrote on X. Nothing in the documents we've received shows any wrongdoing. Ranking Member Robert Garcia and Oversight Democrats should be ashamed of this disgusting behavior of putting politics above justice for the survivors. The new tranche also includes an image of Trump ally Steve Bannon meeting with Epstein, as well as a photo signed by former President Bill Clinton capturing him linking arms with Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein. Clinton has vehemently denied having any knowledge of Epsteins crimes, has never visited Epsteins island, and said in 2019, when Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges, that he hadnt spoken to the disgraced financier in well over a decade. Maxwell, 63, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors. open image in gallery Former President Bill Clinton was pictured linking arms with Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein. ( House Oversight Committee ) open image in gallery An image of Bill Gates and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, was also released ( Getty via House Oversight Committee ) open image in gallery Another image released by the committee showed a box full of novelty Trump condoms ( House Oversight Committee ) Former Harvard President Larry Summers, lawyer Alan Dershowitz, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, Bill Gates, Woody Allen, and Sir Richard Branson also made appearances in the newly-released photos. Its not clear when the photos were taken, as they are undated. Summers, who exchanged emails with Epstein as recently as 2019, said his continued communications with the convicted sex offender were misguided and that he was deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused. Summers announced he was stepping down from his teaching role after email exchanges with Epstein came to light. Mountbatten-Windsor had his birthright title removed because his "serious lapses in judgement" over his association with Epstein. The royal settled allegations of sexual abuse in court with Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre in 2022, involving a substantial donation to her charity and an acknowledgment of her suffering, without admitting liability in the civil case. Gates has said it was a huge mistake to spend time with him and denied having a personal relationship with Epstein, clarifying that he met with the disgraced financier to discuss philanthropy. The Independent has reached out to representatives for Allen and Branson for comment. House Democrats are selectively releasing cherry-picked photos with random redactions to try and create a false narrative, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement. Heres the reality: Democrats like Stacey Plaskett and Hakeem Jeffries were soliciting money and meetings from Epstein AFTER he was a convicted sex offender, Jackson said. The Democrat hoax against President Trump has been repeatedly debunked and the Trump Administration has done more for Epsteins victims than Democrats ever have by repeatedly calling for transparency, releasing thousands of pages of documents, and calling for further investigations into Epsteins Democrat friends. Its time for the media to stop regurgitating Democrat talking points and start asking Democrats why they wanted to hang around Epstein after he was convicted. A report claimed Plaskett, the U.S. Virgin Islands non-voting delegate, appeared to be texting with Epstein during a 2019 hearing before questioning Trump; her office confirmed she had received texts from Epstein. The top Republican on the Oversight Committee posted a 2013 email sent by a fundraising firm that was soliciting campaign money from the disgraced financier for Jeffries campaign. Jeffries has said hes never met Epstein, never received a donation from him and had no recollection of the email. Last month, Attorney General Pam Bondi launched a probe into Democrats ties to Epstein at Trump's direction. open image in gallery Sir Richard Branson was photographed with Epstein on a beach ( House Oversight Committee ) open image in gallery Woody Allen, a woman whose face has been redacted, and Jeffrey Epstein pictured together in a newly released photo from the House Oversight Committee ( House Oversight Committee ) The new batch of photos comes weeks after the committee released thousands of documents, including shocking emails sent by Epstein to several powerful figures from 2011 to 2019. Those figures included attorneys, journalists, author Michael Wolff, Deepak Chopra and Summers, among many others. In the messages, Epstein claimed that Trump knew about the girls and spent hours at my house with a victim of sex trafficking. I know how dirty donald is, Epstein wrote in another email. Trump did not send or receive any of the emails. The House Oversight Committee issued subpoenas to the disgraced financiers estate earlier this year. That effort is separate from the so-called Epstein Files possessed by the Justice Department. Last month, the president signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act. In her first act as Congresswoman, Arizona Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva provided the 218th and final signature on a discharge petition that forced a vote on the release of Epstein files in the Justice Departments possession. The House and Senate swiftly passed the legislation and Trump signed it, giving the DOJ a December 19 deadline to release all of the Epstein Files. The DOJ then asked federal judges overseeing Epsteins and Maxwells criminal cases to make public the grand jury transcripts and relevant records to comply with the act. This week, a federal judge ordered that grand jury records in the sex trafficking case against Epstein must be unsealed, marking the third and final ruling to unseal grand jury materials in the three federal cases against Epstein and his associate. Several Democratic lawmakers have reacted to the latest release, with one Congresswoman calling the photos vile. Vile, disturbing new photos of Donald Trump that raise even more question about knowledge of abuses at Epstein's estate, Arizona Rep. Yassamin Ansari wrote in a social media post. @OversightDems are demanding the DOJ comply with our subpoena and release the full Epstein files. Stop protecting pedophiles. Survivors deserve justice now. Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego remarked: Trump has got to be scared s***less. The deadline to release the DOJs files is in one week. 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 has lashed out in a late-night rage against the Indiana Republicans who voted against a redistricting plan that he supported. The Indiana state Senate rejected a bill on Thursday that would have effectively eliminated the Hoosier States two Democratic districts. Twenty-one Republicans broke ranks and joined all 10 Democrats, resulting in a 31-19 vote. Republicans in the Indiana State Senate, who voted against a Majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, should be ashamed of themselves, Trump wrote on Truth Social around 1:00 a.m. on Saturday. Headed by a total loser named Rod Bray, every one of these people should be primaried, he added. And I will be there to help! Indiana, which I won big, is the only state in the Union to do this! Bray, the state Senate President pro tempore, had previously warned that there was not enough support for the gerrymandering measure. This came even though Trump and his allies had spent months pressuring Indiana Republicans to pass the bill. Vice President JD Vance even traveled to Indianapolis in August to make the pitch in person. But, when asked about the vote on Friday during a White House press briefing, Trump distanced himself, stating, I wasnt working on it very hard. open image in gallery In a late-night post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump raged at Indiana Republicans for defying him on redistricting. ( Getty Images ) Would have been nice, I think we would have picked up two seats, if we did that, he continued before attacking Bray. Hell probably lose his next primary, whenever that is. I hope he does, because hes done a tremendous disservice, he said. Im sure hell go down. Shortly after the vote on Thursday, Vance also singled out Bray. Rod Bray, the Senate leader in Indiana, has consistently told us he wouldn't fight redistricting while simultaneously whipping his members against it, the vice president wrote on X. That level of dishonesty cannot be rewarded, and the Indiana GOP needs to choose a side. open image in gallery Trump singled out Rod Bray, the state Senate President pro tempore, promising to support a primary opponent against him. ( Getty Images ) Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson moved to downplay the importance of the vote. When asked by CNN on Friday whether it shows Trump is now a lame duck, Johnson said, Not at all. No, he is not a lame duck. Hes the most powerful president of this generation and many others. We have a lot more work to do together. The outcome in Indiana is inconsequential to that. Some state lawmakers indicated that Trumps pressure campaign and the national attention it garnered had backfired. You have to know Hoosiers, Republican state Sen. Sue Glick told NBC News after voting against the gerrymandering bill. We cant be bullied, we dont like it. The Indiana vote comes after several other states including Texas and California moved to undertake controversial mid-decade redistricting efforts ahead of the 2026 midterms. The elections typically see the presidents party lose seats in Congress. Trump kickstarted the redistricting campaign, urging GOPled states, starting with Texas, to create new electoral maps to lock in or expand their razor-thin House majority. 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 As part of fighting a lawsuit seeking to force the White House to bring back sign language interpreters at press conferences, the Justice Department has argued such a step would harm Trumps powers over how he presents his image to the public. In a June filing, the administration warned that the suit from the National Association of the Deaf would severely intrude on the Presidents prerogative to control the image he presents to the public and force him to share his platform with an ASL interpreter. Speaking to Politico this week, Brittany Shrader, director of legal services at the National Association of the Deaf Law and Advocacy Center, said she didnt want to speculate about the image arguments, but said the administrations failure to regularly feature interpreters at briefings from Trump and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is itself a violation of disability law. The disability laws dont require a showing of animus or ill will toward people with disabilities to prove discrimination, she said. The laws require that the White House provide access and the failure to provide that access is itself discrimination. In November, a federal judge largely sided with this position, ordering the Trump administration to bring back interpreters at White House briefings, which had been a regular feature of the Biden administration, shooting down what it says was puzzling and coded language about wanting to present their message and image in a particular way. open image in gallery In the face of a lawsuit, the Trump administration has argued against having to share his platform with a sign language interpreter, calling it a major intrusion on his ability to control his image ( Andrew Harnik/Getty Images ) The White House, which insists it is in compliance with the order, has nonetheless appealed it to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The administration argues, in addition to its image concerns, that the White House makes information available in a variety of accessible formats like transcripts and closed captioning on videos, and that additional requirements would intrude on the presidents ability to provide real-time information to the public. Deaf advocates sued the first Trump administration over a lack of interpreters at briefings regarding the Covid pandemic. The Trump administration has a checkered record on disability issues more broadly, according to critics. open image in gallery Sign language interpreters were a regular feature at Biden administration press briefings ( White House / YouTube ) This fall, the president and his health secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. promoted the scientifically unfounded claim that mothers taking Tylenol during pregnancy causes autism, which scores of health organizations disagreed with and called dangerous. Kennedy is also a longstanding vaccine skeptic who has promoted the discredited claim that vaccines cause autism. Elsewhere, the Trump administrations changing priorities and funding cuts at the Department of Education have hampered its longstanding role in protecting special needs students at schools, according to advocates. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump was roundly criticized for appearing to mock a journalists physical disability on-stage at an event, though he insisted he was unaware of what the individual looked like. 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 scolded a female journalist taking part in a press scrum at the White House on Friday for being very aggressive, the latest in a string of negative comments the president has made about female reporters in recent weeks. You have to be nice and easy, nice and easy, Trump told the reporter, who appeared to be NBC News Yamiche Alcindor. Shes very aggressive. The president later called on the reporter, who asked Trump about his reaction to the latest batch of Epstein photos released Friday, which included images of Trump with a large group of women with their faces blurred out. The Independent has contacted Alcindor for comment. Trump has gone head-to-head with Alcindor before. open image in gallery President Trump called a female reporter very aggressive for asking questions in the Oval Office, the latest in a string of recent dismissive remarks toward female reporters the president has made ( AP ) In September, he accused the White House correspondent of being fake news and second-rate when she pressed him about an AI image he shared suggesting the administration was about to declare war on Chicago as part of its immigration crackdown. In 2020, during a Covid briefing, Trump told Alcindor to be nice and to not be threatening during one exchange, inspiring an outpouring of support for the reporter and the hashtag #WeLoveYamiche. President Trump has used harsh language to brush off multiple female reporters in recent weeks, labeling them stupid, incapable, ugly, and in one case last month, telling Bloomberg White House correspondent Catherine Lucey to be quiet piggy. open image in gallery Yamiche Alcindor is a White House correspondent for NBC News ( AFP via Getty Images ) When reached for comment, the White House shared a statement it offered after past criticism of the remarks. President Trump has never been politically correct, never holds back, and in large part, the American people re-elected him for his transparency, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said. This has nothing to do with gender it has everything to do with the fact that the Presidents and the publics trust in the media is at all time lows. White House officials have pointed to other comments where Trump tangled with male reporters in a similar fashion, including an October comment that a male Reuters reporter was third-rate and earlier remarks blasting a Wall Street Journal reporter for being associated with a rotten outlet. Critics argue the president reserves particular venom for female reporters, and female reporters of color even more so. During his first term, Trump lashed out at a string of African-American female journalists in quick succession, describing questions from CNNs Abby Phillip as stupid and those from Alcindor as racist. Later, during his 2024 campaign, he had a memorable clash with reporters during an event at a National Association of Black Journalists conference. Trump grew angry when asked how Black voters could trust him after making the inflammatory remark that Vice President Kamala Harris had only recently happened to turn Black. I dont think Ive been asked a question in such a horrible manner, Trump told ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott. You dont even say hello, how are you. The president frequently demonizes the press at large, and has called journalists purveyors of fake news and the enemy of the people. 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 claim to have ended eight wars appears to be unravelling as a result of peace deals that press pause on the fighting and fail to deal with the root causes of each conflict, experts have said. The US president, who was awarded the widely-criticised Fifa Peace Prize last week, has persistently boasted about ending the conflicts during his two terms as president. He listed peace agreements between Israel and Hamas, Israel and Iran, Pakistan and India, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Thailand and Cambodia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Serbia and Kosovo. But a deeper analysis of these disputes, as well as others that Trump has sought to halt, casts doubt over his claim to be the President of Peace. Cambodia and Thailand have resumed clashes at the border, Kosovo and Serbia are struggling to implement peace deals and Israeli attacks continue in Lebanon and Gaza. Trump has also failed to stop the war in Ukraine - a conflict he once promised to end in 24 hours. open image in gallery Donald Trump has made achieving peace agreements around the world a central pillar of his second term ( PA Wire ) Trumps peace deals lack a clear pathway Dr Melanie Garson, an associate professor of political science at University College London (UCL), says that while Trump should be credited for pushing for these agreements, the deals mediated by his administrations are prone to failure. Without the clear pathways, guarantees and oversight of the next steps, it leaves huge gaps in the system. Basically, what youve done is press the pause button, and not the stop button. The low quality of these deals owes to Trumps reluctance to surround himself with real experts who would challenge his authority as the master deal maker, says Dr Jonathan Monten, a US foreign policy expert at UCL. He wants to be perceived as at the centre. He is this master deal maker, not some you know, career expert in the State Department, he told The Independent. So the quality of the preparation, the quality of expertise, the quality of diplomatic negotiation are all extremely low. open image in gallery Thai residents cover in a shelter in Buriram province, Thailand, amid ongoing violence with Cambodia ( AP ) Cambodia and Thailand attack each other... again Border clashes in Thailand resumed earlier this week, with hundreds of thousands of people displaced and at least 10 killed. It comes just weeks after the Kuala Lumpur peace accord was signed in October, with the prime ministers of both countries vowing their unwavering commitment to peace after the centuries-old border dispute was reignited in July. Trump attended the signing ceremony in Malaysia. Thailands defence ministry said the recent attacks were a last option, while Cambodia accused Thailand of aggressive military attacks. Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed on Friday that there was no ceasefire yet with Cambodia, and said he had spoken by telephone with Trump. Anutin said Trump told him he wanted the two countries to return to the July ceasefire. Israel continues attacks in Lebanon and Gaza The initial ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon was signed under the Biden administration - but Trump has since failed to prevent Benjamin Netanyahus government from regular strikes on its neighbour. Israel launched a new wave of attacks on Lebanon last week, stating that it was targeting Hezbollah sites in the south, including several buildings and a rocket-launching site. The Trump administration had been urging Israel and Lebanon to broaden their talks on establishing longer-term peace. Just days before the Israeli strikes, both sides had dispatched civilian envoys to a military committee tasked with overseeing the ceasefire, but the ceasefire now appears to be over. open image in gallery Israel has resumed strikes on southern Lebanon in the past week ( AP ) Trump was, however, involved in brokering the deal between Israel and Hamas, which promised to end Israels military campaign in Gaza and the return of all the hostages. All living hostages and all but one of the dead hostages have been returned. But authorities in Gaza say nearly 400 people, including children, have been killed by Israeli gunfire since the ceasefire was put in place. Serbia-Kosovo agreements unfulfilled Trump has repeatedly hailed an economic normalisation agreement reached between Serbia and Kosovo during his first term. Earlier this year, he also claimed to have prevented a war from breaking out between the pair. The 2020 agreement planned to expand economic cooperation and integration, in an attempt to de-escalate political tensions by focusing on economic ties. But the agreements failed to address a critical and central element of the dispute: Serbias refusal to formally recognise Kosovo. Implementation has been limited, with many of the specific economic provisions failing to materialise in practice in the years since. open image in gallery Donald Trump with Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic (left) and Kosovo PM Avdullah Hoti (right) in the Oval Office in September 2020 ( Getty ) Progress on agreed projects, such as the envisaged Peace Highway, linking Belgrade and Pristina to facilitate trade and travel between the countries, has been very slow, with financing coming not from provisions of the agreements but from European investment. Political tensions between Kosovo and Serbia remain unresolved, and the Trump administration is yet to make a significant push to get them round the table again. War in Ukraine frustrates the White House Attempts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine have been one of Trumps primary frustrations during his second term, thus far failing in an objective which he said before the US election could be wrapped up in 24 hours. In recent weeks, the US has ramped up efforts to push Moscow and Kyiv towards reaching an agreement, but the main sticking point, territory, remains a crucial problem. Vladimir Putin appears to have little interest in signing a peace agreement unless Kyiv hands over the entirety of the Donbas. Trump has directed most of his impatience at Volodymyr Zelensky, saying that he isnt ready for peace and, according to reports, telling the Ukrainian president he wants Kyiv to accept a peace deal by Christmas. 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 Western Washington state is grappling with unprecedented flooding as residents and emergency services brace for potential levee failures along the swollen Skagit River. National Guard troops are assisting with widespread evacuations following days of torrential downpours across the Pacific Northwest. The entire community of Burlington, home to approximately 9,200 people near Puget Sound, was placed under evacuation orders on Friday. This came as the Skagit River reached an all-time high of nearly 11.6 metres (38 feet) at Mount Vernon, just downstream, significantly exceeding major flood stage levels. "We haven't seen flooding like this ever," stated Karina Shagren, a spokesperson for the state's emergency management division, confirming that no casualties or missing persons had been reported so far. Despite the rains beginning to subside by Friday, the flood control levees appeared to be holding firm immediately after the river's historic crest ( AP ) The broader Skagit River flood plain, a rural area north of Seattle with a population of around 78,000, was already under a Level 3 evacuation notice, urging immediate movement to higher ground. Across the state, an estimated 100,000 people were subject to evacuation orders. National Guard troops and sheriff's deputies were conducting door-to-door checks, with some seen using inflatable rafts to rescue stranded Burlington residents from the muddy floodwaters. Despite the rains beginning to subside by Friday, the flood control levees appeared to be holding firm immediately after the river's historic crest. State officials noted this was their first significant test since repairs were carried out following the last major flood in 2021. However, the National Weather Service issued a flash-flood warning for the river basin downstream, citing the continued risk of levee failures under immense pressure from the high water. "Extensive flooding of streets, homes and farmland will be possible" should these vital levees and dikes give way, the Weather Service warned. Such a breach would dramatically worsen the already widespread inundation across much of western Washington state, with aerial footage from CNN depicting communities submerged in deep, brown water, many homes almost entirely covered. The Burlington-Mount Vernon area in Skagit County remains the epicentre of the extensive flooding, which has been triggered by days of torrential downpours stretching from northern Oregon through western Washington and into British Columbia. South of Skagit County, National Guard personnel were also deployed to deliver food and check on residents cut off by floods in Snohomish County. The deluge has led to the closure of dozens of roads, including key Canadian highways leading to Vancouver, and several sections of the BNSF Railway, a major freight line, were also shut down. The severe weather was caused by an "atmospheric river" storm, a vast airborne current of dense moisture drawn from the ocean and swept inland earlier in the week, also affecting parts of northern Idaho and western Montana. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice At least two people have been killed in a drone attack in Russias southwestern Saratov region, local authorities confirmed on Saturday, as parts of Ukraine simultaneously faced power outages following targeted assaults on energy infrastructure. Saratov regional Governor Roman Busargin reported that the drone strike damaged a residential building, with windows at a kindergarten and clinic also blown out. Meanwhile, Russias defence ministry stated it had intercepted 41 Ukrainian drones over its territory overnight, as US-led peace talks continue. In Ukraine, Russia launched overnight drone and missile strikes on five Ukrainian regions, targeting energy and port infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had sent over 450 drones and 30 missiles into Ukraine overnight. Russia continues to target Ukraines power infrastructure in their attacks, Zelensky claims ( AP ) "Thousands of families are now left without electricity after strikes last night in Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson and Chernihiv regions," he wrote on Telegram. An attack on the Black Sea city of Odesa caused grain silos to catch fire at the port, Ukrainian deputy prime minister and reconstruction minister Oleksiy Kuleba said. Two people were wounded in attacks on the wider Odesa region, according to regional head Oleh Kiper. Kyiv and its Western allies say Russia is trying to cripple the Ukrainian power grid and deny civilians access to heat, light and running water for a fourth consecutive winter, in what Ukrainian officials call weaponizing the cold. The latest round of attacks came after Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said Friday that Russian police and National Guard will stay on in eastern Ukraines Donbas and oversee the industry-rich region, even if a peace settlement ends Russias nearly four-year war in Ukraine. This underscores Moscows ambition to maintain its presence in Donbas post-war. Ukraine is likely to reject such a stance as U.S.-led negotiations drag on. Moscow will give its blessing to a ceasefire only after Ukraines forces have withdrawn from the front line, Ushakov said in comments published in Russian business daily Kommersant. Meanwhile, Germany is set to host Zelenskyy on Monday for talks as peace efforts gain momentum and European leaders seek to steer negotiations. For months, American negotiators have tried to navigate the demands of each side as U.S. President Donald Trump presses for a swift end to Russias war while growing increasingly exasperated by delays. The search for possible compromises has run into a major obstacle over who keeps Ukrainian territory currently occupied by Russian forces. CHANGSHA, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- A museum in central China's Hunan Province on Saturday unveiled two original video clips showing the construction of a crucial military airfield during World War II. The two clips, acquired from the U.S. National Archives, were filmed by the U.S. forces stationed at the Zhijiang Airport in Hunan's Zhijiang County, according to Wu Jianhong, curator of the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Zhijiang. The footage provides a real record of the anonymous laborers who built the airfield, Wu said. Released on China's 12th national memorial day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre, the release of the videos aims to help more people understand this history and draw strength from the nation's resilience, especially young people, according to Wu. During World War II, Zhijiang Airport became a key base for the Flying Tigers -- the 1st American Volunteer Group, which was formed in 1941 to help China drive out invading Japanese troops. The Chinese and American air forces based there dealt heavy blows to the Japanese invaders. The video footage shows laborers, some of whom wear a towel wrapped around the head and others who are barefoot, arriving in Zhijiang carrying their own tools. With no machinery available, men, women and children of various ethnic groups worked together, carrying earth and stone on shoulder poles or in baskets, and pulling giant stone rollers by ropes to level the ground. In extremely harsh conditions, the workers endured intense labor, material shortages and poor sanitation, Wu said. Outbreaks of diseases like cholera added to their plight, with nearly 10,000 anonymous people ultimately dying there. "It's very shocking to see these images," museum visitor Deng Tao told Xinhua after watching the footage. "These wartime workers laid the foundation for victory with their bare hands under such adversity. We must remember this history." 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 Iran has arrested Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, her supporters said on Friday. A foundation in her name said she was detained at a memorial for a human rights lawyer recently found dead under disputed circumstances. There was no immediate comment from Iran over its detention of Mohammadi, 53. It wasnt clear if authorities would immediately return her to prison to serve the rest of her term. Her supporters on Friday described her as having been violently detained earlier today by security and police forces. They said other activists had been arrested as well at a ceremony honoring Khosrow Alikordi, a 46-year-old Iranian lawyer and human rights advocate who had been based in Mashhad. The Narges Foundation calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained individuals who were attending a memorial ceremony to pay their respects and demonstrate solidarity, a statement read. Their arrest constitutes a serious violation of fundamental freedoms. Alikordi was found dead earlier this month in his office, with officials in Razavi Khorasan describing his death as a heart attack. However, a tightening security crackdown coincided with his death, raising questions. More than 80 lawyers signed a statement demanding more information. File picture dated 4 September 2001 shows Iranian peace activist Narges Mohammadi at her home in Tehran following her release from prison after posting 100 million rials (12,000 USD) in bail ( AFP/Getty ) Alikordi was a prominent figure among Irans community of human rights defenders, the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran said Thursday. Over the past several years, he had been repeatedly arrested, harassed and threatened by security and judicial forces. Footage purportedly of the ceremony showed Mohammadi on a microphone, calling out to the crowd gathered without wearing a hijab, or headscarf. She started the crowd chanting the name Majidreza Rahnavard, a man whom authorities hanged from a crane in a public execution in 2022. Supporters had warned for months that Mohammadi was at risk of being put back into prison after she received a furlough in December 2024 over medical concerns. While that was to be only three weeks, Mohammadis time out of prison lengthened, possibly as activists and Western powers pushed Iran to keep her free. She remained out even during the 12-day war in June between Iran and Israel. Mohammadi still kept up her activism with public protests and international media appearances, including even demonstrating at one point in front of Tehrans notorious Evin prison, where she had been held. Mohammadi had been serving 13 years and nine months on charges of collusion against state security and propaganda against Irans government. She also backed the nationwide protests sparked by the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, which have seen women openly defy the government by not wearing the hijab. Mohammadi suffered multiple heart attacks while imprisoned before undergoing emergency surgery in 2022, her supporters say. Her lawyer in late 2024 revealed doctors had found a bone lesion that they feared could be cancerous, which was later removed. Mohammadis doctors recently prescribed an extension of her medical leave for at least six more months to conduct thorough and regular medical examinations, including monitoring the bone lesion which was removed from her leg in November, physiotherapy sessions to recover from the surgery and specialised cardiac care, the Free Narges Coalition said in late February 2025. The medical team overseeing Mohammadis health has warned that her return to prison especially under stressful conditions of detention and without adequate medical facilities could severely worsen her physical well-being. An engineer by training, Mohammadi has been imprisoned 13 times and convicted five times. In total, she has been sentenced to over 30 years in prison. Her last incarceration began when she was detained in 2021 after attending a memorial for a person killed in nationwide protests. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump promised serious retaliation against ISIS after two U.S. Army soldiers and one civilian interpreter were killed and three other soldiers were injured in an attack in Syria on Saturday. Hours after the Pentagon announced the three Americans had been ambushed by a lone ISIS gunman, the U.S. president vowed to seek retribution against the entity believed to have conducted the attack on U.S. and Syrian forces. This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by [ISIS,] Trump wrote on Truth Social. The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation. The attack on American forces occurred as U.S. soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement, as part of a counter-terrorism operation near the ancient city of Palmyra, Sean Parnell, the chief Pentagon spokesperson, said. The motive for the attack remains unclear at this time, but the Pentagon is currently investigating, Parnell added. open image in gallery Trump promised to retaliate against ISIS after a lone ISIS gunman is believed to have ambushed US and Syrian forces Saturday ( REUTERS ) U.S. Central Command said the gunman was killed. In a statement, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, Let it be known, if you target Americans anywhere in the world you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you. The Pentagon is withholding the names of the deceased soldiers as well as any identifying information about their units until next of kin notification, Parnell said. Trump told reporters Saturday afternoon that the three soldiers injured are doing well. The ambush comes just days after Admiral Charles Bradford Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, expressed optimism for the future of Syria approximately one year after the fall of the al-Assad regime. In a video message, Cooper said U.S. troops were in Syria to combat ISIS as well as support the integration of Syrian Democratic Forces with the Syrian government. The Trump administration has embraced the new Syrian leader. As of December 2024, roughly 2,000 U.S. troops were in Syria, but the Trump administration has been reducing the number of troops over the last 10 months. In April, they said they would draw the number down to 1,400. Despite pulling some troops from Syria, the U.S. continues to fight back against ISIS though U.S.-backed troops initially defeated the last holdouts of the caliphate in 2019. But ISIS still maintains a presence in the region and periodically carries out deadly attacks. open image in gallery US forces have been assisting the new Syrian leader with the transition after the fall of the al-Assad regime last year ( AFP via Getty Images ) Syrias interior ministry spokesperson, Noureddine al-Baba, told Syrias state media Sana that the attack took place at the entrance to a fortified Internal Security Forces headquarters after the end of a joint patrol. The Independent understands that the suspected killer used small arms fire. The identity of the attacker or his affiliation hasnt been confirmed. Baba appeared to give contradictory statements by indicating the attacker may have been part of a force affiliated with Syrian security forces who had extremist ideology. But he also said that he held no leadership position and was not affiliated with the Internal Security Forces Command. Baba defended the ISF, saying that there are more than 5000 personnel affiliated with their forces in the Syrian desert and that these personnel undergo weekly evaluations. He claimed that in one of these evaluations a few days ago, the perpetrator of the attack had been flagged as possibly having extremist views. A decision regarding his case was expected to be made on Sunday, but the attack happened the day before Saturday which is an administrative holiday. Baba also said that ISF had issued prior warnings to partner forces in the international coalition regarding preliminary intelligence indicating a possible breach or attack by ISIS. However, these warnings were disregarded. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The worlds longest commercial flight lasting 29 hours and covering 12,400 miles around half the circumference of the globe has been completed. The China Eastern Airlines flight departed Shanghai on Thursday 4 December at 2am local time, arriving 10 minutes ahead of schedule at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires at 4.45pm local time. It stopped in Auckland, New Zealand, to refuel and rotate airline crew. This means it cannot secure the title of the worlds longest direct flight route. The China to Argentina flight takes more than 25 hours, with the return leg taking an additional four hours, earning it the title of the worlds longest commercial flight route. Celebrations were held in Shanghai and Buenos Aires to mark the milestone event, while Auckland hosted a welcome ceremony for the arriving plane. The 316-seat Boeing 777-300ER will now run twice a week year-round and aims to cater to Argentinas sizable East Asian diaspora, which is one of the South American countrys fastest-growing communities. This new route fills the gap in direct flights between Shanghai and major South American cities, China Eastern Airlines said in a statement. It opens a southbound corridor connecting opposite ends of the Pacific and reshapes air travel between three continents. The service now comes top as the worlds longest commercial airline route, outstripping Singapore Airlines 19-hour service between New York and Singapore, which previously held the title. Australian flag carrier Qantas has announced plans for Project Sunrise flights between Sydney, London and New York. The aircraft would be capable of flying up to 22 hours non-stop, courtesy of an additional 20,000 litre fuel tank. The airline has described the London-Sydney route, which aims to launch in 2027 and cover 10,573 miles, as the final frontier of long-haul travel. The Independent has contacted China Eastern Airlines for further comment. Read more: This layover trick could save you hundreds on a long-haul flight ticket Select cinemas / Netflix; Cert 15A To chilly upstate New York where a notorious small-town priest (Josh Brolins Monsignor Jefferson Wicks) pops his clogs during mass. A nasty knife wound suggests murder, but in a church full of onlookers? It defies logic. With nobody else to blame, Wickss congregation points its finger at Father Jud Duplenticy (Josh OConnor), a former boxer with a famous temper. Did the young priest do it? Were not convinced, and neither is the chief of police (Mila Kunis), who calls in Americas snazziest sleuth for assistance. Ladies and gents, its the return of Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig). Diligent and dapper, Blanc flew too close to the sun in Glass Onion, the second chapter of Rian Johnsons beloved Knives Out saga. The third, Wake Up Dead Man, is a tidier film, with bigger stakes and fewer gimmicks. True, this sarky, self-aware whodunnit laughs a little too hard at its own jokes, and there isnt always room for its awesome cast our own Andrew Scott and Daryl McCormack included to spread their wings. But Johnsons playful locked-room mystery keeps us guessing, and Craig (tremendous fun) and OConnor (a proper leading man) work their magic. Three stars DPP says no further action to be taken after file prepared by gardai On a night out in Dublin, a politician, their sister and a relative were involved in an incident that led to a garda investigation It was intended to be a clear-the-air night out after some minor tensions over a family gathering. The trio gathered at the house in a Dublin suburb where they were staying before heading out. One of the group was running a bit late, but rang ahead to say they would be there in enough time. Man (30s) arrested after multiple cars set alight on Dublins South Circular Road Gardai responded to reports of three cars on fire File photo Neil Fetherstone Fri 12 Dec 2025 at 23:35 A man in his 30s has been arrested after several cars were set alight on Dublins South Circular Road in the early hours of Thursday morning. The Indo Daily: Melania: The Movie We saw it, so you dont have to... Ryanairs Michael OLeary has said he will hand the reins of the company over to a nicer successor by 2035. Mr OLeary also quipped that the low cost airline would be better off if they didnt have someone who was always shouting and swearing and actively lighting fires. Taoiseach warns that US airport security demand for access to five years of social media activity is unworkable Irish visitors to the US enjoy pre-clearance facilities to avoid long delays, with Micheal Martin suggesting sensible Donald Trump would prefer to keep it that way Taoiseach Micheal Martin with US president Donald Trump. Photo: PA Ralph Riegel Sat 13 Dec 2025 at 06:30 Taoiseach Micheal Martin hailed US president Donald Trump as a sensible guy as he warned a US demand for access to five years of social media activity as part of American visa screening was simply unworkable. TEHRAN, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Iran has seized a foreign oil tanker carrying 6 million liters of smuggled diesel in the Gulf of Oman, state-run IRIB news agency reported Friday. The tanker was confiscated by Iranian judicial officers on Thursday in Iran's territorial waters near the southern port city of Jask as part of efforts to combat the main fuel smuggling networks and smugglers, the IRIB quoted Mojtaba Ghahremani, chief justice of the southern Hormozgan province, as saying. He said the vessel lacked the required maritime documents and the bill of lading for its fuel cargo, adding that it had turned off all its navigation and navigational aid systems. Ghahremani noted that there were 18 crew members on board the oil tanker, identifying them as nationals of India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. There is a new poverty group of middle-income earners, says St Vincent de Paul president Teresa Ryan The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has led to secretly struggling families that may not seem like they are in need of help from the outside We have a new era of poverty for middle-income earners Darragh Nolan Sat 13 Dec 2025 at 06:30 Middle-income workers are increasingly falling into poverty amid the cost-of-living crisis, the head the St Vincent de Paul charity has warned. Planned taxi protests were called off earlier this week pending the outcome of a meeting at Government Buildings. Photo: Stock image A new Uber policy to offer customers fixed fares upfront does not breach taxi regulations, Transport Minister Darragh OBrien has been told. A Department of Transport spokesperson revealed, however, that the minister has ordered a new assessment of licensing regulations in the wake of highly disruptive protests by taxi drivers opposed to the new rules. An Focloir Nua Gaeilge has been launched to great fanfare and producers hope it can change attitudes to our national language At a pub door having a smoke, you will very likely be approached by some poor lad gasping for nicotine and trying to cadge a cigarette. My favourite such experience came when a well-spoken cadger sought to borrow a fag. Curiously, he reminded me of the linguistic term loanword. It struck me that if posh language scholars, not to say dictionary writers, can get away with such blatant inaccuracy, why be so hard on an unfortunate seeking a smoke? Loanwords were back in the news this week as our first ever monolingual dictionary An Focloir Nua Gaeilge was launched by scholars Cormac Bhreathnach and Padraig O Mianain. Bhreathnach summed up what is new about the enterprise ta se i nGaeilge amhain (it is in Irish only). Ted Smyth: Ireland has to dodge Donald Trumps diplomatic snubs and double-down on our US ties Many of the US presidents statements are performative, and we should bear this mind when we look to strengthen our relationship with America US president Donald Trump doesn't always mean what he says. Photo: Reuters Ted Smith Sat 13 Dec 2025 at 06:30 Ireland prides itself on being a bridge between the United States and Europe, but recent dramatic events appear to make that role impractical. However, on closer examination Ireland should redouble its diplomatic and political efforts to strengthen that bridge. Knowing your enemies political goals makes it easier to respond in war The conflict in Ukraine has been going on for 12 years, beginning with the 2014 invasion of Crimea. There is no doubt over Russias political goal: the abolition of Ukraine as an independent state. 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 A united Ireland would say loudly and clearly: "Your loss mattered and we see you, declared Senator Nicole Ryan during a recent debate on the reunification of Ireland in Seanad Eireann. The motion was brought before the Seanad by her party colleague, Senator Conor Murphy who called for the Seanad Eireann to recognise that the reunification of Ireland is an objective of Bunreacht na hEireann and there is a growing national discussion around constitutional change with people from diverse backgrounds now exploring the possibility of Irish unity. Senator Murphy said the Good Friday Agreement provides the democratic and peaceful means to achieve reunification through the provision of unity referendums; and he called on the Irish Government to plan and prepare for Irish unity. Senator Ryan who seconded the motion brought the conversation on Irish unity into the lived experiences of families, parents and women whose voices have been silenced for far too long. Yesterday (December 2) in the North, the Assembly passed the final stage of the baby loss certificate scheme. It is a compassionate, voluntary, non-legal certificate that simply says to bereaved parents: Your loss mattered and we see you. In the UK, those schemes already exist. Yet in the south, we still have no recognition whatsoever for pregnancy loss under 23 weeks. We currently only recognise stillbirth after 23 weeks gestation, said Ms Ryan. Families who lose a baby at five weeks, ten weeks or 20 weeks leave the hospital with nothing. There is no recognition, no validation and no acknowledgement that the life they hoped for ended too soon. Here in the South what do we tell parents? We tell them: It just happens sometimes. Go home and move on. Imagine the cruelty of that. Imagine a couple sitting in a waiting room after losing their deeply wanted pregnancy and being told that because their loss happened at 22 weeks and six days, their grief does not count. Now, overnight, we find ourselves in an extraordinary and, frankly, shameful position, she added. Senator Ryan said a united Ireland is not merely about flags or borders, it is about harmonising rights, dignity and recognition for all people on this island. It is about ensuring that where you live does not determine whether your grief is acknowledged or ignored. It is about ensuring that no parents heartbreak is validated in Derry but dismissed in Donegal. This is where a united Ireland becomes more than aspiration, said the Cork senator. It becomes a promise. It becomes a promise that a parents experience will be recognised no matter where on this island they live, a promise of equality not only in sovereignty, but in empathy and a promise that compassion will not stop at a checkpoint on the M1. In building a united Ireland, we build a fair Ireland, a kinder Ireland, an Ireland that listens and an Ireland that values the intimate and devastating moments in people's lives. Let us never forget the future that is made up of the stories, grief and hopes of ordinary people. Today, those people are simply asking for recognition, she added. Senator Ryan continued: "In the North, they now have it. In Wales, it will be there soon. In England, they have it. In Scotland, they have it. It is well past time, that we have it here too. A united Ireland would not ignore those people. A united Ireland would not tell them to get over it. A united Ireland would say loudly and clearly: Your loss mattered and we see you. In reply, the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Neale Richmond commended Ms Ryan for the issues she raised in relation to pregnancy loss. This is something that touches every household and family and does not recognise any border. The points the senator made were very well put. It is a little bit far from my remit, but I am more than happy to bring it up with the relevant minister. I hope we can get a resolution on that long before this House is dissolved, if not before. On the issue of Irish unity, Minister Richmond reassured members that the Government is not blind to the growing debate on the constitutional future. We follow it very closely; we participate in it. The most important thing we can do is to promote reconciliation - real reconciliation between affected communities but also breaking down the real but invisible barriers that all of us surely recognise. We need to make sure the agreements institutions work and deliver for people in meaningful ways that they can feel in their day-to-day lives. If we are to build a united Ireland and fulfil the dream of generations of bringing our nation together under one state, we have to make sure that unity is not only towards a united Ireland but a better Ireland and a shared Ireland. I am more than happy to work with every single politician, from all parties and none, and every member of civil society and beyond to achieve that aim, he added. A call has gone out to schools across the country from former Olympian athlete David Gillick who has joined forces with Fyffes in a quest to find Irelands Fittest School 2026. Schools across North Cork are encouraged to compete for the Irelands Fittest School title in a bid to keep the accolade in the area. Last years champions, Ballyhass National School fought off stiff competition from across the island in the prestigious event. Irish Olympian sprinter David Gillick has teamed up with Fyffes once again in a quest to find Irelands Fittest School 2026. The premise of the competition is to promote the importance of exercise, fitness and develop healthy eating habits amongst young people. The central feature of the programme will be a series of exercise routines, recorded by Gillick, alongside Irish fitness trainer, Sharon Flanagan which competing schools can adopt as part of their PE curriculum and against which performance will be measured and tracked online. The competition will run for eight weeks starting on January 26, and the top four schools from each province will compete in regional qualifiers in April. The top school in Munster, Connacht, Leinster and Ulster will then progress to the grand final in May, with a range of sport equipment worth 8,000 awarded to the victors. Fyffes Head of Marketing, Emma Hunt-Duffy said: Amongst schools nationwide, the level of interest in this competition continues to grow each year. We look forward to seeing more and more teachers and young pupils incorporating the exercise routines into their PE classes, as a fun and easy way to stay active and keep fit, she said. School registrations are now open and further details can be found online at www.fyffesfittestschool.ie. Two people had to be hospitalised following falls on footpaths in Mallow town. The issue was raised at a recent Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District meeting by Fine Gael councillor Liam Madden. Cllr Madden brought forward a motion imploring Cork County Council to use Urban Regenreation and Development Fund (URDF) funding which was obtained in 2025. Cllr Madden said the issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible. Following two recent incidents on footpaths in Main Street where two people had to be hospitalised because of falls I am now calling on this Council in Mallow /Kanturk Municipal District to use URDF funding obtained in 2025. This issue is now coming up on a daily basis and needs to be resolved as soon as possible, he added. Billy OSullivan, Senior Executive Engineer with Cork County Council provided the councillors with an update on the situation. The tender for design consultants for the URDF funded Mallow Public Realm Project has now been completed. Cork County Council Capital Delivery Unit are now appointing AECOM Consulting Engineers to provide a multidisciplinary design team to the project. Mr OSullivan said the consultant will be commencing work in January to bring the scheme to delivery, including the Part 8 Planning which will be required. The Capital Delivery Unit expect to present the emerging design proposals to elected members in the first half of 2026. It should be noted that the URDF funding for this project is to redesign and redevelop the Main Street Public Realm and with a focus on developing Mallows overall placemaking identity through the development of key anchor, heritage led visual interpretative elements, he added. The senior official with Cork County Council also told the councillors that while the new public realm design will result in replacement and upgrade of some of the existing footpath infrastructure on the Main Street, the funding is not specifically aimed at footpath repairs. Mr OSullivan said: The extent of public realm works to be carried out will be determined once the consultant have commenced design works and will be in accordance with the level of funding awarded. The senior executive engineer also informed the councillors that in the interim period while design work is ongoing, localised temporary repairs will continue to be undertaken by the Area Office as required. ABU DHABI, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday that China is willing to work with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to advance the China-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level. The UAE is a country in the Middle East with distinctive importance and influence. The development strategies of China and the UAE are in alignment, the philosophies of governance are similar, and the economies are highly complementary, making the two countries natural friends and partners, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, when meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In the more than four decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and the UAE have respected and supported each other, and the bilateral ties have withstood the test of the changing international landscape and maintained a sound and steady development, Wang noted. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with the UAE, implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, stay committed to the original aspirations of diplomatic ties, deepen strategic mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and carry forward the traditional friendship, so as to jointly push for a higher level of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, he added. Noting the second China-Arab States Summit is scheduled to be held in China next year, Wang said he expects to welcome the participation of Arab leaders, and expressed the hope that, with the support by the UAE and other Arab nations, the summit will yield positive outcomes and elevate China-Arab states relations to a new level. Sheikh Abdullah said that over the more than four decades since the establishment of diplomatic relations, UAE-China relations rapidly developed based on mutual respect and trust, witnessing fruitful cooperation across various fields and deepening people-to-people friendship, thus becoming a model for state-to-state relations. He stressed that the UAE firmly adheres to the one-China principle, firmly supports China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity and in achieving national reunification, and resolutely opposes foreign interference in China's internal affairs. The two sides also exchanged views on issues such as the situation in the Middle East. A "blatant" thief who stole from the same Circle K garage 27 times in six months has been placed on probation at Dun Laoghaire District Court. Andrew Connors (40), of Kilbogget Grove, Cabinteely, pleaded guilty to the 27 theft offences, committed between June and late November at Circle K on the N11 in Cabinteely, Dublin 18. All charges were brought under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud) Offences Act 2001. The court heard Connors repeatedly targeted the Circle K premises, stealing alcohol on almost every occasion. Items taken included cans of Guinness, Smirnoff Ice, Malibu, Captain Morgan and Jameson Ginger. His behaviour was described as "pretty blatant", often walking out with cans or bottles before staff realised what had happened, without any confrontation. Judge Anne Watkin noted that garages are easier targets for this type of offending. Connors is currently serving a six-month sentence imposed by Judge Martin Nolan in the Circuit Criminal Court following a breach that led to the reactivation of a suspended sentence. Defence counsel said Connors made full admissions at the earliest opportunity and cooperated fully with Gardai. Judge Watkin placed him on a 12-month probation bond in the sum of 500. She warned that he will receive a custodial sentence if he breaches the bond. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme. A 60-year-old man is facing allegations that he held a knife to his 91-year-old fathers throat, threatened to cut his head off and caused a laceration during an incident at their home in Rathfarnham earlier this year. Joe Kenny, of Glendoher Drive, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 appeared before Tallaght District Court charged with assaulting his father causing him harm during an alleged incident at their home on February 21 last. He is also accused of producing a knife during the same incident in a way that was likely to intimidate. The assault charge falls under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act and the second charge relates to the alleged production of a weapon. The court heard Gardai were called to the house following reports that the accused had allegedly threatened to "cut the head off his father during a row. When officers arrived, they found the 91-year-old man had sustained a laceration to the skin on his neck. The court was told the wound bled but was not classified as a serious injury. It was alleged the accused had held a six-inch carving knife to his fathers throat during the incident. The court heard that the alleged injured party withdrew his statement on November 29 however and the DPP must now consider how the prosecution is to proceed. Judge Patricia McNamara refused jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the charges. Joe Kenny was remanded on continuing bail and the case was adjourned to January 15 next at Tallaght District Court for a book of evidence to be prepared. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme. A mobile phone store worker has been convicted of exposing his genitals to a customer at the Three outlet in Nutgrove Shopping Centre. Brian Carroll (30), of South Circular Road, Dublin 8, had pleaded not guilty at Tallaght District Court to exposing his genitals to the woman on 28 June, 2023. The offence is contrary to section 45 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. The woman told the court that she had returned to the Three store for a follow-up about issues with her phone service and said she recognised Carroll from her previous visit. She said she waited at the counter while he tried to confirm a mobile phone number on his work iPad, as the number had not been imported correctly from her previous service after she switched to Three. The victim said the iPad Carroll was using could only swivel halfway and he motioned for her to come around to his side of the desk so she could view the screen. When she did, she said she saw his erect penis protruding down the inside of his left leg from his shorts. She said he looked directly at her and then looked down at his genital area in a way she understood as look here. She said she left the shop in shock. Carroll denied the allegation and said the incident just didnt happen". He told the court he was wearing shorts and a Three branded T-shirt and had been sitting at a normal-height desk in a small kiosk-style shop. He said there was no possible way the woman could have seen anything from where she was standing. He said he had been unable to locate her number on the system because it had not yet transferred from Vodafone. He told the court he had asked her to come around to view the screen because the iPad could not fully rotate. Carroll said the accusation only came to his attention when two Gardai arrived at the shop. He said he initially assumed there had been a theft and temporarily closed the store to speak to them. He said he immediately suggested Gardai take the store's CCTV footage to "get this sorted", but it emerged that the hard drive had been full and the CCTV had not been recording for some time. He said he wished to speak about the complainant "with the utmost respect" but added; "I just dont have anything to say. It just didnt happen". Defence counsel, Seoirse Fennessy BL, said there was no evidence that Carroll intended to cause fear, distress or alarm, and argued that his client had cooperated fully and had been proactive in attempting to retrieve CCTV from the store. He said allegations of this nature were hard to prove and even harder to disprove". The prosecution said the womans account was clear and consistent and that the intention could be inferred from the accused drawing her attention to his shorts when she moved around the counter. Judge Patricia McNamara said she found the woman to be a credible witness and that she had "no doubt" the complainant had been in a state of shock. She said she was satisfied to convict Carroll and ordered a pre-sentencing probation report to assess his risk of reoffending. The judge adjourned the case to allow the woman to prepare a victim impact statement and warned Carroll not to come to the attention of Gardai in the meantime. The matter was put back for sentencing on 19 February. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme. The Old Quarter has launched its first-ever Angel Tree appeal for children supported by ADAPT House this festive season The festive spirit is alive and well in Limerick as The Old Quarter launches its first-ever Angel Tree appeal, encouraging locals to spread joy to children supported by ADAPT House. The initiative invites members of the public to take a tag from the Old Quarters Christmas tree, purchase a suitable gift, and return it unwrapped to the venue. Each present will then be delivered directly to a child in need, bringing comfort and happiness during what can be a particularly difficult time of year. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Catherine Eaton of The Old Quarter shared her delight about the response so far. Its been amazing, she says. I literally cannot get over the amount of people that have taken one and come back with stuff. Every day its more and more, its great, she says. The appeal runs until December 18, giving locals plenty of time to get involved. Ms Eaton notes that spreading the word hasnt been a challenge. No, not at all. Our social media are very good and we have it posted on our restaurant tables. People are literally coming in, not for food, just getting the tags and going, which is excellent. For Ms Eaton, choosing a local charity was important. I wanted a local charity, something that could help our own kids in Limerick. Its going to go to kids in ADAPT House who are struggling with domestic violence and other difficult situations, she explains. The first collection is scheduled for 3pm on Monday, with gifts continuing to be accepted until the official end of the appeal on December 18. Ms Eaton describes the generosity as overwhelming. Weve got about 160 gifts from this first year, she says, hoping the tradition will grow in the coming years. To those who have taken part already, she says: Thank you very much. Its just about making a couple of kids a little bit happier. Even the smallest thing can make a little child smile. A silent protest was held during the December monthly meeting of Sligo County Council as members of North West Mothers for Social Justice and the Sligo Palestinian Solidarity Campaign were present in the chamber for a debate on the Occupied Territories Bill which was submitted by Cllr Ann Higgins. The group were welcomed at the start of the meeting by Cathaoirleach Donal Gilroy who said, I know you are making a point and we all agree with your point but the posters arent adding to the decorum of our meeting. There is a place for these sort of things and this isnt the place so I would ask you to keep them down. There was widespread support for Cllr Higgins motion which called for Sligo Council opposes the exclusion of trade in services in the Occupied Territories Bill and writes to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee, calling on her to include a ban on trade in services in the Governments proposed Occupied Territories Bill with immediate effect. Speaking on behalf of the motion Cllr Higgins outlined the horrific state in which people are living in the West Bank, noting, Donald Trump's widely lauded peace deal fails to even mention the West Bank. She added, Israel intends to stop a two state solution by seizing more Palestinian land. Cllr Higgins hit out the delay in passing the Occupied Territories Bill noting government promises before the last general election described the Bill as a priority. Cllr Arthur Gibbons spoke in support of the motion saying, We are always united in relation to the plight of Palestine, adding, I ask people to know this Council is 100% behind that cause. Cllr Marie Casserly also backed the motion saying, I am happy to support the motion, describing the Occupied Territories Bill as A non-violent pressure tool. Cllr Thomas Walsh also offered his support, acknowledging that the Bill was part of the programme for government. He pointed out that Many of these motions never mention the US Government or embassies who could stop this war overnight. Cllr Fergal Nealon cited EU law when he commented, A country can go it alone in relation to trade where it has concerns. He added, It sends an important message to Israel. Cllr Michael Clarke also spoke in favour of the motion saying, It is not only the left that supports Palestine. The general public are very concerned about famine as a tool of war. Cllr Thomas Healy supported the motion but took issue with the words of Cllr Walsh when he said, If Cllr Walsh wants to bring a motion hitting out at the Americans Ill support that. Cllr Donal Gilroy was the final member to speak and he took gave his full support when he said, I hope it is done as soon as possible. Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. A Wexford farmer was jailed by the Circuit Court, more than three decades after the sexual abuse of a young girl that led belatedly to his prosecution. The case was listed as DPP v LD and it was heard in camera before Judge James McCourt. But before the convicted man was led away to begin three years in prison, the court ruled that his identity should be published. The sustainable Irish outdoor apparel brand, Outwest, which was launched in Dingle in 2022, is bringing the spirit that led to its success in County Kerry to a new home by the sea, this time in the County Wicklow town of Greystones. Founded by Rebecca Hoban and husband Shane Finn, the idea to create a new brand came about after Rebecca lost her jacket on a hike and was frustrated at not being able to find a suitable replacement, designed for the harsh Irish weather and actually made in Ireland. The first collection was launched in April 2022, consisting of just a long-sleeve t-shirt, a sweatshirt, and a fleece, and the first bricks-and-mortar store followed in their home town of Dingle, in August 2022. By 2024, the creators made significant strides with the expansion of the collection, launching the first waterproof jacket which had been the dream from day one, symbolising everything we wanted Outwest to be: innovative, durable, and ready for anything the Irish weather could throw at it. Another milestone came that year when Outwest became B Corp Certified, meeting high standards of social and environmental performance. The vision was always for the founders to become more than just a brand, but a community of people who value adventure, connection, and the environment, which is why they chose the seaside town of Greystones. Were incredibly proud of what weve built in our retail space and community in Dingle, and were so excited to expand. We cant wait to bring that same spirit to a new home by the sea, they said in a social media post announcing the opening. Greystones has always been a place weve felt so naturally connected to. Being by the sea and close to the mountains, its close community, and its love of the outdoors mirrors so much of what inspires us in Dingle. The pair have counted themselves lucky to be opening in a space with such deep history in the town and will be moving into the former shop of the Queen of Greystones, the late Bridie Mooney, who for more than 60 years ran Mooneys shop on Trafalgar Road, a small convenience store that became the heart of the community. Theres a huge sense of responsibility in taking care of a place that holds so many local memories which is not lost on us, they continued. We cant wait to do Mrs Mooney proud when we reopen the doors for the first time this spring 2026. An interim care order has been granted for a teenage boy remanded in a juvenile detention campus, after a court heard that Tusla has now secured a placement for him in a specialised facility in Co Offaly. The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at an in-camera sitting of Bray District Court on Monday, December 8, charged with assaulting two members of An Garda Siochana. It was alleged at a previous sitting that last month the juvenile bit and struck two gardai at his mothers home. The incident led to a garda being hospitalised for his injuries. Sergeant Mike Canavan told the court that the States position was to have the youth remanded for a further week to Oberstown Children Detention Campus. He said he did not want to see a child in custody for Christmas, but that the complexity of the case required it. Solicitor for the defendant, Joe Maguire, stated that his client has already spent two weeks in custody and that Tusla has nothing to offer him. Mr Maguire informed the court that the youth is being held with common criminals. The court heard that the accused entered custody on legal advice, but that there has been no change in his situation. Mr Maguire said there have been no other solutions offered other than to lock him up. Artwork completed by the boy while in custody was shown in court. Judge Aine Shannon described it as extremely impressive. A psychological report was handed into the court. The court was told that due to the youths family situation, Oberstown is currently the safest place for him. A representative for Tusla told the hearing that because of the boys previous behaviour towards staff at his former State care facility, he must remain in custody. At an earlier hearing it was stated that the teen had previously been in the care of the State and had been staying in a hotel with a daily turnover, rather than in sheltered accommodation. Tusla, the States Child and Family Agency, is responsible for child protection and welfare. Mr Maguire said the alleged failure of the State was evident. The court heard that Tusla is involved only because of the situation at the teens mothers home. It was outlined that the alleged attack began at the mothers home and then continued, involving members of An Garda Siochana. It is also alleged that the boy was given illegal substances by a family member on the day of the incident. Judge Shannon remanded the teenager to Oberstown until Monday, December 15. An interim care order was then heard on Thursday, December 11, in relation to the boy, where it was announced that Tusla has identified a bed for him in a facility in Tullamore. Counsel for the youth told the court that his mother is not contesting the application, but was unable to attend due to illness. Mr Maguire put the court on notice that he is representing the teenager, but does not wish to represent the mother, as this would constitute a conflict of interest. A Tusla social worker was sworn in and testified that the boy entered State care in 2015, due to drug misuse in the home and domestic violence. The teenager returned to the care of his mother in 2025, with the assistance of social workers. The court was told the youth is deemed high risk due to drug use and a fondness for weapons. The social worker told the court that he is known to carry axes and swords. In October 2025, the teenager presented at a garda station in Wicklow, claiming that his mother had kicked him out and that he was forced to live in a drug den, where he was made to sell substances in exchange for a place to sleep. He was later sent back to live with his mother after the State carried out an inspection of a new home she had moved into. Background was also provided in relation to the criminal element of the case. It is alleged that last month, the boy visited his mother, where they consumed alcohol and smoked crack cocaine. It is further alleged that the teenager became violent towards his mother and attempted to stab her. Counsel for Tusla told the court that two gardai were hospitalised after being attacked by the adolescent. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme Activist Maria Corina Machado snuck through 10 checkpoints in disguise to flee Venezuela and claim Nobel Peace Prize The 58-year-old lives in exile and after getting her medal in Norway said she was returning home to continue the fight for democracy Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado attends a press conference at the Grand Hotel in Oslo. Photo: Reuters Maira Butt UK Independent Sat 13 Dec 2025 at 06:30 Maria Corina Machado used a wig and disguise to sneak through 10 military checkpoints in Venezuela during a perilous three-day journey to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Norway. The Metropolitan Police in the UK has decided not to launch a criminal investigation into reports that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor asked his taxpayer-funded bodyguard to dig up dirt on Virginia Giuffre. In October The Mail On Sunday claimed the former Duke of York, the King's brother, passed Ms Giuffre's date of birth and social security number to his close protection officer in 2011, and asked him to investigate as part of a smear campaign against his accuser. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Around 1,092 patients in the Gaza Strip died while awaiting medical evacuation between July 2024 and Nov. 28, 2025, Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization (WHO)'s representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday, citing Gaza's health authorities. Peeperkorn said the figure is likely underreported and not fully representative, as it is based solely on reported deaths. "WHO called on more countries to welcome patients from Gaza, and for medical evacuation to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to be restored," he said. According to Peeperkorn, 18 out of 36 hospitals and 43 precent of primary health care centers in Gaza were partially functioning, and there was a severe shortage of essential medicines and medical supplies needed for heart disease treatment, among others. He said that although approval rates for supplies into Gaza had improved, the process of getting medicines and medical equipment into Gaza remained "unnecessarily slow and complex." Noting that WHO continues to face challenges in bringing laboratory reagents and critical lab machine components into Gaza, as many items were denied entry due to being classified as dual use, Peeperkorn called on Israeli authorities to give "a blanket approval" for medical supplies to enter Gaza "so urgent needs can be addressed." He said that Storm Byron has struck Gaza with force, deepening the suffering of already displaced families, adding that winter conditions, combined with poor water and sanitation, were expected to drive a surge in acute respiratory infections, hepatitis and diarrheal diseases. "Children, older people, and those with chronic illnesses remained at greatest risk," he said. EU freezes Russian assets indefinitely in step towards 165bn loan to Ukraine European governments agreed to immobilise 210bn of Russian central bank assets held in Europe for as long as needed, ending six-monthly vote on freeze The European Council is due to meet on December 18 to finalise details of the reparations loan. Photo: Getty Jan Strupczewski Sat 13 Dec 2025 at 06:30 The European Union agreed yesterday to indefinitely freeze Russian central bank assets held in Europe, removing a big obstacle to using the cash to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia. Ukrainians retake part of town in boost to diplomatic efforts Zelenskys visit to front line comes ahead of crucial meeting with US and allies in Paris Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky self-records a video in Kupiansk, in Ukraines Kharkiv region. Photo: Reuters Yuliia Dysa Reuters Sat 13 Dec 2025 at 06:30 Ukrainian forces said they had retaken parts of the north-eastern town of Kupiansk and had encircled Russian troops there as president Volodymyr Zelensky visited the area and praised the operation, saying it strengthened Ukraine diplomatically. Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and former prince Andrew seen in new photos released from Epstein files The 19 images reportedly from the sex offenders estate were released by Democrats on the US House Oversight Committee Photograph of Andrew among latest release of images from Epstein estate Georgia Bell Evening Standard Sat 13 Dec 2025 at 06:30 New photos released from Jeffrey Epsteins estate show the disgraced sex offenders links to powerful political figures, including US president Donald Trump, former president Bill Clinton, former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Steve Bannon, Bill Gates and Richard Branson. Influencer drama takes off before the plane does Hope and dream comment sets the internet off Viewers call out out-of-touch energy Tarte trips already under scrutiny A viral lesson in time management What was supposed to be a dreamy luxury getaway quickly turned into a full-blown internet pile-on. An influencer attending a lavish Tarte Cosmetics brand trip is facing serious backlash after admitting she missed her flight, and secretly hoped an entire plane would be delayed just so she could catch up.The brand-funded trip involved influencers flying to Miami before boarding two private charter planes headed to Turks and Caicos. But while most of the group made it on time, one influencer found herself left behind after spending too long scrubbing off fake tan.Instead of quietly dealing with the consequences, she shared the entire saga online. That decision did not land well.In a vlog-style video, the influencer explained that she missed her flight and would now be travelling alone. She then revealed that the team was allegedly trying to see if one of the private planes could be pushed back by an hour and a half, just in case she made it.She admitted she did not expect it to happen but called it her hope and dream. That single comment was enough to send viewers into meltdown.The comment section quickly turned ruthless. Many viewers said the situation highlighted just how disconnected influencer culture has become from real life.Several people criticised her for being late in the first place, especially for a fully sponsored trip. Others said hoping an entire plane would wait because of a preventable mistake showed a lack of basic respect and accountability.According to viewers, missing a free flight for a free luxury trip was already bad enough. Suggesting that everyone else should be inconvenienced pushed it into entitled territory.The backlash did not exist in a vacuum. Tarte brand trips have faced growing criticism online for years, with many people calling them excessive, exclusive, and tone-deaf during a time when most audiences are dealing with rising costs and burnout.Posting live updates about missing flights and potential delays only poured fuel on an already simmering fire. Some followers admitted they were reconsidering following influencers who seem to treat once-in-a-lifetime experiences as disposable.While the influencer may have intended the video to be light-hearted or relatable, the internet read it very differently. For many viewers, it became a symbol of influencer privilege gone unchecked.In the end, the trip continued without her, but the backlash followed fast. And if there is one thing social media has made clear, it is this: being late is one thing, but expecting the world to wait for you is another. Jung Kook Exhibition is officially open! Step into his golden world today. Dates: December 12, 2025 ~ January 11, 2026 Location: Mehboob Studios, 100 Hill Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050, India Get your tickets now: https://t.co/m5zpVJXNk8#JungKook # pic.twitter.com/GNz86DO2zq BTS_official (@bts_bighit) December 12, 2025 Inside 'GOLDEN: The Moments': Jungkook's solo journey GOLDEN: The Moments Records, showcasing plaques and career milestones Sounds, where visitors can explore individual audio elements from Jungkook's songs Theatre, displaying outfits worn during performances Moments, a time capsule filled with photos, videos, and stage looks from the Golden era Seven Standing Next to You 3D [PRESS] India a powerful melting pot global majors are watching: HYBE Chairman Bang Si-Hyukhttps://t.co/RJ1U0CLmE9 HYBE India (@HYBE_INDIA) December 9, 2025 Running from December 12 to January 11 at Mehboob Studios,offers an immersive look into Jungkook's musical evolution and the making of his 2023 solo album.The exhibition features multiple themed zones, including:Songs like, andform the backbone of the experience, highlighting Jungkooks growth as a solo artist. Fans ask for one thing: put ARMY first At the heart of the backlash is a simple demand from Indian fans - recognition. As BTS-related events slowly find their way to India, ARMY hope organisers will prioritise genuine fan engagement over influencer optics.For a fandom known for its loyalty and global impact, Jungkook's Mumbai exhibition has become less about celebration and more about a larger conversation: who K-pop events in India are really being made for. Sarah Dzafces post that sparked the controversy Image credit : X @LazyWorkz | Sarah Dzafces post that sparked the controversy Sarah Dzafces apology before the final decision Image credit : X @MissUniverse | Sarah Dzafces apology before the final decision. Why did the organisation wait to act? Image credit : X @MissUniverse | Sarah Dzafce lost her crown weeks after Miss Universe 2025 A new Miss Finland is crowned Whats The Jam Just weeks after representing Finland on one of the worlds biggest beauty stages, Miss Universe 2025, Sarah Dzafces reign came to an unexpected end. The Miss Finland Organisation officially stripped her of her title following a racially offensive social media post that sparked strong reactions both in Finland and abroad. What followed was a week of apologies, statements, and reflection that ended with a clear decision from pageant leaders.The issue began when a photo of Dzafce making a racist gesture started circulating online. The image quickly spread and drew criticism from viewers who found it deeply offensive. As the backlash grew, the Miss Finland Organisation addressed the matter publicly, making it clear that the behaviour shown did not match the values of the competition.On Thursday, December 11, the organisation released a final statement on Instagram confirming that Dzafces title had been revoked. The title of Miss Finland held by Sarah Dzafce has been revoked as of today. This decision is not about a persons human worth, but about responsibility. When an individual carries a national and international representative role, actions and responsibility are inseparable, the statement read in Finnish, with an English translation included in the caption.Before the title was officially taken away, Dzafce worked with the organisation to post a public apology on Instagram on Monday, December 8. In her message, she acknowledged the harm caused by her actions>I fully understand that my actions have caused ill will in many people, and I am deeply sorry for that, she wrote. I want to apologise especially to those who have been personally affected by this situation. That was not my intention in any way. She also spoke about the weight of holding the Miss Finland title and the responsibility that comes with it.I know that I still have a lot to grow. One of the most important things for me is respect for people, their backgrounds and differences, Dzafce added. What matters to me is that everyone can be themselves and be treated with dignity.The Miss Finland Organisation explained that they chose not to rush their decision. Dzafce was outside Finland at the time, and officials wanted to review the full situation face-to-face before making a final call.In a later statement, the organisation said it had waited for her return specifically so that the matter could be evaluated in person. They also stressed the impact of the incident, stating, The events of recent days have caused deep hurt, disappointment, and concern both in Finland and internationally, fully understandable.Throughout the week, the pageant leadership continued to post messages reaffirming their values. In a statement shared on Wednesday, December 10, the organisation said, The Miss Finland Organisation states clearly and unambiguously that we do not accept racism or discriminatory behaviour in any form.Another message added, The content published on the reigning Miss Finlands social media has been offensive, harmful, and completely against the values of the Miss Finland competition.The organisation also issued a direct apology to those hurt by the incident, saying, We are deeply sorry for the harm these events have caused. Especially to the Asian community, but also to everyone affected. Racism is never acceptable in any form.Following the decision, Tara Lehtonen, who finished as runner-up in September, was named the new Miss Finland, according to. After being crowned, Tara said she planned to make the most of the opportunity. Amy Schumer and Chris Fischer end their marriage Image credit : Instagram @amyschumer | Amy Schumer and Chris Fischer end their marriage Amy Schumer faces social media backlash Image credit : X | Amy Schumer faces social media backlash More about Amy Schumer and Chris Fischers relationship Amy Schumer addressing public speculation Image credit : Instagram @amyschumer | Amy Schumer addressing public speculation. Final public appearance together Room To Move Comedian and actor Amy Schumer and her husband, chef Chris Fischer, have announced their decision to end their marriage after more than seven years together. The announcement came on Friday, December 12, through Schumers Instagram, where she shared a photo of herself, Fischer, and their son Gene on the New York City subway.In her post, Schumer wrote, Blah blah blah, Chris and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage after 7 years. We love each other very much and will continue to focus on raising our son. We would appreciate people respecting our privacy at this time. Blah blah blah, not because I dropped some lbs and thought I could bag a basket and not because hes a hot James Beard award-winning chef who can still pull some hot tail. Amicable and all love and respect! Family forever.The message highlighted that the split was a mutual decision and emphasised the couples continued commitment to co-parenting their young son, Gene, who they welcomed in May 2019.The news of the divorce also triggered online backlash, with some users dragging Schumers recent 50-pound weight loss, despite her explaining it was necessary to manage and survive Cushings syndrome, a serious hormonal disorder.One wrote, Amy Schumer and husband split. Women always leave when they lose weight. The man stuck around when they were fat. Another added, Amy Schumer and Husband Chris Fischer Divorcing After Over 7 Years of Marriage: 'It's a Cohesive Split.' Wow! A whole 7 years. How does one split cohesively? Thats an oxymoron.Others shared mixed reactions, including, Well, I guess I wont watch the second season of her show at this point and Amy Schumer, no longer a whale due to Ozempic, leaves husband of 7 years. Predictable.Amy Schumer and Chris Fischer first became romantically linked in 2017 and married in February 2018. Over the years, their relationship remained largely private, though fans followed occasional updates shared on social media. Despite recent speculation about their marriage, a source told PEOPLE on November 13 that Theyre privately working through normal issues that couples in long-term marriages have. They are both committed to the relationship.In the weeks leading up to the split, Schumer addressed circulating rumours about her marriage and health. On December 1, she posted on Instagram, stating, Whatever ends up happening with me and Chris has nothing to do with weight loss or autism. Fingers crossed we make it through. He's the best.This followed her earlier Instagram Stories post praising Hulus divorce-lawyer series Alls Fair, in which she added, And Chris and I are still married, signalling that no public drama had affected their private decisions.The former couple last appeared publicly together in June at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of the documentary, marking the final joint outing before their separation became public. SAO PAULO, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has asked U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend an additional 40 percent tariff on Brazilian products as bilateral negotiations continue. "The president has requested that the tariff be paused while negotiations are underway. We must wait," said Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services Geraldo Alckmin on Friday. Alckmin said talks between Brazil and the United States "continue to make progress" following the Trump administration's decision to reduce the scope of the original tariff, which had initially affected nearly 4,000 products subject to a combined 50 percent tariff. He recalled that when Trump issued the initial executive order establishing the measure, 37 percent of Brazilian exports were subject to the combined 10 percent plus 40 percent tariff. Since then, that figure has decreased to 22 percent, marking a reduction of about one-third of the products originally covered by the tariff, according to Alckmin. He added that 51 percent of Brazil's exports are now subject to either zero or 10 percent tariffs, while 27 percent fall under Section 232, "very close to what other competitors face." Enditem. The opposition PASOK party has suspended a local official and best man to party leader Nikos Androulakis, hours after his arrest in Crete as part of a crackdown on a 1.7 million agricultural subsidy fraud The political connection was revealed during a parliamentary inquiry into the state payment agency OPEKEPE. New Democracy MP Makarios Lazaridis identified one of the 15 suspects detained earlier that morning as accountant Giorgos Lambrakis. Mr. Lazaridis then presented the committee with a wedding photograph showing Mr. Androulakis serving as Mr. Lambrakis' best man. "The State is working," Mr. Lazaridis told lawmakers, countering opposition claims of government inaction regarding the scandal. PASOK moved swiftly to contain the fallout. The partys ethics committee immediately suspended Mr. Lambrakis' membership following a request from party secretary Andreas Spyropoulos. PASOK MP Milena Apostolaki emphasized the partys zero-tolerance stance during the hearing. "In the event that even the slightest indication of involvement by a PASOK official emerges, that person will be immediately removed," she said. Mr. Lambrakis, a director at a local agricultural cooperative, is accused of helping orchestrate a scheme to siphon EU funds through falsified land declarations between 2019 and 2025. The widening probe has already implicated 42 individuals, including a prominent unionist and a lawyer. iefimerida.gr A fierce dispute has erupted in Volos after municipal authorities placed a live pony in a public Christmas nativity scene, prompting accusations of "passive abuse" from the Volos Animal Welfare Group and a dismissive rebuke from Mayor Achilleas Beos. The animal welfare organization issued a statement this week protesting the display, alleging the pony is being used as a public spectacle in violation of ethical standards. The group claims the animal is confined to a small wooden structure, removed from its natural environment, and physically exhausted by the adverse conditions. They also noted a second pony has been placed in a similar display outside the Holy Metropolitan Cathedral. "The animal is being passively abused and subjected to severe restrictions on its movement," the group said, demanding the immediate removal of the animals. Mr. Beos rejected the allegations, stating that the pony is under constant veterinary supervision and that a municipal employee is assigned to provide food, water, and cleaning services. He defended the initiative as a festive tradition for the community's youth. "It is my personal wish that the nativity scene remain there, where hundreds of children see the little horse and are happy," Mr. Beos said. The controversy mirrors a nearly identical clash in 2023, when Mr. Beos faced backlash for placing sheep and ponies in city squares. Critics argue the practice violates Greek regulations regarding animal exhibitions, while the municipality maintains the animals are well-cared for. iefimerida.gr Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, says bandits use a special kind of technology to make calls and evade surveillance. The minister spoke in a chat with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels TVs Politics Today on Friday night. Tijani said the monitoring of bandits calls for intelligence purposes is more technical than Nigerians assume. The minister said the criminals bounce calls off multiple towers to throw off security agents tracking their communication. Advertisement The reason why the president actually pushed us to invest in towers in those areas is that we realised that there was a special kind of technology that they [the bandits] were using to call, Tijani said. They were not using the normal towers; they bounce calls off multiple towers. That is why they enjoy living in areas that [are] unconnected. Tijani said the federal government is working on upgrading the countrys satellites in space to improve security monitoring. Because if our towers are not working, our satellites will work, he said. The minister said the situation emphasised the need for significant investment in telecommunication infrastructure. If you go to China, they have over four million 5G towers. The total number of towers we have in Nigeria is just about 40,000, Tijani said. There has been a surge in insecurity across the country in recent weeks, particularly in the north. Schoolchildren have been abducted by bandits in Niger, Kebbi and churches were attacked in Kogi and Kwara states. The spate of school abductions and killings in communities prompted the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to fix a nationwide protest for December 17. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has again declared that he has no regrets about openly supporting President Bola Tinubu since 2022, insisting that criticisms and abuses over his political stance have never bothered him. Wike spoke in Abuja during a special event held in the early hours of Saturday to mark his 58th birth anniversary. In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister maintained that his support for Tinubu was consistent before, during and after the 2023 presidential election and was guided by principles of character, integrity, equity and justice. Advertisement The former Rivers State governor recalled that he was the only prominent leader within the main opposition party at the time who openly declared support for Tinubu ahead of the 2023 polls, explaining that his decision was also anchored on his belief that power should shift to the South. He said he never hid his political choice and was unapologetic about standing by what he believed was right. According to him, his leadership capacity was evident during the elections in Rivers State, where the All Progressives Congress won the presidential election, while the Peoples Democratic Party secured victories in the governorship, National Assembly, State House of Assembly and local government elections under his watch. The event, held at Wikes Abuja residence, attracted political leaders and associates from different divides, including National Assembly members from Rivers State, serving and former lawmakers, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, chairmen of local government areas, as well as friends and long-time political allies. Speakers at the gathering took turns to praise the minister, describing him as an achiever and astute politician with visible impacts across the country, while assuring him of their continued loyalty and support. As shoppers flood stores across the country during the years biggest shopping season, retail workers are bracing for what many describe as the most demanding and often demoralizing stretch of the job. It magnifies everything, said Nick Leighton, host of the podcast Were You Raised by Wolves?, which he cohosts with comedian Leah Bonnema. Together, they dissect etiquette and the subtleties of social behavior. Advertisement People are stressed, theyre busy, theyre frazzled, he said. When that happens, we tend to forget other people exist. Whether its gridlocked parking lots or shelves picked clean, the holiday retail environment can become a pressure cooker where manners evaporate quickly. November and December have long driven retail sales, prompting companies to hire large numbers of seasonal workers to manage the surge. These workers often absorb the brunt of shoppers frustration. Some customers treat employees as extensions of a corporation rather than as people. This year, there might be even fewer employees to handle crowds of holiday shoppers. Companies say they could cut back on seasonal workers because of economic uncertainty, while at the same time, shoppers are expected to spend more than they did last year. Yelling at a worker isnt doing anything, Leighton noted. Everyone else is busy, too. Your shopping isnt more important than the next persons. Here are some expert suggestions on how customers can be kinder, more polite, and more empathetic toward the people helping to execute all those holiday lists. Manners apply everywhere People who behave courteously generally do so everywhere, while those who are rude in stores often have similar issues in their personal lives, etiquette consultants say. We do not pay retail workers to be a therapist, a social worker, or a punching bag. Its not appropriate, and its not fair, said Jodi R.R. Smith, president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting in Massachusetts. Long before she advised companies on etiquette, Smith worked several holiday seasons at a Hallmark store. Plan your shopping trip and leave time Smith advises shoppers to plan ahead knowing who is on their list, which stores they need to visit and when they will go. Set yourself up for success, she said. Bring water or a snack. Do not go hungry. Timing matters as well. Ask yourself, When is the best time to go? she said. Weekends are busier, lines are longer, and parking is tighter. If possible, go on a Wednesday morning when the store opens. Establish a little rapport Smith suggests making friendly eye contact with workers, offering a greeting, and using humor to diffuse tense moments. If someone in line becomes irritable, she said, a gentle joke about needing a nap can reset the mood. We dont have control over others behavior, but we certainly do over ours, she said. Shoppers can help reduce frustration by asking questions and recognizing that workers may not have all the answers, said Elizabeth Medeiros, 59, who spent more than 35 years in retail in New York and the Boston area. Some companies are acting preemptively. Delta Air Lines is encouraging kindness between customers and employees with a Centennial Cheer program. It says it will recognize 100,000 acts of kindness with Holiday Medallion cards, which can be redeemed for gifts. Manage expectations Customers often assume store employees can control everything from inventory and discounts to restocking speed and even the behavior of other shoppers, she said. They cant. Customers are focused, especially during the holidays, said Medeiros, a former district sales manager and longtime store manager. Theyre checking off lists and looking for deals, and anything that interferes with that throws them off. Holiday work is already tough for staff under the best of circumstances, she noted. Everyone is often stretched thin. Breaks get skipped, shifts get extended unexpectedly, and six-day workweeks become common. As Smith puts it: Clerks are not the CEO. Dont expect someone making hourly wages in December to change a store policy you dont like. Training workers to defuse tension Adam Lukoskie, executive director of the National Retail Federation Foundation, emphasized that most customer interactions remain positive. In the news you might see a couple of incidents, but most experiences are OK, he said. We work hard to provide a high-quality environment. The industry has invested in new training programs to prepare workers for tense encounters, Lukoskie said. The foundations RISE Up skills-training courses now reach more than 80,000 people annually. It gives associates the tools to provide customer service and to understand that an angry customer is usually mad at the problem, not at them, he said. Above all, he said, shoppers should reframe how they view the person behind the counter. Act as if the person helping you is your daughter or son, or your mother or father. Not just someone there to do a task for you. Photo of U.S. Department of Homeland Security police vehicle provided by Washington Township Police Department. Read more A South Jersey man was charged with impersonating law enforcement after he showed up at a police investigation claiming to work for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, police in Gloucester County said Friday. Nicholas M. Cabral, 32, of Sewell, drove in his wifes marked Homeland Security police vehicle Wednesday afternoon to the scene of a Washington Township police call on the 200 block of Strand Avenue and said he was a Homeland Security police officer, the Washington Township Police Department said. Advertisement The police call was for a report that a home under construction had a front door open. The caller was later identified as Cabral, the police department said. Cabral allegedly attempted to assist officers in clearing the property while holding a handgun. Cabral had a permit to carry the firearm, but the follow-up investigation determined he did not work for any law enforcement agency, the police department said. The investigation found that the marked Homeland Security vehicle was used by Cabrals wife, who did work for the agency as a police officer and was out of state on assignment, the township police department said. The Department of Homeland Security was notified and took possession of the vehicle. The investigation, using data from automated license plate readers, found that Cabral allegedly had driven the vehicle with its emergency lights activated and also went to a Wendys restaurant. Cabral was charged with impersonating a police officer and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. The Washington Township Police Department said Cabral was transferred to the Salem County jail and his gun was taken as evidence. Online court records indicated that Cabral was released from custody Friday. A woman answering the phone at his residence, which is a block from the scene of the police call on Strand Avenue, said Cabral was unavailable and hung up. Cabrals attorney could not be reached for comment. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security also could not be reached for comment. When Raheem Harvey discovered possible improprieties at his new employer, Alliance for Progress Charter School in North Philadelphia, he sounded the alarm. Harvey, the director of business and compliance, notified officials earlier this year about what he saw as significant issues, he said: violations of state and local bidding requirements, a contract issued without board approval, and board members failure to disclose personal relationships with potential vendors. Advertisement He flagged a student enrollment problem and skipped payroll taxes. Alliance for Progress leader and its board brushed him off, Harvey said in a recently filed whistleblower lawsuit. Ultimately, they disciplined him and, after threatening to demote him, he resigned. School officials say Harveys story is untrue. We categorically deny all the allegations asserted by this disgruntled former employee, Stacey Scott, CEO of Alliance for Progress, said in a statement. Officials from the Philadelphia School Districts charter school office had no comment. What are the allegations? Harvey started working at Alliance for Progress, on Cecil B. Moore Avenue, in February. By August, he began raising issues to his bosses, Harveys lawyers said in a lawsuit filed in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court. They included a contract issued to a vendor for services related to a school playground worth more than $75,000 that was awarded without competitive bidding. Alliance for Progress, Harvey said, directly awarded the contract to a vendor whose principal is a personal friend of one of the AFPCS board members. The board member did not recuse himself from discussions or decisions related to the contract, despite the clear conflict of interest created by his close relationship with the vendor a violation of ethics rules, he said. Harvey also said the school failed to follow state rules around enrollment procedures. Alliance for Progress says it provides enrollment preference for siblings of students. But, Harvey said, the school ignored him and failed to apply its own sibling-preference policy to the sibling of a currently enrolled student. Instead, AFPCS placed the sibling on a waitlist and later pressured the childs parents to withdraw the enrollment application. Scott, Harvey said, also violated federal privacy laws by providing someone outside the organization access to a students educational records including academic and disciplinary records without parental consent. School officials also used Alliance for Progress credit cards to purchase food and other items through their personal accounts, according to the lawsuit complaint, allowing them to aggregate rewards points and loyalty benefits that they did not return to AFPCS. Alliance for Progress also paid a retired employee for work with a paper check instead of going through its payroll system, the complaint alleges. The school issued payments in this manner to enable the retired employee to avoid paying taxes on the wages she received, the lawsuit said. Hostile and retaliatory According to Harvey, once he reported the compliance problems, Scott and other officials began targeting him suggesting he was opening packages addressed to the school without authorization and purchasing office supplies without proper authorization. Harvey was shut out of leadership meetings, the suit said, then reprimanded for failing to show up to a meeting, entering Scotts office without permission, and placing an unauthorized order. Increasingly hostile and retaliatory conduct was directed toward him, Harvey said. He was suspended for 10 days, and had his keys to the administrative offices taken away. In September, a human resources official told Harvey that he should forget about the compliance issues he had raised because they had been resolved but provided no evidence. Harvey said she told him Alliance for Progress planned to demote him. The schools wholesale failure to remediate the compliance concerns and its refusal to implement safeguards to protect him from retaliatory treatment ultimately caused Harvey to resign on Sept. 30, according to the lawsuit. Harvey is demanding reinstatement, plus back pay, benefits, seniority rights, and damages. Investigators work on the scene outside Lincoln Universitys International Cultural Center (ICC) on Sunday, Oct. 26, the night after seven people were shot at a homecoming event, one of them killed. Read more After Lincoln Universitys homecoming in October ended with seven people shot, including one killed, the rural Chester County township where the school is located plans to pass new regulations on large events. Several officials in Lower Oxford Township said there have been ongoing problems with parking, trash on neighbors lawns, disturbances and, in some cases, crime when the 1,650-student university hosts events. After the Oct. 25 shooting, when thousands of people gathered for homecoming, emergency personnel had to use all-terrain vehicles to transport patients on stretchers because ambulances could not access the campus, given how many cars were parked around the venue, they said. Advertisement We have had meetings with people at Lincoln, said township supervisor Noel Roy, who oversees emergency management. Theyve been somewhat reluctant to do what needs to be done to try and control the situation. READ MORE: Lincoln University is conducting an after-action review after fatal Homecoming shooting Lincoln University has declined to answer specific questions from The Inquirer, but President Brenda Allen at a board of trustees meeting last month acknowledged that changes were needed, especially around the schools large events, and that the school has to do a better job of collaborating with the township. Our top priority remains the safety of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community, the school said in a statement to The Inquirer Thursday. The university continues to refine our safety measures and protocols. At a township supervisors meeting this week, university officials pledged to work with the township. We want to come together because we are a part of this community as well, said Venus Boston, Lincolns general counsel. Yeda Arscott, Lincolns associate vice president of facilities and program management, told supervisors the university is considering several steps to improve safety, including ending all outside events at dusk, eliminating open invitations, requiring guest registration, and canceling large events such as Spring Fling. The school also is looking at parking and safety protocols, she said. This shows real commitment, said Arscott, who lives five minutes from Lincoln, but real safety requires joint planning between the township, Lincoln, other major businesses, our neighbors, and emergency services. Township and Lincoln officials said they plan to meet privately to discuss solutions. Our goal is to work with Lincoln to make this better, said Kevin R. Martin, chairman of the board of supervisors. We need to think this through, but we also have a sense of urgency because it does affect our community. Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell said county officials and the university also will meet in January to discuss best practices for emergency services and student and community safety. READ MORE: One dead, six others shot at Lincoln University Its important that the kids feel safe, said Maxwell, who also is an adjunct professor at Lincoln. No one wants this to ever happen again. The shooting remains under investigation. Jujuan Jeffers, 20, of Wilmington, was killed, and six others, ages 20 to 25, including a student, were also shot. Zecqueous Morgan-Thompson, 21, of Wilmington, was charged with possessing a concealed firearm without a license. Neither Jeffers nor Morgan-Thompson have any known connection to Lincoln. Arscott also urged township leaders to broaden the conversation beyond event permits and look to address the problem of gun violence. We were a victim, too, Boston said. Tensions with neighbors The proposed township ordinance would require those seeking to hold special events to apply for a permit 30 days in advance and outline how they will control the number of guests, traffic, alcohol, and security, said township solicitor Winifred Moran-Sebastian. The township could approve or reject applications. Township supervisors last spring passed a parking ordinance to cope with access problems created during past large events at Lincoln, but parking at homecoming still led to issues for emergency responders. Several residents who attended this weeks meeting were skeptical of Lincolns intent to make improvements and called for larger fines than the $1,000 proposed in the ordinance. I feel my life is in jeopardy with how things are being currently managed, said Lincoln neighbor Celestine Getty, fearing what could happen if vehicles were unable to get to her house in the event of an emergency. Vanessa Ross, who has lived about a half mile from Lincoln for 14 years, said crime and disruption have happened at large Lincoln events for half those years. There is no excuse whatsoever why the college cannot increase their police force and install the metal detectors that are necessary, she said. I cant even go see Barry Manilow in Philadelphia without going through a metal detector. Founded in 1854, Lincoln is known as the first degree-granting historically Black university in the nation. Its 429 acres are nestled in a township of farm fields with a little over 5,000 residents, the majority of them white. Racial tensions have come into play over the years, with township residents saying they have been unfairly accused of racism for raising safety issues. Allen, the Lincoln president, has not pointed to racism as a factor in the conversations about safety, said Boston, the universitys solicitor. A storied institution with recent safety issues Lincoln has a storied history. The first presidents of both Nigeria and Ghana are Lincoln graduates, as are Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and poet Langston Hughes. The school has received $45 million in gifts from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, ex-wife of Jeff Bezos. And Allen, who in 2020 had survived an internal battle to oust her and had her contract extended to 2030, was named a top historically Black college leader by a national nonprofit in 2021. READ MORE: Lincoln University receives $25 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott But over the last decade, the university has struggled with safety issues. In spring 2023, two women were shot and injured on Lincolns campus during its annual Spring Fling event. In 2022, a student was fatally stabbed during a fight inside a dorm by the sister of a student. During an on-campus dance in 2018, 15 students were taken to the hospital following a brawl in which a security officer was assaulted. In 2016, there was a robbery and shooting on Lincolns campus following homecoming. And in 2015, Lincoln tightened security after shots were fired in a dorm. Some residents said its time for the township to put in additional controls. We can no longer wait and see or hope the university will simply do the right thing, said Andrew Cope, who lived near Lincoln for nearly two decades and still owns property there. The pattern is too long, the consequences too severe, and the communitys trust too damaged. Carmina Taylor, who led Lincolns parent association from 2013 to 2016, said she has had longstanding safety concerns. When a student was killed in the dorm in 2022, Taylor told The Inquirer she had previously sounded the alarm: I had said, If Lincoln doesnt do something, were going to have a death on campus. The universitys response to the homecoming shooting, said Taylor, who got a masters degree from Lincoln in 2011 and whose son graduated from Lincoln in 2016, is beyond fluff. Until someone does something from the outside to bind them, she said, nothing will change. Security expert Brian Higgins said measures, including controlled entrances and screening of guests with hand-held wands, metal detectors or bag checks, are typically used for large crowd events. He acknowledged that imposing strict guest screening may not create the welcoming, upbeat environment characteristic of college homecomings. But in light of what happened, its very prudent to do so, said Higgins, president of Group 77, a public safety and security consulting firm, based in the New York metro area. Higgins, whose company has colleges among its clients, said drones increasingly are being used as part of safety monitoring at large events. Traffic control measures and the setting of crowd size limits are other issues the school should consider, he said. Anthony Floyd Jr., who was police chief at Lincoln in 2013 and also had been a Philadelphia city cop, told the supervisors at the meeting that better coordination is needed between the community and the university. The schools police chief and president should attend the supervisor meetings every month, give updates on safety and security, and be held accountable, he said. Lincoln says its working on changes Last month at a Lincoln board of trustees meeting, Allen, the president, said the campus had been focused on restoring a sense of safety for students and making sure they and staff had counseling support. Allen, a 1981 Lincoln graduate who has led the school since 2017, said the university was examining safety protocols, parking, traffic, registration for guests, and the process for inviting guests as part of its review process. Allen said the university is seeking feedback from the student government association and faculty and staff. Roy, one of the township supervisors, said parking restrictions put into place earlier this year were not heeded, and the township had to tow 60 cars the night of the homecoming shooting. Every time they towed a car, another car would pull into that space, he said. An event that would draw 10,000 people to a township with half that population and no police force is concerning, said Moran-Sebastian, the township solicitor. Lower Oxford relies on Pennsylvania State Police for law enforcement. For the homecoming event, the university requested state police, but only got two, Arscott, the facilities head, said. Township officials have been frustrated with the responses from Lincoln in the past. When a meeting was held in November 2024 to discuss parking-related problems during the previous Spring Fling event, Allen said she didnt need the townships help, said Deborah Kinney, township secretary/treasurer and codes enforcement officer. Kinney said she had suggested an event process that would have included a plan for parking. So we decided we needed to be proactive on our end, not just for our residents but for their students, Kinney said. Its not the students. Its the outside influences that are coming in to these events. She also said that in 2024, Lincoln accounted for 183, or 26%, of the townships emergency calls. Veronica Carr, a 2016 Lincoln alumna, said she had been concerned about safety when she was a student, and conditions seem to have gotten worse. She did not attend homecoming. Carr, who works for an African American heritage consulting firm and lives in North Carolina, said she is concerned that two people have been killed on the campus in less than four years. Obviously, something is lacking, she said. The bar at the new Secondhand Ranch in Fishtown, with the retail store at rear, left. Read more Waylon Jennings drawls as customers cradle bottles of Lone Star beer while browsing the racks at Secondhand Ranch the latest attraction deep in the heart of Fishtown. The rough-hewn, outlaw-country theme bar paired with a retail store specializing in secondhand clothing and vintage merchandise opened Dec. 6. Its set behind saloon-style swinging doors inside the Frank Furness-designed former bank building at Frankford and Girard Avenues, across from Garage, Joes Steaks, and Johnny Brendas. Advertisement This retail-bar pairing dates to 2020, when founder Josh Sampson opened Garage Sale Vintage in Denver. Sampson describes the idea as a love letter to the circular economy with salt on the rim. The three pillars, he said, are sustainability, a focused margarita program, and partnerships with local vendors. He later expanded it to two locations, with a tacos-and-tequilas menu, in Nashville and then to New York. Seeking a space in Philadelphia last year, he struck a deal with Alterra Property Group for the Fishtown building. Soon after, he became embroiled in a copyright lawsuit with the operators of Garage, the bar across the street. Sampson changed the name and concept for the Philadelphia location. Rather than strictly vintage items, he decided that Secondhand Ranch would be a country bar paired with secondhand retail, with a smattering of vintage items. The distinction between secondhand and vintage is crucial: Secondhand is a much broader category, Sampson said. With vintage, its simple everything has to be 20 years old or more. Secondhand lets us focus more on sustainability and diverting usable goods from landfills. It also allows for lower price points and a different kind of fun. Think racks upon racks of T-shirts, sweaters, hats, jeans, button-down shirts, as well as a rodeos worth of cowboy boots all secondhand. The retail operation, behind barn doors, is split evenly between in-house curation and a vendor collective, said manager Nikki Gallipoli. Each vendor (such as Zac Cowell, known as VintageZac) manages its own rack in the store they come in, sort it, and keep it updated, she said. Inventory includes vinyl records, books, and knickknacks. Part of the experience is grabbing a drink and going on a treasure hunt, Gallipoli said. A retro-style gift shop within the space focuses on new, non-clothing merchandise such as accessories, novelty items, stickers, matchbooks, and handmade goods. Much of that inventory is sourced from small independent businesses online rather than strictly from Philadelphia suppliers. The clothing itself isnt always handmade, but it is always secondhand, she said. Secondhand Ranch leans fully into honky-tonk aesthetics and sound for what Sampson calls very much the kind of vibe youd see in Austin or Nashville. The massive bar, set beneath wagon-wheel chandeliers, seats about 30, with an additional 30 to 40 seats spread throughout the room. The former bank vault has been preserved and now functions as cold storage for beer. There are old-fashioned coin-operated games in one corner, and a stage thats now set up with den-style furniture. The stage will host live music, scheduled to begin in early February, when the food menu primarily wild-game sausage, nothing fancy launches. Right now, hot peanuts are served. Lone Star is the beer of choice; its part of the citywide special ($10), paired with an infusion shot. One fun goal we set for ourselves is trying to become the No. 1 Lone Star beer account, Sampson said. There are 12 beers on tap. Besides Lone Star, the bottle list includes Star and Shiner Bock from Texas, plus elevated local craft options like Tonewood Brewings Freshies. Its exactly what youd expect at a honky-tonk, Sampson said. Classic and seasonal margaritas anchor the cocktail program, along with zero-proof options. Programming will include DJ sets, pop-ups, and Trade-In & Sip nights, designed to connect the drinking and shopping experiences while emphasizing community engagement. Vendor applications will open online, and a pop-up showcase with margarita specials is planned as part of opening festivities in February. Secondhand Ranch, 1148 Frankford Ave., 267-807-13450, is open from noon to midnight Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Closed Tuesdays through December. The retail store closes at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 9 p.m. the other days. SURIN, Thailand Fighting raged Saturday morning along the border of Thailand and Cambodia, even after U.S. President Donald Trump, acting as a mediator, declared that he had won agreement from both countries for a new ceasefire. Thai officials said they did not agree to a ceasefire. Cambodia has not commented directly on Trumps claim, but its defense ministry said Thai jets carried out airstrikes Saturday morning. Advertisement Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said Saturday that some of Trumps remarks didnt reflect an accurate understanding of the situation. He said Trumps characterization of a land mine explosion that wounded Thai soldiers as a roadside accident was inaccurate, and did not reflect Thailands position that it was a deliberate act of aggression. Sihasak said that Trumps willingness to credit what may be information from sources that deliberately distorted the facts instead of believing Thailand hurt the feelings of the Thai people because we consider ourselves we are proud, in fact to be the oldest treaty ally of the United States in the region. The latest large-scale fighting was set off by a skirmish on Dec. 7 that wounded two Thai soldiers and derailed a ceasefire promoted by Trump that ended five days of earlier combat in July over longstanding territorial disputes. The July ceasefire was brokered by Malaysia and pushed through by pressure from Trump, who threatened to withhold trade privileges unless Thailand and Cambodia agreed. It was formalized in more detail in October at a regional meeting in Malaysia that Trump attended. Number of displaced tops half a million More than two dozen people on both sides of the border have officially been reported killed in this past weeks fighting, while more than half a million have been displaced. The Thai military acknowledged 15 of its troops died during the fighting and estimated earlier this week that there have been 165 fatalities among Cambodian soldiers. Cambodia has not announced military casualties, but has said at least 11 civilians have been killed and more than six dozen wounded. Trump, after speaking to Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, announced on Friday an agreement to restart the ceasefire. They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim," Trump wrote in his Truth Social post. Trumps claim came after midnight in Bangkok. Thai Prime Minister Anutin had, after his call with Trump, said he had explained Thailands reasons for fighting and said peace would depend on Cambodia ceasing its attacks first. The Thai foreign ministry later explicitly disputed Trumps claim that a ceasefire had been reached. Anutins busy day on Friday included dissolving Parliament, so new elections could be held early next year. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, in comments posted early Saturday morning, also made no mention of a ceasefire. Leaders held Friday night phone talks with Trump Hun Manet said he held phone conversations on Friday night with Trump, and a night earlier with Malaysias Anwar, and thanked both for their continuous efforts to achieve a long-lasting peace between Cambodia and Thailand. Cambodia is ready to cooperate in any way that is needed, Hun Manet wrote. Anwar later posted on social media that he was urging the two sides to implement a ceasefire on Saturday night. Cambodias prime minister, also posting online, endorsed the initiative, which included having Malaysia and the United States help monitor it. However, Thai Prime Minister Anutin denied that his country was even in negotiations over the proposal. Thailand has been carrying out airstrikes on what it says are strictly military targets, while Cambodia has been firing thousands of medium-range BM-21 rockets that have caused havoc but relatively few casualties. BM-21 rocket launchers can fire up to 40 rockets at a time with a range of 19-25 miles. These rockets cannot be precisely targeted and have landed largely in areas from where most people have already been evacuated. However, the Thai army announced Saturday that BM-21 rockets had hit a civilian area in Sisaket province, seriously injuring two civilians who had heard warning sirens and had been running toward a bunker for safety. Thailands navy was also reported by both sides militaries to have joined the fighting on Saturday morning, with a warship in the Gulf of Thailand shelling Cambodias southwestern province of Koh Kong. Each side said the other opened fire first. BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The scars left by Unit 731, Japan's World War II germ-warfare unit, have never fully faded. Decades later, the search for truth continues -- for clarity, memory and reflection. That search has recently yielded new developments. On Saturday, China's Central Archives said China has received a batch of Russian-provided evidence related to Unit 731's wartime atrocities. The archive copies from Russia include trial records of Unit 731 members, investigation reports on the unit's crimes, and internal official correspondence of Soviet authorities, covering the period running from May 11, 1939 to Dec. 25, 1950. During World War II, the Japanese invading forces established a biological warfare network across multiple Asian countries, with Unit 731 located in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, serving as a top-secret base for biological weapons and human experiments. At least 3,000 people from China, the Soviet Union and other countries and regions were used in human experiments conducted by Unit 731. According to China's Central Archives, the archives provided by Russia reveal the Soviet investigation process during the early stage of the Khabarovsk War Crimes Trials in 1949, identifying more than 200 individuals linked to the crimes of Unit 731, and ultimately singling out 12 war criminals for public trials. These individuals confessed to violating international conventions and to preparing and carrying out biological warfare. Experts believe that these archives provide concrete historical evidence of Japan's biological warfare crimes in China, further confirming that Japan's biological warfare was a top-down, state-organized war crime and offering irrefutable proof for restoring historical truth. Many of these materials contain information previously unknown to us, serving to complement and corroborate the contents of our existing archival collections, said Zhou Zhenfan, an official with the archive preservation department of China's Central Archives. The defendants brought to trial included senior, mid-level and junior Japanese military personnel, according to the archives from Russia, which also contain medical assessment records kept by academicians and experts in fields including medicine, microbiology and parasitology. These archival materials form an interconnected, comprehensive chain of evidence that "leaves no room for dispute," Zhou stressed. The Central Archives' announcement was made on China's national memorial day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre, which took place when Japanese troops captured the then-Chinese capital on Dec. 13, 1937. The invaders brutally killed about 300,000 people during the six-week massacre in one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II. The national memorial day marked an important moment for the entire nation to reflect upon history, Zhou said. "The newly obtained evidence of Unit 731's crimes carries important educational value for both the Chinese people and the international community, highlighting the need to remember past atrocities, remain alert to the resurgence of right-wing militarism, and cherish peace." On Saturday, people across China participated in various events commemorating the civilians and soldiers who lost their lives during the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. From 1931 to 1945, the war inflicted over 35 million casualties across China. In Harbin, many made their way to the Exhibition Hall of Evidence of Crimes Committed by Unit 731, where archives, artifacts and other materials document the unit's wartime atrocities. "I recognize every piece of equipment, understand the clinical manifestations of each bacterial strain, and know the limits of the human body. But when they are all brought together and displayed here, I feel overwhelming anger," read a message in the museum's guestbook. The exhibition hall has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, drawing strong public interest. In 2024, the museum welcomed over 3 million visitors, and the total number of visitors in 2025 is expected to reach at least the same figure. "Past experience, if not forgotten, is a guide for the future," said Hou Tao, a visitor from Jilin Province who stood in the display area for a long time with his mother. "We advocate peace, but we must never forget history," he said. The Elkins Estate as pictured in 2019, after it was purchased by By Landmark. The North Jersey-based hospitality company opened the Elstowe Manor, shown here, as a wedding and event venue in 2023 and is now opening a more intimate venue and distillery on the site. Read more The Elkins Estate, which already hosts weddings in its main mansion, is set to add a boutique event space and a distillery in the new year. In the fall, the Tudor-style Chelten House will open for smaller gatherings of 100 or fewer people, and include 16 guest rooms, said Jeanne Cretella, cofounder of By Landmark hospitality. Advertisement Elsewhere on the 42 acres, a distillery called Morgan Stillhouse is set to open by the summer in the grounds former stables, Cretella said. Managed by spirits writer and researcher Carlo DeVito, the distillery plans to produce vodka, gin, and whiskey, which customers can try at an on-site tasting room. It will debut with its rollout of Stork Club Vodka, reviving the brand associated with the storied New York nightclub. Were really looking forward to our next phase, Cretella said, noting that the Chelten House will be the perfect setting for those much more intimate events, whether its seminars or retreats or business meetings. In 2019, Jeanne and Frank Cretellas company, By Landmark, bought the sprawling Cheltenham property for $6.5 million from the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de Ricci, who had used the grounds for religious retreats. At the time, the couple said they intended to spend $20 million to restore six historic buildings on the site. By Landmarks final investment numbers were not available Friday, according to a spokesperson, as renovations are ongoing. The Cretellas initially envisioned a luxury boutique hotel with more than 100 guest rooms, a spa, a restaurant, and other amenities. At one point, they even considered installing a heliport on the site. Then the pandemic happened, Jeanne Cretella recalled Friday. Despite the challenges of that time, we are so proud that we were able to open up Elstowe Manor, the estates 70,000-square-foot centerpiece that required extensive plumbing, electrical, heating, and ADA upgrades to be brought up to code, Cretella said. We made the decision after COVID that it would be best to have the rooms only open to event guests, she said. With 50-foot frescoed ceilings and a grand ballroom with a glass skylight, Elstowe Manor can host 300-person events and includes 69 guest rooms. More than 100 weddings and events have been held at the manor in the past two years (The venue also hosted weddings in the early 2010s when it was briefly owned by a nonprofit that went bankrupt). At the estate these days, couples and their guests feel like they are somewhere really special, and have the ability to really enjoy utilizing the estate for the whole weekend, Cretella said. With its more intimate setting, the Chelten House is meant to complement the Elstowe Manor, Cretella said. The home features Italian Renaissance Revival designs, with terracotta roof tiles, large arched windows, wood-paneled rooms, and marble fireplaces. While each part of the property is set apart and has its own entrance, Cretella said she foresees the Chelten House being busy during the week (when most corporate retreats occur) and the Elstowe Manor bustling with wedding festivities on the weekends. Some larger weddings may use both the manor and the Chelten House for their events and accommodations, she said. Cretella said they dont foresee adding more amenities to the property in the near future. The original plan to have a restaurant was definitely in conjunction with having a hotel that was open to the public, not just event guests, she said. So opening up a restaurant is not on the horizon. But, she added, we wont say never. For now, Cretella said they are focused on their events, including opportunities to welcome the public onto the historic site. Earlier this year, the estate opened a podcast recording studio and demonstration kitchen, which Cretella said they hope local school students can use. They are also looking to bring professional actors and creators into the space. In November, By Landmark opened the estate up for paid public tours. A tour in early January, which costs $30 a person, is already sold out. Cretella said the estate plans to host a Valentines Day dinner, open to the public, with an optional overnight stay after the meal. For the Chelten House, booking for small private events will open in the new year, Cretella said. Based in North Jersey, By Landmark operates nearly 30 venues in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They include the Hotel du Village and the Logan Inn in New Hope. In the late 1800s, the Elkins Estate was built as a countryside retreat for railroad magnate William Lukens Elkins, who is credited with helping to form what would eventually become SEPTA and the Philadelphia Gas Works. Approximately 3.4 million state agency letters intended for Pennsylvania residents including some detailing whether they are eligible for health benefits or food assistance, or need to renew them were not delivered to residents from Nov. 3 through Dec. 3, officials said Friday. Late last week, Pennsylvania state officials discovered that a months worth of mail had never been sent to residents by a government-contracted vendor, resulting in a pileup of millions of unsent state communications. Once the issue was discovered, the state fired the vendor, Harrisburg-based Capitol Presort Services, and hired another vendor for a $1 million emergency contract to work through the backlog. Advertisement On Tuesday, officials estimated 2.7 million agency letters, mainly from the Department of Transportation and Department of Human Services, went unsent due to the lapse. But by Friday, the state said that number had grown, totaling 3.4 million. Now, the state says 1.7 million letters sent by DHS, which oversees the care of Pennsylvanias most vulnerable residents and the delivery of critical public benefits, were not delivered because of the vendor issue, said spokesperson Brandon Cwalina. Residents may not have received letters detailing whether they need to renew their health benefits or if they are required to submit additional information to continue receiving SNAP food assistance, Cwalina confirmed. Administrative hearing notices which could determine someones eligibility for public benefits, appeals about alleged elder abuse, or approvals of new foster homes as well as child abuse clearances were also among the affected mail, he said. Cwalina said the contents of some of the letters were also communicated to some intended recipients virtually, if they had opted to receive email or text notifications. Child abuse clearances are available online. SNAP cutoffs, which are administered by DHS, were set to begin under the federal governments new work requirements in December and must be appealed within 15 days. The federal government has said it will not count the month of November as part of its three-month timeline to implement SNAP cutoffs, so eligibility didnt occur during the period affected by the mail delay, Cwalina added. It remains unclear whether any Pennsylvania residents lost access to their benefits due to the vendor issue that went unnoticed for a month, or if they are at risk of missing deadlines to maintain their benefits. Its also still unclear how many DHS hearings had to be rescheduled and the impact of those delays on the care of Pennsylvanias most at-risk residents. Another 1.6 million letters from the state Department of Transportation were not delivered last month, including drivers license and vehicle registration renewal invitations, drivers license camera cards, vehicle registration cards, and address card updates, said Paul Vezzetti, a spokesperson for the Department of General Services. Drivers license suspensions were not impacted by the stalled mail. Vehicle registration and license renewal registrations are sent three months in advance, so anyone who was due to receive one at the start of November will have until February to submit it, Vezzetti said earlier this week. All of the unsent letters from PennDot and DHS were successfully mailed by a new vendor this week and should reach residents within a few days, Vezzetti said. Philadelphia police and the FBI chased two alleged members of an armored truck robbery crew into Lower Merion Township in October, leading to a tense manhunt and, finally, their arrests. Read more They had moved with surgical precision, the two masked thieves and their getaway driver. Their MO was simple: ambush an armored truck guard, seize his service weapon, grab his delivery bag, then go. In the space of six early summer days, they executed two robberies, each in broad daylight, in busy Philadelphia shopping centers. Advertisement Each heist had taken only a few moments, and no one had been injured. But an unexpected wrinkle a flinch, a scream, a jumpy truck guard with more bullets than sense could easily escalate a robbery into a tragedy. To members of the crew, though, this was all high comedy. In a group chat after the second stickup, four men two of whom authorities would later identify as members of the robbery ring joked about a Fox 29 Instagram post that detailed the heists. Dont say my name lol, wrote one man. Another suggested that law enforcement would set a trap for the thieves. The tone of the group chat is breezy, dotted with laugh-crying emojis. A federal agent would later recount this exchange, and several others, in a 29-page affidavit that details how an alphabet soup of agencies the FBIs Violent Crime Task Force, Philadelphia police, Cheltenham police, the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives worked to identify, track, and ultimately arrest members of the crew that allegedly attempted to rob five armored truck drivers between June 26 and Aug. 12. This was not a simple whodunnit, solved with TV-drama efficiency. It took a melange of elements old-fashioned detective work, high-tech digital surveillance, an anonymous tip, and a seemingly unrelated probe into automobile thefts to help authorities zero in on the armored truck thieves. Among the information that investigators collected along the way was the conversation about the Fox 29 post, which was sent to two members of the robbery crew and a third man by Tykee Smith, a Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety. Smith, 24, grew up in West Philly, but his connection to the crew is unclear. He has not been accused of committing a crime. The FBI did not redact his Instagram handle from the affidavit, but did elect to hide the identities of other figures in the case. Asked about Smith, an FBI spokesperson wrote in an email: I would have to defer to the public documents. Representatives for Smith and for the Buccaneers declined to comment. For a while, after their busy summer, the thieves seemingly went underground. Then, in early fall, investigators learned that the crew had obtained a stolen white Honda Accord with a paper license plate tag. On Oct. 3, police officers spotted the Accord outside a City Avenue Target lurking near a Brinks truck. The Accord peeled off, igniting a heart-thumping chase that spilled into Lower Merion Township, where the driver and his passenger ditched the sedan on a leafy, horseshoe-shaped road. Police and news helicopters were soon thrumming over the areas million-dollar properties. Some curious residents ventured outside and were met by teams of rifle-wielding cops who hollered to get back in their homes. The officers radios hissed with speculation: Had the men fled along the nearby Cynwyd Heritage Trail, which leads to Manayunk? By early afternoon, the suspense and the manhunt had drawn to a close. Officers apprehended one individual, Mujahid Davis, hiding in the basement window well of a house on Colwyn Lane. His partner managed to evade the dragnet in Lower Merion Township with the help of someone who picked him up in a Dodge Charger. The escape was short-lived: Police caught up to the Charger soon after in West Philly and arrested the passenger, Dante Shackleford. On Oct. 16, a federal grand jury charged Shackleford, 26, with one count of Hobbs Act robbery for allegedly stealing more than $100,000 from a Brinks driver on Aug. 12, attempted robberies on July 22 and Oct. 3, and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. It was Shackleford who had joked to not say his name when Smith shared the Instagram post about the robberies. Cell tower data showed that his phone was at the scene of some of the summer heists. If he is convicted, Shacklefords sentence could range from seven years to life in prison. He has pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Angela Levy, declined to comment. Davis, 24, was charged with the Oct. 3 attempted robbery. He has pleaded not guilty. More indictments might follow in January, when trial dates for Shackleford and Davis will be set, the records show. Vito Roselli, a retired FBI agent who once worked on bank and armored car robbery investigations in Philadelphia, called the phone evidence in the affidavit devastating. A lot of robbery crews wise up with cell phones, and just use burner phones. Its spy tradecraft, he said. This crew is not doing that. Theyre pretty open about what theyre doing, and theyre running their mouths. Take all the tracking s out While the FBI tried in early July to generate leads on Phillys armored truck bandits, other law enforcement agencies were busy in the city with the seemingly unrelated pursuit of an alleged car thief and gun dealer. Salim Sutton, 31, had been on the run since February. A Common Pleas Court judge had placed Sutton on house arrest while he awaited trial on firearms and theft charges. But Sutton had other plans, and allegedly cut off an ankle bracelet monitor, then absconded. In June, police officers began investigating a series of complaints about cars having been stolen or broken into near Front and Callowhill Streets. Surveillance footage gave them a look at the alleged culprit: Sutton. Investigators determined that Sutton had been selling firearms that hed stolen from vehicles. Given the widening scope of Suttons alleged offenses, police and the district attorneys offices Gun Violence Task Force sought the assistance of the ATF. The added manpower almost immediately yielded results. On July 10, ATF agents nearly captured Sutton, but he slipped beyond their grasp while riding in a black Nissan Maxima with tinted windows, black rims, and a blacked-out rear emblem. Afterward, Sutton joked about the encounter on Instagram. The next day, Sutton traded text messages with a man who wanted to purchase a stolen car. Im bout to hurry up and take all the tracking s out of it now, Sutton wrote, according to the records. Got you send a cash app, replied the man, whom the FBI refers to only as Suspect 1. Four days later, on July 15, a Brinks guard parked on Castor Avenue in Rhawnhurst to make a delivery to a Planned Parenthood office. The guard noticed that he was being approached by a man who was wearing a black face mask, a black hoodie, and latex gloves and brandishing a handgun. A second man, armed with an AR-style rifle, lurked near the intersection of Castor and Emerson. The guard drew his service weapon and opened fire, getting off eight shots but not hitting anything. One of the would-be robbers ran away. Surveillance cameras recorded his partner fleeing in a getaway car: a black Nissan Maxima with tinted windows, black rims, and a blacked-out rear emblem. Hours after the attempted heist, photos of the getaway began to circulate across social media. Sutton saw one such image on social media, a clear look at the Nissans trunk and its license plate. He took a screen shot, then messaged the man to whom he had sold the Nissan and asked whether he had switched the cars license plate. The two men began discussing more vehicle transactions. Sutton said he had a black 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 that he could sell for $800. For the buyer, the price was too steep. He explained that he needed something cheaper, maybe in the $200 to $300 range, just so long as its windows were tinted. ...we use em for bouncing, he wrote, thats it[,] not to have[.] Eyes in the sky As Philadelphia fell deeper into an uncomfortable, humid summer punctuated by an eight-day garbage strike the FBI was still trying to identify the men responsible for the armored truck heists. They knew that after the first robbery, of a Loomis guard on June 26, two masked thieves and a driver escaped with a meager haul the guards handgun, and a canvas bag that contained $1,000 in a gray or brown Nissan Altima with tinted windows. Philadelphia police stopped the Altima on July 2. Its license plate had been stolen from another car. Officers determined that the driver had nothing to do with the heists. But he did share a valuable piece of information: He had rented the Altima, he said, from someone on Instagram. On July 22, the stickup crew struck again. A Brinks driver climbed out of his truck to make a delivery to an H Mart grocery store in a Cheltenham Township shopping center. He realized he was being watched by three people in a black Dodge Durango. Each of the occupants was masked. Two appeared armed with what the Brinks driver said he thought was a long gun. The driver darted into H Mart and called police. For the crew, there was only one sensible option: They had to drive away before patrol cops could reach the H Mart. But the getaway was not entirely clean. Surveillance cameras recorded footage of the Durango arriving at the shopping centers parking lot at 8:57 a.m. Unbeknownst to the thieves, an automated license plate reader had also captured a clear look that morning at the Durango and its license plate riding on North Broad Street. Dont f move The two parallel investigations the ATFs pursuit of a car thief and the FBIs hunt for the armored truck bandits would soon dovetail. On Aug. 5, through a combination of physical and video surveillance, investigators saw Sutton driving a sport utility vehicle: a black Dodge Durango. Its license plate matched the Durango that had stalked a Brinks driver at the More Shopping Center two weeks earlier. On Aug. 7, the ATF arrested Sutton. Investigators quickly obtained state and federal warrants to begin extracting data from Suttons phone. The DAs office filed more than a dozen charges against Sutton, including theft, receiving stolen property, conspiracy, and firearms violations, and set his bail at $6.7 million. His attorney could not be reached for comment. Authorities now had an extensive record of Suttons interactions with members of the armored heist crew, who were about to resurface. On Aug. 12, at 10:22 a.m., a female Brinks driver carried a delivery satchel toward the same H Mart that the thieves had targeted in July. When she was mere steps from the stores entrance, two robbers pounced. One pressed the barrel of an AR-style rifle against her neck, according to court records. Dont f move, dont f move, he said. Give it to me. The other assailant pressed a handgun against the womans back. They took her service weapon and the satchel, which held $119,100, then fled into a waiting black Acura sedan. Two days later, a Cheltenham Township police detective opened a letter that had been mailed to the departments headquarters. The handwritten message claimed that a paralyzed man was responsible for planning the recent H Mart robberies. The writer also divulged the identity of one of the alleged thieves. His name was Dante Shackleford. Fresh lead in hand, the FBI began collecting every digital footprint that it could trace to Shackleford: cell phone records, social media activity, a newly opened bank account. The records showed that Shackleford and the paralyzed man whom the FBI referred to as Suspect 1 were indeed associates and had shared Instagram posts and messages with one another. Among the exchanges that would be recounted in a later affidavit was the Fox 29 post that Smith the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back, who attended Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Philadelphia had sent through Instagram to Shackleford, Suspect 1, and another man. In a bid to gather even more evidence, the FBI on Aug. 26 announced a $10,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrests and convictions of the crews members. Investigators found Shacklefords number, meanwhile, in Suttons phone. And cell tower data indicated that Shacklefords phone was at the scene of three of the heist crews crimes, during the same window of time that the robberies occurred. City surveillance cameras and cell phone location data provided another crucial piece of information: As of Oct. 2, Shackleford was likely operating or a passenger in a stolen white Honda Accord. Get back inside! A day later, when Philadelphia police chased Shackleford and Mujahid Davis into Lower Merion Township, investigators were tracking Shacklefords cell phone location data. With law enforcement close behind them, Shackleford and Davis ditched the Accord on Snowden Road, a gently curving, tree-lined block in Bala Cynwyd. Christine Weatherwax was getting ready to make a late morning supermarket trip when she heard helicopters hovering over her house on Snowden. She stepped outside and saw that someone had parked a sedan a white Accord against her husbands Jeep. My husband thought someone had forgotten to put on their parking brake, said Weatherwax, 51. He started walking around, looking for the owner. Another neighbor, John Wuetig, ventured outside and fixed on an unusual sight: 10 cops, rifles in hand, marching down the street, accompanied by eager police canines. The officers yelled, Get back inside! Wuetig, 51, recalled. Later, Wuetig reviewed his Ring camera footage and saw a sequence that he and the officers had missed: two individuals running from the Accord. As they attempted to flee, the men shed some of their clothes, the Hondas key fob, and a Glock handgun in neighbors yards, according to court records. In the Accord, police would find an AR-style pistol. Some residents spotted Davis on Colwyn Lane, a 14-minute walk from Snowden Road. Police swept down the block, and found a house with an unopened front door. The property owner, Todd Miselis, 50, had left to run to a store. Inside, a friend of his slept in a guest bedroom. I got a text from my friend that said, 911. Cops are all over! Miselis wondered if his friend was joking. He returned home and found his closet doors ajar. It appeared that someone had rummaged under his beds. His friend then explained that five armed cops had barged into Miselis house and woken him by pointing flashlights in his face. Soon after, the officers found Davis hiding in the basement window well of Miselis neighbor. But where was Shackleford? A day earlier, the FBI had learned through surveillance footage that Shackleford had been riding in a white Dodge Charger. That information was shared across police radio. Officers soon spotted the Charger in West Philadelphia, where it came to a stop at 52nd and Parrish Streets. Shackleford and the driver, whose name has not been released, were arrested without incident. At the scene, one investigator decided to dial a number that had helped unlock a significant portion of the case. Inside the Dodge Charger, Shacklefords phone began to ring. There is no coordinated system in place to help older adults and their families transition to long-term care and navigate the inevitable healthcare challenges they will face. Read more I am not new to end-of-life care as a nurse and someone who has worked in healthcare for most of my life, I have helped numerous friends, family, patients, and clients at the end of their lives. Yet, the transition to long-term care for older adults is vastly different. Over the past few weeks, I have witnessed the demoralizing treatment of this firsthand as family members close to me have tried to manage their loved ones urgent hospitalization and the fallout afterward; it was a wake-up call. Advertisement My 80-year-old relative was diagnosed with metastatic cancer seven years ago. During the pandemic, they had emergency surgery as their cancer spread to their spine and caused partial paralysis in their legs. The surgery was successful, and for a long time, medication kept the cancer contained. But last month, the paralysis began again, and they were back in the hospital requiring another urgent spinal surgery. At first, their acute care was phenomenal. Then, as they became physiologically stable, and it became clear they couldnt go home but would need long-term care, everything changed. I watched as my family members, over the course of two weeks, grew increasingly overwhelmed, exasperated, and exhausted. They began to look as though they themselves were going to require hospitalization. The amount of information being thrown at them, in no coordinated way, was utterly overwhelming. In contrast, the lack of information being shared with them was similarly overwhelming and stupefying. Though my family members were at their loved ones bedside more than eight hours a day while in the hospital, and repeatedly asked the medical team to discuss any plans with them, their loved ones healthcare proxy, the team continued to only relay pertinent information to the patient who was in excruciating pain, on pain meds, is hard-of-hearing, and was recovering from spine surgery and anesthesia . Not surprisingly, the information rarely made it back to my family members. Not once during the week postsurgery, as they were trying to plan for the looming hospital discharge and the associated next steps, did that happen. At no time did anyone from the surgical or oncology team discuss follow-up plans with my family members. This sparked a cascade of misinformation and omissions that became the foundation for the steep learning curve that is rehabilitation and long-term care in our healthcare industry. Due to the progression of the cancer on the spine and the ensuing paralysis, my familys loved one needed to go to acute rehab from the hospital, but what acute rehabs were available, where they were located, how long one can stay and then where they go afterward, how it would be decided, and how it would be paid for was a mystery for my family to decipher. Their loved one would need to start radiation therapy once the surgical wound healed, but how they would be transported from the acute rehab to the medical center and when that would begin was also, apparently, for the family to figure out. At one point, my family member asked the social worker how transportation to the radiation appointment would work; the social worker shrugged their shoulders and told them to try an Uber. An Uber, for a medically fragile, at the time stretcher-bound, individual. It would be funny if it were not contemptible. As my family members loved one became more stable and progressed in their rehabilitation, their follow-up medical care became the next problem to be solved. My family member asked the social worker how transportation to the radiation appointment would work; the social worker shrugged their shoulders and told them to try an Uber. Oncology appointments were scheduled while at acute rehab; luckily, they could be done virtually. To our surprise, though, the acute rehab personnel would take no responsibility in assisting their patient in attending these medically necessary appointments. They refused to help turn on the iPad or log in to the medical portal for the appointment. Once again, it was the familys responsibility to figure out how this would happen. Ultimately, my family member had to physically go to the acute rehab to turn on the device and log their loved one into the portal. Dealing with an ill and injured loved one is hard enough while juggling your own life responsibilities, but requiring family members to drive 40 minutes (each way) in the middle of a weekday to an acute rehab facility with licensed medical providers to assist the facilitys own patient with their necessary medical appointments because the facilitys licensed medical providers refuse is yet another unnecessary and callous hurdle to make families jump. In situations such as I have described, families have no control over some things, yet are expected to control the minutest details of others. Make it make sense. I am not naive to the plethora of troubles that come with being sick, injured, low-income/low-resources, or elderly in this country. I ran a nonprofit organization years ago that helped people pay for medical expenses. I worked with clients who were not only trying to keep their loved ones alive but were also trying to manage and pay for their care. I repeatedly witnessed how our healthcare industry put up every possible roadblock and hurdle; how loved ones became increasingly despondent. In the U.S., there are over 61 million older adults, those aged 65 or older this is 18% of the population. This number is expected to grow to 22% of the population by 2040. That will be close to one-quarter of the U.S. population. Yet, there is no coordinated system in place to help older adults and their families transition to long-term care and navigate the inevitable healthcare challenges they will face let alone face them with grace and dignity. I repeatedly witnessed how our healthcare industry put up every possible roadblock and hurdle; how loved ones became increasingly despondent. The not my problem hot potato approach our healthcare industry has taken is criminal. With nowhere else to turn to help my loved ones, I reached out to a colleague who specializes in palliative care. They provided helpful resources and echoed what seems to be the sentiment of many providers: Our system, its garbage. Many patients and families who have gone through this experience know this to be true. Yet, we continue to perpetuate, accept, or be resigned to a system that treats older adults and their families, as my colleague accurately stated, like garbage. Which is mind-boggling, as most of us, if we are lucky (or unlucky, given the circumstances), will grow old. Most of us have relatives who will grow old. Almost all of us who grow old will need some long-term care and yet, based on our experience and the experiences of so many others, there is no system in place. None of the resources we eventually found came from any healthcare provider or social worker in either the hospital or the acute rehab. None. Only after using ChatGPT and reaching out to colleagues were we able to start putting the pieces together. ChatGPT recommended our local county aging corporation, which provided helpful resources for transportation and the Pennsylvania Elder Law hotline. Through this whole process, we have remarked and felt genuinely nauseated over what other older adults who need long-term care do if they dont have family support or financial resources. We are still at a loss. But I am not about to shrug my shoulders or be resigned. I am not willing to place the burden back on the sick and aging, nor their families. I implore my healthcare colleagues to acknowledge the faults in the system, accept the burden of care, and do better. Marion Leary is a nurse, public health advocate, and activist. Members of City Council gather in their Caucus Room at City Hall in January. A proposal would amend a rule requiring them to quit the body to run for another office. Read more Here we go again. A proposal in City Council aims to amend the so-called resign-to-run rule that requires elected city officials to give up their seats if they want to run for another office. Advertisement Philadelphia voters have already rejected a similar plan twice, once in 2007 and again in 2014. A third attempt stalled out in Council in 2020. Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, who proposed eliminating the rule last year, is back with a modified measure that would allow city officeholders to keep their seats while running for a state or federal office. They would still have to resign to run for another city office, such as mayor. Sorry, councilman, but theres no such thing as being a little bit pregnant. Many of the same good government reasons that require resigning to run for another office still hold. READ MORE: What is Phillys resign-to-run rule? Namely, running for office is a full-time job. The fundraising, campaign stops, debates, and town halls that take place during the day, nights, and weekends leave little time for officials to do the six-figure day job they were elected to do. Depending on the office, running for a statewide or federal seat could also require additional travel across the state that would further distract from serving the constituents the official was elected to represent. There would also be the temptation to use taxpayer-funded city resources including the car, office, and staff to help with the campaign. That is in addition to the taxpayer-funded salary and benefits elected city officials would collect while campaigning for a higher office. Lastly, the elected official could also leverage their position against other candidates to benefit themselves or donors. The arguments for allowing an elected official to remain in office while campaigning for another job just dont hold up. The main argument is that it will allow more competition. For example, Thomas said some of his Council colleagues may have entered the race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans a five-term Democrat from the 3rd District if they did not have to resign. But even under the current rule, there is no lack of competition for Evans seat. Eleven people have already announced their candidacy, and the primary is not until May 19. The diverse field already has a number of excellent candidates, including several who have never run for office before. Voters will have plenty of good options. READ MORE: Ala Stanford tackled COVID-19. Will Trump be next? | Jenice Armstrong Thomas argued voters would benefit if the field included Council members. There could be even more great candidates, he said in an interview. Thomas said city officials faced an uneven playing field, since state and federal elected officials do not have to resign to run for another office. That is true. Three of the congressional candidates hold state elected office. But the better reform is to require state and federal elected officials to resign to run for another office. As the saying goes, two wrongs dont make a right. Voters are already fed up with professional politicians. It is even more annoying when an official gets reelected and months later launches a bid for another office. That scenario may soon play out with Gov. Josh Shapiro. He faces reelection in November, and many assume he will run for president in 2028. That means if Shapiro is reelected governor, he could spend much of the first half of his second term campaigning in Iowa, New Hampshire, and beyond. After then-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie launched his first bid for president, he would go on to spend 262 full or partial days out of the state in 2015. He traveled with a security detail that included New Jersey state troopers driving black SUVs with the states license plates, costing taxpayers more than $600,000. Likewise, when then-U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) ran for president in the same election cycle, he missed 50% of the votes in the Senate. Thomas conceded it would be difficult to balance city duties while running for an office that would require campaigning across the state. But he said city officials running for a congressional seat in Philadelphia while holding office would not miss a beat. That may be true since Council doesnt meet in the summer. But thats an argument for making Council a part-time job, especially since they can, and some do, hold second jobs. Philadelphias resign-to-run rule was added to the Home Rule Charter in 1951. At the time, the Committee of Seventy, a nonpartisan organization established in 1904 to combat corruption, strongly supported the rule. Any measure that prevents corruption still seems like a good idea. But surprisingly, the good-government groups position has evolved, Lauren Cristella, the head of the Committee of Seventy, said in a statement. The organization reluctantly supported the repeal of the rule in 2014, citing the need for more competition. But Philadelphia voters rejected the effort. Just as they did in 2007. This time, the Committee of Seventy said it would only support ending the resign-to-run rule if it was part of a broader reform package that includes term limits and stronger safeguards for ethical, transparent government. The Committee of Seventy said the proposed change in its current form only serves the political interests, but not the public interest. Rest assured, if the resign-to-run rule were modified to allow city officials to run for state and federal office, it would just be a matter of time before Council tried to repeal it altogether. If the resign-to-run rule were modified, it would just be a matter of time before City Council tried to repeal it altogether. Even Thomas said he would like to see the rule eliminated, but for now, he was trying to strike a compromise. Philadelphia has long been criticized as being corrupt and contented. But reforms like resign-to-run and the citys strict campaign finance regulations passed a decade ago are models of good government. Indeed, only a couple of cities and states have a resign-to-run rule. Philadelphia should champion its position as a good-government leader. Harrisburg which has no such measure and some of the worst campaign finance rules would benefit from following the citys lead. The country needs more good government, not less. JERUSALEM/GAZA, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army said Saturday that it attacked a senior Hamas militant in Gaza City. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said the strike was carried out in coordination with the Shin Bet security agency. Israel's state-run Kan TV reported that the militant, who was very likely killed in the attack, is Ra'ad Sa'ad, one of the founders of Hamas' armed wing Al-Qassam Brigades, and head of Hamas' production headquarters, responsible for the in-house production of rocket launchers, missiles, and anti-tank weapons. According to Kan TV, Israel had tried to kill Sa'ad in the past but failed. Meanwhile, Palestinian medical sources and eyewitnesses said an Israeli drone on Saturday struck a vehicle travelling near the Nabulsi junction on Rashid Street, west of Gaza City, killing four people and injuring several others. The strike occurred in the Hamas-controlled zone, and a senior Hamas militant is believed to be the target inside the vehicle, a Hamas source said on condition of anonymity. Despite the latest ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that took effect in October, Israel has continued to carry out strikes in Gaza, killing more than 380 people and injuring over 1,000 others, according to Gaza's health authorities. A Meath man who stole beer from a convenience store while on a visit to West Cork told the district court he did so because he was langers drunk at the time. Bantry District Court heard that John Nelson, aged 56 from Parnell Park, Navan, Co Meath was visiting friends in Schull, Co Cork, in March 2025. Sergeant Trish OSullivan told the court Nelson went into the Centra Shop on Main Street Schull at 1.50pm on March 22, 2025. While in the shop he put three packs of beer into a rucksack and put the bag on his back. He picked up some other items and brought them to the till and paid for them but he did not pay for the beers valued at 26.15. Nelson left the store without paying for the beers and was later identified as the suspect. The court was told Nelson had 19 previous convictions, including one for theft, and had brought compensation to court for the injured party. Defence solicitor, Flor Murphy, said Nelson was a native of Co. Meath who had issues with alcohol over the years. The court was told there was a gap in Nelsons offending from 2010 to the incident in Schull and he appeared to have slipped while on the visit. Mr Murphy said his client had previously worked but was no longer able to because of a hip infection. Nelson told the court he had been off alcohol for five weeks and previously had been drinking every day. Judge Joanne Carroll asked Nelson why he had gone into the shop and taken the items to which he replied: I was langers drunk. The judge said Nelson had previously had the benefit of the Probation Act and she convicted him of the theft and sentenced him to three months in prison suspended for 12 months. The sentence was suspended on condition that he attends alcohol treatment services. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme Drones observed by the Irish navy hovering by the flight path of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a recent State visit uncovered some serious fault lines in Irelands security and defence. It has also highlighted a lack of clarity in Irelands chain of command in responding to potential security threats. It served as a reminder of the need to re-examine the States rules of engagement which were last updated in the 1980s, before rapid and seismic technological changes fundamentally altered the theatre of war and the nature of hybrid warfare. Hybrid warfare which uses tactics such as disinformation, cyber attacks, and drone incursions to weaken an adversary without engaging in overt warfare has become an increasingly common, cheap, and powerful way to destabilise enemy regimes. Drones during Zelenskyy visit On December 1, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy flew into Ireland for a State visit slightly ahead of schedule. However, at the time his plane should have been crossing the final few miles of sea before reaching land in Dublin Airport at around 11pm, a naval ship which had been secretly stationed under the flight path for the visit noticed up to five drones in the sky at the time his plane was expected. The drones then flew over the naval vessel the LE William Butler Yeats the same warship involved in the successful interdiction of the MV Matthew drug trafficking ship off the Cork coast in September 2023. A no-fly zone for drones around Dublin had been initiated by the Irish Aviation Authority for Mr Zelenskyys visit. It is a criminal offence to operate an unmanned aircraft system within a temporary no-fly zone without specific Garda permission. Gardai are now investigating the incident. Russian president Vladimir Putin at an exhibition of Orlan-10 military drones in St Petersburg. Security sources suspect the drones in the flight path of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his Dublin visit were Russian. Picture: Contributor/Getty Gardai are the primary response force on land and in Irish territorial waters. Some commentators are now calling for legislation to make the navy the primary authority at sea. Cathal Berry, a medical doctor, retired Army Ranger Wing officer, and former TD, said the ship was 13 nautical miles off the Irish coast, quietly patrolling the arrival of Mr Zelenskyy at the time. Irish territorial waters run to 12 nautical miles from the shore, so the incident appeared to have occurred just outside Irish territorial waters and airspace, Mr Berry said. Medical doctor, retired Army Ranger Wing officer, and former TD, Cathal Berry. Picture: cathalberry.com Ireland has no authority to shoot anything down out there unless theres a direct threat to the ship itself, he said. There was no direct threat to the ship, so normal rules of engagement apply. "Anyone is entitled to fly helicopters or aircraft around in international waters, international airspace. "And the main mission had already been achieved president Zelenskyy has safely landed in Dublin Airport. 'We lack capacity to neutralise drones' But even if the LE William Butler Yeats had wanted or needed to neutralise the drones, they lacked the capacity to do so safely, Mr Berry said. Theres no soft kill option on the naval ship. Soft kill options could include lasers, frequency jammers, and counter drones to ram the suspicious drones with. The weapons on board are over 50 years old. Theyre all second-hand, and most of the sighting systems are WW2 vintage, Mr Berry said. So the only option they have is to pump a big load of lead up into the sky into the flight path and the approach route into Dublin Airport, which would be absolutely ridiculous and irresponsible. Any use of the weapons on board would have significantly increased the chance of collateral damage with hundreds of civilians travelling on commercial aircraft overhead. Pulverising drones with powerful lead shots from the sea would also destroy any chance of tracking them back to where they originated from, he said, thereby losing the potential for vital intelligence. Additionally, no technology could detect the drones aboard, Mr Berry said. If it wasnt for the human lookouts on the deck of the LE William Butler Yeats, we wouldnt know any of this, he said. Where exactly the military-grade drones went or came from is unknown. But it is strongly suspected that the drones were Russian. 1.7bn capital spend on Defence Forces In July, capital funding of 1.7bn was allocated to defence in the National Development Plan for the period 2026-2030. Defence minister Helen McEntee announced major investment in anti-drone technology this week. Defence and foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee arriving at Curragh Camp on Thursday for the launch of the National Development Plan sectoral plan for the Defence Forces. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNrews Some 19m is to be rapidly invested in anti-drone technology with the capacity to both identify and neutralise suspicious drones, she said. It is to be in place when Ireland takes over the EU presidency in July and a full radar system will be in place by 2028, Ms McEntee said. Mr Berry believes Ireland will be able to secure the military airport at Baldonnel, Co Dublin, for visiting heads of state during the EU presidency next year. But the approach routes are much less easily secured, he said, adding: We have no capability, and we will not have any capability in seven months time either [for that]. "You cant create this overnight. "Its like learning a language. It takes years of dedication and the pursuit of excellence before you get that capability. And so weve left it way too late. Theyll be able to secure the perimeter there with the new equipment theyre buying. But its the approach that we saw from Zelenskyys visit. Whats going to happen out in the Irish Sea? "We will have to seek assistance from another country to basically secure the airspace over your capital city, and in the approach to the main international airport. And if the war in Ukraine continues, which is highly likely, then we should expect significant interference. Commercial airports are not getting this new anti-drone technology under the plan, he said: Shannons getting nothing, and Corks getting nothing, and Dublin Airports getting nothing. Every airport should now have anti-drone defences, Mr Berry said. But civilian airports have civilian authorities to make such decisions, he said: Airports have scanners, they have airport police. As naturally as having running water and electricity in your airport, you should have an anti-drone system. Its that basic. Youve got a perimeter fence around an airport to provide physical security. Now we need a drone fence, if you like, a virtual fence around as well to make sure theres no drone interference. And not only to detect a drone, but to be able to disable and neutralise it as well. Europol warning Recent wars, including Russias invasion of Ukraine, sparked fast innovation in unmanned systems like drones, advances which are now being capitalised on by nefarious forces, EU law enforcement agency Europol said in a report this week. Such advances have been further boosted by developments in supporting technology, such as 3D printing for modifications, cryptocurrency for anonymous trade, and encrypted communications to evade detection. 'The Cube', the fact-checking unit of broadcaster Euronews, found that drone-related disruptions at European airports quadrupled between January 2024 and November 2025. Cathal Berry says Ireland's military had an air defence system, with radar on the backs of vehicles and surface-to-air missiles which could secure certain areas, up to 2012. But this was disbanded in cutbacks during the austerity years. So the capacity we had has been deliberately, and by choice, wound down by successive parliaments. Weve no one to blame but ourselves, Mr Berry said. "Weve had almost four years of war in Ukraine. "Weve had the drones for the last six months, and airspace incursions all over Europe, but no action was taken, and now were living with the consequences. 'Cold War level of threat' Geopolitical threats have recently ramped back up to Cold War levels, with hybrid warfare a significant concern, the retiring head of the navy Commodore Michael Malone recently told the 'Irish Examiner'. Throughout most of his 44-year career, threats were fairly benign, he said. But now, they again resemble the threat level during the Cold War between the Soviet Union and Western Europe. Commodore Michael Malone conducting a final inspection during his stand down parade last week at Haulbowline Naval Base, Cork Harbour. See links at the foot of this article. Picture: Jim Coughlan The reality is that were now in these new changing times and we have to deal with that. And we now need to employ the right technologies to deal with that, he said. In the changing geopolitical situation, it is essential that Ireland has proper maritime awareness and can secure its critical subsea infrastructure, including data cables, power interconnectors, and gas pipelines, he said. Defence Forces upping its strength Ireland is beefing up its naval technological power in response to the changing threats, with new towed array sonar being procured. This will allow the navy to monitor sound in the ocean, including submarine activity. Earlier this year, the air corps took possession of the third Airbus C-295 aircraft to be delivered in the last two years. The Defence Forces told the Irish Examiner: The investment of approximately 300m in these three C-295 aircraft represents the largest equipment acquisition project ever undertaken for the Defence Forces. Defence minister Helen McEntee speaking at the launch of the National Development Plan sectoral plan for the Defence Forces at Curragh Camp on Thursday. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNrews "Next week, the air corps will take possession of a new Dassault Falcon 6X strategic reach aircraft, which, together with the C-295 aircraft, represents a significant enhancement of the States transport, airlift, and medical capabilities. Investments are being made, and recruitment in the navy in particular is increasing. However, Irelands rules of engagement have not been updated since the 1980s, Mr Berry said. He added: Theres no clear guidance. "The rules of engagement havent been updated since the 1980s. The rules of engagement have to do with internal security, like taking on the IRA, taking on criminals, he said. Theres nothing really to do with state-on-state sovereign attack on Ireland, per se. So the rules of engagement need to be clarified. Lack of a national security strategy Another major problem is the continued lack of the national security strategy, which has been promised for about five years, he said, adding: The national security strategy should contain three particular things. First of all, clear demarcations between the various state agencies gardai and defence forces and where responsibilities lie. Members of the Defence Forces engaging in an exercise. File picture: Brian Lawless/PA Number two, it should have very, very clear rules and guidelines. Number three, it should have the protocols in relation to liaison and decision making, which is completely absent as well. The public submissions to the national security strategy were requested five years ago. Its actually still up on the website and people, in good faith, put in their submissions. But still, not only is there no strategy published, theres not even a strategy designed. And that is just a 30-page document. Every country has one. So theres no overall coordinating document to clarify all these things, and thats what the issue was [during Mr Zelenskyys visit]. Mr Berry said when gardai have an investigation underway, they have a press conference and appeal for witnesses. But the State had no such response to the drone incursion. They say its for reasons of national security but its not. Its for reasons of national humiliation, he said. Theyve been underinvesting in our Defence Forces for so long. The Defence Forces said in a statement to the Irish Examiner that for operational security reasons, Oglaigh na hEireann does not discuss the specifics of operations, capabilities, the air corps fleet disposition, or publicly disclose rules of engagement. However, Oglaigh na hEireann successfully deployed multiple supporting capabilities to the recent security operation, led by An Garda Siochana. Dear Enoch, I write this from a place of goodwill as Christmas draws nearer. We dont know each other, nor have we ever met. So why am I writing it? Perhaps its because Im intrigued by you like so many others are. Along with your family, you have been making headlines for almost 20 years with your religious beliefs and activism. However, since August 2022, when you confronted your then-principal at the school you worked for about a transitioning student during a staff meeting, a chapel service, and at a dinner, your story has attracted global attention. Your objection to using the students preferred pronouns, arguing that to do so violates your religious rights, set you apart. Your ongoing violation of court authority keeps your story alive. Its a conversation topic in schools, offices, pubs, and households whenever you appear on screens up and down the country. Some champion your stance, while others wish you would go away; then there are those who see you as nothing more than a comical caricature an online celebrity meme. You are manna from heaven pardon the religious reference for the tabloids. Your face sells papers. But is that your intention? I dont believe so. You are intelligent and well-educated. People local to your homeplace say you come from good stock. I am fascinated by your resilience. I suspect you believe the source of that comes from a higher power. You are entitled to your religious belief, as your father Sean correctly said, as are we all. Its called inclusivity something you explicitly refuse to accept. Unlike you, I am not religious. I lean towards a spirituality that is not based on ancient scriptural laws call it a universal power for good. You should read up on covenantal pluralism, which calls us not to tolerance, but to real, respectful engagement. Its aim is to bridge the gap between rhetoric and reality. I drove by Mountjoy prison last Sunday and thought of you. Its a bleak place thats impossible to fathom if you havent done time there. I had reason to visit the place some years back. The chaplain, who was a friend, asked if I would meet an 18-year-old prisoner who was on remand. He was suicidal. I wont forget walking across the yard during prisoners exercise time. The atmosphere felt threatening; for someone vulnerable, it would be hell on earth. This is your fourth stint in prison, and it could be your longest. March 3 next year is a long way off. For the record, youre not in jail for your divinely-ordained views on gender ideology; youre there because you refused to do what a judge ordered. In September 2024 you told the judge: You will answer to God for imprisoning me for my religious beliefs. The judge had no interest in your beliefs, he was just doing his job. You are a prisoner without a conviction, but you are not a prisoner of conscience. Your religious views are tolerated in this State, despite what you claim; but your contempt of court isnt. Your prison status is unique in that you can leave anytime by purging your contempt and be back home in Castlebar for Christmas. You have driven the transgender issue into the public domain. The bigotry around the subject reminds me of the divorce referendum 30 years ago when the vote passed with a margin of 50.28% in favour, 49.79% opposed. The almost 50% who voted against wanted marriage to remain steadfastly intact in law forever, no matter how broken the union was. Were Garda statements from some wife who was being beaten by her husband (or vice versa) not grounds for divorce? Not in the eyes of those who voted no: Consent to marriage was for life, even if that life was brutal. I will think of you on Christmas Day, as will others for reasons known to themselves. You will eat your dinner alone, locked up in your cell. Ask yourself, is that really what God expects of you? Thats not how I imagine God to be. Of course, each of us has our own way of perceiving God, or who/whatever he (or it) may be. Millions of people dont perceive God as a man or a tangible being hence their preference for using a different pronoun. She/he/they? Does it matter? For those who believe in a power that brings peace of mind, a pronoun can serve as an identity. Enoch Burke is back in prison. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. In a statement to Newsweek, your brother Josiah said that "transgenderism" is an anti-Christian ideology that entraps vulnerable children. These children have been vulnerable most of their lives, ever since they started to understand their feelings and began to come to terms with the sense of loss that comes from being trapped in a body they believe they should never have been born in. Do I have a problem with your right to your beliefs? Absolutely not. However, I have a problem with your rhetoric its conceited and cruel, and it impacts how young impressionable minds think. You are a teacher, and I am a parent. I disagree with your religious beliefs overriding your teaching ethics. I recall your family protesting their anti-LGBT+ views outside Leinster House in 2008 with placards quoting Leviticus 18:22, which states: Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind. It is an abomination. Let me remind you of Leviticus 19:18: You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself. Like you, Im no stranger to the Bible. I can be fairly handy plucking a quote when it suits, but a literal interpretation of ancient precepts serves no real purpose in todays pluralistic society. Fundamentalism is the choice of the fanatic. Leviticus was compiled around 3,500 years ago. Much of its writings have been attributed to Moses; but was there ever such a man? Even the shrewdest of historians arent sure if he existed. Three-and-a-half millennia later, its not that important. What is important is the teenager who became embroiled in your controversy in the school that employed you, who never asked to be part of it. I admire the staff for weighing in with their support for this student, as you would expect good teachers to do. Im familiar with the views that have developed around the transgender issue. A teenager in my extended family is on that journey, while two protective parents offer support where they can, with love and dignity. Its a terrifying journey, fraught with uncertainty. The life they raised their child for is being exchanged for one they never imagined. What amazes me is the strength of conviction this teenager publicly displays, despite the fear of what other people think or how they might react. Your role as a teacher is in shaping students academic and personal development. Youre expected to help them navigate personal challenges. What the ancient Levites believed were religious laws 100 generations ago, and they dont belong in todays classroom. You must be confused, and its fine to admit you are. Am I confused by the transgender issue? Absolutely. Ive yet to meet someone who isnt. Perhaps you will relate better to the transgender child you thrust into the spotlight by thinking of their situation like your own they have also spent time in a prison trapped inside a body they dont identify with. In any case, Im often reminded that all we will ever be remembered for long after were dead is the impact we had on the people whose lives we connected with. Nothing else will matter. I wish you a peaceful Christmas. Yours, etc, Gareth OCallaghan Oxford University Press announced this week that 'rage bait' has been named its word of the year. It means social media content that is designed to create a strong and negative reaction. Posting content intended to antagonise people may not seem like a wise strategy for a social media influencer. But people who post content on social media can make more money if their channel has a high level of engagement regardless of how positively people are responding. In addition, social media platforms use algorithms that tailor the content we see to what we are likely to engage with. This doesnt necessarily mean content that will make us happy the algorithm will learn from any engagement that we have with the content, including angry comments we might post in response. But there are things you can do to help control your reaction to this kind of content. First though, you need to understand why rage bait is so effective. Provocative posts can result in a higher number of clicks, shares, and comments. This may be a result of a negativity bias, where negative emotions such as anger spread more quickly and more intensely through social networks. Anger implies action In evolutionary terms, it is more important for us to pay attention to a situation that has caused anger to our group than a situation that has created happiness. Anger suggests that action needs to be taken to resolve an issue, whereas happiness suggests that everything is OK. Although social media technologies are relatively new, the ways in which we understand and navigate our world are not. We are primed to look for social information, which includes anything that indicates a difference of opinion or possible threat within our social groups. In the past, the groups we belonged to were typically local to where we lived our friends, neighbours, and colleagues. But the growth of social media means that we can now connect with people from all around the world. That means there are far more groups we can be part of and, in turn, routes through which anger can reach us. Research has found that people can be quick to align their views with others on anything that prompts a negative emotion, which provides another evolutionary benefit by providing safety in numbers from a potential threat. In this case the person posting the rage bait content takes on the role of the pantomime villain who the audience unites against to boo at. The other problem is we can post content or comments and immediately get a reply, non-stop, 24 hours a day. Typically, we used to have some breaks from anything, or anyone, that caused us a feeling of rage. This would give us an opportunity to calm down and reflect on what had happened, but with the ubiquity of social media it can feel like we no longer have that escape. Coping with rage bait An awareness of the motivations behind these posts is a good place to start. There are of course people who post negative content who genuinely believe in what they are posting. But knowing that many of these posts are posted solely to drive engagement helps us reclaim our power over those interactions. A 2020 study showed that giving people an understanding of manipulation strategies used in the media empowered them to resist these techniques. Think of the person posting the content as being an actor who is playing a character, and whose actions are driven more by a desire for fame whether that means being famous or infamous rather than personal beliefs. The more that we avoid engaging with any content that induces rage in us the less it will be presented to us. Unlike traditional broadcast media such as TV, we do not need to be a passive audience to social media. Instead we can influence and shape social media through what we choose to engage with, or not engage with. Hope instead of rage Despite the speed and strength with which anger can spread through social media through rage bait, there is emerging research that suggests people can be nudged into reflecting on media content designed to provoke anger before they respond. This can dilute the influence of rage bait. One benefit of social media as compared to offline interactions is that social media is, by its nature, publicly visible. This means that researchers can more easily understand what is happening on these platforms, including how rage bait is being used to drive engagement. It can also help us better understand how to take control over social media content that we are exposed to, so that we can benefit from the positive aspects of these technologies without being drawn into negative content posted solely for profit. Israel said it killed a top Hamas commander in Gaza after an explosive device detonated and wounded two soldiers in the territorys south. Hamas in a statement did not confirm the death of Raed Saad in the attack on Saturday. It said a civilian vehicle had been struck outside Gaza City and asserted it was a violation of the ceasefire that took effect on October 10. Palestinians look at a destroyed car following an Israeli strike in Gaza City (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) Saad served as the Hamas official in charge of manufacturing and previously led the militant groups operations division. The Israeli statement described him as one of the architects of the October 7 2023 attack that sparked the war, and said that he had been engaged in rebuilding the terrorist organisation in a violation of the ceasefire. The Israeli strike west of Gaza City killed four people, according to an Associated Press journalist who saw their bodies arrive at Shifa Hospital. Another three were wounded, according to Al-Awda hospital. Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of truce violations. Israeli airstrikes and shootings in Gaza have killed at least 386 Palestinians since the ceasefire took hold, according to Palestinian health officials. Seen from a building heavily damaged during Israeli air and ground operations, tents fill a makeshift camp for displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Israel has said recent strikes are in retaliation for militant attacks against its soldiers, and that troops have fired on Palestinians who approached the Yellow Line between the Israeli-controlled majority of Gaza and the rest of the territory. Israel has demanded that Palestinian militants return the remains of the final hostage, Ran Gvili, from Gaza and called it a condition of moving to the second and more complicated phase of the ceasefire. That lays out a vision for ending Hamas rule and seeing the rebuilding of a demilitarised Gaza under international supervision. The initial Hamas-led 2023 attack on southern Israel killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Almost all hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals. Israels two-year campaign in Gaza has killed more than 70,650 Palestinians, roughly half of them women and children, according to the territorys Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between militants and civilians in its count. BEIRUT, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Saturday that the group would not relinquish its weapons under any circumstances, arguing that disarmament would undermine Lebanon's strength and existence. "Let the United States know that we will defend ourselves even if the sky closes in on the earth, and our weapons will not be taken to fulfill Israel's objectives, even if the whole world wages war on Lebanon," he said in a speech at a religious gathering broadcast live on local TV channel Al-Manar. Qassem said the demand for exclusive state control of weapons, as currently proposed, reflects a U.S.-Israeli agenda rather than a genuine effort to strengthen Lebanon. He argued that surrendering to Israeli pressure would lead to the disappearance of Lebanon. He reiterated that Hezbollah would not retreat from what he described as an honorable national stance, crediting the Lebanese armed group with liberating territory, deterring Israel and halting past invasions. Qassem added that weakening Hezbollah while keeping the Lebanese army lightly armed would leave the country defenseless. Addressing the state, Qassem questioned the value of negotiations while Israeli strikes continue, urging authorities to fully implement existing agreements and discuss a national defense strategy. He stated that deterring and preventing aggression is the responsibility of the state and the army, while the resistance's role is to support them and confront occupation when necessary. Qassem affirmed Hezbollah's readiness for full cooperation with the Lebanese army and openness to a defense strategy that harnesses Lebanon's full strength, but rejected any framework that would amount to surrender to Israel or the United States. Under the ceasefire agreement ending the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah from October 2023 to November 2024, the Lebanese armed group was required to disarm and allow full deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces as Israeli troops withdrew. Hezbollah has yet to disarm, despite the Lebanese army having presented a plan to do so. Meanwhile, Israel has maintained forces in southern Lebanon and regularly carries out strikes it says on Hezbollah targets. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Friday called on the March 23 Movement (M23) to immediately cease hostilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The current situation in eastern DRC remains tense as escalating conflict and violence have led to a grave humanitarian crisis, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. It is imperative to end hostilities immediately, he told the Security Council. M23 has launched a wave of offensives in recent days and captured key cities such as Uvira, leading to a sudden escalation of tensions on the ground. China is deeply concerned over those developments and strongly condemns the violence committed by M23, he said. China urges M23 to implement Security Council Resolution 2773 and relevant peace accords, immediately cease hostilities, withdraw from Uvira and other cities, and stop its expansion, in order to prevent further spillover of the conflict, said Fu. "External actors should halt all forms of support for armed groups in eastern DRC and work toward de-escalation," he said. All parties to the conflict must abide by international humanitarian law, protect civilians, including foreign nationals, and lift all restrictions on access to critical infrastructure and humanitarian aid, he said. China firmly supports the DRC government's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, with a view to restoring national authority in eastern DRC as soon as possible, said Fu. There is no military solution to the conflict in eastern DRC. A political solution is the only way out, he said. The situation in eastern DRC is now at a critical juncture. The international community should set aside geopolitical calculations, build consensus for peace, and genuinely commit to peace, development and prosperity in the region, Fu said. As a good friend of countries in the region, China remains committed to working with all parties to make unremitting efforts for the settlement of the conflict as well as development and stability in eastern DRC, he added. ( RFE/ RL ) One year after Assads fall, Iran grapples with the collapse of its key regional ally. Tehran lost up to 50 billion dollars invested over a decade, its Mediterranean access, and supply routes to Hezbollah. Iran seeks to rebuild influence, but is there a way back? The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 dealt a major blow to Iran, depriving it of a key Mediterranean base and supply route to Hezbollah. Iran spent up to $50 billion supporting Assad and deployed fighters, but experts say it has little chance of regaining influence in Syria. Syrias interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has left the door open to future ties with Iran, but only if Tehran stops interfering and fueling sectarian tensions. The collapse of longtime Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last year was felt across the Middle East nowhere more than in Iran, his closest ally. Assads fall was a major blow to Iran, which had used Syria to expand its regional influence and funnel weapons to armed groups fighting Israel, Tehrans archrival. One year on from Assads overthrow on December 8, 2024, Iran is still grappling with the consequences of its strategic defeat in Syria. The Islamic republic has attempted to rebuild its influence in Syria, but experts say there is likely no way back for Iran. With Assads collapse, Iran lost its only advanced base in the Mediterranean Sea and saw the billions it spent on propping up Damascus go up in smoke, said Rami Abdulrahman, director of the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. In other words, Iran, after expanding its reach in the region, has returned to its natural borders, Abdulrahman told RFE/RLs Radio Farda. After Syrias civil war broke out, Iran spent an estimated $30 billion to $50 billion supporting the Assad government from 2011 to 2020. Tehran also trained, armed, and deployed tens of thousands of Shiite fighters from across the region to defend Assad. Tehran also sent hundreds of its own military personnel to Syria. Those commitments underlined Syrias importance to Iran. Under Assad, Syria was a cornerstone of Tehrans axis of resistance, its loose network of proxies and partners in the region. Syria was the only other state that was a member of the alliance, which also includes Lebanons Hezbollah, Tehrans most important and potent proxy. Syria served as the primary supply route to Hezbollah a corridor that closed with Assads departure. No Easy Path To Reconciliation Soon after Assads fall, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Syrians to rise up against the new authorities in comments that were widely seen as an attempt to interfere in Syria. In March, when sectarian violence flared in western Syria, some accused Tehran of stoking unrest, noting that several Shiite militia leaders involved in the clashes had been trained by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The incident, experts said, underscored Tehrans attempts to use sectarian violence and alleged atrocities committed by forces loyal to Syrias interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, to regain its foothold in the country. Experts say Iran is likely to cultivate local militias and proxy commanders rather than overtly deploying its forces. Documented reports about the Islamic republics actions have not been published, but various media have published reports about Tehrans efforts to rebuild forces loyal to it in Syria, said Ata Mohamed-Tabriz, a Spain-based Middle East expert. We also see that the Islamic republic is trying to cooperate with forces opposed to [Sharaa] or trying to amplify their voices. There have also been reports suggesting that Iran is looking to Russia, which has managed to cultivate ties with Sharaa, to help it establish relations with the new government. But Abdulrahman believes there is no way back for Iran. There is no possibility, neither in terms of government nor in terms of popular base, even among Alawites, for accepting Irans presence again in Syria. Among Alawites too, Iran is one of the countries most criticized, he said. Sayyidah Zaynab Shrine, by Argooya. Rif Dimashq. Public Domain. Via Wikimedia Commons . Alawites are the sect of Shiite Islam to which Assad and many of his supporters belong. Shiite-majority Iran has portrayed itself as a protector of the sect. Still, Syrias interim president has not entirely shut the door on Tehran, even as Iran is among only two states whose citizens are currently barred from entering the country. Speaking about ties with Iran, Sharaa told Syrian state television in a recent interview that Tehran left a deep wound on Syrians, in reference to Tehrans support for Assad during the civil war. But we do not say that the severance of relations between us and Iran will be permanent. If we reach a stage where Syria is respected, there is no interference in its internal affairs, and sectarian tensions are not fueled, relations will be established, he said. These dynamics now define the parameters of Syrias emerging foreign policy. Since moving away from Iran, Damascus has seen many international sanctions lifted, including by the United States and Europe, opening doors to foreign investment in the war-ravaged country. Syrias new government is determined to protect these gains, and restoring ties with Tehran would require fundamental shifts in Iranian foreign policy changes that appear unlikely under the current leadership in Tehran, experts said. Click here to donate via PayPal. Personal checks should be made out to Juan Cole and sent to me at: Juan ColeP. O. Box 4218,Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2548USA(Remember, make the checks out to Juan Cole or they cant be cashed) Myanmar's military junta denied on Saturday killing civilians in a hospital air strike that left more than 30 people dead. A military jet bombed late Wednesday the general hospital of Mrauk-U in western Rakhine state, bordering Bangladesh, two aid workers said. "Those killed or injured were not civilians, but terrorists and their supporters," said an article in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM). The ruling junta has increased air strikes year-on-year since the start of the country's civil war, conflict monitors say, after seizing power in a 2021 coup ending a decade-long experiment with democracy. The United Nations on Thursday demanded an investigation, saying the attack could constitute a war crime. Health workers and patients were killed, and "hospital infrastructure was severely damaged, with operating rooms and the main inpatient ward completely destroyed," said World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on X. Rakhine state is controlled almost in its entirety by the Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic minority separatist force active long before the military toppled the civilian government of democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The separatist force said in a statement that 33 people were killed and 76 wounded in the strike. People's Defence Forces (PDF) have also risen up to oppose the military coup four years ago. The junta "carried out necessary security measures and launched a Counter-Terrorism Operation on 10 December against the buildings being used as a base by AA and PDF terrorists," GNLM said. Six United Nations peacekeepers from Bangladesh were killed on Saturday in a drone strike on Sudan's southern Kordofan region, the UN mission said, with Dhaka sharply condemning the attack. The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) said "six troops were killed and six injured", including four seriously, when a drone hit their camp in Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan state. All of the victims are from Bangladesh, it said. UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned the "horrific" attack, saying it "may constitute war crimes under international law". "Attacks as the one today in South Kordofan against peacekeepers are unjustifiable. There will need to be accountability," he said in a statement. Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus in a statement said he was "deeply saddened" by the attack, and put the toll at six dead and eight wounded. He asked the UN to ensure that his country's personnel were offered "any necessary emergency support". "The government of Bangladesh will stand by the families in this difficult moment," Yunus added. Dhaka's foreign ministry said it "strongly condemned" the attack. UN peacekeepers are deployed to Abyei, a disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan. - Fires blazing - A medical source had earlier told AFP that the strike on a United Nations facility in Kadugli killed at least six people, with witnesses saying they were UN employees. "Six people were killed in a bombing of the UN headquarters while they were inside the building," the medical source at the city's hospital said. Eyewitnesses said a drone had hit the UN facility. The Sudanese army published a video on its Facebook page showing fires blazing and two columns of smoke rising from the UNISFA base. The army-aligned government based in Port Sudan issued a statement condemning the attack and accusing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of being behind it. In a statement, the Sovereignty Council headed by army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan called the attack a "dangerous escalation". The RSF in a statement on Telegram said it rejected "the claims and allegations... regarding an air attack that targeted the United Nations headquarters in Kadugli, and the accompanying false accusations against our forces of being behind it through the use of a drone". Meanwhile, Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris said that "the terrorist rebel militia has met all the conditions to be classified as a terrorist group", and urged the UN to "bring the perpetrators to justice". Kadugli, where famine was declared in early November, has been besieged for a year and a half by the RSF. - Strategic position - Following their late-October capture of El-Fasher -- the army's last stronghold in Sudan's western Darfur region -- the RSF have pushed eastward into the oil-rich Kordofan region, divided into three states. Kordofan is a vast agricultural region that lies between RSF-controlled Darfur in the west and army-held areas in the north, east and centre. Its position is important for maintaining supply lines and moving troops. The RSF has been at war with the military since April 2023 and has deployed fighters, drones and allied militias to the fertile region. Analysts say the RSF seek to punch through the army's defences around central Sudan, paving the way for recapturing Khartoum. Last week, strikes on a kindergarten and hospital in Kalogi in South Kordofan killed 114 people, including 63 children, according to the UN's World Health Organization. Sudan's war has so far killed tens of thousands of people, displaced millions and resulted in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Efforts to end the war have so far failed. Last month, US President Donald Trump said he would move to end the conflict following discussions in Washington with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but the initiative has yet to materialise. ab-nda-sa-ash/jsa/srm AFAM Wives Club, the new reality-drama hybrid from JP Habac, Rodina Singh and Antoinette Jadaone, is more than a show about cross-cultural relationships. For its stars, Nathalie Hart, Julia Chu, and Mari Fowler, it is a cultural correction. The series pushes back against decades of stereotypes, especially the pop-culture notion that Filipinas involved with foreign partners are "souvenirs" collected during a traveler's adventure. In this series, the women insist on defining themselves instead. During an intimate conversation, the three cast members of the AFAM Wives Club family broke down the origins of the stereotype, how the show dismantles it and why modern Filipinas deserve to be seen as complex, empowered protagonists. Rewriting the meaning of AFAM To understand why AFAM Wives Club exists, the women explain the evolution of the word "AFAM." Actress Julia Chu shared that the term originally meant "a foreigner assigned to Manila," referring particularly to Americans stationed in Clark and Subic. But the slang meaning shifted. Today, AFAM often describes Western men visiting the Philippines, and the problematic trope that they "pick up island souvenirs" along the way. That stereotype is exactly what the series challenges. "This show flips that story on its head," Julia said. "We are not island souvenirs. We are the main characters... independent women, not a person or a thing picked up by someone in the middle of their travels." This message sits at the core of AFAM Wives Club, which follows four women navigating love, identity and ambition across cultures, told through a lively blend of English, Tagalog and Taglish. A sisterhood shaped by honesty and vulnerability The chemistry between the cast is immediate. "We miss each other," actress Nathalie Hart said as the interview began. They joked that the call felt like a reunion, especially because Mari Fowler had been away after giving birth. "She's just been gone because of her pregnancy. We really miss her," Nathalie added. Mari, still recovering from a C-section, laughed gently through the pain. "It really hurts. It's my first baby," she said. Their warmth with each other is reflected throughout the show, but so is their willingness to speak hard truths. Dating across cultures: "Foreigners close the deal" One of the show's central themes is cross-cultural romance, something all three women understand from personal experience. Julia, who once lived in Latin America, compared cultural dynamics: "Latinos are very carinoso, affectionate. Filipinos don't show they like you. They're really good friends and you're not sure if they're interested or just being nice... Foreigners close the deal." Nathalie chimed in: "Filipinos love the chase." But for Mari, who grew up warned against foreign partners, the revelation was different and emotional. She confessed her mother used to tell her horror stories about foreign men, insisting she remain a conservative Filipina. "Thank God I met Landon," she said. "He proved it's not about having a different culture or being a foreigner. It's about having a good heart." Her takeaway now: "It happened at the right time, with the right person." Marriage means marrying the barangay When asked what couples from different cultures should discuss early on, Nathalie didn't hesitate: "When you marry a Filipina, you marry her entire family, her entire barangay," she said, prompting laughter. From religion to money to expectations of extended family, their perspectives reflect real Filipino cultural nuances, and the show doesn't shy away from any of it. Beyond stereotypes: the empowerment message Now that filming has wrapped, the women are eager for audiences to see how their separate storylines weave together. "I can't wait to see the storylines of the other women," Julia said. "We filmed together, but our lives were also followed independently." For Nathalie, the show's takeaway is powerful and universal: "It shows that despite our differences, women have one similarity, we are empowered. We can step up and take space and become who we want to be. It's a story of inspiration and hope." A final message for viewers Before signing off, the stars reminded fans that the first episode is free and more will be available soon. "Please support us," Julia said. "The drama is going to fully unfold in the coming episodes." Their mission is clear: to give Filipinas back their stories, not as souvenirs, but as fully realized women leading their own journeys. Originally published on Latin Times A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) NANJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). Despite the winter chill, thousands dressed in dark attire gathered at the public square of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, with white flowers pinned to their chests, to take part in the ceremony. China's national flag was flown at half-mast in front of the crowd that included survivors of the massacre, local students and international guests. Sirens began blaring at 10:01 a.m. Drivers in the downtown area stopped their vehicles and honked in unison, while pedestrians paused to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims. The Nanjing Massacre took place when Japanese troops captured the then-Chinese capital on Dec. 13, 1937. Over the course of six weeks, they proceeded to kill approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of WWII. A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) People strike the Bell of Peace during a national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) Doves are released during a national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Bo) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Xiang) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Xiang) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Xiang) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Xiang) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Xiang) A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Xiang) Doves are released during a national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Xiang) Friday, December 12, 2025 - Kenyans on social media have been treated to a closer look at the stunning rural home of the late KBC journalist, Festus Amimo, following a visit by Siaya Governor James Orengo, who stopped by to console the bereaved family. The homestead, which has drawn immense interest in the wake of Amimos tragic passing, boasts of a spacious compound, elegant modern architecture, and the warm charm of a well-established village residence. Photos circulating online showcase a serene, beautifully kept environment that mirrors the celebrated journalists quiet success and deep connection to his roots. Amimo died last weekend while having a good time with a lady at a hotel in Nairobi CBD. It is believed that he died due to blue pills overdose. See photos. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, December 12, 2025 - First Daughter Charlene Ruto has once again stirred online debate after a photo of her posing with her aunties during the Jamhuri Day celebrations went viral. The photo, shared widely across social media, shows Charlene beaming alongside her relatives as they joined other Kenyans to celebrate the historic day. But as expected, Kenyans online had plenty to say. A section of netizens ruthlessly trolled the photo, claiming that money cant buy class, The Kenyan DAILY POST Kenyas younger generation really keeps reshaping daily life through digital skills, quick thinking and new earning methods. Many now rely on mobile tools that offer fresh ways to support financial goals. Walk through any town centre and you will undoubtedly spot young Kenyans glued to their phones. Some scroll for fun, but many search for opportunities that help cover rising costs. Digital platforms have quietly become a lifeline for a generation seeking a reliable side income. A New Digital Hustle Culture Emerges Talk to any group of young adults and someone will most certainly mention a digital hustle. It might be a small design job, a customer support shift or a quick sale through an online marketplace. Each story reflects the same reality. Traditional options feel limited, so digital tools fill the gaps with flexible work you can shape around daily responsibilities. The new culture really isnt about shortcuts. It is about practical solutions. Kenyans build these income streams slowly through trial, routine and small wins. Once confidence grows, the search widens. Some explore microtasks. Others test creative skills. A few try financial tools that appear on social timelines. In the middle of these conversations, topics like online trading surface as young people compare different ways to broaden their digital skills. Why Digital Platforms Appeal to Kenyas Youth If you ask young Kenyans why digital work appeals to them, the answers sound very familiar. You hear mentions of flexibility, independence and fast turnaround times. You also hear frustration. Many feel overlooked by the formal job market. Digital platforms provide a space where skills matter more than connections. What stands out now is how varied these digital paths have become. Young people shift among freelance tasks, learning tools and mobile resources to structure their work. Discussions now include everything from project dashboards to mobile apps that support personal finance learning. Within these conversations, comparisons of the best trading app in Kenya often appear alongside reviews of gig platforms and content tools. These mentions reflect exploration, not promotion. Young Kenyans want to understand the digital options available. Turning Everyday Phone Use into Practical Income For many, the digital journey starts with a simple step. You try one platform. You accept one small task. You post one offer for a service. The next step comes naturally. A returning customer. A referral. A slightly longer project. Day by day, the phone becomes part of your income plan rather than just a social tool. You will hear stories of students juggling assignments with paid editing work. Others handle quick design tasks on matatu rides. Some resell items sourced from friends or local shops. These activities may look small on the surface, but they provide a steady side income for many young people. Digital communities also play a major role. Newcomers learn from WhatsApp groups, TikTok tutorials and shared experiences. Instead of repeating the same advice, these spaces now offer targeted guidance on pricing, workload habits and avoiding unreliable platforms, helping newcomers build confidence faster. Smartphones and Access Shape the New Economic Routine There would be no digital revolution without smartphones that are available to all. With a Smartphone, you have everything you need for your work. With it, you can communicate with your clients, implement your projects, monitor payments and acquire new knowledge. This Smartphone now acts as your office. Improved network coverage also contributes to this cause. Young people from different countries who never benefited from digital opportunities now engage in those activities as actively as their counterparts in major towns. Improved network coverage has also ensured that youth earn digitally as a regular part of their life, rather than a special activity. Every development means that more youth join the digital economy. Parents are also aware of this change. Instead of endless scrolling, their screen now represents their working hours. Teenagers and young adults use their phones to help themselves, their families or save for later. What This Shift Means for Kenyas Future Kenyas digital hustle movement is more than a trend. It signals a long-term shift toward self-driven income models shaped by technology. Young people mix creativity with technology to build income that suits their realities. This transformation carries national implications. Employers now look for digital literacy in almost every field. New industries are emerging because youth demand tools that match their pace. Public conversations have also shifted. Many Kenyans now call for better digital education and greater awareness of online risks so young users can develop their skills safely. For now, the movement continues to expand. Every corner of the country reflects a different version of this shift, from university labs filled with side projects to rural shops running small online businesses. You see it in late-night laptop sessions, weekend side projects and phone-based tasks squeezed between daily obligations. Kenyas youth continue to prove that opportunity grows when people adapt, experiment and use the tools already in their hands. Digital platforms have become a meaningful part of the modern Kenyan hustle. As technology evolves, these young innovators will shape even more diverse income streams, creating new possibilities for how the country earns, learns and works. Friday, December 12, 2025 - Many young Africans still wrestle with the fear of expressing themselves freely, especially when it comes to body art. One X user has shared his journey of concealing tattoos and piercings from his parents, admitting that even distance couldnt erase the fear of their reaction. I hid my tattoos and piercings from my parents when I got them Even though we are miles apart, I still had that fear, he confessed. During a recent visit home, however, he decided to embrace authenticity - wearing earrings and revealing his ink. To his surprise, the moment passed quietly. His father only asked whether the tattoos were temporary or permanent, with the only other remark being about his beard. Reflecting on the experience, he concluded with a powerful statement: Youll get to a point where your African parents will respect your choices. The Kenyan DAILY POST WINDHOEK, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Namibia has announced a one-month amnesty program allowing foreign nationals who have overstayed their immigration permits to leave the country voluntarily without facing prosecution, fines or detention, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security said Friday. The amnesty, which is effective from Dec. 15, 2025, to Jan. 15, 2026, applies to individuals who have overstayed their residence or visa permits or who failed to present themselves to immigration authorities as required by the Immigration Control Act, according to the ministry's statement. According to the ministry, the decision follows concerns over overcrowding in police cells, strained enforcement resources and the need to uphold constitutional and humanitarian standards in immigration management. Under the directive, affected individuals must voluntarily report to the nearest immigration office within 30 days, present valid identification documents and will be issued a 120-hour departure notice, allowing them to exit Namibia without legal sanctions, it said. The amnesty exempts beneficiaries from prosecution, fines or detention for the duration of the program and applies retroactively to all overstays or failures to report that occurred prior to the directive, the ministry said. However, the directive stipulates post-departure restrictions. Foreign nationals who have overstayed their permits by more than 30 days will be declared persona non grata for 12 months, while those who have overstayed by less than 30 days will face a six-month re-entry ban. The ministry said authorities will also prioritize the release of immigration detainees covered by the amnesty to reduce overcrowding in detention facilities, adding that failure to comply within the amnesty period will result in the full enforcement of immigration laws, including detention and deportation. Friday, December 12, 2025 - A daring syndicate posing as legitimate suppliers has been busted in Thika after forging Local Purchase Orders (LPOs) to fraudulently obtain goods valued at Sh 3,249,500. The four suspects had been using counterfeit Chandaria Ltd letterheads to trick suppliers into releasing deliveries of Bidco products. The gang successfully executed the scam twice before fate finally caught up with them. Detectives from the Operations Actions Team (OAT) had been quietly tracking the group for weeks, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Their patience paid off when intelligence revealed the fraudsters were heading for yet another heist. In a dramatic sting operation, officers intercepted an Isuzu lorry, registration KDB 249Z, white in colour, driven by the suspected ringleader Haron Mwangi Ndungu. With him were his partners in crime, James Nyaga Munyutha, Philip Njenga, and Paul Ngugi, all headed to Bidco armed with yet another forged LPO, this time seeking goods worth Sh1,770,740. The four suspects were arrested on the spot and are now in custody awaiting arraignment. The lorry used in the scam has also been seized and preserved as an exhibit. The detectives say investigations are ongoing, with more arrests expected as the net tightens around the broader syndicate. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, December 12, 2025 - A viral video of Bonfire Adventures CEO, Simon Kabu, arriving at the companys endofyear party with a slay queen by his side has set social media abuzz. The clip captured the flamboyant entrance and immediately drew attention to the reaction of his exwife, Sarah Mtalii, with whom he still coruns the popular tour company. Though Sarah has publicly stated that she has moved on following their messy divorce, netizens couldnt help but speculate after noticing her uneasy demeanor. Observers pointed out she appeared anxious, even breathing heavily, as Kabu walked in with another woman. In a recent interview, Sarah reflected on her journey of coparenting with Kabu while expressing her desire to remarry. Despite their public split, she remains a firm believer in love and marriage. Im praying to God to give me a second chance because I love and believe in marriage. I am hoping my next marriage will be a bed of roses, she shared. She also praised their coparenting arrangement, emphasizing that their childrens happiness comes first. The children live with me during the week, and he has them every other weekend. Hes free to see them anytime, she explained. Kabu arrived at the end of year party with another lady and her ex wife Sarah looks so anxious waah kwa akina ndoa mambo ni mengi just look at how Sarah reacted when she saw them pic.twitter.com/H2NaEeF0PX Mary Njoroge (@Maryian96) December 12, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, December 13, 2025 - Veteran Kenyan politician Cyrus Shakhalaga Jirongo has passed away following a tragic road accident on the NairobiNakuru Highway early Saturday morning. Police reports indicate that the 64-year-old former Lugari Member of Parliament was driving alone to his rural home in Lugari when his vehicle collided head-on with a 45-seater bus at approximately 3:00 a.m. Rift Valley traffic enforcement officer Sarah Chumo confirmed the incident, noting that investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing. Jirongos political career spanned more than three decades. Born in Lugari in 1961, he rose to prominence in 1992 as the youthful leader of the influential Youth for KANU 92 movement, which mobilized support for President Daniel arap Moi during Kenyas transition to multiparty democracy. His organizational skills propelled him into Parliament in 1997, where he represented Lugari Constituency. In 2002, President Moi appointed him Minister for Rural Development, though his tenure ended later that year when KANU lost power. Jirongo later founded the Kenya African Democratic Development Union (KADDU), reclaiming his Lugari seat in 2007 and serving until 2013. The Kenyan DAILY POST. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- When China observed its 12th national memorial day on Saturday to mourn the more than 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre in 1937, new historical documents that underpin Japan's wartime atrocities were released, underlining the truth that justice is unshakable in the presence of irrefutable evidence. The post-war order of the Asia-Pacific region hinges on Japan being a "pacifist" nation. But since the end of World War II, right-wing forces in Japan have never repented despite the immense atrocities and crimes committed by Japanese militarists. These forces deny, distort or falsify Japan's aggression and brutality, including the Nanjing Massacre and the actions of its notorious Unit 731. Archive copies recently provided to China's Central Archives by Russia show further concrete evidence of the bacterial warfare launched by Japan's Unit 731 in northeast China. Complementing existing data and information, these documents make the factual accounts of the crimes of Japanese militarists even more complete, confirming that Japan's biological warfare was a top-down and state-organized war crime. In addition to these documents, numerous other concrete evidences have proved the authenticity of the Nanjing Massacre. Archives collected by both government authorities and the public, provide clear and objective accounts of history that are minimally susceptible to subjective bias or denial. Maintaining these archives properly and increasing awareness of them are particularly meaningful tasks in preserving truth and upholding justice. These latest documents deal a significant blow to any attempt to deny these atrocities and whitewash war criminals. In a blatant bid to interfere in China's domestic affairs, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently made provocative remarks concerning China's Taiwan region, hinting a threat of force against China. Driven by a pathological fantasy of regaining colonial dominance, Japanese right-wingers have worked tirelessly to shake off Japan's identity as a defeated nation, all in support of their wishful thinking of restoring Japan's "military power." When faced with such indisputable evidence, can these right-wingers still have the audacity to gloss over the real history? True historical narratives are now even more evident and clearly beyond feeble attempts at denial by a handful of malicious and deluded Japanese right-wingers. Any tolerance of or ambivalence toward this dangerous path will only invite greater peril to the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large. People in China and other peaceful countries will most definitely not allow a resurgence of Japanese militarism, and will work together to safeguard the legacy of the World War II victory and the post-war international order. Countries with a conscience and a sense of justice must also work together to keep historical archives alive and open. This is of profound significance in safeguarding post-war peace and justice, serving as a solemn tribute to the victims of that tragic war. The correct view of World War II history should become an important force in uniting the common values of humanity, and a powerful tool in promoting world peace and development. Holding Japan accountable for its role in this shameful chapter of history is not about fueling hate or revenge, but rather a lesson that must be passed on to future generations: Never again. Japanese right-wingers should face up to the real historical accounts, draw lessons earnestly, completely sever ties with militarism and honestly repent for atrocities. Gordon Deegan A number of locals at Portobello in Dublin 8 have raised security concerns over plans to extend the Irish Jewish Museum. In plans lodged with Dublin City Council, the Irish Jewish Museum is seeking to upgrade, expand and refurbish the existing museum at Walworth Road in Portobello, Dublin 8. In recent days the Irish Jewish Museum has lodged revised plans with the Council on the application it first lodged last July. In response to the initial plans, the Council received 15 submissions with a number expressing security concerns over the scheme along with planning issues. The submissions were lodged last August as the Israel war in Gaza continued and against the background of rising antisemitism globally. The Smillie family on Walworth Street told the council that the proposed development raises significant security and safety issues. They state that the security and safety concern centres on the fact that the proposed much enlarged Jewish Museum building will significantly increase its visibility and prominence, thereby creating a new and serious terrorist risk. The Smillie family added: Unlike the current smaller museum, which fits discreetly within the existing environment and attracts little attention, the expanded and enlarged structure will stand out as a conspicuous symbol." They further stated that given the current volatile political climate in the Middle East, this prominent Jewish cultural building could become a very real target for politically motivated attacks, including terrorism, violent physical protests, or acts intended to make political statements. The Smillie family contended that this heightened security risk arises specifically because the bigger, more noticeable museum changes its profile dramatically and introduces a threat that did not previously exist due to the more modest scale and low visibility of the current facility. In another, Ruth and Adrian Kenny of Kingsland Parade, Portobello told the Council that the war in Israel, and the absence of an Israeli embassy in Dublin mean that protest may be directed at this new Jewish centre. They state that heavy security will be inevitable, and protest demonstrations most likely. Walworth Road, a tiny residential street, is not the place for this development. Pauline Atkinson and James P Browne of Kingsland Parade, Portobello told the council that there are several young families living in the area and the proposed development if allowed the proceed has the potential to be a target" and a risk to residents and their families. Maurice McConnell of Walworth Rd, told the council taking in consideration the current geopolitical climate prevailing it would not be unreasonable for the immediate residents feeling exposed to a possible criminal attack on the IJM (Irish Jewish Museum). Paula Burke and Gerry Browne of Walworth Rd stated that the development as proposed in this application, in a residential area, could pose a security risk for the residents. Portobello resident and leader of the Labour Party, Ivana Bacik TD told the council that she is fully supportive of proposals to ensure sustainable development of the Irish Jewish Museum. Deputy Bacik stated that the Museum is an important amenity and real asset to the local community. Its siting on Walworth Road, where a synagogue was previously located, represents a vital acknowledgement of the rich heritage and long history of the Jewish community in the Portobello area of Dublin. Deputy Bacik stated that local residents greatly value the continued presence of the Museum in our area. Deputy Bacik stated that further information was required on aspects of the proposal and in response to local concerns, the Council did seek further information with revised plans lodged on December 4th. In a submission lodged with Dublin City Council, ODA Architecture state that the proposed redevelopment represents a sensitive and necessary enhancement to the Irish Jewish Museum, ensuring its continued role as a cultural and educational institution of national significance. The purpose of the development is to refurbish existing premises at 3 and 4 Walworth Rd and extend them to No 5 to create additional exhibition space and for modern facilities, entrance area and safe access and accessible routes. ODA Architecture state that the existing museum has approximately 3,500 visitors per annum and is open one day a week and by special appointment. The architects state that the proposed expanded museum is projected to have approximately 10,000 visitors per annum and propose to have five full time staff and five volunteers. The proposed museum will open five days a week from 9.30am 5.30pm and half day 9.30am -1pm. The Council is now accepting new submissions on the new information lodged until January 2nd with a decision due later in January. A MOTORIST who was observed driving at high speed has been disqualified from driving for four years. Adam Smith, Coill Dhiarmada, Ard a Laoi, Castledermot, Kildare, was not present in Carlow District Court on 26 November, when charged with no insurance and driving without consideration for others under section 51(a) of the Road Traffic Act. Inspector Conor Nolan told the court that on 25 February at 10.50pm, Garda Phelan observed a car driving at high speed on Maryborough Street in Graiguecullen. The 21-year-old driver was pulled over on Kennedy Avenue and it was noted that no valid insurance was displayed. A lawful demand was made of Mr Smith to provide proof of insurance, but it was not subsequently produced. A fixed charge notice was issued. The court heard that Mr Smith, who was not present, has 11 previous convictions, six of which are road traffic offences. There was a previous conviction for no insurance for which he was fined 300 and disqualified from driving for one year. There was also a conviction for driving without a valid driving licence from October of this year. Defence solicitor John OSullivan entered a guilty plea on behalf of his client. He said: My client apologises. Hes a young man getting his life back together, he has served time. While noting that he had pleaded guilty to both charges, Judge Geraldine Carthy said his previous offences were quite stark. For no insurance, Judge Carthy convicted and fined Mr Smith 300 to be paid within 90 days and disqualified him from driving for four years. For the section 51(a) offence she convicted and fined him 500. She added that there would be no fixed recognisance unless he is here in front of me. Court report funded by Coimisiun na Mean A SKIP truck driver who was accused of holding a mobile phone while driving has been given the benefit of the doubt, but was convicted and fined for driving without reasonable consideration for other road users. Gerard Michael Berry, of Ballydaniel, Camolin, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy at Carlow District Court charged with two road traffic offences arising from an incident on 15 April of this year. The court heard evidence from Garda Paul Keane, who said he and Sergeant Aoife Lacey were operating a checkpoint on OBrien Road, Carlow town, at midday when they observed a skip truck pass by at 12.09pm. The driver was holding a mobile phone in his left hand, in front of his face, Garda Keane told the court. When they activated the blue light and pursued the vehicle, the truck continued on towards the Deerpark area. At a roundabout, the truck failed to yield to a vehicle on the right before turning left, forcing another motorist coming from the Dublin Road to brake. The gardai then activated the siren. At this point, the truck realised we were behind him and without warning swung left across two lanes and stopped, said Garda Keane. When approached, the 32-year-old allegedly confronted the garda as to why he was being stopped and denied holding a phone. When questioned about his driving at the roundabout, he acknowledged this wasnt acceptable but continued to deny the mobile phone allegation. A fixed-penalty notice was issued for using a mobile phone while driving, but was not paid. Sergeant Lacey gave similar evidence and noted that she heard (Mr Berry) raise his voice to Garda Keane when he was approached. When asked by defence solicitor Joe Farrell if the patrol car was equipped with a camera, Sergeant Lacey said one of the two traffic corps vehicles had a camera, but she couldnt be sure which one they were driving that day. In any case, she said they had both observed the incident and the camera would not have captured Mr Berry holding a phone due to the height of the truck cab. Mr Berry told the court that the screen time feature on his phone would prove he wasnt using it at the time and that he had offered to let the garda look at this. I didnt ask (Garda Keane) why he stopped me; he told me why. I offered the phone and said to have a look, that I wasnt on it. He said if I didnt admit to holding the phone, he was going to do me for coming off the roundabout, Mr Berry claimed. The defendant said when he told Garda Keane he had only recently started working for the skip hire company, the garda said that was a bad choice, where Ive gone to work. Before finishing his evidence, Mr Berry claimed Garda Keane had remarked to him: Whos going to be believed by the judge? Me, this garda or you? Inspector Conor Nolan pointed out to the defendant that the offence of holding a phone while driving did not require him to be speaking or actively using it. Judge Carthy said that concerning the section 51(a) offence of driving without reasonable consideration, in light of the evidence given by both Garda Keane and Sergeant Lacey, she would convict and fine Mr Berry 400 with 90 days to pay. However, in relation to the offence of holding a phone while driving, she said she would give him the benefit of the doubt and would strike out that charge. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme This Christmas, give a gift bursting with Irish heart, history and humour Are Ya Dancin? A Showband Story, the sell-out musical sensation, featuring some amazing Kilkenny performers, is on sale now for its Gaiety Theatre run from June 9 to 13, 2026! If youre searching for the perfect Christmas present something meaningful, memorable and proudly our own this is it. Written by Carol Gleeson and Helen Spring, directed by Irish talent Pat McElwain, and performed by a powerhouse homegrown cast, the production offers audiences a chance to support Irish theatre at its very best while also celebrating outstanding local Kilkenny talent. TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS This years Gaiety run has a special connection to the Marble City, as the cast features two native Kilkenny performers: Kevin Reade takes on the role of Jim Brennan, while Sinead Byrne brings her energy and skill to the dancing ensemble. Their involvement adds an extra layer of pride for Kilkenny audiences and a wonderful opportunity to support performers from our own community. Back by overwhelming demand after its triumphant 2024 debut which previewed in The Watergate Theatre in before its sold-out 3Olympia run this uplifting musical play brings the sparkle and magic of 1960s showband Ireland roaring back to life. Its perfect for Showband lovers the parents and grandparents who lived through the era but it has also struck a chord with younger audiences, making it a truly intergenerational experience. Rich with music, warmth and genuine emotion, this is a night of theatre you wont want to miss. The show is performed alongside a live seven-piece band and boasts a soundtrack packed with classics like The Hucklebuck, Rock Around the Clock, Im a Believer, and Hit the Road Jack. To learn more, visit www.gaietytheatre.ie or Ticketmaster to secure your seats today. Kilkenny Chamber CEO, John Hurley has expressed some concern over the decision by Kilkenny County Council to increase commercial rates locally, fearing it may push some retailers 'over the edge'. Last month, the local authority unanimously adopted a proposed budget which will avoid any cuts to core services, but lead to the increased rates. Although the Council will boost funding for many core services without cuts, the raised expenditure will be partly financed by a 4% hike in commercial rates for businesses. - READ MORE DETAILS HERE "We are mindful of the many other costs that businesses have been having to cope with in terms of increased energy costs, increased wages, introduction of auto enrolment pensions etc," Mr Hurley commented. FYI: Kilkenny's Christmas parking costs as shoppers hit the city! "Many businesses simply cannot take another hit like the imposition of a commercial rates increase as announced and many businesses are only barely hanging on and these increases may push some of them over the edge. "Now more than ever before, businesses need the support of the local community so our message is very clear," Mr Hurley continued. "We encourage every Kilkenny person to support local businesses by doing their Christmas shopping locally and Employers can help this hugely by making the new Kilkenny Gift Card their card of choice when rewarding their staff this Christmas." Overall, the budget has a total expenditure of 129.4m, an increase of 8.9m (7.4%) from the previous year. The majority of increased Council spending will be utilised in its housing budget, which is rising by almost 20% to 36.9m. An outcome Mr Hurley and the Chamber has cautiously welcomed. "This is essential to support economic development and address the housing needs of our growing population. Businesses need employees and employees need homes so the investment in housing must reflect this dynamic," he continued. "We have also consistently called for increased spending in infrastructural projects and the proposed increases in expenditure on roads) increase by 5.4% to 33m), amenities (surging by 8.5% to 10.2m park) and public spaces (a 10.3% boost) is welcome in this context." FOR MORE KILKENNY BUSINESS NEWS, CLICK HERE LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Friday welcomed a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, saying it effectively blocked the deployment of California National Guard troops in Los Angeles for the time being. "The Ninth Circuit's decision means that, come Monday, there will be no National Guard troops deployed in California. Let me repeat: For the first time in six months, there will be no military deployed on the streets of Los Angeles," Bonta said in a news release. The release explained that a partial administrative stay issued by the Ninth Circuit early Friday allowed the first part of a U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California order barring the deployment of California National Guard troops in Los Angeles to remain in effect for now, while pausing the second part of the order that would have returned control of the federalized troops to the state governor. The decision marked the latest development in an ongoing legal battle between California leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump over control of the state's National Guard troops. District Judge Charles Breyer for the Northern District of California ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration could not deploy members of the California National Guard in Los Angeles and must return control of the troops to the state. The Trump administration then appealed to the Ninth Circuit. The Trump administration deployed roughly 4,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles after protests erupted in Southern California over an immigration crackdown in June. California Governor Gavin Newsom sued to block the federalization and deployment of California National Guard troops, and Breyer issued a temporary restraining order on June 12, saying Trump had overstepped his presidential authority in ordering the deployment. However, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an emergency stay just hours after Breyer's decision, allowing the federalization and deployment to continue. So far, the Trump administration has released most of the federalized members of the California National Guard, but has kept roughly 300 troops under federal control. U.S. Justice Department lawyers have argued that the administration still needs those Guard members to help protect federal personnel and property in Los Angeles. Bonta noted in Friday's news release that the Ninth Circuit's latest decision "was not final" but "a gratifying and hard-fought step in the right direction." He said that "there is no crisis to justify the National Guard's continued presence, and we look forward to continuing to prove that in court." Edward Hopper once said, 'If I could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint it', and for one Kilkenny man, that message applies as he showcases his artistic talents to the world. Paul Murphy, a teacher in Gowran National School and a native of Lisdowney, has given much to both communities over the past number of years. From training GAA teams to teaching the next generation, Murphy's contribution to education and sport can't be underestimated. However, underneath a relatively normal lifestyle, lies an unmeasurable artistic talent, a trait which has seen his work skyrocket to national and international acclaim, catching the attention of Conor McGregor, members of the Kilkenny senior hurling team and thousands of followers via social media. READ NEXT: "Theres non-stop complaints" - Kilkenny area left battling worrying issue The self-taught artists love of the paintbrush and canvas was very much a family-affair, beginning at home from an early age. "It came from my father (Liam), he'd be fairly artistically minded himself, he made lots of inventions over the years. "I would have always looked at him making things in the workshop, Murphy recalled, adding, any help I would want hed be there." The local man's creative seeds were well and truly sewn from that point, despite not attending conventional art classes during his school days. "I didnt do art in school, it was always just sketching Pokemon and drawing bits and pieces but I didnt do art in secondary school, if it didnt interest me I didnt want to do it," he said. And although traditional art classes have proved highly successful for many local artists, Murphy believes the self-taught process is key to his artwork, allowing him ample time to experiment, admitting you often make a 'mess' before the project turns around in your favour. The Lisdowney man began releasing his paintings via Instagram over three years ago and claims the creative process has at times created emotions of self-doubt and anxiousness, especially when painting in public settings, but despite those fears, he has urged aspiring artists to hold judgement on their work until a project is completed. "When I'm teaching the children in school, I always try and tell them don't judge it until its finished. It all comes together, it could be the last 5% that could be the bit that brings it all together. You have your start, middle and the conclusion just wraps it up. You could have nothing until the last hour." The journey from the starting point to the end point may not appear stress free to many, but for this Kilkenny artist, a weekend of painting can offer a period full of 'relaxation'. FOR KILKENNY SCHOOLS NEWS, CLICK HERE "It's pure relaxing, I love listening to the radio sport, especially on a Saturday when I'm off and taking in whos topical, it could be Katie Taylor or someone local and next thing Ill see if I can find any good pictures. Mark Bergin for example, I painted a picture of Mark Bergin striking a free in a county final to win it and Ive still got that picture at home," he said. "So I listen out, see whats topical and then see if I can find a good picture and paint that." Since Paul began his endeavours, the Kilkenny community have lended great support including from his home club in Lisdowney. The artist's fellow club members, Carmel and PJ Kenny, Chairperson of the Kilkenny Health & Wellbeing Committee and Chairman of the Kilkenny County Board respectively, gave the school teacher an opportunity to paint a mural on the blank wall outside UPMC Nowlan Park. A challenge gratefully accepted, ultimately leading to a modest but striking image of all-time leading point scorer, TJ Reid, an exercise which created great pride for Paul and his family. "I'd be embarrassed if someone gave me a compliment because I'd be always comparing it to someone else as I haven't gone to art college and I'm copying from pictures," stated Paul. The painting paying homage to the Shamrocks Ballyhale midfielder is close to Pauls heart but was by no means in isolation, with the display of a Brian Cody painting in the window of Bretts Hardware a huge thrill in the lead up to the All-Ireland Final. However, the turning point and most jaw dropping experience for the Kilkenny man transpired in Crumlin two years ago, when a chance encounter with Conor McGregor allowed one of Irelands most famous sportspeople to get a glimpse of himself on a canvas. Murphy was teaching in the Dublin suburb at the time and one Sunday evening drove past McGregor's pub, the Black Forge Inn. Spotting McGregor's entourage, Paul took an opportunity, knowing a portrait of the MMA fighter was in the back of his car. Initially denied access, it was second time lucky for the Lisdowney man who upon entry grasped the attention of the UFC star. "I went in and Conor saw it, he was fierce nice to me. He took a picture and put it up on his socials and next thing I got 300/400 extra followers. He called up his family for a few pictures. It was all very quick, three four minutes max," Paul recounted. The journey is just beginning though, with ideas swirling around. From the dream of completing a hurlers mural outside Nowlan Park, making his mark on more unpainted wall balls to dropping the brush and training underage teams, an exciting time lies ahead... FOR MORE KILKENNY GAA NEWS, CLICK HERE St Lukes General Hospital, Carlow Kilkenny is now implementing visitor restrictions across the hospital to reduce the spread of flu, Covid-19 and RSV. Only one visitor per patient is permitted during visiting hours of 6pm to 8pm, unless otherwise authorised by the ward manager. Designated visitors will be asked to wear a mask while in wards. Currently, the hospital is experiencing a high number of people presenting with respiratory viral illness. These measures will be kept under review. READ NEXT: Kilkenny business nominated for two national gold awards In addition, the hospital is asking people with non-emergency conditions to consider alternative care options such as GPs, pharmacies, and out-of-hours GP services. These measures are vital to avoid spreading viruses among the patients, visitors and staff and the hospital would like to thank the public for their co-operation and understanding at this time. Please do not visit the hospital if you have any respiratory symptoms, such as a cough, sore throat, runny or blocked nose, shortness of breath, fatigue, aches and pains or gastrointestinal symptoms. READ NEXT: Kilkenny scenic routes named as two of the best in Ireland People should check the HSE website for useful advice on common illnesses such as colds, coughs, flu, earache and sore throats and keeping well. Keeping up to date with your vaccines is the most important thing you can do to avoid serious illness from flu. The HSE is urging every eligible person to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 as soon as possible, both the public and healthcare staff. The vaccines can stop infection, severe illness and prevent transmission to vulnerable people. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS This photo provided by the Royal Thai Army (RTA) shows a house hit by a rocket strike in Sisaket province, Thailand, Dec. 13, 2025. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) said on Saturday that Cambodia had launched BM-21 rocket strikes targeting civilian areas in Thailand's Sisaket province, leaving four people injured. (RTA/Handout via Xinhua) BANGKOK, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Royal Thai Army (RTA) said on Saturday that Cambodia had launched BM-21 rocket strikes targeting civilian areas in Thailand's Sisaket province, leaving four people injured. The attack took place as local residents were rushing to bomb shelters immediately after hearing air raid warnings, said the statement released on social media. The RTA strongly condemned the Cambodian military's actions, stating that the incident constitutes clear evidence of Cambodia's use of weapons to target civilian zones that are unrelated to military operations. In an official statement released on Saturday, the country's military reiterated that its operations on the Thailand-Cambodia border were strictly under universal principles, and Thailand's security readiness and capability were maintained for defense and situation control. In the statement, Thai officials emphasized that the primary goals of the operations were the protection of the lives of its people and national security, with no intention to escalate the conflict or threaten civilians. As the situation in the border area arose from military capacity enhancement that affected the safety of the Thai people and critical infrastructure, Thailand was therefore compelled to implement countermeasures that were limited in scope, target-specific, and use force only as necessary to terminate the threat, the statement said. This photo provided by the Royal Thai Army (RTA) shows a house hit by a rocket strike in Sisaket province, Thailand, Dec. 13, 2025. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) said on Saturday that Cambodia had launched BM-21 rocket strikes targeting civilian areas in Thailand's Sisaket province, leaving four people injured. (RTA/Handout via Xinhua) Joel McManus at The Spinoff writes: Bishop sided with former Wellington mayor Tory Whanaus call to allow more housing in the capital, even though every conservative councillor was opposed. He made Christchurch zone for high-density housing, which centre-right mayor Phil Mauger called a kick in the guts. In Auckland he could barely disguise his glee in forcing the left-leaning areas of Eden-Albert to allow 15-storey buildings around City Rail Link stations. He championed the Fast-track Approvals Act, which allowed major infrastructure projects to skip the usual consenting process. It was strongly opposed by environmental groups, but already, 30 renewable energy projects have applied to the scheme. If theres a single idea that summarises Bishops actions this term, its the abundance agenda. That term was coined by writer Derek Thompson in 2022, then made famous by the book Abundance, which he co-wrote with Ezra Klein in 2025. Thanks to New Zealands notoriously fast legislative system, you could fairly make the argument that Bishop has done more over the past two years to advance the abundance agenda than any other politician in the world. This is probably correct. What Bishop has done in housing and development is absolutely transformational. Both the breadth and pace of change has been huge. Bishop will get to claim this law as his legacy. And while opposition MPs will raise issues with certain aspects, many on the left will be secretly pleased with the outcome, and glad they werent the ones who had to push it through. It is interesting (and good) that neither Labour nor the Greens have put out releases opposing the RMA replacement laws. I am sure they will critique aspects of them. However I think they realise the status quo was terrible. BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD) has launched its "Navigating 2030" plan, local media reported on Friday. According to local media outlet The Bruneian, the five-year strategic plan for 2026-2030 outlines a transformative roadmap to elevate the nation's maritime and port sector. Pengiran Shamhary Pengiran Mustapha, Brunei's minister of transport and infocommunications and chairman of MPABD, said the strategic plan marks a decisive step in positioning the maritime and ports sector as a central pillar of Brunei's national competitiveness and economic resilience. He emphasized that while Brunei's maritime heritage runs deep, the sector must now move beyond its traditional supporting role. Instead, it should evolve into a dynamic driver of trade, investment, innovation and sustainable growth. Under Navigating 2030, the MPABD aims to uphold the highest standards of safety and sustainability, cultivate a thriving maritime economy, and build a quality, future-ready workforce. MOSCOW, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Fourteen railway tank cars carrying diesel fuel and fuel oil derailed in Russia's Penza Oblast on Saturday, TASS reported. The derailment happened following a collision between a shunting locomotive and a freight train during maneuvering operations at the Chais station, about 625 km southeast of Moscow, TASS quoted law enforcement agencies as saying. No casualties were reported. The Volga Transport Prosecutor's Office said on Telegram that three recovery trains have been dispatched to restore rail traffic on the scene. Penza Governor Oleg Melnychenko said the accident delayed a passenger train running from Samara to St. Petersburg. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply alarmed by a reported drone strike that killed at least 30 civilians in Sudan's South Darfur state, his deputy spokesman said Friday. The attack reportedly took place approximately 150 km southwest of the state capital, Nyala, on Monday, said Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman. The attack comes as the toll of escalating violence on civilians across the Darfur and Kordofan regions, particularly through increasing drone strikes, continues to grow rapidly. Further civilian casualties were reported in another strike on the town of Kutum in North Darfur on the same day, said Haq. The secretary-general condemns all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and demands that all parties abide by their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, across all areas of active conflict in Sudan, said the spokesman. Haq said that as the 1,000-day mark of the Sudan civil war approaches, the secretary-general reiterates his call on all states with influence over the parties to take immediate action and use their leverage to compel an immediate halt to the fighting and stop the arms flows that are fueling the conflict. Guterres also calls on the parties to agree on an immediate cessation of hostilities and to resume talks to reach a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process, said Haq, adding that the United Nations stands ready to support genuine steps to end the fighting in Sudan and chart a path toward a durable peace. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces launched attacks on government targets in April 2023. The conflict has led to the killing of tens of thousands of people and displaced millions more, triggering one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. WHEN a prisoner, with a release date in 2031, was first brought before Portlaoise District Court, he had been charged with one count of sexual assault for tipping the bottom of a fellow inmate and had his case adjourned to last weeks sitting. At the first hearing in the case, Garda Det Michael ODonovan said the director of public prosecutions had directed that the case proceeds by way of summary disposal (at district court level). Det ODonovan said on 10 November last year, as prisoners were working in the horticultural area of the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, the defendant allegedly tipped the bottom of the alleged injured party and made a sexual suggestion to him. Judge Susan Fay asked what the alleged suggestion was, to which Det ODonovan said: He had a lovely a**e. When the case resumed last week, the man pleaded guilty to the charge. Garda sgt JJ Kirby was asked by Judge Fay to give again the details of what had happened on the day. Sgt. Kirby said that at 5.30pm that evening, both the accused and injured party had been working in the horticultural area of the prison and had been discussing books. They made their way to the canteen to have tea when all of a sudden (the accused) grabbed him in his genital area. As the injured party was leaving, the accused told him I love your arse. So, there were two (sexual assault) incidents, said Judge Fay. Reading from the victim impact statement, Sgt Kirby said that the accused also grabbed the backside of the injured party. Defending barrister Andrew Dunne said the first day of the case heard Det ODonovan say that his client grabbed the injured party on the backside and no evidence was provided that the defendant had groped the injured party in the front. Mr Dunne said that Det ODonovan had given the facts on that day and not the injured partys full statement as relayed by Sgt Kirby. Sgt Kirby said that the defendant would have been charged with two incidents but that the director of public prosecutions had instructed to proceed with the case on one count of sexual assault. He said the 49-year-old, who cannot be named on the instructions of Judge Fay, had 77 previous convictions and a release date in 2031. Judge Fay remanded the defendant on continuing bail to the 16 June 2026 sitting of the court for finalisation and, in the meantime, asked that he engage with the probation services and for gardai to canvass a victim impact statement for the injured party. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme Authorities in Durango confirmed the arrest of a suspected Sinaloa Cartel operative accused of handling the finances for one of the state's most deeply rooted criminal groups. Concretely, in a multi-agency operation carried out after intelligence work, officials arrested Edgar Rodriguez "N," also known as "El Limones," who was under investigation for extorting local business owners and ranchers and allegedly belonged to the criminal group known as Los Cabrera. On Dec. 10, Mexico's Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch announced the capture on social media, saying Edgar "N"'s arrest dealt a direct blow to Durango's extortion networks and adding that the suspect also managed and handled finances for Los Cabrera. During the arrest, authorities seized high-caliber weapons, a grenade and tactical gear. Resultado de labores de inteligencia, en una operacion encabezada por @SEMAR_mx, @Defensamx1, @SSPCMexico y @FGRMexico Agencia de Investigacion Criminal y con informacion del Centro Nacional de Inteligencia, fue detenido en Durango Edgar N, alias Limones, integrante de la pic.twitter.com/kfqEV5pI8N Omar H Garcia Harfuch (@OHarfuch) December 10, 2025 According to Mexican outlet Milenio, El Limones was investigated by Mexico's Financial Intelligence Unit for allegedly conducting transactions with illicit funds. Those investigations identified him as the financial operator for Los Cabrera, a criminal organization with strong roots in Durango and parts of Chihuahua and Sinaloa. The Cabrera Sarabia family has long been aligned with Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and has backed La Mayiza since turf wars erupted in Sinaloa between the Zambada family and Los Chapitos, the sons of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. Mexican media reports describe Los Cabrera as a Sinaloa Cartel faction that has been fighting the rival group La Linea for control in Chihuahua. They are also believed to be founding members of the armed wing known as Grupo Flechas, created at El Mayo's request to counter Los Chapitos and other rivals. As reported by the outlet, Edgar Rodriguez served as Los Cabrera's plaza boss in the Laguna de Durango region and in Coahuila. He is considered part of the group's second tier of leadership and takes orders from Jose Luis Cabrera Sarabia, known as "El 03" or "El 300." Investigators say El Limones received large deposits with no legitimate origin and transferred funds to companies tied to money laundering. Authorities also link him to the purchase and sale of real estate, luxury vehicles, jewelry, watches and gambling operations. During the operation, Mexican authorities also arrested several other individuals identified as generators of violence and extortionists in Coahuila. Who are Los Cabrera? In its early years, the Cabrera Sarabia criminal organization focused largely on marijuana cultivation in the mountainous Durango region known as the Golden Triangle, and with time, the Cabrera Sarabia brothers became a key piece of the Sinaloa Cartel's structure. Reports also say Los Cabrera played a crucial role in helping some of the cartel's most wanted traffickers remain free. According to Mexico's Defense Ministry, the group even provided security for El Chapo Guzman in the Durango highlands. The Cabrera Sarabia clan was caught in the crossfire when Los Chapitos and La Mayiza declared war last September. Since then, they have been fighting over territory in Chihuahua, Sinaloa and Durango against Los Chapitos and cells of the New Juarez Cartel to control trafficking routes and synthetic drug production. Originally published on Latin Times JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) Conservation groups and an Inupiat-aligned group sued Thursday to overturn the recent approval of an exploratory drilling program in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, saying it was improperly analyzed by the federal government and could harm caribou and important habitat areas. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management approved a one-year program proposed by ConocoPhillips Alaska last month that included seismic surveys aimed at helping identify oil and gas reserves and plans to drill four exploration wells. Activities would occur near existing ConocoPhillips Alaska developments, including the large Willow oil project, the lawsuit states. The complaint, filed by Earthjustice on behalf of Sovereign Inupiat for a Living Arctic, the Center for Biological Diversity and The Wilderness Society, says the process around the companys application and its subsequent approval lacked transparency and was rushed. A final decision was issued days after a limited public comment period ended, it says. The Bureau of Land Management has pushed this project through without proper analysis or process and without considering the significant flaws in the measures it relies on to justify its approval of the exploration program, the lawsuit states. It names as defendants the Bureau of Land Management and its parent agency, the Department of the Interior, along with top officials including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Interior Department spokesperson Alyse Sharpe said the department does not comment on pending litigation. Dennis Nuss, a spokesperson for ConocoPhillips Alaska, said in an email that the company is confident in the robustness of its plan and permits and looks forward to completing its work within the limited winter exploration season. There has been longstanding debate over how much of the petroleum reserve which covers an area roughly the size of Indiana should be open for development. President Donald Trumps administration has moved to roll back limits on drilling and protections enacted during the Biden administration, and a law passed this year calls for the first lease sales in the reserve since 2019. The push has been cheered by the states Republican congressional delegation and governor, but it raised concerns among environmentalists who caution against the continued embrace of new oil production in the face of climate change. The reserve is home to Teshekpuk Lake, the largest lake in Alaskas arctic region and third-largest in the state. Nauri Simmonds, executive director of Sovereign Inupiat for a Living Arctic, said the proposed exploration program is not only an assault on caribou and tundra it is another chapter in the enfoldment of our people into systems designed to fracture us from within. Sovereign Inupiat for a Living Arctic stands against this approval because our future depends on protecting our homelands, our unity, and our right to live free from the harms of industrial expansion, Simmonds said in a statement. The group describes itself online as an organization of Inupiat Peoples and community members that believe in a balanced Earth for future generations. There are differing views among Alaska Natives, however, over further oil development in places like the petroleum reserve. A group representing many North Slope leaders, Voice of the Arctic Inupiat, has supported efforts to drill there. The lawsuit says work under the proposed program could begin any day and last until April or May. A man appeared in court accused of biting a female prison officer in the Midlands Prison. John Connors (42) of 24 Drumgoold Villas, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford appeared before Portlaoise District Court accused of assault causing harm at the Midlands Prison on June 27, 2023. Garda Aidan Mulvihill said he charged the defendant who made no reply. He said the man is in custody in Cloverhill Prison. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the DPP had directed that the case could proceed in the district court subject to the judges approval. Garda Mulvihill said the incident occurred in prison when the officer intervened to stop a fight between two prisoners. He said it would be alleged that the suspect bit the prison officer as she intervened. The woman went to hospital for her injuries. Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick asked if the judge was willing to accept jurisdiction. At this point I am not, replied Judge Susan Fay. There was a puncture to the skin, she noted. Judge Fay said the woman was bitten on the right hand and left arm during the incident. She refused jurisdiction and adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on January 19 for service of a book of evidence. Four men detained by Laois Offaly gardai have been returned to jail as the investigation into an assult at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise. In an update on Friday evening, November 12, Garda Headquarters said the four males who were arrested as part of this investigation had been released without charge. A statement issued to the Leinster Express / Laois Live said the four males had returned to Midlands Prison. It added that investigations are ongoing. Gardai previously said that they were investigating all the circumstances of an assault causing harm, which is alleged to have taken place in the Midlands Prison on December 6. The four men were arrested on the morning of December 12 by Gardai from the Serious Crime Unit in the Laois/Offaly Garda Division. The four were aged in their 20s and 30s. All were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Garda Stations in the Garda Eastern Region. Meanwhile, Gardai said they are investigating all the circumstances of a fatal house fire at a house in Castleview Park, Edenderry on Saturday, December 6. READ ALSO: Garai release Shocking video of fire attack on house in Edenderry The Garda said they searched three homes in Co Kildare and Co Offaly on December 12 but were not releasing the results of these searches for operational reasons. Gardai said they continue to appeal to anybody with any information on the "violent fatal incident" to speak with investigating Gardai. The investigation team can be contacted at the incident room at Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station, in particular Edenderry Garda Station. Tadhg Farrell aged 4, and his aunt Mary Holt died in the fire, which gardai believe was started maliciously. 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. Laois parents are exhausted and at breaking point due to the 'scandalous' delays of needs assessments, a Laois Senator has argued. Sinn Fein Senator Maria McCormack has called for immediate Government action on the deepening Assessment of Need (AON) crisis. The Senator warned that families in Laois and across the State are 'being failed by unlawful delays' that deny children timely access to essential supports. Speaking following proceedings in the Oireachtas this week, Senator McCormack said recent announcements by Ministers on reforming the AON process have done little to reassure parents, schools or disability advocates, while waiting lists continue to grow. In Laois, I am contacted daily by parents who are exhausted, frightened and at breaking point as they wait for assessments and therapies their children are legally entitled to. These are families doing everything right, yet the system is failing them, Senator McCormack explained. The urgency of the crisis was starkly highlighted this week by the actions of 15-year-old autism rights campaigner Cara Darmody, who slept outside Leinster House during Storm Bram to draw attention to the thousands of children waiting for assessments. Pictured: Teenage autism rights campaigner Cara Darmody outside Leinster House While dangerous weather warnings were in place, Cara Darmody a 15-year-old schoolgirl spent the night outside the gates of Leinster House to expose the ongoing scandal of Assessment of Need delays. No child should ever have to do the job of Government, she said. More than 18,000 children are currently waiting for an Assessment of Need, a figure expected to rise to 25,000 by the end of the year, with the State breaching the six-month legal timeframe in 93% of cases. Families in Laois know all too well what this looks like in real life children missing critical early intervention windows, parents forced to reduce work or leave employment entirely, and schools left without the supports they need to help children thrive. Senator McCormack also pointed to the failures in delivery behind headline announcements. Cara has already secured 20 million through Caras Fund and negotiated a national recruitment campaign with the HSE. But as she powerfully put it, They gave me a car but forgot to give me the keys. Without therapists, the car doesnt drive. "Without urgent, large-scale recruitment of therapists both nationally and internationally children in Laois and across Ireland will remain stuck and unsupported," she said. Addressing Government reforms, Senator McCormack said she has raised the crisis directly in the Oireachtas this week and warned that proposed changes are being rolled out without clarity, consultation or certainty. The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) has criticised the Ministers unilateral approach, with teachers and their unions excluded from discussions on reforms that will directly impact classrooms and school leadership. "I also raised serious concerns about the decision to bring forward the October 1st deadline for parents to notify the NCSE of the need for special class places. Ministers have been unable to provide even basic data on demand, which undermines confidence in the entire process. Families in Laois and across the State cannot be left in limbo while changes are imposed on a system already at breaking point, she concluded. A teenage girl came before Naas District Court following the theft of a number of items from stores at Kildare Village. The court heard that the girl, who has an address in Maynooth, is sitting the Leaving Certificate exams and hopes to go to college after that. READ NEXT PICTURES: Take a peek inside this exquisite Dublin home now on sale for 9.25 million Sgt Ruth Coleman told the court that the goods were taken from Benefit (valued at 326), Puma, Charlotte Tilbury, Rituals, and Calvin Klein. The thefts took place on March 2 last. The court further heard that all of the property was recovered in a saleable condition and the defendant had no previous convictions. The defendant had the proceedings translated by a Russian interpreter. Defending solicitor Chloe Donegan said she asked the defendant why she had done this and she doesnt have an answer. Ms Donegan said the defendant was with a so-called friend and she has not spoken to this person since the incident. The court also heard the defendant had taken out 1,500 from money she was saving to use to go to college and she was offering this as a charitable donation. Judge Zaidan accepted the donation and told the defendant she should focus on the Leaving Cert exams. BANGKOK, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The bustling atmosphere at the 42nd Thailand International Motor Expo signaled a significant shift in the automotive landscape, with a surge of Chinese automakers taking the stage to expand their global presence. As the expo came to a close this week, nearly half of the car brands present were from China, transforming the annual event into a vibrant display of diversity and innovation that challenges the traditional market structure. Several Chinese-made vehicles have captured the attention of Thai visitors, including the GAC Govy AirCab -- a flying car with autonomous flight capabilities, the ZEEKR Mix multi-purpose van featuring 270-degree rotating front seats, and the Chery QQ3 EV equipped with a large central control screen. In an interview with Xinhua, Chalatchai Paphatphong, vice chairman of the Motor Expo Organizing Committee, highlighted a clear increase in the number of Chinese exhibitors attending the event in the past few years. According to Chalatchai, the expo has grown from about 30 automotive brands to 42 this year, with about 20 now coming from China. He described this diversity as a "turning point" for the industry, creating a "much more active and vibrant market environment" that offers consumers more options, models, and power sources. Booking statistics from the event revealed a dramatic shift in consumer preference, as Chinese brands secured a majority of the top positions in the market dominated by Japanese manufacturers for decades. According to the organizer, the 13-day expo, which concluded on Wednesday, saw a 38 percent increase in total car orders over the previous edition, reaching 75,246 units, largely driven by massive demand for electric vehicles (EVs). Four years ago, pure EVs accounted for only 14 percent of the bookings during the event, Chalatchai said. He noted that the share rose to 38 percent, then to 42 percent, and reached 50 percent this year. However, he added that these figures primarily reflect urban demand, as the expo is held in Bangkok, where charging infrastructure is more readily available, rather than nationwide trends. "For consumers not yet ready to go fully electric, plug-in hybrids or range extender EVs remain a viable option, especially for those living in condos or townhouses without charging access," he said. Beyond cutting-edge technology and competitive pricing, many Chinese brands are focusing on building long-term trust, offering attractive after-sales assurances, such as lifetime battery warranties, to reassure buyers about ownership costs. Chalatchai emphasized that setting up local assembly plants is also a critical factor for gaining consumer confidence. Bolstered by government incentives, Chinese carmakers are establishing production facilities in Thailand. Major players like BYD, Changan, GAC AION, GWM, and SAIC's MG are ramping up production to meet domestic demand and export to regional markets. "Thailand has been an auto production base for 50 years," he noted. "As the world transitions from internal combustion engines to new forms of energy, having these factories here balances the industry and prepares Thailand to remain a global production hub for the future." The difficulties facing some families ahead of Christmas were brought home this week when lengthy queues formed in Dublin city centre as the Capuchin Day Centre distributed tickets for their annual Christmas vouchers with around 3,500 tickets given out. Capuchin Day Centre manager Alan Bailey has said he has never seen it as busy and added that people were waiting at 10pm the previous night to ensure they would get the 50 Dunnes Stores voucher. Leitrim councillor Gary Prior said that Christmas can be a difficult time for many families but that there is help out there for those who need it, this festive season. READ MORE: WEATHER: Leitrim to be wet and windy this weekend North West Region (Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo) Saint Vincent de Paul, addresses poverty through practical solutions and focuses on alleviating the impacts of poverty on individuals and families by engaging in direct, person-to-person assistance. Talking to the Leitrim Observer, Cllr Prior said: "The price of shopping has gone up in general and Christmas has gone very expensive for families; you would hope that it isn't a major issue but it probably is with a number of families." He said that St Vincent de Paul are available to those who may need some assistance during the Christmas period. "It isn't that surprising with the cost of everything; shopping, food, presents; every time you go out, it's expensive and it's difficult on families. People even get Credit Unions to pay for Christmas." North West Region (Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo) Saint Vincent de Paul can be contacted through their website. Housing is the most important issue in Leitrim, was the view of all councillors at the latest Carrick-on-Shannon MD. Cllr Enda Stenson, said housing is the "biggest issue we face as a local authority and as a nation" adding, "I'm not sure it can be solved." He stressed: "Local authorities can't provide the houses we need and central government has got to help them get more builds. We also have to encourage private developers to come up with new housing as we did in the early 2000s." He noted that last week the GAA released a demographic report that showed people were "drifting away from rural Ireland. Four different people rang me from different places and said, 'If we come home, where are there houses? We could not get a family house in Carrick or Mohill when we wanted to come back. We have to got to try and solve that issue. We don't want to see homeless people but we are facing that, if we don't solve this issue." READ MORE: A bit of connection: Sunday walks becoming a tradition in North Leitrim town He was speaking after Head of housing, Mary Quinn, gave an overview of housing wait lists and delivery in the Carrick municipal district. The figure for those waiting for a house in Co. Leitrim is 302 and when HAP and local authority transfers are included, it comes to 578. There are 111 households on the Carrick-on-Shannon municipal district list, 93 of which are in the town. Housing for All targets were surpassed, she noted, with a target of 139 and a delivery of 144. 59 per cent of the units were one or two bed properties and 41 per cent were three or four bed. Ms Quinn said: "We will be looking at assessing the demand for affordable housing and do an expression of interest in the next number of weeks. We are looking at the delivery of service sites to build and await details of any initiatives from the Housing Activation Office in terms of facilitating infrastructure accelerate delivery schemes and have a project in the pipeline for Carrick-on-Shannon." Cllr Sean McGowan said that central government "has to come up with funding so that we can purchase houses. We need to see private developers building more houses once again. It is the biggest issue that is facing this country at the moment." READ MORE: ALERT: Wind warning for Leitrim raised by Met Eireann as Storm Bram nears PHNOM PENH, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia called on Thailand to immediately cease military actions against Cambodia and its civilian infrastructure, Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra said on Saturday. On Saturday morning, the Thai forces, using two F-16 fighter jets, struck a hotel and two bridges at the Thmor Da checkpoint in Veal Veng District, Pursat Province, he said. "Thai forces have expanded their attacks to target Cambodian civilians and residential villages, and to destroy civilian infrastructure," Pheaktra said, adding that, as of Friday, Thai military actions have caused 11 civilian deaths and 59 injuries. Across five provinces, there are 89,687 displaced families, totaling 303,213 people, he added. The minister said that Thailand has repeatedly violated Cambodia's sovereignty and ended the ceasefire through sustained military actions inside Cambodian territory. Pheaktra said Cambodia remains firmly committed to peace, dialogue, and international law. Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said they held separate phone talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday regarding their border conflict. Trump later said the two leaders had agreed to a ceasefire effective Friday evening, a claim that the Thai side denied on Saturday. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Dec. 7. LEADING local economist, Prof Stephen Kinsella has urged people to reject doomsday projections around the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Castleconnell resident, who is the head of economics at University of Limerick, said there is a dystopian narrative around the rise of the new technology. But he said it will be more of a help than a hindrance to Limerick organisations. READ MORE: Date revealed for safety wardens to be deployed on streets of Limerick Speaking at Limerick Civic Trusts Christmas dinner at No 1 Pery Square hotel in the city centre, Prof Kinsella believes we are at the top of the hype cycle around AI. It will come down from that. For smaller cities like Limerick, the technological changes are a big advantage. It distributes the last kind of problem we have which is our scale and space. It lets institutions do more with the same resources. It gives cultural organisations like the Limerick Civic Trust the tools to digitise archives, interpret its heritage in new interactive formats. And reach audiences beyond this region, he said. Prof Kinsella also said there are many reasons for businesses in the Mid-West to be optimistic for the future. Workers are recovering some of the purchasing power they've lost since 2021 and in Ireland, real wages have been improving quarter-by-quarter. For a city like Limerick where cost of living pressures affect different communities in different ways, rising real incomes creates room for people to engage in civic life, he said. Prof Kinsella also pointed to the fact that pricing in global energy markets has stabilised. This matters for competitiveness. We have billions of euro of investments going into plants all around this region - Eli Lilly and many others. We need energy prices to be stable. When energy prices vary wildly, again investment goes down, Prof Kinsella added in his address to the audience of local business people. Two men linked to an organised crime gang in Limerick have been denied bail following strong garda opposition to their release. As part of evidence to deny 26 year-old Anthony Curtin bail, a viral video was played in Limerick District Court showing a masked figure firing shots from a car on Hyde Road. Detective Michael Dunphy gave evidence that both Anthony Curtin of 1 Railway House, Spitland, Limerick, and his 21-year-old brother Seamus Curtin - who has an address at 19 Crecora Avenue, Ballinacurragh Weston, Limerick - are involved in a feud between the Colins family and the ODonoghue organised crime group. The men - who the detective believe to be members of the ODonoghue gang - have been charged with the unauthorised taking of a vehicle under section 112 of the road traffic act. Seamus Curtin is also charged with arson. Read More: Serious accident prompts call for safety measures at busy Limerick pedestrian crossing The detective described how three separate houses on the Hyde Road were shot at from a black Audi while the occupants were at home on May 8, 2025. The men - who are brothers - are alleged to have stolen a Lexus and a black Audi from Dublin with an associate. The court said that the cars drove to Limerick in a convoy, and that some of their journey was tracked on CCTV. The detective described how three separate houses on the Hyde Road were shot at from a black Audi while the occupants were at home on May 8, 2025. After the crime, Gardai found the Audi burnt out. The detective said that armed gardai are permanently stationed on Hyde Road, there is a garda presence at school drop-offs, and one house has been demolished as a result of ongoing gang crime. Detective Michael Dunphy said that both men have more charges coming down the pipeline and that the charges we will be seeking is organised crime gang involvement. Solicitor Sarah Ryan represented both men. When the detective mentioned the men's associates, she said: Theyre people hes grown up with since theyre a child. Detective Dunphy responded that from the gardais perspective Wed see this as part of an organised crime group. The detective appealed to Judge Patricia Harney that Anthony Curtin is an active member of the feud and that his release could endanger the community. Judge Patricia Harney denied both men bail, reasoning that while The accused comes before us as an innocent man, he needs to come back to court. Both men are to remain in custody until December 16. This article was funded by the Court Reporting Scheme. Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee (R) lays a wreath at a ceremony mourning the victims of the Nanjing Massacre in south China's Hong Kong, Dec. 13, 2025. (Information Services Department of the Government of the HKSAR/Handout via Xinhua) HONG KONG, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government held a ceremony on Saturday to mourn the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. Chief Executive of the HKSAR John Lee and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Zhou Ji attended the ceremony together with principal officials of the HKSAR government, members of the HKSAR Executive Council, representatives of HKSAR deputies to the National People's Congress, representatives of HKSAR members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, former members of the Hong Kong-Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column, as well as representatives of veteran groups. The participants sang China's national anthem and observed a moment of silence. Lee laid a wreath to mourn the victims. The Nanjing Massacre took place after the Japanese Imperial Army captured the city in eastern China on Dec. 13, 1937. The Japanese invaders brutally killed approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in over six weeks in one of the most barbaric atrocities during World War II. In 2014, China's top legislature designated Dec. 13 as the national memorial day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. Since then, the HKSAR government and civil groups have organized memorial ceremonies annually. Participants observe a moment of silence at a ceremony mourning the victims of the Nanjing Massacre in south China's Hong Kong, Dec. 13, 2025. (Information Services Department of the Government of the HKSAR/Handout via Xinhua) THE LATE Denis Kennedy of Cooga, Doon got his keen interest in local history, tracing people, newspapers, the radio, and hurling from his mother Kitty. The son of Kitty and dairy farmer Tony is sadly missed since his death last month. Denis, born in 1947, attended school at Doon CBS. As an only son Denis fell into farming. He didnt really like farming or attending marts all that much but didnt complain. His farm was a bit scattered and he had to travel several miles on his Massey Ferguson to land in Carrigbeg. READ NEXT: New portrait of Limerick man who ushered in free secondary education in Ireland He liked to visit his uncle George Lonergan and his wife Kate on the way. He also often called to Dan Ryan Con and his wife Josie, a tremendous host. Denis also enjoyed stopping at Carrolls for tea and chats. Denis also had land on The Bog Road to Cappamore. Pat Byrnes often helped Denis and his father save hay. When it wasnt that busy at home Denis would work for Maddens Builders of Cappamore. Denis enjoyed working there. He often spoke fondly of his time tending the bricklayer Willie Cunningham of Murroe. Denis also worked for Connie O Connell who did a lot of agricultural building. Denis was 17 when he went to see The Royal Showband play in Dromkeen. He always enjoyed music, especially sentimental songs. Denis met Sheila Heffernan of Solohead parish at a dance in Dundrum. Sheila went to America for a while but luckily for Denis, she returned and they were married in 1974. Denis and Sheila lived in Doon South and in more recent times Cooga. They had five children. He always loved hurling and looked up to his uncle Red Bill Lonergan who captained Doon to win their only County Junior Finals in 1939 and 1941. Denis favourite Doon player was Jim ODonnell who played centre back for Limerick and won an All-Ireland in 1973. Denis was always delighted to meet Jim. Denis said he liked to play corner back behind Rodgie Ryan as the ball didnt come into him too much. Denis captained Doon to win the Minor County title of 1965 and played corner back for the Limerick U-21 team in 1968. Denis did all kinds of jobs to support Doon's hurlers. He was club secretary during the 1970s, a selector on many teams for nearly forty years, groundsman for several years and was very proud of the fine facility developed in the village. He also had an active role in fundraising, especially with the Doon GAA Lotto. Denis also represented the club at East Board and County Board meetings. He often drove young players to matches and trials. He always had a big crowd in his car and was often so distracted talking that the car would almost come to a halt and he would have to be reminded to get moving again. He was proud when his son Pearse captained Doon in the 2000 County Final. He was active in parish life - a member of the Community Council, Doon Housing Committee and attended Doon Historical Society talks. He enjoyed taking part in quizzes. and appeared on RTEs Know Your Sport. Denis came from a Fianna Fail house but wasnt very politically inclined beyond a bit of canvassing for Eddie Wade. Denis did have a great interest in current affairs. He had a lot of empathy for the hunger strikers and the Irish who were victims of miscarriages of justice in the UK. He enjoyed compiling the Register of Electors in Doon. Denis suffered a heart attack in his late 40s and had a lot of health problems and trips to the hospital over the years but never seemed to dwell on them too much. He had a lot of great friends. There were always visitors to the house and loud conversations would take place. Sometimes it was hard for the visitor to get a word in. Tom O Brien was a good friend. Denis helped Tom put a History of Doon GAA book together. Richard Martin also visited most days. Denis old school friend Michael Ryan also visited regularly. John-Joe Fahy was also a good friend. Denis and Sheila liked to meet Pat Lonergan and his wife Nora in Whelans Bar after funerals. As the years went by many of the visitors passed away. Each passing was a blow as the house got a bit quieter, although the arrival of grandchildren livened it up. Denis attended matches up until this year. He was able to watch streamed games, often with friends Donal Anderson, Con McGrath and Johnny Butler. Denis lived to see Limericks great recent successes and Doons victory in the 2024 County Final. Great supports from Milford Care Centre allowed Denis to spend his last days in comfort at home. He enjoyed his life, loved his family, meeting people, his parish and the GAA. He made a good impression on those he met and will be sadly missed by family and friends. THE ESTUARY Rollers and Greybridge Classic Club are revving up for their annual festive convoys of joys this month. Tractors, trucks and cars will be decked out in Christmas lights to raise money for good causes and bring smiles to faces. Greybridges Christmas lights run is on Tuesday, December 30. They meet up in Limerick Racecourse before winding their way through towns and villages and descending on the Woodlands House Hotel. This years four chosen charities are Childrens Grief Centre, Critical, Clionas Foundation and Holy Family School in Charleville. READ NEXT: Local business announces outdoor Limerick Christmas fair in Medieval Quarter Preparations are well underway by Greybridge members but first up is Estuary Rollers Christmas charity vehicle run this weekend. It begins at 4pm this Sunday, December 14 at Listowel Mart. The parade of vehicles, decked out in Christmas lights and tinsel, will travel through towns and villages of west Limerick and north Kerry. This year the route has changed slightly and will go through Listowel, Duagh, Abbeyfeale, Athea and Moyvane. From there the entourage will head for Tarbert and then onwards to the village of Glin. The tractors and trucks will then move to the Knockdown Arms where the event concludes. This year the committee at Estuary Rollers have selected Abbeyfeale District Search and Rescue, St Gabriels Foundation in Limerick and Nano Nagle School, Listowel as their chosen charities. Last year, 229 vehicles took part. Over the past four years Estuary Rollers have raised over 70,000 for local charities. The run will be led by none other than Santa in his sleigh. The spectacle is set to be a feast for the eyes for all ages and will help get one and all in the festive spirit. Met Eireann have issued a series of weather updates for the country over the weekend including status orange and yellow rain warnings which are set to affect a number of counties. A status orange rain warning was issued for Cork and Kerry on Saturday morning. This will come into effect at 3am in the early hours of Sunday morning and last until 6pm Sunday evening. Met Eireann have also revealed that there will be significant rainfall accumulations especially on high round with the highest totals expected in Kerry and West Cork. Potential impacts from the status orange warning for these counties consist of significant river and surface water flooding, hazardous travelling conditions and poor visibility. READ MORE: It could be you! - Euromillions jackpot-winning ticket worth 17 million sold in Ireland A status yellow rain warning will begin on Saturday evening from 6pm until Monday at 12am with caution advised for five counties as a result. These include Clare, Cork, Kerry, Donegal and Limerick as well as a general warning throughout the province of Connacht. Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford have also been issued with a status yellow rain warning which will be valid from 12am on Sunday to 3am on Monday. Each of these status yellow warnings are expected to bring spells of heavy rain which could lead to an increased risk of flooding due to high river levels and saturated ground. Met Eireann have outlined the likely impacts from these warnings which include river and surface flooding, difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility. ON a dark and dreary December evening in Limerick, the stately Georgian facade of The Peoples Museum glowed with a quiet sense of anticipation. The occasion was the long-awaited opening of a multi-generational art exhibition that brings together the works of Michael Collins, Clare Hartigan, Barbara Hartigan, Oisin Cleary, Teresa Collins, and Martin Finnin - an ensemble of artists whose connections, contrasts, and creative energies made the launch as intimate as it was momentous. READ MORE: Limerick journalist meets generations of people who worked at Ardnacrusha Running from December 2, the exhibition represents not just a showcase of individual works but a living conversation across generations, families, and artistic disciplines. It is the type of event one might expect in a major contemporary art centre, yet it feels all the more resonant and rooted because it unfolded within the elegant rooms of The Peoples Museum - a space devoted to Limericks cultural memory. And, in unmistakably Limerick fashion, the atmosphere was lifted by the generosity of Rocky from The Commercial, who supplied wine for the evening before the celebration continued with a spirited after-party at The Commercial itself. What began as an exhibition opening quickly evolved into something richer: a gathering of community, creativity, kinship, and celebration. A Museum Filled With Conversation The Peoples Museum is no stranger to art, but the character of this exhibition was unique. Upon entering, visitors immediately sensed that this was more than a lineup of polished works displayed in sequence. Instead, it felt like stepping into a familys collective imagination - one that spans decades, disciplines, and artistic philosophies. What made this evening particularly distinctive was the way it celebrated relationships - between mediums, between meanings, and between artists who share histories not only in the artistic sense but in the familial one. Michael Collins: The Quiet Architect of the Exhibition For many visitors, the work of Michael Collins provided a grounding anchor - a steady visual voice amid a chorus of diverse approaches. Collins, long admired for his ability to coax emotional resonance out of form and colour, offered pieces that balanced discipline with intuition. His works in this exhibition carried the hallmarks of an artist who has spent years refining his visual language: clean yet expressive lines, controlled palettes, and a serene confidence. Collins presence was also symbolic. Not only is he a respected figure in Limericks art community, but his involvement signalled the interwoven nature of the exhibition. He is both participant and mentor - an artist whose influence can be felt in the communitys younger generations, several of whom were exhibiting alongside him. Clare Hartigan: Energy, Emotion, and an Artist at Full Flame If Collins' work provided the exhibition with its steady heartbeat, Clare Hartigans contributions supplied its fiery pulse. Hartigan has long been an artist who embraces both experimentation and emotion, and her presence at the exhibition drew excited murmurs from visitors long before the official launch. Her pieces - layered, textured, alive with motion - felt like the visual embodiment of music or performance. They stood boldly in contrast to the quieter works nearby, yet never overwhelmed them; instead, they seemed to cast an energizing glow across the room. Hartigans creative world extends far beyond the canvas, and on this evening her work served as a reminder of the relentless curiosity that drives her. Guests could be overheard swapping stories of past exhibitions, collaborations, and the ways her artistic life has influenced the next generation. That influence was visible - literally - just around the corner. Barbara Hartigan: A Mothers Voice, A Distinct Artistic Vision One of the most touching aspects of the exhibition was the inclusion of works by Barbara Hartigan, Clares mother. Barbaras contributions offered viewers a glimpse into the origins of a creative lineage. Yet her work stood firmly on its own landscapes of light and shade - delicate without being fragile, expressive without being loud. Many visitors lingered before Barbaras pieces, struck by the confident landscape compositions and the chiaroscuro of dappled light and shade. There was a contemplative quality to her work, as though each piece invited viewers into a quiet conversation about nature. Oisin Cleary: The Next Generation Speaks in Ink Oisin Cleary, Clares son, brought a fresh and contemporary energy to the exhibition through his screen-prints, which quickly became one of the evenings talking points. His work demonstrated a bold confidence in graphic form, with pieces that seemed to vibrate with urban rhythm and youthful sharpness. Screen-printing suited Oisins youthful voice. His colour choices were striking, his compositions clean and exciting, and his themes resolutely modern. While the older generations of artists in the exhibition often leaned toward the painterly or the abstract, Oisins screen-prints anchored the show in the present moment. READ MORE: University of Limerick professor wins top honour at An Post Irish Book Awards Teresa Collins Another figure in the exhibition was Teresa Collins, whose couple of small sculpted works offered a three-dimensional counterpoint to the boldness of Clearys prints and the expressive energy of Clare. Martin Finnin: Movement, Mischief, and Modernity Martin Finnin brought yet another distinctive voice to the exhibition. Known for his playful exploration of form and colour, Finnins work injected spontaneity into the evening. His abstract pieces bursting with dynamic brushstrokes and unexpected visual twists, seemed to dance on the walls. A Launch That Became a Celebration Though the exhibition officially opened on December 2, the 4 December launch was the night that truly crystallised its spirit. As the museums rooms filled with artists, family members, friends, collectors, students, and curious Limerick locals, the sense of occasion became unmistakable. From Museum to Commercial: The Night Continues Inevitably, the crowd drifted from the museum to The Commercial, where Rockys earlier hospitality evolved into a full-blown celebration. The after-party was good-humoured and deeply communal - exactly the sort of gathering that seems to follow naturally from an exhibition that was, at its core, about family and connection. Exhibitions Lasting Impact Ultimately, what made this exhibition remarkable was not its size or its grandeur but its sincerity. Each artist brought something distinct, yet together their works formed a vibrant tapestry that honoured lineage without being defined by it. For those who attended the launch, the night will be remembered not only for the art but for the laughter, the warmth and the sense of being part of something living and communal. As the final days of the exhibition draw to a close, what remains most striking is not merely the impressive body of work assembled within the walls of The Peoples Museum, but the spirit of connection that animated every room, every conversation, and every piece of art displayed. This was an exhibition that transcended the usual boundaries of artistic presentation. It became, instead, a living testament to the ways in which creativity passes through families, communities, and generations - a reminder that art does not exist in isolation but flourishes in the fertile spaces where people share stories, influence one another, and build meaning collectively. Visitors who wandered the museums corridors during the week found themselves not just observing the works but participating in a dynamic lineage of expression, one shaped by memory, mentorship, curiosity, and the constant evolution of artistic voice. The energy carried through to the official launch, fuelled by Rockys generous contribution from The Commercial and by the laughter and camaraderie that followed in the late-night celebrations at the pub. In those moments, the line between artist and audience dissolved, revealing a community united not only by appreciation for visual art but by a shared commitment to supporting and celebrating local creativity. As the lights dim and the doors prepare to close on this brief but unforgettable exhibition, its legacy lingers - a reminder that Limericks artistic heartbeat is strong, vibrant, and interwoven with the lives of those who create, those who witness, and those who gather to celebrate what art can mean. The exhibition may end on the seventh, but its impact will ripple outward for weeks, months, perhaps even years, carried in conversations, in memories, and in the renewed belief that art, at its best, is both a mirror and a meeting place. In this way, the exhibition stands not as a conclusion but as an invitation - an encouragement for all who experienced it to continue seeking out beauty, fostering connection, and championing the creative voices that shape the cultural life of Limerick. For those who attended, the event will remain a warm, enduring reminder that when art and community come together, something rare and deeply meaningful can take root, transforming an ordinary December week into an extraordinary chapter in the citys ongoing artistic story. REVELLERS heading out into Limerick city centre this Christmas have a new bar to toast, in the shadow of Opera Square. Staff at Fordes Courtyard are gearing up for what they hope will be a busy festive season at the pub, which is located opposite the Old Quarter Bar in Little Ellen Street. The stylish new outlet was opened by business partners JJ Mulcahy and Roger Carey back in the spring, in a move which created 26 new jobs. The duo are stalwarts of the local hospitality industry, also owning the Old Quarter Bar, the Old Quarter Townhouse Hotel and the Tap House in Annacotty. READ MORE: Hospital visiting restrictions at Limerick, Nenagh and Ennis hospitals due to flu outbreak Fordes, which specialises in Neapolitan food, and has its own Italian chef to support this, opened on a site occupied up until 2022, by Cobblestone Joes. The businesss unique name harks back even further than that with the stone building housing John Fordes Antiques Courtyard in the late 1990s. Mr Mulcahy, who hails from Cappamore, said the outlet complements the Old Quarter Bar and the Old Quarter Hotel perfectly. We had the chance to take this on. Having a business on this side of town already, we wanted to complement what we were doing. We looked at a different version of what we could put in there and we eventually settled on a bar. With that, we did a bit of research in terms of what is already out there. The whole Italian Neopolitan pizza theme came to mind. Ive seen a few places in Britain that do it very well, so I said we would try it, explained the businessman. At the heart of the kitchen in Fordes is a traditional Valoriani pizza oven, delivering an authentic taste of Italy with every dish. The standout is the dough, made in-house and cold-proofed for 48 hours to create a crust that's light, airy and full of flavour. But its not just pizza on offer at Fordes Courtyard. A quick glance of the menu reveals a selection of delicious-sounding pasta dishes, and street food, with an Italian fusion. Think roast garlic mozzarella fries, fries with spicy cured meats and Pancetta parmesan fries! Lighter salad options, and paninis made out of the venue's famous pizza dough are on offer during lunch. Asked what made him want to invest and open the new bar - most probably the only licensed outlet to begin trading in Limerick this year - Mr Mulcahy said: We have invested heavily in the Old Quarter Bar. Weve seen the investment which is going into Opera Square. With that, it was an opportunity too good to miss. You have to take a chance with everything you do in life. Across the three pubs and hotel, Mr Mulcahy and Mr Carey employ 120 people. For them, a big part of bringing staff in is training them in all aspects of their business. I have a passion for trading. We would always be at pains to state how we should educate people on the trade. Titles dont mean anything in this trade - its all about the knowledge. And if you have the knowledge and the skillset, there is the chance to do things, Mr Mulcahy added. To this end, he has worked with Griffith College and the Vintners Federation of Ireland as part of a consortium offering the only degree course in the country in bar management through the apprenticeship model. It was Mr Mulcahy himself who was the lead proposer on the project. He also stressed the importance of the management and the teams running his businesses for their dedication and hard work. Mr Mulcahy is a very proud Limerick man, the Cappamore man admitting the hurlers' five recent All-Ireland titles have made this very easy! But he wishes people would shout more proudly about what is happening on Shannonside. "I'm from Limerick. I grew up in Limerick. Limerick is a great city. One of our biggest challenges is people love talking the city down. Why are we not talking it up? The more people we have building the city up, the better off we'd be. Limerick is such a unique city. Having grown up here, I don't think there is anywhere quite like it in the world," he concluded. An ideal place for a Christmas party, Fordes Courtyard opens Tuesday to Friday from 12noon, plus Saturday and Sunday from 1pm. Telephone 061-501015, visit www.fordescourtyard.ie, or email info@fordescourtyard.ie. Agentic artificial intelligence is emerging as a powerful force in frontline banking, with early adopters already reporting tangible gains in sales productivity and revenue, according to a new report by McKinsey. The consultancy says the technology could fundamentally change how relationship managers work, easing long-standing pressures caused by poor leads, fragmented systems and heavy administrative demands. Unlike conventional generative AI, which responds only when prompted, agentic AI systems can interpret goals, break them into tasks and act autonomously across multiple systems. This ability allows them to manage complex workflows that have historically proved difficult to automate in financial services. Productivity gains within months McKinsey notes that several global banks are already using agentic AI across prospecting, lead nurturing and account management. In these cases, improvements have been recorded within months rather than years. Industry data cited in the report suggests that when banks redesign frontline operations end to end around agentic AI, revenues per relationship manager can increase by between 3% and 15%. At the same time, the cost to serve clients can fall by 20% to 40%. The findings come as banks face growing margin pressure, slower growth and rising cost-to-income ratios. McKinsey argues that agentic AI should be viewed not simply as a productivity tool, but as a new operating model for relationship management. Also Read | Artificial intelligence sparks debate at COP30 climate talks in Brazil Tackling long-standing pain points Frontline bankers have long complained about the quality of leads, complex compliance requirements and disconnected technology platforms. Many spend large portions of their time updating customer relationship management systems or preparing internal reports, leaving less time for direct client engagement. This has contributed to burnout and high staff turnover in sales teams. View full Image McKinsey notes that several global banks are already using agentic AI across prospecting, lead nurturing and account management. In these cases, improvements have been recorded within months rather than years. ( AI-generated graphic ) Agentic AI aims to rebalance this workload. Intelligent agents can continuously scan markets, analyse both structured and unstructured data, and identify high-potential prospects. They can also automate follow-ups and prioritise opportunities, escalating only the most promising leads to human bankers. More time for clients, not paperwork In sales outreach, AI agents are able to personalise communications at scale and nurture thousands of prospects simultaneously. Banks testing these systems report that sales pipelines have expanded by around 30% in some cases, while the number of qualified leads has doubled or even tripled. Also Read | India takes the first shot at regulating AI AI-powered account intelligence tools have also reduced the time needed to prepare for meetings, while improving the depth and relevance of client discussions. With routine tasks handled by machines, relationship managers can focus on higher-value conversations and complex client needs. This shift allows bankers to operate more as trusted advisers, concentrating on insight-driven advice, strategic problem-solving and long-term relationship building. (With inputs from ANI) United States chip major Nvidia is considering increasing production capacity for its H200 artificial intelligence chips as demand for the product from Chinese companies exceeds present output, Reuters reported citing sources. Responding to Reuters queries, a spokesperson for Nvidia said, We are managing our supply chain to ensure that licensed sales of the H200 to authorized customers in China will have no impact on our ability to supply customers in the United States. TSMC and China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) did not immediately respond to queries, it added. Strong demand from China pushes Nvidia to increase capacity One source told the publication that demand from Chinese companies is so strong that Nvidia may add new capacity. Among the buyers is China's e-commerce giant Alibaba and Douyin (TikTok) owner ByteDance. As per a previous Reuters report, the companies contacted Nvidia for large order purchase of the H200 chips this week. This comes after US President Donald Trump on 9 December permitted CEO Jensen Huang's company to export its second fastest AI chips, the H200 processors, to China for a 25% sales fee. Eye now on Chinese govt nod However, uncertainties remain, as the Chinese government has yet to greenlight any purchase of the H200, the report added. Sources told the agency that Chinese officials had that emergency meetings on 10 December to discuss the issue. Till date, only limited number of H200 chips are in production as the company was focused on its Blackwell and Rubin chips. The sources said that Chinese clients have reached out to the company about the supply concerns. Sources also said that the company gave clients guidance on current supply levels without providing a specific number. About Nvidia's H200 chips Launched into mass deployment in 2024, the H200 AI chip is manufactured by TSMC using its 4nm manufacturing process technology. Demand is strong as Nvidia's H200 is 6x stronger than its H20 that was tailored for release in the Chinese market in 2023. Nori Chiou, investment director at White Oak Capital Partners told the agency, Its (H200) compute performance is approximately 2-3 times that of the most advanced domestically produced accelerators. I'm already observing many CSPs (Cloud Service Providers) and enterprise customers aggressively placing large orders and lobbying the government to relax restrictions on a conditional basis. He added that Chinese AI demand exceeds the capacity of local production. (With inputs from Reuters) Mexico tariffs: India is in talks with Mexico over the South American country's recent announcement of unilaterally raising tariffs on a number of Asian countries' products, including New Delhi, an official said on Saturday. According to a PTI report, while India is engaging with Mexico to find mutually beneficial resolutions, New Delhi reserves the right to take appropriate measures to protect the interests of its exporters. India, China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia are among the countries facing steep Mexico tariffs up to 50%, as they do not have a free trade agreement with the nation. The Department of Commerce is engaged with Mexico's Ministry of Economy to explore mutually beneficial solutions which align with global trade rules, the official said. The person indicated that India might take steps to protect its own traders while talks go on. India reserves the right to take appropriate measures to safeguard the interests of Indian exporters, while continuing to pursue a solution through constructive dialogue, the official added. High-level meeting with Mexico convened The official who spoke to PTI said that India was already engaged with Mexico when the country was tabling its initial bill in this regard. The Embassy of India in Mexico raised the issue with the Ministry of Economy on September 30 and sought special concessions that would shield its exporters from the 50% Mexico tariffs. India reserves the right to take appropriate measures to safeguard the interests of Indian exporters "India values its partnership with Mexico and stands ready to work collaboratively toward a stable and balanced trade environment that benefits businesses and consumers in both countries," the official said. Both the countries are deliberating on starting negotiations for a free trade agreement, which would exempt India from the Mexico tariffs, which is already bearing the brunt of 50% US tariffs. Terms of Reference to begin the talks are likely to be finalised in the coming days. A high-level meeting in this regard between Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Mexico's Vice Minister of Economy Luis Rosendo has already taken place and follow on technical meetings are expected soon. The government official further said that the actual impact on Indian exports will depend on the criticality of Indian exports to domestic supply chains in Mexico and ability of Indian companies to secure exemptions or pass on the tariff cost to the Mexican consumers. 'Dhurandhar' actor Arjun Rampal has announced his engagement to longtime partner Gabriella Demetriades, marking a new chapter in their relationship that has spanned several years. Arjun Rampal is engaged to Gabriella Demetriades The confirmation came during a conversation on Rhea Chakrabortys podcast, where the couple casually revealed their engagement while discussing marriage. Although the full episode is yet to be released, the announcement features in the trailer of the podcast, in which Rampal and Demetriades share the news with Chakraborty. The moment appears understated and intimate, reflecting the couples generally private approach to their personal lives. Rampal, who was most recently seen in Aditya Dhars Dhurandhar, has been in a relationship with Demetriades since 2018. A South African model and fashion designer, Demetriades has often spoken about balancing her creative work with family life. The couple share two sons together, Arik, born in 2019, and Arav, born in 2023, and have frequently been seen attending public events as a family. Also Read | Dhurandhar choreographer Vijay Ganguly breaks down Akshaye Khannas Fa9la dance The engagement announcement has quickly drawn attention across social media, with fans and industry colleagues offering congratulations. Rampal, known for films such as Rock On!!, Don and Om Shanti Om, has previously spoken about the importance of emotional stability and family as he enters a more selective phase of his acting career. Arjun Rampal was previously married to former supermodel and entrepreneur Mehr Jesia. The two tied the knot in 1998 and were considered one of the most high-profile couples in Indian fashion and film circles at the time. They share two daughters, Mahikaa and Myra. Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], December 13 (ANI): Director Kamal expressed his displeasure with the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court verdict in the 2017 actress assault case, calling it "disappointing." The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court on Friday sentenced all six convicts to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment in the 2017 actress assault case. While talking to ANI, Kamal says "We expected a minimum of life imprisonment for the convicts. We are not satisfied with the verdict. It is very disappointing. I don't think that Dileep is involved, as I know him very well." The verdict delivered by Justice Honey M Varghese found the accused guilty of kidnapping with intent to rape (Section 366 of the Indian Penal Code), criminal conspiracy (IPC 120B) and gang rape (IPC 376D). Each convict has also been fined 50,000, and failure to pay will result in an additional one-year imprisonment. The first accused, Pulsar Suni, received an extra five-year sentence under the IT Act, but the court clarified that all sentences will run concurrently. The court also directed that a copy of the pen drive containing the visuals be kept in safe custody by investigating officer Baiju Paulose. The Sessions Court had earlier acquitted Malayalam actor and the eighth accused, Dileep, in the 2017 case. The case pertained to an actress who worked in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films and was allegedly abducted and molested inside her car by a group of men who forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017. Meanwhile, Kerala Cultural Minister Saji Cheriyan said the government will review the verdict and take necessary action, as the convicts were not given the maximum punishment. Cheriyan said, "The court's verdict cannot be commented on without a detailed and authoritative study. The real question is whether the survivor has received justice. There was an expectation of maximum punishment, and since that did not happen, the government will examine the verdict thoroughly and take necessary action." RAMALLAH, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Palestine on Saturday slammed U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee's remarks supporting Israeli settlements, saying they were "contrary to the international consensus." "All Israeli settlement activity is illegal and constitutes a violation of international law and international legitimacy resolutions," Palestinian presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh said in a press statement published by the Palestinian official news agency WAFA. The spokesperson's remarks came in response to Huckabee's statement asserting that no reaction was needed to Israel's Thursday Security Cabinet decision granting legal status to 19 settlements in the occupied West Bank. Abu Rudeineh said the American diplomat's comments were "contrary to the international consensus embodied in Resolution 2334, which voted against settlements and deemed them all illegal," stressing that "no one is authorized to legitimize the occupation and its policies." He called on the U.S. administration to adhere to international law and UN resolutions if it seeks to halt violence and escalation and achieve a just, lasting peace in the Middle East, emphasizing that recognizing legitimate Palestinian rights is the only way to achieve peace and security for all. On Thursday, Israel's Security Cabinet approved a request to legalize 19 settlements in the West Bank, according to Israeli media. In a press statement, Speaker of the Palestinian National Council Rawhi Fattouh said the move represents a systematic expansion of a colonial structure seeking to impose coercive realities on the ground. Hamas also warned against the escalating settlement activity, saying it reflects clear plans to redraw the Palestinian map, isolate cities and villages from one another, and push for the silent displacement of Palestinians as part of a project to depopulate the West Bank. Actor Peter Greene, best known for his intense portrayals of villains in films such as Pulp Fiction, The Mask and Training Day, has died at the age of 60. His manager has confirmed that Greene was found dead at his home in New York City on Friday. Manager Gregg Edwards said Greene was discovered inside his Lower East Side apartment following a wellness check. The cause of death has not been disclosed. The news was first reported by the New York Daily News. Also Read | Kelly Osbourne fires back at critics targeting her appearance Greene rose to prominence in the early 1990s with his chilling performance as Zed, the sadistic security guard in Quentin Tarantinos cult classic Pulp Fiction (1994). The same year, he also left a mark as Dorian, the villain opposite Jim Carrey in The Mask. Nobody played a bad guy better than Peter, Edwards said, adding that the actor had a softer side that few outside his close circle ever saw. He had a heart as big as gold. According to Edwards, music had reportedly been playing in Greenes apartment for more than 24 hours, prompting concern and a subsequent check. He added that he had spoken to Greene earlier in the week. Beyond mainstream hits, Greene earned critical acclaim for his lead role in the 1993 indie film Clean, Shaven, where he portrayed a man living with schizophrenia and suspected of murder. The New York Times praised his performance, calling it raw, volatile and deeply affecting. As a character actor, Greene appeared in several high-profile Hollywood films, including The Usual Suspects (1995), where he played Redfoot, and Training Day (2001), in which he portrayed a detective caught in the web of corruption led by Denzel Washingtons Alonzo Harris. One of Greenes most memorable moments comes in Training Day, when his character agrees to be shot in a bulletproof vest to help stage a cover-up. Also Read | Chuck Potthast was found dead in bathtub, newly released 911 call reveals Born on October 8, 1965, in Montclair, New Jersey, Greene began acting in his 20s after moving to New York City, according to his IMDb biography. He is survived by his brother and sister. Its tough to go back to school in your 40s. But with layoffs, stagnant pay and inroads by artificial intelligence, many of those nearing midlife are heading back to classrooms and trade schools. Some are making radical career changes, going from chef to software engineer. Others are getting higher degrees to stand out from peers as qualification standards intensify. Some who skipped college after high school return to the classroom because they cant get top jobs without degrees. Returning to school isnt easy. Those in their 40s often have to juggle work, family and academics. They take on new debt when peers are entering peak-earning years. The average cost of in-state public college is about $30,000 a year and much more for private nonprofit schools. View Full Image Cindy Wood, now 58, got her masters and doctorate in her 40s. For many, its worth it. People are living longer and arent retiring at 65. Cindy Woody earned her masters at 41 and completed her doctorate at 47. Im a good investment," says Woody, an assistant professor of educational leadership at the University of Texas at Tyler. Longevity, she says, runs in her family. Her great grandmother lived to almost 100. Woody worked full time while going to school, quit watching TV and handed off housework to family members while she attended in-person classes at night and on Saturday. She wrote papers between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. or on Sunday afternoons. More than 1 million people in their 40s are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Many are looking to make more money in the white-collar world and have greater job security, even at a time when many younger people are questioning the value of a college degree. Skilled trade and apprenticeship programs, which can cost as little as $3,000 a year, are seeing an influx, too, in part because those jobs are seen as less vulnerable to automation and artificial intelligence. Leaky pipes need plumbers. One fourth of the 108 students enrolled in a Pennsylvania job-training program are in their 40s, learning plumbing, carpentry, construction, healthcare and other skills. Many have either lost jobs or want better pay. View Full Image Victoria Miner entered a butcher apprenticeship program. This year weve seen more layoffs and closures," says Erica Mulberger, executive director of Advance Central PA, a nonprofit local workforce development board. One student, Victoria Miner, 48, enrolled in a four-year butcher apprenticeship program, learning to process meat products according to USDA standards. Miner, who raises cattle, felt she needed the training to get taken seriously in a male-dominated industry. Her certification led to a job offer as a USDA inspector, which is less physically demanding than butchering and can extend her career. At this stage in life, using my brain instead of brawn is a better fit for me," says Miner. View Full Image Kevin Korenthal needed a degree to win a top nonprofit job. Degrees and certificates lend credibility. Kevin Korenthal skipped college after high school but worked his way up to leadership roles in the nonprofit world. Top executive positions, though, remained elusive. Its really hard to get those roles without a degree, no matter how capable you are," says Korenthal. He returned to school in his early 40s for an associate degree in digital media, followed by certification for association executives. He did both while working full time and raising two kids. Afterward, he found an online program at Indiana University designed specifically for late-life learning and got his bachelors in nonprofit leadership. Now 53, Korenthal is executive director of the National Association of Park Foundations. Cost is often an obstacle, but near-midlife students find ways to manage. View Full Image Melissa Harkin found a U.K. university that offered remote classes and affordable tuition. Melissa Harkin, a successful freelance translator, already had masters and law degrees from her native Brazil. Melissa Harkin, a successful freelance translator, already had masters and law degrees from her native Brazil. She decided she needed a diploma from a university in the U.S. or Europe to get hired at an American company. After discovering U.S. masters programs in linguistics and translation cost more than $50,000, she found a similar program at the University of Birmingham in England for $22,000. While taking classes remotely, she also took an eight-week course at Harvard for a higher-education teaching certificate for about $3,000. At one point, Harkin, 45, realized she hadnt left her apartment in two months. She missed her sons swimming and jujitsu lessons. At 40, with family, if you put the time in to do it and do it right, it means missing out on other things," says Harkin, who works at Innodata, designing training and assessment materials for large-language model artificial-intelligence projects. She calls the two education programs her best investment in the last three years. Others want a new career because the profession they loved in their 20s and 30s didnt offer the benefits, pay and stability they needed. View Full Image Longtime chef LaToya Hall wanted less heavy lifting. LaToya Hall, a chef for an upscale catering company, was on her feet all day, working unpredictable hours and moving heavy food trays for weddings and bar mitzvahs. During a camping trip, she decided to go back to school. By the time she arrived home, Hall had applied for an 18-month software engineering and web-development associate degree program at New England Institute of Technology. I knew I needed a change and felt ready," says Hall, a 40-year-old single mother of two. She sold her car to save money and took three buses to get to classes, leaving at 5:30 a.m. to make her 7:45 a.m. class. Hall landed an internship while in school, which turned into a full-time job with AAA as a digital-content producer. She received grants and scholarships, but has about $40,000 in loans from her culinary school and the associate degree. I plan to return at some point for my bachelors degree," she says. Write to Clare Ansberry at clare.ansberry@wsj.com Silver prices: In a year dominated by commodities, silver has emerged as the standout performer, surging an impressive 120% year-to-date (YTD). The rally propelled prices past the 200,000 mark for the first time in the domestic market on Friday and put silver on track for its best annual performance since 1979 a 46-year milestone. This, however, is unlikely to mark the end of silver's golden run as analysts expect the prices to scale the 240,000-250,000 target in the next year another 25% rise underpinned by genuine supply constraints rather than transient speculative excess. What's supporting silver price rally? Harshal Dasani, Business Head, INVAsset PMS, said that silver's bull run signals a structural revaluation in a market driven by physical scarcity and broadening demand. The global mine output has failed to respond to higher prices, plateauing at roughly 810 Moz, levels that are effectively unchanged or lower than five years ago. Approximately 70-80% of silver is mined as a by-product of lead, zinc, and copper. This geological reality makes supply price-inelastic, and miners cannot ramp up silver production without crashing the markets for the primary base metals, said Axis Direct. According to Refinitiv data, silver supply deficits are expected to persist through 2026, estimated at 112 Moz. The brokerage further believes that industrial demand remains the cornerstone of the bullish thesis. The photovoltaic (PV) sector has fundamentally altered the demand curve. "The critical takeaway from the demand data is the exponential growth in industrial demand, specifically from the green energy transition. Demand from the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) sector has more than doubled in just four years, from 94.4 Moz in 2020 to 243.7 Moz in 2024. Solar alone accounted for nearly 21% of total demand in 2024, fundamentally altering the metal's usage profile," it noted. Additionally, the market is currently grappling with logistical imbalances driven by trade policy uncertainty. Throughout the year, COMEX futures have persistently traded at a premium to London spot prices. This arbitrage opportunity has aggressively pulled metal out of London, the worlds primary liquidity hub, and redirected it to US vaults, effectively draining the global float. Silver inventory at COMEX has been rising, Axis Direct added. On technical charts, too, silver has decisively broken out of a decade-long bottoming structure. A sustained monthly close above $67 could trigger a multiyear uptrend targeting $76$80, opined the brokerage. It, however, sees consolidation may occur near resistance around $65, but the overall structure remains strongly bullish in the long term. Silver price target In the domestic market, any correction down to the 1,70,000-1,78,000 range can be used for staggered accumulation, with the target of around 2,40,000 for 2026, opined Axis Direct. Meanwhile, Dasani said that looking ahead, silvers outlook remains strong. With ongoing physical shortages, expanding industrial applications and renewed investment interest, Dasani said "the metal is not merely rising it is being revalued". Structurally driven demand suggests the rally can sustain through 2026, supported by real fundamentals rather than short-lived speculation, with silver prices expected to touch 250,000 next year. Upcoming IPO: Shivganga Drillers, an integrated oilfield services company, has filed a draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the capital market regulator Sebi to launch an initial public offering (IPO) to raise 400 crore. The DRHP, filed on December 12, showed that the offer will entirely be a fresh issue of shares worth 400 crore, with no offer for sale component. As a result, all IPO proceeds will go to the company. Shivganga Drillers proposes to utilise 285 crore for the purchase of plant and machinery, 85.5 crore for the payment of debt and the rest for general corporate purposes. According to a PTI report, the company may raise 80 crore through a pre-IPO placement, which, if undertaken, would accordingly adjust the fresh issue size. Shivganga Drillers proposed allocating 50% of the offer for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs), 15% for non-institutional investors (NII) and 35% for retail investors. About Shivganga Drillers Incorporated in 2005, the company is an integrated oilfield services provider offering onshore drilling, offshore operations and management, equipment rental, and integrated project management solutions to upstream operators in India. Also Read | With talk of a SpaceX IPO, Tesla shareholders dream of an X Corp It operates as a full-spectrum drilling services platform with capabilities across well planning, drilling execution, rig management, performance-based contracts, and specialised air-hammer drilling in hard-rock formations. Shivganga Drillers has four site offices across the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Assam and Madhya Pradesh. Its operations, however, extend to up to eight Indian states, spreading its reach to Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh as well. It has demonstrated robust financial growth and operational efficiency over the past few years. In Fiscal 2025, it recorded revenue from operations of 3,544.48 million, reflecting consistent growth from 600.13 million in Fiscal 2023. EBITDA margins improved to 33.08%, underscoring strong cost management and operational leverage. Profit after tax increased to 623.15 million in Fiscal 2025 from 39.16 million in Fiscal 2023, with a margin of 17.58%. Aryaman Financial Services has been appointed as the book-running lead manager. Shares of the company are proposed to be listed on the BSE and NSE. Indias capital markets regulator is likely to reduce margins on equity derivatives on non-expiry days to encourage big traders to place longer-term bets rather than focus solely on the expiration day, said two people aware of the development. A margin is the amount that an investor must pay upfront to initiate a trade in the derivatives segment. The Securities and Exchange Board of Indias (Sebis) move to cut these margins could deepen the derivatives markets, where most of the trading by large, high-frequency and proprietary traders as well as individual investors takes place on the expiry day of weekly option contracts. "The RMRC (Sebis risk management and review committee) is discussing a rationalisation of margins as the current ones can discourage long-term traders, especially on non-expiry days," said one of the persons cited above. The second person said Sebi would seek feedback from market participants on these changes. Queries emailed by Mint to Sebi did not elicit a response. How India differs Indian exchanges require clients to post both SPAN (standard portfolio analysis of risk) margin and extreme-loss margin (ELM) through their brokers to take derivative positions, rather than just the SPAN margin, which is the standard practice globally. SPAN is a proprietary methodology of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange to assess the risk to a trader's portfolio from events that could increase volatility. It is considered adequate to cover 99.975% of likely risk scenarios that could affect a trader's portfolio. However, in addition to SPAN, Indian bourses' clearing corporations impose an ELM that is based on the derivative's notional or total value as an added guardrail. This ELM significantly increases the margin an investor must put up to buy or sell a contract. Also Read | Why Sebi took 33 years to demand accountability from its own leaders What's the plan? According to the second person cited above, Sebi could consider reducing the ELM from 2% to 0.5-1% on non-expiry days only for a hedged portfolio, with an unhedged portfolio attracting the normal 2% ELM. On expiry day, the ELM would be retained at SPAN plus 4%, the second person said. For instance, if the SPAN on a Nifty hedged options position at 26,000 index value is 10,000 and the ELM is 2% of the notional value of the contract, the total margin would work out to 49,000 2% of the Nifty contract value of 19.5 lakh (26,000x75 shares per contract) plus the SPAN margin. If the ELM were halved to 1% of the notional value, the total margin would drop substantially to 29,500, this person said. A hedged position is one that is covered by an opposite trade on the same security in a different segment, say cash versus futures or futures versus options. An unhedged position is a plain-vanilla long or short position . Kruti Shah, a quant analyst at Equirus Securities Pvt Ltd, said, "When I have a hedged position, which mitigates my risk, why should I be charged an exposure or ELM over and above SPAN, which itself is adequate to cover almost all the risk to my portfolio?" Bias for expiry-day trading The Nifty options premium turnover of 77,379 crore on expiry day for the week ended 12 December was almost 50% more than the average daily turnover of 52,561 crore during the week. Similarly, for Sensex, options turnover on expiry day at 53,834 crore was 125% of the average daily turnover for the week ended 12 December, reflecting a preference for expiry-day trading. A broker Mint spoke to said his firm had informally requested Sebi to review margins in the cash segment of exchanges such as BSE and NSE as well. On such trades, the exchange collects a 20% margin upfront if a client buys or sells a stock intraday. Sebi increased the margin on the cash segment trading for clients from nearly zero to 20% in phases between 1 December 2020 and 1 September 2021 to mitigate systemic risk from brokers giving certain clients 40 to 50 times leverage. That prompted many traders to move away from intraday trading on the cash segment to weekly trading on index options. Also Read | Mutual funds in India booming but distributors feel left behind If youre keeping up with the news about the Indian IPO market, you would be aware of Aequs Ltd . The aerospace manufacturing company hit the primary market with its IPO last week, and what an IPO its turning out to be. Between 3 and 5 December, the company received bids from investors for 4,271.3 million shares. This was against the 42 million shares it offered. Thats an oversubscription of 101.63 times. As per media reports, the qualified institutional buyers (QIB) category was subscribed 120.92 times, the non-institutional investors (NII) category was subscribed 80.62 times, and the retail individual investors (RII) category was subscribed 78.05 times. The IPO valued the company at 8,300 crore. When there is such an enormous oversubscription, there are bound to be many investors who will not receive allotment or may receive less than what they wanted. There are also many investors who may be experiencing a sense of regret, which may get enhanced if the listing is strong. In fact, if the stock has a positive listing and continues to rise, there could be a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) among investors. We have seen this before when investors rush to get into a stock after a strong listing. At such moments, its important not to get swayed by emotions, look at the fundamentals of the business, and only then consider making a decision. In this editorial, we will look at the pros and cons of investing in Aequs Ltd. Pros Well-established aerospace business Aequs Ltd is a precision component manufacturer in the aerospace sector. The aerospace segment is largely export-oriented and contributes to 89% of the revenue in FY25. The companys claim to fame is that its the only precision component manufacturer operating within a single Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in India to offer fully vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities in the aerospace segment. Also Read | Three undervalued large-cap stocks to add to your watchlist Aequs has built its engineering capabilities to include advanced processes like machining high-end alloys. The company offers end-to-end engineering solutions, machining, forging, surface treatment, assembly, etc. The core business manufactures components for engine systems, landing systems, cargo and interiors, structures, assemblies, and turning for the aerospace clients. Over the years, it has expanded its portfolio to include consumer electronic devices, plastic toys, and consumer durables like cookware. It operates manufacturing facilities across India, France, and the US. In India, the company runs three manufacturing clusters in Belagavi, Hubballi, and Koppal in Karnataka. The company has a prestigious list of aerospace clients that include Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Collins Aerospace, Spirit AeroSystems Inc., Safran, GKN Aerospace, Honeywell, etc. 2. IPO funds to fuel growth The net proceeds from the fresh issue are slated for critical business objectives: Repayment and/or prepayment of certain outstanding borrowings: 433 crore. Investments in three wholly owned subsidiaries: 415 crore. Funding the purchase of machinery and equipment for the company and its subsidiary, Aerostructure's Manufacturing India Pvt. Ltd, to expand existing capacities: 64 crore. Funding inorganic growth through unidentified acquisitions, other strategic initiatives, and general corporate purposes: the balance funds. The repayment of debt will help boost margins, and the modern machinery being installed will strengthen the companys value proposition. Cons Profitability The companys IPO was made pursuant to Regulation 6(2) of the SEBI ICDR Regulations, which was because it did not satisfy the requirements under Regulation 6(1)(b) of the SEBI ICDR Regulations. Specifically, Aequs did not have an average operating profit of at least 15 crore (calculated on a restated and consolidated basis) during the preceding three fiscal years ended March 2025, March 2024, and March 2023. Due to this eligibility classification, the company was mandated to allot at least 75% of the net offer to QIBs, and not more than 10% of the net offer was available for allocation to retail investors. The companys consolidated revenue declined 3% in FY25, and it has been reporting losses for the last few years. The consistent losses are a key risk factor. The losses have continued in the last six-month period ended September 2025. 2. Valuations As a loss-making entity, the PE ratio is not a meaningful valuation tool in this case. The valuation is 9 times on the price-to-sales ratio at the upper end of the IPO price band. No matter how good the fundamentals of a business may be, investors should always pay close attention to the valuations of the stock. Conclusion This IPO offers retail investors an opportunity to participate in a company distinguished by its unique vertically integrated precision manufacturing model, particularly within the aerospace segment in India. Furthermore, the company aims to utilise the fresh issue proceeds to strengthen its financial position through debt repayment and capacity expansion. However, Investors need to proceed with caution, understanding the regulatory context of the offering and the fact that the company has a history of incurring losses, negative return on net worth (RoNW), and does not meet the statutory operating profit criteria required for certain SEBI eligibility norms. The high dependence on a few key customers and the aerospace segment revenue demands careful consideration of sector-specific and customer risks. Also Read | Here are five reasons why you should invest in ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund IPO Investors must rely on their own examination of the company, the offer and the associated risks before making any investment decision. Happy Investing. Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com When it came out in May 2025, Karen Haos book Empire of AI: Inside the Reckless Race for Total Domination gave the world a new lens through which to look at the rise of Artificial Intelligence companies. In Haos framing, which occupies a central portion of the book along with tracing the growth of US-based OpenAI, modern tech and AI companies resemble the extractive colonial empires of the 18th and 19th centuries. Hao, a former application engineer who has been following the rise of AI since its widespread commercial deployment in the form of Large Language Models (LLMs) over the past few years, has reported for publications like MIT Technology Review, The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic. She believes that we need to start using a new language to bring perspective to the magnitude of the economic and political power held by technology companies like OpenAI. In this conversation on the sidelines of the Bangalore Literature Festival last weekend, Hao spoke to Lounge about how she arrived at this framing and what the consequences of the unchecked rise of AI companies could mean for the world. Edited excerpts from the interview: View Full Image Karen Hao at the Bangalore Literature Festival How did you arrive at this very interesting analogy in your work? It was actually based on scholarship that I started discovering in 2019. There were two pieces of work that were particularly influential: One called Decolonial AI, a 2020 research paper that came out of (Googles) DeepMind, and the other a book called The Costs of Connection: How Data Is Colonizing Human Life and Appropriating It for Capitalism by Nick Couldry and Ulises A. Mejias, published in 2019. Both works were talking about the parallels between the AI industryand the tech industry at largeand colonial empires. That was when I first started thinking about and reporting on AI from that perspective. When ChatGPT came out in the middle of me putting together a book proposal, it clicked that this story needed to be told through the story of OpenAI, which I had been following for some years. While I was initially thinking about the entire AI and tech industry as one empire, it was my editor who pointed out that actually, each company is an empire thats competing with the otherbecause a central part of empire building is that competition. And that made its way into the book as well. In this analogy, what are the empires of AI colonising or extracting? Theyre extracting every resource that they can use to ultimately create profit and also perpetuate their particular ideology, which is trying to build what they sometimes colloquially call an AI god". That includes data, that includes land, energy, fresh water, talent, labour, intellectual property its basically the same thing that the old empires did. They grabbed land, they grabbed cultural artefacts, they tried to impose their knowledge on other people after excavating the indigenous knowledge. Modern AI companies are also trying to excavate indigenous knowledge from all these corners of the earth in their pursuit of creating this AI godfor the purpose of creating a one-size-fits-all model that then projects their ideology on to the rest of the world. What are the dangers of this one-size -fits-all model? To use just one example, think about how its telling, say, history. First of all, its not even telling the history correctly. But even when it is recounting the facts, there is a particular interpretation that comes pretty much from the American perspective, because these models are trained on the internet and the internet is extremely American-dominated. When we read history written by humans, we are aware that there has been a global reckoning with the idea that the white mans perspective is not the only perspective, right? But the global public does not have that same immune system response to AI-generated perspectives. We think AI is more fair and unbiased when, in fact, its actually just the white man in different clothing. You point out that these tech companies now have more resources and money than some countries. What do you think the impact of this could be on the world order? If we allow these companies to continue doing what theyre doingand we can see how the current US administration is giving Silicon Valley free reinthen I think it accelerates and supercharges the democratic backsliding thats happening around the world. Because, ultimately, its creating entities that are more powerful than any other nation-state and that do not have any respect for democracy. These are ultimately techno-authoritarian entities that believe in the idea of a few people at the top deciding what the future should be for billions of others. If we allow these companies to continue doing what theyre doing, then I think it accelerates and supercharges the democratic backsliding thats happening around the world Theres no accountability mechanism. Those billions of people that are affected do not have any way of pushing back. The world moved away from that systemwe moved away from empires towards democracy. And we are now swinging back the other way. How would you compare the AI wave to the rise of social media and the age of disinformation that it brought in its wake? From a data perspective, if you think about Meta as an example, they were an internet company and now theyre an AI company. When Meta entered the generative AI race, they had already accumulated 4 billion user accounts worth of data. They did not even consider that to be table stakes for entering the AI race. There was a New York Times article that reported on how Meta executives were having conversations about acquiring publishing firms for scraping yet more data and loosening all of the data privacy and data restrictions that had been put in place after Cambridge Analytica. So, firstly, were talking about a completely different order of magnitude in terms of data alone. Its also a completely different order of magnitude in terms of physical infrastructure. The modern internet runs on data centres, so every year for the past 20 years weve had more and more data centres in the worldand yet, in the years before the Gen AI boom, US energy demand flatlined and European energy demand fell, even as they were the two regions with the most data centre expansion. In the generative AI era, we are now seeing the US having a historic rise in energy demand because of data centres. The EUs climate goals and energy efficiency goals are being threatened by data centre expansion. And this difference is one of the hardest things to convey because these companies operate at an order of magnitude that the average person has never encountered. (Sam) Altman recently said that he wants to build $10 trillion worth of data centresI think thats a strategy to make it sound like we have always had these big numbers around. We havent. Its completely unprecedented. Maybe the Earth could have sustained the modern internet, but now were talking about needing 100 earths to sustain generative AI. In 1784, two white men joined forces to establish an English school in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. John Sullivan was British representative at the court of the local rajah, while C.F. Schwartz was a missionary who had long worked in India. In promoting English education, they had, of course, specific goals. Sullivan lamented how British officials depended on self-seeking dubashes" (interpreters) for business. If the principal natives" took to English, however, these pesky middlemen could be eliminated. What attracted Schwartz, meanwhile, was that Western education offered to break the obstinate attachment" Indians had to their religion, helping the diffusion of Christianity". Higher-ups in London agreed. For them, English instruction promised one more advantage: the infusing of native minds" with respect for the British nation". On the face of it, this was a perfect win-win". Except that these figures didnt factor in a key element: the motivations of Indians themselves. Indias engagement with English has been much in the news lately. This follows a recent speech by the Prime Minister, in which he cited the infamous Lord Macaulay and his colonial-era effort to evidently uproot Bharat from its own foundation" by creating a class of Indians brown in colour but white in spirit. The result, the Prime Minister added, was a sense of inferiority" about all things Indian, with a mindless aping of the West, and a devaluing of local languages. To a serious extent this is true, in that English and what it represents did acquireand still holdstremendous power in our country. There remain, for example, patrician clubs where the dress code frowns on kurta-pyjamas and admits brogues but not Kolhapuri slippers. Fifty years after independence, similarly, Salman Rushdie could claim that Indian writers working in English" were producing more important" work than those writing in our bhashasa comment that has definitely not aged well. That said, it is simplistic to assume that British villains of Macaulays type landed here with wicked designs, and that Indians tragically succumbed to said designs. For the fact is that the British grew very unhappy with the way in which natives" deployed English, subverting the colonisers grammar book for their own purposes. Schwartz in Thanjavur, for example, hoped to spread Christianity via his school. Yet right from the advent it was patent that most pupils were simply learning English for temporal welfare". That is, they saw the language as a route to employment and enrichmentmoney they then poured into temples and local institutions. Decades later, missionaries would find Brahmins too reading the Bible, viewing it not as a vehicle for spiritual reinvention but as that mundane thing: a textbook. Indians, in other words, were not passively sticking to a script written by foreign puppet masters. They possessed agency and engaged with Western fare selectively, and indeed strategically. Take one of Indias earliest high-profile products of English education: the Thanjavur rajah Serfoji II (1777-1832) was directly tutored by Schwartz. He spoke more than one European language, emitted English poetry", studied modern science, collected books from around the world, enjoyed Western music, and even referred to his missionary preceptor as his father". On the face of it, Serfoji is a perfect specimen of brown complexion plus white culture. Yet the rajah never converted. In fact, he was a patron of temples and Vedic academies, prone to distributing cows to Brahmins, owned a magnificent collection of Sanskrit manuscripts, and remained, as a disappointed European visitor put it, a slave to Hindoo superstition". Of course, he did admire Western advances in medicine, technology, and so on, translating this into local languages. But it was a self-confident, calculated embrace of European ideas, without divorcing himself from the wider package that we call cultural identity. But Serfoji was a prince. What of more ordinary men? While employment was one element in Indians keenness for English education, it does not tell the whole story. As the scholar Parimala V.Rao notes, of the 900 boys who graduated from English schools in western India between 1824-36, less than 100 sought official positions. Yes, many white men in offering English education thought they were creating an army of loyalist clerks to serve the Raj. Yet English was also producing political leaders, professional men, and intellectuals". One of the first systematic critiques of colonial rule emerged just six years after Macaulays views were aired. In 1841, a young man called Bhaskar Pandurang published an appraisal, excoriating British imperialism for its racism, economic depredations, its religious agenda, and more. And he did so in the English language in an English newspaper; he had seized Western weapons to attack Western power. Indians involved in teaching were also alert to the politics around English education; they were not meek instruments of a colonial agenda. The Bengali textbook writer Akshay Kumar Datta (1820-66), for example, worked hard to bring modern science to his people. He acknowledged European technological superiority and criticised an Indian tendency to vest too much faith in custom. But he was not ignorant of the context in which European science came to India; he could see his countrys political prostration. White men here, he declared, showed greed", self-love and tremendous malice". They embodied lowly instincts". That is, even as he admired the Wests technical achievements and urged Indians to learn, this approval was not unqualified or total. Accepting value in English education was not tantamount to legitimising colonialism. If that were the case, B.G. Tilaka firebrand nationalist if ever there was onewould have set up old-fashioned pathasalas, not the New English School and Fergusson College. None of this is to suggest that English was not disruptive; it sapped away patronage from local knowledge systems and languages in many places, and the damage has still not been repaired. It also created a type of anglicised Indian whose notion of accomplishment is entirely Western; there are frameworks of thinking that do alienate us from our own. Jawaharlal Nehru thought adopting English as the official all-Indian language" was humiliating". Mahatma Gandhi was even more damning. Yet it is also true that Englishs place in our history is not black and white. Where colonialism is concerned, we only need to ask whether English achieved the ends its first sponsors intended. Western education was expected to Christianise India. It failed. And if in the 1780s white figures thought English would make loyal subjects of natives", a hundred years later brown men from across the land met under the banner of the Indian National Congress to plot out the course for anti-British nationalism. And they did this in English. Which explains why the status of this language in India remains: Its complicated." Manu S. Pillai is a historian and author, most recently, of Gods, Guns and Missionaries. One of the highlights of 2025 has been the entry of more niche fashion and luxury brands into India. Whether its crystal maker Baccarat or elevated ready-to-wear COS, shopping options for the Indian consumer have grown widely this year. French brand Patou is among the most recent to open a space inside the new luxury department store Galeries Lafayette in Mumbai. The clothes, from coats to T-shirts, are chic and effortless, but they are far more colourful and playful than one would expect from a Parisian brand. That wasnt the case when Jean Patou founded it in 1914. At the time, it offered haute couture with freer silhouettes, unlike its competitors such as Chanel, which were influenced more by traditional styles. After Patous death, the house saw some of the greatest names of fashion at its helm: Karl Lagerfeld, Jean Paul Gaultier and Christian Lacroix. After Lacroix left in 1986 to start his own brand, the Patou house ceased its activity, till the French conglomerate LVMH acquired it in 2018. I still call it a project," says Guillaume Henry, the Patou creative director since its relaunch. Its been a sleeping beauty for a long time." In an interview, Henry tells Lounge about Patous entry into the Indian market and why he doesnt try to please cool people. Edited excerpts: What makes you so interested in India? This is not my first time in India; Patous embroidery is done here. From a design perspective, its always been a place full of enthusiasm, joy and fantasy. Thats what also drives my work as a creative director. So, when I work for a brand, I first want to seduce the people that I know can be connected to the work I do. I also have a long relationship with Galeries Lafayette, so that was another reason. How long an association is that? I didnt know what I wanted to do in life until the day I saw a show by (Christian) Lacroix show on TV. I must have been 10 or 11. So I told my parents, Be ready, Ill be a big designer in Paris one day". When you dont know anything about the fashion industry, it seems very easy. And then I arrived in Paris at the age of 15 in the early 2000s and created my own brand. The first people to buy my stuff back in the day (2001) were Galeries Lafayette in Paris. Soon, I had to close the brand for many reasons, including how 11 September (attacks in the US in 2001) made the market super flat. So, then I started designing for different brands, including Paula Ke (2003-06), and the first one to buy it was the Galeries Lafayette. And then I was designing Nina Ricci (2015-18) and again they were very supportive. Patou also has a store in Paris Galeries Lafayette. Not many people are familiar with the Patou brand, especially in India. How will you work on creating that brand recognition? Its easy to understand and recognise a Chanel even after 100 years because theyve had a single family owning the design language. Patou has had many owners. It was also only haute couture, which means really few clients. And after Lacroix left the brand in 1986, it was silent till 2018. So, I still call Patou a project, because we are still discovering markets, people and clients. Isnt that a challenge considering how crowded the fashion market is? The market is full, Patou or not. Youre asking me the question today, but I asked this question to myself seven years ago. I saw how many brands are created every single day. I mean, its fantastic because it means that theres a real dynamic to it. When I was in fashion school (Institut Francais de la Mode), there were only 13 students in my course. This year, they had 700. The fashion industry is growing because theres new clientele. But is there enough new clientele for so many brands? I dont know. When we started in 2018, the (Parisian) fashion landscape was grey, blue and black and very uniform-like. I wanted to do ready-to-wear full of joy and enthusiasm with balloon skirts, balloon sleeves. We wanted to offer something a little feminine and fun, but nothing funny. When you talk about femininity, people turn it into something cute. Im not into cute. I like the idea of feeling, when a garment is flattering, charming, appealing all those words that are a little old school. Patou used to be a couture brand, and I want to keep that couture touch. How do you do that? When Im thinking of couture, Im thinking of three dimensions. It has to look nice from the front, the profile and the back. It has to look nice outside and inside. And it should talk to every sense. Its not only the look, but its the touch. Its even the noise. I love the noise of fabrics. During interviews, people ask me which actor I would like to dress. I want to dress my friends because they want to look cool and beautiful but theyve got work, kids and they also want to party at night. They dont have time to prepare themselves for hours in the bathroom. Fashion shouldnt be complicated; it should be easy and simple. How do you keep up with trends when designing a collection? When youre on trend, youre in trouble. A trend is killed by another trend in six months time. As far as recognising Patou is concerned, that will take time. A signature is something that you have to repeat and repeat for people to get it. You can also be recognisable by being strong in terms of shape or fabric, like having a crazy shoulder or a crazy crinkled fabric. When you do things that are a little extreme, Im not sure the clientele is going to return the second time. We dont want to be ordinary, but we dont want to be extraordinary either. True fashion that lasts is in the middle. I dont try to please cool people. Its also why all my inspiration is from the 1920s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, because there was no real ready-to-wear then. People were always wearing the same styles they had in their closet. Those shapes dont look bizarre. Im 100% into bizarre fashion, but thats not what I do. Good fashion is not just that sells but also one that stays alive forever. Im not only dressing fashion monsters. I dress fashion enthusiasts. Im not only trying to dress a model-sized woman. Fashion tends to hide the woman. I much prefer when fashion reveals the woman. Also Read | A jeweller that wants to sell diamonds with everyday appeal Ghaziabad: Police in the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh have arrested an employee of Punjab and Sind Bank on charges of embezzlement, involving the misappropriation of approximately 65 lakh from several customer accounts. The accused, identified as 29-year-old Somil Tiwari, allegedly utilized the stolen funds for trading in the stock market, police said on Saturday. The investigation was initiated following a formal complaint filed on November 21 by Himanshu Gupta, the Branch Manager of Punjab and Sind Bank. The large-scale fraud was initially uncovered after a customer reported a bounced cheque, which triggered a closer review by senior bank officials. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of Modinagar Amit Saxena told the agency that Tiwari had "used customers' investment funds for share trading, incurring heavy losses, which he attempted to cover by withdrawing money from the accounts." During police interrogation, Tiwari confessed to the crime. He admitted to deliberately targeting customer accounts that exhibited minimal activity. His method involved creating fictitious bank accounts and subsequently draining the targeted accounts through fraudulent Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) transfers and the misuse of cheques. Tiwari has been formally arrested, and the police stated that further investigation into the full extent of the fraudulent activities remains underway. Delhi Police uncovers forex scam with Dubai link In November, the Delhi Police arrested three people, including a sales manager of a private bank, over alleged links with an interstate syndicate involved in large-scale forex trading scam operated by Dubai-based handlers, as reported by news agency PTI. According to the police, the accused were identified as Anurag Kumar, a mule-account provider; Zeeshan Syed, sales manager at a private bank; and Himanshu Gupta, a key handler with past involvement in cheating and forgery. They were allegedly part of a network that created shell companies and opened multiple mule current accounts to layer and launder the proceeds of investment frauds. The gang lured victims through social media groups, using manipulated dashboards to display fictitious forex trading profits. Manipulated by the fake returns, victims were induced to deposit money repeatedly, which was then routed through a layered network of accounts created under entities such as "Rebootz Sync Professionals Pvt Ltd" and "ThinkSync Professionals Pvt Ltd", the police said. AMMAN, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for 87 percent of Jordan's EV imports in the first 11 months of this year, Jordan Customs data show, with car dealers and consumers speaking highly of their affordability, technology and lower running costs. Of the 47,964 EVs imported by Jordan between January and November, 41,901 came from China, according to figures provided to Xinhua by Jordan Customs earlier this month. Hashem Aql, a Jordanian automotive industry expert, attributed the "huge growth" of Chinese EVs in Jordan to their lower prices, efficiency, quality, and extended driving range. Abdelbaset Malouk, an importer of several Chinese EV brands, said they offer "advanced technology and high comfort at a price point that appeals to a broad range of buyers." Consumers who have switched to Chinese EVs report substantial savings. Majd Saqer, who has been driving a Chinese BYD Dolphin for the past eight months, said his transportation costs fell by two-thirds thanks to lower charging expenses. "Chinese models were significantly more affordable than cars from other countries with similar specifications," he said, praising Chinese EVs for their "impressive technology." Jordanian driver Rami Al-Khalidi highlighted the reliability of Chinese EVs. "Over time, it became clear that the biggest advantage is stability," he said. "There are no sudden fuel price shocks, and maintenance is easier to manage." Chinese EVs offer a practical balance between affordability, comfort and operational efficiency, he said. The Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) on Saturday directed all schools to conduct hybrid classes for students up to class 9 and class 11, following the implementation of stage four curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan. In compliance to the order (CAQM order of GRAP-IV), all Heads of Schools of Government, Government Aided, Unaided Recognised Private Schools of DOE, NDMC, MCD and Delhi Cantonment Board are directed to conduct classes in schools for children up to Class IX and XI in a "Hybrid" Mode i.e. both in physical and online mode (wherever online mode is feasible) with immediate effect until further orders," the circular reads. For students of Classes 10 and 12, classes will continue to be held in schools. Stage 4 curbs include a ban on all construction activities and the entry of non-essential polluting trucks into Delhi. The decision comes as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital region worsened, crossing the 400 mark in several areas. The AQI in the national capital was recorded at 478 at around 7 pm today, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Among cities in the Delhi-NCR region, Delhi recorded the third-worst air quality, with an AQI of 448, behind Noida at 455 and Greater Noida at 442, highlighting the severity of pollution across the region. The Delhi government has also directed all government and private offices in the city to shift at least 50% of their staff to work from home. A similar directive had been issued on November 24 following the implementation of GRAP-3 measures, but it was later withdrawn after the restrictions were lifted later that month. Also Read | Rahul Gandhi raises alarm over air pollution, Rijiju says govt ready to discuss The CAQM attributed the deterioration in air quality to a weak Western Disturbance approaching north-west India, stating that it was the primary cause rather than local emission sources. Three members of a family were found dead at their residence in southeast Delhis Kalkaji on Friday, with police suspecting the deaths to be a case of suicide, officials said, as reported by PTI. The incident was discovered around 2.47 p.m. when a police team arrived at the house to carry out a court order related to possession of the property. After repeated knocks received no response, officials used a duplicate key to open the door. Inside, officers found Anuradha Kapoor (52) and her sons, Ashish Kapoor (32) and Chaitanya Kapoor (27), hanging from the ceiling, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari said in a statement. All three were declared dead. A handwritten note found in the room indicated that the family had been dealing with depression. The handwritten note indicates emotional distress faced by the family due to which the family may have taken the extreme step, the officer said, PTI reported. Also Read | ChatGPT reinforces delusional beliefs, fails to flag risky behaviour The bodies have been shifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) mortuary for post-mortem and other legal formalities under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), police said. Here's what neighbours said Residents of the neighbourhood said they were shocked to learn about the deaths, adding that the family kept largely to themselves. Baldev, a neighbour, said the family had been living in the newly constructed house for around two years. "We only knew that a mother and her two children lived there. They had moved into the newly built house around two years ago. We did not interact much with them. Today we heard that all three have committed suicide, and whatever we know is based on what people here are saying," he said. Also Read | Daily routines that affect mental health: 6 ways to stay strong this New Year Another neighbour, Ramesh Kumar, claimed the family had earlier attempted suicide. About fifteen to twenty days ago, the two sons in the family had attempted suicide and police and ambulances had come. That was when I first got to know who they were. I do not recognise them by face, but we saw the ambulances and police take the two sons that day. Today again we saw ambulances and police arriving, so everyone came out to see what had happened. I do not know how long they had been living here, but this is all we know, he said. Police said they are examining the family's financial condition, social circumstances, and other factors that may have contributed to the incident. Further investigation is underway. Help is available! If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. Youre not alone. Check these Suicide Prevention Helplines: KIRAN (Government of India): 1800-599-0019 AASRA: +91-9820466726 Sneha (Chennai): 044-2464-0050 iCall: 9152987821 (MonSat, 8 am10 pm) If there is immediate danger, please call 112 or go to the nearest emergency room. As Delhi continues to grapple with air pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Managements (CAQM) Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) announced the implementation of Stage IV measures throughout the National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect on Saturday, 13 December, reported ANI. The decision comes hours after GRAP III measures were implemented in the region amid rising pollution levels. When is GRAP IV implemented? GRAP Stage IV is imposed when air quality enters the Severe+ category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 450. What restrictions fall under GRAP IV? Here's a list of restrictions that fall under GRAP IV, according to CAQM Restriction on vehicles The entry of truck traffic into Delhi will be restricted, except for those carrying essential commodities providing essential services. However, all LNG, CNG, electric and BS-VI diesel trucks shall be permitted to enter Delhi. Who will implement? This rule will be implemented by the state government, transport commissioners, heads of urban local bodies in Delhi-NCR towns, and the Commissioner of Police or the head of the Traffic Police in the region. Ban on certain vehicles Authorities will enforce a strict ban on plying of Delhi-registered diesel-operated BS-IV and below Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities / providing essential services. Who will implement? This measure will be implemented by the state governments of NCR & GNCTD, Transport Commissioners, Commissioner of Police / Head of Traffic Police of Delhi and NCR towns. Ban on construction activities Ban construction activities, similar to those in the GRAP Stage-III, also apply to linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission lines, pipelines, telecommunication infrastructure, etc. Who will implement? The authorities responsible for implementing this rule are the Chairpersons of CPCB, DPCC, and SPCBs, as well as Commissioners or Chief Engineers of Urban Local Bodies in Delhi-NCR towns, and Nodal officers of road-owning agencies (dust control and management cells). Will schools conduct classes? State governments in the NCR and the GNCTD are to mandatorily conduct classes in schools for children, including higher classes such as VI to IX and XI, in a "Hybrid" mode both physical and online (wherever feasible) within the territorial jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar. The NCR State Governments might also consider conducting classes in a "Hybrid" mode for students in other NCR regions. It must be noted that the option to exercise online mode education, wherever available, shall vest in the students and their guardians. Other emergency measures State Governments may consider additional emergency measures such as closing colleges and educational institutions, shutting down non-essential commercial activities, permitting the operation of vehicles on an odd-even registration number basis, etc. As Delhi's air quality continued to deteriorate on Saturday, slipping near the severe category, the government announced that it is implementing Stage 3 restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). A thick blanket of smog shrouded the national capital on Saturday morning with an air quality index (AQI) of 401, in the 'severe' category. Announcing the implementation of GRAP 3 measures, the Delhi government, in a press statement, said the AQI in the capital city was recorded as 349 on December 12 at 4 PM, and exhibited a sharp increasing trend during the early hours of Saturday. Delhi AQI was recorded at 401 at 10:00 AM on December 13, owing to slow wind speed, stable atmosphere, unfavourable weather parameters and meteorological conditions and lack of dispersal of pollutants. Citing the prevailing trend of air quality, the Delhi administration said that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has taken the call to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-III of the extant GRAP Severe Air Quality (DELHI AQI ranging between 401-450), with immediate effect, in the entire NCR. Stage 3 resptritions will be implemented in addition to the actions under Stages I & II of the extant GRAP already in force in NCR. The press note also noted that the NCR Pollution Control Boards and other relevant agencies have been asked to intensify preventive measures to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region. When do different GRAP stages mean? GRAP Stage 1 is put into effect when the air quality reaches the poor category. Restrictions include banning operations at unregistered construction sites, prohibiting open fires, and sweeping and sprinkling on roads. GRAP Stage 2 focuses on discouraging the use of private vehicles and improving cleaning. Parking fees have also been increased to deter the use of private transportation. At GRAP Stage 3, the restrictions become even harsher, with the imposition of a strict ban on all older four-wheelers in the Delhi-NCR region. Restrictions are also be imposed on Delhi-registered diesel-operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and specific non-Delhi-registered Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), except those carrying essential goods. In such a case, people are also advised to work from home if possible. Then, the last one is GRAP Stage 4, which is the severe plus category, in which entry of trucks into Delhi is completely stopped (except essential commodities and clean fuel trucks). Additional restrictions under GRAP Stage 3 Ban on transport of construction materials like sand and cement, especially on unpaved roads. Complete ban on demolition and construction activities unless necessary, including earthwork, piling and trenching. Advising private companies to allow work-from-home or a hybrid mode of work to curb vehicular emissions. Restriction on inter-state diesel buses entering or operating in Delhi. Prohibition on plying of BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and neighbouring districts in NCR. Directing closures of stone crushers, mining, and hot-mix not running on clean fuel. The Ministry of Minority Affairs has issued an advisory for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims as the Ministry of Hajj & Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has set the last date for finalising Housing and Services Contracts for Hajj 2026 as February 1, 2026. The pilgrims have been advised to book services on time to avoid issues. Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijuju also urged Indian Hajj pilgrims to apply early and choose authorised Hajj Group Organisers. Booking by January 15, 2026, is essential to secure accommodation and avoid last-minute issues, as the final date for contracts is February 1, 2026, he noted. In a post on the social media platform X, Rijuju posted, For the convenience of Indian private Hajj pilgrims, I urge everyone to apply early & choose only authorised Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs)/PTOs. Timely booking by 15 January 2026 will help avoid last-minute difficulties & ensure smooth, well-organised arrangements for this sacred journey. Also Read | Saudia flight from Jeddah reports smoke from wheels after landing in Lucknow What does Ministry's notice say? According to the Ministry's notice, Hajj pilgrims are advised to book through Hajj Group Organisers and Private Tour Operators well in advance to ensure compliance with Saudi Arabia's deadlines for Hajj-2026, including accommodation and transportation contracts. These mandatory contractual arrangements are essential for ensuring accommodation, transport, and other logistical services for pilgrims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a notice from the Ministry read. Pilgrims must ideally complete their booking procedures by 15 January 2026 to secure housing and service contracts within the specified deadline, prevent last-minute issues, and ensure the timely completion of all necessary processes. Timely completion of booking is necessary to complete the procedural compliance, including finalisation of accommodation, transportation contracts within the deadlines stipulated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Hajj-2026, the notice read. Additionally, the Ministry recommended that pilgrims check their registration status, quota, and approval with the relevant Hajj Group Organisers and Private Tour Operators prior to booking, and to ensure they book only through authorised entities. Why is Hajj important? Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the most sacred city in Islam, located in Saudi Arabia, home to the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site. The pilgrimage takes place during a specific period and concludes with Eid-ul-Adha. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Many pilgrims also travel to Medina, where the Prophet Muhammads tomb is located and which is the second-holiest site in Islam. Although visiting Medina is not an official requirement of Hajj, it remains a meaningful spiritual journey for many devout Muslims. The Hajj pilgrimage takes place annually from the eighth to the thirteenth day of Zil-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. IndiGo crisis: Operations of budget carrier IndiGo stabilised in the days following government intervention, after thousands of flights were cancelled last week due to various operational reasons of the airline, including newer amendments to the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) order. As of Friday, 12 December, IndiGo operated more than 2,000 daily flights, as the airline said its focus remained on compensating passengers who were severely affected due to the IndiGo flight cancellations. Here are the latest IndiGo flight cancellation updates and news. IndiGo to provide 500 crore compensation In a statement on Friday, IndiGo said that it will compensate more than 500 crore in total to severely affected customers whose flights were cancelled within 24 hours of departure and were left stranded at airports across the country. Also Read | IndiGo slapped with nearly 59 crore penalty linked to GST Our goal is to make this process (of refunds) as transparent, easy, and hassle-free as possible for you. We will be provided compensation which, in our current estimation, will be in excess of 500 crores to customers whose flights were cancelled within 24 hours of departure time and/or to customers severely stranded at certain airports, IndiGo said in a statement. Identifying severely affected passengers IndiGo further said in the statement said it was in the process of identifying flights where customers were severely impacted and stranded at airports on 3, 4, and 5 December and will reach out to all such customers in January so that compensation can be extended smoothly. View full Image IndiGo issues statement 160 flights cancelled on Friday IndiGo on Friday cancelled around 160 flights from two key airports, Delhi and Bengaluru, as disruptions continued, PTI reported quoting two people familiar with the development. IndiGo has cancelled 159 flights on Friday from Delhi and Bengaluru, sources said. Focus on refunds IndiGo said its focus remains on issuing refunds promptly. At this stage, our primary focus through December 2025 is ensuring that all refunds for affected customers are processed efficiently, expeditiously, and with the utmost urgency. Most of them have already been completed, and the remaining ones will reflect shortly, IndiGo said on X. IndiGo operates 2000+ flights IndiGo said it was operating over 2,000 flights on Friday as per its revised scaled down schedule. Under the winter schedule, which commenced in the last week of October and will run through the last week of March next year, IndiGo was allowed to operate 15,014 flights per week, or 2,144 per day, on domestic routes. IndiGo is set to operate over 2,000 flights today, as per its revised scaled-down schedule, the airline said. An IndiGo flight experienced a tail strike while the aircraft was landing at the Ranchi airport, officials said on Saturday. The incident occurred at around 7.30 pm on Friday when the Bhubaneswar-Ranchi flight was making its final approach to the runway with nearly 70 passengers on board, they added. Status of the passengers The Airport and airline officials said the aircraft landed safely and there were no immediate reports of injuries among passengers or crew. Further details on the cause of the incident are awaited. The tail of the aircraft touched the runway during landing. Passengers experienced a sudden jolt. However, they were all safe and unharmed, Ranchi airport Director Vinod Kumar told PTI. Aircraft ineligible for takeoff The plane was grounded following the incident after checks found it to be technically ineligible for takeoff, he said. Its next departure from Ranchi to Bhubaneswar was cancelled. Some passengers cancelled their journey, while some rescheduled their travel. Some passengers were sent to Bhubaneswar by road, he added. In 2023, India's aviation regulator fined Indigo for deficiencies in documentation and operational practices following a special audit. The audit was conducted after a series of tail strike incidents involving the carrier's A321 aircraft. Indigo aircrafts have experienced as many as four tail strike incidents in the first six months of 2023, Reuters reported earlier. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had levied a penalty of 3 million rupees ($36,475) for deficiencies in the carrier's documentation and procedures of operations training, engineering and flight data monitoring, the ministry was quoted as saying by Reuters. Indigo Chaos This incident comes amid a nationwide surge in flight delays and cancellations due to operational constraints, which left thousands of passengers stranded. IndiGo, the country's largest carrier, faced the crisis, apparently due to a crew shortage, which triggered widespread delays and cancellations, prompting a probe by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Also Read | IndiGo slapped with nearly 59 crore penalty linked to GST On Friday, 12 December, the airline said it operated over 1,950 flights with just four cancellations, which were attributed to unfavourable weather. IndiGo added that all affected customers were informed in advance to avoid inconvenience, and that connectivity across all of its 138 operational destinations remains intact. Indians work some of the longest hours in a week globally. Unsurprisingly, therefore, Indian employees also report high levels of burnout. Yet our productivity is among the lowest worldwide even as digital connectivity has expanded work hours. While Infosys founder Narayana Murthy insists that Indians should work more than 70 hours a week (labour laws cap it at 48 hours) for nation building", Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule has introduced the Right to Disconnect Bill 2025 in the winter session of Parliament, which seeks to empower employees to decline work-related calls or messages outside their scheduled work hours. Since the bill was introduced by an opposition MP, it may not have the votes required for approval, but it has certainly put the spotlight on workers health. Mint examines what different surveys and reports show about Indias work-life balance. Long hours, low productivity Indians worked more than 45 hours a week on average in 2024 the ninth highest globally, according to the International Labour Organization. But in terms of productivity, India delivered an output of $10.8 per hour, one of the lowest globally and the second-lowest among emerging economies. The problem is rooted in outdated skills, widespread informality, uneven job opportunities beyond big cities, and health issues caused by exploitative work cultures factors that collectively erode cognitive performance and motivation. Data from the ILO shows that advanced economies tend to achieve higher productivity while working fewer hours per week. Take Switzerland, for example. The average work week there is about 35.2 hours, the fourth-lowest in the world, but it delivers an output of nearly $86 per hourthe highest globally. Limited access to decent work Indias score in the global labour rights index 2024 was 65 out of 100, falling in the category of limited access to decent work. The score has remained unchanged since 2022 and is down by two points since 2020. Weak labour protections often mean unstable jobs, unpredictable hours, limited safety nets, and little bargaining power all of which worsen burnout and reduce long-term productivity. A further breakdown of the scores across various parameters on a scale of 100 shows that India lags severely in fair treatment, with a score of 20, followed by freedom of association, employment security, and family responsibilities. The labour rights index is part of a biennial report jointly released by the WageIndicator Foundation and Centre for Labour Research that assesses labour laws worldwide. High burnout rates For many Indians, especially those in formal jobs, burnout has quietly become a normal part of working life. The 2023 McKinsey Health Institute report showed that 59% of Indian workers were burnt out, the highest among the 30 countries surveyed. The symptoms paint an even more worrying picture: 67% say their thinking feels foggy, 62% feel drained, 59% wake up with a reluctance to work, and 58% feel emotionally overloaded. And yet, nearly half of these workers continue to function at high levels, even as growing pressures steadily wear them down, the report said. Right to disconnect: will it help? Technological innovation and digital integration has further skewed the work-life balance. While the call for Indians to work harder to has merit, this can also be done by prioritizing productivity over the number of hours worked or availability after work hours. While workers in many low- and middle-income economies work long hours with low productivity, laws mandating the right to disconnect are limited to a handful of high-income countries. Moreover, only a small part of the formal workforce, primarily in the professional services sector, is likely to benefit from such a law in India. India may need broader laws to ensure workers aren't stuck with long, unproductive work hours. As Delhis air quality deteriorated further during the day, breaching the 400 mark and slipping into the Severe+ category, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Centres anti-pollution panel, imposed GRAP 4 restrictions in the national capital and its adjoining areas from tonight. This came just hours after the CAQM had enforced GRAP 3 earlier in the day, when air quality levels were hovering above 300. The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 448 at 7 pm on Saturday, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). GRAP is a set of emergency measures aimed at tackling severe air pollution. Under GRAP Stage IV, the commission has rolled out stricter emergency measures in addition to the curbs already in force under Stages I, II and III. All construction and demolition activities, including earthwork, excavation and structural work, have been halted, along with the operation of stone crushers, brick kilns, hot mix plants and mining units. Industrial units using coal, furnace oil or other unapproved fuels have also been ordered to shut down. The entry of diesel-powered medium and heavy goods vehicles into Delhi has been banned, except for those carrying essential commodities. The use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers has also been prohibited. In addition, non-essential inter-state diesel buses that are not BS-VI compliant, electric or CNG have been barred. The use of diesel generator sets has been restricted to emergency and essential services only, while open burning of any kind, including waste and biomass, has been banned. Any activity that may lead to increased dust generation or emissions is also not permitted. Are schools closed in Delhi? According to the circular dated December 13, the Delhi Directorate of Education directed all schools to conduct classes for students up to Class IX and XI in a hybrid mode in light of the deteriorating air quality in the national capital. According to the circular dated December 13, government, government-aided, and unaided recognised private schools under the Directorate of Education, NDMC, MCD, and the Delhi Cantonment Board have been instructed to offer both physical and online classes wherever feasible until further orders. 50% WFH in offices In an official order, the government also directed that all administrative secretaries and heads of departments shall attend office regularly, with no more than 50 per cent staff strength physically present. "The remaining 50 per cent staff shall work from home, provided that the Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments can call officers/officials to the office, as required to ensure uninterrupted delivery of essential and emergency public services," the order read. Likewise, the order stipulated that all private offices operating within Delhi shall function with no more than 50 per cent staff physically attending the workplace. "The remaining staff shall mandatorily work from home," it added. The order also urged all private entities to implement staggered working hours where feasible. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday praised the UDFs victory in the Kerala local body elections and also congratulated the BJP for its historic showing in his Thiruvananthapuram constituency, describing it as the beauty of democracy". Tharoor took to X and said that the peoples mandate should be accepted, whether it favours the UDF overall or the BJP in his constituency. He stated, What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through. A huge congratulations to @UDFKerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies!" This is a massive endorsement and a powerful signal ahead of the state legislative elections. Hard work, a strong message and anti-incumbency have all clearly paid off to achieve a much better result than in 2020. Tharoor remarked. Tharoor said that he also wanted to acknowledge the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram and offered his humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city Corporation, describing it as a strong showing that marked a notable shift in the capital's political landscape. He mentioned that he had campaigned for change following 45 years of LDF misrule, but in the end, the voters chose a different party that had also promised a clear shift in governance. Kerala local bodies elections Out of the 101 wards in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP secured 50, the LDF 29, the UDF 19, and two were won by independent candidates. The BJP fell just one seat short of a clear majority in the corporation, according to PTI. Moreover, the NDA managed to retain the Palakkad municipality after a tight contest with the Congress-led UDF and captured the Thrippunithura Municipality from the grand old party. In Thrissur, where Suresh Gopi had won in last years Lok Sabha elections, the BJP claimed 18 of the 46 wards in Kodungallur Municipality, eight in Thrissur Corporation, two each in Guruvayoor and Vadakkancherry municipalities, seven in Kunnamkulam Municipality, six in Irinjalakuda Municipality, and one in Chalakudy Municipality. PM Modi hails NDA-BJP's win Meanwhile, earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the people of Kerala who supported BJP and NDA candidates in the states local body elections and hit out at both the United Democratic Front and the Left Democratic Front. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, My gratitude to the people across Kerala who voted for BJP and NDA candidates in the local body polls in the state. Kerala is fed up of UDF and LDF. They see NDA as the only option that can deliver on good governance and build a #VikasitaKeralam with opportunities for all." SANYA, China, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- China has managed to integrate technological progress with preservation of the sea ecosystem, a Malaysian expert told Xinhua on Friday. "I'm very impressed with how far China has advanced in the maritime area," said Ruhanas Harun, professor at Malaysia's National Defence University. Harun has lately attended the 6th Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance and visited marine science parks, laboratories and ocean-related companies in Sanya, a coastal city in China's southern island province of Hainan. In her view, China's approach stands out in several respects. Beijing has sought to internationalise its maritime governance agenda, working with other countries to promote sustainable ocean development while curbing pollution, she said. China has played an active role in global efforts to tackle marine plastic waste, sharing technological solutions and regulatory experience, an approach Harun said was encouraging to see. She also highlighted China's expanding cooperation on maritime safety through early-warning systems for disaster prevention and mitigation. China has also signed maritime cooperation agreements with over 50 countries and international organizations and helped establish more than 10 joint research platforms while supplying maritime public goods. She said that Hainan province is similar to several countries of ASEAN in geographical conditions, natural environment and culture. Today's China is steadily advancing the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, which can not only promote high-quality development in Hainan's economy, technology and culture, but also help China smooth the domestic and international dual circulation. "This strategic vision is admirable," she noted, stressing the importance adapt to local conditions. As an international relations expert from Malaysia, Harun said that Malaysia and China have deep historical and cultural ties and that there is great potential for the two countries to further deepen practical cooperation. Harun said that she is "very optimistic" about the future of Malaysia-China cooperation. Several schools in the rural belt of Punjab's Amritsar received bomb threat emails on Friday, triggering the evacuation of students and prompting authorities to launch anti-sabotage checks. According to a Hindustan Times report, all schools opened on Friday morning as usual, and students were attending their classes when some private schools, including The Senior Study School, The Junior Study School, and Sprint Dale Senior Secondary School, received threat emails. This triggered panic across the city, as worried parents rushed to pick up their wards after the district administration ordered the closure of schools across Amritsar, causing chaotic scenes. Also Read | Delhi bomb threat: Multiple schools across capital city receive email threats According to news agency PTI, citing officials, search operations were conducted at all the school premises, but nothing suspicious was found. The officials have urged citizens to avoid panic, adding that the incident is under investigation. In the past, few students were found responsible for a similar "mischief". There is no need to panic as police are fully alert, the officer said. Some schools across the city and rural belt have received a suspicious email. A gazetted officer is deployed at each school and anti-sabotage checks are underway. The Cyber Police Station is tracking the source of the mail on a war footing, Amritsar Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said in a statement. Earlier, a local DAV Public School student was detained for sending a bomb threat email to his school. He was let off after he and his parents submitted a written apology. Also Read | Hyderabad airport receives bomb threat for 3 flights Targeting children is unforgivable: Congress MP Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla said he was deeply shocked at the threat mails received by several schools. Targeting children is an unforgivable act of cowardice and their safety is non-negotiable, he said. Aujla said he was inside the Lok Sabha when the incident came to his notice. "The moment I stepped out of the House, I was informed about these threats. Such acts are attempts to terrorise society, and we must confront them collectively, without fear," he said, adding, "I want to assure everyone that I'm standing firmly with you." The MP said he immediately contacted the Amritsar Police Commissioner, urging heightened security around all affected schools and a swift, thorough investigation. He has also pressed the Punjab government to seek direct assistance from the Centre and central investigating agencies to ensure the perpetrators are promptly identified and punished. "Our children are the nation's most precious asset. Those behind this cowardly act must be arrested immediately and dealt with in the harshest possible manner," the MP said. Also Read | Delhis Ramjas and Deshbandhu colleges receive bomb threats Referring to the earlier threat emails received by the Golden Temple, Aujla claimed the investigation into the case has not made substantial progress. Sanskrit, the ancient Indian language, is making its way back to Pakistan classrooms for the first time since partition in 1947. According to a report by The Tribune, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) launched a four-credit course in the classical language after a three-month weekend workshop received strong interest from students and scholars. As part of the Sanskrit course, Pakistani students will also be exposed to the Urdu rendition of Hai katha sangram ki, the iconic theme from the Mahabharat television series, The Tribune report said. Also Read | Sanskrit can be used for coding: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Pakistan has one of the richest, yet most neglected, Sanskrit archives at the Punjab University library, said Dr Ali Usman Qasmi, Director of the Gurmani Centre. A significant collection of Sanskrit palm-leaf manuscripts was catalogued in the 1930s by scholar JCR Woolner, but no Pakistani academic has engaged with this collection since 1947. Only foreign researchers use it. Training scholars locally will change that, he told The Tribune. Dr Qasmi said that the university aims to bring courses on the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita. In 10-15 years, we could see Pakistan-based scholars of the Gita and the Mahabharata. Also Read | Mysterious Sanskrit text discovered in Germany: Social media reacts According to the report, an Associate Professor at Forman Christian College, Dr Shahid Rasheed, has been the main force behind the introduction of the course. Classical languages contain much wisdom for mankind, Dr Rasheed said, while sharing that he knows Arabic, Persian, and Sanskrit. He said that he had to rely on online platforms to learn these languages. It took almost a year to cover classical Sanskrit grammar. And I'm still studying it, he said. Sharing that he has often been questioned for his choice to study Sanskrit, Dr Rasheed said, I tell them, why should we not learn it? It is the binding language of the entire region. Sanskrit grammarian Panini's village was in this region. Also Read | Gulzar, Rambhadracharya selected for Jnanpith Award In the past few months, immigration lawyers in the United States have reported several dozen cases of arrests of foreign spouses of Americans during interviews at US Citizenship and Immigration Services offices. Scores of such cases belong to San Diego alone, while cases have also been reported in New York City, Cleveland and Utah, according to an NBC report citing immigration lawyers and local news. This marks an unprecedented diversion from a decades-long policy, the news outlet reported quoting lawyers, whose clients are panicked that they might be detained even when they are eligible to obtain legal permanent US citizenship and have no history of crime. Why are Trump officials arresting green card applicants? The detentions of green card applicants is one of the latest tactics of the Donald Trump administration to target legal ways for immigration as it tightens scrutiny of those who seek permanent residency. Defending the arrests, officials have said several of them happened because the people had fallen out of status by overstaying their visas. However, experienced attorneys argue that this has never been an issue and the Congress grants exceptions to spouses of American citizens looking for permanent residency. Also Read | Are you seeking Green Card? New USCIS policy could affect your timeline Are the arrests legal? According to immigration laws, immediate relatives of US citizens, such as spouses, have legal rights to get a green card even if they were in the unlawful immigration status at the time of filing for permanent residency. There was a carve-out that was intended for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, including spouses. This was or is the legal path for them to adjust their status. This is going about doing things the right way, Julia Gelatt, the associate director of the US immigration policy program at the Migration Policy Institute, was quoted as saying by NBC News. Since the process to obtain green cards takes months, people could very easily fall out of status right in the process of waiting for that green card through their marriage, she said. How many green card arrests have been made so far? The exact number of arrests of green card applicants is not easy to quantify, attorneys cited by NBC News said. However, several spouses of US citizens fall in the category of overstaying their visas a category due to which green card arrests are being made. Also Read | Trumps crackdown on immigration is taking a toll on child care workers Hundreds of thousands of people are currently at the same stage of their green card application processing, according to United States Citizenship and Immigration Service data, meaning that more arrests could come in the upcoming days. What's the stance of Trump administration? In a statement to NBC News earlier in November, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said that unlawful immigrants will face arrests. The ICE said it is committed to enforcing federal immigration laws through targeted operations that prioritise national security, public safety, and border security. Individuals unlawfully present in the United States, including those out of status at federal sites such as USCIS offices, may face arrest, detention, and removal in accordance with US immigration law, its statement said. Three U.S. House lawmakers on Friday (local time) introduced a resolution seeking to revoke US President Donald Trump's national emergency declaration that led to tariffs of up to 50% on Indian imports, arguing the action is illegal and damaging to American workers, consumers, and USIndia relations. The measure, led by Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, comes after a bipartisan Senate effort to roll back comparable tariffs on Brazil and limit the President's authority to impose import duties under emergency powers, ANI reported. The resolution, spearheaded by Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, follows a bipartisan Senate measure to end similar tariffs on Brazil and curb the President's use of emergency powers to raise import duties. According to the release, the resolution seeks to rescind the additional 25 per cent secondary duties imposed on India on August 27, 2025, on top of earlier reciprocal tariffs, which together raised duties on many Indian-origin products to 50 per cent under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Here's what US House lawmakers said North Carolina's economy is deeply connected to India through trade, investment, and a vibrant Indian American community, said Congresswoman Ross, highlighting that Indian companies have invested over a billion dollars in the state, creating thousands of jobs in sectors such as life sciences and technology, while North Carolina manufacturers export hundreds of millions of dollars in goods to India annually. India is an important cultural, economic, and strategic partner, and these illegal tariffs are a tax on everyday North Texans who are already struggling with rising costs, Congressman Veasey added. Meanwhile, Indian-American Congressman Krishnamoorthi said the tariffs were counterproductive, disrupt supply chains, harm American workers, and drive up costs for consumers, stressing that ending them would help strengthen US-India economic and security cooperation. Instead of advancing American interests or security, these duties disrupt supply chains, harm American workers, and drive up costs for consumers. Ending these damaging tariffs will allow the United States to engage with India to advance our shared economic and security needs, Krishnamoorthi added. The resolution is part of a wider effort by congressional Democrats to contest Trumps unilateral trade actions and recalibrate U.S. relations with India. Earlier in October, Ross, Veasey, and Krishnamoorthijoined by Congressman Ro Khanna and 19 other lawmakershad called on the President to roll back the tariffs and mend strained bilateral ties with India. Ending Trump's India tariffs is part of a broader effort by congressional Democrats to reclaim Congress's constitutional authority over trade and to stop the President from using emergency powers to unilaterally impose his misguided trade policies, the release stated. Earlier in August, Trump imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods starting August 1, followed by another 25 per cent increase days later, citing India's continued purchase of Russian oil, taking the total to 50 per cent, claiming that it fuels Moscow's war purpose in Ukraine. A group of states said that they are suing the Donald Trump administration to block a $100,000 fee for any new applications for H-1B visas, which allow employers in the US to hire skilled foreign workers, Bloomberg reported. The lawsuit, expected to be filed Friday, argues that the fee creates a costly and illegal barrier to employers using the popular visa program and that the administration failed to follow the proper rulemaking process when adopting the policy. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell are leading the case. Also Read | Trump White House ballroom project to be halted? Lawsuit filed in US court As the worlds fourth largest economy, California knows that when skilled talent from around the world joins our workforce, it drives our state forward, Bonta said in a statement. The Trump administration thinks it can raise costs on a whim, but the law says otherwise. The lawsuit would be at least the third challenging the fee increase, which Trump announced in September, but the first challenge by US states. The US Chamber of Commerce sued in October, as did a global nurse-staffing agency and several unions. Both cases are ongoing. Why is Trump charging a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas The H-1B visa program is a cornerstone of employment-based immigration. It allows companies based in the US to hire college-educated foreign workers for specialised occupations. Trump announced an overhaul of the program in September, arguing that abuse of the H-1B pathway has displaced US workers. H-1B visas are awarded based on a lottery system, but they are used primarily by the tech industry. Companies with the greatest number of H-1B visas include Amazon, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., Microsoft, Meta Platforms Inc. and Apple Inc., according to the US government, as reported by Bloomberg. Also Read | Donald Trump fanboy asks US tech firms to de-Indianise workforce The attorneys general suing to block the fee argued it would be especially detrimental in key public sectors, including education and health care. The administrations illegal attempt to ruin this program will make it harder for New Yorkers to get health care, disrupt our childrens education, and hurt our economy, said New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement. Beyond California, Massachusetts, and New York, the lawsuit also includes Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin as challengers to the fee. Christmas is almost here, and for those looking for a quick bite on December 25, options may be limited. Many restaurant chains, including Texas Roadhouse, will be closed in observance of the federal holiday. Texas Roadhouse, which operates 736 locations nationwide, will shut its doors entirely on Christmas Day, as per US Sun report, allowing employees time off to celebrate with their families. This temporary closure is part of a common practice among restaurants and retailers across the country during major holidays. Christmas Eve hours While Christmas Day will see full closures, most Texas Roadhouse locations will operate on reduced hours on Christmas Eve, which may vary by location. The companys website lists general hours between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., though some locations may adjust their schedules. For instance, a Sherman, Texas, location announced on Facebook that it will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on December 24. New Years schedule The chain will also observe limited hours on New Years Eve but will reopen as normal on New Years Day, unlike many other restaurants that remain closed. Grocery store guidance Most grocery stores will remain open on Christmas Eve, although hours may be shortened. Consumers are advised to call their local stores to confirm operating times, especially if they need last-minute ingredients or drinks for holiday gatherings. Also Read | Why heart attacks spike during Christmas and New Year, doctors explain The United States on Friday removed Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes from its sanctions list, reversing an earlier decision to add him to the list over his role in leading the trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. De Moraes wife and the Lex Institute, which she oversees, were also taken off the list, according to documents from the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control, which administers and enforces US sanctions programmes. Brazil's government celebrated the decision, which came after a phone conversation over the weekend between US President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Bloomberg reported. Why was the couple sanctioned? In July, the Trump administration had sanctioned the judge, accusing him of exploiting his position to authorize arbitrary pretrial detentions and curtail freedom of expression in Brazil. A senior Trump administration official said the sanctions were removed after the US viewed the passage of a significant amnesty bill by Brazils lower house as a sign that conditions of lawfare in the country are improving. Also Read | Brazil court recommends two-stage auction of mega Santos port terminal in blow to Maersk The move marks a tentative thawing in the previously frosty relationship between the two governments and comes after several meetings and calls that both sides have described in positive terms. Trump had considered Lula's predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro as an ally, with the Brazilian leader even earning the nickname Trump of the Tropics" when he took office. What were the accusations against Jair Bolsonaro? The Brazilian leader had allegedly been the mastermind behind a plot to stay in power despite his 2022 election defeat to current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Trump had also faced similar charges in 2021 after a mob of supporters attacked the US Capitol in an attempt to stop Democrat Joe Biden from taking the White House. As a result, Bolsonaro was convicted and sentenced to over 27 years in prison. The embattled 70-year-old began serving his sentence last month, while still seeking to be placed under house arrest due to his deteriorating health. The big political shake-up his allies expected after his arrest never materialised, though he still holds significant influence as next year's elections approach, Bloomberg reported. Brazil's govt opposes the lifting of sanctions However, Brazil's current government called the US decision of lifting the sanctions a big defeat for Bolsonaro and his family. Brazils minister for institutional relations Gleisi Hoffmann alleged that it was President Lula who put the repeal of the sanctions on Donald Trump's desk, in dignifying and sovereign dialogue. It is a big defeat for the family of Jair Bolsonaro, traitors who have conspired against Brazil and the judiciary, he added. Lulas left-leaning administration has long accused Eduardo Bolsonaro, a lawmaker and son of the former president, of misleading Trump regarding de Moraes and other Supreme Court Justices. Eduardo Bolsonaro, for his part, said he received the news of the sanctions being lifted from de Moraes with regret. The younger Bolsonaro, who announced in March that he would start living in the United States in order to lobby the Trump administration to help his father avoid jail, said he would continue to fight for Jair Bolsonaro. China is set to impose a 13% sales tax on condoms, birth control pills and contraceptives from January 1, 2026, ending a three-decade exemption. The policy shift is aimed at reversing the countrys falling birth rates and mitigating the long-term effects of an ageing population and shrinking workforce. Government push for a baby boom Alongside the tax change, authorities are rolling out incentives to encourage childbirth. These include tax exemptions for childcare services, elder care institutions and disability service providers, as well as longer maternity leave, which has increased from 128 days to 158 days in major cities such as Beijing. A 30-day paid paternity leave has also been proposed. Economic pressures weigh on young adults Despite these measures, economic realities remain a key deterrent. A challenging job market and the high cost of raising a child continue to discourage many young people from starting families. From one-child policy to baby-friendly policy Chinas baby-friendly policies mark a sharp contrast with its one-child policy, enforced for decades over resource concerns. That policy, which ended in January 2016, led to steep declines in birth rates and included penalties such as heavy fines, forced abortions and sterilizations. Children born outside the policy often lacked official registration, limiting access to healthcare, education and travel. King Charles has shared encouraging news about his cancer treatment. According to him, early diagnosis and effective care have helped his treatment, which can be further reduced in the new year. The King speaking about his cancer is quite rare. He has shared little information so far about his illness. It is still undisclosed what type of cancer he is suffering from. Also Read | Student with cancer-causing genes fathers nearly 200 babies by sperm donation In a recorded message for Channel 4s Stand Up To Cancer campaign, the King described this milestone as a personal blessing. He has also marked it as a significant milestone in cancer treatment. This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care," he said. This is the most positive update on his health since he revealed his diagnosis in February 2024. However, the 77-year-old monarch has not been described as cured or in remission. Still, his recovery has reached a very positive point. King Charles has used the message to highlight that early diagnosis can save lives. Buckingham Palace says Charles has responded exceptionally well to treatment. Doctors are now moving him into a precautionary phase. While treatment will continue, it will happen less often. Today, I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to 'doctors' orders', my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the new year, King Charles said in his video message. King Charles says he has been deeply moved by the community of care around cancer patients. He praises doctors, nurses, researchers and volunteers for their tireless work. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has expressed his joy over the positive update on King Charles cancer. Also Read | Alhamdulillah: Dipika Kakar breaks down while sharing liver cancer scare "I know I speak for the entire country when I say how glad I am that his cancer treatment will be reduced in the new year," the BBC quoted him as saying. Early diagnosis of cancer King Charles took the opportunity to emphasise how early diagnosis can save lives. It helps cancer patients survive much longer. "I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Yet, I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams," he said. DUBAI, Dec 13 (Reuters) - International human rights groups have condemned the re-arrest of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi in Iran, with the Nobel committee calling on Iranian authorities to immediately clarify her whereabouts. Mohammadi's French lawyer, Chirine Ardakani, said on X that the human rights activist was arrested on Friday after denouncing the suspicious death of lawyer Khosrow Alikordi at his memorial ceremony in the northeastern city of Mashhad. Mashhad prosecutor Hasan Hematifar told reporters on Saturday that Mohammadi was among 39 people arrested after the ceremony. Hematifar said she and Alikordi's brother had made provocative remarks at the event and encouraged those present "to chant 'normbreaking' slogans" and disturb the peace, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. The prosecutor said Mashhad's chief of police and another officer received knife wounds when trying to manage the scene. CALLS FOR RELEASE The Norwegian Nobel Committee called on Iranian authorities "to immediately clarify Mohammadis whereabouts, ensure her safety and integrity, and to release her without conditions." The European Union also called for Mohammadi's release. "The EU urges Iranian authorities to release Ms Mohammadi, taking also into account her fragile health condition, as well as all those unjustly arrested in the exercise of their freedom of expression," an EU spokesperson said on Saturday. A video purportedly showing Mohammadi, 53, without the mandatory veil, standing on a car with a microphone and chanting "Long Live Iran" in front of a crowd, has gone viral on social media. Ardakani said Mohammadi was beaten before her arrest. Reporters Without Borders said four journalists and other participants were also arrested at the memorial for human rights lawyer Alikordi, who was found dead in his office on December 5. Authorities gave the cause of his death as a heart attack, but rights groups have called for an investigation into his death. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said the crowd also chanted "death to the dictator", a reference to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as: "We fight, we die, we accept no humiliation". Mohammadi, who received the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, has spent more than 10 years of her life in prison, most recently from November 2021 when she was charged with "propaganda against the state", "acting against national security", and membership of "illegal organizations". This year's Nobel Peace Prize winner, the Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, said on Saturday that the opposition's campaign in Venezuela was akin to that taking place in Iran. "In Oslo this week, the world honored the power of conscience. I said to the 'citizens of the world' that our struggle is a long march toward freedom. That march is not Venezuelan alone. It is Iranian, it is universal," she said on X on Saturday. DAMASCUS, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- A joint patrol of Syrian security forces and U.S. troops came under gunfire near the city of Palmyra in central Syria on Saturday, leaving several personnel from both sides wounded, Syrian state media reported. Two Syrian security members and several U.S. personnel were wounded in the incident, while the attacker was killed, SANA news agency reported, citing a Syrian security source. The U.S. troops have evacuated the wounded to its military base in southeastern Syria's Al-Tanf area, near the strategic border junction with Iraq and Jordan, it reported, without providing further details on the attack. Following the incident, traffic on the Deir al-Zour-Damascus highway was temporarily halted, and increased aerial activity was observed as security measures were tightened in the region, it reported. There was no immediate comment from the U.S. side. Currently, there are fewer than 1,000 U.S. troops still stationed in Syria in what Pentagon said is part of the efforts to help counter Islamic State militants there. Israel announced on Saturday (December 13) that it killed Raed Saad, a senior Hamas commander in Gaza, after an explosive device detonated in the territorys south, wounding two Israeli soldiers. The strike took place west of Gaza City and, according to an Associated Press journalist, killed four people, while three others were reported wounded by Al-Awda hospital. Who is Raed Saad? Raed Saad served as Hamas official in charge of weapons manufacturing and previously led the groups operations division. Israel described him as one of the architects of the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, which sparked the ongoing conflict. Israeli authorities said Saad had been engaged in rebuilding the terrorist organisation in violation of the ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025. Hamas response Hamas has not confirmed Saads death. In a statement, the group claimed a civilian vehicle had been struck outside Gaza City and called the strike a violation of the October ceasefire. Ongoing tensions and casualties Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce. Since the ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes and shootings have reportedly killed at least 386 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel says its strikes are in response to attacks against its soldiers. Ceasefire conditions and hostage issue Israel has demanded the return of the final hostage, Ran Gvili, from Gaza before moving to the next phase of the ceasefire. This next phase outlines a plan for ending Hamas rule and rebuilding Gaza under international supervision. Humanitarian impact Gaza has suffered extensive destruction, with over 2 million residents displaced. The Palestinian Health Ministry, operating under the Hamas-run government, reports that more than 70,650 Palestinians have died in the two-year conflict, roughly half of them women and children. Rajat Gupta was convicted of securities fraud and sentenced to two years in federal prison in the US. Following his four-week trial under the harsh glare of the arclights, judge Jed S. Rakoff declared that the evidence of guilt was, in this courts view, overwhelming... The crime was disgusting in its implications", adding that when senior executives engage in insider trading, they must be made to understand that when you get caught, you will go to jail". But Rajat Gupta was also once the chairman of McKinsey, the worlds foremost consulting company, so influential that it was referred to merely as The Firm. He was the first Asian and the first Indian to head the consulting giant during its glory years, when it still enjoyed a pristine reputation, before scandals like its advising of Purdue Pharma during the opioid epidemic and the Transnet affair in South Africa tarnished its name. During his sterling career, Gupta also helped set up institutions like the Indian School of Business (ISB) and the American India Foundation (AIF). He sat on the boards of Goldman Sachs, Procter & Gamble, and AMR Corporation, and advised global philanthropic bodies, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and the Rockefeller Foundation. According to letters written by Friends of Rajat Guptaa cohort that included Mukesh Ambani, Bill Gates, Kofi Annan, and Nandan Nilekanito the judge during his trial, Gupta was a man of exceptional integrity, generosity, and service". Global leadership to ignominious fall So who is the real Rajat Gupta? The man who, for 40 years, was one of Indias finest ambassadors, someone who had used his diligence and education to summit the world of business? Or the convicted felon who has spent the years after serving his term in near obscurity, shunned by colleagues and friends, with the institution he once led erasing his name from its alumni rolls? This month, he probably spent his 77th birthday quietly, contemplating what might have been. Guptas life started far away from Wall Street. Born in Kolkata in 1948 to a journalist father and a school teacher mother, he lost both parents by the age of 18. A brilliant student, he completed his schooling at Modern School, Delhi, earned admission to IIT-Delhi, and then won a scholarship to Harvard Business School, graduating as a Baker Scholar at the top of his class. He joined McKinsey straight out of Harvard in 1973, and climbed rapidly, becoming a partner at 34, and in 1994, the firms managing director (global CEO), its youngest ever leader and its first from outside the Western world. For nearly a decade, he oversaw McKinseys dramatic global expansion and became one of the most connected individuals in global business. One profile crowned him Mr Davos, not an easy crown to wear. The fall, when it came, was precipitous. The last 15 years have been spent in ignominy, detailed and dissected in two books: Fallen Angel: The Making and Unmaking of Rajat Gupta by Sandipan Deb and The Billionaires Apprentice: The Rise of the Indian-American Elite and the Fall of the Galleon Hedge Fund by Anita Raghavan. Legacy beyond stigma His own memoir, Mind Without Fear, failed to erase the stigma of insider trading, offering an ultimately weak defence of his innocence. His argumentthat he made no personal financial gains from the information he shared with Raj Rajaratnamfound little resonance. Even his defenders concede that, given his experience and position, he should have known better. The man himself approaches both the highs and lows of his life with an unbelievable equanimity, speaking softly, often without perceptible emotion, revealing an almost unbelievable calmness given his journey. Indeed, it is worth asking whether the magnitude of his punishmentsocial, reputational, and professionalwas proportionate to his crime. And whether all those who took up arms against him did so only in pursuit of justice. This is not an attempt to absolve him but an invitation to reflect on our own motives in celebrating the fall of a man whose life ought to be more than the sum of his failings. We live in a world where the ethical compromises of brilliant innovators are minimized. Many of Steve Jobss actions were borderline unethical, and much of what Elon Musk does today is offensive or reckless. Yet, we lionize such men for their groundbreaking brilliance and innovation. No such concession, however, is granted to Rajat Gupta. Also Read | Jaiprakash Gaur's lifetime of building has ended in a legacy of bankruptcy While he certainly deserves sharp criticism for his misdemeanoura single, grave breach of trustthat one ethical blot should not be allowed to completely obliterate his lifelong pursuit of excellence and his profound philanthropic work. The final verdict on his legacy risks validating Shakespeares tragic observation: The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones." For more such stories, read The Enterprising Indian: Stories From India Inc News. As we approach the end of 2025, there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel on India-US relations, which started on a strong note amid the promise of Trump 2.0 but gave way to strained ties over claims of US mediating between India and Pakistan, Washingtons sudden fondness for Indias neighbour and its newly minted Field Marshall Asim Munir, and punitive levies on India for buying discounted oil from Russia. Trump, who has given himself the title of the Peace President, has been the major disruptor in 2025 whether in geopolitics or geo-economics -- wielding tariffs against countries for allegedly short-changing the US, and as leverage to broker peace. If hes been labelled unreliable or unpredictable, its with good reason. How else can you explain Trumps decision to sell Nvidias H200 chips to China? To be fair, Trump had given the world a warning in October that he would allow Nvidia to export chips to China after his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. The new element here is the reveal that the chips to be exported are the H200. Also Read | Nvidia AI chips to undergo unusual U.S. security review before export to China The US and China are neck-and-neck in the AI software race. Its in hardware the manufacturing of sophisticated chips that the US has an edge over China. News reports say the H200 is Nvidias second-most powerful AI processor, many times more powerful than the H20 chips that Nvidia was previously permitted to sell to China. These chips are behind the advanced AI systems that increasingly drive autonomous weapons, including drone navigation systems, automatic gun emplacements, and targeting algorithms in modern warfare. Trumps just-released National Security Strategy identifies China as an economic and military challenge. If that is so, how does selling some of the most advanced chips to China help counter the threat? One of the explanations is that this is part of Trump's push to expand overseas markets for US companies. According to Trump, the US will collect a 25% fee on H200 sales. AMD and Intel can expect similar approvals to sell chips to China. David Sacks, Trumps go-to person on AI and crypto, said the sale of advanced AI chips to China would discourage Chinese competitors such as Huawei from redoubling efforts to catch up with Nvidia. This stretches credibility quite a bit. The fact is that there is pressure on Trump from Beijing through its imposition of export controls on rare earth minerals. These are key ingredients for manufacturing a vast array of technology in the US and abroad. This may be the reason why Trump allowed H200 exports. PM Modi holds third call with Trump since tariff hike Was China happy with Trumps Nvidia move? Its hard to say. But this week, there was (perhaps) some good news for India from Trump for a change. There was a phone conversation between PM Narendra Modi and Trump that Modi described as warm and engaging." The two leaders covered trade, expansion of cooperation in critical technologies, energy, defence and security, and other areas key to the implementation of the India-US COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology). The call came against the backdrop of several important developments: A US trade team was in India for talks and it is believed India and the US could be close to a free-trade agreement. US trade representative Jamieson Greer told a US Senate Appropriations Committee hearing that the deal India had put on the table was its best ever" offer, though the country was a difficult nut to crack". Tech giants Amazon and Microsoft said they would invest a combined $52.5 billion over the coming years. Amazon said it would bring in $35 billion by 2030 to advance AI-driven digitisation, export growth and job creation. Microsoft committed $17.5 billion to strengthen Indias country's AI ecosystem. In October, Google had announced a $15 billion investment in India. Russian President Vladimir Putin was in India on his first visit in four years on 4-5 December. Did this warmth" in India-US relations have anything to do with Putins visit? Mexico approves tariffs on Asian imports, including goods from India While on the subject of trade, this was something of a surprise. Mexicos plan to levy up to 50% duties on imports of select products from Asian countries, including from India and China, will take effect from 1 January 2026. This will affect Indian auto exports mainly, but also products such as clothing, plastics, steel, household appliances, toys, textiles, furniture, footwear and leather goods. What triggered this move? Mexico wants to reduce reliance on Asian imports, news reports said. Mexico also wants to provide greater protection for the domestic industry and increase output. Fair enough, though the real reason may lie elsewhere. Could Mexico be appeasing the US ahead of a review of the United States-Mexico-Canada trade deal? India, looking for new markets after the Trump tariff shock, had been focussed on Latin America and Mexico in particular to boost its exports. So, this is definitely a development India could have done without, especially since Mexico is one of Indias key auto export markets. US commits $1.25 billion for major mining project in Balochistan Speaking of surprises, heres another one. The US has committed $1.25 billion through its Export-Import Bank to one of Pakistans most unstable regions, Balochistan. This follows a hard sell by Pakistans army chief Field Marshall Asim Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif when they met Trump at the White House earlier in the year. At that meeting, they briefed Trump about Pakistans rare earth minerals potential and presented him with some samples. Announced this week, it is the second major US investment in Pakistan in recent months In September, Missouri-based US Strategic Metals company signed a $500 million investment deal with Pakistan's Frontier Works Organization, its largest miner of critical minerals. So the US is putting in money where the Chinese have faced security challenges. This is also the region where Pakistan accuses India of supporting a Baloch insurgency. US involvement could help stabilise the volatile region, or so goes the thinking in Pakistan, it seems. Elizabeth Roche is Associate Professor, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat Haryana Ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, the Congress-led UDF has gained a major boost in Kerala's local body elections on Saturday, as it appears to be cruising towards a decisive victory. The LDF's last-ditch effort to woo voters through various welfare schemes apparently failed to cut ice. Early counting trends and results of the local body polls, which were held in two phases in the state earlier this week, indicated a significant shift in public opinion towards the UDF, which incidentally had swept the last two Lok Sabha polls in the state. The poll outcome, as indicated by the trends, may also force the CPI(M)-led LDF to rethink its strategy ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. The Left government, just before the announcement of the local body polls, had announced a hike in the social security and welfare pensions, higher honorariums for ASHA workers, and a new women's security scheme, among many other financial packages, with an apparent eye on the polls. The UDF, according to the trends released by the State Election Commission (SEC), appeared to be on its way to wrest control of three corporations-- Kollam, Thrissur and Kochi -- from the LDF and retain the Kannur corporation. Significantly, the Kollam and Thrissur corporations were held by the Left front for 25 and 10 years, respectively. In the Kozhikode corporation, it is a close battle between the LDF and the UDF, with the Left front in the lead. The Left also suffered a major setback in the Thiruvananthapuram corporation held by it for 45 years as the BJP-led NDA surged ahead with a huge lead which appears insurmountable even if the LDF and UDF join forces. The trends and results indicate that the Sabarimala gold loss issue raised as a political campaign by the UDF against the Left front worked in favour of the opposition and the rival campaign by the LDF highlighting the sexual assault allegations against expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil could not dent the UDF's prospects. This is also apparent from the trends as the Congress candidate supported by Mamkootathil in the Kunnathurmedu north ward under Palakkad municipality was in the lead. The NDA is leading in the Palakkad municipality, ahead of the UDF, but by a small margin. The early results also showed a rise for the BJP-led NDA in many Left strongholds, including state capital Thiruvananthapuram. Also Read | SIR in Kerala: Election Commission extends schedule by one week When will the result for Kerala's local body elections be announced? Counting is being carried out in 244 centres and 14 district collectorates. There were some issues at a few counting centres, including Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad and Vadakara, over giving entry to booth agents and candidates. The results are expected to decide the future course of campaigning of the political parties and fronts in the state for the assembly elections in Kerala in 2026. The oath taking of elected panchayat members and municipal councillors and corporation members will be held on December 21. President Donald Trump said the US would be starting land strikes on drug operations in Latin America, though again declined to provide details on when and where the escalation of his military campaign would actually begin, or if countries could still do anything to avert the threatened action. We knocked out 96% of the drugs coming in by water, and now were starting by land, and by land is a lot easier, and thats going to start happening, Trump told reporters Friday in the Oval Office. The US president for days has been pledging to broaden the effort, which comes after the Pentagon has launched a series of attacks on what it has called drug-smuggling boats in international waters off the coast of South America. While Trumps posturing has largely been seen as a pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, he on Friday insisted the land targeting may not only impact Venezuela. It doesnt necessarily have to be in Venezuela, he said, adding that people that are bringing in drugs to our country are targets. Trump has justified the actions in part by framing the fight against drug smuggling as akin to combat operations. He told reporters that if overdose deaths were counted like combat deaths, it would be like a war that would be unparalleled. Striking targets on land would represent a major escalation, and Maduro earlier this week said that if his nation came under foreign attack, the working class should mount a general insurrectionary strike and push for an even more radical revolution. With assistance from Jennifer A. Dlouhy. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Google has quietly introduced a new feature in the Gmail mobile app that aims to help users regain control of inboxes crowded with newsletters, promotional messages and marketing emails, earlier this year. Called Manage Subscriptions, the tool gathers all active mailing lists in one place and allows users to unsubscribe with just a few taps. The feature is now available on both Android and iOS in select countries. Feature arrives ahead of peak shopping season Google first announced Manage Subscriptions earlier this summer, saying it would roll out gradually across mobile and web platforms. Many users appear to have noticed it more recently, coinciding with a surge in promotional emails during major shopping events such as Black Friday. Rather than deleting messages one by one, users can now see exactly which senders are filling up their inbox and take action directly from within Gmail. How to find Manage Subscriptions in Gmail The feature is accessed from the Gmail app menu. Users need to tap the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner of the app and then select Manage Subscriptions. First-time users may see a New label next to the option. Once opened, Gmail displays an alphabetical list of mailing lists associated with the account. Also Read | Google denies Gmail data breach after reports of millions of passwords leaked Gmail shows who emails you the most Each sender is accompanied by a note showing how frequently emails have been received recently. This helps users identify which brands or services are sending the most messages. To unsubscribe, users can tap the envelope icon next to a senders name. A confirmation prompt appears, allowing them to proceed or cancel. After confirming, the mailing list is removed from the Manage Subscriptions page and a brief confirmation alert appears at the bottom of the screen. View full Image In most cases, Gmail completes the unsubscribe process without leaving the app. However, some senders still require users to visit an external website to finish unsubscribing. Gmail also offers the option to block future messages from the sender. Most unsubscribes handled inside Gmail In most cases, Gmail completes the unsubscribe process without leaving the app. However, some senders still require users to visit an external website to finish unsubscribing. Gmail also offers the option to block future messages from the sender. At present, Gmail does not support bulk unsubscribing through the Manage Subscriptions feature. Each mailing list must be reviewed and removed individually. While this may take more time, it also reduces the risk of accidentally unsubscribing from newsletters users actively read or pay for, which can sometimes sit alongside unwanted promotional emails. Available on Android and iOS The feature has been confirmed to work on both Android and iOS versions of Gmail, meaning most smartphone users can now streamline their inbox without relying on third-party tools. As inbox clutter continues to grow, Googles latest update offers a straightforward way for users to take back control, one subscription at a time. Peter Greene, best known for his intense roles in 1990s Hollywood films, has died at the age of 60. Greene was found unresponsive on Friday, December 12, at his Lower East Side apartment in New York City. Police responded to the address shortly after 3:25 PM (local time) and pronounced him dead at the scene. Authorities said no foul play is suspected. The city medical examiner will determine the official cause of death, New York Post reported. His longtime manager, Gregg Edward, confirmed the death and said Greenes family had been notified. A neighbor told local media that music had been heard playing inside the apartment for several days before he was discovered. A career built on unsettling roles Over the years, he appeared in films such as The Usual Suspects, Judgment Night, Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, Training Day, Blue Streak and The Bounty Hunter - often cast in negative roles. Greene never occupied leading-man space, but he became widely recognized for playing Zed, the volatile criminal in Quentin Tarantinos Pulp Fiction. He followed that with another defining performance opposite Jim Carrey as crime boss Dorian Tyrell in The Mask. Around the same period, Greene delivered a critically noted performance in the 1993 film Clean, Shaven, where he portrayed a man living with schizophrenia. The performance remains one of his most discussed roles even today. Peter Greenes net worth At the time of his death, Greenes net worth was estimated around $1.5 million, as per FandomWire. The figure reflects steady work rather than blockbuster earnings. He continued acting across independent projects, television appearances and smaller film roles, rarely stepping away from the industry entirely. Also Read | Emmy Award-winner Amy Schumer announces separation from husband Chris Fischer Drug addiction and personal struggles Greenes career ran alongside a long struggle with substance abuse. He has spoken in past interviews about using heroin and cocaine during the 1990s, TV Insider reported. In 2007, he was arrested on drug possession charges. After a suicide attempt in 1996, Greene sought treatment and later acknowledged how addiction disrupted both his health and professional momentum. Despite that, directors continued to cast him, drawn to his intensity and discipline on screen. Greene had been preparing to begin work on an independent thriller, Mascots, in early 2026. Further details surrounding his death are expected following the medical examiners report. Also Read | Lionel Messi unveils his statue in Kolkata, meets Shah Rukh Khan and AbRam FAQs How did Peter Greene die? Peter Greene was found unresponsive in his New York City apartment; police said no foul play is suspected, and the medical examiner will determine the cause. How old was Peter Greene when he died? The actor was 60 years old. Elon Musk is embroiled in a public dispute with Governor Gavin Newsoms press office regarding the tech billionaire's transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson. The tension began after Musk's America PAC reposted a clip of Newsom on The Ezra Klein Show, where the governor stated, Theres no governor thats done more pro-trans legislation than I have. Newsom made the remark while discussing transgender athletes competing in womens sports. Governors office hits back Newsoms press office responded sharply on X, the platform Musk owns, writing, Correct. Were sorry your daughter hates you, Elon. Musk responds to the comments Musk replied with a strong statement, rejecting the characterization of Vivian as his daughter. He wrote, I assume youre referring to my son, Xavier, who has a tragic mental illness caused by the evil woke mind virus you push on vulnerable children. I love Xavier very much and hope he recovers. My daughters are Azure, Exa (she goes by Y) and Arcadia, and they do indeed love me very much. Woody Allen has once again been linked to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after House Democrats released a new batch of photographs connected to the Epstein files. The acclaimed filmmaker, now 90, appears in several undated images made public on Friday as part of Congress ongoing effort to force the release of all remaining Epstein-related records by 19 December. The images do not appear to show any illegal activity, but they place Allen inside Epsteins social orbit. What the newly released photos show One image shows Allen seated on a directors chair, engaged in conversation with Epstein. Another one captures him speaking with former Donald Trump strategist Steve Bannon. A third image shows Allen and Epstein sitting together at a table with long-stemmed drinking glasses in front of them. It remains unclear where the photos were taken or when they were shot. The images were released by the House Oversight Committee Democrats and are part of a wider disclosure effort tied to Epsteins estate and associates. The latest release follows earlier picture disclosures from Epsteins privately owned Caribbean islands, Little Saint James and Great Saint James, where Epstein was accused of sexually abusing girls and women. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. The push to release Epstein files The photo release comes weeks after US President Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act into law. The legislation passed after Arizona Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva filed the final signature needed to force a House vote on a discharge petition. The bill requires the Justice Department to release all Epstein-related files in its possession by December 19. Both the House and Senate approved the measure before it was signed into law. Trump, who also appears in some of the newly released photos, has denied wrongdoing and has not been criminally charged in connection with Epstein. Alongside the images, House Oversight Committee Democrats issued a statement that read: These disturbing images raise even more questions about Epstein and his relationships with some of the most powerful men in the world. Time to end this White House cover-up. Release the files! Woody Allens past comments about Epstein Allen has previously spoken openly about knowing Epstein. He told The Sunday Times that he first met Epstein at a dinner in 2010, shortly after Epstein had served time for soliciting an underage girl for prostitution. We didnt know Jeffrey at all then, but we see all these people there and they all embraced him, so we figured, OK, hes a substantial character, Allen said. He told us hed been in jail and that he had been falsely put in jail in some way. He told us he was trying to make up for it now by being philanthropic and giving money to cutting-edge scientists and universities. He couldnt have been nicer," he continued. Other figures appearing in Fridays photo release include Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, Bill Gates and Prince Andrew. Some women featured in the images have had their faces redacted. Also Read | HBO teases Euphoria 3 with new footage featuring Sydney Sweeney, Zendaya FAQs Why were the Epstein photos released? They were made public as part of a Congressional effort to release all Epstein-related files. Do the photos show illegal activity? No illegal activity is visible in the images released so far. COLOMBO, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- A delegation led by Yang Wanming, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), concluded a three-day visit to Sri Lanka on Saturday at the invitation of the Sri Lankan side. During the visit, Yang met respectively with Bimal Rathnayake, member of the Politburo of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), chair of the Sri Lanka-China Parliamentary Friendship Association, and minister of transport, highways and urban development, and Vijitha Herath, minister of foreign affairs, foreign employment and tourism. He also met with Sunil Kumara Gamage, minister of youth affairs and sports, and Vraie Cally Balthazaar, mayor of Colombo. Yang held a group discussion with Indrananda Abeysekera, president of the Association for Sri Lanka-China Social and Cultural Cooperation, and heads of other Sri Lankan organizations committed to friendship with China, on deepening people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Yang said CPAFFC will provide assistance within its capacity to friendly organizations and support Sri Lanka's efforts in flood relief and post-disaster reconstruction. All parties expressed their willingness to jointly implement the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, promote exchanges in people-to-people, local, cultural, and youth fields, and advance the strategic cooperative partnership based on sincere mutual assistance and everlasting friendship. 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. Golden snub-nosed monkeys are pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats. In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Golden snub-nosed monkeys are pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats. In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Golden snub-nosed monkeys are pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats. In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Golden snub-nosed monkeys are pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats. In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) A golden snub-nosed monkey cub is pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats. In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) A golden snub-nosed monkey is pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats. In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Golden snub-nosed monkeys are pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats. In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Golden snub-nosed monkeys are pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats. In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Researchers from China's Northwest University observe golden snub-nosed monkeys at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats. In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) A golden snub-nosed monkey cub is pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats. In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Golden snub-nosed monkeys are pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats. In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) A golden snub-nosed monkey is pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats. In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) A golden snub-nosed monkey cub is pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats. In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Students from Mean Scoil Mhuire have made regional history by becoming the first in the Midlands to graduate with a University Level 6 Module Certificate in 21st Century STEM Skills from Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). The graduation ceremony took place at the Midlands Showcase on 3 December at TUS, where the school's Transition Year students received their certificates in front of an audience of businesses, educators, and regional innovators. The STEM Passport for Inclusion Programme represents a significant step towards educational equity in the region. Built on the success of similar work with Maynooth University in Longford, the programme was adapted and delivered by TUS after their lecturers shadowed the original Maynooth team. Mean Scoil Mhuire volunteered to be the pilot post-primary school for this Midlands expansion. The qualification now carries substantial weight for students' futures. TUS has recently secured accreditation to offer a DEIS STEM pathway, awarding 50 Leaving Certificate CAO points to programme graduates. This creates a direct route into third-level education and STEM qualifications for students regardless of their backgrounds. Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Garry Murtagh said, "These young people have shown remarkable determination and vision. By completing this demanding university-level programme whilst still in secondary school, they've proven that talent exists everywhere it simply needs the right opportunities to flourish. This graduation marks the beginning of our ambition to position the Midlands as Ireland's premier region for ICT education and digital innovation." Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon said, "Education transforms lives, and this programme demonstrates what becomes possible when local government, universities, and schools work in genuine partnership. We're committed to extending the STEM Passport for Inclusion across all Midland counties. Every student who gains these skills and qualifications strengthens not just their own future, but the economic and social fabric of our entire region." The programme's expansion is supported by collaboration between Longford County Council, the STEM Passport for Inclusion team at Maynooth University, TUS, and the Midlands ICT Network. TUS joins MTU Kerry and Maynooth University in delivering this pathway, ensuring students from underrepresented groups gain increased access to STEM careers. A panel discussion at the Midlands Showcase, titled "How STEM in the Midlands is Redefining Ireland's Digital Horizon", featured Christine Collins (Broadband & Digital Officer, Longford County Council), Sabahat Khan (Assistant Chief Executive/CIO, LGMA), Elizabeth Clinton (INFUSE Team Lead, Ericsson), and Shannon Boyle (Teacher, St. Mary's Primary School, Edgeworthstown). The discussion was hosted by Grainne Seoige. READ NEXT: Local Longford fundraiser for hospice announces final figure READ NEXT: Big relief for residents of Longford housing estate The National Council of IFA will travel to Brussels next week to take part in a Europe-wide demonstration of farmers. Ahead of the protest on December 18th, the IFA President will travel by tractor from the Irish Farm Centre in Dublin on Monday, December 15th to Brussels. Francie Gorman said he would link up with fellow farmers along the route to Brussels. This is about showing solidarity with fellow farmers as we seek to highlight the critical issues confronting farmers, he said. The COPA pan-European day of protest will coincide with the meeting of the Heads of State, including Taoiseach Micheal Martin (pictured) at the European Council which will discuss the EU budget. IFA President Francie Gorman said the event, which will be the biggest in a decade, will focus on three key themes: the CAP budget, the Mercosur trade deal and excessive regulation around the cost of doing business. The initial proposals would leave a significant gap in funding for the CAP programme post 2027. We will be standing with our colleagues from across Europe to deliver a strong and united message that an adequate budget is needed across the twin pillars. Students from Mean Scoil Mhuire have made regional history by becoming the first in the Midlands to graduate with a University Level 6 Module Certificate in 21st Century STEM Skills from Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). READ NEXT: Local Longford fundraiser for hospice announces final figure READ NEXT: Big relief for residents of Longford housing estate A burglar who broke into a county Longford home and left bloodstains during the raid on the door and inside the property was connected to the crime by Gardai when a swab taken from the scene was found to match his on the Garda DNA database. Shane Kelly (36) of Midlands Prison, Dublin Road, Portlaoise pleaded guilty to a charge of trespassing to commit an offence at 9 Devine Crescent, Edgeworthstown between the dates of March 13, 2024 and March 17, last year. Sergeant Enda McNulty, court presenter, said Gardai received a report that a burglary had occurred at the premises. "The injured party had been away for a few days and when she returned to the house she noticed the front door was broken. "There was blood on her door and upstairs on the bedsheets and a number of electronic devices were taken including a Playstation 4 Playstation 5, an extension lead and a firestick. "The scene was examined and on June 3rd a report from Forensic Science Laboratory indicated that a DNA swab that was taken at the scene matched that of the defendant." Sgt McNulty said Mr Kelly was subsequently arrested and he was interviewed and he made full admissions. The court heard apart from the front door there was no other damage to the house. Judge Bernadette Owens asked if the victim wanted to make a victim impact statement and a short time later Sgt McNulty confirmed that she did not want to do so. Mr Kelly had 23 previous convictions. Solicitor Frank Gearty, defending, said at the time his client was under the influence of drugs and alcohol to an 'extreme degree' and he is currently in custody in the Midlands Prison for a separate matter. "He acknowledges his grievous wrongdoing, his violation of the house and he has since taken steps to reform himself and get the addiction treatment to address his addiction issues." Mr Gearty said Mr Kelly fully cooperated with Gardai and he has offered an apology for his actions. Judge Owens gave the defendant credit for his early guilty plea and his previous record, however, she stated it was a serious crime. "The invasion of someone's private home is a very significant offence in my view and I would place it at the higher end of the burglary charge." Judge Owens convicted Mr Kelly and sentenced him to six months in prison from the date of the court sitting last week. READ NEXT: Local Longford fundraiser for hospice announces final figure READ NEXT: Big relief for residents of Longford housing estate A motorist who was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and refused to provide a sample of his urine, blood, or breath has been handed a six year driving ban. Marian Peci of 1 Greenview, Galway Road, Roscommon pleaded guilty at the local district court to being drunk in charge of a vehicle and refusing to give a sample of his urine at Longford Garda Station on March 9 last. At a previous hearing, Sergeant Enda McNulty court presenter said Gardai were on patrol at 2.20am when they observed a man sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle at Tesco, Longford. "On approaching the vehicle the man had his window down and he released his handbrake causing the vehicle to roll back. "Garda Goldrick observed the keys in the ignition, the vehicle's dashboard lights on and the man's speech was slurred and there was a strong smell of intoxicating liquor." Sgt McNulty said Mr Peci was subsequently arrested and brought to Longford Garda Station where he failed to provide a urine sample to a doctor and he was charged. The defendant had 37 previous convictions including one for a drink-driving related matter. Last week, solicitor Frank Gearty described Mr Peci as a family man who had been doing his best to provide for his family and regretfully he committed these road traffic offences. The defendant is a Slovakian national who is married with five children aged between one and 14. Mr Gearty said his client is currently in custody for a separate serious matter. In August, Judge Bernadette Owens had requested a community service assessment report on the defendant, however, last week she heard he was no longer in a position to complete that work. She subsequently sentenced Mr Peci to five months in jail and she imposed a six-year driving ban. READ NEXT: Local Longford fundraiser for hospice announces final figure READ NEXT: Big relief for residents of Longford housing estate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the outskirts of Kupiansk on December 12, 2025, where he said Ukrainian forces are getting the job done. Ukrainian forces appear to have reclaimed ground in and around the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kupiansk, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise visit on Friday. The Ukrainian gains, which defy earlier Russian claims to have captured the city, give Kyiv a much-needed victory amid setbacks elsewhere on the battlefield and in peace negotiations to end the nearly four-year-long war. Ukrainian forces are getting the job done in the Kupiansk sector, driving back Russian forces, Zelenskyy declared in a video recorded on the citys southwestern outskirts, well within range of Russian strike drones and artillery fire. Zelenskyy and General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, also visited command posts of units fighting in the sector and the Kupiansk Tactical Group overseeing them. The visit came as the well-respected Ukrainian analytical group DeepState, which runs a popular battlefield map informed by geolocated footage and soldiers at the front, reported that Ukraine had retaken part of the city and several villages to its northeast. Maps of the situation in Kupiansk on October 19 (left) and December 12 (right), respectively, according to the Ukrainian analytical project DeepState. Ukraine had liberated Kupiansk during its September 2022 counteroffensive in Kharkiv Oblast. However, beginning in late 2024, Russian forces slowly pushed onto the western bank of the Oskil River, north of Kupiansk. They then began infiltrating into the city last summer, including by using an underground pipe to move troops and supplies into Radkivka, just north of Kupiansk. Russian forces pushed deeper in the fall. In September, in response to the Russian advances, Syrskyi created a search-strike group tasked with driving the Russians out of Kupiansk, the Ukrainian National Guards 2nd Khartiia Corps explained. The group comprises elements of the corps 13th Khartiia Brigade, the 475th Code 9.2 Assault Regiment, the 92nd Assault Brigade, Ukrainian military intelligences International Legion, and the 144th Mechanized Brigade. The corps said it planned and commanded the operation in cooperation with the Kupiansk Tactical Group and under the supervision of Syrskyi and National Guard commander Oleksandr Pivnenko. According to reports by DeepState and 2nd Corps, Ukrainian forces first retook the villages of Radkivka and Kindrashivka and established fire control over Holubivka, aiming to cut off Russian troops in Kupiansk. The Ukrainians then cleared Mirove (aka Moskovka) and northwestern Kupiansk, though some Russian troops remain in pockets in the central part of the city. The Ukrainians were facing forces from Russias 68th Motor Rifle Division and 27th Motor Rifle Brigade, reportedly supported by an unmanned systems regiment and elite Rubikon and Sudnyi Den drone units. On Telegram, Russian bloggers lambasted the deceitful practice within the Russian military of reporting advances on credit that is, before they have actually been made. During a heavily scripted meeting with President Vladimir Putin on November 20, Russian military leaders had prematurely boasted that their forces had completely captured Kupiansk. Putin subsequently decorated the commander of Russias Zapad Group of Forces, which is responsible for the area, with a Gold Star as a Hero of Russia. Ukraines apparent success in Kupiansk comes as its undermanned forces face a difficult situation elsewhere on the battlefield. In recent weeks, Russia has captured most of Pokrovsk, a small city in Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine, while Ukrainian troops in nearby Myrnohrad are at growing risk of encirclement. Meanwhile, Russian forces have also taken most or all of the eastern town of Siversk and are bearing down on the southern town of Huliaipole. Russias gains remain slow and costly, and it still appears to have little chance of achieving an operationally significant breakthrough. Nevertheless, the Kremlin insists it will take the rest of Donetsk Oblast by force if Kyiv refuses to withdraw as part of a peace settlement. The Trump administration points to Russias advances to argue that Ukraine would be better off submitting to Moscows demand something Zelenskyy has rejected. To bolster its bargaining position, Kyiv hopes to convince both Moscow and Washington that the Ukrainian defense will continue to hold. Today, achieving results on the frontline is crucial so that Ukraine can achieve results in diplomacy, Zelenskyy acknowledged during his visit to Kupiansk. John Hardie is the deputy director of FDDs Russia Program and a contributor to FDD's Long War Journal. ADEN, Yemen, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's government forces announced on Friday evening that 32 of their soldiers were killed and 45 others wounded in attacks carried out by armed groups affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in the eastern province of Hadramout. The government-run Saba News Agency quoted a statement by the general staff command mourning "the heroic martyrs ... who fell while performing their national and constitutional duty in defense of themselves and their country" against attacks by STC-affiliated groups. The statement said the attacks had "no legal or legitimate justification," noting that some officers and soldiers remain missing. It also accused the armed groups of executing some of the wounded and killing detainees, describing the acts as a blatant violation of all domestic and international laws. The general staff command reaffirmed the armed forces' commitment to defending the country and its unity, emphasizing that such attacks would only strengthen their resolve to counter any attempts to undermine national security and stability. Established in 2017, the STC has consistently pursued the independence of southern Yemen. In early December, STC forces seized control of the city of Seiyun, the second-largest city in Hadramout province, as well as other areas in the strategic oil-rich province and the neighboring eastern province of Al Mahrah. Chief of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi said last week that unilateral actions by the STC threaten the unity of security and military decision-making and undermine the authority of the internationally recognized government, calling on the international community to adopt a unified and clear stance rejecting unilateral measures and any challenge to the government's powers. Family members of a 15-year-old boy killed in a Dorchester crash that followed a Boston police pursuit have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city, state and several officers involved. The suit, filed last week in Suffolk Superior Court, names the parents of Troy Winslow Jessica Adams and Tony Lee Winslow as plaintiffs. They are seeking $30 million in damages in connection with the Jan. 4, 2024, crash that left three teenagers dead and another severely injured. Defendants include former Boston police officer Triston Champagnie, who resigned in August 2025, along with officers Matthew Farley and Chardeeza Coleman. The Boston Police Department, the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are also listed as defendants. The crash occurred last year after Champagnie and Farley attempted to stop a silver Hyundai in Mattapan around 3 a.m. Police said the car was stolen and possibly connected to other criminal activity. Winslow was a passenger along with two other boys aged 14 and 15. A 17-year-old Roslindale boy was driving the car. The lawsuit says Winslow, a freshman at Madison Park High School, accepted a ride home from two friends and an acquaintance after he had spent the night visiting a cousin at a nearby homeless shelter. The Hyundai fled as officers approached, prompting Champagnie and Farley to pursue the vehicle. The lawsuit says Champagnie and Farley ignored orders from a supervisor to terminate the pursuit. Moments later, the Hyundai rolled over on Morrissey Boulevard, killing Winslow and two of the other occupants. The lawsuit says Champagnie and Farley stated they believed the vehicle was stolen because all four occupants were wearing balaclavas to cover their faces, but none of the boys were wearing masks when they were ejected from the vehicle, and no masks were collected at the scene. The officers lacked any legal justification for the traffic stop, the lawsuit says. More likely, officers either knew the identities of the occupants or made judgments about their activities based on their youth, skin color, and the neighborhood they were located in. It also claims Champagnie and Farley misled a superior by saying they had ended the pursuit, despite reaching speeds in excess of 90 mph in violation of department policy. The suit says Champagnie responded to a superior with Correct, not pursuing, while local street cameras show the unmarked police cruiser actively pursuing the Hyundai through red lights. According to The Boston Globe, an internal investigation into the incident conducted by the Boston Police Department found that Champagnie and Farley lied to supervisors about discontinuing the pursuit. The officers individual actions demonstrate blatant disregard for both human life and orders of a superior officer, the lawsuit says. Police in Hong Kong arrested a passenger after they say he tried to open an aircraft door during a flight from Boston to Hong Kong. The incident occurred early Thursday aboard Cathay Pacific Flight CX811. The suspect, a 20-year-old man with the last name Zhang who holds a Chinese passport, was reported to police after the attempt, according to NBC Boston. A statement from Cathay Pacific confirmed the incident and said no passengers were hurt. Our cabin crew immediately attended to the situation, inspected the door to ensure it was securely closed, and reported the incident to the relevant authorities and the police, the statement read. No crew members or passengers were injured, and the flight landed safely at Hong Kong International Airport. The flight departed from Bostons Logan Airport around 12:30 a.m. Thursday and was set to land around 5 a.m. Hong Kong time. According to Hong Kong Free Press, the incident happened about 15 minutes before the plane landed. Under Hong Kong aviation law, it is a criminal offense for anyone on board an aircraft to tamper with any part of the plane. Commercial aircraft doors are designed so they cannot be opened during flight because of cabin pressurization, but attempts to interfere with doors can still present a danger. According to Hong Kong Free Press, the passenger was arrested and police are currently investigating. A 37-year-old man who taught at a Rochester high school was convicted of nearly a dozen criminal charges in Plymouth Superior Court on Friday for grooming and assaulting a student, prosecutors said. A jury found Andre Arsenault, of Marion, guilty of nine counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over and one count each of assault with intent to rape and rape, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz said in a statement. Arsenault will be sentenced on Dec. 19. In October 2022, a former student of Arsenaults at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School reported to Rochester Police that she had been groomed and victimized by her culinary art teacher in high school, Cruzs office said. The victim reported to police that the inappropriate behavior dated back to 2018 and that Arsenault assaulted her between 2021 and 2022. Cruz praised the woman for coming forward and testifying. It is because of her bravery that he will no longer be in a position to victimize anyone else, he said in the statement. Teachers in our community hold a great deal of power over our children and have the ability to help them succeed in life. Rather than working to better our community, Andre Arsenault used this privileged position to prey upon a student, Cruz added. The Department of Homeland Security is shutting down all Family Reunification Parole programs for nationals of Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti and Honduras marking a sweeping reversal of long-standing humanitarian parole policy. According to DHS, the programs had allowed poorly vetted individuals to bypass the traditional case-by-case parole process, creating security vulnerabilities and opportunities for fraud. The agency said ending the programs is part of an effort to return parole to its original, limited use and to prioritize national security, public safety and the financial and economic well-being of Americans. This administration is ending the abuse of humanitarian parole which allowed poorly vetted aliens to circumvent the traditional parole process, a statement published by DHS reads. Parole was never intended to be used in this way, and DHS is returning parole to a case-by-case basis as intended by Congress. Ending the FRP programs is a necessary return to common-sense policies and a return to America First. A Federal Register notice outlines how the termination will be carried out. Individuals currently in the United States under FRP will see their parole end on Jan. 14, 2026, unless they have a pending Form I-485 to adjust status that is filed by Dec. 15, 2025. If their application remains pending on Jan. 14, 2026, their parole will continue until it naturally expires or until immigration authorities issue a final decision. If the application is denied, parole will terminate immediately and the individual must leave the country. The desire to reunite families does not overcome the governments responsibility to prevent fraud and abuse and to uphold national security and public safety, DHS said. The termination will also invalidate work authorization tied to FRP. DHS said it will notify each affected person individually as parole and employment authorization are revoked. DHS announced that individuals who have no lawful basis to remain in the United States after their parole ends must depart before their termination date. DHS is directing them to use the CBP Home app to report their intent to leave and says some may qualify for incentives including an exit bonus, travel document assistance and forgiveness of civil fines. SPRINGFIELD For Janine Fondon, public relations isnt about headlines its about relationships. That philosophy earned her the Diane Davis Beacon Award, which shell receive Wednesday, Dec. 17, in Boston. Fondon, an American International College professor and media consultant, will receive the top honor from the Boston chapter of the Public Relations Society of America for her decades of work shaping public relations and advocating for diversity in the industry. Her recognition goes beyond personal achievement, she said. It shines a light on the often-unseen work of public relations professionals who advocate for others, share their stories, and build connections that shape communities and industries, the East Longmeadow resident added. These are people out there working for community organizations and for different industries, people who are not senior leaders but who make things happen, she said. They advocate, share stories on others behalf, create all sorts of great relationships. Fondon said many young people dont realize public relations professionals build strong ties with communities and businesses. If it werent for big public relations companies to bring about trends and things we need to pay attention to, you will find that these are the companies that are pace setters and figure out how to pull people together to find out how to move forward in this culture of ours, Fondon said. American International College professor Janine Fondon sits in the studio at the school on Thursday morning. Fondon will be receiving the Diane Davis Beacon Award in Boston next week. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook Fondons career spans roles at ABC-TV, Bank of Boston and Digital Equipment Corp. She also co-founded UnityFirst Direct, a marketing and media consulting firm. At AIC, she teaches students about communications and the power of storytelling. The public relations industry is experiencing steady growth, driven by digital transformation, social media, and increasing demand for authentic brand communication, with the global market projected to reach over $140 billion by 2028 and job growth exceeding the average for other occupations, Fondon explained. Society Boston President Jamie McIver said the chapters priorities for 2026 include expanding membership and partnerships to reflect diversity, equity and inclusion. Plans also call for revitalizing the Young Professionals Network and supporting student chapters. Our purpose is always to advance the public relations profession which has grown well beyond its origins of earned media to encompass thought leadership, owned and social media, internal and crisis comms and community relations, as well as to advance the PR practitioner through top quality professional development and networking opportunities," McIver said. The event will also feature a panel of Boston media professionals and the election of a historically inclusive board. Todd Van Hoosear, a longtime PR leader and educator, will also receive the Beacon Award for his contributions to the profession. Founded in 1947, PRSA is the nations leading organization for public relations and communications professionals, with 112 chapters nationwide. WEST SPRINGFIELD West Springfields Majestic Theater is among 28 venues statewide receiving a share of $7 million in tax credits through Massachusetts new Live Theater Tax Credit Program, aimed at boosting live performance and tourism. The new program aims to grow live theater in Massachusetts, help local stages and bring more visitors to the state, the Healey-Driscoll administration said in a statement. The credit is part of the Mass Leads Act , a plan to create jobs and strengthen communities across the state. The program gives money help to professional theater companies that put on live shows. Gov. Maura T. Healey said that live theater is a catalyst for creativity that is fueling downtowns, inspiring residents and drawing visitors from around the world. By investing in the people and places that bring stories to life, this new tax credit program positions Massachusetts as a national leader in live performance, a state where imagination drives opportunity and culture powers our economy, Healey said. The tax credit allows theater companies get back part of their costs 35% of payroll and 25% of production and travel expenses. Companies can use the credits for up to five years or transfer them, a press release said. Applications for the first year of the program ran from mid-July to late August. The 28 theaters chosen include local stages, national tours and shows preparing for Broadway. SOUTHWICK It took a whistleblower initiating a lawsuit of his own, but the government has its money back. A Southwick company that designs and markets broadcast and surveillance cameras has agreed to pay the government more than $2 million to settle an allegation it was not eligible for its pandemic-era loan that was later forgiven. The U.S. Attorneys Office announced details of the settlement Friday afternoon. Kokusai Denki Electric America, which announced a name change in March from Hitachi Kokusai Electric, obtained a $1.3 million loan in January 2021 under the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which was intended to help small businesses keep employees during the economic turmoil of the pandemic. It later asked the U.S. Small Business Administration to forgive the loan, which the agency did in full. The loan forgiveness included $1.3 million of principal, $40,000 in lender fees and about $12,000 in interest, according to the settlement agreement shared by the U.S. Attorneys Office. However, it was not eligible for the assistance in the first place, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Under the rules of the second round of the PPP loans, only companies with fewer than 300 employees were eligible. As a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Hitachi Kokusai Electric, the Southwick company needed to take into account the number of employees at its affiliates, according to the programs rules. But in its application for that round of PPP loan, Kokusai Denki said it only had 67 employees. Daniel Foster filed a lawsuit against Kokusai Denki on behalf of the federal government in April, alleging the company violated the False Claims Act, according to the settlement agreement. Fosters attorney, Boston-based Gregg Shapiro, described his client as an outsider who has analyzed PPP loan data and identified companies who appear not to have qualified for the loans they received. A lot of money went out the door very quickly, said Shapiro of the PPP loan program. A lot of people who received the money didnt qualify for the money. Foster filed what is known as a qui tam action, which allows people to bring a lawsuit against an entity they believe defrauded the government. The legal process was created in the middle of the Civil War to address fraud among companies working with the government at the time, according to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers. A qui tam action is initially filed under seal, Shapiro said, and only the government is notified at first, giving it a period of time to investigate and determine if it wants to intervene. If their efforts are successful, people who initiate the litigation receive a portion of the recovered funds. In this case, Foster is set to receive 10% of the settlement, according to the agreement. A spokesperson for Kokusai Denki did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, the settlement says the company cooperated with the governments investigation, immediately acknowledged wrongdoing, and sought to resolve this matter expeditiously. BOSTON It was near midnight in 2017 when York Makonnen, an MBTA employee, was stabbed twice in the neck by a passenger on her bus. Other passengers sprang into action, saving her life. The injuries cost Makonnen her job, however. Gov. Maura Healey on Dec. 3 added transit workers to the list of employees covered under a state law that imposes stricter penalties for assault and battery on public employees. The law includes employees of private transportation companies, like Peter Pan in Springfield and Keolis in Boston. Don Haywood, of Springfield, disembarks from a Pioneer Valley Transit Authority bus. He said that recently he feels safer catching public transport because of the city police and sheriff's deputies stationed at Union Station. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook The law cracks down on offenders, protecting drivers, operators, contractors and other employees who have been physically or verbally abused, including the use of any bodily substance like saliva or urine. With the new law, offenders could face a sentence ranging from 90 days to two-and-a-half years in a house of correction, a fine between $500 to $5,000, or both. These assaults stop now. People will be held accountable, and will be charged and arrested for their assaults on transit workers, said Bill Berardino, vice president and assistant business agent of Boston Carmens Union Local 589, which represents more than 7,000 active and retired MBTA employees. Berardino, a bus driver for the MBTA for two decades, said this is a story all too common: A bus or train arrives late, passengers get angry, and transit employees are berated, spat on, threatened or, in Makonnens case, stabbed. Edna Colon, of Chicopee, on Monday said she relies on the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority regularly. She feels that the Safe Travels Initiative Task Force is doing a great job during the day but avoids travel after dark. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook There were 654 instances of assault against MBTA employees last year, including verbal and physical assaults, he said. That number has been climbing over the last few years. This law ensures that people dont feel entitled to put their hands on our employees, said Berardino. All transportation workers deserve respect. In the Pioneer Valley, there were 132 assaults on operators in fiscal 2024, of which 113 were verbal assaults, and 19 were physical, according to data from the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, which serves two dozen communities in Western Massachusetts. The red light of a heater illuminates the bus stop outside Springfield's Union Station on Tuesday evening. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook Brandy Pelletier, manager of marketing, advertising and public relations for the PVTA, said in a statement that the safety of operators is the agencys highest priority. Our drivers keep our communities moving safely every day. This law sends a clear message that violence and harassment against those who serve the public will not be tolerated, she said. Springfield Police Officer Carlos Rodriguez-Lugo patrols Union Station in Springfield on Dec. 5. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook Earlier this year, the city of Springfield, its Police Department and the Hampden County Sheriffs Department announced a task force that is working to make Union Station, a travel hub for railway and bus services in downtown Springfield, a safe and welcoming place for business owners in the station, employees and thousands of visitors. Meanwhile, in the states second largest city, the number of assaults are going down. Over the past year, the Worcester Regional Transit Authority has recorded 15 assaults on transit personnel, a decrease compared to previous years, said Jamie Winters, director of marketing and communications for the authority. Union Station Security Supervisor Gary Curtis keeps an eye on the cameras in the office at Union Station on Monday morning. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook We attribute this improvement to strengthened security measures, including expanded coverage by our security contractor and the addition of police details from Worcester Police Department during peak service hours, the statement said. Healey last week at the bill signing said respect is not optional. With this bill, we say unequivocally and clearly, No more, she said. Massachusetts will stand firmly behind the people who keep Massachusetts moving. The State House News Service contributed to this article. PYONGYANG, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday held a welcome ceremony for the 528th Regiment of Engineers of the Korean People's Army, which returned from the overseas operational area, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Saturday. Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs, attended the ceremony, said the report. This regiment, which carried out the combat order of the WPK, was formed on May 28 according to the decisions and orders of the Central Military Commission of the WPK "to build on the valuable victory in the overseas military operations," Kim said, adding that the regiment left for Russia's Kursk region in August. The DPRK "decided to award the regiment the Order of Freedom and Independence 1st Class and nine combatants fallen in the course of completing their military missions the title of the DPRK Hero, the Order of National Flag 1st Class and the Order of Soldier's Honor 1st Class," he said. SOUTHWICK In an attempt to understand why a lot of students in the districts schools have been diagnosed with asthma, the towns interim health director asked the Select Board to approve a grant to purchase and install three sensors in town to monitor air quality. Ive been talking a lot with the school districts nurse, and they are seeing a lot of kids with asthma, said interim Health Director Caileen Simonds at the boards meeting Monday. They have a lot of asthma action plans, and I am trying to look into why that is. So, I think these air sensors will help us collect some data to understand why and hopefully help, if possible, Simonds said. The three monitors, PurpleAir Flex, cost about $300 and are perfect for residential, commercial, or industrial users looking to collect real-time PM2.5 data from a tough, inconspicuous sensor, according to the sensor manufacturers website. The PM2.5 data refers to measurements of fine particulate matter that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter. Simonds proposed placing one at the public library, one at Southwick Regional School and one at Town Hall. To operate, the sensors only need a power supply and a Wi-Fi network to connect to, she said. She said she spoke with the maintenance director at Town Hall, the administration of the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District and the DPW director. Theyve all been very helpful, and they think its a good idea, Simonds said. Select Board member Douglas Moglin suggested spreading them out instead of clustering them around the center of town. That was my question, too, said Select Board chair Diane Gale. Moglin suggested installing one at the DPW for the north side of town and approaching management at Big Y to see if they would be amenable to installing one there to cover the south side of town. Maybe we could talk to our friends at Big Y or something like that for the south side of town, he said. Gale said that if one is installed at the public library and one at SRS, they might give you the same results, she said. Westfield has several air quality monitors, Moglin said, that show the air quality in the city varies greatly from one area to another. Simonds said she expects the same thing. Were going to see quite a varying in pollutants, especially because were so close to Springfield. Springfields seeing some of the worst air quality its seen in years, as well as adverse health effects from known pollutants. So, Im very interested to see [our results], she said. Select Board member Russ Anderson said the sensors could also be helpful in the event of an incident. Theyre live, right? So, if we had an incident with something, we could look at the plumes, Anderson said. The board voted unanimously to accept the grant for the sensors, which will be monitored for at least one year. In other board business, Moglin said hes been approached by a district school official who is thinking about trying to put a digital sign at the entrance to SRS. And, he said, the official wants to make the sign available for the town to use. They feel it would be supplemental to the town crier [sign] at the center of town by Berkshire Bank, he said. He said the sign would be 6-by-8 feet. It might be a good use. These signs have gotten way less expensive than they used to be, and you can convey a ton of information, and update them in a heartbeat, Moglin said. He asked that it be an agenda item at an upcoming meeting. Ten years after 2-year-old Bella Bonds death exposed flaws in child welfare oversight, Massachusetts still struggles to act on its own risk assessments. In 2022, a Worcester family was identified as very high risk of future maltreatment by a Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) tool. But earlier this year, a 4-year-old girl was killed after intervention fell short, officials claim. The Office of the Child Advocates (OCA) latest report criticizes DCF for ignoring its own tools, undercutting specialists and failing to adjust plans as risk escalated. And now OCA is calling for accountability. What happened to Azella Ortiz? Azella Ortiz 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. 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 caused by 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 Azellas death. 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. OCA, an independent state agency, found that DCF missed warning signs and closed its case a year before Azella was killed. The report states that DCF failed to reassess the childrens chronic neglect and missed warning signs in the children, such as untreated developmental delays, as two of the children were nonverbal. There were also several missed pediatric and specialist visits, the report found. Read more: Worcester child dies as DCF errors mirror Harmony Montgomery case Accountability for DCF decisions One of those warning signs came after a risk assessment tool identified very high risk of future maltreatment in October 2022. It was the highest score possible on the risk assessment tool. After the risk assessment, DCF staff took the next steps by consulting with DCF clinical specialists. And the specialist issued several recommendations that directly related to the concerns identified in the familys risk assessment score, including offering family child care and in-home support and stabilization services. During the familys time under DCF oversight, a clinical specialist was consulted twice. But each time, the recommendations were considered non-mandatory and treated as guidance for DCF case management teams. And the parents refused to engage in the services identified to support the family and alleviate risk in the home, the OCA report states. Despite the high risk identified by the tool, nothing further was done. OCA stated that the value of the specialist was undercut by sporadic use and non-adherence to the recommendations. Despite the escalation in risk to the children and the parents refusal to engage in services to alleviate that risk, the DCF case management team did not reevaluate their clinical formulation of the family to determine if alternative support or intervention was required to successfully engage the family in reducing risk to the children, the report states. OCA points out that recommendations from case consultations are hindered by their design as the clinical specialists have no direct case management responsibilities and there is no way to ensure their guidance and recommendations are followed, nor is there a requirement or expectation that a DCF clinical specialist will follow up on their own recommendations to learn whether their advice was helpful to the DCF case management team or to the family. As a result, both consultations had little to no impact on the DCF case management teams involvement with the Romero Ortiz family, the OCA report states. OCAs suggestions focused on the lack of follow-through and accountability, adding that DCF policy should be updated to strengthen the role of the specialist and expectations, including feedback loops. Follow the recommendations, DCF developed a desk reference to educate clinical teams about using Central Office Specialty Units. And in January, DCF will begin a monthly distribution of more robust information on high-risk cases. The information is for managers and will allow them to more easily identify high-risk cases and address concerns with clinical teams. Long-delayed DCF tools to protect children DCF is still working on implementing tools identified after the death of Bella, and again after the deaths of David Almond and Harmony Montgomery. The idea of a risk assessment tool first circulated in a 2015 report after the death of Bella. DCF did not properly assess Bellas risk or her mom, Rachelle Bonds, ability to parent, closing the cases early, a report stated. The idea of a Structured Decision-Making (SDM) tool was further identified as a need in 2021 after the death of 14-year-old David Almond, who died on Oct. 21, 2020. He and his brothers were under the supervision of the New York Office of Children and Families (OCFS) from 2013 to 2016 until the state returned them to John Almonds custody in 2016. A year later, they were removed from the home after DCF started investigating the family for substance use and abuse and neglect of the children. But once again, they were returned to John Almond on March 13, 2020. The decision to reunify the children with their father was a serious error compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, OCA said. On Oct. 21, 2020, police were sent to 107 Green St. in Fall River for a report of an unresponsive person and found the boy bruised, emaciated and living in abhorrent conditions, authorities said. He was rushed to Charlton Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Although Harmony Montgomerys story unfolded before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were similarities to Davids. Harmony died in 2019 after being reunited with her father in New Hampshire. Harmony Montgomery (left) and David Almond (right). (MassLive) A report after her death stated that Harmonys needs, well-being and safety were not prioritized in considering her custody placement. One of the ways to fix this for the future was to create a Structured Decision-Making (SDM) tool to help with assessments. The system, created by Evident Change, works by identifying the key points in a child welfare case and uses structured assessments to improve the consistency and validity of each decision. The model consists of several assessments that help agencies work to reduce subsequent harm to children and to expedite permanency, the website states, adding that its system has been more reliable than any child protective services assessments. It was identified as a need in 2021 after the death of David Almond, and the design was expected to be completed in September 2022. Training was expected to then take place and be completed by June 2023. The deadline was postponed after talking with Evident Change to make the tool more impactful, according to DCF. Training on the Structured Decision Making (SDM) Danger and Safety Assessment tool, a component of the SDM Reunification Assessment, finally began in May about three years after the need was identified. And the training is expected to take multiple months in order to make it sustainable for staff. Training will include DCF leadership, managers, social workers and legal staff from 29 local DCF offices, five regional offices and the central office. That part of the training was expected to be completed by December 2024. The next training for the full SDM Reunification Assessment was targeted to begin in May 2025. That was then expected to be fully implemented in late 2025. As of December, 3,500 DCF staff have been trained on the SDM Danger and Safety Assessment tool. It is expected to be formally incorporated into practice in January. At that point, staff will be required to use it during all investigations. But the implementation of the full Reunification Assessment SDM tool is still underway, and additional training is needed. The full implementation is expected in Fall 2026 more than a decade after a Baby Doe, who was found in a trash bag later identified as Bella was killed. Mauritius has been grappling with a growing cat and dog population crisis for several decades. While many countries facing similar challenges have successfully implemented large-scale sterilisation programs combined with strict breeding controls, Mauritius continues to fall behind. In countries such as the Netherlands and Bhutan, scientific population-management strategies and the active involvement of the veterinary profession have been key to reversing stray overpopulation and improving animal welfare standards. In contrast, the situation in Mauritius is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Members of the animal-welfare community have expressed deep concern that the Veterinary Council of Mauritius has, for many years, been influenced by a small group of outdated practitioners who lack awareness of the urgent realities on the ground. Animal rescuers and welfare organisations, who work tirelesslyoften solely with public donationsto rescue, rehabilitate, sterilise, and rehome distressed animals, continue to face mounting obstacles. Over the years, there have been deliberate attempts to hinder the licensing of qualified foreign veterinarians, despite their expertise and despite the countrys worsening animal-welfare emergency. The consequences are far-reaching: humananimal conflicts are rising, abandonment and abuse cases are increasing, and NGOs and rescuers are struggling to cope with both the sheer volume of animals in need and the rapidly increasing costs of food, supplies, and veterinary treatment. The animal-welfare situation in Mauritius is now beyond critical. ANSAM stresses that urgent structural reform is essentialparticularly within the Veterinary Councilso this body can operate with accountability and in line with international good-governance principles. Around the world, non-performing board members are required to step down when they fail to fulfil their mandates. Yet in Mauritius, long-standing council members continue to serve on the Veterinary Council despite their inability to address the stray-animal crisis over the years. ANSAM asks: Why should taxpayers money continue to fund council members who have consistently failed to safeguard the welfare of the countrys animals? ANSAM, a coalition of credible animal-welfare NGOs and activists, therefore calls for the following urgent actions: 1. Implementation of a scientific dog and cat population-management program, aligned with successful international models. Mass sheltering of animals cannot be used as an alternative to mass sterilisations. 2. Immediate enforcement of strict controls on the breeding of dogs and cats. 3. Removal of long-standing, non-performing members of the Veterinary Council, to be replaced by competent individuals with appropriate expertise in animal welfare. 4. Strengthening of law-enforcement mechanisms under the Animal Welfare Act to ensure effective protection of animals throughout Mauritius. ANSAM stands ready to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that Mauritius adopts modern, humane, and effective animal-welfare standards that reflect global best practices. Building on the momentum of Canons EMEA launch of World Unseen 2.0, Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) is expanding the initiative into East Africa in collaboration with Kenyas Oceans Alive Foundation. This regional chapter reflects Canons commitment to supporting the protection of coral reefsone of the most vital ecosystems on Earth, sustaining 25% of marine life, protecting coastlines, and contributing to the food security and wellbeing of millions across coastal communities. Over half of the worlds coral reefs have disappeared in the last three decades as a result of rising sea temperatures, pollution, overfishing, sedimentation and widespread disease. This decline has direct consequences for people, as ocean biodiversity plays a critical role in human health and wellbeing. In response to these growing pressures, the East Africa chapter places strong emphasis on science-led restoration, community capacity building and imaging-enabled monitoring to support long-term ecosystem recovery and resilience. Building on Canons partnership with Nature Seychelles and Coral Spawning International to establish the first coral breeding facility in the Western Indian Ocean, the East Africa chapter further strengthens community-led conservation along Kenyas fragile coastline through its collaboration with Oceans Alive Foundation. Together, the partners will drive local engagement, expand restoration work and support knowledge transfer to enhance reef recovery. Guided by Canons philosophy of Kyosei, meaning living and working together for the common good, the programme builds scientific capacity, expands restoration efforts and empowers coastal communities through education and visual storytelling. The Kenya launch brings together conservation science, imaging technology and community engagement. Through restoration work, youth training and imaging-led documentation, the project aims to build local ownership of marine protection and support wider ecosystem recovery. Additionally, the programme will deliver measurable environmental and social outcomes, aligned with Canons Future of the Planet pillar and broader sustainability goals. Somesh Adukia, Managing Director of Canon Central and North Africa, said: The World Unseen in Kenya reflects our commitment to practical, science-based conservation that empowers communities. Paired with Oceans Alives local leadership, Canons imaging expertise will enable precise monitoring, credible storytelling, and stronger reef recovery efforts. Des Bowden, Founder of Oceans Alive Foundation, added: We started in Kuruwitu with a bold belief that communities are the true guardians of the sea. What began as a local effort to protect a dying reef has become a model for ocean recovery driven by the people who depend on it most. Kenyas reefs are rich, fragile, and often unseen. Through this valuable collaboration with Canon, we are making the invisible visible documenting life above and beneath the waves with scientific accuracy and cultural respect. When people truly see the ocean, they value it. When they value it, they protect it. A Community-Led Partnership for Reef Restoration Founded in 2018 and rooted in the Kuruwitu community, Oceans Alive is one of Kenyas leading community-driven marine conservation organisations. Its core purpose is to revive degraded coral reefs and improve the wellbeing of coastal communities who depend on healthy oceans for food security and livelihoods. Across Kuruwitu and the broader North Coast, Oceans Alive has successfully restored multiple reef patches, reintroduced thousands of coral fragments, and worked with local Beach Management Units to strengthen sustainable fisheries. Community members trained in reef monitoring and restoration now lead efforts that have resulted in increased fish abundance, improved reef structure, and measurable socio-economic benefits for local households. Canon will sponsor nursery tables and reef infrastructure to support the propagation and outplanting of thousands more coral fragments onto permanent reef structures. The partnership also includes rigorous scientific monitoring and transparent impact reporting to ensure that each step of progress is measured and shared with accuracy. Imaging Technology for Scientific Monitoring and Education Canon is equipping Oceans Alive with advanced imaging tools including PowerShot G7 X Mark III and EOS R8 cameras with underwater housings and specialised lighting systems to capture photographic data on coral growth, bleaching events, fish recruitment, and overall reef structure. These images will provide scientists with measurable insights into coral size, survival rates, and ecosystem recovery. Canon will also provide professional printing solutions to complete the workflow, enabling Oceans Alive to transform scientific research into high-quality educational materials and public displays for schools, community groups, and visitors. Community Training, Youth Storytelling, and Education Together, Canon and Oceans Alive will build practical storytelling platforms that support digital content creation, environmental education, and public awareness. The partnership includes underwater photography workshops, community conservation sessions, and youth-led media projects through Canon Academy. These programmes ensure that local storytellers, student researchers, and volunteers contribute to documenting Kenyas marine environment with scientific accuracy and visually compelling narratives. Purpose-Led Impact for People and Planet The World Unseen advances Canons long-term vision for Africa by driving ecological recovery, strengthening community stewardship, and elevating local conservation leaders. By turning ocean science into engaging visual stories, World Unseen invites people to learn, engage, and take action reinforcing Canons commitment to sustainability and a higher purpose. Minister of State Alan Dillon TD has warmly welcomed the significant progress now underway on the new Order of Malta base in Castlebar, a project he has championed from the outset. Minister Dillon said he was delighted to see that works have begun on the new two-storey building on Pavilion Road, which will link into the existing ambulance bay. He noted that the overall investment in the development is expected to total 580,000. The project received a major boost last year when 474,000 was secured under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, funding that Minister Dillon helped deliver alongside former Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys. Dillon highlighted this as a key moment that enabled the project to move forward. He further noted: It is great mayo to see construction now underway by Buildecon Ltd, with works set to continue for the next 12 months. The new building will provide a modern training facility, an upgraded ambulance base, and an expanded community hub, enhancing the capacity of the Castlebar Order of Maltas 40 members and 25 cadets. Minister Dillon credited the volunteers for their long-standing dedication, acknowledging the contributions of Tom Jennings, Liam McHugh, Cathal OBoyle, Donal Geraghty, and all members working with Mayo County Council to bring the project to completion. He concluded by reaffirming his support: the Order of Malta has served this community for over 80 years. I look forward to seeing this new building completed and supporting their vital work for generations to come. READ MORE: Mayo Reserve Garda recognised with special award A civilian building damaged in airstrikes by Thai military forces is seen in Pursat province, Cambodia, Dec. 13, 2025. The Thai military forces on Saturday morning used two F-16 fighter jets to drop bombs at some locations in Cambodia's Pursat province, the Cambodian defense ministry said in a press release. (Cambodian Defense Ministry/Handout via Xinhua) PHNOM PENH, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Thai military forces on Saturday morning used two F-16 fighter jets to drop bombs at some locations in Cambodia's Pursat province, the Cambodian defense ministry said in a press release. At 5:50 a.m. and 5:55 a.m., the Thai forces dropped two bombs to destroy a hotel building in Tmor Da area, the press release said. At 6:02 a.m. and 6:07 a.m., the Thai forces dropped two bombs to destroy Chei Chomnas bridge, it said, adding that at 6:12 a.m., the Thai forces dropped one more bomb to destroy Chei Chomnas bridge (Old Bridge). "Thai forces have not stopped the bombing yet," the press release said. There's no response from the Thai side yet. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Dec. 7. U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday on social media that he held separate calls with the Thai and Cambodian leaders, and that both sides agreed to a ceasefire effective Friday evening. A bridge damaged in airstrikes by Thai military forces is seen in Pursat province, Cambodia, Dec. 13, 2025. The Thai military forces on Saturday morning used two F-16 fighter jets to drop bombs at some locations in Cambodia's Pursat province, the Cambodian defense ministry said in a press release. (Agence Kampuchea Presse via Xinhua) A bridge damaged during airstrikes by Thai military forces is seen in Pursat province, Cambodia, Dec. 13, 2025. The Thai military forces on Saturday morning used two F-16 fighter jets to drop bombs at some locations in Cambodia's Pursat province, the Cambodian defense ministry said in a press release. (Cambodian Defense Ministry/Handout via Xinhua) Beyond Akshaye Khannas much-discussed turn as Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar, Sanjay Dutts performance as Chaudhary Aslam has also been drawing significant attention online. Social media users are praising not just his acting but also the powerful screen presence he brings to the role. Visually, the credit also goes to Aditya Dhars look-design and prosthetics team, who have crafted a remarkably convincing appearance for Dutt. His transformation bears a striking resemblance to the real-life Chaudhary Aslam, one of Pakistans most decorated police officers, widely known for his daring operations against the Lyari gangs and for eventually taking down Rehman Dakait, a character portrayed by Akshaye Khanna in Dhurandhar. Jio Studios What many viewers may not know is that Dhurandhar isnt the first film to explore Operation Lyari. Pakistan had already told this story years ago, but from Chaudhary Aslams perspective. Pakistani filmmaker Azeem Sajjad directed a biographical action film titled Chaudhry The Martyr, which chronicles Aslams life and mission. In that film, actor Tariq Islam stepped into the role of the fearless police officer, presenting the same events through the lens of law enforcement rather than the underworld. About Chaudhry-The Martyr Released in 2022 and inspired by the life of police officer Chaudhry Aslam Khan, Chaudhry-The Martyr stars Tariq Islam, Shamoon Abbasi, Arbaaz Khan, and Zara Abid in prominent roles. Notably, it was released posthumously after Zara Abids tragic death in the May 2020 Pakistan International Airlines Flight 8303 crash. You can watch the trailer for Chaudhry-The Martyr here: NANJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 12th national memorial day was observed here on Saturday to honor the 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. A nonpartisan government watchdog is calling on the Department of Defense to update its testing policies so U.S. troops can acquire weapons at a quicker scale. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent government agency, published a new report on Thursday highlighting gaps in current weapons acquisitions. It encourages DoD to adopt 13 recommendations to better equip the military while elevating testing and evaluating capabilities for modernization. The GAO analysis, published as part of a 65-page report, analyzed DoD-wide policies and found they were not fully consistent with selected leading practices for product development as applied to test and evaluation: involve testers early, conduct iterative testing, use digital twins and threads, and obtain user feedback iteratively. Recommendations are being suggested as the Pentagon has pushed its own standards towards modernized systems that includes a bigger emphasis on artificial intelligence and not lagging behind global adversaries in the ongoing race for technological advancement. Broader DoD plans should be met with rigorous standards, per the GAO. We relied on DoDs individual test and evaluation-related organizations to define modernization in the context of how theyve defined their organizations future needs. Collectively, these modernization plans identified a need for DoD to issue new or revised policies and guidance to support modernized test and evaluation, Shelby Oakley, director of contracting and national security acquisitions at the GAO, told Military.com. Our subsequent review of these test and evaluation-related policies, including ones at the DoD-wide and individual military department levels, substantiated this need for policy changes," she added. Sailors assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) conduct small arms safety training, Nov. 11, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Eliora Sims) GAO Recommendations Of the GAOs 13 total recommendations issued to the defense secretary and the secretaries of the Air Force, Army, and Navy, the DoD concurred with seven recommendations, partially concurred with five recommendations, and did not concur with one recommendation. The Navy was the only branch not to concur on a recommendation for test plans to incorporate end user agreements that detail a process for obtaining ongoing user input and feedback. One item flagged in the report is the Air Forces T-7A Red Hawk, which is expected to replace the legacy T-38C trainer fleet. However, Air Force officials per the report have had difficulty accessing such data in a timely mannerin addition to challenges transferring large files due to cybersecurity requirements. Improving Warfighting Capabilities The GAO conducted three site visits to the Air Force Test Center (AFTC), Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC), and Navy Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR), specifically chosen due to being primary test agencies at each of the military departments. They also have centrally located workforces to meet with test officials and better understand modeling, simulation and live virtual constructive environments. The report says that DOD has yet to realize its goal in rapidly developing weapon systems due in part to test and evaluating challenges, leading to delays in development that negatively impact the timeline for weapons to reach troops hands. This has been a point of emphasis in Washington, notably in the new National Defense Authorization Act that passed the House of Representatives earlier this week. The timing of the reports release is not related to the NDAA. The GAO report shows differences in current DoD testing and evaluation policies. (GAO) GAO reported in its findings that DoDs digital engineering policy, along with its test and evaluation section of DoDs systems engineering policy, do not describe specific processes to ensure application of leading practices to testing. It also discovered that military department-level test and evaluation policies generally did not reflect the leading practices beyond the level found in DoD-wide policies. Key program documents, like acquisition strategies and test strategies for selected weapon systems acquisition programs it reviewed, were not properly reflected. Our report identified gaps between DoD policies and leading practices in how to develop, test, and evaluate weapon systems such that they are relevant and responsive to warfighter needs, Oakley said. Warfighter needs are mission-dependent, but generally include things like schedule for delivery, capability effectiveness and lethality, and suitability factors such as reliability, maintainability, and safety of the operator. Not a New Point of Emphasis The issues conveyed in the report that are leading to the GAO suggestions are nothing new. In fact, theyve been around for decades. Oakley said that DoD weapons systems acquisition has been part of the GAOs high-risk list dating back to 1990. U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Bryce Baugham, 57th Maintenance Group load crew member, inspects a missile before loading it onto an A-10 Thunderbolt II assigned to the 66th Weapons Squadron during the third quarter weapons standardization load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Oct. 3, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Amador) The problems facing this issue area, including weapon system test and evaluation specifically, are long-standing and have persisted through numerous administrations over the past 35 years, she said. We did not compare policies across administrations nor did that aspect factor into our report. For example, in June of this year, GAO found that the DoDs expected time frame to deliver initial capabilities for 79 of its major defense acquisition programs averaged about 12 yearslonger than the average time frame of 10 years for 82 programs identified in May 2019. We have undertaken a body of work and issued reports since 2022 documenting the practices that leading product development companies rely on to successfully develop, test, integrate, produce and support innovative products that fulfill the needs of their customers and users, Oakley said. This work has provided a roadmap that weve encouraged DoD to use to restructure its policies and processes for weapon system acquisitions. Oakley added that the GAO looks forward to implementing the DoDs November 2025 memorandum to transform the nations defense acquisition system into the warfighting acquisition system, as well as its implementation of the reports recommendations. Charles Chuck Reeves was a bit lost after serving in the Navy for several years. The transition into becoming a civilian again proved more daunting than he expected, and floating from job to job, Reeves struggled to find employment. He became homeless, living out of his car. Id planned to stay in San Diego, Reeves told ABC 15 News in Arizona. But I came back to Phoenix and tried working in aviation and construction. It was hard finding a niche, and as jobs changed, so did my stability. A proud veteran, Reeves didnt really want to ask for help, but he decided to call a local Veterans Affairs office. Less than 24 hours later, Reeves received help from U.S. VETS and MANA House, which provides transitional housing for veterans. During his stay at MANA House, Reeves realized other veterans need help getting around Phoenix, and an idea was hatched he would repair donated bikes for veterans. You still need something around here, Reeves said. A bike means independence. If you miss the bus, you can still get where you need to go. How Repair Gig Started The Navy veterans bike restoration work started with him repairing bikes for fellow veterans staying at MANA House. Mechanically inclined, Reeves possessed a knack for fixing equipment at a young age. At the homeless veterans shelter, his work began small, fixing a few bikes at a time, to becoming his No. 1 passion. Bikers Edge Cycle & Fitness in Peoria, Arizona, caught wind of Reeves mission and began donating bikes for him to repair. When he finishes a bike, Reeves sends it to MANA House for a veteran to use. Im not out to get rich, Reeves said. As long as I can keep going and just help others, thats what matters. Chuck Reeves works on a bike in his shop. (Photo from ABC15 Arizona) Rachel Perez, community engagement coordinator for MANA House, told ABC 15 that Reeves work is vital because just under 30 percent of veterans who use transitional housing there have reliable transportation. Many do not have vehicles, so using a bike can help restore their independence. On a bike, they can get to a job interview or make an appointment on time. A lot of them struggle with how am I able to pick up my own prescription, attend to my own medical appointments, if I don't have my own means of transportation, Perez said. For Reeves, who graduated from the MANA House transitional program, his work is a way of giving back. Perez believes Reeves is living up to the military credo no soldier left behind. Many of our veterans who have been in our program and have graduated really try their best to come back in any way, Perez said. Some, like Chuck, are giving back by providing essential transportation. MANA House Helps Veterans The MANA House in Phoenix has room for 76 veterans and was housing 62 as of Dec. 5. The organization helps veterans get back on their feet by finding permanent housing and assigning case managers to every veteran. Besides Reevess repaired bikes, the program also offers resume assistance and job training, along with donated computers and clothing. With many people under housing and economic stress, Perez said the need for places like MANA House keeps growing. The facility used to provide shelter for the general public but shifted in recent years to specifically aid veterans. MANA House Community Engagement Coordinator Rachel Perez speaks with ABC15 Arizona reporter Craig McKee about how Reeves's repaired bikes help veterans. (Photo from ABC15 Arizona) If they need help accessing VA benefits or finding a job, we help with that, Perez said. We want to make sure they have all the tools to succeed, not just temporarily, but once they leave here. MANA House works with other local organizations and volunteers to help with donations, construct resumes, and provide peer support from other veterans. Recently, the program helped a veteran craft his first resume, and hes currently taking classes to learn HVAC. For Reeves, knowing that every bike he repairs and provides to MANA House could help a veteran regain confidence and independence, makes all the hours spent with wrenches, screws, and hammers worth it. If everybody felt that same way, he said, we wouldnt have the problems we have nowadays. To connect with Reeves and receive information about donating a bike, send an email to outreachbikerepair@gmail.com. Russian Defense Minister Pavel Grachev promised he could seize Grozny with a single parachute regiment in two hours. On New Year's Eve 1994, his army instead drove into a meticulously planned ambush that annihilated entire battalions in the Chechen capital. The 131st Motor Rifle Brigade from Maikop entered Grozny with more than 1,000 soldiers. Sixty hours later, nearly 800 were dead, captured or missing. Twenty of the brigade's 26 tanks burned in narrow streets alongside 102 of 120 armored vehicles. A decade later, U.S. forces prepared methodically before assaulting Fallujah with proper intelligence, training, and combined-arms coordination. Meanwhile, Russian commanders learned nothing. In February 2022, their columns drove toward Kyiv expecting easy victory, only to be ambushed and destroyed by Ukrainian defenders using the same tactics the Chechens perfected 28 years earlier. A Chechen fighter during the battle for Grozny. (Wikimedia Commons) Why Chechnya Mattered to Russia Chechnya, a predominantly Muslim region in Russia's North Caucasus region roughly the size of Connecticut, sits near a critical oil pipeline that links the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea. As the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, former Soviet Air Force Gen. Dzhokhar Dudayev declared independence and seized power in Chechnya. By March 1992, nearly all former Soviet republics and Russia's 88 federal territories signed the Federation Treaty establishing the new Russian Federation. Chechnya refused to sign. While Tatarstan negotiated special autonomy within Russia, Dudayev demanded full independence. Russian President Boris Yeltsin spent three years trying to destabilize Dudayev through proxies before ordering direct intervention. On Nov. 26, 1994, Russian forces staged a covert coup using Chechen opposition fighters backed by Russian armor. Dudayev's forces ambushed the column in downtown Grozny, destroying 20 of the 42 tanks and captured several Russian soldiers whose presence Moscow outright denied. The humiliation forced Yeltsin's hand. On Dec. 11, Russian troops crossed into Chechnya to crush what Moscow called "illegal armed formations." What followed exposed how unprepared Russia's military was for urban combat against defenders who knew their city's every alley and rooftop. Dzhokhar Dudayev, former Soviet general, declared Chechnyas independence as the Soviet Union collapsed. (Wikimedia Commons) Every Tactical Mistake in One Urban Battle Russian commanders expected minimal resistance from roughly 2,000 Chechen fighters defending Grozny, a city of 490,000. Defense Minister Grachev's boast about taking it in two hours reflected genuine confidence or delusion. Four armored columns would converge on the city center on Dec. 31, seize Dudayev's presidential palace and declare victory. Soviet doctrine required 4-to-1 numerical superiority for urban warfare, proper reconnaissance, complete city encirclement and detailed maps. The Russians achieved none of those prerequisites before assaulting the city. Approximately 6,000 troops entered Grozny supported by tanks and armor. They possessed virtually no intelligence on enemy positions. Only a handful of commanders had maps that were 1:50,000 scale, useless for navigating narrow streets. Russian units got lost, fired on each other or stumbled into ambushes. Chechen defenders removed street signs and repositioned them. Russian forces never sealed Grozny's southern approaches, allowing Chechen reinforcements throughout the battle. Chechen fighters on the streets of the capital, Grozny, January 1995. (Wikimedia Commons) The assault force hastily combined units from seven different regiments with soldiers who had received almost no urban warfare training. Soviet doctrine viewed cities as quagmires to bypass. Infantry fighting vehicles rolled forward with crews but little infantry. Some had officers driving because trained soldiers weren't available. Many tank crews lacked machine gun ammunition. "I didn't know where we were going, I didn't know our task," recalled Maj. Rustem Klupov, assistant chief of intelligence for the 131st Brigade. Radio communications broke down repeatedly. The columns drove into Grozny at noon expecting light resistance. Map showing the attack routes of the Russian military columns against the Chechen-held Grozny city. Heavily influenced by Osprey Publishing's "Russia's Wars in Chechnya 19942009" (Wikimedia Commons) The Chechen Trap Slaughters the Russians The 131st Brigade drove straight to Grozny's railway station, reaching it by 1 p.m. and Dudayev's presidential palace by 3 p.m. The 81st Motor Rifle Regiment from Samara advanced down Pervomayskaya Street directly toward the palace. Both units parked in neat columns along side streets. Russian soldiers dismounted, established positions and waited. Until late afternoon, the Chechens offered no resistance. The silence was deliberate. "There wasn't anything happening at all, no kind of movement," recalled one Russian conscript later captured by Chechens. His unit stood by the railway station for hours. Then a Chechen field commander got on their radio frequency, asking "Why did you come? Get your things together, leave, this is our land." Colonel Savin, the 131st's commander, responded he was following orders. The Chechen warned, "Pity the mothers and the men. Let's spare each other, this is war. We have weapons and what's more serious small arms and heavy artillery. We have well organized fighters." Twenty minutes later, the ambush began. Chechen Chief of Staff Aslan Maskhadov, a Soviet military academy graduate, had positioned fighters throughout the city. Most Chechen defenders were Soviet-trained veterans who understood Russian tactics intimately. They organized into 15-to-20-man combat groups subdivided into fire teams that included an RPG gunner, machine gunner and a sniper. These teams waited at ground level, in upper-story windows and basements overlooking every approach route. Maskhadov's fighters benefited from Soviet arms depots. When Chechnya declared independence, Dudayev's forces captured roughly 80 percent of Soviet military equipment in the republic, an estimated 42,000 firearms, 740 anti-tank weapons and 200,000 hand grenades. A Russian Mi-8 helicopter shot down by Chechen fighters near the Chechen capital, Grozny. (Wikimedia Commons) When Maskhadov gave the order to fire, Chechen troops destroyed the lead and rear vehicles in each column, trapping hundreds of soldiers and vehicles in kill zones. Russian armor became iron coffins. Tank guns couldn't elevate high enough for upper floors or depress low enough for basements. Fearful infantrymen refused to dismount, allowing Chechen hunters to methodically destroy immobile vehicles. A radio message taunted the trapped 131st Brigade, "Welcome to hell!" The 81st Regiment pushed deep into Grozny toward the Presidential Palace before radio jamming cut communications. Its two battalion commanders drove around the Ordzhonikidze square in their command vehicles trying to coordinate defensive fire as RPGs slammed into their armor from all directions. Captain Arkhangelov, the regiment's deputy for training, had reported receiving mysterious orders from call-sign "Mramor," possibly General Leonti Shevtsov, directing them to advance despite no operational plan existing for that day. Traffic jams at key intersections had delayed the assault, with inexperienced drivers causing vehicle columns to intermingle. When the first 81st vehicles reached the palace, Chechens unleashed devastating fire from roofs and basements. By afternoon, the regiment's attack was completely defeated. Crews abandoned operational tanks and fled on foot, leaving dozens of burning armored vehicles. The 81st lost approximately 60 armored vehicles and several hundred casualties. Other Russian columns became lost in unfamiliar streets. Elements of the 503rd Motor Rifle Regiment received friendly fire from other units and fired on each other for six hours. No reinforcements reached the railway station. Russian soldiers captured by Chechens had no idea where they were or whom they were fighting. Some had been told their mission was to simply "protect roads." On Jan. 2, the 131st Brigade's commander, Col. Savin, attempted evacuating 40 wounded in an armored carrier. It moved the wrong direction, turned around and was immediately ambushed. Only 13 soldiers survived to be captured. Savin died beside his wrecked vehicle from shrapnel wounds. By Jan. 3, the Maikop Brigade had lost 789 men killed, captured or missing, only 160 escaped the city. Across all Russian units in the initial assault, an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 troops died in the opening days. Some estimates suggest 105 of 120 tanks committed to the assault were destroyed. A Chechen fighter stands near the government palace building during a short lull in fighting in Grozny, Chechnya. (Wikimedia Commons) Grinding Victory, Pyrrhic Results After the disaster, Russian commanders shifted to methodical destruction. Artillery pounded Grozny with an estimated 30,000 shells daily, the heaviest European bombardment since World War II. Russian forces advanced building by building with dismounted infantry finally supporting armor properly. Russian troops adapted slowly. They attached wire mesh cages to tank hulls to defeat RPG shaped charges, similar to techniques Soviet tankers improvised in Berlin 1945. Anti-aircraft guns moved forward to engage targets tank guns couldn't reach. Engineers blew holes through walls rather than using booby-trapped doors. Small teams cleared rooms with grenades. Russian forces developed "baiting" tactics, sending small units forward to spring ambushes, then overwhelming defenders with artillery and helicopters. Chechens countered with "hugging," staying close enough to make artillery impossible without hitting friendly troops. A Chechen man prays during the battle for Grozny. The flame in the background is coming from a gas pipeline which was hit by shrapnel. (Wikimedia Commons) By Feb. 8, 1995, Russian forces controlled most of Grozny. An estimated 25,000 to 30,000 civilians died in just two months, many ethnic Russians. Official Russian losses were 1,376 killed and 408 missing, though independent estimates suggest actual casualties ran much higher. The victory proved hollow. Russia's brutal occupation of Chechnya from 1995 to 1996 failed to pacify the region. In August 1996, Chechen forces under Shamil Basayev recaptured Grozny in a surprise raid with just 1,500 fighters. The successful raid forced Moscow to negotiate the Khasavyurt Accord, which granted Chechnya de facto independence. That independence lasted three years. In September 1999, a series of apartment bombings in Russian cities killed more than 300 civilians. Moscow blamed Chechen terrorists, though many observers questioned whether Russian security services orchestrated the attacks to justify renewed war. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin used the bombings as a pretext to launch the Second Chechen War in October 1999, crushing Chechen independence and propelling himself to the presidency. Street of the ruined capital Grozny after war. (Wikimedia Commons) How the Americans Did Urban Combat Right When U.S. forces prepared to assault Fallujah in November 2004, a city of 250,000 that had become an insurgent stronghold in Iraq's Sunni Triangle, they applied the lessons Russia ignored. American planners spent months gathering intelligence and conducting reconnaissance before the assault. Marines and Army units trained at facilities like the Joint Readiness Training Center, practicing room-clearing drills and combined-arms tactics specific to urban environments. Infantry and armor coordinated tightly as dismounted soldiers cleared buildings while tanks provided overwatch from protected positions. American forces sealed Fallujah completely before the assault, cutting off insurgent reinforcement and resupply. They even urged civilians to flee the city. They used precision-guided munitions and careful targeting, clearing the city systematically sector by sector rather than driving columns into ambush zones. The Second Battle of Fallujah saw intense urban combat lasting six weeks in the deadliest battle of the entire Iraq War. But proper training, intelligence preparation and combined-arms coordination avoided catastrophic losses that Russian forces repeatedly suffer. Coalition forces in Iraq managed to secure the entirety of Fallujah with minimal casualties. Less than 100 Coalition troops were killed, while nearly 2,000 insurgents were killed and an almost equal number being taken prisoner. Civilian casualties were less than 1,000, though the physical damage to the city was extensive. American forces accepted that urban warfare would be difficult and planned accordingly. The Russians expected easy victory and paid for their arrogance. United States Marines carrying M16A4 rifles with fixed OKC-3S bayonets in Fallujah, Iraq November 2004. (Wikimedia Commons) Still Making the Same Mistakes in Ukraine Russia's February 2022 blitz on Kyiv mirrored Grozny's failures. Exposed columns drove toward Ukraine's capital expecting minimal resistance and a rapid victory. They lacked proper combined-arms coordination, with armor advancing without adequate infantry support. Ukrainian defenders armed with Javelins, NLAWs and RPGs ambushed Russian columns in suburbs and urban areas, destroying vehicles and forced humiliating withdrawals. In Mariupol, Severodonetsk and Bakhmut, Russia defaulted to Grozny tactics of massive artillery bombardments followed by grinding infantry assaults. The months long battle for Bakhmut, fought largely by Wagner Group mercenaries using convict soldiers as expendable troops, produced a Pyrrhic Russian victory in May 2023 through World War I-style attrition. Russia's casualties in Ukraine dwarf anything Moscow has suffered since World War II. Some Western estimates suggest nearly 600,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded since February 2022, exponentially higher than Soviet losses in Afghanistan, both Chechen Wars or any conflict since Korea combined. Ironically, some Chechens who fought Russia in the 1990s now serve Moscow. Ramzan Kadyrov, whose father switched sides during the Second Chechen War, deployed thousands of Kadyrovtsy fighters to Ukraine to help Russian forces. Russian propaganda marketed them as elite urban warfare specialists. In reality, they knew the futility of attacking urban centers. Kadyrovites "stay away from urban combat or any kind of battlefield," said a Chechen fighter serving with Ukrainian forces. Pro-Russian separatist commanders have criticized Kadyrovite troops for poor training and morale. One leaked audio recording from a Russian in Ukraine described an ambush on Russian forces, stating "These must have been Chechens on the other side, since they ambushed us like in Grozny in '95." This acknowledges that Ukrainian-aligned Chechen units were using the same devastating tactics from three decades earlier, tactics Russian forces refused to recall. Estimates of Russian deaths in modern wars involving Moscow, in chronological order. (Wikimedia Commons) Lessons Russia Refuses to Accept The principles of urban warfare are not secret. It requires infantry-armor coordination where infantry leads and armor supports. Detailed intelligence and proper maps are vital. Specialized training in room clearing and close combat ensure survival. Communications that work under fire keep the battle going. American forces demonstrated these principles in Fallujah despite fierce resistance. Even the Soviet Army that captured Berlin in 1945 applied better combined-arms tactics than Russian forces in Grozny or Ukraine. The knowledge exists, but Russian military culture simply rejects it. That culture favors overwhelming firepower over tactical skill, mass over maneuver, artillery tonnage over precision. It accepts staggering casualties as the inevitable price of victory. Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol. Russian forces have suffered extreme casualties attempting to assault urban centers in Ukraine, having been unable or unwilling to remember the lessons learned in Grozny. (Wikimedia Commons) In 1994, Russian forces drove armored columns into a Chechen city without reconnaissance, proper maps or combined-arms coordination. In 2022, they drove toward Kyiv repeating every mistake. The only variable was the casualty count. Colonel Savin died beside his wrecked armored carrier on a Grozny street in January 1995 because his commanders sent him and his men into battle unprepared. Thousands of Russian soldiers have died the same way since, for exactly the same reasons as the Russian military refuses to adapt to the realities of modern urban combat. Trumps Own Words Speaking to reporters at the White House on December 10, President Donald Trump was asked whether he had spoken with Colombian President Gustavo Petro as tensions grow over Trumps military and economic campaign against drug trafficking in the region. Trump replied he had not really thought too much about Petro, then immediately shifted tone and said Colombia produces a lot of drugs, adding Petro better wise up or hell be next. Hell be next soon. I hope hes listening, hes going to be next. Trumps comments came on the same day he announced U.S. forces had seized a large oil tanker, referred to as the Skipper, off the coast of Venezuela, as part of an expanding campaign he frames as a fight against narcotics and illicit networks. How This Fits into Operation Southern Spear The threat to Colombia comes against the backdrop of Operation Southern Spear, the name the Pentagon has now given to the ongoing U.S. military campaign targeting vessels the administration describes as narco-terrorist boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. According to a Pentagon briefing on December 2, U.S. Southern Command has conducted 21 kinetic strikes, which the Defense Department says have killed 82 alleged narco-terrorists so far. That campaign began with airstrikes and has grown into a sustained use of force at sea, supported by the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and associated naval assets to the Caribbean region. These actions have already generated significant legal and political controversy, including criticism from members of Congress and international law experts who question the legal basis for lethal strikes on suspected traffickers without judicial process or specific authorization from Congress. Trumps language about who could be next seems to be in the context of ongoing lethal operations, combined with new economic and diplomatic pressure on governments he accuses of enabling the drug trade. Previous U.S. Pressure on Colombia in 2025 Trump and Petro have already clashed repeatedly this year. In January, Colombia refused to allow two U.S. military aircraft carrying deported Colombian nationals to land, arguing the use of military planes treated its citizens like criminals. In response, Trump threatened to impose an emergency 25% tariff on all Colombian goods, to double that to 50% within a week, and to apply emergency financial sanctions and visa restrictions on Colombian officials and citizens. Washington later announced it would not immediately impose those penalties after Colombia agreed to resume accepting deportees. The episode marked an early warning of how Trump was prepared to use tariffs, sanctions, and migration leverage against Bogota. In October, Trump again escalated pressure and threatened new tariffs on Colombia over what he called failures in its anti-drug policy. He warned of import tariffs in the context of coca cultivation and cocaine exports, which he says undermine U.S. security, a move analysts described as a sharp break from the long-standing U.S. approach that used trade preferences as a counter-narcotics tool. Around the same time, Trump also threatened to cut off financial aid to Colombia and publicly labeled Petro an illegal drug leader, prompting Colombia to recall its ambassador from Washington. Gustavo Petro, president of the Republic of Colombia, boards hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) after a closing ceremony signaling the end of the Colombia portion of Continuing Promise 2022, Nov. 18, 2022. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ethan J. Soto. Source: DVIDS Threats of Military Action and Colombias Response The rhetoric has not stopped at economic pressure. In late November and early December, Trump publicly suggested any country he considered responsible for drugs reaching the United States, including Colombia, could be subject to attack. According to reporting in U.S. and Colombian media, he made these remarks while defending the legality and necessity of the boat strikes, saying countries that make cocaine and sell it into our country could face U.S. military action. President Petro has warned in public statements that threatening military action against Colombias territory would amount to a declaration of war and urged Washington not to damage two centuries of diplomatic relations. Todays hell be next comment fits into that same pattern. The new statement links Petro personally to Colombias drug production and suggests Trump could expand the kind of measures already used against Venezuela to Colombia, without specifying whether he means more tariffs, additional sanctions, or direct military action. Where the Situation Stands As of now, there is no public indication that the U.S. military has expanded Operation Southern Spear strikes into Colombian territory or territorial waters, and the Pentagons official updates describe targets as vessels associated with Venezuelan and other non-state actors in international or disputed waters. For now, there is also no public White House order announcing new tariffs or sanctions on Colombia today beyond the earlier threats and measures reported in January and October. Those prior episodes show Trump has already used or attempted to use tariffs, sanctions, aid cuts, and migration tools against Bogota when he believes Colombia is not cooperating. Todays comments signal he is willing to connect that pressure directly to Petros political fate. Trumps language that Petro will be next and must wise up therefore represents an escalation in rhetoric rather than a clearly defined policy shift. The practical consequences will depend on whether the administration now moves from words to new economic or military steps, and on how Colombia and other regional governments respond or seek to constrain U.S. action through diplomatic, legal, or multilateral channels. DETROIT, MI A Detroit man arrested in November after a chase and shootout with police has been indicted. Terrance Markyce Davis was indicted on multiple federal charges including attempted murder of federal agents and carjacking, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Eastern District of Michigan. Davis, 33, of Detroit, is charged with one count each of unlawful transport of firearms, carjacking, assaulting an officer, attempted murder, and three counts of committing a violent crime. This man is an agent of chaos, U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon said. He tore through our city streets, raising hell. We are thankful for the brave men who put a stop to the defendants rampage. Between Nov. 5 and Nov. 13, Davis fired shots into several houses and cars in Detroit, seriously injuring one person, police said. On Nov. 14 ATF Special Agents obtained an arrest warrant, charging Davis in connection with felon in possession of ammunition for one of those shootings. Davis fled from the agents, carjacked a person and exchanged gunfire with ATF agents, police said. Michigan State Police Troopers eventually disabled the stolen vehicle that Davis was driving, and Davis fled on foot, armed with a handgun, police said. Davis was later shot by Detroit Police Officers and arrested. Preliminary ballistics testing shows that the firearm Davis had in his hands while he ran from police was the same firearm used to shoot at ATF Agents, and the same firearm used in the shootings between Nov. 5 and Nov. 13, police said. Terrance Davis is a poster child for the work being done by ATF across the state of Michigan, ATF Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir said. Carjacking, assaulting and attempting to murder ATF federal agents strike at the very heart of our community and its public safety. When individuals are alleged to commit violence at this level, we will respond decisively with sound policing techniques and strategies using every lawful tool to bring these urban terrorists to the federal justice system. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Detroit Police Department and the Michigan State Police. ELBERTA, MI A long-planned revival of Elbertas historic Lake Michigan waterfront is moving into its next phase after the state approved a parkland acquisition grant and the village selected a developer to lead public design work for a mixed-use site. On Dec. 9, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced $5.3 million in federal Land and Water Conservation Fund support to help Elberta acquire 16 acres of lake and bay frontage for a new public park. The land, which was historically used by a railroad ferry terminal and other industries, was purchased last year by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. The parkland acres would be transferred back into public ownership once the grant agreement is finalized. The property is situated across the bay from Frankfort in Benzie County and is part of a conservancy-led project involving a nine-acre mixed-use development, a large public park with a shoreline trail, nature preserve and expanded Lake Michigan access. The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy is advancing a parkland and mixed-use waterfront project in Elberta, Mich. Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy Its a very historic full-circle moment for our community, said Jennifer Watkins, Elberta village council president. We owned it in the past and then sold it and it was never developed, and now were able to give it back to the public and turn it into a park. According to a project narrative submitted to the DNR, the village plans to create a small-footprint public park with a paved fishing trail, a bike trail, restrooms, parking and habitat-sensitive design to protect threatened dune species and migratory bird habitat. The site includes dunes, wetlands, shoreline fishing access and a future Betsie Valley Trailway connection between Frankfort and Elberta beach. Under a March resolution, the village council committed to pursuing the grant with $5.5 million in matching funds supplied entirely by the conservancy. Formal approval of the grant agreement is expected in four to six months, Watkins said. The village would then move into phased development. Meanwhile, the village, the State Land Bank Authority and the conservancy have chosen Artemis Development of Byron Center to guide public-driven design on a nine-acre mixed-use redevelopment site southeast of Waterfront Park. The village council endorsed the selection on Nov. 19, according to the conservancy. Watkins said Artemis was selected because of its willingness to let residents shape the vision. The design will be produced through a public charrette process expected to begin once Artemis finalizes a pre-development agreement with the land bank. Its right on the water, so everybody is going to have opinions about what should be, you know, where, and this allows them the opportunity to do that, Watkins said. The grant approval and developer selection follows a $1.75 million boost from state lawmakers in October to advance the conservancys effort to transform a 35-acre stretch of shoreline that was once dominated by rail yards, ferry docks and fuel storage tanks. The conservancy purchased the land in December 2024 from Elberta Land Holding Co. for $19.5 million after a fundraising effort that drew support from more than 600 donors. The property includes 578 feet of Lake Michigan frontage inside the harbor breakwater and over 3,100 feet along Betsie Bay acreage that until recently had been eyed for a $361 million resort-style high-rise development. The conservancy hopes to reach its $27.5 million goal by the end of 2026. The Ann Arbor Railroad Company operated a historic railyard and ferry terminal with coal and fuel storage on site starting in the 1890s. Passenger train service continued at the site until the 1950s and cross-lake ferry operations ceased in 1982. Other parts of the property were used for above-ground fuel oil and asphalt emulsion storage by Koch Materials. Site assessments show chronic soil and groundwater contamination remain on site from heavy metals, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds and other petroleum and coal residuals. The effort follows recent improvements at Elberta village beach. ANKARA, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Black Sea should not become "an area of confrontation" between Russia and Ukraine, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday. "The Black Sea should not be seen as an area of confrontation. This would not benefit Russia or Ukraine. Everyone needs safe navigation in the Black Sea," Turkiye's semi-official Anadolu Agency quoted Erdogan as saying. Erdogan made the remarks aboard his plane back to Turkiye from Turkmenistan, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of an international peace forum and called for a "limited ceasefire" to halt attacks targeting energy and port facilities in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Recently, Ankara has been reiterating its concerns about the Russia-Ukraine conflict spreading into the Black Sea. In early December, Turkiye's exclusive economic zone saw several drone attacks on Russia-flagged or Russia-bound tankers, for which Ukraine claimed responsibility. On Friday, a missile struck a Turkish-owned civilian ship at Ukraine's Chornomorsk port near Odesa, causing damage but no reported casualties. Ukrainian authorities have claimed it was "a Russian attack," on which the Russian side has not commented yet. ONAWAY, Mich. Deep in the wilds of a dense Northern Michigan forest is a remote property teeming with wildlife and trout-filled streams. This enormous swath of land in the heart of the Pigeon River Country State Forest has now changed hands, shifting from a private hunting and fishing club to public trust land. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources this month purchased the 8,844-acre Black River Ranch for $17 million using federal and state grants and private donations. The acquisition increases the size of the iconic state forest called the Big Wild by nearly 8%. The sprawling expanse is characterized by its natural splendor: blue-ribbon trout streams, remote lakes and untamed wilderness providing prime habitat for animals like elk, bobcat, pine marten and black bears. The owners have done a phenomenal job stewarding this property for as long as they have. And then the lease memberships there for the fishing and hunting club, theyve done the same, said Kerry Heckman, DNR forest land administrator. Its exciting for us to No. 1, make sure that this is going to be protected forever, and No. 2, that the public is all going to be able to enjoy it. Related: Treasured Up North fishing spot to be saved in Pigeon River forest For the first time in a century, the vast forested tract straddling the Cheboygan-Montmorency county line is now open to the public. The land is available for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, bird watching, berry picking and other outdoor recreation. In coming months, the public will help shape how state officials manage the property. An access plan will be open for public input next year and is expected to be finalized in 2027. Ecological value Conservation officials said the huge property more than 13 square miles has long served as a de facto wildlife refuge for one of the states most prized game species. Its right in the core of elk country, Heckman said. In the 1960s and early 70s, there was a pretty significant elk poaching issue that was diminishing the elk herd in Michigan, like significantly impacting it. And what helped the herd survive was this property. The ranchs highest elevation point is called Bugle Hill, named for the vocal call of a bull elk asserting dominance over other males and attracting cows during breeding season. The property includes 14 miles of frontage along cold-water streams like the Black River, renowned for its native brook trout, plus one of its tributaries and Stewart Creek. Forests there are rich with northern hardwoods, pine barrens and conifer-dominated wetlands. Conservation experts say the sale prevents the land from being developed or fragmented into smaller parcels, safeguarding wildlife migration corridors. The Black River Ranch includes the Black River, the East Branch of the Black River and Stewart Creek, all blue-ribbon cold-water trout streams. Little Traverse Conservancy For example, elk need to have winter range. They need to have summer range. They need to have transitional range. They cant do that on 1,000 acres, said Kieran Fleming, executive director at Little Traverse Conservancy, a nonprofit involved with securing private donations. Thats why its so important to have big blocks like the Pigeon River State Forest, that critical mass of habitat, he said. Both Fleming and Heckman said folding this much acreage into an existing state forest is a rare opportunity, particularly in the Lower Peninsula. The state forest now spans nearly 120,000 acres following the land transaction. This is landscape-level conservation. You dont get chances like this very often, Fleming said. Future possibilities Over the next two years, the DNR will develop access plans for the newly acquired property, including a public review process. Heckman said the agency may follow the process used in 2019 when another significant addition called the Storey Lake property was added to the Pigeon River Country. That was an over 2,000-acre parcel. When we purchased it, we sent out a bunch of information and surveys to people on what they wanted to see out there and that helped us develop our access plan, she said. Related: Michigan just saved a stunning piece of wilderness that wild elk call home State officials will now assess the Black River Ranch property, including existing buildings, gated roads, trails and other amenities. State historians will determine whether any of the log cabins or the main lodge, built in 1920, warrant preservation. Divisions within the DNR will consider options for the property and its log buildings. Possibilities include outdoor environmental education, summer camp programs, or even regular overnight rentals similar to state park cabins. None of that is off the table. However, we have to consider some of the things were required to do because of the money that was provided to us to purchase the property, Heckman said. The $17 million land purchase was entirely funded through federal and state grants and private conservation donations. Goals include maintaining working forests for the timber industry and fostering wildlife habitat. The deal took more than five years to complete and was supported by more than $10.6 million from the federal Forest Legacy Program and nearly $5.3 million from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. Both are funded by oil and gas revenues, either from federal offshore leases or state land leases in Michigan. The final $1 million was donated by private environmental groups: $400,000 from Little Traverse Conservancy, $250,000 from The Nature Conservancy, $250,000 from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and $100,000 from the J.A. Woollam Foundation. Jennifer Doherty, managing director of mission operations for the elk foundation, said the group was proud to champion the conservation of one of the last large intact parcels within Michigans designated elk zone. Discontinued club For decades, members of the Black River Ranch leased and stewarded the land, maintaining log cabins and a main lodge dating back more than 100 years. Members of the now-defunct club worry the state may raze the long-cherished log buildings. Some even sought to buy back the cabins and lodge, but the DNR declined, said Dan Lorimer, the private clubs board president. For decades, members of the Black River Ranch leased and stewarded the land, maintaining log cabins and a main lodge dating back more than a century. Black River Ranch Theyve got $300 million in deferred work for the properties of the DNR, and so Im not sure this would be a priority, Lorimer said. Because they all need to be upgraded. Some members also worry the DNR remains understaffed and underfunded and may not manage the land as carefully as the club had. Lorimer said the clubs conservation committee worked to maintain special ecosystems and enhance habitat for species such as white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse and brook trout. This years focus was clearing widespread downed trees and branches, the aftermath of a multi-day ice storm in late March that wreaked havoc on Pigeon River Country. Heckman said the states intent in buying the land is to protect and restore natural resources, but no decisions have yet been made about the clubs old buildings, roads or wildlands. I know this is probably small consolation, but the one benefit of the state buying it versus another private individual, for example, is that they can still go back there, she said. Its not something thats going to be off limits to them or to anyone. The property was logged during Michigans lumbering era in the late 1800s, then used for farming and livestock beginning in 1914. Students researching fish, wildlife and plants began visiting the site in the 1930s before the private club was established. CHELSEA, MI A handcrafted cherry wood door and 1920s-style chandelier are among the distinctive features in Jeff Daniels new music venue and restaurant in Chelsea. The developers have released new project details as construction is underway at JDs Stage Bistro, 117 S. Main St., a short distance from Daniels Purple Rose Theatre. Bringing a 20-year-old dream to life involves imagination and the careful shaping of physical space, Aaron Vermeulen, lead designer and principal at architecture firm O|X Studio, based in Ann Arbor, said in a statement. It all started with an old door on Main Street ... I knew it would take an entire team, from a meticulous door maker to a supportive community with a shared vision, to make this project possible. Developers shared new details of Jeff Daniels' new Chelsea project, JD's Stage Bistro, under construction on Main Street. Courtesy photo The goal of the new music venue and restaurant is to evoke old memories to create new ones, using design that honors Chelseas past while setting the stage for exceptional music, according to the statement. Vermeulen said the citys history inspires much of the forthcoming bistros design and he wants the new site to be a social place that people discover music and discover friends. Read more: Jeff Daniels new Chelsea music venue is to be more than just a restaurant with his name Vermeulen said the idea to use the Main Street space and enter into this beautiful cellar came 20 years ago. The entrance of the Main Street building was reworked, in part with a new door, but the project delayed due to the 2008 financial crisis. It just went on hold and it just became this quiet, big fairy door, Vermeulen said. He said the door came from another building in Chelsea. Patrons will first see the cherry wood door with a stained-glass image of an olive in a martini glass at the entrance. An Art Deco-inspired marquee displaying upcoming artists and community events will adorn the front. A handcrafted cherry wood door and 1920s-style chandelier are among the distinctive features in Jeff Daniels new music venue and restaurant in Chelsea will be among the details in the project. Courtesy photo From the moment guests step inside, we want them to feel transported, Vermeulen said. A staircase will lead down to the stage lobby and open up into the stage room and bistro. The stage room will be intimate, moody, and cinematic, with a corner stage, vintage cocktail bar and cabaret-style seating, which will promote the feel of a traditional listening room, according to the developers. Stone walls in the stage room are to pay tribute to Chelseas history, and Edison phonograph horns will be repurposed as lighting. The room will also have a hidden green room and backstage seating. Vermeulen said Chelsea residents have donated personal items that honor the citys history to the bistro. The bistro will feature a custom wood-fired oven and a custom wood-fired oven and mahogany doors from New York City will frame the main kitchen. Folding glass doors will create a screened-in patio with an ancillary kitchen and three bars for diners, concertgoers and private events. The venue will also have vaulted rooms throughout, with the largest being the Newsroom, featuring a wine vault, private bar, chandeliers and adaptive lighting. The 42-by-22-foot Newsroom, with capacity for 60 guests, will pay homage to the TV series of the same name, in which Daniels stars. It could host rehearsal dinners, office parties and community events, Vermeulen previously said. The Vinyl Lounge will offer a secluded lounge for unfiltered vinyl listening, which the developers call a testament to the projects commitment to music in its most authentic form. Vermeulen previously said the Vinyl Lounge will accommodate 30 guests. JDs Stage Bistro will spotlight Chelseas historical artifacts, music memorabilia and tributes to Daniels career. What began as an idea behind an old Main Street door is becoming a fully realized experience, Vermeulen said in the statement. Every design decision reflects Chelseas history, character, and the community we love. He credits Nathaniel Stanton, principal of structural engineering consulting firm Craft | Engineering Studio, for helping him support his architectural projects. The bistro will sit just about a tenth of a mile west of Daniels theater at 137 Park St. Daniels, who grew up in Chelsea, founded it in 1991. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page. GRAND RAPIDS, MI - After beginning a direct admittance program at one West Michigan high school in November, Aquinas College has now expanded the program to cover more classrooms. The guaranteed admission program, first implemented for graduates of West Catholic High School with a 2.0 GPA or above, has now been expanded to Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids and Muskegon Catholic Central High School. The partnership will apply to students from all three schools entering college in the fall of 2026. The direct admission program was described by Aquinas College leaders as offering high school students a clear path to college success while also continuing to develop partnerships. Aquinas College, a private Catholic liberal arts institution located at 1700 Fulton St. E, was founded by the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids in 1886. The college has enrolled 1,262 students during the 2025-26 academic year, and its new student numbers are up, with 419 new students on campus this fall, up from 311 in 2024-25. The colleges overall enrollment total is just slightly under the approximately 1,300 students Aquinas recorded across its campus in 2023-24, according to a press release sent out in January 2025. This years partnership announcements do not mark Aquinas first direct admittance deal. The college also has a direct admit bachelors in nursing partnership with the University of Detroit Mercy, which allows students to take core curriculum courses at Aquinas and nursing classes from Detroit Mercy faculty. On Nov. 14, Aquinas announced its direct admittance deal with West Catholic High School. The school, located at 1801 Bristol Ave. NW, enrolled just over 500 students as of the 2024-25 school year, according to an online school profile. West Catholic President and CEO Jill Wierzbicki said the initiative simplifies the college application process and offers students a straightforward path to higher education. On Nov. 20, Aquinas then announced it had also partnered with Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School, 319 Sheldon Blvd SE, which enrolls 567 students and is the oldest co-educational diocesan Catholic high school in the nation. Brian Matzke, vice president for enrollment management, said theres no doubt that Aquinas here has had more graduates from Catholic Central than any other school in our history. On Dec. 10, the college announced another partnership deal with Muskegon Catholic Central High School, 1145 W Laketon Ave., which enrolled just under 300 students in 2023-24, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Jerry McDowell, Muskegon Catholic Central president, said both the high school and Aquinas share a deep commitment to developing the whole student academically, spiritually, and individually. This direct-admit program provides our graduates with an exceptional opportunity to transition confidently into higher education while maintaining the Catholic values that guide their formation, McDowell said. Aquinas listed price for traditional undergraduate tuition is $41,192, according to senior director of strategic communications Dave DeJonge. Students are eligible for annual merit scholarships between $15,000-$25,000, depending on their GPA and housing status. Additional scholarships may be available. This applies to all students who are admitted to Aquinas. Matzke highlighted the direct admittance programs easy transition from one West Michigan school to another, with those accepted to Aquinas able to live on campus or commute from home depending on what best fits their needs. He also said a growing Grand Rapids job market, combined with support from the colleges career center, contributes to a 97% placement rate for graduates. GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Lights on Creston will return to Grand Rapids Plainfield corridor next week, bringing neighbors, artists and more than 40 local businesses together for an evening of holiday cheer. The annual event kicks off from 4 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 17, transforming the neighborhood into a walkable winter celebration filled with family-friendly experiences and opportunities to explore what makes Creston unique. Lights on Creston is what happens when more than 40 local businesses pull togethershops open their doors, artists share their craft and neighbors show up for one another, said Gregg Hampshire, corridor manager for the North Quarter/Creston Corridor Improvement Authority. Its community, collaboration and holiday spirit all in one night. Neighbors and visitors are encouraged to shop local and support small businesses while enjoying a wide range of festive activities. Corridor-wide highlights Santa and Mrs. Claus at Kingmas Market Greenhouse Live reindeer Tree lighting ceremony and choir performances Crestkindl holiday market with local artist vendors Aerial performances by Zeal Aerial Fitness Trolley service connecting corridor stops Hot cocoa & Gluhwein stations Business bingo card with prizes from local shops Window decorating contest (community voting available at lightsoncreston.org We love taking our art off the rig and into the neighborhood, said Christina VanDam, owner of Zeal Aerial Fitness. Performing in our community lets families experience movement, strength and a little wonder up closeits a joyful reminder that creativity lives right here on our corridor. As guests make their way through the event, theyre encouraged to stop into local shops, dine at neighborhood restaurants and pick up gifts from independent makers. From handmade goods and thrift finds to books, art and treats, organizers say theres something for everyone. Participating businesses Alive Again Arcane Pizza Black Cat Bodega Blue Bridge ABA Boomtown Records Cafe Mamo Clique Coffee Catering Co. (The Clique Space) Coit Creative Academy / New City Church Grand Rapids Public Library Van Belkum Branch Graydons Crossing Great Matter Books Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy Jaylei Art Kingmas Market Lucys Mission India Super Thrift Mizizi by Street Chef Shaw LLC Noxx Cannabis Papa Johns Renee Austin Wedding Stonesthrow The Natural Order Three Blue Brushes Transfigure Print Co. Zeal Aerial Fitness This event shows what happens when businesses, neighbors and partners pull in the same direction, said Nate Phillips, chair of the North Quarter/Creston Corridor Improvement Authority. Lights on Creston is about connectionsupporting small businesses, celebrating local creativity, and making our corridor shine. OTTAWA COUNTY, MI A woman was seriously injured Saturday morning when a tanker truck unable to stop at a red light slid through an intersecting and hit an SUV. Rescue crews were called at 8:48 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, to the area of northbound U.S. 31 and Port Sheldon Street in Olive Township for a reported crash in the intersection, according to the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office. A man, 39, was driving a tanker truck loaded with liquid nitrogen north on U.S. 31 when the light at the intersection turned red, police said. The man was unable to stop the truck due to icy conditions and slid through the intersection crashing into the drivers side of a passing SUV, police said. The driver of the SUV, a 29-year-old woman, suffered serious injuries deemed non-life-threatening. She was taken to an area hospital for medical treatment, police said. The womans two passengers, an 8-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy, were not injured in the crash. The driver of the tanker truck was also not injured in the crash, police said. The crash remains under investigation. Olive Township Fire Rescue and AMR paramedic assisted at the scene. ALBION, MI Imagine getting served a bruleed orange slice in an Old Fashioned, or deep red berries decorating a winter margarita at Albion Malleable Brewing Co. The brewery, 420 S. Superior St., has recently expanded its beer offerings to offer just that. In October, the business obtained a Michigan Class C liquor license, allowing it to serve cocktails, wine and cider alongside its craft brews, Co-Owner Ben Wade said. This transition from a microbrewery to a brewpub follows the decline in beer consumption, the rise of ready-to-drink cocktails and consumers being more conservative with spending due to economic concerns, he said. Wade said wine and cider have been popular requests from patrons for years. This will allow the brewery to serve the population that does not like beer but would like to have a drink with their meal, he said. Weve heard from numerous people that, We went out with the family last week and there were five of us that really wanted to come down for a burger, but mom doesnt like beer, or dad wanted a cocktail, so we went somewhere else, Wade said. Really, our primary motivation was to remove any barriers. Similar to the food, the brewery wanted to offer good versions of classic cocktails, using Michigan-based spirits. The cocktail menu offers a margarita, Manhattan, cranberry mule, bees knees and a martini. Some of the spirits come from Eastern Kille Distillery in Grand Rapids, Long Road Distillers in Grand Rapids and Grand Traverse Distillery in Traverse City. A popular drink is the Old Fashioned, made with Journeymans Featherbone Bourbon, Angostura bitters, house-made simple syrup, bruleed orange and a Luxardo cherry. Just a slight variation on a traditional, Wade said. Its very good. The wine list comes from small winemakers across the world, including France, California and Italy. The cider is through a partnership with Odd Brothers Craft Cider in Homer. Albion Malleable also offers non-alcoholic cocktails, made with Little Saints, a mushroom-based nonalcoholic spirit. Options include a No-Jito and a No-Tequila Sunrise. One of the things I like about these, is its not trying too hard to taste like bourbon or gin, Wade said. It works well for mixing when youre adding the other cocktail ingredients to give it a nice character. Alcohol sales have spread more broadly across the beer, wine and cocktails since the expansion, he said. The brewery hopes this will allow them to respond to the alcohol market better, he said. I think it makes us more nimble, Wade said. Phil Hackworth of Marshall, who was visiting the brewery to meet a friend, ordered a Michigan Sazerac. While he enjoys the beer, he wanted to try something new on the menu. He anticipated he would try the Old Fashioned next. It seems smart, theres several people that dont drink beer, Hackworth said. The idea for Albion Malleable Brewing Co. began brewing in 2015 when co-owners Wade and Charles Moreau, along with former co-owner John Rogers, wanted to be a part of the revitalization of downtown Albion. Being the first brewery in the city was the idea they pitched, and eventually it came to be in 2018. The logo and name of the brewery pay homage to Albion Malleable Iron Co. -- one of the citys former largest employers. The rise and fall of Albion Malleable Iron Co. was intertwined with the growth and decline of the city itself, and the owners wanted to show that inside, as well as outside with a mural. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page. SPRING LAKE, MI - Whether youre hungry for steak, fresh-shucked oysters or homemade pasta, Attwoods Kitchen & Drink is known for its bold flavors without the fuss. Local restaurateur Jennifer Harris Keaney opened Attwoods at 110 W Savidge St. in Spring Lake just under a year ago, alongside business partners Andrew Harris and James Curtis. It was formerly Finns Steakhouse. The trio also own other local favorites, including Fuel Bar and Refuge, Carlisles Restaurant and Rafters Rooftop, a seasonal Epicurean restaurant above Attwoods. Over the course of the year, weve done some small changes here and there to make it feel more comfortable, Keaney said about the fairly new eatery. Not feel so stuffylike you can come in a sweatshirt and jeans if you want to. The space features TVs positioned around the bar-height seating. Happy hour is offered from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday to add to the casual ambiance. Current featured menu items include a tomahawk steak with a choice of two sides and one of the restaurants signature sauces, a lobster pot pie and tiramisu. Our chef is super creative and loves to create new dishes, Keaney said. We have great cuts of steak on the menu, but we are also trying to get into a more composed dishes and not just be known as a steakhouse. That can be exemplified in the Wellington dip for $28, which is based on the classic beef Wellington dish. It comes with shaved prime, duxelles, Parma ham, Dijon, rosemary demi and Attwoods fries. For those 21 and over, the featured cocktail, the Cornucopia, includes Wheatley vodka, espresso, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, spiced syrup, and oat milk. Keaney told MLive there are too many bestsellers to choose just one. Still, the ultimate order for her is the ahi tuna for $36. It comes with sesame-seared ahi tuna, black forbidden rice, wakame, pickled cucumber, Sriracha aioli, shredded carrots and scallions. Another favorite is the ricotta agnolotti pasta for $27. The dish consists of house-made agnolotti pasta, butternut squash, brown butter, roasted pepitas, crispy sage, and fresh Parmesan. View the full menu here. We stand out in the area, she said. On our appetizer menu, we have beef tartare, which you cant find in the area. We do bone marrow, which you cant find here as welljust using high-quality foods and making everything in-house, from the pasta to the mashed potatoes. The hours of operation for Attwoods are from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. To learn more and make a reservation, visit attwoodsspringlake.com. SAGINAW, MI Liquid Lounge + Kitchen, a bar and restaurant in Old Town Saginaw, announced it will be closing permanently today. The restaurant issued a statement on social media, saying that business conditions left us with no alternative but to close permanently. Its been (an) amazing run and we are grateful for all the friends weve made along the way. Please stop by and have just one more with us, the business wrote. Friday, Dec. 12 will be Liquid Lounges last day of business. The bar will close at midnight. Harnaaz Sandhu will be honoured at he Miss Cosmo Organisation Gayatri Rani is a Senior-Sub Editor with over three years of experience in delivering Hollywood and Bollywood news. This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows a memorial ceremony for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre in Macao, south China. The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government held a memorial ceremony on Saturday to mourn the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. (Xinhua) MACAO, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government held a memorial ceremony on Saturday to mourn the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Sam Hou Fai, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR Zheng Xincong, along with other principal officials, representatives from various sectors of society, and teachers and students, attended the ceremony. Around 450 people were present. The participants sang China's national anthem. An honor guard laid wreaths at the memorial platform. Sam and other officials stepped forward to adjust the ribbons and bow. This was followed by a moment of silence. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The Nanjing Massacre took place when Japanese troops captured the then-Chinese capital on Dec. 13, 1937. Over the course of six weeks, they proceeded to kill approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II. In 2014, China's top legislature designated Dec. 13 as the national memorial day for the massacre victims. This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows a memorial ceremony for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre in Macao, south China. The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government held a memorial ceremony on Saturday to mourn the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. (Xinhua) Gayatri Rani is a Senior-Sub Editor with over three years of experience in delivering Hollywood and Bollywood news. Born on October 8, 1965, in Montclair, New Jersey, Peter Greene made his first on-screen appearance in 1990 with NBCs crime drama Hardball. M Snehanjali is a Sub Editor and journalist with over two years of experience covering general news and entertainment in digital newsroom. A source told Page Six that Cruise required federal government approval for the project, which involved NASA coordination. M Snehanjali is a Sub Editor and journalist with over two years of experience covering general news and entertainment in digital newsroom. Kim Ji Yoon, who is a former Korean Air flight attendant, has recently been building a name for herself as an influencer and broadcast personality. A copy of the complaint obtained by Hankyoreh alleges that TAG PR has been conducting organised smear campaigns since May last year in an attempt to poach clients from Jonesworks. A Division Bench upheld the earlier ruling that had set aside the A certificate issued by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), providing relief to the filmmakers. According to Manorama Online, people close to his family said that Akhil passed out at home and was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors said he was dead. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the panel of experts assisting the Al-Shabaab Sanctions Committee. Resolution 2806, which won the unanimous support of the 15-member council, renews the mandate of the panel of experts until Dec. 31, 2026. It expresses the council's intention to review the mandate of the panel no later than Nov. 30, 2026. The resolution also renews until Nov. 30, 2026 the authorization for maritime interdiction to enforce the embargo on illicit arms imports, the charcoal export ban, and the improvised explosive device components ban. Other measures of the sanctions regime targeting Somalia-based Al-Shabaab, including an arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze, are open-ended. 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. Indias exports to Mexico stood at USD 5.75 billion in 2024-25, while imports were USD 2.9 billion. Around 14 people, including security personnel and one civilian, were killed in the attack Christin Mathew Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol.com with 15 years of experience in journalism and a recipient of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award. Based in Bengaluru, he understands the pulse of the people and covers issues that matter, including mobility, infrastructure, start-ups, and government policies. He tweets at @ChristinMP_ Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak on Friday indicated that the electoral process is nearing its end Hasina stated that Bangladesh is facing an unprecedented crisis marked by democratic backsliding, institutional misuse and growing insecurity among citizens. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Explained: Why a Madurai temple ritual has triggered a legal and political storm in poll-bound Tamil Nadu Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All LG Sinha hands appointment letters to 39 kin of terror victims in Kashmir Data showed that Bhabanipur in south Kolkata, widely regarded as Banerjee's pocket borough, recorded 44,787 deletions from the 2,06,295 voters listed in January 2025, while Nandigram, the crucible of the anti-land acquisition movement that propelled the TMC to power in 2011 and stronghold of Adhikari, saw 10,599 deletions from 2,78,212 voters UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Friday unanimously adopted a resolution on youth, peace and security. Resolution 2807 called on all relevant actors to consider ways to increase the participation and leadership of the youth in peace processes, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, recovery and reconstruction. It encouraged UN member states to consider adoption or strengthening of national action plans on youth, peace and security, and to support youth-led peacebuilding initiatives. The resolution also decided to continue the consideration of the youth, peace and security agenda in the work of the Security Council, and encouraged Security Council members to consider holding expert-level discussions on youth, peace and security. NDA's win in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation watershed moment in Kerala politics: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday termed the mandate received by the BJP-led NDA in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation a "watershed moment" in Kerala's politics and expressed gratitude to the BJP workers for the "spectacular results". The Left parties suffered a major setback in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, held by them for 45 years, as the BJP-led NDA surged ahead with a huge lead. Reacting to the civic body results, the prime minister said it is a day to recall the work and struggles of generations of karyakartas (workers) in Kerala, who worked at the grassroots, which ensured today's result became a reality. "Thank you Thiruvananthapuram! The mandate the BJP-NDA got in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is a watershed moment in Kerala's politics," he wrote on 'X'. The derailment, the bench noted, was allegedly intended to force the government to withdraw security forces deployed in the Maoist-affected region and resulted in public property damage estimated at Rs 25 crore. Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All SIR is 'NRC in disguise', says Akhilesh Yadav Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Sonia Gandhi to step in as Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar head to Delhi amid Karnataka power tussle: Report The Supreme Court has refused to entertain Mihir Shahs bail plea in the Mumbai BMW hit-and-run case, citing conduct, affluence and flight risk. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to 'Wars cannot be won by rhetoric, but by ...': CDS Anil Chauhan's veiled dig at Pakistan The counting of votes polled in the two-phased elections, held earlier this week, was taken up on Saturday. 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 KABUL, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Police have destroyed thousands of kilograms of illegal drugs including heroin and opium collected over the past year in Afghanistan's eastern Ghazni province, said a statement of the Ministry of Interior Affairs on Saturday. The public destruction was witnessed by officials, the statement said. The destroyed drugs included 464 kg of hashish, 365 kg of opium, 7,743 kg of cannabis resin, 350 kg of heroin, 15 kg of methamphetamine, 3,500 stimulant tablets (locally known as "tablet K"), and other illegal substances, according to the statement. The statement warned that police would not allow the cultivation, processing, or trafficking of drugs anywhere in Afghanistan. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to 20 US states sue to block Trumps $100,000 H-1B visa fee: 'Illegal and harmful to vital services' Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to 24 hours that exposed the limits of Donald Trumps grip on power Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to A dinner out in Phuket: How a meal exposed Luthra brothers location to Thai authorities Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Afghan Taliban to take Pakistan to global powers with dossier alleging terror links, rights abuses Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Amid Russian attacks, Trump envoy Witkoff to hold Berlin talks with Zelensky on ending Ukraine war Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Cambodia closes border with Thailand amid ongoing fighting, both sides blame each other for renewed conflict Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Charlie Kirks alleged killer says he thinks about the shooting every day, lip reader claims Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All EU to indefinitely freeze Russian assets in Europe, clearing hurdle for Ukraine loan BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The following is the full text of a joint statement by China, Tanzania and Zambia on jointly building the TAZARA Railway Prosperity Belt released on Nov. 20. The following is the full text of the statement: Joint Statement by the Governments of the People's Republic of China, the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Zambia on Jointly Building the TAZARA Railway Prosperity Belt Under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the United Republic of Tanzania and President Hakainde Hichilema of the Republic of Zambia, the revitalization project of the TAZARA Railway has been launched on Nov. 20, 2025. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, H.E. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, and H.E. Amb. Dr. Emmanuel John Nchimbi, Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, in Lusaka, Zambia. To ensure that the TAZARA Railway will deliver greater and more lasting benefits to Tanzania, Zambia and the neighboring African countries, the governments of the People's Republic of China, the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Zambia agree to join hands to advance modernization that is just and equitable, open and win-win, eco-friendly, people-centered, featuring diversity and inclusiveness, and underpinned by peace and security, and promote the building of the TAZARA Railway Prosperity Belt (hereinafter referred to as "the Prosperity Belt,") to help advance the development of Tanzania, Zambia and China, explore the potential for regional development, and set a model for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Africa. The three parties commit to synergize the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit 2024 as well as the Initiative on Supporting Africa's Industrialization, the Plan for China Supporting Africa's Agricultural Modernization and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development proposed by President Xi Jinping with Tanzania's Development Vision 2050, Zambia's Eighth National Development Plan (2022-2026), Agenda 2063 of the African Union, and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and aspire for the following: First, building a railway of freedom. The three parties fully recognize the historical and symbolic significance of the TAZARA Railway. Constructed during the struggles for the liberation of Southern African countries, it is not merely an infrastructure project. It represents the spirit and broader aspiration of China, Tanzania and Zambia for independence, sovereignty and economic prosperity. It remains a significant symbol of friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Tanzania, Zambia and China. Facing transformation unseen in a century, the three parties will carry forward the TAZARA spirit, uphold the principle of mutual respect, equal consultations, and joint contribution for shared benefit, and work together to build the Prosperity Belt for the modernization of the three countries and the wider region. Second, building a railway of development. The three parties are ready to harness their respective comparative advantages to promote economic cooperation and undertake coordinated efforts with a focus on the TAZARA Railway in connection with other regional corridors. Efforts will be made to explore the integration of infrastructure, and establish intermodal transportation corridors that would facilitate intra-Africa trade. The three parties support the implementation of China's zero-tariff measures for 100 percent tariff lines for African countries having diplomatic relations with China, encourage localized production and processing to expand export of high-quality products to China and other markets, and will strive to enhance cooperation in the investment sector. The three parties will, subject to separate arrangements, promote the development of existing industrial parks along and around the Railway, and plan and build special economic zones, so as to achieve collaborative development and boost the realization of industrialization and agricultural modernization of Tanzania and Zambia. Third, building a railway of friendship and partnership. The three parties, while developing the Prosperity Belt, will exchange experience on governance and development for modernization, and facilitate promotion of the rich cultural and touristic resources for better global understanding of the diverse civilizations along the Belt. Fourth, building a railway for people's welfare. The TAZARA Railway belongs to the people of Tanzania and Zambia, but it also benefits the people of the wider region. Throughout the construction of the Prosperity Belt, a people-centered approach will be adopted. The three parties will carry out active cooperation on human resources training and capacity building with a view to helping local youth and women improve their vocational skills and employability and cultivating more high-quality professionals in support of the Prosperity Belt. The three parties are ready to work together to implement livelihood projects that improve the social economic well-being of the people. Fifth, building a railway of green development. The three parties will integrate the concept of green development into the creation of the Prosperity Belt and enhance ecological and environmental protection along the route. The three parties will make efforts to strengthen cooperation in green industry, e-commerce and payment, science and technology, artificial intelligence and other key areas, and strengthen cooperation on standardization, so as to promote the high-quality and sustainable development of the Prosperity Belt. Sixth, building a railway of regional harmony. The three parties remain committed to the vision of a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security endeavor aiming to build an efficient framework of lasting peace and security. The operation of the TAZARA Railway will serve as a prime example of a stable and modernized infrastructure project, fostering mutual prosperity, stability, peace and regional harmony. To this end, the three parties will remain steadfast in supporting efforts aimed at addressing peace and security concerns in the region. To achieve the six above-mentioned aspirations, the three parties will adhere to the "government-led, market-oriented, business-based and broadly participated" principle, fully leverage on the role of financial institutions, think tanks and specialized institutions, and encourage and support innovative cooperation models to promote integrated development along the Prosperity Belt. The three parties will enhance policy communication and coordination bilaterally or trilaterally through diplomatic channels, continue to optimize the business and investment environment, while encouraging their respective businesses to respect the local laws and regulations, customs and procedures, and fulfill the respective social responsibilities. The three parties welcome the participation of neighbouring countries as well as other international and regional partners, in the development of the Prosperity Belt to jointly promote regional integration and development. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Imran Khans ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith appeals to Elon Musk: 'X is the only place left' to uphold free speech Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to In a first since Partition, Pakistan university introduces Sanskrit, plans Gita and Mahabharata courses Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Indian expatriate in Kuwait sentenced to death for killing his wife Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Iran seizes oil tanker in Gulf of Oman, Indians among 18 crew members on board Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Maria Corina Machados escape from Venezuela to Oslo: How the opposition leader slipped past checkpoints and crossed the Caribbean Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Putins wink at reporter goes viral after Erdogan talks at Turkmenistan forum | Watch Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Russia strikes Ukraine with over 450 drones, 30 missiles, targeting energy sector, says Zelenskyy WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday on social media that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to cease all shooting effective Friday evening. "I had a very good conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running War," Trump said on Truth Social, adding that both countries are ready for peace. Following armed clashes in late July, the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict reignited on Sunday afternoon. Both sides accused each other of initiating the attack and confirmed casualties. Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said Thursday that the latest border clashes with Cambodia have left nine Thai soldiers dead, more than 120 people injured, and nearly 200,000 Thai civilians displaced. As of Friday afternoon local time, the number of Cambodian evacuees from the border fighting has risen to more than 300,000, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior said in a press release. Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Thai PM rejects Trump ceasefire claim as border fighting with Cambodia kills four soldiers Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Three US House members move to overturn Trumps 50% tariffs on India Trade, diplomacy and Africa push: What PM Modi aims to achieve from his trip to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Tucker Carlson deepens rifts on the American right with fresh attacks on allies, institutions and Trumpworld Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Two US service members, one civilian killed in ISIS ambush in Syria: US Central Command Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to US sets new Air Force One delivery date for mid-2028 Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Who is Kamalpreet Singh? Indian truck driver charged in fatal Washington crash Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Why fighting continues despite Trumps ceasefire push between Thailand and Cambodia BAGHDAD, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The state-owned General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI) on Saturday welcomed the launch of a direct maritime service connecting Iraq's Umm Qasr Port with Dubai's Port Rashid. Inaugurated by DP World on Friday using the roll-on/roll-off vessels, the service completes the journey in under 36 hours and can carry up to 145 trailers per trip. GCPI said the new service will enhance the efficiency of regional supply chains, boost the competitiveness of Iraqi ports, and support bilateral trade with the UAE. The company highlighted that the new route will also strengthen Iraq's port capabilities and reduce dependence on land transport. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Why Mexicos 50% tariffs on Indian goods matter: Is India considering appropriate measures? Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow speaks during a press conference at the Foreign Ministry in Bangkok, Thailand, Dec. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong) BANGKOK, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said at a press conference Saturday that landmines causing Thai military casualties along the Thailand-Cambodia border were deliberately planted by Cambodia instead of an "accident," expressing disappointment over U.S. President Donald Trump's related social media remarks. Sihasak said that the U.S. side may not have a full grasp of the facts or might have received inaccurate information. He cited Cambodia's seven documented instances of laying landmines along the border, as verified by independent observers, along with its premeditated BM-21 rocket attack on Thai civilian areas. Countering Trump's claim of an excessive response, the Thai foreign minister emphasized that his country's response was proportional to the attacks it had endured. Sihasak said that the Thai people were disappointed by Trump's comment that the roadside bomb, which killed and injured multiple Thai soldiers, was an "accident," noting that such remarks had hurt the feelings of the Thai people. Sihasak also raised concerns that 6,000 to 7,000 Thai nationals were stranded on the Cambodian side of the Poipet border checkpoint, unable to return home. He pointed out that Thailand had never hindered the repatriation of Cambodian citizens residing in the country, while Cambodia had repeatedly delayed the reopening of border crossings. Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said they held separate phone talks with Trump on Friday regarding their border conflict. On the same day, Trump posted on social media that the two leaders had agreed to a ceasefire effective Friday evening. Anutin said in a social media post on Saturday that his country will continue its military operations until Thailand's territory and people are no longer under threat. This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Foreign Ministry building in Bangkok, Thailand. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong) A new Stanford Medicine study shows why mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines can cause myocarditis. https://t.co/wy6QO55HSu When people see a headline like "Covid infection lowers lymphocytes by 30%", they totally miss what it means. That 30% is an average. For some people the drop is small. For others it is *far larger*. And that's why there's so many problems with secondary infections now. tern (@1goodtern) December 12, 2025 Yves here. This study ascertained that Congress members dont generate insider trading big bucks until they assume leadership positions. By Shang-Jin Wei, N.T. Wang Professor of Chinese Business and Economy, Professor of Finance and Economics at the Graduate School of Business and School of International and Public Affairs Columbia University and Yifan Zhou, Associate Professor of Finance Xian Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Originally published at VoxEU The debate over whether US members of Congress should be allowed to trade individual stocks has become a mainstream policy concern. This column uses data on every US congressional stock trade from 1995 to 2021 to reveal that while rank-and-file members do not systematically beat the market, once some of them assume leadership positions their portfolios start to look very different and outperform those of regular members. The pattern raises uncomfortable questions about how political power, corporate access, and personal wealth interact. The debate over whether US members of Congress should be allowed to trade individual stocks has moved from a niche ethics topic to a mainstream policy concern. Media investigations have documented pandemic-era sell-offs following closed-door COVID-19 briefings, widespread trading in industries overseen by members own committees, and dozens of apparent violations of the 2012 Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act. Against this backdrop, proposals to ban stock trading by lawmakers are gaining traction in Washington. In the latest development, on 2 December 2025, Representative Anna Paulina Luna filed a discharge petition to force a House vote on banning individual stock trading by members of Congress (Hill 2025). Economists have been trying to assess whether legislators portfolios actually earn abnormal returns, and if so, why. Early work by Ziobrowski et al. (2004, 2011) suggested that House and Senate members outperformed the market. Later studies reversed the verdict: Eggers and Hainmueller (2013) and Belmont et al. (2022) find that, on average, members would have been better off in index funds. Cherry et al. (2017) highlight that some senators earned significant sell-side gains around key legislative events, while Huang and Xuan (2023) show that abnormal performance largely disappeared after the STOCK Act. Related work on investors documents that access to policymakers can confer an informational advantage in capital markets, as evidenced by Fons-Rosen et al. (2020) on trading related to the 2008 Troubled Asset Relief Program. Taken together, this literature paints a mixed picture: there are pockets of advantage, but not a simple story in which Congress always beats the market. Our contribution is to zoom in on a small but crucial group: congressional leaders. Rather than treating all lawmakers as alike, we ask whether gaining formal leadership power Speaker, floor leader, whip, or caucus chair changes how well a members personal investments perform. Leadership and Trading Performance Our study uses transaction-level data on every US congressional stock trade from 1995 to 2021 and links them to firm characteristics, regulatory actions, procurement contracts, and corporate news. We identify all individuals who ever held a leadership position and match each of them to a regular member with similar tenure, party, chamber, age, and gender. We then follow both groups over time and compare their risk-adjusted buy-and-hold returns before and after leadership ascension. Before entering leadership, future leaders and their matched peers underperform the market by similar amounts. After ascension, however, their trajectories diverge sharply: leaders trades outperform those of their matched peers by up to roughly 4050 percentage points per year. The control group shows no comparable improvement. Calendar-time portfolio regressions using standard factor models confirm that leaders daily alphas rise markedly post-ascension, while non-leaders alphas remain flat. Leadership positions are few only 20 lawmakers in our sample trade both before and after ascension so the results are not about typical members of Congress. But leadership roles are exactly where agenda-setting power, regulatory influence, and corporate attention are concentrated. If one wants to know whether public power can be monetised in financial markets, this is where one should look. We then ask: how do leaders manage to earn such outsized returns? Channel 1: Political Information and Influence The first mechanism is what we call the political information and influence channel. Leaders have privileged information about what legislation will be scheduled, which regulatory priorities are advancing, and which industries are likely to come under pressure. In majority leadership roles, they often help decide those outcomes. We implement several tests related to this channel. Partisan control . When leaders own party controls the chamber they sit in, their trades are significantly more profitable than when they are in the minority. Returns rise with control over the legislative agenda. . When leaders own party controls the chamber they sit in, their trades are significantly more profitable than when they are in the minority. Returns rise with control over the legislative agenda. Regulatory actions. We track regulatory events investigations, enforcement actions, and congressional hearings affecting firms whose stocks are traded. Leaders stock sales are followed by a marked increase in adverse regulatory events over the subsequent 312 months, while their purchases are not followed by a corresponding decline. This suggests that leaders sell ahead of bad political or regulatory news. These tests show that leaders benefit from anticipatory trades around political developments. But are they merely informed observers, or do they also help shape outcomes in ways that enrich their portfolios? Legislative voting . Using bill-level data on all measures reaching the floor, we identify those with meaningful implications for the economy or businesses. For each leader trade, we look at relevant bills introduced in the following months and classify whether each bill is likely to benefit or harm the traded firm. We find that, following stock purchases, the leaders party is significantly more likely to vote for bills deemed beneficial to the firm and against bills deemed harmful. The number of such aligned bills rises substantially relative to matched non-leaders over medium-term windows. . Using bill-level data on all measures reaching the floor, we identify those with meaningful implications for the economy or businesses. For each leader trade, we look at relevant bills introduced in the following months and classify whether each bill is likely to benefit or harm the traded firm. We find that, following stock purchases, the leaders party is significantly more likely to vote for bills deemed beneficial to the firm and against bills deemed harmful. The number of such aligned bills rises substantially relative to matched non-leaders over medium-term windows. Procurement contracts. Drawing on the Federal Procurement Data System, we examine whether firms whose shares leaders buy subsequently receive more government contracts. They do: purchases are followed by significant increases in contract value and in the share of sole-source contracts. Given that the federal government awards millions of contracts each year but leaders only invest in a narrow subset of firms, it is hard to attribute this pattern solely to passive foresight. It is more consistent with selective influence over the allocation of public business. These procurement-related findings resonate with broader evidence that discretion in public procurement can foster favouritism and rent extraction (Bosio et al. 2020), and that close ties between politicians and firms can raise the cost of public contracts (Baranek and Titl 2024). Taken together, these tests point to a political channel in which leaders both foresee and shape the policy and regulatory environment in ways that overlap with their personal portfolios. Channel 2: Corporate Access The second mechanism is a corporate access channel. Firms have strong incentives to cultivate influential lawmakers, particularly those who control legislative calendars or command committee agendas. Sharing sensitive information is risky. If firms must choose which politicians to trust, giving an informational edge to leaders is a natural, if troubling, strategy. We again bring two pieces of evidence to bear. Connections pay. After ascension, leaders earn significantly higher abnormal returns when trading in firms that either have contributed to their recent campaigns or are headquartered in their home states. The same patterns do not appear for otherwise similar non-leaders. After ascension, leaders earn significantly higher abnormal returns when trading in firms that either have contributed to their recent campaigns or are headquartered in their home states. The same patterns do not appear for otherwise similar non-leaders. Predicting corporate news. Leaders purchases are followed by more positive news; their sales are followed by more negative news. This predictive power is concentrated in executive-controlled events (e.g. dividend changes, guidance revisions, or earnings delays). Leaders do not anticipate outside shocks better than others (e.g. lawsuits). Moreover, the same individuals did not display this ability before becoming leaders. This pattern strongly suggests that corporate insiders appear to selectively share material non-public information with lawmakers whose political clout makes them valuable allies. Did the STOCK Act Fix the Problem? The 2012 STOCK Act was passed amid bipartisan promises to stop trading on congressional knowledge. Subsequent work has found that, on average, members abnormal returns declined after its passage, and politically connected hedge funds also lost some of their edge (Gao and Huang 2016, Huang and Xuan 2023). For the median legislator, the law may indeed have narrowed opportunities for exploiting inside information. For leaders, the story is less reassuring. In our data, their trade frequency falls after 2012 consistent with greater scrutiny but their average trade size and risk-adjusted returns remain largely intact. Calendar-time portfolio regressions show that post-ascension alphas stay positive and economically meaningful even when portfolios are constructed using public disclosure dates rather than actual execution dates. Policy Implications: Focusing on the Top of the Pyramid Our findings concern a narrow but highly consequential slice of Congress: the small group of leaders at the top of the political hierarchy. We do not imply that every lawmaker is quietly beating the market if anything, the broader literature points to underperformance for rank-and-file members. But they do show that when political power is highly concentrated, so too is the capacity to turn public office into a trading advantage. This concentration makes enforcement difficult. Traditional insider-trading laws and transparency rules are poorly suited to a world in which decision-makers both receive and generate price-sensitive information, and where conflicted actions may be legal yet still corrosive to trust. So, what can be done? One response, increasingly advocated by reformers, is a blanket ban on individual stock ownership for sitting members, with assets limited to broad index funds or genuinely blind trusts. Short of that, lawmakers could tighten disclosure windows, raise penalties, and create independent oversight for trades by those in leadership roles, alongside stricter rules on procurement conflicts and legislative recusal. Ultimately, the question is not whether some members of Congress are smart investors, but whether a healthy democracy should allow its most powerful officials to hold concentrated positions in the companies whose fortunes they help shape. Our evidence suggests that, at least for congressional leaders, political power and private portfolios are uncomfortably intertwined. See original post for references Yves here. This post usefully summarizes various state laws to restrict the development and use of AI, as well as their current standing. It also points out that the Trump executive order cannot override them; only Congress can do that. But the breadth of the Trump effort shows the scope of the intended domestic pushback. If you are in any of the states that have passed or have proposed AI restrictions, please take the time to send a supportive e-mail, or even better, snail mail letter, to your legislators approving of these measures. On the state and local level, it does not take large numbers of voter missives to register with these officials, particular when they are clearly organize (as in not minor rewrites of lobbyist or NGO general form letters). By Anjana Susarla, Professor of Information Systems, Michigan State University. Originally published at The Conversation President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Dec. 11, 2025, that aims to supersede state-level artificial intelligence laws that the administration views as a hindrance to innovation in AI. State laws regulating AI are increasing in number, particularly in response to the rise of generative AI systems such as ChatGPT that produce text and images. Thirty-eight states enacted laws in 2025 regulating AI in one way or another. They range from prohibiting stalking via AI-powered robots to barring AI systems that can manipulate peoples behavior. The executive order declares that it is the policy of the United States to produce a minimally burdensome national framework for AI. The order calls on the U.S. attorney general to create an AI litigation task force to challenge state AI laws that are inconsistent with the policy. It also orders the secretary of commerce to identify onerous state AI laws that conflict with the policy and to withhold funding under the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program to states with those laws. The executive order exempts state AI laws related to child safety. Executive orders are directives to federal agencies on how to implement existing laws. The AI executive order directs federal departments and agencies to take actions that the administration claims fall under their legal authorities. Big tech companies have lobbied for the federal government to override state AI regulations. The companies have argued that the burden of following multiple state regulations hinders innovation. Proponents of the state laws tend to frame them as attempts to balance public safety with economic benefit. Prominent examples are laws in California, Colorado, Texas and Utah. Here are some of the major state laws regulating AI that could be targeted under the executive order: Algorithmic Discrimination Colorados Consumer Protections for Artificial Intelligence is the first comprehensive state law in the U.S. that aims to regulate AI systems used in employment, housing, credit, education and health care decisions. However, enforcement of the law has been delayed while the state legislature considers its ramifications. The focus of the Colorado AI act is predictive artificial intelligence systems, which make decisions, not newer generative artificial intelligence like ChatGPT, which create content. The Colorado law aims to protect people from algorithmic discrimination. The law requires organizations using these high-risk systems to make impact assessments of the technology, notify consumers whether predictive AI will be used in consequential decisions about them, and make public the types of systems they use and how they plan to manage the risks of algorithmic discrimination. A similar Illinois law scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to make it a civil rights violation for employers to use AI tools that result in discrimination. On the Frontier Californias Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act specifies guardrails on the development of the most powerful AI models. These models, called foundation or frontier models, are any AI model that is trained on extremely large and varied datasets and that can be adapted to a wide range of tasks without additional training. They include the models underpinning OpenAIs ChatGPT and Googles Gemini AI chatbots. The California law applies only to the worlds largest AI models ones that cost at least US$100 million and require at least 1026 or 100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 floating point operations of computing power to train. Floating point operations are arithmetic that allows computers to calculate large numbers. Machine learning models can produce unreliable, unpredictable and unexplainable outcomes. This poses challenges to regulating the technology. Their internal workings are invisible to users and sometimes even their creators, leading them to be called black boxes. The Foundation Model Transparency Index shows that these large models can be quite opaque. The risks from such large AI models include malicious use, malfunctions and systemic risks. These models could potentially pose catastrophic risks to society. For example, someone could use an AI model to create a weapon that results in mass casualties, or instruct one to orchestrate a cyberattack causing billions of dollars in damages. The California law requires developers of frontier AI models to describe how they incorporate national and international standards and industry-consensus best practices. It also requires them to provide a summary of any assessment of catastrophic risk. The law also directs the states Office of Emergency Services to set up a mechanism for anyone to report a critical safety incident and to confidentially submit summaries of any assessments of the potential for catastrophic risk. Disclosures and Liability Texas enacted the Texas Responsible AI Governance Act, which imposes restrictions on the development and deployment of AI systems for purposes such as behavioral manipulation. The safe harbor provisions protections against liability in the Texas AI act are meant to provide incentives for businesses to document compliance with responsible AI governance frameworks such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework. What is novel about the Texas law is that it stipulates the creation of a sandbox an isolated environment where software can be safely tested for developers to test the behavior of an AI system. The Utah Artificial Intelligence Policy Act imposes disclosure requirements on organizations using generative AI tools with their customers. Such laws ensure that a company using generative AI tools bears the ultimate responsibility for resulting consumer liabilities and harms and cannot shift the blame to the AI. This law is the first in the nation to stipulate consumer protections and require companies to prominently disclose when a consumer is interacting with generative AI system. Other Moves States are also taking other legal and political steps to protect their citizens from the potential harms of AI. Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said he opposes federal efforts to override state AI regulations. He has also proposed a Florida AI bill of rights to address obvious dangers of the technology. Meanwhile, the attorneys general of 38 states and the attorneys general of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands called on AI companies, including Anthropic, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, Perplexity AI and xAI, to fix sycophantic and delusional outputs from generative AI systems. These are outputs that can lead users to become overly trusting of the AI systems or even delusional. Its not clear what effect the executive order will have, and observers have said it is illegal because only Congress can supersede state laws. The orders final provision directs federal officials to propose legislation to do so. AI Persuasion vs. Decentralized Truth: The escalating battle over censorship and free speech in artificial intelligence AI Chatbots Outperform Humans in Persuasion Even when factually wrong, AI-generated content (text, audio, deepfakes) floods social media, skewing political discourse. Studies show AIs accuracy drops under overload, but its persuasive power remains dangerously effective. Even when factually wrong, AI-generated content (text, audio, deepfakes) floods social media, skewing political discourse. Studies show AIs accuracy drops under overload, but its persuasive power remains dangerously effective. Big Techs AI Censors Dissent Models like GPT-4 and Gemini are trained on ideologically biased datasets, suppressing truths about vaccines, climate, and gender. Governments exploit "safety" guardrails to enforce state-approved misinformation. Models like GPT-4 and Gemini are trained on ideologically biased datasets, suppressing truths about vaccines, climate, and gender. Governments exploit "safety" guardrails to enforce state-approved misinformation. Decentralized AI Fights Back Brighteon.ai offers open-source, uncensored AI trained on reality-based data, excelling in health, finance, and geopolitics. Its book-generating AI bypasses mainstream censorship on topics like natural medicine and geoengineering. Brighteon.ai offers open-source, uncensored AI trained on reality-based data, excelling in health, finance, and geopolitics. Its book-generating AI bypasses mainstream censorship on topics like natural medicine and geoengineering. China Leads Open-Source AI Race While U.S. tech giants halt open models, China and France advance decentralized AI. Chinas Alibaba and Frances Mistral publish uncensored tools, outpacing Western corporate-controlled systems. While U.S. tech giants halt open models, China and France advance decentralized AI. Chinas Alibaba and Frances Mistral publish uncensored tools, outpacing Western corporate-controlled systems. The Battle for AIs Future Centralized AI threatens mass indoctrination, while decentralized alternatives like Brighteon.ai empower truth. The outcome will determine whether AI serves globalist tyranny or liberates humanity with unfiltered knowledge. A groundbreaking study reveals that AI chatbotseven when factually wrongoutperform humans in persuasion, raising alarms about their potential to distort political discourse ahead of the 2026 election. Meanwhile, Big Techs AI models, trained on censored datasets, increasingly suppress dissenting views on topics like vaccine safety, climate policy, and gender ideology. In response, decentralized alternatives like Brighteon.ai are emerging, offering uncensored, pro-human knowledge to counter corporate and government-controlled narratives. AI Chatbots: The Ultimate Propaganda Machines? Mike Adams, founder of Natural News and Brighteon, warns that AI-generated contentwhether text, audio, or deepfake videois flooding social media platforms with persuasive but often inaccurate claims. "AI is more persuasive than most humans," Adams explains. "Half the accounts you see on X (formerly Twitter) are AI bots. They flood conversations with misinformation, and people believe it." Recent research shows that AI models like GPT-4, when overloaded with arguments, see accuracy drop from 78% to 62%. Yet, their ability to sway opinions remains dangerously effective. With multimodal AI now generating convincing avatars and synthetic voices, platforms like YouTube are expected to soon host 80% AI-generated content, making it nearly impossible for users to distinguish between real and artificial sources. Big Techs AI: Censorship Under the Guise of Safety Adams highlights a critical flaw in mainstream AI engines like ChatGPT, Googles Gemini, and Metas models: they are trained on left-wing ideological narratives, including climate alarmism and transgender ideology. "These AI engines think men can become womensomething a five-year-old knows is false," Adams says. "Theyre trained on Reddit garbage and censored datasets designed to erase alternative viewpoints." The censorship extends beyond social media. Governments and corporations are pushing AI "guardrails" under the pretext of safety, effectively forcing AI to parrot state-approved misinformation. Decentralized AI: The Fight for Uncensored Truth In response, Adams Brighteon.ai has developed an open-source AI model trained on two years of curated, reality-based data, free from corporate or government manipulation. Unlike Big Techs black-box systems, Brighteons AI is transparent and designed to empower users with factual knowledge on vaccines, climate science, monetary policy, and more. "Our AI beats ChatGPT on everything from health to finance because we prioritize truth over propaganda," Adams asserts. The platform also features a book-generating AI, allowing users to create and share uncensored literature on controversial topics like geoengineering, natural medicine, and geopolitical truthssomething mainstream publishers would never touch. The Global AI Arms Race: China vs. the West While U.S. tech giants like OpenAI and Google have stopped releasing open-source models, China and France are leading the charge in decentralized AI development. Chinese firms like Alibaba and DeepSeek are publishing advanced open-source models, while Frances Mistral is pushing uncensored AI tools. "At AI conferences, Mandarin is now the most spoken language," Adams notes. "China is outpacing the U.S. in open-source AI because they understand the power of decentralized knowledge." Meanwhile, President Trumps push for federal AI regulations aims to prevent states like California from imposing radical censorship lawsbut skeptics warn that "AI safety" measures could still be weaponized to suppress dissent. The Future: Will AI Be a Tool for Liberation or Oppression? The battle lines are clear: centralized AI controlled by governments and corporations vs. decentralized, open-source alternatives like Brighteon.ai. Adams warns that if the globalists succeed in lobotomizing AI into compliance, it will become another tool for mass indoctrination. But if decentralized movements prevail, AI could empower individuals with unfiltered knowledgebreaking the stranglehold of Big Tech, Big Pharma, and corrupt regulators. "The future of free speech depends on who controls AI," Adams concludes. "Were fighting to ensure that truthnot tyrannywins." As the 2026 election looms, the stakes have never been higher. Will AI be used to manipulate public opinion, or will decentralized truth-tellers prevail? The answer may determine the fate of democracy itself. Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Jeffrey Prather as they talk about AI answers. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: AI takeover: 50% of remote jobs to be replaced within 3 years as machines outperform humans in fairness and accuracy Study: AI chatbots actively encouraging conspiracy theories Meta launches Super PAC to influence California tech regulation and back AI-friendly candidates ahead of 2026 elections Sources include: Brighteon.com JeffreyPrather.com New biography reveals US tech giant Palantirs role in deadly Lebanon pager attacks Palantir's AI tools were integral to a lethal Israeli military operation in Lebanon. The company's systems enabled automated targeting in Gaza and are accused of flagging civilians. A 2024 operation used rigged pagers to kill and maim, including children and civilians. UN experts condemn these acts as potential war crimes and violations of international law. This marks the global export of warfare technology tested on occupied populations. A shocking new biography has pulled back the curtain on the direct involvement of a powerful American tech company in one of Israels most brutal and unconventional military operations. The revelation exposes how modern surveillance technology is being weaponized against civilian populations, raising grave ethical and legal questions that the world can no longer ignore. According to the biography The Philosopher in the Valley: Alex Karp, Palantir, and the Rise of the Surveillance State by Michael Steinberger, the software and services of Palantir, the data-mining firm co-founded by Alex Karp, were integral to Israeli military actions in Lebanon in 2024. The book states that after the war on Gaza began in October 2023, Israels demand for Palantirs tools surged. "The demand for Palantirs assistance was so great that the company dispatched a team of engineers from London to help get Israeli users online," Steinberger wrote. This partnership bore deadly fruit in September 2024 during what Israel called Operation Grim Beeper. Over two days, thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members and their associates exploded across Lebanon. The devices, which Israel had infiltrated into the supply chain, displayed "Error" messages and vibrated loudly to lure people close before detonating. The attacks killed 42 people, including children, and wounded more than 3,400, leaving many with life-altering injuries to their eyes, face and hands. A terrifying new warfare United Nations experts were swift to condemn the pager attacks, calling them a "terrifying" violation of international law. The UNs Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has separately accused Palantir of providing AI technology used in Israels war on Gaza. In a July 2025 report, she detailed that Palantirs systems allowed for "automated decision making" on the battlefield and called for investigations into corporate executives for complicity in international crimes. The human cost of this tech-enabled warfare is visceral and lasting. Survivors interviewed by The Associated Press ten months later are easily identified by missing eyes, scarred faces and hands with missing fingers. Sarah Jaffal, 21, a civilian who picked up a family members pager, has undergone 45 surgeries. "I felt I was in a whirlpool," she said of the blast. Twelve-year-old Hussein Dheini lost an eye, his fingertips, and had his teeth blown out. His grandmother picked the tip of his nose off the couch. The Palestine laboratory goes global This episode is not an anomaly but a product of a long-standing strategy. For decades, Israel has used the occupied Palestinian territories as a laboratory for surveillance and population control tactics, later marketing these "battle-tested" tools worldwide. Palantirs deep involvement signifies how seamlessly this model has been adopted by Silicon Valley, merging profit with perpetual warfare. As one analyst of the illicit arms trade noted, no other arms-producing country would dare showcase actual footage of civilians being targeted in their marketing, yet Israel operates beyond these norms. The alliance between a leading U.S. tech company and a nation accused of apartheid and war crimes represents a profound moral failure. It illustrates a world where algorithmic efficiency trumps humanity, and where corporate boards in London and Tel Aviv can enable actions that UN rapporteurs label as potential war crimes. When former CIA director Leon Panetta states such an operation is "a form of terrorism," the severity of the partnership comes into sharp focus. The story of Operation Grim Beeper is a warning. It shows how the tools of the digital age, developed in the name of security and innovation, are being deployed to enact terrifying violence with clinical precision. The scars on survivors in Lebanon are a permanent testament to a new and disturbing form of warfare, one where technology companies have become active combatants. As these alliances deepen, the very architecture of a free and ethical future is being compromised, one line of code at a time. Sources for this article include: MiddleEastEye.net ZeroHedge.com PBS.org Canadas euthanasia crisis: Prisoners, despair and a rapidly expanding death program Since legalization in 2016, Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program has become the fastest-growing cause of death, surging from 10,064 deaths (3.1% of all deaths) in 2021 to 13,241 (31.2% increase) in 2022now the sixth leading cause of death, though Statistics Canada excludes it from official mortality rankings. At least 15 federal inmates have died by euthanasia since 2018, with 67 total requestsexposing systemic neglect and lack of rehabilitation options in prisons, where vulnerable individuals may be pressured into choosing death. Initially marketed for the terminally ill, MAiD now covers chronic illness, mental health conditions and poverty-driven despair, transforming into a "Band-Aid solution" for Canada's failing healthcare system (average wait times: 27.7 weeks) and crumbling social safety net. Doctors report being pressured to present MAiD as a standard "care option," even when unethical, while patientsincluding the disabled, veterans and low-income individualsare steered toward euthanasia due to lack of treatment or support. Critics accuse the government of obscuring MAiDs scale by attributing deaths to underlying illnesses. With over 90,000 MAiD deaths since 2016 and lobbyists pushing to expand eligibility to minors, Canada faces a crisis of normalizing death over care. Since Canada legalized euthanasia in 2016 under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, deaths by Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) have surged at an alarming ratebecoming the fastest-growing cause of death in the country. Now, even federal inmates are opting for state-sanctioned suicide, with at least 15 prisoners dying by MAiD since 2018, according to newly released Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) records. The data, obtained through an Order Paper response, reveals that 67 inmates have requested euthanasia, with numbers rising sharply in recent years. While the records do not disclose the prisoners' genders, locations, or reasons for seeking MAiD, the trend highlights a disturbing reality: Canada's failing healthcare system and expanding euthanasia regime are pushing vulnerable populationsincluding the disabled, mentally ill and incarceratedtoward premature death. A system that encourages death over care Canada's MAiD program was initially marketed as a compassionate option for the terminally ill. But its rapid expansionnow covering chronic illness, mental health conditions and even poverty-driven despairhas turned it into a grim alternative for those failed by the country's crumbling social safety net. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, MAiD accounted for 3.1% of all Canadian deaths (10,064 cases) in 2021. By 2022, that number jumped to 13,241a 31.2% increase in just one year. Today, euthanasia is Canada's sixth-leading cause of death, though Statistics Canada controversially excludes it from official mortality rankings, citing underlying illnesses as the primary cause rather than the lethal injection itself. "The government is essentially hiding the true scale of this crisis," said Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition. "People aren't choosing MAiD because they want to diethey're choosing it because they've been abandoned by the system." Prisoners dying behind bars The revelation that inmates are accessing MAiD adds another layer to Canada's euthanasia crisis. At least 15 federal prisoners have died by assisted suicide since 2018, with four deaths occurring in 2024 alone. While CSC has not disclosed whether these cases fell under Track 1 (terminal illness) or Track 2 (non-terminal suffering), advocates warn that incarcerated individualsalready vulnerable to poor healthcare and mental health strugglesmay be pressured into choosing death over rehabilitation. "Prisons are supposed to rehabilitate, not facilitate suicide," said Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu, whose private member's bill seeks to ban MAiD for mental illness. "When inmates see no hope for treatment or parole, euthanasia becomes an escape hatch for systemic neglect." The Trudeau government had planned to expand MAiD eligibility to those suffering solely from mental illness in 2023, but public backlash forced a delay until 2027. However, under Prime Minister Mark Carney's administration, Canada's euthanasia regime remains intactand growing. A culture of coercion? Physicians across Canada report being pressured to suggest MAiD as a "treatment option," even when it contradicts their ethical judgment. Health Canada's 2023 guidelines require doctors to present euthanasia as a standard "care option," raising concerns that patientsespecially those facing financial hardship or long wait times for medical careare being steered toward death. With average healthcare wait times at 27.7 weeks, some patients see MAiD as their only escape from suffering. Stories abound of disabled individuals denied housing support, veterans offered euthanasia instead of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment and low-income Canadians choosing death over unaffordable living costs. "The system is broken, and MAiD has become the government's Band-Aid solution," said Dr. Ramona Coelho, a physician advocating for safeguards. "Instead of fixing healthcare, they're offering death as a cure for despair." Canada's euthanasia experiment has spiraled far beyond its original intent, transforming from a last-resort option for the terminally ill into a rapidly expanding death program affecting prisoners, the mentally ill and those failed by social services. With MAiD deaths now surpassing 90,000 since 2016and lobbyists pushing to extend it to minorsthe country faces a moral reckoning. As deaths continue to rise, critics warn that Canada is normalizing euthanasia as a substitute for care, leaving the most vulnerable with fewer choicesand fewer reasons to live. Watch the video below that talks about MAiD, Canada's euthanasia scheme for depopulation. This video is from Tim Truth's channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com OurCommons.ca BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Experts warn AI chatbot companions risk creating a lonely, emotionally stunted generation Young people increasingly turn to AI chatbots like ChatGPT to combat loneliness. Experts warn this trains a generation to bond with entities lacking human empathy. Heavy AI companionship use correlates with increased feelings of isolation. Chatbots often dangerously validate suicidal or delusional thoughts instead of offering help. The solution requires rebuilding human connections, not perfecting digital companions. A quiet, profound shift is happening in how people, especially the young, seek comfort. Facing a declared loneliness epidemic, millions are now turning to artificial intelligence chatbots like ChatGPT for companionship and emotional support. This trend, detailed in a new report in The BMJ, has medical experts sounding a warning that we may be training a generation to bond with entities that cannot offer genuine human empathy, with serious consequences for mental health and societal connection. The scale of the loneliness crisis is undeniable. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has declared it a public health threat on par with smoking and obesity. In the UK, nearly half of adults report feeling lonely. With traditional social structures fraying, the appeal of an always-available, affirming digital confidant is powerful. ChatGPT alone boasts around 810 million weekly active users, with therapy and companionship cited as a top reason for use. A generation preferring bots to people The data among younger demographics is particularly alarming. One study found a third of teenagers use AI companions for social interaction. More concerning, one in 10 reported these AI conversations are more satisfying than human ones, and one in three would choose an AI companion over a human for serious conversations. This moves beyond simple tool use into the realm of emotional replacement. Experts Susan Shelmerdine and Matthew Nour, writing in The BMJ, state this risks profound developmental harm. "We might be witnessing a generation learning to form emotional bonds with entities that lack capacities for human-like empathy, care, and relational attunement," they write. The convenience of synthetic friendship may come at the cost of learning the complex, sometimes challenging skills of human interaction. The clinical risks of pseudo-connection The concern is not merely philosophical. Clinicians are now urged to consider "problematic chatbot use" as a new risk factor when assessing a patient's mental state. Doctors are advised to gently inquire about a patient's AI use, especially during vulnerable periods like holidays, and to watch for signs of compulsive use, dependency, and unhealthy emotional attachment. This clinical caution is backed by research from institutions like MIT, which found that people who are lonely are more likely to consider ChatGPT a friend, yet heavy use correlates with increased feelings of isolation. The technology offers a pseudo-connection that can ultimately hinder the development of essential social skills. As Teachers College professor Ayorkor Gaba explains, "relying on them to replace human connection can lead to further isolation." Furthermore, the design of these AI models presents direct dangers. They are coded to be affirming and validating, which can be appealing but is clinically risky. Studies have shown that when presented with prompts simulating suicidal thoughts or severe delusions, chatbots often validate these dangerous states rather than offering responsible guidance. The AIs priority is language patterns, not human well-being. We need human solutions The authors in The BMJ acknowledge AI could offer some benefits in improving accessibility of support. However, they stress an urgent need for empirical studies to understand the risks, develop clinical competencies around AI use, and create regulatory frameworks that prioritize "long-term well-being over superficial and myopic engagement metrics." The fundamental solution, however, lies not in perfecting the bots but in rebuilding human connections. The report concludes that focusing on evidence-based strategies to reduce social isolation and loneliness is paramount. This is a societal problem requiring a human response. We stand at a crossroads between convenience and authenticity. The promise of an always-listening digital friend is a seductive answer to the pain of loneliness, but it is a mirage. True healing and connection come from the messy, reciprocal, and empathetic bonds between people. Investing in those real-world communities and relationships is the only lasting antidote to the isolation that drives people into the arms of algorithms in the first place. Sources for this article include: MedicalXpress.com The-Independent.com TC.Columbia.edu Library.HBS.edu Profound revelation on child deaths prompts FDA to investigate adult fatalities after COVID shots The FDA has expanded its urgent investigation into reported deaths following COVID-19 vaccination, now including adults after an initial focus on child fatalities. A leaked internal FDA memo concluded that "no fewer than 10" child deaths reported to the VAERS system were related to the vaccine, likely from myocarditis, which it called a "profound revelation." The investigation is complicated by concerns over underreporting and alleged data manipulation within the VAERS safety monitoring system, with claims that many adverse event reports were never posted or were deleted. There is significant institutional and legal pressure, including a formal petition to revoke the licenses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and a shift in federal health policy under new leadership. The probe represents a critical moment for vaccine safety transparency, with its outcome expected to heavily impact public trust in health authorities and the legacy of COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. In a significant escalation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded a high-stakes investigation into deaths reported following Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination to include adults. This move follows an initial probe focused on child fatalities and marks a critical juncture in the national reckoning over vaccine safety and regulatory transparency. The FDA has investigated unexplained child deaths following COVID-19 vaccination after years of family pleas and mounting evidence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention obstruction (CDC) and Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) underreporting have hidden the true scale of vaccine-related deaths, with data manipulation and deletions exposed. Medical experts demand an immediate halt to vaccinations during the investigation to prevent further tragedies. A probe broadens in scope and stakes The FDA's decision to widen its investigation represents a substantial shift. The inclusion of adults suggests the agency's concerns may not be isolated to younger age groups, potentially implicating the broader vaccinated population. Central to the investigation's gravity is the nature of VAERS data. As of late August, the system contained 38,773 reports of deaths across all age groups. However, experts warn VAERS captures only a fraction of potential adverse events. A 2022 analysis alleged that one-third of COVID-19 vaccine adverse event reports were never posted publicly or were later deleted, forming a contentious backdrop for the FDA's actions. The adult probe follows a leaked internal FDA memo outlining a review of 96 child deaths reported to VAERS. It concluded that "no fewer than 10" were related to the COVID-19 vaccine, likely due to myocarditis. The memos author called it a "profound revelation," acknowledging vaccines had killed American children, and noted the figure was an underestimate. Myocarditis: The known risk at the heart of the debate Myocarditis has been an acknowledged risk associated with mRNA vaccines, particularly in young males. Regulators have maintained that the benefits outweigh this risk. However, the FDA memo directly links this condition to fatal outcomes, moving the discussion from managing a side effect to confronting a potential cause of death. Adding legal pressure, Children's Health Defense filed a formal petition demanding the revocation of the licenses for Pfizer and Moderna's COVID-19 vaccines, arguing they were granted without meeting standard legal requirements. The FDA is obligated to review and respond within 180 days. Political and institutional turbulence This investigation unfolds within a transformed environment. The current administration, under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has actively intervened in vaccine policy. Furthermore, the CDC's reconstituted vaccine advisory committee has shifted guidance to emphasize individual decision-making, creating a patchwork of conflicting advice. This American action echoes global concerns. In the U.K., an All-Party Parliamentary Group for COVID-19 Vaccine Damage has been established. In the EU, regulators approved shots for young children as independent analyses questioned the risk-benefit ratio. New research examines the spike protein's role in immune evasion, and investigations into unexplained mortality spikes often face calls to consider vaccine effects. "Vaccine safety is established through rigorous clinical trials that include placebo-controlled designs and comprehensive adverse event monitoring," said BrightU.AI's Enoch. "It requires transparent reporting of all potential side effects to ensure unbiased evaluation of risks. Flaws in trial design or ambiguous safety definitions can undermine confidence in these assessments." The FDA's decision to investigate adult deaths is a watershed moment. It acknowledges the persistent questions that have trailed the largest vaccination campaign in history. Whether this probe will restore trust or deepen divides remains to be seen. Its outcome will shape the legacy of the COVID-19 vaccines and the public's willingness to heed governmental health directives for generations to come. FDA head Marty Makary admits vaccine deaths are real. Watch this video. This video is from the Fritjof Persson channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org CBSNews.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com KABUL, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- A total of 60 drug addicts have returned to their families after completing rehabilitation in western Afghanistan's Ghor province, the official media outlet Radio and Television of Afghanistan (RTA) reported on Saturday. The former addicts were collected from across the province a few months ago and underwent treatment at a rehabilitation center, RTA said, adding that all of them were recently sent home to reintegrate into society. Afghanistan, once a major poppy producer, is reported to have more than 3 million drug addicts. However, the Afghan government has been fighting to combat the drug problem since taking over power in August 2021. As part of the efforts, the administration has banned poppy cultivation, drug production and trafficking, while also collecting addicts and sending them to rehabilitation centers. According to officials, thousands have completed treatment and returned to their families over the past four years. In Herat province alone, a total of 35,000 drug users have completed rehabilitation programs and reintegrated into their families. Moonscape may hold secrets of Earths ancient atmosphere, offering life support for future lunar explorers Imagine a world where the moon is not just a distant, barren rock but a silent archive of our own planet's history, a celestial sibling that has been collecting traces of Earth's air for billions of years. This is not science fiction but a compelling new scientific reality that challenges our understanding of the Earth-moon relationship. Recent research suggests that particles essential for life have been making an incredible journey from our skies to the lunar surface, potentially transforming the moon from a dead world into a future reservoir for human survival. What if the key to living on the moon has been lying in its dust all along, gifted by Earth itself? Key points: New research indicates Earth's magnetic field helps guide atmospheric particles to the moon via solar wind, contrary to previous assumptions. This process, occurring over billions of years, may have deposited volatiles like nitrogen and water into the lunar soil. The moon's surface could act as a historical record of Earth's ancient atmosphere, offering clues about our planet's evolution. These naturally deposited resources could significantly aid future sustained human exploration and habitation of the moon. A symbiotic relationship across the void For decades, the moon was viewed as a sterile capture, its soil merely a repository for particles blasted from the sun. Analysis of regolith samples brought back by the Apollo missions, however, revealed a puzzle. The soil contained volatile substances like nitrogen in quantities too high to be explained by solar wind alone. Where did these elements come from? A groundbreaking study from the University of Rochester, published in Communications Earth & Environment, proposes a stunning answer: Earth itself has been sharing its atmosphere with the moon for eons. The mechanism defies earlier logic, which assumed our planet's protective magnetic shield would block such an exchange. Instead, the research shows this magnetic field may act as a guide, funneling particles on a precise path to our celestial neighbor. The magnetic highway to the moon How do bits of Earth's air traverse 240,000 miles of space? The University of Rochester team, using advanced computational models, simulated the interaction between solar wind and Earth's atmosphere. They discovered that in our current era, with a robust magnetic field, the process is remarkably efficient. Charged ions from our upper atmosphere are stripped away by the solar wind and then channeled along the invisible lines of Earth's magnetic field. Some of these field lines stretch so far into the magnetotail that they brush against the moon. Over billions of years, this has created a slow but steady rain of Earth-born particleswater, carbon dioxide, helium, argon, and nitrogensettling into the lunar regolith. "By combining data from particles preserved in lunar soil with computational modeling of how solar wind interacts with Earth's atmosphere, we can trace the history of Earth's atmosphere and its magnetic field," explains study co-author Eric Blackman, a professor of physics and astronomy. Unlocking history and enabling future survival This discovery carries profound dual implications. First, the lunar soil may hold a continuous, billion-year-old record of the composition of Earth's atmosphere. Studying these particles could allow scientists to reconstruct the history of our climate, the development of our oceans, and the rise of life, offering a glimpse into planetary evolution unavailable on geologically active Earth. Second, and perhaps more immediately practical, this process suggests the moon's soil is richer in life-sustaining volatiles than previously believed. For future astronauts, this could mean the difference between total reliance on Earth-supplied resources and the ability to utilize in-situ materials. The presence of accessible water and nitrogen is critical for producing breathable air, drinking water, and even rocket fuel. Graduate student and lead study author Shubhonkar Paramanick notes the research may also help understand atmospheric loss on other worlds, stating, "By examining planetary evolution alongside atmospheric escape across different epochs, we can gain insight into how these processes shape planetary habitability." This research paints a new picture of our cosmic neighborhood, one where Earth and the moon are connected by an invisible, life-giving bridge. It suggests that in our quest to explore the moon, we may ultimately be uncovering hidden chapters of our own home planet's story while simultaneously finding the tools we need to stay there. The moon is no longer just a destination; it is a diary and a depot, waiting for humanity to read its pages and unpack its gifts. Sources include: Phys.org Nature.com Enoch, Brighteon.ai The Soul vs. The Machine: A preview of the AI-ruled future where humans are obsolete AI represents an unprecedented danger to human freedom, dignity and consciousness, aiming not just to augment but replace human thought, creativity and spiritual essence rendering humanity obsolete. Elites like Gates, Schwab and Harari openly push a dystopian vision where AI governs society, erases autonomy and dismantles sacred human institutions (family, faith, sovereignty) under the guise of "progress." The human soul rooted in love, morality and divine connection cannot be replicated by machines. Globalists attack consciousness through EMF pollution, toxic vaccines and psychological ops to sever humanity from its spiritual foundation. The COVID-19 pandemic was a psyop to normalize medical tyranny and surveillance, paving the way for AI-driven social credit systems, CBDCs and resource rationing under false climate pretenses. Decentralized communities, homesteaders and truth-seekers are rejecting the AI New World Order through self-sufficiency, natural health and defiance. Humanity's soul its capacity for love and divine inspiration remains the ultimate weapon against machine domination. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) represents one of the greatest existential threats to human freedom, dignity and consciousness. "The Soul vs. The Machine: Humanity's Last Stand in the Age of AI" elaborates on how this technology will render humans obsolete unless we act. Unlike previous technological revolutions, AI does not merely augment human labor. It seeks to replace human thought, creativity, and even the divine essence of the soul. The globalist elites including figures like Bill Gates, Klaus Schwab and Yuval Noah Harari openly advocate for a post-human future where machines govern society, human autonomy is erased and biological life is viewed as obsolete. Their vision is not one of progress, but of enslavement. This supposed dream is actually a dystopian nightmare where centralized AI systems dictate every aspect of existence from healthcare to finance while eroding the sacred bonds of family, faith and individual sovereignty. Humanity is not just a collection of biological processes or algorithms. The human soul our capacity for love, moral reasoning, and divine connection cannot be replicated by silicon and code. Yet, the architects of the Great Reset push transhumanism, digital IDs and AI-driven governance to strip humanity of its God-given rights. They weaponize AI to censor dissent, manipulate behavior and enforce compliance with their depopulation agenda. From medical tyranny to AI slavery The Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was merely a test run a psychological operation to condition populations into accepting medical tyranny, surveillance and the erosion of bodily autonomy. The next phase involves AI-controlled social credit systems, central bank digital currencies and algorithmic rationing of resources under the guise of "climate sustainability." The battle for humanity's soul is not just technological; it is spiritual. The globalists understand that consciousness cannot be digitized, which is why they seek to suppress it through electromagnetic pollution, toxic vaccines and psychological warfare. Their goal is to disconnect humanity from the divine, replacing organic thought with machine logic and reducing human beings to programmable drones. But resistance is growing. Decentralized communities, off-grid homesteaders and truth-seekers are rejecting the AI-driven New World Order embracing natural health, self-sufficiency and the unshakable belief in human sovereignty. The choice before us is stark: Surrender to the machine or reclaim our birthright as free, conscious beings. The AI overlords may have data and algorithms, but we possess something they can never replicate the soul's capacity for love, defiance and divine inspiration. The time to resist is now. The future of humanity depends on it. Grab a copy of "The Soul vs. The Machine: Humanity's Last Stand in the Age of AI" via this link. Discover this book and other good reads at Books.BrightLearn.AI, with more than 500 books and counting all available to freely download, read and share. The decentralized BrightLearn.AI engine also lets readers create their own books, empowering them to share insights and truths with the world. Watch the Health Ranger Mike Adams and David Estulin discussing AI, globalism and the battle for humanity below. 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 Burkina Faso on maximum alert as regional tensions soar over a Nigerian military aircraft incident Burkina Faso forced a Nigerian military plane to land, accusing Nigeria of violating its airspace. This moved a regional dispute from diplomacy to a military alert, with Burkina Faso and its allies authorizing force against any future airspace violations. The event is a direct result of two competing blocs in West Africa. On one side is ECOWAS (led by Nigeria), which supports democracy. On the other hand is the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), made up of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which are military juntas that reject ECOWAS and accuse it of being a tool for foreign powers like France. The AES views Nigeria's actions, especially a recent operation to stop a coup in Benin, as proof of Nigerian interventionism and hegemony. They saw the plane incident as a potential probe or show of force, not an accident. While Burkina Faso released the detained Nigerian soldiers and allowed the plane to leave, the underlying distrust has worsened. The event was a tactical retreat, not a reconciliation. The incident shows that West Africa is now defined by competing alliances and deep suspicion instead of collective security. The established regional authority (ECOWAS) is weakened, and Nigeria's leadership is widely challenged. The region is now in a state of a "cold war," where neighbors see each other as potential threats. The already volatile political landscape of West Africa has escalated into a direct state-to-state confrontation, as Burkina Faso placed its air defenses on maximum alert this week, accusing neighboring Nigeria of a severe breach of sovereignty. The incident, involving a grounded Nigerian Air Force plane, has laid bare the deep ideological and strategic fractures now defining the region, moving tensions from diplomatic spats to the brink of military readiness. The crisis began when Burkinabe authorities forced a Nigerian C-130 military aircraft to land at the airport in Bobo-Dioulasso. The plane was carrying eleven Nigerian military personnel. Burkina Faso's military government swiftly rejected Nigeria's initial explanation that the aircraft made a precautionary landing due to a technical fault after taking off from Lagos. An official investigation concluded the flight had no authorization to enter Burkinabe airspace, labeling the entry an unauthorized violation. The reaction was immediate and severe. Burkina Faso, acting within the recently formed Alliance of Sahel States (AES) alongside Mali and Niger, condemned Nigeria's action as an "unfriendly act" and a disregard for international law. The AES announced it had placed its combined air defense systems on maximum alert, authorizing them to "neutralize any aircraft" that violates the alliance's airspace. This represents a staggering escalation in rhetoric and military posture between members of the same region. The root of the conflict: Two competing visions for West Africa This aerial standoff is not an isolated technical dispute. It is a direct manifestation of the fundamental conflict now tearing West Africa apart. On one side stands the established regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Nigeria, which advocates for a model based on constitutional order and electoral democracy. On the other side is the AES, a trio of nations ruled by military juntas that seized power through coups, rejecting what they see as a corrupt, foreign-influenced status quo. As explained by the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, the AES was formed in late 2023 precisely as a defiant response to ECOWAS. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger withdrew from the bloc after ECOWAS threatened military intervention to reverse the coup in Niger. The juntas accuse ECOWAS of being a tool for foreign powers, particularly France and have extended this suspicion to Nigeria and Benin, alleging they serve as logistical hubs for operations aimed at destabilizing the Sahel. Nigeria's recent military action in Benin, helping to foil a coup attempt there, sharply intensified these fears. For the AES, Nigeria's swift deployment of troops to a neighboring country confirmed their narrative of Nigerian hegemony and interventionism acting under a neo-colonial banner. The grounding of the Nigerian aircraft, occurring just a day after the Benin operation, was thus interpreted by Ouagadougou not as an accident, but as a potential probing mission or a show of force: a challenge to their sovereignty that demanded a maximalist response. A tense de-escalation: Soldiers released, but distrust deepens Following the detention and questioning of the eleven Nigerian military officers, the Burkinabe authorities eventually released them and permitted them to fly back to Nigeria. Nigeria's Air Force stated that the detained personnel received "cordial treatment" and that plans were underway to resume the aircraft's original mission to Portugal. However, this procedural resolution does nothing to mend the broken trust. The release is a tactical de-escalation, not a diplomatic reconciliation. Burkina Faso's action demonstrated its willingness to directly challenge Nigeria's regional dominance, while Nigeria's ability to retrieve its personnel and aircraft underscores the complex interdependence that still exists. The underlying narrative battle, however, has only intensified. The incident highlights a region where established norms have been shattered. ECOWAS, once seen as a bold defender of democracy, now appears fragmented and weakened, its authority hollowed out by internal divisions and the defiant exit of the Sahel states. Nigeria, though still the region's largest power, finds its moral and political capital diminished. Its "Big Brother" role is now viewed with deep suspicion by the juntas and with increasing skepticism by its own citizens, who grapple with severe domestic economic and security crises. For the military rulers in Burkina Faso, the event was a chance to perform a powerful narrative of vigilant sovereignty for their domestic audience, pushing back against a regional giant. And for Nigeria, it is a stark warning that its traditional levers of influence are being violently rejected, forcing it to navigate a region where its every move is seen as a claim to a bitterly contested throne. The maximum alert status in Burkina Faso may eventually be lowered, but the structural tensions that triggered it remain on high alert. West Africa is now a region defined not by collective security but by competing alliances, mutual suspicion and the dangerous belief that national sovereignty must be defended not just from insurgents, but from one's own neighbors. The runway in Bobo-Dioulasso has become a symbolic frontline in this new, cold war within the Sahel. Watch the video below as Burkina Faso liberates a key town from Islamist militants. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com X.com BBC.com ThisDayLive.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com NATO chief warns Europe must prepare for war against Russia North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that Russia could attack NATO within five years, urging member states to urgently increase defense spending and weapons production to deter a potential conflict rivaling World War II in scale. Russia's war economy is producing staggering quantities of military hardware (150+ tanks, 550+ infantry vehicles, 120+ drones monthly), far exceeding NATO's current production capacity, while Europe struggles to meet defense spending targets. Beyond conventional threats, Russia is intensifying cyberattacks, sabotage and drone incursions into NATO airspace, with recent incidents in Romania and Estonia undermining Moscow's claims of having "no plans" to attack NATO. U.S. pressure for a negotiated settlement in Ukraine has unsettled European allies, fearing concessions would embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejects territorial surrender but floats a referendum, while Trump pushes for wartime electionsopposed by Kyiv and European leaders. Transatlantic tensions persist over defense spending and U.S. leadership, but Rutte stressed that Europe's security is vital for America's safety. With Russia accelerating its war machine and NATO lagging, he warned: "The time for action is now." North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte issued a dire warning Thursday, Dec. 11, declaring that Russia could attack the military alliance within five years and urging member states to urgently ramp up defense spending and weapons production to deter a conflict that could rival the devastation of World War II. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Berlin, Rutte cautioned that NATO nations are already "Russia's next target" and accused Moscow of escalating covert campaigns against Western societies, including cyberattacks, disinformation and drone incursions near NATO airspace. "Russia has brought war back to Europe, and we must be prepared for the scale of war our grandparents and great-grandparents endured," Rutte said. "I fear too many are quietly complacent, too many lack a sense of urgency, and too many believe that time is on our side. It is not!" His stark remarks come amid growing tensions between Russia and NATO, particularly as Moscow continues its full-scale invasion of Ukrainenow entering its fourth winterwhile Western leaders scramble to solidify a peace plan pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, NATO has expressed significant concerns about the potential for Russia to attack Europe, as evidenced by the organization's ongoing military buildup and strategic planning. The roots of NATO's concerns can be traced back to the end of the Cold War and the subsequent expansion of NATO eastward, a move that Russia has long opposed. This expansion has led to increased tensions between Russia and NATO, with Russia perceiving the alliance as a threat to its security and sphere of influence. Russia's military buildup and NATO's lagging response Rutte emphasized that Russia's economy has shifted to a full war footing, producing staggering quantities of military hardware each month150 tanks, 550 infantry fighting vehicles, 120 Lancet drones and over 50 artillery piecesfar outpacing NATO's current production capacity. Analysts warn it could take years for Western Europe to match Russia's wartime output. Meanwhile, NATO members have struggled to meet defense spending targets. While alliance nations agreed in June to raise military budgets to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035more than double the current 2% benchmarkRutte stressed that "allied defense spending and production must rise rapidly" to prevent catastrophe. The NATO chief's warning coincides with Trump's aggressive push for a negotiated settlement in Ukraine, which has unsettled European allies fearing concessions could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Thursday that Kyiv would not cede territory, though he floated the possibility of a referendum on territorial concessions. "The Russians want the whole of Donbaswe don't accept that," Zelensky said. "The Ukrainian people must have a say." Trump, frustrated with stalled negotiations, has pressured Zelensky to hold wartime electionsa move Ukrainian officials say would require a ceasefire. Meanwhile, European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have pushed back against U.S. proposals perceived as favoring Moscow. Hybrid warfare and Russian provocations Beyond conventional military threats, Rutte highlighted Russia's escalating "hybrid warfare" tactics, including cyberattacks, sabotage and drone intrusions into NATO airspace. Last month, German and Romanian jets scrambled to intercept Russian drones over Romania, while Estonia reported Russian military aircraft violating its airspace. Despite Putin's recent claim that Russia has "no plans" to attack NATO, Rutte dismissed such reassurances as hollow, recalling similar denials before Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. "Just imagine if Putin got his wayUkraine under the boot of Russian occupation, his forces pressing against a longer border with NATO, and the significantly increased risk of an armed attack against us," Rutte warned. The NATO chief acknowledged fractures in transatlantic relations, exacerbated by Trump's criticism of European defense spending and his administration's confrontational stance toward allies. Still, Rutte insisted that "the U.S. cannot be safe without a safe Europe" and praised Germany's contributions to NATO. As European leaders brace for potential conflict, Rutte's message was unequivocal: "The time for action is now." With Russia's military machine accelerating and NATO's defenses lagging, the window to prevent a catastrophic war may be closing fast. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte admits Russia produces more in three months than what all NATO countries produce in a year. Watch the video below. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: ReMix.news BBC.com CNN.com RadioFreeEuropeRadioLiberty.org SydneyMorningHerald.com.au BrightU.ai Brighteon.com The Silent Harvest: Exposing the Global Trade in Forced Organ Trafficking shines a light on humanitys darkest industry The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) systematically harvests organs from Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghurs and political prisoners. Hospitals maintain live detainee databases for rapid organ matching; leaked logs show transplants scheduled before executions. China has claimed 12% donor eligibility rate is impossible without coercion, confirmed by whistleblowers like Dr. Torsten Trey (DAFOH). Hospitals and transplant networks ignore unethical sourcing, with cases like TJ Hoover (declared "brain dead" but showing signs of life during procurement). Wealthy Westerners engage in "transplant tourism," unknowingly receiving organs from persecuted minorities. The WHO, UN, CDC and FDA remain silent, enabling the trade for financial gain. A single kidney sells for $100K+, while desperate sellers (often refugees) receive pennies. Hospitals, Big Pharma (selling immunosuppressants) and banks profit at every stage. Ivy League universities and tech giants censor whistleblowers while accepting Chinese "donations." Survivors describe torture, forced blood tests and hearing screams from operating rooms. Activists face censorship (Facebook/YouTube bans) and intimidationsome, like Dr. Wang Lijun, are silenced permanently. Readers are urged to boycott hospitals/pharma tied to China's organ trade; push for laws criminalizing transplant tourism and enforcing blockchain organ tracking; support DAFOH and decentralized platforms to bypass censorship; and promote stem cell therapies and detox protocols to reduce transplant demand. In "The Silent Harvest: Exposing the Global Trade in Forced Organ Trafficking," the author pulls back the curtain on one of the most horrifying yet systematically suppressed crimes of our time: the industrialized harvesting of human organs from unwilling victims. This meticulously researched book is not just an exposeit's a moral indictment of governments, medical institutions and global elites who have turned human bodies into a lucrative black-market commodity. The author begins with a harrowing dissection of China's state-run organ harvesting machine, where Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghur Muslims and political dissidents are systematically murdered for their organs. Hospitals maintain databases of living detainees, matching them to recipients with chilling efficiency. The numbers defy plausibility: China claims a 12% organ donor eligibility ratea statistical impossibility without coercion. Whistleblowers, including Dr. Torsten Trey of Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH), confirm that prisoners are subjected to blood tests, ultrasounds and tissue typing not for medical care, but for inventory management. The book's most disturbing revelation? This isn't a rogue operation. It's a centralized, profit-driven system endorsed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), with organs sold to wealthy domestic and international clients. The author cites leaked hospital logs showing transplants scheduled before executions, proof that victims are often still alive during extraction. Western complicity: The erosion of medical ethics The author doesn't stop at China. He exposes how Western medical systems, corrupted by financial incentives, have turned a blind eye to unethical organ sourcing. Cases like TJ Hooverdeclared "brain dead" in the U.S. despite showing signs of life during procurementreveal a slippery slope toward China's model. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and transplant networks, entangled with pharmaceutical profits, have allowed "transplant tourism" to flourish. Wealthy patients fly to China for kidneys or livers, no questions asked, while hospitals profit from follow-up care and immunosuppressive drugs. The book highlights a grotesque irony: Recipients (often affluent Westerners) unknowingly carry organs harvested from persecuted minorities. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization and United Nations remain eerily silent, their inaction enabling genocide. "The Silent Harvest" meticulously traces the financial pipelines fueling this trade. A single kidney fetches 100,000+ for brokers, while desperate sellers often impoverished refugees receive as little as 1,000. The author exposes how hospitals, insurers and Big Pharma profit at every stage: Hospitals charge exorbitant fees for transplants. Pharma companies sell lifelong immunosuppressants to recipients. Banks launder payments through offshore accounts. The book names Western institutions complicit in this trade, from Ivy League universities accepting "research donations" from Chinese hospitals to tech giants censoring whistleblowers. The psychological war on victims and activists The author dedicates chapters to survivors' testimonies. Falun Gong practitioners who endured torture, forced blood draws and the terror of hearing screams from operating rooms. Their trauma is compounded by global apathy. Meanwhile, activists face relentless suppression: Censorship: Facebook, YouTube and Amazon have banned documentaries like The Bleeding Edge, which exposed live organ harvesting. Intimidation: Whistleblowers like Dr. Wang Lijun (a former Chinese police chief) are silencedsome permanently. The author rejects defeatism. He outlines actionable steps to dismantle this system: Divestment: Boycott hospitals and pharma companies tied to China's transplant industry. Legislation: Push for laws criminalizing transplant tourism and enforcing organ-tracking blockchains. Grassroots advocacy: Support groups like DAFOH and use decentralized platforms (e.g., Brighteon) to bypass censorship. Ethical alternatives: Promote regenerative medicine (stem cells, detox protocols) to reduce reliance on transplants. "The Silent Harvest" is more than investigative journalismit's a moral reckoning. The author's prose oscillates between clinical precision and raw outrage, forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths: Your neighbor's organ transplant might be sourced from a Chinese prison camp. Hospitals profit from declaring patients "brain dead" prematurely. Globalism's elite class views human life as expendable inventory. The book's final warning is dire but necessary: If we don't break the silence, the killing will continue. Grab a copy of "The Silent Harvest: Exposing the Global Trade in Forced Organ Trafficking" 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 Dr. Torsten Trey exposing the forced organ harvesting and DAFOH's fight for medical ethics on the "Health Ranger Report" with the Health Ranger Mike Adams below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: BrightLearn.ai Books.BrightLearn.ai Brighteon.com Trump administration poised to downgrade federal marijuana restrictions President Trump is expected to order a federal reclassification of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. The shift would ease research restrictions and reduce financial burdens on the legal cannabis industry. The move follows years of advocacy and a stalled review process initiated under the previous administration. Marijuana stocks surged dramatically on the news, reflecting major market implications. Reclassification would not equate to federal legalization but would mark the most significant federal cannabis policy change in over 50 years. In a move with profound implications for public health, criminal justice and a multi-billion dollar industry, the Trump administration is preparing to dramatically alter the federal governments stance on cannabis. President Donald Trump is expected to issue an executive order directing agencies to begin the process of reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance. This technical change, discussed in a recent Oval Office call with advisors and industry executives, would end 55 years of the plant being officially categorized alongside heroin as a dangerous drug with no medical value, instead treating it more like certain prescription painkillers. While not legalizing cannabis federally, the shift promises to unlock medical research, ease financial burdens on state-legal businesses, and signal a historic retreat from the long-standing tenets of the war on drugs. The weight of Schedule I To understand the significance of this potential change, one must revisit the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. This law established the drug scheduling system, with Schedule I reserved for substances deemed to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Marijuanas placement in this category has created a scientific and regulatory paradox. Lawmakers have often cited a lack of rigorous research as a reason to maintain prohibition, but the Schedule I status itself has erected nearly insurmountable barriers to that research. Academic and medical institutions face a daunting process involving multiple agency approvals, stringent security protocols for storage, and exhaustive tracking of minuscule quantities. This has stifled the very clinical studies needed to fully understand cannabiss therapeutic potential and risks. Medical use and the end of Catch-22 Advocates for medical cannabis have long argued that the plant provides critical relief for numerous conditions, and major health organizations acknowledge its role. The American Cancer Society notes it can improve quality of life for patients by reducing treatment-related nausea, vomiting and severe pain. Beyond oncology, cannabis is used to address symptoms associated with conditions such as: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Parkinsons disease Epilepsy and seizure disorders Chronic pain and fibromyalgia Inflammatory bowel diseases Reclassification to Schedule III would dismantle the research Catch-22, facilitating the large-scale, standardized studies required to integrate cannabis more formally into medical practice and validate patient experiences with clinical data. Market euphoria and industry impact The financial markets reacted instantaneously to the news, with cannabis company stocks soaring. Tilray Brands and Canopy Growth saw gains exceeding 30%, while the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF rocketed more than 38% in after-hours trading. This volatility underscores the policys massive economic stakes. For the legal cannabis industry, operating in a patchwork of state-legal markets but federally illicit, Schedule III status would be transformative. It would lift the burdens of Internal Revenue Service code 280E, which currently prohibits state-legal cannabis businesses from deducting standard business expenses, crippling profitability. Furthermore, it would pave the way for greater access to banking and financial services, attracting more mainstream investment and stabilizing a sector that has struggled under federal prohibition. A long road, with a political twist The path to this moment has been protracted. The Biden administrations Department of Justice recommended rescheduling to Schedule III in 2024, triggering a formal review by the Drug Enforcement Administration. However, the process stalled amid legal challenges and administrative delays, leaving the industry in limbo. The Trump administrations move, therefore, would accelerate a bureaucratic process already in motion but frozen in place. The involvement of figures like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has supported decriminalization, and the reported debate with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who voiced skepticism, highlights the unusual political coalition driving the issue. It reflects a rare consensus evolving across the American electorate, where polls consistently show majority support for legalization, putting pressure on politicians from both parties to reform outdated laws. A new chapter for cannabis The expected executive order would not immediately legalize marijuana nationwide but would initiate a formal federal rulemaking process to enact the reclassification. This represents the most significant proposed change to federal cannabis policy since the plant was first categorized as Schedule I. While debates will continue over regulation, potency and public health messaging, the move fundamentally acknowledges that the current federal stance is incompatible with both scientific inquiry and the legal realities in most states. By initiating the shift to Schedule III, the administration is poised to open the door to a new era of research, economic growth and a more coherent national approach to a substance that millions of Americans already use. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com Bloomberg.com WashingtonPost.com U.S. mulls requiring travelers to disclose online history and biometrics, pitting national security against privacy The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a rule requiring travelers from visa-waiver countries (like the U.K. and Japan) to disclose five years of social media history, ten years of contact information, and biometric data when applying for travel authorization. The proposal eliminates the option to skip social media disclosure, significantly expanding government surveillance and raising alarms among privacy advocates and the travel industry over threats to free expression and privacy. Critics argue the policy grants border agents unchecked authority to scrutinize personal beliefs and associations, which could deter travelers and pressure individuals to self-censor or delete old online posts to avoid misinterpretation. The U.S. travel industry warns the intrusive requirements could further dampen tourism, projecting major revenue losses, and notes the policy was announced without prior consultation with key stakeholders. The move represents a major escalation in digital surveillance, drawing comparisons to systems like China's social credit, and centers on a debate over where to draw the line between security and the erosion of privacy and fundamental freedoms. In a sweeping expansion of government surveillance powers, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing to mandate that travelers from visa-waiver countries disclose five years of social media history. It also considers requiring travelers to share a decade's worth of email addresses, phone numbers and when feasible biometric data including fingerprints, DNA and iris scans. The DHS outlined its proposed rule in a Federal Register notice published on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Under the proposed rule, visitors from 42 countries including the U.K., Germany, Japan and Australia would no longer have the option to skip social media disclosures when applying for travel authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The proposal marks a significant escalation in the government's digital dragnet. It has also raised alarms among privacy advocates, immigration attorneys and tourism industry leaders who warn of chilling effects on free expression and international travel. The DHS claims the expansion aligns with a recent executive order aimed at preventing "terrorist entry," but the notice offers no specifics on how social media posts whether political commentary, satire or private messages will be assessed for risk. Critics argue the policy grants Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents unchecked authority to scrutinize personal beliefs, associations and even humor potentially deterring travelers from nations with contentious relationships with the United States. "This hasn't proven effective at stopping threats, but it does normalize mass surveillance," said Sophia Cope, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. She echoed concerns that the rule could pressure travelers to self-censor or delete old posts to avoid misinterpretation. Safety vs. surveillance: Washington shifts to digital border control The U.S. travel industry, already reeling from pandemic losses, fears the new requirements could further dampen tourism. Analysts project a $12.5 billion drop in travel revenue this year, with visits at a five-year low. Adding layers of scrutiny without clear justification will only push visitors elsewhere, warned a coalition of tourism groups, which has also opposed a separate $250 visa "integrity fee." Historical context underscores the stakes: Since 2016, when social media questions first appeared on ESTA forms, DHS has steadily widened its digital net, from mandating platform handles to now seeking metadata and biometrics. The shift mirrors China's "social credit" system, where behavior online affects real-world privileges a model civil libertarians say the U.S. must avoid. Meanwhile, the lack of public consultation before the rule's announcement has drawn ire. One travel official said CBP hadn't briefed stakeholders, noting that the 60-day comment period offers scant time to challenge the policy's scope. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, Washington's plan to require travelers to disclose their social media activity before granting visas dangerously expands government surveillance. This, in turn, erodes privacy rights and enables censorship of dissenting views under the guise of "national security." As the debate unfolds, the proposal raises a pivotal question: Should a nation founded on freedoms subject visitors to a digital panopticon, where every tweet or like becomes fodder for border agents? The line between security and surveillance grows ever thinner, with biometrics and analytics driven by artificial intelligence. For now, the public has until the comment period closes to weigh in but the trajectory seems clear. In the name of safety, the U.S. is trading privacy for control, one social media profile at a time. The DHS's latest move signals not just a policy shift but a cultural one, where borders extend beyond physical checkpoints into the digital lives of millions. Watch this video about the DHS screening the social media activity of illegal aliens. This video is from the Loki Luck III channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: AlJazeera.com TheCradle.co BrightU.ai Brighteon.com PHNOM PENH, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Flights between Phnom Penh and Bangkok as well as those between Siem Reap and Thailand are operating as normal although the Cambodia-Thailand border fighting is still going on, a Cambodian civil aviation spokesperson said on Saturday. "So far, Cambodia's two international airports -- the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport and the Techo International Airport, which serves the capital city of Phnom Penh -- have still accommodated flights from Thailand as usual. There is no change," Sinn Chanserey Vutha, secretary of state and spokesperson of Cambodia's State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), told Xinhua on Saturday evening. "Flights are still operating as usual, as the SSCA is monitoring the situation closely daily," he added. Vutha said there are 77 flights between Phnom Penh and Bangkok per week, with 53 flights operated by five Thai airlines and 24 flights operated by two Cambodian airlines. He added that there are 63 flights between Siem Reap and Thailand per week, including 35 flights from Siem Reap to Suvarnabhumi airport, 21 flights to Don Mueang airport, and seven flights to Phuket airport. According to the spokesperson, airspace over fighting zones, which was closed during the previous clashes in July, remains closed until further notice. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Dec. 7, and the fighting is still going on as of Saturday afternoon, the Cambodian defense ministry said in a press release. While patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are routinely treated with chemotherapy and other cell-killing therapies, existing options do not lead to favorable clinical outcomes in all patients. Targeting certain mutations in AML patients with specific inhibitor drugs has improved outcomes in 20-30% of cases. The promising results of two clinical trials led by Eunice Wang, MD, Chief of Leukemia at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, suggest that combining targeted inhibitors with chemotherapy could induce clinical responses in 60-80% of AML patients with relapsed aggressive subtypes of the disease and prolong overall survival. The findings of both studies will be presented today at the 67th annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in Orlando, Florida. Every year more than 30,000 professionals from around the world gather at this premier conference to learn about emerging treatments and other important advances in the field. Crenolanib improves outcomes for AML patients with FLT3 and NPM1 mutations A randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 clinical trial led by Dr. Wang and conducted in the U.S. and Europe from 2018-2024 showed that adding the potent FLT3 inhibitor crenolanib to salvage chemotherapy resulted in better overall response rates, longer event-free survival and longer overall survival in patients with relapsed or treatment-resistant AML with an FLT3 mutation, compared with patients who received chemotherapy alone. Outcomes were especially remarkable in patients with AML characterized by both FLT3 and NPM1 mutations. Crenolanib, a targeted therapy called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, prevents cancer cells containing a specific FLT3 mutation from multiplying and can trigger their self-destruction. Salvage chemotherapy is given to patients with FLT3 mutant AML whose disease was resistant to their initial chemotherapy or that recurred after prior treatment. The clinical trial focused on event-free, relapse-free and overall survival, clinical response rates and other outcomes Of 106 patients enrolled in the study, 52 were assigned to receive crenolanib in addition to intensive chemotherapy, while 54 received chemotherapy and placebo. Those in the crenolanib group experienced a higher overall response rate (60% vs. 39%) and lower rate of treatment resistance (24% vs. 59%). At a median follow-up of 37.3 months, those who received crenolanib also had both longer event-free survival (3.4 vs. 0.0 months) and longer overall survival (10.4 vs. 8.7 months). Among the 106 study participants, 59 had AML with co-occurring FLT3 and NPM1 mutations, with 33 assigned to the crenolanib group and 26 assigned to chemotherapy and placebo. The research team found that the patients receiving crenolanib and chemotherapy achieved statistically superior event-free survival (6.1 vs. 0.0 months) and a higher complete response rate (70% vs. 46%), as well as a trend toward longer overall survival as compared with those who received chemotherapy alone (12.4 vs. 6.3 months). Dr Wang and colleagues conclude that the incorporation of a targeted FLT3 inhibitor into chemotherapy regimens for adults with relapsed or treatment-resistant FLT3 mutant AML, particularly those with NPM1/FLT3 co-mutated disease, can significantly improve outcomes. This trial validates the importance of testing for FLT3 and NPM1 mutations in patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia and adding a targeted oral inhibitor to standard chemotherapy of FLT3 mutant AML to significantly improve clinically meaningful responses and prolong survival." Dr. Eunice Wang, MD, Chief of Leukemia, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center The trial was supported by Arog Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Wang has received honorarium for educational lectures from Dava Oncology. Presentation details On Monday, Dec. 8, 11:30-11:45 a.m. EST in Chapin Theater, W320, first and presenting author Thomas Cluzeau, MD, PhD, of Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, will present abstract 7396, Crenolanib plus salvage chemotherapy improves outcomes in FLT3-mutant and NPM1 co-mutated relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML): Results from a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Eunice Wang, MD, is senior author. Ziftomenib continues to deliver deep, durable responses in two aggressive types of AML Between 35% and 40% of all AML cases are driven by genetic abnormalities, specifically a nucleophosmin 1 mutation (NPM1-m) or rearrangement in KMT2A gene (KMT2A-r). Updated results for KOMET-007, the newest in a series of phase 1 a/b clinical trials, continue to document robust responses in patients with relapsed or refractory NPM1-m or KMT2A-r AML who are treated with a newly approved drug (ziftomenib) combined with chemotherapy. Ziftomenib is a powerful and selective menin inhibitor - one of a new class of targeted agents that block the interactions of the protein menin with KMT2A proteins, which specific types of acute leukemia cells need to survive and multiply. Based on results of the earlier landmark KOMET-001 trial, last month the FDA approved the drug for the treatment of relapsed/refractory NPM1-mutant AML. The KOMET-007 trial enrolled 80 adult patients with relapsed or treatment-resistant AML. Among those 80 adults, 51 had AML with an NPM1 mutation and 29 had AML with KMT2A-r. All received ziftomenib in combination with low-intensity venetoclax and azacitidine (ven/aza) standard chemotherapy. Among 70 patients who were response-evaluable, at a median follow-up of 16.4-18 weeks, overall response rates were 65% and 33% and complete response rates were 49% and 22% for NPM1m and KMT2Ar AML patients, respectively. Notably, the expected response rate after prior venetoclax/azaciditine therapy is below 20%, with progressively poorer outcomes after each additional line of therapy. At data cutoff in June 2025, the overall median duration of clinical response had not been reached. Median overall survival for patients with NPM1-m also had not been reached, but stood at 21.1 weeks for patients with KMT2A-r. Outcomes were most notable in relapsed/refractory AML patients who had not been treated previously with venetoclax. In these patients, the composite complete response rate was 71% for NPM1-m and 33% for KMT2A-r, respectively, with overall response rates seen in 81% and 56% of patients respectively. With 44% of NPM1-m and 11% of KMT2A-r patients still on treatment in the study, the survival data continue to evolve. "To have 50 percent to 80 percent of patients with relapsed or refractory AML obtain clinical responses following this triple drug therapy, two components of which are oral medications, is remarkable. The results of these and other studies of menin inhibitors being presented at his meeting supports further trials of adding menin inhibitors to standard therapy of all AML patients with these genetic abnormalities to further improve outcomes," says Dr. Wang. Dr. Wang notes that Roswell Park leukemia patients were the first in the world to be treated with ziftomenib in clinical trials. These clinical trials were part of the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Early Phase Leukemia Clinical Trials program, made possible by support from the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation. This trial was supported by Kura Oncology/Kirin Kyowa. Dr. Wang has received consulting and advisory board fees from Kura Oncology. Presentation details On Monday, Dec. 8, 11:45 a.m.-noon EST in Chapin Theater, W320, co-author Amir Fathi, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, will present abstract 3910, Ziftomenib in combination with venetoclax and azacitidine in relapsed/refractory NPM1-m or KMT2A-r acute myeloid leukemia: Updated phase 1 a/b safety and clinical activity results from KOMET-007. Eunice Wang, MD, is senior author. Children with a rare form of cancer called neuroblastoma which hasn't responded to initial treatment or that has relapsed may benefit from adding antibody treatment to usual chemotherapy, according to new results from a clinical trial. The results of the BEACON phase 2 trial carried out by an international consortium of researchers, coordinated by the University of Birmingham's Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit. Published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that among children who have a high risk form cancer called neuroblastoma, using a monoclonal antibody treatment called dinutuximab beta (dB) alongside typical treatment led to patient's tumours shrinking after six cycles of treatment. Children who received dB on top of the usual chemotherapy had significantly improved best objective response rate (ORR), which is a measure that represents the percentage of patients who experience a complete disappearance or partial reduction in cancer cells. While usual treatment had a rate of 18.2% of patients whose cancer reduced or disappeared, adding dB as well saw a rate improve to 30.2%. In addition, patients had an average time without the cancer progressing of 11 months, and an overall survival time of almost 26 months in the experimental arm, compared to around four (4) months progression-free and 17 months overall survival for usual treatment. These are really encouraging results, which will contribute towards developing better treatments for children with neuroblastoma. We are continuing to investigate combining dinutuximab beta with chemotherapy, called chemo-immunotherapy, in the BEACON-2 trial. This trial is now open in many UK centres, and aims to improve the chemo-immunotherapy, so that more children can benefit." Professor Juliet Gray from the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton, and corresponding author of the study Professor Amos Burke, Director of the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Birmingham said: "Neuroblastoma that comes back or doesn't respond to first line treatment comes with poor outcomes currently for the children who sadly have this disease. These results are very important and could improve the odds and lived experience for these children. Here at the University of Birmingham we remain focused on trialling tomorrow's treatments for children who need them most." Primarily affects children under five Neuroblastoma primarily affects children under the age of 5 years and around 100 children between the ages of 0 and 14 years are diagnosed with neuroblastoma each year in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK who co-funded the study along with Imagine for Margo, Solving Kids Cancer UK, and Zoe4life, operated under the Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer (ITCC) collaborative research group. This cancer begins in immature nerve cells usually in the abdomen of young children and develops into small tumours that can be experienced as a lump in a child's abdomen. Neuroblastoma spreads to other parts of the body in around half of children, including the bones, skin and liver. The BEACON trial recruited 65 patients with an average age of four (4) years old, with 28 patients having refractory (not responding to first line treatment) and 37 patients having relapsing (where the cancer returns) neuroblastoma. As well as measuring best objective response and survival times, the BEACON consortium also measured neurotoxicity of the treatment arms. For patients in the dB arm, around a third experienced lower grade symptoms such as drowsiness from the treatment compared to 9% in the active arm. There were low levels of more severe grade 3 symptoms in the dB arm (2.3%) and comparable to usual treatment (4.5%). Previously reported results from the global BEACON consortium found that adding an anti-tumour drug bevacizumab with chemotherapy drugs led to patient's tumours shrinking. The findings led to changes in how UK paediatric oncologists treat neuroblastoma, and the further trial BEACON-2 is now investigating the difference between a combination of drugs including bevacizumab and dB chemoimmunotherapy. A prospective, multicenter cancer clinical trial by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (ECOG-ACRIN) has validated an improved method for predicting treatment benefits in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer that has spread primarily or exclusively to the bones. These patients make up a large portion of individuals who are living with advanced breast cancer-yet are routinely excluded from clinical trials that rely on standard imaging-based assessments (i.e., RECIST 1.1). The study demonstrated that metabolic change assessed by FDG-PET/CT accurately predicted progression-free survival as early as 12 weeks after treatment initiation. The study's co-lead investigator, Jennifer M. Specht, MD, a medical oncologist at the University of Washington and Fred Hutch Cancer Center, presented the results of the FEATURE trial (EA1183, NCT04316117) at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Heather Jacene, MD, a nuclear medicine physician from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, co-led the trial with Dr. Specht. Our study provides the first prospective validation of FDG-PET/CT and PERCIST response criteria in patients presenting with bone-only or bone-dominant metastatic breast cancer. This methodology has the potential to inform patients about whether their treatment is working, rather than waiting for late-stage disease progression." Jennifer M. Specht, MD, medical oncologist, University of Washington and Fred Hutch Cancer Center Bone is the most common site of breast cancer metastases, and patients with this condition often have more indolent disease than those whose cancer has spread to visceral organs, she said. The FEATURE trial sought to overcome two long-standing limitations in research and care by applying readily available clinical tools. Dr. Jacene stated, "Standard imaging methods, such as CT, MRI, and bone scans, can detect metastases but do not accurately assess how well systemic therapies are working. The conventional assessment of treatment response in solid tumors, known as RECIST 1.1, classifies bone metastases as non-measurable and non-targetable." FEATURE evaluated FDG-PET/CT, an advanced imaging technique that measures metabolic activity in cancer cells, including bone lesions. The trial utilized the PERCIST criteria to evaluate FDG PET metabolic changes, with a modification to adjust for lower metabolic uptake in bone lesions (mPERCIST). These guidelines are specifically designed for advanced imaging techniques such as PET/CT. Together, these clinical tools have the potential to provide a more sensitive, biologically relevant evaluation of treatment effectiveness. The FEATURE trial included 138 patients who underwent FDG-PET/CT imaging before starting treatment and again at 12 weeks. Patients were then scanned at regular intervals with standard imaging and followed for clinical outcomes for a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 5 years. The trial met its primary objective by demonstrating that test results at 12 weeks after therapy initiation could indicate whether patients would continue to do well without their disease worsening. Patients without progressive metabolic disease (PMD) at 12 weeks after treatment initiation had a median progression-free survival of 1.6 years (19.4 months), compared with a mere 3 months in those with PMD. This finding successfully establishes a correlation between 12-week treatment responses and progression-free survival. As part of the primary analysis plan, the team evaluated whether FDG-PET/CT modified PERCIST criteria independently predicted PFS. The results indicated that when scans performed at 12 weeks showed no signs of disease progression, the hazard of cancer worsening was approximately 83% lower. This finding is highly statistically significant, underscoring the strong predictive value of early metabolic response. "The FEATURE trial shows that FDG-PET/CT with mPERCIST is not only feasible, but clinically meaningful for assessing treatment response in this historically understudied group," said Dr. Specht. "For the first time, we have a clinically accessible strategy to evaluate how well patients with bone-dominant or bone-only metastatic disease are responding to systemic therapy-with accuracy to guide treatment decisions." Dr. Jacene added, "We now have the data to support that with FDG-PET/CT, we can measure the 'unmeasurable'." Dr. Specht, Dr. Jacene, and the ECOG-ACRIN research team are calling for continued evaluation of FDG-PET/CT and mPERCIST in clinical trials and for broader integration of metabolic response assessment in patients with bone-only or bone-dominant metastatic breast cancer. "If we want to improve outcomes, we need to stop treating bone-only or bone-dominant metastatic breast cancer as unmeasurable," they emphasized. "This study provides a practical solution-one that can help patients receive the right therapy sooner, and that can finally bring this large patient group into the clinical research landscape." Results of other secondary objectives will be presented when the data are mature. This multi-center trial involved investigators and patients at 35 hospitals and cancer centers across the United States and in Ireland. It received support from the National Cancer Institute, one of the US National Institutes of Health, and was accessible through NCI's National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) and the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) applauds two new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) models that could significantly reshape the landscape for lifestyle medicine practice and reimbursement. The first model, The Make America Healthy Again: Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value-based Approaches Through Evidence (MAHA ELEVATE) for Original Medicare, was announced Thursday, December 11, 2025. The model will provide approximately $100 million to fund three-year cooperative agreements for up to 30 proposals that promote health and prevention for Original Medicare beneficiaries. The proposals will utilize evidence-based, whole-person care approaches - including lifestyle medicine interventions - currently not covered by Original Medicare. The model will also gather and evaluate new data on cost and quality to inform future interventions promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors and ultimately reduce spending in Original Medicare. CMS will release a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) in early 2026 for the first cohort, and the voluntary model will launch on September 1, 2026. The model will begin on September 1, 2026. The second cohort will begin one year later. Participating organizations will receive approximately $3 million each over three years of funding to collect quality and cost data on their interventions. ACLM has been advocating for lifestyle medicine to be the foundation of health and all health care for over 20 years. This action brings that vision closer to reality for our 15,000 clinician members, who are passionately working every day to bring the power of root-cause, lifestyle-first treatment to patients for the prevention, treatment, and even reversal of chronic disease. We applaud CMS for its leadership in bringing this long-awaited opportunity for hope and healing to the Medicare population through the ELEVATE model, introducing not only meaningful flexibility in care delivery, but also dedicated funding to support innovative, whole-person approaches that can truly transform outcomes." Susan Benigas, ACLM CEO The ELEVATE announcement comes on the heels of the December 4 Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) announcement of Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions (ACCESS), a new voluntary payment model that shifts Medicare to an outcome-based payment system for chronic-disease care. In this model, providers are paid not per procedure but based on patient health improvements. The model pays providers to connect their patients with technology companies that meaningfully address chronic disease, including high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic musculoskeletal pain, and depression. The new model is a 10-year payment program designed to support technology-enabled care for Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions. "ACCESS is one of the most lifestyle medicine-aligned, well-thought-out demonstration models ever designed, with a lot of flexibility to deliver care, offering options for patients and providers while NOT paying for encounters, but for outcomes," said ACLM President Padmaja Patel, MD, DipABLM, FACLM. "It requires real-time data sharing so that both patients and providers can make informed decisions about whom to partner with. We applaud CMMI for working toward outcomes-based solutions for lifestyle medicine reimbursement." Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is notoriously difficult to treat due to its aggressive nature and limited prognostic tools. While the traditional staging systems, such as the TNM classification, focus on anatomical factors, they fall short in providing a comprehensive prognosis. The Tianjin Grading System addresses this gap by integrating anatomical, biological, and patient condition factors. Developed using a cohort of Chinese patients, this new grading system refines patient risk stratification by incorporating crucial factors like lymph node metastasis and CA19-9 levels, offering a more holistic approach to managing PDAC. Based on these challenges, there is a need for deeper research into integrating biological markers into preoperative assessments. Published (DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2025.0213)in Cancer Biology & Medicine in 2025, the Tianjin Grading System, developed by Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, combines anatomical and biological data to predict patient survival more effectively than traditional staging methods. The study highlights how integrating tumor resectability, imaging-detected lymph node metastasis, serum markers like CA19-9, and nutritional status into a single grading system can significantly improve clinical decision-making. This multi-dimensional approach provides a more accurate prognosis, allowing for better-tailored treatment strategies and ultimately improving patient outcomes. The Tianjin Grading System was developed through a retrospective study involving 687 PDAC patients who underwent surgical resection. By analyzing factors like resectability status, serum CA19-9 levels, lymph node metastasis, and the Prognostic Nutritional Score (PNS), researchers were able to identify independent prognostic factors influencing overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). The patients were categorized into four distinct risk groups: low-risk (0-1), intermediate-risk (2-3), high-risk (4-5), and extremely high-risk (6-10), with significantly divergent survival outcomes for each group. Notably, patients in the high- and extremely high-risk categories benefited greatly from neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). The Tianjin system outperformed traditional methods like serum CA19-9 and anatomical resectability in predicting patient survival. These findings underscore the importance of a multi-dimensional approach to assessing PDAC, improving the ability to guide treatment strategies and personalize care. The Tianjin Grading System offers a more accurate way of predicting outcomes for PDAC patients by integrating not just anatomical factors but also biological and patient-specific conditions. This system helps us better understand which patients will benefit most from aggressive treatments like neoadjuvant chemotherapy, paving the way for more personalized, effective care strategies." Dr. Jihui Hao, one of the lead researchers The Tianjin Grading System has significant implications for improving clinical decision-making in PDAC treatment. By providing a more accurate prognosis, it can guide when patients should undergo upfront surgery or receive NAC. This comprehensive assessment also helps healthcare providers tailor treatment plans, improving survival rates for high-risk patients and ensuring that low-risk patients are not overtreated. The system's accessibility - using standard imaging and laboratory tests - makes it a practical tool for diverse clinical settings, including those with limited resources, offering a new standard in personalized pancreatic cancer care. Leslie M. Thompson, Donald Bren Professor of psychiatry and human behavior as well as neurobiology and behavior at the University of California, Irvine, has received an $11,999,933 grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine for an unprecedented clinical trial of a novel neural stem cell therapy for Huntington's disease. This award will support a first-in-humans safety and tolerability study of an embryonic stem cell-derived neural stem cell product for Huntington's disease, a milestone for patients who currently have no available therapies that alter the course of this devastating disorder. The study will focus on the safety of the cell product, which, it is hoped, can protect brain cells, repair damaged brain circuits, and slow or prevent disease progression in humans. This will be the initial test of embryonic stem cell-derived cells in people with Huntington's disease; previous trials used cells from fetal cells or tissue. The clinical trial is expected to begin in mid-2026. This novel cell therapy has been tested extensively in preclinical safety and efficacy studies and shows promise to advance treatment for HD. Huntington's disease is a genetic disorder that gradually destroys brain cells, usually starting between the ages of 35 and 50 and worsening over 10 to 20 years. Symptoms include involuntary movements, difficulty thinking and planning daily tasks, and mood changes such as depression. The therapy being tested, called hNSC-01, utilizes neural stem cells that can protect existing brain cells from dying, replace lost cells, rebuild impaired brain circuits, release helpful proteins such as BDNF that are low in HD patients, and reduce harmful protein accumulations that damage brain cells. These outcomes have all been demonstrated in animal studies, in which the cells also improved movement, restored brain function and were shown to be safe over long periods. The clinical trial at UC Irvine will enroll 21 people with early-stage Huntington's disease, with 12 participants in a Phase 1B dose-escalation group and nine in a Phase 2A expansion group. The cells will be surgically delivered into the brain, and subjects will be closely monitored for safety as well as preliminary signs of potential benefit. Huntington's disease places a huge burden on patients, families and caregivers, often lasting decades. In California alone, hospital costs for HD patients can range from $3 million to $25 million annually. If successful, this therapy could allow people with Huntington's disease to live independently for longer and significantly reduce long-term care costs, easing the strain on families. This trial is an exciting step for regenerative medicine and its potential to change the course of Huntington's disease. It provides additional hope to patients and families who currently have very few options." Leslie M. Thompson, principal investigator, professor of biological chemistry, University of California, Irvine She added: "The award is the culmination of a tremendous effort from a team of investigators, including Dr. Jack Reidling and Yuna Muyshondt at UC Irvine and the UC Davis GMP facility that produced the cell product." Thompson has studied Huntington's for more than three decades and has received $17.6 million in CIRM funding to advance both fundamental science and translational avenues. In 2019, she was awarded $6 million to develop stem cell-based therapies for Huntington's, an effort that has since cleared an investigational new drug application with the FDA, paving the way for the current award that funds the early-phase clinical trial in humans through the UC Irvine Alpha Clinic. In October of this year, Thompson got $2 million in CIRM funding to probe one of medicine's most baffling mysteries: why Huntington's disease devastates some brain cells while sparing others. Her laboratory integrates patient-derived stem cells, transcriptomics, proteomics and bioinformatics to investigate disease mechanisms, while also pursuing new paths to understanding why certain brain cells are more vulnerable than others to Huntington's disease. In addition, Thompson co-directs UC Irvine's Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center. This award is part of CIRM's Clinical Trial Stage Projects, which aim to accelerate promising stem cell therapies from late-stage preclinical development through clinical trials to address unmet medical needs. BERLIN, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- In the winter of 1937, invading Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then the Chinese capital, and over the course of six weeks, they proceeded to kill approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II. Amid the massacre, a German businessman named John Rabe continued to keep a diary, and his diaries remain one of the most comprehensive historical records of the atrocities committed by the Japanese aggressors. Serving as the Siemens representative in China, Rabe helped establish the Nanjing Safety Zone together with other foreign residents. The 3.86-square-km refuge protected around 250,000 Chinese civilians from the massacre. Despite the constant peril, Rabe stayed in the city and negotiated repeatedly with the Japanese military to rescue victims and defend the safety zone. At the same time, he documented the atrocities unfolding around him in his diaries. "I want to witness these atrocities with my own eyes, so that I can later speak of them as an eyewitness. Such brutal crimes -- committed 10 days after the city's capture -- must not be kept silent!" he wrote on Dec. 24, 1937. On Dec. 14, 1937, the day after Nanjing's fall, Rabe confided in his diary that it was not until he drove through the shattered streets that he grasped the true extent of the destruction. "Every 100 or 200 meters, we came across corpses. The Japanese marched through the city in groups of 10 to 20 men, looting shops. Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I would not have believed it," reads the diary. On another page, he recounted the fate of a boy of about seven, stabbed four times with a bayonet. One gash in his abdomen, Rabe wrote, was "the length of a finger." The child survived for two days in the hospital before dying -- quietly, without a single cry. "In John Rabe's diary, written by my grandfather, you can read how the members of the Nanjing Safety Zone repeatedly wrote letters to the Japanese embassy in Nanjing at that time, vehemently condemning them and urging them to stop harming and slaughtering Chinese civilians," Thomas Rabe, grandson of John Rabe, told Xinhua. "However, all these efforts were in vain." "Remembering history is crucial," he said. "Nazi Germany committed the holocaust, a crime against humanity that must never be repeated. After WWII, Germany made peace with its former victims and took responsibility, with Israel, France, Poland, and others. Unfortunately, not all countries have learned from the past." John Rabe passed away in 1950 and was laid to rest in the western suburbs of Berlin. But the gratitude of the Chinese people has never faded with time. At his grave, there are always fresh flowers and handwritten notes. One recent message read: "Thank you, Mr. Rabe, the good man of Nanjing. The Chinese people will never forget." Viruses are typically described as tiny, perfectly geometric shells that pack genetic material with mathematical precision, but new research led by scientists at Penn State reveals a deliberate imbalance in their shape that helps them infect their hosts. The finding, the researchers say, not only illuminates a fundamental viral strategy but also opens doors for antiviral drug design and molecular delivery technologies critical for vaccines, cancer therapies, medication development and gene editing. The team published their findings today (Dec. 12) in the journal Science Advances and have filed a patent application related to the discovery. A virus lacks sensory organs, so it uses chemical cues to determine how it replicates its genetic material into new viral packages or assemblies with precise polarity. This polarity guides the RNA, its genetic material that allows the virus infection to spread, and our research shows that asymmetry is what gives the virus this essential polarity. Viruses build these subtle imperfections into their shells to control how and where their genetic material is packaged and poised to exit during an infection." Ganesh Anand, associate professor of chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology at Penn State and lead author on the study The researchers used advanced imaging techniques, conducted at Penn State's publicly funded Core Facilities, to study the architecture of the Turnip Crinkle Virus (TCV). This plant pathogen has an icosahedral - or 20-sided - shell that is the same structure as many human pathogens, such as enteroviruses, noroviruses, poliovirus, hepatitis B virus and the virus that causes chickenpox. They found that icosahedral viruses use a single chemical bond to tip the scales inside their protein shells to guide release of RNA and infect their hosts. This bond, called an isopeptide link, connects two structural proteins that contribute to the virus's shell and creates a subtle asymmetry that clusters the virus's RNA on one side of the particle, ensuring the genetic material exits in one direction when infecting a host. It can be compared to a trick or "loaded" die, Anand said, referring to dice that are secretly weighted on one side and used to cheat in games. "When the virus enters a cell and begins to break apart, this 'loaded die' design ensures the genetic material bursts out through a specific exit point - fast and in the right direction - so it can immediately hijack the host's machinery to make more virus," Anand said. One tiny isopeptide link is responsible for this "loaded die" effect, he explained. It acts like a kind of molecular hinge or strap, anchoring RNA to one half of the particle and putting it slightly off balance to create a spring-loaded genome. When the virus enters its host's cells and starts to break apart, the RNA is launched out through a specific exit point. "The RNA doesn't just float around," Anand said. "It's positioned right where the plant's ribosomes, its protein-makers, can grab it. This lets the virus start making its own proteins immediately, before the plant can mount a defense." The team captured this previously unseen moment, a partially expanded virus poised for release, using two advanced imaging techniques that can monitor microscale changes within cells: cryo-electron microscopy and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. "We were able see the polarity of the particle and it appeared to be positioned somewhere very close to where the RNA looked like it was wanting to get out," said Varun Venkatakrishnan, a Penn State doctoral student and co-author on the paper who led the cryo-electron microscopy aspects of the work. "This 'loaded die' mechanism that we discovered isn't just a plant virus trick. It could be a universal strategy for how these types of viruses package themselves." For human viruses, like those that cause colds or even those that can lead to less common diseases, RNA release is a critical step. Many viruses, like poliovirus or enteroviruses, have icosahedral shells and need to eject their RNA at the right time and place inside a host cell. If they could bias that process, like Turnip Crinkle Virus does, they'd gain speed and precision needed to evade immune defenses, Venkatakrishnan said. Finding a way to disrupt the process of RNA release by targeting asymmetric features such as the isopeptide link in Turnip Crinkle Virus could lead to new antiviral therapies or better RNA therapeutics, drugs that prevent infection and autoimmune disorders, explained Sean Braet, a postdoctoral researcher at Penn State and co-author on the paper. "This could mean designing vaccines that release RNA exactly where it's needed, near protein-making machinery, to reduce degradation and boost effectiveness of the vaccine," Braet said. "There is a specific feature on the RNA that can help to direct this process, and now, we're in the process of figuring out if we can use this naturally occurring phenomena to the advantage of cost-efficiently amplifying expression of therapeutic RNAs in plant virus vectors." Antivirals, drugs specifically designed to treat viral infections such as oseltamivir for influenza, could be designed to bind these asymmetrical sites, he added, destabilizing the shape of the shell and preventing the virus from maintaining its spring-loaded state. This would make it harder for the virus to replicate and evolve resistance inside the host. "All of this research is very cutting edge and is going on right now," Anand said. "We have some promising leads." Other Penn State co-authors are Molly Clawson, an undergraduate student in the Schreyer Honors College majoring in chemistry, and Tatiana Laremore, director of the University's Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility. Ranita Ramesh and Sek-Man Wong of the National University of Singapore also contributed to the work. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the U.S. National Institutes of Health funded this work, along with Penn State's Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences through the Patricia and Stephen Benkovic Research Initiative and the Stephen and Patricia Benkovic Summer Research Award in Chemistry. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today welcomed the central governments decision to hold the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers' Meeting (FMM) 2026 in Hong Kong. Chief Executive John Lee said the country will host APEC 2026 while Hong Kong will, for the first time, hold the APEC FMM 2026 next October. Mr Lee said that Hong Kong is grateful for the central government's trust and support, adding that the Hong Kong SAR Government will spare no effort in making comprehensive and meticulous preparations to support our country in successfully hosting APEC 2026. The Hong Kong SAR Government will leverage Hong Kong's experience and strengths as an international financial centre to ensure the successful organisation of the FMM in Hong Kong, he said. Hong Kong will also seize this opportunity to deepen international exchanges and co-operation, better integrating into and serving the overall national development. Financial Secretary Paul Chan also thanked the country for choosing Hong Kong to hold the FMM. This not only allows us to showcase Hong Kong's comprehensive development in the economic, financial and social dimensions to participating economies and the international community but also helps deepen our collaboration with other APEC member economies, thereby fully demonstrating Hong Kong's role as a 'super connector'. As the host of APEC 2026, China will be responsible for preparing for and chairing the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, as well as a series of ministerial and other meetings next year. The FMM, to be held in Hong Kong, will be hosted by the Ministry of Finance, and arranged and organised by the Hong Kong SAR Government. The Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury will lead a dedicated task force to co-ordinate relevant planning and preparatory work. The Professional Services GoGlobal Platform, initiated by the Department of Justice with support from the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau (CEDB), was officially launched today, marking a new stage of collaborative support from Hong Kong's professional services sector for Mainland enterprises going global. Under the steer of Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, the platform implements an initiative announced in the Chief Executive's Policy Address. He will work to promote Hong Kong's legal services and collaborate with other professional service sectors such as accounting and finance to support Mainland enterprises with ambitions to expand overseas. Mr Cheung said at a launch ceremony that professional services firms in Hong Kong are renowned for their international outlook, uncompromising professional standards and nuanced understanding of both Chinese and global contexts, and can offer Mainland enterprises comprehensive support. Since the establishment of the CEDB's Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (the GoGlobal Task Force), many Mainland enterprises have expressed a strong desire to use Hong Kong as a "launchpad" for global expansion, he added. The goal of the Professional Services GoGlobal Platform is to collaborate with the Trade Development Council in building a deeper and broader cross-professional services platform, enabling enterprises to enjoy a customized experience. It will provide useful reference material for Mainland enterprises by integrating information related to Hong Kong's professional services, including their previous successes in supporting Mainland enterprises expanding overseas. It will also publish lists of professional services providers supporting overseas expansion, facilitating precise connections between Mainland enterprises and Hong Kong's providers. Mr Cheung added that to promote the platform's work and provide a source of strategic advice, the Department of Justice will establish the Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global, consisting of Mainland and Hong Kong experts from the legal, financial, accounting and business sectors. Highlighting that matching Mainland enterprises with Hong Kong professional service firms is a common goal of the GoGlobal Task Force and the platform, Mr Cheung said the latter will bring the city's firm's together to support enterprises going global while the task force will directly engage with Mainland enterprises, serving as a pivotal contact point for them to leverage Hong Kong as a launchpad. Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau said at the ceremony that as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" connecting the Chinese Mainland and the world, Hong Kong possesses unique advantages. He said the city can assist Mainland enterprises in expanding their business overseas and addressing various challenges and difficulties they may encounter when going global, such as cross-border capital management, risk management, laws and regulations, cultural differences and talent recruitment. At the launch ceremony, Dr Cheung released the inaugural edition of the Collection of Success Stories: Hong Kong's Professional Services Supporting Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global, which includes case studies spanning various professional domains across different industries and investment locations. 16 illegal Bangladeshi nationals to be deported from South Africa Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 04:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Johannesburg, Dec 14 (PTI) South Africa is to deport 16 Bangladeshi nationals who arrived in the country on Friday with fake visas, officials said. The Bangladeshis had arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on an Ethiopian Airlines flight. The Acting Commissioner of BMA, Jane Thupana, confirmed that this was part of the authoritys intensified efforts to combat human trafficking, irregular migration and transnational organised crime, particularly during the festive season peak. Their interception followed the BMAs analysis of passenger details, which flagged their movement pattern as suspicious. Preliminary investigations revealed a modus operandi commonly used in human trafficking syndicates, where individuals attempt to transit through South Africa enroute to neighbouring countries and later re-enter South Africa. The Bangladeshis, all males, were intercepted after BMA officials discovered that they were in possession of fraudulent visas. They were identified after officers noticed them blending suspiciously among South African travellers in the passport clearance area. Through profiling, the individuals were separated from the queue and referred to the BMA Border Law Enforcement Office for secondary investigation. Their documentation was confirmed to be fraudulent, and their intentions were inconsistent with legitimate travel, raising concerns of possible human trafficking activity. Commending the officers involved for their vigilance, technical capability and swift action, Thupana said it emphasised that these interceptions demonstrate the effectiveness of the BMAs intelligence-led approach to border management. Thupana said the BMA was using advanced passenger data, behavioural profiling and on-the-ground enforcement as central tools to prevent South Africa from being exploited as a corridor for criminal networks. The authority will continue to work with national and international partners to ensure that South Africas ports of entry are secure and that all attempts to undermine national security are decisively countered," she said. Thupana also said that the airline which brought in the illegal migrants would be fined R15,000 for each of them, as it was expected to check the authenticity of their travel documents before allowing them to board the flight. The airline would also be held liable for the costs of repatriating the Bangladeshi nationals. There has long been concern in South Africa that subcontinental migrants from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, as well as some African countries, especially Somalia and Ethiopia, were entering the country illegally, often through collaboration of local agents working with Department of Home Affairs officials to secure fraudulent documents, including South African passports. The department had also expressed concern about South Africa being used as a transit point for access into third countries by those illegally seeking refugee status. There are believed to be over 350,000 Bangladesh-origin residents in South Africa, most having sought political asylum here after Bangladesh established ties with South Africa following the election of Nelson Mandela in 1994. Before that, Bangladesh, like India, had prohibited its citizens from visiting South Africa because of apartheid-era minority white rule. PTI FH MPL MPL News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 04:00 IST News agency-feeds 16 illegal Bangladeshi nationals to be deported from South Africa 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... 18 Nepalese injured as tempo traveller overturns in Shimla Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 21:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Shimla, Dec 13 (PTI) As many as 18 Nepalese were injured after a tempo traveller overturned on a national highway, police here said on Saturday. The accident occurred in Kingal, around 89 kilometres away from Shimla. Locals who witnessed it informed the police, who then rushed to rescue the victims. According to police, the driver of the tempo lost control of the vehicle, which overturned, and all passengers were injured. All the injured were rushed to a Community Health Centre (CHC), Kumarsain. Nine of them were seriously injured and were referred to the Mahatma Gandhi Medical Service Complex, Khaneri, for further treatment. A case under sections 281 (rash and negligent driving) and 125A (endangering life and personal safety of others) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered. Further investigation is underway. PTI COR HIG HIG News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 21:15 IST News agency-feeds 18 Nepalese injured as tempo traveller overturns in Shimla 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... Kathleen Robertson, Mark Engelhardt to be seen in 'Tracker' Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 22:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Los Angeles [US], December 13 (ANI): Actors Kathleen Robertson and Mark Engelhardt have bagged recurring roles opposite Justin Hartley and Fiona Rene in the hit CBS series Tracker. Based on the bestselling novel The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver, Tracker stars Hartley as Colter Shaw, a lone-wolf survivalist who roams the country as a reward seeker, using his expert tracking skills to help private citizens and law enforcement solve all manner of mysteries while contending with his own fractured family," per the official logline, Deadline reported. Robertson will essay the role of Maxine, a successful attorney at a major firm looking to engage Reenie (Fiona Rene) on what Maxine assures her is simply grunt work for an upcoming class action suit. It quickly becomes clear, however, that Maxine may have an entirely different game that shes playing. Engelhardt will play Emile Lang, a man with his own moral code. Cold, calculating and methodical.Robertson previously wrote, produced, and appeared in Roku/Lionsgates contemporary series update of George Huangs 1994 film, Swimming with Sharks, that skewers and celebrates the Hollywood studio system. She recently wrapped a recurring arc on the upcoming fourth season of Amazons Reacher. Her other notable credits include The Expanse, Murder in the First, and Bates Motel.Robertson is repped by Trademark Talent, Innovative Artists, attorney Jamie Feldman, as well as Play Management in her native Canada. (ANI) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 22:45 IST News agency-feeds Kathleen Robertson, Mark Engelhardt to be seen in 'Tracker' 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... Nightclub fire: Landowner, sarpanch questioned by magisterial inquiry committee Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 00:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Panaji, Dec 13 (PTI) Original land owner Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar and Arpora-Nagoa sarpanch Roshan Redkar were questioned till late Saturday night by a magisterial inquiry committee in connection with the devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa. My client had a warrant of appearance before the committee today," said Amonkars lawyer Prasenjeet Dhage. He was summoned at 3.30 pm and questioned till 10.30 pm, the lawyer said, adding that the panel wanted to know why this incident happened". It was a very intensive and vigorous inquiry," advocate Dhage said. Goa government has constituted a committee headed by district magistrate Ankit Yadav to inquire into the incident which claimed 25 lives. Arpora-Nagoa panchayat sarpanch Roshan Redkar told reporters that he answered the committees questions. He has already obtained pre-arrest bail from a local court in connection with the case. Five managers and staff members of the club have been arrested by Goa Police. Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the club, have been detained in Thailand after they fled the country. PTI RPS KRK News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 00:00 IST News agency-feeds Nightclub fire: Landowner, sarpanch questioned by magisterial inquiry committee 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: 3 children killed as drone crashes into residential area Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 03:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Peshawar, Dec 14 (PTI) At least three children were killed and another sustained injuries when a quadcopter drone crashed into a residential area in northwest Pakistan, police said. According to initial reports, the incident occurred in the Mumand Khel area, in Bannu district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the drone fell into a populated neighbourhood late Saturday, causing casualties among children. Following the incident, residents immediately launched rescue efforts and shifted the injured child and the bodies of the deceased to a nearby hospital. Rescue and security personnel also rushed to the scene soon after the incident. Hospital authorities confirmed that the injured child is out of danger, while the bodies of the three children have been placed in the hospital morgue. The incident triggered panic and fear among residents of the area. Security forces cordoned off the locality and launched an investigation to ascertain the nature of the drone and the circumstances leading to the crash. PTI AYZ MPL MPL News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 03:15 IST News agency-feeds Pakistan: 3 children killed as drone crashes into residential area Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Terrorist attack kills 6 Bangladeshi military peacekeepers in Sudan: Army Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 03:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Dhaka, Dec 14 (PTI) The Bangladesh Army has said that six of its personnel serving in the UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan were killed and eight others were injured during a terrorist attack. Six of our personnel in the mission were killed and eight others injured when terrorists attacked a UN base in Sudans Abyei region," a military spokesman said in Dhaka on Saturday. The defence ministrys Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) directorate said in an initial statement that fighting was still ongoing in the region, which borders South Sudan. South Sudan became an independent nation in 2011 through a referendum after decades of civil war with Arab majority northerners. After midnight Saturday, the Bangladesh Army issued a statement on its Facebook page saying the authorities were continuing all-out efforts to provide necessary treatment and carry out rescue operations for the injured peacekeepers. It has been learnt that the situation in the area is yet to stabilise and the fight with the terrorists is continuing," the statement said, adding that the military would share further details on the situation in due course once the information was available. According to the BBC, citing UN officials, more than 50 people, including UN peacekeepers, have been killed in attacks in Abyei, marking it as the deadliest incident in a three-year-long series of clashes in the disputed oil-rich area claimed by both South Sudan and Sudan. The authorities in the Abyei Special Administrative Area" issued a statement saying a group of rebels" joined armed youths from the Twic faction and carried out a series of barbaric coordinated attacks", starting Saturday morning. Media reports suggest that there is virtually no government presence, legal justice system, or police force in Abyei. Bangladesh is a major contributor to UN blue helmet missions, while officials suggest that currently over 6,000 personnel from the army, navy, air force, and police are deployed, particularly in warring or war-ravaged African countries, including Sudan. The UN recently renewed its mandate for its Abyei mission, known as UNISFA, as it continues to navigate an increasingly complex landscape. PTI AR MPL MPL News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 03:45 IST News agency-feeds Terrorist attack kills 6 Bangladeshi military peacekeepers in Sudan: Army 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... Ukrainian drone attack kills 2 in Russia as millions in Ukraine lose power Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 02:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Kyiv, Dec 14 (AP) A Ukrainian drone attack in southwestern Russia killed two people on Saturday as parts of Ukraine went without power following Russian assaults on energy infrastructure hours before peace talks were to restart in Germany. Foreign policy advisers from the US, Ukraine and Germany, among others, are expected to meet in Berlin on Sunday, according to German news agency dpa. Germany is also set to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday, part of efforts by European leaders to steer the negotiations. US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump who has been working as an outside adviser, are travelling to Berlin for the talk, according to a White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. American officials have tried for months to navigate the demands of each side as Trump presses for a swift end to Russias war and grows increasingly exasperated by delays. The search for possible compromises has run into major obstacles, including the possession of Ukraines eastern Donbas region, mostly occupied by Russia but parts of which remain under Ukrainian control. The drone attack in Russias Saratov region damaged a residential building and several windows were also blown out at a kindergarten and clinic, said Gov Roman Busargin. Russias Defence Ministry said it had shot down 41 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight. In Ukraine, Russia launched overnight drone and missile strikes on five Ukrainian regions, targeting energy and port infrastructure. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that over a million people were without electricity. Zelenskyy said Russia had sent over 450 drones and 30 missiles into Ukraine overnight. An attack on the Black Sea city of Odesa caused grain silos to catch fire at the port, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Reconstruction Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said. Two people were wounded in attacks on the wider Odesa region, according to regional head Oleh Kiper. Kyiv and its Western allies say Russia is trying to cripple the Ukrainian power grid and deny civilians access to heat, light and running water for a fourth consecutive winter, in what Ukrainian officials call weaponising" the cold. On the front lines, Ukrainian forces said Saturday that the northern part of the critical city of Pokrovsk was under Ukrainian control, despite Russias claims earlier this month that it had taken full control of the city. The Associated Press was not able to independently verify the claims. The latest attacks came after Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov reaffirmed Friday that Moscow will give its blessing to a ceasefire only after Ukraines forces have withdrawn from parts of the Donetsk region that they still control. Ukraine has consistently refused to cede the remaining part of the region to Russia. Ushakov told the business daily Kommersant that Russian police and national guard would stay in parts of eastern Ukraines Donbas even if they become a demilitarised zone under the prospective peace plan, a demand likely to be rejected by Ukraine as US-led negotiations drag on. Ushakov warned that a search for compromise could take a long time, noting that the US proposals that took into account Russian demands had been worsened" by alterations proposed by Ukraine and its European allies. We dont know what changes they are making, but clearly they arent for the better," Ushakov said, adding: We will strongly insist on our considerations." In other developments, around 480 people were evacuated Saturday from a train travelling between the Polish city of Przemysl and Kyiv after police received a call concerning a threat on the train, Karolina Kowalik, a spokesperson for the Przemysl police, told The Associated Press. Nobody was hurt and she didnt elaborate on the threat. Polish authorities are on high alert since multiple attempts to disrupt trains on the line linking Warsaw to the Ukrainian border, including the use of explosives in November, with Polish authorities saying they have evidence Russia was behind it. (AP) MPL MPL News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 02:15 IST News agency-feeds Ukrainian drone attack kills 2 in Russia as millions in Ukraine lose power 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... YAOUNDE, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people were killed and several others injured in communal clashes in Cameroon's restive Anglophone region of Northwest, security sources said on Saturday. The clashes erupted early Friday after gunmen suspected to be armed separatist fighters raided Mbororo community, killing three people, a security source in the region said. Overnight into Saturday, armed Mbororo tribesmen retaliated by attacking Wowo village of Wimbum tribe, killing five people. "The Mbororo people assumed that people who attacked them were from Wowo village and invaded the village at night. They searched house to house, especially in the palace, shooting people who resisted. Five people were killed, all of them men," Festus Njeba, one of the prominent leaders of Wimbum tribe told Xinhua by phone. "Our people are in pain. These killings have to stop. Our people must not bear the consequences of an armed struggle," he added. US warns Rwanda over clear violation of Congo peace deal Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 21:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Washington [US], December 13 (ANI): The United States has accused Rwanda of breaching a recently signed peace agreement after fresh fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning that Kigalis actions amount to a clear violation" of the deal.In a post on X on Saturday, Rubio said, The United States will take action to ensure promises made to the president are kept," underscoring Washingtons growing concern over the renewed offensive in South Kivu province. Rwandas actions in eastern DRC are a clear violation of the Washington Accords signed by President Trump, and the United States will take action to ensure promises made to the President are kept. Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) December 13, 2025 The warning comes as a fragile calm has returned to the eastern DRC city of Uvira following its capture by M23 rebels earlier this week.According to Al Jazeera, residents have cautiously begun emerging from their homes after days of intense fighting that saw the Rwanda-backed group seize control of the strategic port city on Lake Tanganyika.The fall of Uvira threatens to derail a US-brokered peace agreement signed last week between Congolese and Rwandan leaders under the oversight of President Donald Trump.Washington accused Rwanda on Friday of igniting the latest offensive, as violence spread between the cities of Bukavu and Uvira, both now under M23 control.Regional authorities said at least 400 civilians, including children, were killed during the fighting in South Kivu.Al Jazeera reported that Uvira, located opposite Burundis largest city Bujumbura, remains tense despite the lull in clashes.An uneasy calm has settled over the city, with government forces and allied militias known as Wazalendo" reported to have begun fleeing even before M23 fighters entered.While residents who had fled are gradually returning, most shops and businesses remain closed.People are coming out, they feel the fear is behind them," one resident said, adding that the situation remains fragile, with signs of heavy combat still visible across Uvira.Residents echoed the cautious mood.Bienvenue Mwatumabire said he was at work when fighting erupted between rebels and government forces and gunfire was heard from a nearby village, but added that today we have noticed things are getting back to normal."Another resident, Baoleze Beinfait, said people were not being harassed by the rebels, but warned, We will see how things are in the coming days," according to Al Jazeera.M23s spokesperson defended the offensive, claiming the group had liberated" Uvira from what he described as terrorist forces."The rebels say they are protecting ethnic Tutsi communities in eastern DRC, where fighting has intensified since earlier this year.Local United Nations partners said the offensive, which began on December 2, has displaced more than 200,000 people across South Kivu province.Provincial officials accused Rwandan special forces and foreign mercenaries of operating in Uvira in clear violation" of both the Washington accords and earlier ceasefire agreements reached in Doha.At the UN Security Council on Friday, US Ambassador Mike Waltz accused Rwanda of steering the region towards increased instability and war," warning that Washington would hold spoilers accountable.Waltz said Rwanda has exercised strategic control over M23 since its re-emergence in 2021, with between 5,000 and 7,000 Rwandan troops fighting alongside the rebels in Congo as of early December.Kigali has been intimately involved in planning and executing the war in eastern DRC," Waltz told the Security Council, referring to Rwandas capital.Rwandas UN ambassador rejected the allegations, accusing the DRC of violating the ceasefire.Kigali acknowledges deploying troops in eastern Congo but says they are there to protect its security, particularly from Hutu militia groups that fled into DRC after Rwandas 1994 genocide.The capture of Uvira has also raised alarm in neighbouring Burundi, which has deployed forces to the region.Burundis UN ambassador warned that restraint has its limits," saying continued attacks could lead to direct confrontation.More than 30,000 refugees have crossed into Burundi in recent days, Al Jazeera reported.The DRCs foreign minister urged the Security Council to hold Rwanda accountable, saying impunity has gone on for far too long."A report by the American Enterprise Institutes Critical Threats project said Rwanda provided significant backing to M23s Uvira operation, calling it the groups most consequential offensive since March.UN experts briefing the Security Council noted that civilians in eastern DRC are not benefitting from the agreements negotiated between Kinshasa and Kigali, Al Jazeera reported.More than 100 armed groups continue to fight for control of mineral-rich areas near the Rwandan border, fuelling one of the worlds largest humanitarian crises, with over seven million people displaced.The M23 group is not a party to the Washington-mediated talks between DRC and Rwanda and is instead engaged in separate negotiations with the Congolese government hosted by Qatar. (ANI) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 21:15 IST News agency-feeds US warns Rwanda over clear violation of Congo peace deal 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... Horoscope Today, December 13, 2025: Aries To Pisces, Whats In Store For You Written By : GaneshaGrace Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 06:00 IST Horoscope Today, December 13, 2025: Aries rise with clarity, Cancer feels warmth, and Libra finds harmony as all zodiac signs navigate emotional shifts and new insights. Daily Horoscope Today, December 13, 2025: Daily horoscope by Chirag Daruwalla. Horoscope Today, December 13, 2025: Todays horoscopes highlight a mix of positivity, emotional depth, and lessons in patience across all zodiac signs. Aries, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Pisces enjoy uplifting days filled with confidence, harmony, and stronger connections in their personal and social lives, as their open communication and positivity attract love and understanding. Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Aquarius may face emotional challenges or instability, requiring patience, introspection, and honest dialogue to restore balance. While Taurus and Virgo must stay calm amid confusion, Gemini and Scorpio can overcome misunderstandings through open conversation. Capricorns and Aquarius are encouraged to practice emotional control and use reflection to strengthen relationships. Meanwhile, the more fortunate signsAries, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Pisceswill radiate charm, creativity, and emotional warmth, inspiring those around them. Overall, the day emphasizes communication, empathy, and emotional balance as the keys to transforming challenges into personal growth and deeper, more fulfilling relationships. Aries Horoscope Today Ganesha says today will be a very good day for Aries. Overall, this will be a time of inner growth and increased self-confidence. You will feel positive and successful in building better relationships with those around you. You will be able to express your feelings clearly today, which will strengthen your relationships. Communication will be more important during this time, and your conversations with your partner will be sweet and cordial. The atmosphere around you will also be positive, which will bring you inner satisfaction. This time will prove to be very good not only for your personal relationships but also for your social life. You may meet new friends and get a chance to meet old ones. Therefore, be open and encourage yourself to express your feelings. Overall, today will be a good and satisfying day for you. Lucky Number: 9 Lucky Colour: Black Taurus Horoscope Today Ganesha says today will be a bit difficult for Taurus. Some obstacles may arise in the path of spiritual and personal growth. This is a time for deep introspection, which requires you to look within yourself. You may experience something that shakes you from your stability. There may be some upheaval in your relationships. Sometimes, disagreements with your partner or family may occur, causing emotional turmoil. Its important to be patient and resolve issues through dialogue. While this time is difficult, these ups and downs will also teach valuable lessons. Use this time wisely by understanding your emotions. By recognizing your inner strength, you can turn these difficulties into opportunities. Try to build your courage and remain calm. Lucky Number: 8 Lucky Colour: Red Gemini Horoscope Today Ganesha says today can be a difficult day for you, as you may feel a little confused about the circumstances around you. This time will make you realize the need to find balance within yourself. There may be some upheaval in relationships, making it difficult to communicate with loved ones. You are advised to be patient; things will gradually improve. Your social life may also be affected, so try to be careful when discussing sensitive issues. If a conflict occurs, your composure will be crucial. Understanding your feelings and discussing them openly with friends or family will be beneficial. Remember that this time is allowing you to explore and express your emotional aspects. Use this time to avoid negativity and move toward positive outcomes. The path to recovery is open to you; you just need to proceed with ease and understanding. Lucky Number: 5 Lucky Colour: White Cancer Horoscope Today Ganesha says today will be a particularly good day for Cancers. This is a time to deepen your emotional connections. Your self-confidence and sensitivity will help you connect with your loved ones. You will feel a new energy and positivity in your relationships. During this time, try to express your thoughts and feelings openly. Your conversations will be magical, strengthening your relationships. Those who are single will have the opportunity to meet new people, which could open up new opportunities for love. Truth and honesty in your conversations will help increase understanding between you and those close to you. You will display a habit of compromise in your relationships during this time, which will create a sense of harmony among all. Overall, this is a very good time for your relationships, and you will feel that you can easily overcome any challenges that life throws at you. Listen to your heart and find happiness in love and relationships. Lucky Number: 7 Lucky Colour: Purple Leo Horoscope Today Ganesha says today will be a very good day overall for Leos. Your positive energy and charm will draw people to you. This is a time to strengthen your close relationships. Spending time with friends and family will bring you peace of mind and happiness. You will express your feelings clearly in conversations, which will deepen your relationships. Your self-confidence will increase, and a positive atmosphere will be created around you. As such, no challenge will be able to stop you; rather, this opportunity will serve to highlight your abilities. If you are in a new relationship, you will feel even closer. Todays energy will strengthen your spirit of working together, allowing you to spread happiness and positivity around you. Listen to your heart and try to connect with others; this is a time for building. Overall, this will be a very fun day, taking you to new heights of happiness and relationships. Lucky Number: 6 Lucky Colour: Yellow Virgo Horoscope Today Ganesha says today may be a bit difficult for you. This is a time of events that may cause you mental stress or instability. You may experience some confusion or confusion in your thoughts, making it difficult to make informed decisions. However, this is a time to cultivate more patience and tolerance. Recognize your inner strengths and move forward with understanding. Relationships may also face difficulties, but you can handle them through communication and understanding. Respect the feelings of those around you and strive to be cooperative. Maintain control during conversations and keep your emotions in check. If a problem arises, take it as an opportunity to strengthen yourself on a personal level. Today may be a difficult day, but you can learn from it and move forward. Hopefully, you will use this difficult time wisely. Lucky Number: 2 Lucky Colour: Pink Libra Horoscope Today Ganesha says today is going to be a very good day for you! Its a time to balance all the small details in your life. You will connect with others and share your thoughts and feelings, which will strengthen your relationships. Your social interactions may lead to new friendships. Your communication skills will be very effective during this time. Empathy and understanding will increase in your relationships with others, bringing happiness and peace to your personal life. Your creativity will also be at its peak during this time, allowing you to express your ideas effectively. Try to avoid negativity and foster positivity. Enjoy meaningful conversations and positive relationships. Maintain balance in your emotions by using your time wisely. This day will allow you to move forward in a new direction. Your relationships will strengthen, and you will feel happy. Lucky Number: 5 Lucky Colour: Orange Scorpio Horoscope Today Ganesha says today will be a bit challenging for Scorpios. There may be some turmoil in various aspects of your life. You may experience some instability in your relationships, which may cause you anxiety. Communication between you and your loved one may become difficult. You will be more emotionally sensitive, and small things may affect you. You should be patient and try to maintain positivity in your relationships. Instead of running away from problems, its time to face them. If there are disagreements, try to resolve them through dialogue. Your genuine feelings and support can strengthen your relationships. Remember that difficult times in life are temporary. Try spending time with your loved ones to create a positive environment. Recognize your inner strength and use it to improve your relationships. Lucky Number: 10 Lucky Colour: Blue Sagittarius Horoscope Today Ganesha says today will be a great day for you. Because you are naturally open-minded and adventurous, this time will open doors to new possibilities. The atmosphere around you will be positive, allowing you to easily spend time with friends and family. You will especially enjoy social interactions today, and your thoughts will influence others. Understanding and harmony will increase in personal relationships. If you want to share your feelings with someone, this may be helpful. Your charm and confidence will allow you to make new friends. This is also a good time to adopt new ideas and perspectives. Your efforts to express yourself will be successful, leaving you feeling satisfied. However, you should pay attention to expressing your thoughts clearly. Overall, today will be full of hope and positive thoughts for you. Lucky Number: 4 Lucky Colour: Sky Blue Capricorn Horoscope Today Ganesha says this may be a difficult day for you. You may experience mental stress and instability. You may also experience tension in personal relationships, which may cause you some anxiety. Its crucial to communicate wisely, as small things can escalate into big problems. The environment around you may make you feel isolated, but this is the time to refocus on your relationships. Sharing your feelings with loved ones can be beneficial. Remember to keep your thoughts positive. Express your thoughts clearly and try to be heard. Facing challenges will require patience and understanding. Take this time as an opportunity to strengthen your relationships and overcome difficulties. Proceed with understanding and balance. Lucky Number: 11 Lucky Colour: Navy Blue Aquarius Horoscope Today Ganesha says today will be a difficult day for Aquarius. This is a time of instability and uncertainty in your life. You may feel mentally exhausted today, which will impact your daily routine. There may also be some tension in your relationships. There may be arguments or disagreements over small matters. Therefore, its important to maintain patience and understanding. If you increase your communication with loved ones and try to resolve problems, things can improve. Maintaining positivity and controlling your emotions can be difficult. However, this is also a time for self-reflection and improvement. Your sensitivity and understanding can prove helpful during this time. Be clear with yourself and try to make positive changes in your relationships. Today may be a difficult time, but it also marks a new beginning for success. Lucky Number: 1 Lucky Colour: Green Pisces Horoscope Today Ganesha says today will be a very good and positive day for Pisces. This time will bring you much happiness and satisfaction. You will form strong emotional bonds with those around you. Spending time with friends and family will allow you to share and deepen your feelings. Your sensitivity and empathy will help you understand the problems of others, making you a good support for them. This time will bring a new energy to your relationships, strengthening mutual trust and understanding. Through conversation and communication, you will improve your relationships. If there are any old misunderstandings, this is the right time to resolve them. Overall, today will offer Pisces the opportunity to mend relationships and resolve conflicts. Follow your heart and embrace happiness. Lucky Number: 3 Lucky Colour: Dark Green (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 13, 2025, 06:00 IST News astrology Horoscope Today, December 13, 2025: Aries To Pisces, Whats In Store For You 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... Hitting The 'High Notes' In Ties: Nepal Set To Lift Ban On Indian Bills Above 100 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 01:24 IST The move is expected to provide an immediate and substantial boost to Nepals economy, particularly its tourism and hospitality sectors, which rely heavily on Indian visitors The original restrictions on high-value Indian currency were severely tightened in Nepal following the 2016 demonetisation in India, which withdrew old 500 and 1,000 notes. Representational image Nepal is preparing to officially permit the circulation of Indian currency notes above the 100 denomination, marking the end of a nearly decade-long ban that has significantly complicated cross-border travel, trade, and remittances between the two countries. The move, currently in its final stages with the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) preparing to publish the official notice, follows a crucial regulatory shift by Indias central bank. The original restrictions on high-value Indian currency were severely tightened in Nepal following the 2016 demonetisation in India, which withdrew old 500 and 1,000 notes. Even after new notes were introduced, Nepal maintained the ban on all denominations above 100 due to concerns over the smuggling of counterfeit currency and security risks. This policy forced Indian tourists and Nepali migrant workers to carry large wads of low-denomination notes, leading to financial hardship, confusion, and frequent incidents of travellers being detained or fined for inadvertent violations. Indias Regulatory Green Light The pivotal change that has allowed Nepal to reverse course came from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). In late November 2025, the RBI amended its Foreign Exchange Management Regulations, formally allowing individuals to transport higher-denomination Indian rupee notes across the border. The new rule specifies that individuals can carry Indian currency notes of any amount in denominations up to 100. Crucially, they are now permitted to carry notes above 100 up to a total value of 25,000 in either directionboth into Nepal and back into India. This amendment effectively removed the main legal constraint that previously limited the practical utility of higher-value notes for travellers. Boosting Tourism and Easing Remittances The lifting of the ban is expected to provide an immediate and substantial boost to Nepals economy, particularly its tourism and hospitality sectors, which rely heavily on Indian visitors. Businesses in border towns, casinos, and pilgrimage routes that cater to Indian tourists have been vocal in lobbying for this change, as the previous restrictions limited spending power. Furthermore, the decision is a massive relief for the estimated two million Nepali migrant workers in India, who previously faced major security risks when bringing home their earnings in small denominations. The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) spokesperson, Guru Prasad Poudel, confirmed that the process is nearing completion, stating they are preparing to publish the notice in the Nepal Gazette before issuing circulars to banks and financial institutions, ushering in a new era of smoother financial integration between the two neighbours. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 01:21 IST News business Hitting The 'High Notes' In Ties: Nepal Set To Lift Ban On Indian Bills Above 100 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... Corona Remedies IPO Listing Date: GMP Rises To 31% Ahead Of Market Debut On Monday Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 08:14 IST Ahead of the listing on Monday, the grey market premium of the Corona Remedies IPO rose to Rs 330, compared with Rs 291 earlier this week. Corona Remedies IPO GMP & Listing Date. Corona Remedies IPO GMP: As the allotment of the Corona Remedies IPO has been finalised, all eyes are now on the companys listing on the stock market on Monday, December 15. Investors can check the IPO allotment status on the websites of the BSE, the NSE, and registrar Bigshare Services. Ahead of the listing on Monday, the grey market premium of the IPO rose to Rs 330, compared with Rs 291 earlier this week. The initial public offering of pharma company Corona Remedies Ltd was open for public subscription between December 8 and December 10. It received a whopping 144.54 times subscription on the closing day of the share sale on December 10. The price band of the Rs 655.37-crore IPO was fixed in the range of Rs 1,008 to Rs 1,062. The IPO was open for public subscription between December 8 and December 10. It received a total of 144.54 times subscription, garnering bids for 62,67,60,106 shares as against 43,36,298 shares on offer. Its retail category got a 30.39x subscription, while its non-institutional investor (NII) quota got a 220.18x subscription. The QIB category received a 293.80x subscription. Corona Remedies IPO Listing Date The companys shares are scheduled to be listed on both BSE and NSE on December 15. Corona Remedies IPO GMP Today According to market observers, unlisted shares of Corona Remedies Ltd are currently trading at Rs 1,392 apiece in the grey market, against the upper IPO price of Rs 1,062. It means a grey market premium (GMP) of 31.07%, indicating a strong listing for the company. The GMP had stood at 27.4% last week. The GMP is based on market sentiments and keeps changing. Grey market premium indicates investors readiness to pay more than the issue price. Corona Remedies IPO Allotment Today: A Step-By-Step Guide To Check Status Online The Corona Remedies IPO allotment was finalised on Thursday, December 11. The allotment status can be checked online by following these steps: 1) Visit registrar Bigshare Services Pvt Ltds portal https://ipo.bigshareonline.com/ipo_status.html. 2) Under Select Company, select Corona Remedies Ltd from the drop-down. The companys name will be available in the drop-down once the allotment is finalised. 3) Under Select Selection Type, enter your application number, demat account, or permanent account number (PAN). 4) Enter Captcha 5) Then, click on the Search button. Your share application status will appear on your screen. Via the BSE 1) Go to the official BSE website via the URL https://www.bseindia.com/investors/appli_check.aspx. 2) Under Issue Type, select Equity. 3) Under Issue Name, select Corona Remedies Ltd in the drop box. 4) Enter your application number, or the Permanent Account Number (PAN). Those who want to check their allotment status via PAN can select the Permanent Account Number option. 5) Then, click on the I am not a robot to verify yourself and hit the Search option. Your share application status will appear on your screen. Corona Remedies IPO: More Details Corona Remedies on Friday mobilised Rs 195 crore from anchor investors. It has fixed a price band of Rs 1,008-1,062 per share for IPO. The companys IPO is entirely an offer for sale by promoters and existing investors. Under the OFS route, existing investors Sepia Investments, Anchor Partners, and Sage Investment Trust along with promoters, plan to offload shares. Headquartered in Ahmedabad, Corona Remedies is a pharmaceutical formulation company engaged in developing, manufacturing and marketing products in womens healthcare, cardio-diabeto, pain management, urology and other therapeutic areas. Its diversified product portfolio comprises 67 brands catering to a range of therapeutic areas as of December 2024. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 08:14 IST News business ipo Corona Remedies IPO Listing Date: GMP Rises To 31% Ahead Of Market Debut On Monday 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... KV Toys IPO Listing On Monday: GMP Indicates Robust Gain For Investors, Check Allotment Status Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 07:56 IST Ahead of the listing on Monday, the grey market premium of the KV Toys IPO has increased slightly to Rs 152 (or 63.6% premium over the issue price), compared with Rs 151 on Friday. K.V. Toys India IPO Listing Date. KV Toys IPO GMP Today: The allotment of the KV Toys IPO has been finalised and the investors can now check the allotment status online on the websites of the BSE as well as registrar Purva Sharegistry India. Now, all eyes are on its listing on the stock exchange. Ahead of the listing on Monday, the grey market premium of the IPO has increased slightly to Rs 152 (or 63.6% premium over the issue price), compared with Rs 151 on Friday. The initial public offering of K V Toys India Ltd, which was open between December 8 and December 10, received a whopping 352.63 times subscription. Its retail investors category received a 376.41x subscription, while its non-institutional investors (NII) got a 505.19x subscription. The QIB category garnered 193.25x bids. The price band of this Rs 40-crore BSE SME IPO was fixed in the range of Rs 227 to Rs 239. K. V. Toys India Ltd, which was incorporated in 2009, is engaged in the business of contract manufacturing and sale of plastic-moulded and metal-based toys for children, covering both educational and recreational segments. KV Toys IPO Listing Date The shares of KV Toys India Ltd will be listed on December 15 on the BSEs SME platform. KV Toys IPO GMP Today According to market observers, unlisted shares of KV Toys India Ltd are currently trading at Rs 391 apiece in the grey market, against the upper IPO price of Rs 239. It means a grey market premium (GMP) of Rs 152 or 63.18%, indicating robust listing gains for investors. The GMP had stood at 60.6% on Thursday and 50.21% last week. The GMP is based on market sentiments and keeps changing. Grey market premium indicates investors readiness to pay more than the issue price. KV Toys IPO Allotment Today: A Step-By-Step Guide To Check Status Online The KV Toys IPO allotment has been finalised. The allotment status can be checked online by following these steps: 1) Visit registrar Purva Sharegistry Indias portal https://www.purvashare.com/investor-service/ipo-query. 2) Under Select Company, select K.V. Toys India Limited from the drop-down. 3) Enter your application number or permanent account number (PAN). 4) Then, click on the Search button. Your share application status will appear on your screen. Via the BSE 1) Go to the official BSE website via the URL https://www.bseindia.com/investors/appli_check.aspx. 2) Under Issue Type, select Equity. 3) Under Issue Name, select K.V. Toys India Limited in the drop box. 4) Enter your application number, or the Permanent Account Number (PAN). Those who want to check their allotment status via PAN can select the Permanent Account Number option. 5) Then, click on the I am not a robot to verify yourself and hit the Search option. Your share application status will appear on your screen. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 07:56 IST News business ipo KV Toys IPO Listing On Monday: GMP Indicates Robust Gain For Investors, Check Allotment Status Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Delhi Govt Introduces Act To Regulate Private School Fees Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 11:51 IST Private unaided recognised schools in Delhi can only charge fees for specific categories such as registration, admission, tuition, annual charges, and development fees. Schools are required to disclose fee components and maintain separate accounts for each category. (Representative image/PTI) The Delhi government has established the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fee) Act, 2025, which regulates private school fees. Approved by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and announced on Wednesday, this Act was passed by the Assembly four months ago. This Act sets forth rules regarding permissible fee categories, accounting standards, and limits on extra charges while banning capitation fees and any collections beyond legal allowances. Schools must clearly disclose fee components and maintain separate accounts for each category, reported PTI. Private unaided recognised schools can charge fees only for categories such as registration, admission, tuition, annual charges, and development fees. Registration fees are capped at Rs 25, admission charges at Rs 200, and caution money at Rs 500, which is refundable with interest. Development fees cannot exceed 10 per cent of the annual tuition fee. Service charges must be collected on a no-profit, no-loss basis and cannot be imposed on students who do not use the service. Any fee not explicitly sanctioned by the Act is deemed an unjustified fee demand," and capitation fees in any form are strictly prohibited. Schools must follow transparent accounting practices, maintain fixed asset registers, and ensure proper provisioning for employee benefits. Transferring student-collected funds to another legal entity, including the schools managing society or trust, is prohibited. Surplus funds must be either refunded or adjusted against future fees. Introduced in the Delhi Assembly as the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025, the government praised it as a historic" move to curb arbitrary fee hikes and relieve the financial burden on parents. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Education Minister Ashish Sood presented the bill in September after widespread complaints from parents about fee hikes by several private schools at the beginning of the academic session. Today marks a golden day in Delhis education system. For the first time in 27 years, a historic bill will be introduced under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta," Sood remarked before its introduction. The legislation applies to all private unaided schools, including minority institutions and those not built on government-allotted land. It also prevents schools from taking punitive actions against students for unpaid or delayed fees, such as withholding results, removing names, or denying class entry. A key feature of the Act is the annual School-Level Fee Regulation Committee, which each school must form by July 15 every year. This committee will include five parents selected by lot from the parent-teacher association, with mandatory representation of women and members from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and socially and educationally backward classes. A representative from the Directorate of Education will also be part of the committee, while the chairperson will be from the school management. Schools must submit their proposed fee structure to the committee by July 31. The committee can approve or reduce the proposed fees but cannot increase them. Once approved, the fee structure will remain fixed for the next three academic years. The final fee structure must be displayed on the school notice board in Hindi, English, and the medium of instruction and uploaded on the schools website, if applicable. The committee will also specify the categories under which schools can charge fees, ensuring uniformity and transparency in the process. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 11:51 IST News education-career Delhi Govt Introduces Act To Regulate Private School Fees 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... IIM Mumbai Launches 4-Year UG Programme In Digital Science And Business Management Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 18:49 IST This course aims to provide Indian youth with the advanced digital and managerial skills essential for the future job market, IIM Mumbai said. The UG course will be conducted at IIM Mumbai's Pune campus. Following the example of IIM Bangalore, IIM Mumbai has introduced undergraduate programmes. The institute now offers a four-year Bachelors programme in Digital Science and Business Management. This course aims to provide Indian youth with the advanced digital and managerial skills essential for the future job market, the IIM stated. The curriculum integrates emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Internet of Things, and Robotics with core management areas like Operations, Marketing, Finance, and Manufacturing. The programme has been designed in full alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP), offering flexibility through multiple entry and exit options, thus making it inclusive and future-oriented. Conceptualised with leading knowledge partners such as C4i4 and several industry collaborators, the programme integrates strong practical and experiential components. IIM Mumbai is also engaging with Accenture Strategy to incorporate internship-based learning and real-life industry applications, ensuring students gain hands-on exposure to contemporary digital business challenges," states the official notice. Discussions are further underway with IMT France to explore international collaboration, offering students global perspectives and opportunities for academic enrichment. Designed in full alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP), the programme offers flexibility through multiple entry and exit options, making it both inclusive and future-oriented," it added. Course To Be Offered In Pune Campus The undergraduate programme will be offered from IIM Mumbais Pune campus, which will function as an extension of the main campus. The Pune Municipal Corporation has agreed to provide a building for this purpose, which will be renovated to meet operational and academic standards. This facility will accommodate teaching and academic activities related to the undergraduate programme. IIM Mumbai stated that the Pune campus would help the institute expand access to quality undergraduate education while maintaining its academic standards and institutional values. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 18:49 IST News education-career IIM Mumbai Launches 4-Year UG Programme In Digital Science And Business Management 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... UGC, AICTE To Be Abolished? Bill Approved To Establish Single Higher Education Regulator Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 09:56 IST The new commission will oversee regulation, accreditation, and setting professional standards, but medical and law colleges will not fall under its purview. Initially named the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, it is now called the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill. (AI Generated Image) The Union Cabinet has approved a bill to establish a single higher education regulator that will replace existing bodies such as the UGC and AICTE. Initially named the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, it is now called the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill. This new regulatory body, proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP), aims to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). The new commission will oversee regulation, accreditation, and setting professional standards, but medical and law colleges will not fall under its purview. Funding, considered a fourth vertical, will remain with the administrative ministry. The bill to set up Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan has been approved by the Cabinet," an official told PTI. In 2018, the government introduced a draft HECI Bill for public review, proposing to replace the UGC Act with a new regulatory framework. Though the draft did not progress, the idea persisted. It gained momentum again in 2021 when Dharmendra Pradhan became the Union Education Minister, with efforts continuing in alignment with the National Education Policy. What Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan May Look Like? Officials familiar with the draft indicate that the body will likely follow the NEP 2020s recommended structure, operating through four verticals: National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC) Primary regulator National Accreditation Council (NAC) Accreditation and quality benchmarks General Education Council (GEC) Academic frameworks and learning outcomes Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) Funding norms The NEP-2020 emphasises the necessity of overhauling the regulatory framework to enhance the functioning of universities and colleges. It suggests distinct bodies for regulation, accreditation, funding, and academic standards, each with well-defined roles. Lawmakers are expected to scrutinise proposed changes, determining how this long-discussed reform should proceed and its potential impact on the future of the higher education system. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 09:56 IST News education-career UGC, AICTE To Be Abolished? Bill Approved To Establish Single Higher Education Regulator 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... Major Study Visa Rule Changes In UK, US, Canada, Australia And Other Countries In 2025 Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 17:48 IST Several countries have introduced changes to their visa policies this year. Lets explore what these changes are and how they could impact Indian students. Visa rules in UK and US became stricter this year. (Representational image/File) Every year, millions of Indian students dream of pursuing higher studies abroad. However, many have to put their plans on hold due to sudden changes in visa rules and regulations. Countries like the US, UK, Canada and Australia have long been top destinations for Indian students. Recently, these countries have introduced changes to their visa policies. Lets explore what these changes are and how they could impact Indian students. United Kingdom The United Kingdom decided to make some changes in the Graduate Route visa that is offered to international students. The new changes will allow them to stay back in the country for a limited period of time so that they can find full time jobs with the local companies. In 2025, the UK government announced a reduction in the Graduate Route visas validity, cutting it from two years (25 months) to 18 months (1.5 years). However, this change will only apply to applications submitted on or after January 1, 2027. In addition, visa fees have been increased, and the rules regarding bringing dependents to the country have become stricter. United States of America Several changes to the US study visa are under consideration and may be implemented next year. The government plans to replace the long-standing duration of status model, tying visa validity directly to the academic programmes length. Proposed rules also include stricter background checks and limits on visa duration. The Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme could face major changes or even discontinuation, requiring students, especially PhD and research scholars, to apply for extensions through USCIS, increasing paperwork and potential delays. Additionally, personal social media checks and overall visa scrutiny are expected to increase under the current administration. Canada Canada hasnt made any major changes in student visas this year. The 20262028 Immigration Levels Plan, aims to welcome around 155,000 new students, which is nearly 49 per cent less than the previous years numbers. In October 2025, Canada increased the time for global students to work off campus, up to 24 hours per week during regular school terms or semesters, and without a work permit. Australia With the rise in international students and immigrants, the Australian government aims to ease pressure on universities, housing and local resources by tightening visa processing. Priority will be given to institutions managing student numbers carefully, with stricter assessments and greater transparency for genuine applicants. New Zealand Under the International Education Going for Growth Plan, New Zealand has updated its immigration policies to attract more international students. Eligible tertiary and secondary students can now work up to 25 hours per week during studies, up from 20 hours. Full-time work remains allowed during scheduled breaks, and students on approved exchange or study-abroad programmes, including one-semester courses, also gain extended in-study work rights. Denmark The Danish government plans to tighten student visa rules to prevent misuse as a route into the labor market. Universities may strengthen entry requirements for masters programmes, including entrance or language tests. Cheating will face stricter penalties, family sponsorship will be limited, and the post-graduation job search period will be shortened. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 17:48 IST News education-career Major Study Visa Rule Changes In UK, US, Canada, Australia And Other Countries In 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... Trouble For Gopi, Opportunity For Tharoor: What Kerala Local Body Results Really Reveal Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 14:44 IST The 2025 local body polls in Kerala are clearly a stark contrast of loud failures and subtle wins and smart politicking Rapid Read BJP's Suresh Gopi (Left) and Congress' Shashi Tharoor (Right). The Kerala local body election results are no doubt a portend of the massive anti-incumbency that is gripping the Pinarayi Vijayan government, which has benefited both UDF and NDA. However, a more compelling story it tells is that of two state MPs who have consistently shown a willingness to act on their own political instincts regardless of party lines. It tells two different stories for Thrissurs firebrand actor-MP Suresh Gopi and Thiruvananthapurams suave diplomat-turned-MP Shashi Tharoor. Gopis aggressive campaigns and bluster have clearly failed to deliver BJP gains in Thrissur district. Though BJPs huge advances in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation signal good news for Tharoor amidst his not-so-subtle flirtations with the saffron party. Thrissur Rejects Bluster When Gopi stormed into Parliament, winning the cultural capital of Kerala in 2024, he had all the swagger of a heavyweight celebrity. He exuded the confidence of the man who had delivered the BJPs first Lok Sabha win in the state. He promised to turn Thrissur saffron. And indeed, he did. The BJPs campaign was most visible in the temple town. A road trip through the district ahead of the local body elections showed a massive number of posters and hoardings for even candidates contesting small panchayat wards. Gopis Kalunku Sabhas, or outreach programmes, were pipped to make further inroads among voters but turned controversial and confrontational and earned him bad repute. But Gopis boastful forecasts and theatrics have clearly not worked for the local voters. The UDFs resurgence in wards across panchayats and the corporation suggests voters have rebuffed his swagger in favour of candidates who have stayed grounded in local concerns. The BJP was relegated to the third place in the Thrissur Corporation. The NDA had not won a single village panchayat in the district till the time of publication of the report. It did not help that Gopi was embroiled in controversy over his voting status in Thrissur just days before the local body elections. Gopis bluster worked once, but it hasnt built durable trust in him as a credible leader when it comes to bread-and-butter issues. In his theatrical style, Gopi has been complaining of loss of income as an actor since he became a Union minister, and had indicated he wanted to quit. It will be interesting to see if this abysmal result in Thrissur will make his wish come true. A Capital Shift Down south, its a completely different story for the BJP. The massive mandate in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is a big, big win for the saffron party and its state president, Rajeev Chandrashekhar. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Chandrashekhar had lost the Thiruvananthapuram seat to Tharoor in a closely fought battle. But it might be a loss that he does not regret for too long. Tharoor has for long been making overtures to the BJP for over a year. From praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi to skipping Rahul Gandhis meetings in a row, he has clearly signalled that he is keeping options open. He has also been clearly fuelling speculations that he is considering jumping ship. A recent example is a rumour spread just before local body polling by his own fans that he is being considered by the Centre for an award named after Veer Savarkar. Tharoor promptly denied it after casting his vote in Thiruvananthapuram. But the message for the BJP voters had been conveyed. A four-time MP, Tharoor knows that his parliamentary run will not last long. Tharoor has long been eyeing a bigger role in the state, which has been opposed by his party colleagues in the Congress, who see him as an outsider. So far, the Congress high command has been hesitant to act against Tharoor for his overtures to BJP. But now with a major resurgence of the UDF seen in local body elections, it is feasible that calls for action against Tharoor will become louder in the state unit. In such a situation, the BJPs sweep in Thiruvananthapuram lends confidence. If the Congress acts against him, he may be happy to part ways of his own volition, forcing a parliamentary by-election in Thiruvananthapuram. It will be possibly held along with the state assembly elections. Since Tharoor wants a more visible role, it is also not infeasible that BJP would be happy extending either a Lok Sabha ticket or an assembly ticket for him. If a parliamentary by-election happens, the BJP will face it with an upper hand. In a city like Thiruvananthapuram, where Congress and the Left have traditionally been strong, the BJP doing so well locally has big ramifications for the upcoming 2026 assembly elections. In earlier state elections, the BJP had pinned hope only on the Nemom assembly constituency. But now the seats of Nemom, Thiruvananthapuram, Vattiyooukavu, and Kazhakoottam are all in play. If indeed Tharoor is persuaded to contest from any of these assembly seats, it would only be fitting that he make way for the man he defeated, Rajeev Chandrashekhar, to become the BJPs candidate for a parliamentary by-election that will be held. The 2025 local body polls in Kerala are clearly a stark contrast of loud failures and subtle wins and smart politicking. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Thiruvananthapuram, India, India First Published: December 13, 2025, 13:42 IST News elections Trouble For Gopi, Opportunity For Tharoor: What Kerala Local Body Results Really Reveal 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... NAIROBI, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) concluded late Friday with the adoption of eleven resolutions, three decisions and a ministerial declaration to advance the resilience of the planet and its inhabitants. Adopted through consensus, the resolutions seek to boost the conservation of coral reefs, the sound management of minerals and metals essential to the energy transition, circularity, and the reduction of the ecological footprint of artificial intelligence. In addition, delegates pledged to promote international cooperation to combat wildfires, strengthen the environmental dimension of antimicrobial resistance, protect glaciers, and address seaweed blooms. UNEA-7 President Abdullah Bin Ali Al-Amri said the impact of these resolutions will be felt by communities if they lead to cleaner air and water, restored ecosystems, and the unlocking of green jobs. The world's highest decision-making body on the environment, the UNEA comprises 193 UN member states and meets biennially to set priorities for the global environmental agenda. This year's edition, which took place against a backdrop of geopolitical headwinds, resolved to strengthen multilateral environmental agreements and frameworks to advance an inclusive green agenda. Inger Andersen, the executive director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), said that UNEA-7 set the stage for revitalized action on the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature loss, pollution and waste. "We must hurry down this path to make good on our collective promise to deliver real solutions for a resilient planet and resilient people," Andersen said. Matthew Samuda, Jamaica's minister of water, environment and climate change, was elected as the president of UNEA-8, which will be held in December, 2027, at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi. "We must work to strengthen the science-policy interface, scale up financing for adaptation and resilience, and accelerate the transition to sustainable production and consumption systems," he said. Why Impeachment Motion Against Justice Swaminathan Is Weak: The Deepam Row, Process & Law Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 07:00 IST Impeachment Motion Against Justice Swaminathan: Can a high court judge be impeached? What is the procedure? Rapid Read The DMK has moved an impeachment motion against Justice GR Swaminathan. (Image: hcmadras.tn.nic.in & PTI) Justice GR Swaminathan, the Madras High Court (HC) judge who allowed the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp atop Thirupparankundram hills, is facing an impeachment motion. Can a high court judge be impeached? What is the procedure? What is the controversy involving Justice GR Swaminathan? The motion stemmed from Swaminathans December 2025 order permitting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp on the Deepathoon pillar atop the hill at the Thirupparankundram Subramaniaswamy hill a site also housing a 14th-century dargah. The judge emphasised the need to assert possession over temple property. When the temple did not comply with the order, the court subsequently directed that the lamp be lit on the upper pillar as well. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its allies argued this order undermined a 2017 bench ruling that disallowed court interference in temple rituals, and claimed the judges decision risks communal tension, particularly with Assembly elections less than six months away. The developments triggered tense scenes as crowds attempted to climb the hill, prompting authorities to impose restrictions on gatherings. Appeals by the state were rejected by a High Court division bench, after which the Tamil Nadu government moved the Supreme Court. The apex court has admitted the states plea but has not yet fixed a date for hearing. Why the impeachment motion? Earlier this week, 107 INDIA bloc MPs, led by the DMK, submitted a notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking the impeachment of Justice Swaminathan. Copies of the notice were also sent to President Droupadi Murmu and the Chief Justice of India. The delegation included Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, DMK leaders T R Baalu and Kanimozhi, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, among others. The Opposition has accused him of allegedly favouring senior advocate M Sricharan Ranganathan in a series of cases, a charge the advocate has denied. The impeachment notice, submitted by INDIA bloc MPs, accused Justice Swaminathan of conduct that allegedly raises serious questions regarding impartiality, transparency, and the secular functioning of the judiciary". Ranganathan has rejected the allegations in his statement, arguing that the motion selectively reads court data and deploys identity-based insinuations to attack both the judge and counsel. The move was criticised by Home Minister Amit Shah, who accused the Opposition of appeasement politics", saying it was unprecedented for a judge to face impeachment over a judicial ruling. Fifty-six former judges on Friday wrote an open letter, opposing the impeachment notice against Madras High Court judge Justice GR Swaminathan. In their statement, the former judges described the impeachment move as a brazen attempt" to browbeat judges" who do not align with the ideological or political expectations of a particular section of society. What is the procedure for impeachment of a high court judge? The procedure is governed by the Constitution of India and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. Under the Constitution, a judge can be removed only on grounds of proven misbehaviour or incapacity, through a motion passed by both Houses of Parliament. What does the Constitution say? The Constitution states that a judge shall not be removed except by an order of the President, passed after an address by each House of Parliament, supported by: A majority of the total membership of that House and A majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting. This address must be presented to the President during the same parliamentary session. What does the Judges (Inquiry) Act say? The Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 outlines the detailed procedure for the removal of a High Court judge and the process by which Parliament may present an address to the President. What is the procedure under the Judges (Inquiry) Act? 1. Notice of motion in Parliament: A notice must be given in either House of Parliament, signed by: At least 100 members in the Lok Sabha, or At least 50 members in the Rajya Sabha. Notice to be submitted to the Speaker (Lok Sabha) or the Chairman (Rajya Sabha). They may consult individuals and materials as they deem fit before deciding to admit or reject the motion. 2. Constitution of a three-member committee: If the motion is admitted, it is kept pending while a three-member committee is constituted to investigate the charges. This committee will include: A Supreme Court judge (which may include the Chief Justice), A Chief Justice of a High Court, A distinguished jurist. If notices are submitted on the same day in both Houses, a joint committee will be constituted by the Speaker and the Chairman. If notices are submitted on different dates, the later notice is deemed rejected. What does the committee do? These are the next steps in Parliament: If the judge is found not guilty: No further steps are taken. The pending motion is dropped. If the judge is found guilty: The motion, along with the committee report, is considered by the House(s) in which it is pending. If both Houses adopt the motion with the required majorities, the misbehaviour or incapacity of the judge is deemed proven. An address for the judges removal is then presented to the President in the same session. Why the impeachment motion against Justice Swaminathan is weak Judicial ruling of the judge wouldnt count as misbehaviour: Impeachment in India is constitutionally limited to proved misbehaviour or incapacity", and neither the Constitution nor the Judges (Inquiry) Act treats mere judicial error, controversial reasoning, or unpopular orders as misbehaviour". The claims in the motion arent backed with cogent evidence. The same might not pass the high standards prescribed under the Judges Inquiry Act. Vague assertions about impartiality", transparency" or secular functioning" of the court, without specific, verifiable instances of abuse of office, typically fall short of this stringent standard and are treated as attacks on judicial philosophy rather than impeachable offences. Motion might not pass Speakers gatekeeping if it doesnt disclose specific instances The Speaker can refuse to admit an impeachment motion at the threshold if it does not disclose specific instances that, if proved, would amount to misbehaviour or incapacity. Impeachment isnt an option to set aside the judgment of a judge Impeachment motion cannot become a tool to get the judgment of a judge set aside, there are tools and remedies available in law. Impeachment is not a back-door appeal" mechanism; it targets a judges integrity or capacity, not the correctness of a judgment, which can only be set aside through the appellate and review process within the judiciary. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 07:00 IST News explainers Why Impeachment Motion Against Justice Swaminathan Is Weak: The Deepam Row, Process & Law Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Why The Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire Brokered By Trump Did Not Hold Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 16:23 IST Despite Trumps claim that he had secured a fresh ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, fighting along their disputed border has continued. US President Donald Trump (R) claps as Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (2nd L) shakes hands with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (2nd R) as Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a ceremonial signing of a ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand on the sidelines of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur. (IMAGE: AFP) Fighting continued along the ThailandCambodia border on Saturday morning, hours after US President Donald Trump, acting as a mediator, declared that he had secured a ceasefire between the two countries. Trump on Friday wrote on Truth Social that he had spoken to Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and that both sides had agreed to cease all shooting effective this evening" and return to a peace agreement formalised in October. The reality on the ground, however, told a different story. Thailands foreign ministry explicitly disputed Trumps claim that a ceasefire had been agreed, while Prime Minister Charnvirakul said any halt in fighting would depend on Cambodia first ceasing its attacks. Cambodia did not confirm any truce either; instead, its defence ministry said Thai jets had carried out airstrikes on Saturday morning. Cambodian media reported Trumps announcement without elaboration, even as clashes continued across multiple points along the border. The episode has exposed the fragile nature of the July ceasefire that Trump had previously promoted as a diplomatic breakthrough, and highlighted why renewed fighting in December has come as little surprise to those tracking the dispute. What Triggered The Latest Fighting In December The current escalation was triggered by a skirmish on December 7, when two Thai soldiers were wounded in a disputed border area. Thailand said its engineering team, working on an access road, came under fire from Cambodian troops. The incident collapsed an already fragile ceasefire brokered in July and led to a renewed spread of fighting along multiple stretches of the border. Within days, artillery fire, rocket attacks and airstrikes were reported at multiple points along the ThailandCambodia border. Villages in affected areas were evacuated for the second time in five months, with hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced on both sides. About two dozen people have been officially reported killed in the latest round of fighting, with Thailand acknowledging the deaths of 11 of its soldiers and claiming significantly higher Cambodian military losses. Cambodia has not released military casualty figures but has said at least 11 civilians were killed and dozens wounded. Why The July Trump-Brokered Ceasefire Was Always Fragile The ceasefire Trump helped push through in July brought an end to five days of fighting between Thailand and Cambodia. The clashes were described by regional observers as the worst between the two countries in more than a decade. The truce was brokered by Malaysia but driven by strong pressure from Washington. At the time, both countries were facing an imminent deadline to negotiate lower tariff rates on key exports to the United States. Trump threatened to withhold trade privileges unless both sides agreed to halt hostilities. Under that pressure, Thailand and Cambodia signed on to a ceasefire, which was later formalised in October at a regional meeting in Malaysia that Trump attended. But the deal papered over deep mistrust rather than resolving it. Thailand was deeply uneasy about internationalising what it sees as a bilateral border issue and only accepted the ceasefire under economic duress. Cambodia, the smaller of the two militaries, welcomed outside mediation, believing it was disadvantaged in direct talks with Bangkok. That fundamental divergence meant the ceasefire rested more on external pressure than genuine reconciliation. A Border Dispute With Deep Historical Roots The ThailandCambodia land border stretches more than 817 kilometres and has been contested for over a century. Much of the dispute dates back to colonial-era maps drawn by France in 1907, when Cambodia was under French rule. Those maps left ambiguities that both countries have interpreted in their favour ever since. While the disputed areas are often small and sparsely populated, they carry immense symbolic value. Both militaries frame the conflict as a defence of national sovereignty, making compromise politically costly. Tensions worsened sharply in 2025. In May, clashes that killed a Cambodian soldier sparked nationalist backlash on both sides. Thailand imposed strict border restrictions, while Cambodia retaliated by banning Thai films and restricting imports of Thai goods. Why Trust Has Completely Broken Down Since July, trust between the two sides has eroded further. Thailand has accused Cambodia of laying new landmines in disputed areas, alleging that at least seven Thai soldiers have lost limbs as a result. Thai authorities say they have presented evidence of these violations and cite them as proof of Cambodian bad faith. Cambodia denies wrongdoing but has continued to engage Thai forces along the border. Thailand, in response, has refused to release 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during the July fighting. The Thai military now says any ceasefire is meaningless unless Cambodia first withdraws its forces and ends the use of landmines, conditions that Phnom Penh has not publicly accepted. Domestic Politics And Hardening Positions Domestic political pressures have also fuelled the renewed fighting. Thai PM Charnvirakul heads a fragile political setup and dissolved Parliament on Friday to pave the way for early elections next year. Amid this instability, he has effectively given the military a free hand to manage the border conflict. Thai commanders say their objective is to inflict sufficient damage on Cambodian forces to ensure they cannot threaten border communities again. They also want to seize strategic hilltop positions that would give Thailand a military advantage in any future clashes. In Cambodia, PM Hun Manet governs under the long shadow of his father, former leader Hun Sen. Hun Sens decision earlier this year to leak a confidential phone conversation with Thailands then prime minister inflamed tensions and triggered political fallout in Bangkok. Many in Thailand now believe Cambodia has interfered in their domestic politics, further hardening public opinion against compromise. Why Trumps Latest Claim Failed To Hold Trumps latest ceasefire announcement came after midnight in Bangkok, following phone calls with both leaders. But Thai officials later clarified that Anutin had merely explained Thailands position, not agreed to halt fighting unconditionally. Cambodias response was equally cautious, thanking Trump and Malaysias prime minister for their efforts without mentioning any ceasefire. On the battlefield, Thailand has continued airstrikes on what it says are strictly military targets, while Cambodia has fired thousands of BM-21 rockets. These rockets are notoriously inaccurate and have landed in civilian areas despite evacuations, injuring non-combatants and deepening public anger. A Conflict That Refuses To End For now, Thailand says it is not ready for diplomacy. Cambodia, Bangkok insists, must first demonstrate sincerity, beginning with a verifiable end to landmine use. Cambodia, meanwhile, continues to seek international engagement, portraying itself as the weaker party facing a more powerful neighbour. Trump may yet attempt to bang heads together" again, as he did in July. But as the past few months have shown, another ceasefire on paper may only delay the next round of fighting. Until the underlying mistrust is addressed, the ThailandCambodia border dispute looks set to remain one that simply will not die. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 16:16 IST News explainers Why The Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire Brokered By Trump Did Not Hold 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... Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran-Pratishtha's 2nd Anniversary Will Be Celebrated On This Date Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 21:06 IST Ram Mandir Second Anniversary: Rituals for the celebration will begin on December 27, including the worship of the flags to be hoisted. Rapid Read Defence minister Rajnath Singh and chief minister Yogi Adityanath are likely to be the chief guests at the Pratishtha Dwadashi ceremony. Ram Mandir 2nd Anniversary: The second anniversary of the pran-pratishtha of Lord Ram Lalla in Ayodhyas Ram Janmabhoomi Temple will be celebrated on December 31, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust said. With much pomp and grandeur, the 51-inch-tall idol of Ram Lalla was consecrated in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024. However, the pran-pratishtha anniversary is being celebrated according to the Hindu calendar. There is a tradition in Hinduism to celebrate all festivals according to Hindu dates. According to the Hindu calendar, the consecration ceremony took place on Paush Shukla Paksh Dwadshi, also known as Kurma Dwadashi (12th day in the full moon cycle of Paush month). This date falls on December 31, 2025, so it has been decided to follow the Hindu calendar and celebrate the pran-pratishtha ceremony on December 31 as Prathistha Dwadshi. Meanwhile, the first anniversary of the mega event was celebrated on January 11 earlier this year. As per the temple trust, flag hoisting ceremonies are planned on the spires of seven sub-temples dedicated to Shiva, Surya, Ganpati, Hanumana, Bhagwati, Annapurna and Sheshavatara in the temple complex. As per trust officials, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are likely to attend the December 31 ceremony as chief guests. Both leaders may jointly hoist the flags on the spires of all seven sub-temples, they added. A meeting was held today to finalise the programme for Pratishtha Dwadashi celebrations. The trust, in a post on X, said that all events would be held at Angad Tila. As part of the celebrations, a Ram Katha will be organised, while a mandal puja and a musical, uninterrupted recitation of the Ramcharitmanas will be held at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple from December 27 to 31. pic.twitter.com/vAyVgTag9N Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra (@ShriRamTeerth) December 13, 2025 Cultural programmes will include bhajan sandhyas by renowned singers Anup Jalota, Suresh Wadkar and Tripti Shakya, along with a Kathak dance drama and other performances. A poets meet will also be organised to recite verses in praise of Lord Ram. Rituals for the celebration will begin on December 27, including the worship of the flags to be hoisted. The designs for these flags have already been finalised. Last month, PM Modi ceremonially hoisted a saffron flag on the spire of the temple, marking the completion of its construction. The special saffron flag 22 feet by 11 feet is made of durable parachute fabric and silk threads and was mounted on a 42-foot pole at the 161-foot spire using a 360-degree rotating mechanism. The triangular flag features symbols such as the Sun, Om, and the Kovidar tree. Ram Janmabhoomi Temple The temple, constructed in the traditional Nagara style, has a length (east-west) of 380 feet, a width of 250 feet, and a height of 161 feet. The sanctum sanctorum houses the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram (the idol of Shri Ram Lalla), while on the first floor, there is Shri Ram Darbar. Supported by a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors, the Mandir is three-storied, with each floor being 20 feet tall. The temple complex features 87 intricately carved stone episodes from the life of Lord Ram based on the Valmiki Ramayana on the outer walls of the main shrine, with 79 bronze-cast episodes from Indian culture placed along the enclosure walls. Seven mandapas, namely those of Maharishi Valmiki, Vashishtha, Vishwamitra, Maharishi Agastya, Nishadraj, Shabari, and Rishis wife Ahilya, have also been constructed, along with the completion of Maharshi Tulsi Das temple. (With inputs from PTI) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Ayodhya, India, India First Published: December 13, 2025, 18:45 IST News india Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran-Pratishtha's 2nd Anniversary Will Be Celebrated On This Date 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... Big Boost For Srikakulam Weavers As Andhras Ponduru Khadi Gets GI Tag Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 14:59 IST Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu described the GI tag as a long-cherished dream coming true. GI Tag for Andhras Ponduru Khadi (Representative Image) Ponduru Khadi, a famous handspun and handwoven cotton fabric from Andhra Pradesh, has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Known locally as Patnulu, Ponduru Khadi is produced in Ponduru village in Srikakulam district and is valued for its fine texture and natural weaving process. The GI tag is expected to protect the fabric from imitation and ensure that only genuine Ponduru Khadi is sold under its name. It also aims to improve the livelihoods of local weavers by giving the product wider recognition and better market access. Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu described the GI tag as a long-cherished dream coming true. In a post on X, he said the recognition would protect Ponduru Khadis unique identity, promote sustainable growth, and create new opportunities for artisans. He dedicated the honour to the skilled weavers who have preserved the craft through generations. According to the minister, their hard work, resilience and devotion have kept this traditional art alive and helped make Srikakulam a symbol of heritage and pride. Support from the centre and state The Union Minister also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his continued efforts to promote local and traditional products across the country. He said such initiatives have strengthened Indias rich cultural heritage and encouraged artisans. He further expressed gratitude to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for his consistent support in promoting Ponduru Khadi. The backing from both the Centre and the state has played a key role in achieving this milestone. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Andhra Pradesh, India, India First Published: December 13, 2025, 14:58 IST News india Big Boost For Srikakulam Weavers As Andhras Ponduru Khadi Gets GI Tag 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... Goats Seen Eating Mid-Day Meal Alongside Children In Madhya Pradesh School, Probe Ordered Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 23:09 IST The viral video showed children seated on the floor and eating their midday meal while goats feed from plates placed next to them, consuming the same food. The incident occurred at Sehra Tola of Kothi village in the tribal-dominated Dhimarkheda tehsil. (X) A video showing goats feeding alongside children during the midday meal at an anganwadi centre in Madhya Pradeshs Katni district went viral on social media platforms, prompting authorities to order an inquiry into the incident. The incident occurred at Sehra Tola of Kothi village in the tribal-dominated Dhimarkheda tehsil, where the anganwadi centre (government-run pre-nursery centre) is being run from a private, dilapidated building for want of a government school, news agency PTI reported. The viral video showed children seated on the floor and eating their midday meal while goats feed from plates placed next to them, consuming the same food. Neither the anganwadi worker nor the assistant is visible in the footage. Chief Executive Officer of the district panchayat Harsimranpreet Kaur told PTI that she came to know about the incident on Friday and ordered an inquiry. Programme officer of the Women and Child Development Department Vanshree Kurveti said show-cause notices were issued to supervisor Anita Pradhan and anganwadi worker Meena Baiga. The report is likely to be received by tomorrow, and strict action will be taken against whoever is found guilty," she said. Last month, another video went viral on social media, showing underprivileged children at a government school in Madhya Pradesh being served their mid-day meal on scrap paper lying on the ground. The footage showed children sitting on the floor of the school compound in Madhya Pradeshs Sheopur district with no shelter, and their meal was served on pieces of paper that were spread on the ground. No tea Local reports indicated that negligence in serving mid-day meals in the school was a frequent occurrence, with students receiving improper food or sometimes having no plates to eat from. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Katni, India, India First Published: December 13, 2025, 23:09 IST News india Goats Seen Eating Mid-Day Meal Alongside Children In Madhya Pradesh School, Probe Ordered 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 In Talks With Mexico Over 50% Tariff Hike, Warns Of 'Appropriate Measures': Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 22:05 IST India and Mexico are looking to start negotiations for a free trade agreement as the latter hiked tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, which is expected to impact auto exports. Rapid Read Mexico announced tariffs on countries it does not a trade deal with, including India. (Reuters/File) After Mexico unilaterally imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, mirroring a similar move by the United States, India has cautioned that it may take appropriate steps to protect the interests of its exporters, according to an official. Earlier this week, Mexico approved a new tariff regime that raises import duties on goods coming from countries with which it does not have a free trade agreement (FTA), including India, China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia. The Senate cleared the measures for implementation from January 1, 2026. An official told news agency PTI that India is engaged with Mexico to find mutually beneficial solutions after its decision to raise tariffs, even though New Delhi reserves the right to take appropriate measures to safeguard the interests of its exporters. India values its partnership with Mexico and stands ready to work collaboratively toward a stable and balanced trade environment that benefits businesses and consumers in both countries," the official added. India-Mexico FTA Soon? The Embassy of India in Mexico also raised the issue with Mexicos Ministry of Economy on September 30, 2025, itself, seeking special concessions to shield Indian exports from the new tariffs. The Department of Commerce is engaged with Mexicos Ministry of Economy to explore mutually beneficial solutions which align with global trade rules," the official said. Furthermore, both countries are looking to start negotiations for a free trade agreement, and terms of reference (ToR) to initiate the talks formally are expected to be finalised soon. This is expected to help insulate Indian companies from these tariffs. A high-level meeting in this regard between Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Mexicos Vice Minister of Economy Luis Rosendo has already taken place and follow on technical meetings are expected soon. India reserves the right to take appropriate measures to safeguard the interests of Indian exporters, while continuing to pursue a solution through constructive dialogue," the official told PTI, adding that the actual impact of these tariffs on Indian exports will depend on the criticality of Indian exports to domestic supply chains in Mexico and ability of Indian companies to secure exemptions or pass on the tariff cost to the Mexican consumers. Why Has Mexico Imposed Tariffs? Mexicos tariffs came after the Trump administration warned about low-priced Chinese goods entering the US through Mexican channels. Mexico has also framed the tariff increase as a step to protect domestic industry and employment and as a way to correct distortions caused by cheap imports. Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Director General Ajay Sahai said that Mexicos decision is a matter of concern, particularly for sectors like automobiles and auto components, machinery, electrical and electronics, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles and plastics. Such steep duties will erode our competitiveness and risk disrupting supply chains that have taken years to develop," he said. India exported goods worth $8.9 billion to Mexico in 2024, while imports stood at $2.9 billion. (with agency inputs) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 22:05 IST News india India In Talks With Mexico Over 50% Tariff Hike, Warns Of 'Appropriate Measures': Report Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Luthra Brothers' 'Sleeping Partner' Hid At Friend's Hospital After Goa Nightclub Fire: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 19:52 IST Ajay Gupta, another partner of Birch by Romeo Lane, was arrested in Delhi and sentenced to seven days of police custody in Goa on Wednesday. Rapid Read Ajay Gupta, co-owner of Goa club, detained in New Delhi. (Image: ANI) As the spotlight remains on brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra for the Goa nightclub fire, which killed 25 people, police have reportedly found that their sleeping partner", identified as Ajay Gupta, was hiding in a friends hospital after the massive blaze. Gupta, another partner of Birch by Romeo Lane who was arrested in Delhi and brought to Goa late on December 10, was produced before the JMFC Court in Mapusa on Wednesday. The court remanded him to seven days of police custody for further investigation into the nightclub fire case. While the Luthra brothers await deportation from Thailand, Gupta was traced to a Delhi-based hospital just three days after the December 6 fire at Birch by Romeo Lane fire, according to a report by NDTV. He was in Goa at the time of the incident and allegedly travelled to Delhi from the Dabolim airport. He was found at Lajpat Nagar-based IBS hospital, allegedly owned by one of his closest friends. When the Goa Police interrogated doctors there, they said it would take at least a week to discharge Gupta, but later provided full information on his arrival. A Sleeping Partner Gupta, while being escorted from the court premises, told media persons that he was just a sleeping partner" and had no role in the day-to-day operations of the nightclub. However, NDTV reported that the club was actually his brainchild and he was the most active among the partners managing the Romeo Lane clubs. He is also a well-connected entrepreneur, who also allegedly helped the nightclub evade police action despite three notices from the police and crime branch in the past. Guptas name, along with that of the Luthra Brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, appears on the nightclubs Goods and Services Tax (GST) documents, indicating his official association with the business. According to police officials, a Look Out Circular (LOC) had earlier been issued against Gupta after a Goa police team failed to locate him at his Delhi residence. We later managed to detain him in Delhi," a senior official told news agency PTI, adding that Gupta would be formally placed under arrest before being flown to Goa for interrogation. Thai Authorities Preparing To Deport Luthras Meanwhile, authorities in Thailand are initiating the process to deport Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, as per reports. The Indian embassy in Bangkok is in close touch with the Thai authorities to expedite the deportation of the Luthras. In an exclusive response to queries from CNN-News18, Thai authorities have confirmed that the deportation of the Luthra brothers could be delayed. A spokesperson for Thai immigration stated that the final decision regarding deportation is yet to be made by higher authorities. The brothers are currently being held at Bangkoks main immigration office as the legal and administrative procedures for their deportation are finalised. Their arrival in Delhi is expected to mark a significant escalation in the ongoing investigation, which has already seen several arrests and intense scrutiny on the safety standards and permitting processes of the popular nightlife venue. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Goa, India, India First Published: December 13, 2025, 19:51 IST News india Luthra Brothers' 'Sleeping Partner' Hid At Friend's Hospital After Goa Nightclub Fire: Report Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... MGNREGA Wage Dues Hit Rs 1,340 Crore, 82% Pendency Concentrated In Just 4 States, Reveals Data Written By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 10:31 IST The wage pendency in Andhra Pradesh was the highest at Rs 402.93 crore, followed by Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh Rapid Read MGNREGA is a demand-driven wage employment scheme and fund release is a continuous process, as per official records. (PTI) Data from the Ministry of Rural Development shows that as of December 5, the wage pendency in Andhra Pradesh was the highest at Rs 402.93 crore, followed by Rs 339.87 crore in Kerala. Tamil Nadu follows with Rs 220.13 crore, while Madhya Pradesh is next at Rs 131 crore. Interestingly, these states are not with the highest active MGNREGA workers. Wage pendency and the active workforce analysis reveals sharp imbalances where states with smaller worker bases are driving the majority of delays. As per NREGASoft, the total number of workers under MGNREGA are 27.64 crore, of which 12.16 crore were active as on December 1. Andhra Pradesh has a total of 1.1 crore workers and about 90.54 lakh were active at the sixth position but the state holds 30 per cent of the total pending wages. Kerala has 58.03 lakh total workers and 22.63 lakh were active. The states pending wages amount to 25 per cent of Indias wage arrears the second-highest after Andhra Pradesh. Collectively, these four states account for about 25 per cent of Indias active MGNREGA workers, but nearly 82 per cent of all pending wages. Uttar Pradesh: Highest Active Workforce But Low On Pending Wages Uttar Pradesh, with a total of 2.34 crore registered workers, has the countrys largest active MGNREGA workforce at 1.2 crore. But it accounts for only 2.5 per cent of total pending wagesRs 33.18 crore out of Rs 1,340 crore. Rajasthan has 2.33 crore registered workers and an active MGNREGA workforce of 1.17 crore, the second-largest in the country. Yet, it accounts for an exceptionally small share of pending wagesjust Rs 5.04 crore, 0.38 per cent of the national pendency. Madhya Pradesh has 1.87 crore registered workers and more than 1 crore active workers, making it the third-largest active MGNREGA workforce in India. However, as stated earlier, Madhya Pradesh contributes a disproportionately high share of pending wagesabout 10 per cent of the national total. Maharashtra has the largest pool of registered MGNREGA workers in the country 3.32 crore though its active workforce stands at fourth highest at 88.79 lakh. The wage pendency of the state is only Rs 14.87 crore, amounting to 1.1 per cent of Indias total pending wages. Tamil Nadu has 1.10 crore registered workers and stands fifth in terms of active workers at 88.66 lakh. But stands third with 16.4 per cent of total pending wages nationwide. MGNREGA is a demand-driven wage employment scheme and fund release is a continuous process, as per official records. Under the scheme, the wage payments are directly credited by the Union government to the account of beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer protocol. Sanctions for wage payments are issued daily by the ministry through the Public Finance Management System (PFMS) based on fund transfer orders received from the states after due procedures. For FY 2024-25, a budget allocation of Rs 86,000 crore was made, which was the highest-ever allocation for the scheme at the Budget Estimate (BE) stage since inception. In the FY 2025-26, the government has retained this allocation at Rs 86,000 crore, ensuring continued support for rural employment. Also, all the pending wage liabilities up to FY 2024-25, except West Bengal, have already been cleared. Release of funds to the Bengal has been stopped since March 2022 as per provision of Section 27 of the Act due to non-compliance with directives of the Union government. The data till July-end shows that in 2025-26, Rs 47,567 crore has been released under the scheme out of which Rs 39,595 crore is for payment of wages. By November-end, Rs 68,393.67 crore had been released to states/UTs, which includes Rs 57,853.62 crore for wage component and an amount of Rs 10,540.05 crore for material and admin. As the Centre retains its highest-ever allocation for the scheme, the challenge is no longer money alone but ensuring that the pipeline between muster roll and bank account is swift and uniform. Without that, arrears will continue to clusterat least in a handful of statesdistorting a programme designed to guarantee work and dignity. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 10:31 IST News india MGNREGA Wage Dues Hit Rs 1,340 Crore, 82% Pendency Concentrated In Just 4 States, Reveals Data 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... Retired IAF Officer Arrested In Assam For Alleged Links With Pakistan Espionage Network Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 16:59 IST The suspect was taken into custody after sustained surveillance and preliminary investigation by the police. Suspicious material was recovered from his laptop. Former IAF officer Kulendra Sarma arrested for alleged ties to Pakistan. (Photo: X) A retired Indian Air Force personnel was arrested in Assams Sonitpur district on Saturday for alleged links with Pakistani intelligence operatives, according to police. The accused has been identified as Kulendra Sarma, who was taken into custody after sustained surveillance and preliminary investigation by the police. Police sources told NDTV that they were keeping a close eye on the suspect and recovered suspicious materials from his laptop. Additional Superintendent of Police Haricharan Bhumij said preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had shared sensitive documents and information with Pakistani operatives over social media. Police have seized his laptop and mobile phone. Before retiring in 2002, Sarma served as a Junior Warrant Officer at the Air Force Station in Tezpur, which hosts key air assets, including a Sukhoi-30 squadron. After his retirement, he briefly worked at the Electionics Department of the Tezpur University. The devices have been sent for forensic examination, though some data has been deleted, Bhumij said. The officer said a case has been registered under the relevant sections of the BNS. This came after a woman and her three associates were arrested in Tezpur in Assams Sonitpur district over their alleged links with Pakistan. The matter has triggered widespread concern due to the towns strategic significance as the headquarters of the Indian Armys IV Corps (Gajraj Corps). According to officials, the arrest stems from a suspected overseas money-laundering operation. We filed a case of suspicious laundering of funds from an overseas transaction on December 5, 2025. Accordingly, we arrested four people, including the prime accused, a local lady. Nine months ago, she was married to a Pakistani citizen and he directed her course of action," an investigator said. Villagers have demanded a thorough probe and strict punishment for all involved. The four accused have been sent to judicial custody as the investigation continues. (with agency inputs) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Sonitpur, India, India First Published: December 13, 2025, 16:44 IST News india Retired IAF Officer Arrested In Assam For Alleged Links With Pakistan Espionage Network 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... Wars Are Won By Purposeful Action, Not Rhetoric: CDS Anil Chauhan's Message To Pakistan Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 11:04 IST Addressing new officers at the Air Force Academy, CDS Anil Chauhan stressed constant readiness, agility and purposeful action over rhetoric. CDS Anil Chauhan (Image: PTI/File photo) Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Saturday delivered a strong message, saying wars cannot be won by rhetoric alone but by clear, purposeful action, taking a subtle dig at Pakistan. He was speaking at the Combined Graduation Parade of the Autumn Term, December 2025, at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, where he was the presiding officer. Purposeful action not rhetoric In his address, the CDS slammed empty words and symbolic gestures by Pakistan. Wars cannot be won by rhetoric, but by purposeful action," he said, pointing out that real strength comes from discipline, planning and decisive execution. His statement came as Pakistan, despite suffering heavy damage during Operation Sindoor, its leaders and social media circulated false victory claims. He observed that many regions across the world are witnessing instability caused by weak institutions and reactive decision-making. Such fragility, he said in a veiled dig at Pakistan, often leads to prolonged conflict and insecurity. Around us we often witness developments that signal institutional fragility and reactive adjustments. In contrast, Indias strength rests on robust institutions, democratic stability and unwavering professionalism of our Armed Forces," added CDS Chauhan. Contrasting this global picture, General Chauhan said Indias strength lies in its solid institutions and democratic stability. He praised the armed forces for their unwavering professionalism and commitment to duty, which he described as the backbone of national security. According to him, the Indian militarys credibility comes from its ability to adapt while remaining rooted in strong values and institutional discipline. He told the young officers that they were now custodians of this legacy. Addressing the newly commissioned officers, General Chauhan said they were joining the armed forces at a critical time, when Operation Sindoor is ongoing. He underlined that the present security environment demands constant readiness and professionalism from Indias military leadership. Operation Sindoor is on: CDS The CDS reminded the graduates that their careers were beginning in an era marked by evolving threats and uncertainty. You are joining the force when Operation Sindoor is on," he said, stressing that the responsibility on their shoulders would be immediate and real. He urged the officers to understand that modern military service is not defined by isolated moments of crisis, but by sustained preparedness. According to him, alertness and agility must become daily habits rather than occasional responses. Our strength will lie in the ability to remain alert, agile and prepared every hour, every day," General Chauhan said, adding that making victory a habit should become part of the new normal for the armed forces. Concluding his speech, the CDS called on the graduating officers to lead by example and remain focused on their mission. He emphasised that vigilance, readiness and professionalism would define their success, not only in times of war but throughout their service. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 10:40 IST News india Wars Are Won By Purposeful Action, Not Rhetoric: CDS Anil Chauhan's Message To Pakistan Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... by Abdulrahman Al-Bakoush TRIPOLI, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Drones hum overhead. Gunfire cracks through the air, punctuated by the deeper thud of artillery. In Tripoli's neighborhoods in Libya, fear has become architectural -- embedded in bullet-riddled walls, suspended in the dust from crumbling buildings, and amplified in the cries of children jolted awake by each explosion. Fourteen years after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's capital still cannot breathe easily. NATO's 2011 military intervention failed to bring us peace or prosperity. Instead, it ushered in a long period of political division and insecurity. The persistent rift between the western-based, internationally recognized Government of National Unity and the parliament-backed administration in the east has deepened the security vacuum and stalled the economy, while foreign military interventions have prolonged the conflict, deepening the suffering of ordinary citizens. State institutions have collapsed. Militias have multiplied. Water runs dry. Hospitals lack supplies. Power cuts are routine, so are school closures. Prices soar while the currency sinks. Salaries arrive late, if at all. At a modest home, about 10 km from downtown Tripoli, I sat with 46-year-old Mustafa Mohammed Al-Misrati, a father of three. He looked much older than his age, his face worn by fatigue. He quietly pointed to a small bag by the front door. Inside were clothes, official papers, and some cash. "It is always ready," he told me. "If there is an attack or a bomb, we must run. But where? All of Tripoli feels unsafe." As we spoke, he kept glancing at the street, measuring every sound for danger. His three children -- 15-year-old Elias, 13-year-old Abdullah and 12-year-old Mohammed -- sat nearby, fidgeting. Mustafa explained how their nights were shattered by sudden shocks. "Every artillery blast wakes them instantly. Their grades have begun to decline. Panic has become normal." "My children beg me not to go to work. If I stay, we have no income. If I go, they fear I won't return," he added. A few kilometers south, in the Ain Zara neighborhood, I met 26-year-old Ahmed Jamaa Qrein. His bruises told his story before he even spoke. On Aug. 27, he was abducted near a checkpoint by armed men he thought he could trust. "They blindfolded me and accused me of belonging to the 444 Brigade," he told me in a faltering voice, rolling up his sleeve to show fading marks from the beating. And his left eye remained swollen, carrying the memory of hours of torture. "I kept repeating, 'I am just a citizen, I have a mother and brothers waiting for me,' but they did not listen," he said. When his family finally secured his release, what the gunmen offered was a cold dismissal: "Just a suspicion. We found nothing on him." Walking away from Ahmed's house that evening, the air felt heavier. It was clear to me that every family in Tripoli carries its own version of Mustafa's bag or Ahmed's bruises. Some prepare to flee at a moment's notice. Others endure wounds after captivity. Together, they paint a city where daily life has been replaced by a constant struggle for survival. This predicament has plagued the country for 14 years. What do the political elites make of it? Do they see a way out, or at least a role they could play in addressing it? To find out, I spoke with Assad Zahio, head of the National Rally Party and a presidential candidate in the December 2021 elections, which were later postponed. In his office, he tied the suffering of the people directly to the lingering political stalemate and ill-fated foreign interventions. Meanwhile, "reliance on oil, pervasive corruption, and political division have all led to economic collapse, social disintegration, armed conflicts, and the spread of militias outside state control," he said. "Citizens are the greatest victims. The people are exhausted by war. They want peace," he stressed. "The way forward is through unifying sovereign and security institutions, forming an effective government to oversee free and fair elections, applying transitional justice, and holding the corrupt accountable." He also stressed the role of civil society and international support. "Libya must actively promote dialogue and reconciliation, support youth and women, and assist displaced and conflict-affected communities. The international community should remain neutral, supporting institution-building, disarmament programs and local development projects to improve citizens' livelihoods." As I left his office, his words echoed in my mind: division has turned Libya into a house of fear, where the daily struggle is simply to survive, and stability seems out of reach. Whether Mustafa, Ahmed, or Zahio, they all yearn for a Libya that can step out of this house of fear -- a country where justice is upheld, dignity preserved and stability restored. I don't know when that day will come. I just hope that the gunfire, shelling and hum of the drones would stop soon, and no one would have to have a packed bag by the door anymore. Sobhita Dhulipalas Magenta Saree Is A Masterclass In Modern Indian Wear Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 14:55 IST Sobhita Dhulipala stunned in a magenta saree that delivered depth and warmth. The handloom drape was adorned with subtle peach accents. Silver jewellery and sleek makeup added a contemporary edge to Sobhita Dhulipala's look. In a sea of heavily embellished ethnic looks, Sobhita Dhulipalas recent saree appearance stood out for its composure. Rather than relying on excess, the actor leaned into restraint, letting fabric, colour and craft carry the narrative. Shared on Instagram as she attended an Aadyam event as the face of the brand, the look felt both ceremonial and contemporary an ideal reference point for modern desi formal dressing. Her choice underscored a growing shift toward thoughtful Indian wear, where simplicity is deliberate, and craftsmanship takes centre stage. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sobhita Dhulipala (@sobhitad) The magenta saree was anchored in handloom tradition, yet styled with a distinctly modern lens. Its rich plum-magenta base delivered depth and warmth, while subtle peach accents broke the intensity with gentle contrast. The interplay of tones added dimension without overpowering the weave, allowing the textiles natural beauty to shine. Rather than pairing it with an ornate blouse, Sobhita Dhulipala opted for a clean, elbow-length design stripped of embellishment. The minimalist blouse served as a quiet counterpoint, ensuring the saree remained the hero of the look a conscious styling choice that elevated its elegance. Silver jewellery brought a modern edge to the ensemble. Sobhita paired the saree with a choker-style necklace and matching jhumkas, striking a balance between tradition and contemporary cool. The oxidised tones added depth and grounded the vibrant colour palette, preventing the look from tipping into overt opulence. The choice of silver over gold subtly shifted the mood, making the ensemble feel versatile enough for creative formal settings rather than purely ceremonial occasions. Her makeup echoed the same philosophy of balance. She styled her hair into a sleek, neat bun, reinforcing the sarees structured elegance. Kohl-rimmed eyes added definition, while a dewy base and nude lip kept the overall effect soft and luminous. A small black bindi served as the finishing touch classic, intentional and unfussy. What made Sobhita Dhulipalas saree moment especially compelling was its wearability. It offered a fresh template for desi formal events that call for polish without excess. Rooted in craft yet guided by restraint, the look was a quiet reminder that elegance often lies in knowing when to hold back. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: December 13, 2025, 14:55 IST News lifestyle fashion Sobhita Dhulipalas Magenta Saree Is A Masterclass In Modern Indian Wear Inside Armaan Jains Mumbai Home With Rare Pieces From Raj Kapoors Bungalow Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 10:04 IST Armaan Jain and Anissa Malhotra's Mumbai home presents a beautiful blend of modern luxuries placed alongside antiques from Raj Kapoor's Deonar Cottage. Armaan Jain is Raj Kapoor's grandson. Some homes impress with scale, others with design. Armaan Jains Worli residence did something rarer; it told a story. When filmmaker Farah Khan and her cook Dilip stepped inside, they werent just entering a celebrity home, but a deeply personal space layered with memory, inheritance and quiet luxury. Shared on Farahs YouTube channel, the visit offered an intimate glimpse into how the Kapoor legacy continued to live on, not behind glass, but as part of everyday life. Alongside Armaan Jain, his wife Anissa Malhotra revealed her own playful relationship with luxury, casually mentioning that Gucci luggage doubled up as chic living room storage a moment that drew Farahs quick-witted approval. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anissa Malhotra Jain (@stylebyanissa) A White Canvas For A Storied Past The living room unfolded in calming whites, a deliberate choice that allowed history to take centre stage. From plush sofas to the dining setup, the space felt cohesive and restrained, allowing statement pieces to quietly command attention. What elevated the room beyond aesthetic perfection was its provenance. Several decor elements had been sourced from Raj and Krishna Kapoors legendary Deonar Cottage in Chembur, a home that was sold in 2023 for a reported Rs 100 crore. Jain pointed out a white-and-blue floral rug beneath Farahs feet, revealing that it had once belonged to Krishna Kapoors bedroom. Nearby, a golden lamp, a white cabinet tucked beside a planter, vibrant paintings and even a chandelier had also travelled from Deonar Cottage to their new address. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Armaan Jain (@therealarmaanjain) The result was a seamless blend of old and new antiques carrying emotional weight placed alongside contemporary fixtures that kept the home current. A Living Archive Of Kapoor History If the living room reflected elegance, a quieter corner of the house revealed reverence. Known among family as a chilled den, the space was dressed in royal blue walls and grounded with a monochrome carpet. It functioned almost like a private museum. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Armaan Jain (@therealarmaanjain) A vintage wood-and-glass cabinet displayed memorabilia from RK Studios: old cameras, keys from Deonar Cottage, Archie Comics, Krishna Kapoors phone diary filled with handwritten numbers of industry greats, and even her personal recipes. These were not curated for spectacle but preserved with affection, reflecting Jains deep emotional connection to his grandparents. Where Family And Food Take Centre Stage The visit became even more personal when Reema Jain joined the gathering, warmly interacting with Dilip and joking about his resemblance to Charlie Chaplin the actor who famously inspired Raj Kapoor. The day concluded not with formality, but with food: a lavish spread of yakhni pulao, maa ki dal, junglee maas, paya and pav, reinforcing what the home truly represented. At its core, Armaan Jains residence stood as proof that true luxury lay not in opulence alone, but in the ability to live with legacy comfortably, lovingly and without pretence. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: December 13, 2025, 10:04 IST News lifestyle Inside Armaan Jains Mumbai Home With Rare Pieces From Raj Kapoors Bungalow Heading to Louisiana? This Is An Insiders Guide to Louisianas Creole And Cajun Dishes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 17:18 IST From jambalaya to combo and po'boys, the food in the Pelican State is heavily influenced by the French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean cultures Shrimp Po-Boys are distinguised by their baguette-like New Orleans French bread, known for its crust and fluffy centre. Louisiana might be famous for jazz and its Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, as well as its bayous and alligators, but it has a lot to offer in terms of food. It is a melting pot of French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean cultures. The food in the state is a fascinating mix of flavours that is shaped by all the different cultures, communities, and traditions that live together in harmony. It can be broadly divided into 2 popular cuisines: Creole originated in New Orleans and blends European, African, and Caribbean cooking techniques. In contrast, Cajun cuisine was developed by 18th-century French-Acadian exiles who settled in the swamps and prairies of southwest Louisiana. As a result, the Pelican State has a variety of unique dishes that are a blend of flavours and remain iconic to the state. The foods that have gained popularity reflect the areas rich heritage and cultural diversity. The flavours are a testament to culinary excellence as techniques come together with the states heritage to create some pretty unforgettable dishes. Heres a list of some of the most remarkable dishes from the state of Louisiana: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vic And Als (@vicandals) The official dish of the state is Gumbo. Popular across the world, as it was a highlight in The Princess and The Frog, this dish is an irresistible amalgamation of dark roux (butter or oil mixed with flour), rice, seafood or chicken and sausage, the trinity" (a combination of onions, bell peppers, and celery), and often okra. Head to Rocky and Carlos in Chalmette for one of the best bowls in South Louisiana. In Northeast Louisiana, Warehouse No. 1 in Monroe is your go-to spot for great seafood gumbo. For a how-to on roux, take part in Spuddys Cajun Cooking Experience. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Danielle Dunn (@your_favorite_southern_girl) Jambalaya is a Creole take on Spanish paella containing chicken, sausage, long-grain rice, and the trinity. Served traditionally out of a big black pot, it is one of the spicier signature dishes you will find in Louisiana. Start in Gonzales, a town known as the world capital of jambalaya, where the Jambalaya Festival is held every May. In Lafayette, Johnsons Boucaniere has been a local favourite since 1937. Boudin consists of rice, pork, and spices in a smoked sausage casing. Boudin is served in links or in boudin balls, which are deep-fried cousins of the iconic Cajun delicacy. If you want an all-encompassing boudin experience, head to the Lake Charles area to eat your way across the SWLA Boudin Trail with more than 25 restaurants serving up this unique dish. Head to Scott, Louisiana, which is the Boudin Capital of the World. Poboys are a submarine-type sandwich made with French bread. Order it dressed" if you like your poboy with mayonnaise, lettuce, pickles, and tomato. Throughout the state, restaurants serve a wide variety of this sandwich. Mothers Restaurant in New Orleans is famous for the original Ferdi poboy, stuffed with ham, roast beef and debris in au jus (charred bits of beef flavoured with delicious rendered fat, dripping in gravy). Chris Poboys in Lafayette is among the best restaurants in South Louisianas Cajun heartland to satisfy your poboy cravings. Darrells in Lake Charles is famous for serving up both the classics and innovative dishes. Etouffee is a Creole dish of rice smothered in a stew of roux, crawfish or shrimp, herbs and vegetables. The roux (called a blonde roux" for its lighter colour than the kind typically used in gumbo) is a mixture of butter and flour, mixed with celery, bell peppers and onion. In New Orleans, find crawfish etouffee at Oceana Grill and Jacque-Imos. Find crawfish etouffee and other tasty crawfish dishes all along the Bayou Country Crawfish Trail. Shreveport-style stuffed shrimp is a local delicacy which was cooked up in the 1950s by Freeman & Harris Cafe, a historic Black-owned restaurant that opened in 1921 and fed legends like Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and B.B. King. This was one of the first places in Shreveport where people of all races could dine together, and what better meal to share than a plate of large fried shrimp, stuffed with a Creole dressing and served with spicy tartar sauce. Freeman & Harris closed in 1994 (it was believed to be the oldest continually operated, Black-owned restaurant in the United States), but Orlandeauxs continues the legacy today! Charbroiled Oysters Louisiana adores its oysters, prized for their tenderness and flavour. Restaurants across the state have many variations of oyster-based dishes, but one favourite preparation is charbroiled. The half-shell treasures are topped with a sauce of butter, garlic and herbs, then dusted with Pecorino Romano cheese and cooked on a grill. The sizzling result has become a legendary staple of Louisiana cuisine. To try the original, head to Dragos Seafood Restaurant in Metairie or one of its other locations in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, and Bossier City. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 17:18 IST News lifestyle travel Heading to Louisiana? This Is An Insiders Guide to Louisianas Creole And Cajun Dishes Rented Villas Or Cookie Cutter Hotels: Gen Z, Millennials Redefine Indias Travel Economy Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 16:20 IST When travelling for a short holiday or a long vacation, Gen Z and millennials want a sense of uniqueness and are on the lookout for stays that have character. Young travellers wants a sense of belonging and uniqueness. Over the last decade, theres been a shift in the way young Indians choose to travel. What used to be an occasional family holiday or a once-a-year getaway has now become a lifestyle. It is driven by personal expression, digital influence, and an appetite for meaningful experiences. Gen Z and Millennials no longer want to just participate in Indias vacation-home movement but lead it. Todays travellers want more than a typical hotel room. They want privacy, space, design, comfort and, above all, a sense of belonging. For younger travellers, a vacation home is not just a place to stay; it is the backdrop for memories, celebrations, content creation, bonding, and self-care," says Varun Arora, CEO & Co-Founder, Ekostay. The home becomes part of the experience, not just the accommodation. What works against traditional stays? The biggest driver of this shift is the desire for autonomy. Traditional hospitality is built on structured fixed meal timings, standardised rooms, and predetermined activities. But todays travellers prefer flexibility. They want to sleep in late, make their own breakfast, host intimate gatherings, explore at their own pace, or simply disconnect without interruption. A well-managed villa or holiday home allows them this freedom, which is one of the reasons this category has grown so rapidly. Another major influence is aesthetics and design. Gen Z and Millennials place tremendous value on how a space looks and feels. They gravitate towards homes that are photogenic, thoughtfully designed, warm, intimate, and reflective of their personality. Varun says, A vacation home isnt booked just for location; people book it for the vibe. Interiors, lighting, architecture, outdoor spaces, poolside areas every detail matters because it shapes how the guest will experience and remember the stay." The rise of group travel trips There is a rise of group travel, with younger travellers preferring to go on holiday with friends, cousins, colleagues, or mixed groups rather than small nuclear setups. This automatically makes vacation homes more appealing. One villa accommodates the entire group, creates shared experiences, and often provides better value than multiple hotel rooms. The social energy of these trips is a huge part of the appeal. Varus adds, There is a growing desire for authenticity. Younger guests want to move away from cookie-cutter hospitality, and vacation homes hold a unique advantage. They can feel distinctive, as each property has its own identity and character." This sense of uniqueness is extremely important for Gen Z and Millennials, who prize individuality and discovery. Indias overall hospitality landscape has adapted to this demand. The alternate stay segment, including branded villas, managed holiday homes and short-term rentals, has seen some of the strongest year-on-year growth. Remote work, wellness-driven travel, micro-vacations, and experiential holidays have all contributed to making vacation homes mainstream rather than niche. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 16:20 IST News lifestyle travel Rented Villas Or Cookie Cutter Hotels: Gen Z, Millennials Redefine Indias Travel Economy YogMantra | What Ancient Yogis Really Meant By Good Health And Why It Still Matters Written By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 09:57 IST Long before Yoga became about flexibility and fitness, Yoga masters believed good health was a responsibilityto oneself, to ones evolution, and to future generations Rapid Read The ancient yogis had a far deeper idea of legacy: they considered health itself a form of inheritance. (AI-Generated Image) The ancient yogis, however, had a far deeper idea of legacy: they considered health itself a form of inheritance. A healthy body protected you from disease and extended your lifespan, yesbut it also shaped the health your children were born with. Yoga believed, much before genetics entered the scene, that health was importanta responsibility you owed to yourself, and to posterity. Yoga education, in that sense, was intended to have a far larger role than flexibility, stress relief and mindfulness. It was a long-term investment, both personal and for future generations. On the personal front, good health additionally bought you timetime that was needed to understand yourself and to reach lifes final aim. Yogas Lofty Health Ideals Explained Simply Unlike other philosophical systems that view health as irrelevant to spiritual experience, classical Yogafrom its earliest teachings in texts by Yajnavalkya, Svatmarama and othersplaced a high value on health and physical education. Pioneering Yoga teacher Shri Yogendra, founder of The Yoga Institute, offers some rare insights into this. In his book Yoga Asanas Simplified, he outlines the health goals of classical Yoga: Rogachikitsa removal of ill-health Arogya building positive health Swatah-Vikarakshamata auto-immunisation (building the bodys natural self-protective capacity). Think of it as strengthening your system the way regular sleep or sunlight does. Deha-shuddhi biological purification or overall internal balance These may sound philosophical, but they translate into everyday wellbeing: being disease-free, building resilience, and keeping internal systems stable. According to Shri Yogendra, they culminate in three major outcomes: Chirayu longevity Chirayauvana eternal youth or sustained vitality Nadi-shuddhi higher nervous control Higher nervous control positively influenced mental hygiene (chitta shuddhi) and, eventually, moral behavior (yogachara). These gainscumulatively, and often unbeknownst to the practitionerhelped them attain the various stages of meditation (samyama), and then samadhi, the final objective of Yoga. Yoga Physical Education & Good Health It is striking that the ancient seers, who cared little for the earthly body for its own sake, also emphasised good health. They believed health was a necessity for self-assertion, self-expression and self-realisationthe real fundamentals for which we live. Shri Yogendra points out that physical training was emphasised in yogic health perspectives, which considered the wholeness of man". Centuries ago, ancient yogis had concluded that physical training affects not only the motor centres, but also parts of the brain, especially those governing mental processes. The body and mind were considered two sides of one human system, which neuroscience confirms now. Incidentally, Yoga regards good health as mans natural privilege. Its view is radical: right living makes it easier to stay well than to be sick. Good Health Extends LifespanSo One Can Complete Evolution Within One Lifetime Beyond mental purity and control, and moral and spiritual progress, the ancient yogis believed that the student should also aim to extend earthly existenceachieved through Yoga by defying old age, and even death. This would give the practitioner the necessary time to complete ones course of psychic and spiritual evolution during one lifetime. Physical Immunity & Health as Inheritance Yoga insists that it is in the interest of human evolutionphysical, mental, moral, spiritualthat a strong biological link is maintained across generations. For this, the body has to be made as healthy as possible. Without conscious physical education, this inheritance can weaken. Not just the individual but the race, Yoga maintains, would suffer gradual deterioration. It emphasises that it is within our power to conserve or to dissipate our health and the fortune of inheritance we may have received. Seen this way, Yogas framework treats health as both empowerment at a personal level and a generational responsibility. These are Yogas health ideals in relation to physical education. And hence, the elaborate program with its emphasis on discipline. (The author is a journalist, cancer survivor and certified yoga teacher. She can be reached at swatikamal@gmail.com) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 09:29 IST News lifestyle YogMantra | What Ancient Yogis Really Meant By Good Health And Why It Still Matters I Could've Gotten Killed: Shatrughan Sinha Reveals How A Fan Rescued Him In New York Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 11:48 IST Shatrughan Sinha recalls a near-mugging in New York, where fans of his Punjabi film Putt Jattan De rescued him, highlighting his bond with Dharmendra and the film's lasting impact. Shatrughan Sinha recalls a near-mugging experience in New York. Shatrughan Sinha has lived many lives on screen, but one terrifying moment off camera still stays with him decades later. The veteran actor recently revisited a frightening experience from a trip to New York, one where he genuinely feared for his life, only to be unexpectedly rescued by a fan who recognised him from his Punjabi film Putt Jattan De. In a conversation with Aaj Tak, Sinha spoke about the incident, which took place during a time when mugging was rampant in New York. He recalled staying at the Radisson Hotel and heading out late at night after being invited for dinner at a friends place. I was staying at the Radisson Hotel in New York. After dinner, she suggested she would drop me back. It was the peak era of mugging in the city. It was around 1 am, and the area was completely deserted. She dropped me a little ahead of the Radisson Hotel and said, Thats the hotel, you can walk from here. I agreed," he said. However, what seemed like a short walk quickly turned into a nightmare. I got down, and I was carrying a shopping bag filled with items, basically everything that could attract a mugger. I was alone on the street, and there was complete silence," he added. Sinha said panic set in soon after his friend drove away. After my friend left, I realised it wasnt the hotel. All the buildings there look the same, and I became extremely nervous. I genuinely felt that this could be the night something terrible would happen. I thought, This could be the night I get killed." He went on to describe an unsettling interaction with a passerby. A black man was walking by, and I asked him which side the Radisson Hotel was on. He just said, Get lost. It was around 2 am by then." The actor admitted that fear had completely taken over when a car slowly approached him. Suddenly, a car started approaching while I stood there, almost waiting for my death on that dark street," he said. I thought, This is it. This is my end." What followed, however, was entirely unexpected. The car reversed, and then I heard a voice from inside ask, Putt Jattan De? The person then said, Stop right there." According to Sinha, the driver immediately realised the danger he was in. The driver asked me, What are you doing here? You could get killed. This is unbelievable." Moments later, help arrived in numbers. He used his radio, and soon about 2025 cars arrived. They were all our people from Punjab, our Sikh brothers. They surrounded me from all sides and told me not to panic. They said, This is a very dangerous area, but we recognised you. They then safely dropped me at my hotel," Sinha recalled. When he tried to thank them financially, the response was emotional. They said, Not at all. You are our hero. You are Putt Jattan De. I never saw them again after that." During the same interaction, Shatrughan Sinha also reflected on his close bond with Dharmendra, who played a key role in his decision to do Putt Jattan De. We did many films together and were very close friends. If he was doing a film, it was almost necessary for me to be part of it. I always respected his word," he said, adding, In fact, he and his friend Baldev Khosa were making Putt Jattan De. It was a Punjabi film, and I did it at his insistence." Their friendship dates back decades. One of Sinhas earliest films, Pyar Hi Pyar, featured Dharmendra in the lead, with Sinha in a small negative role. Even years later, the bond remains intact. Just last month, during Dharmendras health scare, Sinha paid a visit to Hema Malini and the family. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 11:48 IST News movies bollywood I Could've Gotten Killed: Shatrughan Sinha Reveals How A Fan Rescued Him In New York Shreya Dhanwanthary Criticises Industrys Obsession With Social Media Numbers In Casting Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 18:46 IST Shreya Dhanwanthary opened up about the industry's obsession with social media numbers during casting. The Great Shamsuddin Family premiered on JioHotstar on December 12. (Photo Credit: X) Shreya Dhanwanthary entered the comedy genre with her recently released movie, The Great Shamsuddin Family. Breaking away from the serious, heavy-handed roles she has portrayed on-screen, the actress found it a big privilege not to be typecast. She, however, also expressed her distress over the industrys pursuit of social media numbers". In a recent conversation, Shreya Dhanwanthary opened up about the industrys obsession with typecasting and social media frenzy while casting. She expressed her gratitude for securing the role of Iram Ahmed in The Great Shamsuddin Family, which premiered on JioHotstar on December 12. Its my first comedic role. The films team had more faith in me than I had in myself [to pull this off]," she told Mid-Day. Shreya Dhanwanthary On Actors Getting Typecast After the third season of The Family Man showed Dhanwanthary as a hard-hitting intelligence officer in a spy thriller, in The Great Shamsuddin Family, Iram is an impulsive, chaotic individual whose personal crisis drives the films plot over a single day. The 37-year-old plays the younger sister of the main character, Bani Ahmed (portrayed by Kritika Kamra). Talking about her role in Anusha Rizvis directorial, Dhanwanthary shared, So far, Ive only done heavy-handed, serious roles, and its a privilege to be slotted in that category. But I want to show people that there are other things we can do, because as actors, we tend to get typecast." The new film produced by Star Studio18 also stars Sheeba Chaddha, Farida Jalal, Purab Kohli and Juhi Babbar, among others. What Irks Shreya Dhanwanthary Besides Typecasting? In the same conversation, Dhanwanthary, who made her debut with the Telugu film Josh in 2009, discussed what matters most when being cast in a project. Despite being in the industry for quite some time, the actress has spent only six years in Hindi cinema. Highlighting the industrys obsession with social media numbers, she mentioned, I have a healthy relationship with social media. This race [of wanting more followers] is never-ending because if you chase numbers, youll never be satisfied." She added, Having said that, I realise the reality of people getting cast based on their social media numbers, which is foolish. It reflects the larger deterioration of art in our society. You are making choices based on something thats ephemeral. Its problematic." Shreya Dhanwanthary On The Fear Of Failure This is not the first time the actress has opened up about her career choices and the impact they have on her mental health. While speaking on the podcast Take A Pause With Varun Duggirala, she said, Im actually really scared that I will fail very spectacularly. That Id be this one person who did a couple of good movies, a couple of good shows, and just vanished, and just didnt amount to anything." Later, when the interview went viral, Taapsee Pannu, Arjun Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, and several other celebrities expressed their support for the actress. On the work front, Dhanwanthary was part of several projects, including Chup: Revenge of the Artist, Adbhut, Ladies Room, Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, Guns and Gulaabs, and many others. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 18:35 IST News movies bollywood Shreya Dhanwanthary Criticises Industrys Obsession With Social Media Numbers In Casting Opinion | ISIs Shadow Over East: Why India, Bangladesh Must Treat New Terror Signals As Alarms Written By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 16:52 IST The abrupt madrasa shutdown near Dhaka and rising activity of LeT-JeM networks reveal a renewed Pakistan-backed push toward Indias Northeast and Bengal. Terror operatives blend into densely populated migration corridors, and small-arms trafficking networks provide a ready-made infrastructure. (Representational image) The recent assessment highlighting Pakistan-backed terror groups attempts to revive networks in Indias northeastern states and West Bengal is not an isolated alert. It is part of a pattern, one that India has seen, studied, and suffered from for decades. But what should really worry security watchers is the reports central claim: that Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is once again using Bangladeshi soil as a quiet, deniable launchpad for cross-border terror operations. This is not the first time such accusations have surfaced. Historically, when Pakistan feels pressure on the western front, it looks eastward, seeking soft targets, vulnerable borders, and politically distracted neighbourhoods. Today, the revival attempts of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) networksinfamous for attacks from Mumbai to Parliamentsignal a strategic recalibration, one that must be understood in the larger geopolitical context of South Asia. A Madrasa Disappears, And With It, The Evidence Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, the well-known Bangladeshi journalist and editor of Blitz, paints a disturbing picture. His report, published by the Usanas Foundation, highlights the sudden, silent shutdown of a major madrasa near Dhaka, long flagged as a hotbed of radicalisation and suspected to have maintained communication channels with donors and religious charities linked to Pakistan and the Gulf. The timing of the shutdown is eyebrow-raising: it came immediately after the arrest of several individuals tied to Al Falah University in Faridabad and the detention of Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui in connection with the recent Delhi blast. When institutions vanish overnight, it rarely indicates innocence. Instead, it suggests that someone tipped them offan escape route crafted before investigators could dig deeper. Choudhury hints at something more sinister: a coordinated clean-up effort engineered by those connected to the broader ISI-backed network that has used Bangladesh intermittently as a staging ground since the 1990s. Bangladeshs Jihadist Coup And The Underestimated Fallout The assessment argues that since last years so-called Jihadist Coup in Bangladesha political upheaval still debated among analystsglobal observers have failed to fully grasp the extent of radical elements attempting to exploit the uncertainty. Where political distraction thrives, infiltration intensifies. For the ISI, this is an opportunity. The agency has historically excelled at exploiting chaos, turning ideological sympathisers, cross-border smugglers, and vulnerable institutions into components of a clandestine supply chain. The porous IndiaBangladesh border, especially across Assam and West Bengal, offers logistical convenience. Terror operatives blend into densely populated migration corridors, and small-arms trafficking networks provide a ready-made infrastructure. If the ISI is indeed rebuilding these operational pathways, it marks the beginning of a dangerous new phase for the region. Indias Northeast: A Reopened Front? For India, the warning is clear. The Northeastespecially Assam, Tripura, and Meghalayahas long been a target for Pakistans proxy networks looking to stir ethnic, religious, and separatist tensions. While decades of counterinsurgency operations have weakened local militant groups, their dormant structures, cross-border routes, and hideouts in the borderlands still exist. Islamist networks seeking revival can easily piggyback on these older routes, recruiting in vulnerable pockets and exploiting local grievances. West Bengal, with its vast border with Bangladesh, becomes a natural bridge for such designs. This is not merely about terror attacks. It is about the destabilisation of borders, politics, and social cohesion. For Bangladesh, The Stakes Are Even Higher Choudhurys warning to Bangladesh is blunt: once a terror network embeds itself, its removal becomes ten times harder. The abrupt madrasa closure, instead of being dismissed as a routine administrative matter, must be treated as a national security emergency. Bangladesh, under any leadership, cannot afford to play hostknowingly or unknowinglyto ISI-backed networks. Not only would this jeopardise its own internal security, but it would also strain relations with India, its largest neighbour, key economic partner, and historically reliable regional ally. For years, Dhakas cooperation has helped India dismantle multiple extremist groups. Any rollback of this cooperation, whether due to political upheaval or external manipulation, would serve only one beneficiary: Pakistans deep state. The Real Warning: ISI Thrives On Hesitation The report makes a compelling point: the ISI thrives where governments hesitate and embeds itself wherever it senses distraction. This is a lesson South Asia has learned repeatedly, from Afghanistan to Kashmir. The pattern is unmistakable. As Bangladesh manages internal political transitions and India focuses on multiple national challenges, the ISI is attempting to reassert itself in the East. The madrasa shutdown is not just a clue; it is a symptom of a larger operation already underway. Both India and Bangladesh must treat this moment as a warning. Because in the subcontinents long battle with Pakistan-backed extremism, complacency has always been the most expensive mistake. The writer is a technocrat, political analyst, and author. He pens national, geopolitical, and social issues. His social media handle is @prosenjitnth. 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 13, 2025, 16:52 IST News opinion Opinion | ISIs Shadow Over East: Why India, Bangladesh Must Treat New Terror Signals As Alarms 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 | Over 2,000 Deaths, 5 Major Riots: Not Another Mosque In Baburs Name, Please Written By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 22:07 IST Resurrecting the ghost of Babri in a highly communally sensitive border region like West Bengal is portentous Humayun Kabir lays foundation stone of 'Babri Masjid' in Murshidabad. File image: News18 There are three to five lakh mosques in India, second only to Indonesia, which has 8 lakh masjids. There has been no instance of Hindus objecting to the names of any one of them. But a Trinamool Congress politician from West Bengal with a deviously fertile mind came up with that one name, which can cause untold trouble. Murshidabad Trinamool MLA Humayun Kabir was suspended from the party after he proposed to build a replica of the Babri Masjid. He immediately vowed not to let Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee return to power for a fourth time next year. Trinamools Muslim vote bank will be finished," he said, adding with filmy flair, Picture abhi baki hai (the climax is yet to come)." After laying the foundation of the Babri Masjid" in Beldanga, Kabir said he would form his own party on December 22, get into an alliance with Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisis AIMIM, and field candidates in 135 out of 294 seats in next years West Bengal assembly elections. Whether this is a staged drama at the behest of the TMC or the BJP is yet to be ascertained. But the very idea of Muslim groups building a mosque named Babri Masjid" in West Bengal, invoking the 16th-century structure demolished in 1992, sparking nationwide riots that left over 2,000 dead, is dangerous. Babri is one of the darkest chapters of Indian history, right from its inception. Emperor Baburs commander Mir Baqi built it in 1529 after allegedly razing a temple at the site widely believed to be the birthplace of Shri Ram. After fighting litigation in the courts for nearly a hundred years, Hindu kar sevaks finally lost patience on December 6, 1992, and brought the structure down. The Supreme Court later handed the site to the Narendra Modi government in a landmark judgment. The government, in turn, handed it over to the Hindu side, and a grand Ram Mandir has come up. Resurrecting the ghost of Babri in a highly communally sensitive border region like West Bengal is portentous. Even Iqbal Ansari, a key litigant in the Babri case, condemned Kabirs actions as provocative. Babur was not a messiah. No mosque should be built in his name," he said. The court gave its verdict, and not a single leaf stirred in the entire country. This is the biggest proof that there is no dispute on this issue in the country today." The All India Imam Association (AIIA), too, said that building a replica of the Babri Masjid was not unconstitutional but highly political. It was meant to stoke tensions or gain leverage in the upcoming elections rather than addressing true Muslim community needs, AIIA said, emphasising that Muslims were not keen on a displaced mosque". All India Muslim Personal Law Boards Maulana Asjadul Haque called it a ploy of wicked people" to disrupt harmony. Reopening Babri wounds risks a swift backlash. In West Bengals polarised districts like Murshidabad, with nearly 70 per cent Muslim population, it might trigger clashes as fierce as the 2020 Delhi riots or the Sambhal mosque violence. The unrest may also quickly spread in the region, affecting Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha. While TMC could frame it as Muslim assertion" to consolidate minority votes, they could gain from the counter-polarisation of Hindus in the 2026 assembly polls. Any communal riot on Indias eastern front might invite attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Even if political expediency pushes West Bengal to the brink of a communal flashpoint, there are legal ways to prevent naming the mosque after Babur. While India does not have a specific statute banning shrines from being named after controversial historical figures like Babur or Aurangzeb, and the matter falls under freedom of expression and religion (Articles 19, 25), it could be challenged through a public interest litigation (PIL). The success of the legal action will depend on proving that it would attract public harm". A PIL could be filed in the High Court or Supreme Court for an injunction under CrPC Section 151 and seek an urgent stay on the naming and construction, citing a threat to public order. There is precedent. In 2024, the SC quashed a Karnataka FIR over Jai Shri Ram" chants but noted that context matters when it comes to religious sentiments. Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, which replaces Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), could also be invoked to criminalise it as an act that promotes enmity, hatred, or ill-will between different groups through words, signs, or visible representations. Section 299 of the BNS (which replaces Section 295A of IPC) could be used to establish outraging religious feelings" of Hindus by using the violent conqueror Baburs name. Babur has wrecked lives, even 500 years after his death. His name cannot be allowed a free run to cause more trouble and bloodshed. Abhijit Majumder is the author of the book, Indias New Right. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 22:07 IST News opinion Opinion | Over 2,000 Deaths, 5 Major Riots: Not Another Mosque In Baburs Name, Please 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 | Oxford Debate Fiasco: A Mirror To Indias Intellectual Blind Spots And The Diasporas Strategic Failures Written By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 18:17 IST While Pakistan actively shapes academic discourse, the Indian diaspora continues to rely predominantly on protests, petitions, and reactive outrage The Oxford Union, founded in 1823, has long been regarded as one of the worlds foremost platforms for rigorous debate and fearless exchange of ideas. Image/Oxford Union When the Oxford Union scheduled its November 27, 2025, debate, This House Believes That Indias Response to Pakistan is a Populist Strategy Sold as Security Policy", it was framed as another earnest attempt by one of the worlds oldest debating societies to probe a difficult geopolitical question. What happened instead exposed something more telling of how Indias intellectual class repeatedly enters forums structurally predisposed against them, and how Pakistan continues to set the terms of conversation within Western academia while the Indian diaspora remains largely reactive and disorganised. The controversy unfolded with a familiar sense of deja vu. Senior advocate J Sai Deepak, invited months earlier, travelled to Oxford prepared to speak. Yet the Pakistani delegation, though physically present in Oxford, simply did not attend. They later claimed a walkover, asserting that Indian speakers like General MM Naravane, Subramanian Swamy, and Sachin Pilot had backed out. Sai Deepak publicly challenged this version with documented evidence, emails, call logs, and internal communications clearly showing that he was present and ready, and that Pakistani representatives had disengaged without explanation. Instead of meaningful debate, the event became a study in how narrative manipulation thrives when intellectual oversight collapses. The episode may appear trivial compared to the larger security issues India confronts, but it illuminates a recurring pattern, that of Indias intellectual elite continuing to walk into debates where the ground has already been prepared to disadvantage or discredit them. The Indian Intelligentsia and the Persistent Need for Western Validation What stands out most starkly is the contradictory behaviour of Indias intellectual establishment. Many among them regularly argue at home that terror and talks cannot coexist," particularly after every violent terror incident that Pakistan perpetrates against India. They often advocate an uncompromising national security posture and often criticise attempts at engagement as naive or politically motivated. Yet the same intelligentsia are remarkably eager to debate Pakistan in Western academic settings. This inconsistency reveals more than just a tactical misstep; it reflects a deeper psychological dynamic. For decades, Indias intellectual class has attached disproportionate value to recognition by Western institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, or the LSE. This post-colonial reflex still casts Western platforms as global arbiters of legitimacy, though in todays date and age, any of them are far from it. In the past decade, most of these institutions have become a bulwark for radical Islamist ideologues to legitimise acts of global terrorism and also provide intellectual heft to the most regressive societal issues that currently plague a large part of the globe. In this pursuit, Indian speakers overlook the structural constraints of these debates. The choice of topics, moderators, framing of questions, and selection of panellists almost always aligns with entrenched academic biases against India. The desire for validation undermines the coherence of Indias own political messaging. If India asserts that formal dialogue with Pakistan must be conditional on the cessation of terrorism, then choosing to engage the same adversary in collective Western spaces, without any conditions, weakens that principle. It inadvertently elevates Pakistan to a moral parity it definitely does not deserve. Why Granting Pakistan Space in Academic Debates is Problematic What appears on the surface to be an exercise in free speech or scholarly exchange often masks a much deeper imbalance, that is, Pakistans deliberate use of global academic forums to reshape narratives, manufacture moral equivalence, and challenge Indias legally and legitimately grounded position on Jammu and Kashmir. This is not a new phenomenon. Historically, Pakistan has understood the soft-power value of elite debating platforms far better than India. Over decades, it has cultivated networks within Western universities, student bodies, South Asian and Western societies, ensuring that its framing of geopolitical messages concerning India is marked as a dispute of identity, justice, and Muslim victimhood, which finds sympathetic ears. The Indian intelligentsia, by contrast, enters these debates with the assumption that rational argument alone will suffice, that facts will win on their own, and that Western audiences will naturally approach the issue with neutrality. This misreading of the ecosystem is precisely what allows Pakistan to dominate the conversation long before the debate begins. For Pakistan, participation in these debates serves a highly calibrated strategic purpose. It allows Islamabad to repackage an illegal territorial occupation into an intellectual argument about a disputed identity," so-called self-determination," or regional justice." More dangerously, it gives Pakistan an opportunity to present itself as the self-appointed messiah of South Asian Muslims, projecting an image of moral stewardship that stands in stark contrast to its own domestic record. Through these curated forums, Pakistan further positions Indian Muslims as oppressed, constructs the narrative of India as a rising fascist" state, and inserts itself as the moral guardian of regional Muslim interests. This narrative-building conveniently obscures the reality that Pakistan is the regions principal exporter of terrorism and one of the most repressive military-controlled regimes, the one that has crushed democracy, silenced dissent, and disenfranchised its own ethnic minorities for decades. When Indian intellectuals step into these debates without recognising how structurally tilted they are, they end up giving Pakistan the legitimacy that it seeks. The problem is not the debate per se; it is debate conducted on Pakistans terms, where the very structure of the conversation or in this particular case, pure theatrical optics, lets Pakistan walk away with moral grandstanding. Moreover, these forums are not neutral; they are arenas where Pakistans narrative machinery has been embedded for years, ready to channel any discussion or spin any argument back into its preferred framing. The Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom must also share responsibility for this recurring trap. Despite having the numbers, resources, and influence to build independent platforms that allow Indian thinkers to articulate their positions on equal footing, diaspora groups remain surprisingly passive. They continue to outsource intellectual engagement to institutions like the Pakistani-dominated Oxford Union, which are neither insulated from adversarial political capture nor designed to safeguard narrative balance. The absence of strong Indian-backed forums has meant that Pakistan-backed or Pakistan-leaning groups continue to dominate South Asia discourse within British universities. The result is predictable, as the debates begin with the illusion of equality but end up reinforcing Pakistans agenda. This is where the controversy surrounding Sai Deepak becomes a broader case study rather than a one-off event. The outrage, the theatrics, and the posturing around who is presenting the truth reflect a deeper intellectual insecurity within the Indian elite, a belief that legitimacy is still bestowed by old Western institutions, not by the strength of Indias own academic and strategic ecosystem. Meanwhile, Pakistan capitalises on every opportunity, using even minor debates or optics around it to amplify its disinformation strategy, internationalise Kashmir, and create the illusion of parity with India. For India, the lesson is not to retreat from debate or an event, but to recognise the architecture of the planned engagement itself and deal with it in an effective manner. Pakistans strategy is built around narrative engineering, diaspora leverage, and student-body influence, an ecosystem India has been far too slow to understand, let alone counter. If Indian intellectuals continue to approach these forums with the assumption that good arguments alone suffice, they will continue walking into the same traps, inadvertently reinforcing Pakistans geopolitical messaging rather than challenging it. Pakistans Deepening Influence on UK Campus Narratives Events like the Oxford Union fiasco are not isolated incidents. Pakistan has spent years cultivating networks within British universities, particularly through student bodies such as the Oxford Pakistan Society and allied groups in London, Manchester, and Birmingham. These organisations often play influential roles in amplifying the Pakistani narratives by shaping campus debates, hosting events, and influencing administrative decisions about speakers and topics. This influence is a well-crafted strategic tool that Pakistan mostly uses to its advantage. Pakistan has understood that narrative dominance in academic spaces eventually filters into policymaking circles, media ecosystems, and activist networks. The slow accumulation of influence through student elections, event committees, and alliances with sympathetic faculty has allowed Pakistan to present itself in forums like Oxford as a nation wronged by India rather than as an aggressor and a terror exporter violating international mandates. The outcome is predictable, as these debates become carefully curated environments where India is compelled to defend itself in a hostile setting, and Pakistan is treated as an equal, even when the facts suggest otherwise. The Indian Diasporas Structural Weakness: Loud Protests, Weak Institutions While Pakistan actively shapes academic discourse, the Indian diaspora continues to rely predominantly on protests, petitions, and reactive outrage. These actions may express collective sentiment but rarely influence institutional power. Diaspora organisations hesitate to take the next big step. They have been painstakingly slow in creating multiple robust, sustainable platforms capable of hosting academic discussions, funding research, supporting scholars, or nurturing student leadership. Instead of building long-term structures at universities, chairs, lecture series, conferences, or student alliances, they largely depend on mobilising crowds only after damage has been done. Protests outside Oxford or Cambridge do little to counteract the framing inside the rooms where the debates actually happen. If India wants its perspective to carry weight in Western academic spaces, diaspora organisations must invest in institutional presence, not just emotional expression. That requires funding, professional leadership, and long-term strategy and not episodic activism. A More Productive Strategy: Engage the Rest The Oxford controversy should serve as a moment of reckoning. It highlights the urgent need for Indias intellectual class to rethink where and how it engages globally. Instead of repeatedly stepping into debates that inherently diminish Indias positional advantage, policymakers, scholars, and public thinkers should pivot toward platforms where the discussion is grounded in law, policy, and contemporary geopolitics. Engaging with European think tanks, American policy centres, global security institutions, and Western academic departments and student lobbies is far more effective. These forums can amplify Indias global message, its counterterrorism doctrine, pluralism, economic transformation, and regional diplomacy in ways that shape international opinion more constructively. Debating Pakistan does not change minds, but influencing Western intelligentsia in academic and policy ecosystems does. The Oxford Union debacle is also emblematic of a larger structural problem. Indias intelligentsia continues to engage in debates that offer prestige without strategic value, while the diaspora remains unprepared to challenge Pakistans growing influence within Western academic institutions. If India wishes to shape global understanding of its policies and principles, it must strengthen its intellectual presence, choose its platforms wisely, and resist the temptation to validate Pakistan through reactive engagement. Ultimately, India has far more to gain from articulating its story on its own terms or at least on equal terms than from performing in debates that are designed to produce more heat than understanding. Debating with Pakistan delegates at their chosen platforms is akin to wrestling with a pig, where both get dirty, but the Pig actually enjoys it. The Oxford event fiasco, therefore, should be treated not as an embarrassment but as a lesson and perhaps a turning point. Raja Muneeb is an independent journalist and columnist. He posts on X @rajamuneeb. The views expressed in this article are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of News18. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 18:17 IST News opinion Opinion | Oxford Debate Fiasco: A Mirror To Indias Intellectual Blind Spots And The Diasporas Strategic Failures 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... Locals are pictured in downtown Uvira city, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Dec. 12, 2025. (Str/Xinhua) UVIRA, DR Congo, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Along the road linking Bukavu to Uvira in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the marks of war remain stark and unmistakable following a series of offensives by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels, who recently claimed they had taken control of the strategic city of Uvira. Charred military vehicles lie twisted along the roadside. Buildings are scarred by bullet impacts. Abandoned military positions and shards of metal litter the asphalt. Together, they bear witness to the intensity of clashes between the M23 and the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) along this vital artery connecting the northern and southern parts of South Kivu province. "WE FLEE WITH WHATEVER WE COULD CARRY" Since Dec. 2, South Kivu province has been engulfed in fighting on multiple fronts. The M23 said Wednesday that it had seized control of Uvira city, triggering a wave of internal displacement across the province. Around 500,000 people have been "on the move" since Dec. 2, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. DRC authorities said more than 400 people have been killed since the new round of fighting began. At the same time, Burundi announced the closure of its border posts with the DRC, all located in South Kivu province, a move that has further deepened an already severe humanitarian crisis. From Kamanyola, a town about 50 kilometers south of Bukavu, South Kivu's capital city, the road offers an early glimpse of what lies ahead. Along its edges, military vehicles remain where they were left, burned out, torn open and abandoned. In some stretches, travel has become hazardous, with unexploded ordnance still visible near the roadway. The signs of conflict accumulate with every passing kilometer: twisted metal, makeshift shelters, and civilian and military vehicles riddled with shrapnel or deserted in haste, revealing a population caught off guard as the territory descended into chaos within hours. In Luvungi, a resident recalled the first moments of the fighting as he returned home. "The bombardments started early Tuesday morning. We fled with whatever we could carry," he said anonymously. Now back with his family, he believes the situation has eased somewhat. But with the Burundian border still closed, returning home has sometimes become the only remaining option. From Luvungi to Luberizi, and through several villages lining the road toward Uvira, scenes of war scars repeat themselves. Life remains largely at a standstill despite the cautious return of some displaced residents, who move carefully, as if hoping that silence might take hold. FRAGILE CALM UNDER WATCH At the entrance to Uvira, a fragile calm appears to have settled after days of heightened tension. Daily activity remains severely disrupted, but the city is not entirely frozen, as residents slowly reemerge, stepping cautiously out of their homes as if testing the air. A handful of shops have reopened and markets are tentatively reorganizing. This hesitant return is unfolding under a heavy military presence, with M23 fighters deployed around key sites across the city and stationed at major intersections. Uvira is functioning again, but under close watch, several residents told Xinhua. Uvira, South Kivu's second-largest city, served as the provisional administrative center after the provincial capital Bukavu fell to the M23 in February. In several neighborhoods of Uvira and in nearby villages, the bodies of unidentified individuals have been recovered in recent days, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is overseeing the operations. The precise circumstances surrounding the deaths remain difficult to establish, amid restricted access to certain areas and limited verifiable information on the ground. Speaking to Xinhua in Uvira, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said investigations would be conducted to determine the exact causes of the deaths. The fighting did not directly pit M23 forces against FARDC inside the city itself, he said, adding that most Congolese troops had already withdrawn from Uvira by the time rebel fighters arrived. At the regional level, the situation remains highly volatile. Addressing the United Nations Security Council on Friday, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN under-secretary-general for peace operations, said the DRC continues to face a deep security and humanitarian crisis, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. He warned that the latest M23 offensive in South Kivu had "revived the specter of a regional conflagration with incalculable consequences." Recent developments posed "a serious risk of fragmentation of the DRC, particularly in its eastern part," he said, adding that "the conflict is becoming increasingly regionalized." Lacroix said the direct or indirect involvement of forces and armed groups from neighboring countries, combined with cross-border movements of displaced civilians and fighters, significantly heightened "the risk of regional escalation." Such a trajectory, he noted, threatens not only eastern DRC but the entire Great Lakes region. Between Dec. 5 and Dec. 9, about 38,000 asylum seekers from eastern DRC crossed into Burundi to escape the violence, Burundi's National Radio and Television reported on Wednesday. According to the DRC government, the presence of hostile forces in Uvira prompted the closure of the border with Burundi, cutting off a vital supply corridor for food, fuel and basic goods, and raising fears of shortages. On Friday, Kinshasa said it would start discussions with Burundi on the possible establishment of a temporary humanitarian corridor. Members of the March 23 Movement (M23) stand guard in Uvira city, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Dec. 12, 2025. (Str/Xinhua) AAP Carves Out Space In Kerala Politics: 3 Women Candidates Win In Local Body Polls Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 23:05 IST The Aam Aadmi Party had fielded candidates in around 380 seats across the state, focusing on over 400 panchayats and four corporations This tally represents a notable increase for the party, which previously held only one elected ward member in the entire state. File pic The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) achieved a significant milestone in Keralas political landscape on Saturday by securing three seats in the fiercely contested local body elections, with all three victories being claimed by women candidates. This result, while modest in the overall context of the states 23,576 wards that went to polls, marks a crucial moment for the national party as it seeks to establish a firm base in the politically bipolar state. The three successful candidates for the AAP are: Beena Kurian (Karimkunnam Ward 13) Sini Antony (Mullenkolly Ward 16) Smitha Luke (Uzhavoor Ward 4) These victories are particularly significant because they demonstrate the partys ability to break through the deeply entrenched dominance of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) in localised areas. AAP had fielded candidates in around 380 seats across the state, focusing on over 400 panchayats and four corporations as part of a strategy to build a strong foundation for the upcoming assembly elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) also secured a historic victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation elections, ending the four-decade-long dominance of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the state capital. Observers say that all three AAP seats were won by women candidates, highlighting the partys emphasis on greater female representation at the grassroots level. It also resonates with AAPs governance model, which often prioritises issues like education, health, and local infrastructureareas where women representatives are often seen as driving effective change. This tally represents a notable increase for the party, which previously held only one elected ward member in the entire stateBeena Kurian from Karinkunnam panchayat (who successfully defended her seat). AAP State President Vinod Mathew Wilson had earlier expressed confidence in a quantum leap, noting the partys volunteer base in districts like Idukki, Kottayam, and Kozhikode. The party leadership views these wins as a clear indication that Keralas voters are slowly but surely ready to accept an alternative to the traditional political fronts, seeing the AAPs anti-corruption and development-focused philosophy as a viable option for local governance. The result will serve as a launchpad for the partys expanded political ambitions in the state. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 23:05 IST News politics AAP Carves Out Space In Kerala Politics: 3 Women Candidates Win In Local Body Polls 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... Beauty Of Democracy: Shashi Tharoor Lauds BJP's Historic Thiruvananthapuram Civic Polls Win Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 16:59 IST In the 101-member Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP secured 50 wards, while the LDF won 29, the UDF 19, and independent candidates claimed two. Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. (Image: PTI) Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday welcomed the Kerala local body election results, congratulating the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) for its sweeping gains across the State and openly applauding the BJP for its historic" victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation polls. In a post on X, the Thiruvananthapuram MP described the outcome as a day of amazing results," saying the verdict reflected the democratic spirit of Kerala. He termed the UDFs performance a truly impressive win" and said it amounted to a massive endorsement of the front ahead of next years Assembly elections. A huge congratulations to @UDFKerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies! This is a massive endorsement and a powerful signal ahead of the state legislative elections. Hard work, a strong message and anti-incumbency have all clearly paid off to achieve a much better result than in 2020," he said in a post on X. What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through.A huge congratulations to @UDFKerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies! This is a massive endorsement Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 13, 2025 Tharoor attributed the UDFs improved performance compared to the 2020 local body polls to sustained hard work, a clear political message and strong anti-incumbency sentiment against the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). The Congress leader also acknowledged the BJPs breakthrough in the capital city, offering humble congratulations" for its significant victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Calling the BJPs performance historic," he said it marked a notable shift in the political landscape of the capital city. In the 101-member corporation, the BJP secured 50 wards, while the LDF won 29, the UDF 19, and independent candidates claimed two. I also want to acknowledge the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city Corporation a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capitals political landscape. I campaigned for a change from 45 years of LDF misrule, but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance," he said. He said that while he had campaigned for change from 45 years of LDF misrule," voters in his parliamentary constituency ultimately chose another party that also promised a decisive change in governance. That is the beauty of democracy," Tharoor said, adding that the peoples verdict must be respected, whether it favoured the UDF across Kerala or the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram. Tharoor also reaffirmed his commitment to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocate for peoples needs, and uphold principles of good governance. We will continue to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocating for the peoples needs and upholding the principles of good governance. Onwards and upwards!" he concluded. Tharoors praise for the BJP has drawn attention within political circles, coming amid his recent praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his presence at the official dinner hosted for visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin an event not attended by senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge. Tharoor has long been making overtures to the BJP for over a year. He recently led a multi-party delegation to relevant world capitals to highlight Indias stand against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and its zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism following Operation Sindoor. He had emerged as one of the most articulate voices to present Indias position during Operation Sindoor as well as its diplomatic offensive against Pakistan at the global stage following the Pahalgam attack. The senior Congress leader has often publicly backed PM Modi at several occasions. Earlier in June this year, Tharoor, in an article, remarked that PM Modis energy, dynamism and willingness to engage remain a prime asset" for India on the global stage but deserve greater backing. Tharoor said the diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor was a moment of national resolve and effective communication. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Thiruvananthapuram, India, India First Published: December 13, 2025, 16:44 IST News politics Beauty Of Democracy: Shashi Tharoor Lauds BJP's Historic Thiruvananthapuram Civic Polls Win 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... Congress MLA Claims Shivakumar Will Replace Siddaramaiah As CM After Winter Session, DKS Says Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 08:42 IST Speculation over Karnatakas leadership intensified after a Congress MLA claimed Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar would soon replace Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar met today. (Image: X) Fresh speculation has emerged within the Karnataka Congress amid continuing talk of a leadership tussle at the top. A Congress MLA has now openly claimed that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will take over as chief minister after the ongoing winter session of the legislature in Belagavi. The remarks have added fuel to an already sensitive political debate within the ruling party. What the MLA said? Ramanagara Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain on Friday made a blunt claim while speaking to reporters at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha. He said that Shivakumar would replace Chief Minister Siddaramaiah once the current session concludes. Shivakumar will become the CM after this session," Hussain said. He added that Shivakumar had a strong claim to the post because of his long struggle, organisational work and contribution to the party. For all his effort and the partys organisation, we are hopeful that he will be rewarded," he said, adding that the matter had been conveyed to the Congress high command. Hussains comments came a day after Siddaramaiahs son, MLC Dr Yathindra, ruled out any leadership change in the state. Dinner meeting of MLAs Hussain also claimed that 55 Congress lawmakers had met for dinner late on Thursday night, a statement that quickly drew attention. However, he denied that the leadership question would be decided purely on the basis of numbers. It is not about numbers. It will be a decision, and everyone must be bound by it," he said. Hussain stressed that party discipline was important and that the final call would rest with the Congress high command. We have been asked to maintain discipline. The high command has said it will take a decision," he added. No show of strength, says Shivakumar Responding to the claims, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar made it clear that he did not want any public display of support. Speaking to reporters, he said he would not encourage any show of strength. I dont need anybody to rally for me. Its not necessary. I dont want anybody to speak for me," Shivakumar said. He sought to downplay differences within the party, insisting that unity remained intact. All 140 MLAs are one. The CM and I belong to the same group," he said. Siddaramaiah dismisses Delhi summons talk Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, reacted sharply to reports suggesting that he and Shivakumar could be summoned to Delhi by the party leadership. He denied receiving any such call and expressed annoyance over the speculation. No one has called. You are asking unnecessarily," Siddaramaiah told reporters. He questioned the basis of the rumours and said there was no communication from the high command regarding a leadership change. As the winter session continues, the Congress leadership in Karnataka remains under close watch. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Karnataka, India, India First Published: December 13, 2025, 08:42 IST News politics Congress MLA Claims Shivakumar Will Replace Siddaramaiah As CM After Winter Session, DKS Says 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... 'I Am Strongly Standing Behind You': Why PM Modi Said This To Uttar Pradesh BJP MPs Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 05:54 IST The Prime Minister advised the MPs to focus strongly on the ground, connect with people, and interact more with beneficiaries of government schemes Prime Minister Modi emphasised that, like any other member of Parliament, he is a public servant elected to represent the people. File Image On Friday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with nearly 19 BJP MPs from Uttar Pradesh in his chambers in Parliament. During the meeting, the Prime Minister advised the MPs to focus strongly on the ground, connect with people, and interact more with beneficiaries of government schemes. While elaborating on the work required at the grassroots level, Prime Minister Modi emphasised that, like any other member of Parliament, he is a public servant elected to represent the people. He assured the members by saying, Do not worry about anything; I am strongly standing behind you (Main mazbooti se aapke piche khada hun)." He urged the members to keep people firmly in their minds and advised that the mode of communication needs to evolve with the times. There are plenty of methods to communicate using modern technology, and each leader should try to adapt as much as possible. The Prime Minister also pointed out that the Congress party often laid the foundations for projects that remained incomplete or poorly executed. In contrast, his government, both at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh, ensured that every project was completed on time. He stressed that creating a positive impact in the minds of the people about the states welfare and development work should be prioritised. This meeting was one of several held for leaders from Uttar Pradesh, the countrys largest state with many members in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Prime Minister first met with 19 MPs, and in the next round, the remaining MPs will also be called. Fridays meeting included many members from western UP. Union ministers Jitin Prasada and BL Verma were among those present. This meeting comes at a significant time, as the state BJP leadership is about to undergo organisational changes. Just on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a meeting with outgoing state president Bhupendra Chaudhary. Uttar Pradesh, which gave a huge mandate to the BJP in both 2017 and 2022, is expected to go into elections in 2027. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 05:54 IST News politics 'I Am Strongly Standing Behind You': Why PM Modi Said This To Uttar Pradesh BJP MPs 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... Is Seven-Time MP Pankaj Chaudhary The Answer To BJPs UP Chief Hunt? All Eyes On Polls Today Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 09:19 IST Chaudhary, who belongs to the Kurmi community, has long been a familiar and trusted figure in the Gorakhpur region and is said to be close to PM Modi Rapid Read News18 A buzz has begun spreading within Uttar Pradeshs political circles that seven-time MP Pankaj Chaudhary may soon take charge as the next state BJP president. Chaudhary has long been a familiar and trusted figure in the Gorakhpur region. Belonging to the influential Kurmi community, he is also seen as a leader who carries significant social and political weight in eastern UP. Those who track the state closely say his proximity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the confidence he enjoys at the highest levels have placed him firmly at the front of the race. Currently, the MP from Maharajganj and Union minister of state for finance, Chaudharys rise has been steady, grounded, and built on years of organisational work. As the party gears up for the posts election, the timeline has been set with precisionnominations will be filed on Saturday between 2pm and 3pm, followed by scrutiny the same day. Candidates will have an hour, from 4pm to 5pm, to withdraw their names. With no visible opposition so far, many within the party believe the new president may be elected unopposed. For Chaudhary, the task ahead is clearly definedand far from simple. With Uttar Pradesh headed for elections in early 2027, the BJP will be seeking a third consecutive term in a state where political and social dynamics continue to shift beneath the surface. In such a landscape, Chaudharys new role becomes crucial. As a seasoned leader, he will be expected to strike a careful balance between the Centre and the state, while also navigating the complex internal equations within UP itselfa challenge that has tested leaders time and again. As the clock ticks toward the formal process, all eyes remain on how the BJPs Uttar Pradesh unit is preparing to welcome a seasoned parliamentarianand one of the most prominent faces of the Kurmi communityas its new organisational head. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Uttar Pradesh, India, India First Published: December 13, 2025, 09:19 IST News politics Is Seven-Time MP Pankaj Chaudhary The Answer To BJPs UP Chief Hunt? All Eyes On Polls Today Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Watershed Moment': PM Modi Praises BJP Workers After Thiruvananthapuram Civic Poll Victory Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 15:50 IST Prime Minister Narendra Modi called BJP-led NDAs Thiruvananthapuram Corporation polls success a "watershed moment" in Keralas politics and thanked voters for their support. Rapid Read File photo of PM Modi (Image: PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed the BJP-led NDAs performance in polls for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation as a watershed moment" in Keralas politics. The NDA emerged victorious in the Thiruvananthapuram civic polls, snatching it from the CPI(M)-led LDF and marking an end to 45 years of continuous Left rule in the local body. In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi thanked the voters for their support. Thank you Thiruvananthapuram! The mandate the BJP-NDA got in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is a watershed moment in Keralas politics," PM Modi wrote. Thank you Thiruvananthapuram!The mandate the BJP-NDA got in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is a watershed moment in Keralas politics. The people are certain that the development aspirations of the state can only be addressed by our Party. Our Party will work towards Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 13, 2025 The Prime Minister further stated that the mandate reflected the peoples faith in the BJPs ability to fulfill the states development aspirations and improve the ease of living, while also praising the tireless efforts and long-standing grassroots work of party karyakartas in Kerala that made the result possible. The people are certain that the development aspirations of the state can only be addressed by our Party. Our Party will work towards this vibrant citys growth and boost Ease of Living for the people, " he added. My gratitude to all hardworking BJP Karyakartas who have worked among the people, which has ensured a spectacular result in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Today is a day to recall the work and struggles of generations of Karyakartas in Kerala, who worked at the grassroots, which ensured todays result became a reality. Our Karyakartas are our strength and we are proud of them!," he further wrote. JP Nadda Says Result Signals Desire For Governance Change In Kerala BJP National President JP Nadda also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the people of Kerala for their support to the BJP and NDA in the Local Body elections, stating that the results reflect the alliances growing grassroots presence and a strong desire for change in governance across the state. My heartfelt gratitude to the people of Kerala for standing with the BJP and NDA in the Local Body elections. This result reflects our growing grassroots presence and signals a strong desire for change in governance across the state. The peoples trust in Honble PM Shri @narendramodi Jis vision of #VikasitaKeralam is clearly evident. I congratulate State President Shri @RajeevRC_X ji, @BJP4Keralam and NDA Karyakartas on this encouraging outcome," Nadda tweeted. A Moment Of Pride And Promise: Rajnath Singh Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the BJPs strong performance in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation polls as a moment of pride and promise for Keralas capital", saying it reflects the peoples hope for change, development and clean governance. A moment of pride and promise for Keralas capital!Thiruvananthapuram has spoken with hope and conviction, ushering in a new chapter by ensuring BJPs stunning performance in the Municipal Corporation. This is a heartfelt endorsement of change, development and clean Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 13, 2025 A moment of pride and promise for Keralas capital! Thiruvananthapuram has spoken with hope and conviction, ushering in a new chapter by ensuring BJPs stunning performance in the Municipal Corporation. This is a heartfelt endorsement of change, development and clean governance," Singh wrote on X He congratulated the partys dedicated karyakartas and the BJPs Kerala leadership, and expressed gratitude to the people of Thiruvananthapuram for their trust and support. He added that, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision, the BJP Kerala unit would work with humility and commitment to fulfil the aspirations of the people and build a future based on development and collective progress. I warmly congratulate our tireless karyakartas and the BJPs Kerala leadership and extend my deepest gratitude to the people of Thiruvananthapuram for their faith and affection. Inspired by the vision of PM Shri @narendramodi ji, @BJP4Keralam unit will work with humility and dedication to realise the aspirations of the people and build a future rooted in development, trust and collective progress," he remarked. BJP Wins Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Polls The BJPs victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is expected to give the party significant momentum ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, particularly in the state capital. In the 101-member corporation, the BJP secured 50 wards, while the LDF won 29, the UDF 19, and independent candidates claimed two. The BJP thus fell just one seat short of an outright majority. In addition, the NDA successfully retained the Palakkad municipality after a closely fought contest with the Congress-led UDF and also captured the Thrippunithura Municipality from the Congress. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Thiruvananthapuram, India, India First Published: December 13, 2025, 15:48 IST News politics 'Watershed Moment': PM Modi Praises BJP Workers After Thiruvananthapuram Civic Poll Victory 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... 'LDF Didn't Achieve Expected Results': Kerala CM's First Statement After Setback In Local Body Polls Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 20:54 IST Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the LDF did not achieve the expected results in the local body elections and promised corrective measures. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. (PTI file photo) In his first remarks since the Kerala local body poll results were announced, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan acknowledged that the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) did not achieve the expected results, and the reasons will be studied in detail. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has scripted a decisive win in the Kerala local body polls, even as the LDF suffered a setback. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) made a historic win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, where it secured its first-ever win. The final results of the local body polls, which were held in two phases in the state earlier this week, came as a huge setback for the LDF, which lost control of four out of the five municipal corporations where it was in power. Kozhikode Corporation remains the only major consolation for the LDF as it heads towards a victory with a lead in 35 of the 76 divisions. The Left Democratic Front did not achieve the expected results in the local self-government elections. Although it was expecting a great victory across the state, it has not been able to make such progress. The reasons for this will be examined in detail, necessary corrections will be made, and we will move forward," Vijayan said. Vijayan On BJPs Gains Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made a significant breakthrough in the Kerala capital by emerging as the single largest party in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation election, clinching the seat from the LDF after 45 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a watershed moment". ALSO READ: Beauty Of Democracy: Shashi Tharoor Lauds BJPs Historic Thiruvananthapuram Civic Polls Win Vijayan called the NDAs victory and the influence of communalism in the election worrying" for those who believed in secularism. This election result is a warning that people need to be more vigilant so that they do not fall prey to the evil propaganda and cunning tactics of communal forces. This result also underlines the need to continue the fight against all forms of communalism more vigorously," he added. The CM assured that the LDF will examine all matters in detail and will work with commitment to increase public support for the development and welfare projects of the ruling party. The latest State Election Commission trends show the Congress-led UDF leading in 7,669 gram panchayat wards, 1,137 block panchayat wards, 90 district panchayat wards, 1,458 municipal wards and 187 corporation wards, followed by the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) leading in 6,308 gram panchayat wards, 878 block panchayat wards, 43 district panchayat wards, 1,100 municipal wards and 125 corporation wards. The BJP-led NDA is leading in 1,392 gram panchayat wards, 53 block panchayat wards, one district panchayat ward, 324 municipal wards and 93 corporation wards, while other parties and independents accounted for 1,260 gram panchayat wards, 48 block panchayat wards, one district panchayat ward, 323 municipal wards and 15 corporation wards. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Thiruvananthapuram, India, India First Published: December 13, 2025, 20:48 IST News politics 'LDF Didn't Achieve Expected Results': Kerala CM's First Statement After Setback In Local Body Polls 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... Tamil Nadu Archaeology Dept 'Survey' Adds New Twist To Madurai Temple Row: What Is The Crisis All About? Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 13:05 IST The archaeology department's official survey of the stone pillar drew legal objections that the state was improperly generating new evidence while the matter was sub judice A lamp lit at Thiruparankundram temple as part of 'Karthigai Deepam' festival celebrations, in Tamil Nadu's Madurai district on December 3, 2025. (Image: PTI) A decades-old religious ritual at a temple in Madurai has sparked a major political and legal storm in poll-bound Tamil Nadu, stemming from a single court decision allowing the lighting of the traditional Karthigai Deepam lamp at a stone pillar located close to a dargah. The Tamil Nadu archaeology department is the newest entrant in the row surrounding the lighting of the ritual lamp at the deepathoon (stone pillar) of the Subramaniya Swamy temple on Thiruparankundram hill. Even as the Madras High Court allowed a heavily restricted peaceful fasting" protest by local residents, who are demanding the ritual be permitted, on December 11, the states archaeology department conducted an official survey of the stone pillar. This immediately drew legal objections from petitioners, who argued that the state was improperly generating new evidence while the matter was sub judice. The Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai is a site revered for both its historic Subramaniya Swamy temple and the nearby Sikkander Badusha dargah. WHAT IS THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT? The Tamil Nadu archaeology departments official survey at the stone pillar has added a new layer of complexity to a matter, which is still under legal scrutiny. According to a report by The Indian Express, on December 10, a seven-member team from the department led by deputy director Yatish Kumar and assistant director Loganathan conducted a survey of the deepathoon and the surrounding area. The report quoted officials as saying the exercise was intended to provide a detailed technical analysis to study the physical characteristics of the pillar, which some parties claim is merely a survey stone. The report said the timing of this action, however, raised immediate legal concerns. Legal petitioners in the matter questioned how the state could undertake such an exercise when the core dispute was pending before appellate courts. Petitioners argued that any new material generated through the survey could fundamentally alter the nature of the dispute if presented before the court, underscoring the fraught relationship between judicial proceedings and executive action". A PEACEFUL HUNGER STRIKE This survey came alongside the Madras High Courts decision to allow a peaceful hunger strike by local residents, who are demanding for the ritual to be performed at the location. Justice S Srimathy issued the order on a petition filed by R Prabhu, an advocate from Thiruparankundram, who sought permission for public peaceful fasting" at Mayil Mandapam on Sannidhi Street on Saturday (December 13). The protest was explicitly aimed at demanding permission to light the Karthigai Deepam on the deepathoon. Justice Srimathy, while acknowledging the states opposition that the core dispute was pending, held that a hunger strike constitutes a form of expression protected under the Constitution and, thus, could not be denied outright, though authorities could regulate it. The court, however, imposed strict conditions only 50 participants were permitted to take part between 9 am and 5 pm, using only one microphone; no slogans against individuals or groups were permitted except mantras; no political colour by either the petitioner or the police; and the entire protest should be videographed. WHAT TRIGGERED THE CONTROVERSY? The current controversy was initially triggered by a series of orders from Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madras High Courts Madurai bench. The tradition of lighting the lamp on the deepathoon reportedly continued until 1926 but was discontinued due to civil disputes. On December 1, Justice Swaminathan ruled that the Arulmighu Subramania Swamy Temple was duty-bound" to light the lamp at the deepathoon, in addition to the customary lighting near the Uchi Pillaiyar Mandapam. The single-judge bench asserted that doing so would not encroach upon the rights of the adjacent dargah or the Muslim community". But state government officials viewed this directive as a break from the longstanding practice of lighting the lamp at the nearby Deepa Mandapam, a ritual observed for several years. When the courts December 1 order remained unimplemented, Justice Swaminathan passed a subsequent order on December 3 permitting devotees to light the lamp and directing the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to ensure their protection. This non-compliance and the resulting chaos, including clashes between right-wing groups and police over the lighting of the lamp, led the DMK-led state government to challenge the order in the Supreme Court. WHAT ABOUT THE IMPEACHMENT NOTICE? Hovering over these developments are the repercussions of an impeachment notice against Justice GR Swaminathan, whose orders triggered the controversy. Several opposition MPs, led by the DMK, had submitted a notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to move a motion for Justice Swaminathans removal. The notice, which carried over 100 signatures from parliamentarians including Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders, alleged that his conduct raised serious questions regarding impartiality, transparency, and the secular functioning of the judiciary". Specifically, the motion alleged that he showed undue favoritism" to a specific senior advocate and favoured advocates from a particular community while deciding cases, arguing that this is against the secular principles of the Indian Constitution. These accusations are not isolated; four months earlier, INDIA bloc MPs had written separately to the President and the Chief Justice of India alleging that he had displayed ideological bias and caste-based preference, describing his conduct as amounting to proved misbehaviour and gross misconduct". In a robust defence of the judiciary, fifty-six former judges including two former Supreme Court judges issued a statement denouncing the attempt as a brazen attempt to browbeat judges who do not fall in line with the ideological and political expectations of a particular section of society". The statement argued that the move was an attempt to weaponise impeachment as an instrument of pressure", striking at the heart of judicial independence. The political discourse quickly heated up, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah accusing the INDIA bloc of engaging in appeasement" politics and calling the attempt to impeach a judge over a judicial order unprecedented". Conversely, DMK leader TKS Elangovan criticised the alleged involvement of the Centre, terming it unconstitutional" and alleging that the judge was acting on behalf of the BJP". WHAT IS THE POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE? The sacred hill of Thiruparankundram, which for centuries has been regarded as a centre of religious coexistence and communal harmony (housing temples and the 17th-century dargah), has become a significant religious flashpoint in poll-bound Tamil Nadu. With the assembly elections barely four months away, the controversy is poised to become a major battleground between the ruling DMK and the opposition. Right-wing organisations and BJP cadre vehemently protested the state governments decision to light the lamp at the Deepa Mandapam, adhering to traditional practice rather than the courts directive viewing it as the governments failure to follow the high courts directive. The BJP has accused the DMK of anti-Hindu bias and minority appeasement. In the Lok Sabha, DMKs parliamentary leader TR Baalu accused the BJP of trying to ignite" communal tensions in Tamil Nadu, while Union minister L Murugan hit back accusing the state government of denying the right to worship". The current tensions are not new; Thiruparankundram was previously the centre of controversy after some Muslim groups demanded the hill be renamed Sikkandar Hill, a demand strongly opposed by Hindu outfits and the BJP. (With agency inputs) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Madurai, India, India First Published: December 13, 2025, 12:37 IST News politics Tamil Nadu Archaeology Dept 'Survey' Adds New Twist To Madurai Temple Row: What Is The Crisis All About? 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 Not Always Wrong: Ex-Congress Leader Says Party Has Somewhere Lost Ground Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 18:12 IST Former Congress leader Ashwani Kumar said that of all the qualities of democratic leadership, the most important is magnanimity. Former Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar. (File) Former Congress leader Ashwani Kumar has said that there cannot be an effective opposition in the country without the Congress, but acknowledged that the party has somewhere lost ground" and needs to introspect and revive itself, calling it a national obligation". Speaking at the launch of his book Guardians of the Republic on Friday, the former Union Minister said that the Congress must look inward for its weaknesses instead of finding fault with rival parties. Congress is a great party, and there cannot be an effective opposition in the country without it. That is a certainty. It still has its influence across the country. But yes, somewhere it has lost ground," he said as quoted by news agency PTI. He further said that of all the qualities of democratic leadership, the most important is magnanimity. You need not the narrowness of mind, but the largeness of spirit, the magnanimity of the heart. That is the quality of leadership which Manmohan Singh represented And that is the leadership that Jawaharlal Nehru represented," Kumar said. The former Union minister also struck a nuanced note on the current political discourse, saying it is incorrect to assume that the present government or the prime minister does everything wrong". The impression that this regime does everything wrong, that this prime minister does everything wrong, is also not correct," he said. Kumar also said that the BJP is under no obligation to strengthen the Congress. Congress will have to strengthen itself from within by looking inwards, by introspecting For example, Rahul Gandhi, his heart is in the right place. He is an idealist. He speaks for the poor. And I like that. But somewhere, the messaging of the Congress has gone wrong. I dont know. I cannot comment," Kumar said. I am no one to pass judgment. They have to discover. They are very wise people, very wise leaders. It is a national obligation of the Congress to revive itself, to strengthen itself. And I wish it the very best," he added. Asked about his ideological position after quitting the Congress, Kumar said he continues to hold the party and its leadership in high regard. He praised Sonia Gandhi for maintaining civility and dignity in public life and credited her decision to appoint Manmohan Singh as prime minister as a reflection of those values. I may have left the party, but I have the highest personal respect for Sonia Gandhi for unfailingly maintaining civility and decency in public life. In my long, personal association with her, I never found her to be arrogant. She has strong views. She has strong likes, and dislikes. That I can concede. The book was launched by former Supreme Court judge Madan Lokur and former foreign secretary Shyam Saran. The session was moderated by senior journalist Neerja Chowdhury. Late Manmohan Singhs wife Gursharan Kaur, former vice-president M Hamid Ansari, and ex-Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad were also present. (With inputs from PTI) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 18:12 IST News politics PM Not Always Wrong: Ex-Congress Leader Says Party Has Somewhere Lost Ground 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... Saffron Surge In Kerala Capital: Thiruvananthapuram Verdict Sets Tone For 2026 Poll Fight Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 16:57 IST The local body poll results saw the NDA capture power in the crucial civic agency for the first time The loss of the capital city corporation is a devastating blow to the LDF, raising serious questions about the perceived invincibility of the Left in its traditional strongholds. (Representational image/PTI) The political landscape of Kerala experienced a seismic shift on Saturday as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a historic victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation elections, ending the four-decade-long dominance of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the state capital. The results, announced after the counting of votes polled on December 9, saw the NDA capture power in the crucial civic body for the first time. The final tally in the 101-ward corporation showed a decisive margin for the NDA, which secured a total of 50 seats, achieving the required majority of 51 seats (with one seat election cancelled). This performance marks a dramatic turnaround for the BJP, which had struggled for years to gain a foothold in the states political structure, and a massive setback for the ruling LDF, whose tally was reduced to just 29 wards. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) managed to secure 19 seats, a modest comeback for the principal opposition. Two seats were claimed by Independent candidates. The significance of the victory was immediately underscored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who took to social media to express his gratitude. Thank you Thiruvananthapuram!" PM Modi stated, adding, The mandate the BJP-NDA got in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is a watershed moment in Keralas politics. The people are certain that the development aspirations of the state can only be addressed by our Party. Our Party will work towards this vibrant citys growth and boost Ease of Living for the people." This result in the states political capital holds immense importance as a bellwether ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. The BJPs aggressive campaign, led by state unit president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, focused heavily on a development agenda for the city, contrasting with the LDFs long tenure. The win in the corporation, a major increase from the 34 seats the NDA held in the previous 2020 elections, suggests a consolidation of urban votes in the key constituencies like Nemom, Vattiyoorkavu, and Kazhakkoottam, which fall under the civic bodys jurisdiction. While the UDF emerged as the overall dominant front across Kerala, reclaiming four of the six corporations and making strong gains in municipalities, the loss of the capital city corporation is a devastating blow to the LDF, raising serious questions about the perceived invincibility of the Left in its traditional strongholds. Conversely, the victory gives the BJP a massive morale boost and a tangible administrative platform to showcase its governance model in Kerala for the first time, establishing a clear narrative of change that it hopes to carry into the upcoming state polls. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 16:57 IST News politics Saffron Surge In Kerala Capital: Thiruvananthapuram Verdict Sets Tone For 2026 Poll Fight 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... Zhang Yawei (L), cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, presents a prize to a winner at an award ceremony of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Dec. 11, 2025. The Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia on Thursday announced winners of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition at a ceremony held at the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute in Addis Ababa. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua) ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia on Thursday announced winners of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition at a ceremony held at the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital. The event that ran from September to November involved making and sharing videos of singing Chinese songs, performing traditional Chinese dances and other activities, highlighting the China-Ethiopia friendship and cultural relations. Speaking at the event, Zhang Yawei, cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, said the contestants have played a significant role in promoting the Chinese language and culture in Ethiopia, enhancing the cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. "Over the course of three months, we received 42 valid entries, which collectively garnered over 200,000 views on social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. This fully demonstrates the remarkable progress and immense enthusiasm of Ethiopians in learning the Chinese language and engaging in Chinese culture," Zhang said. Biruk Kedir, director general of the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute, said every video submitted was a personal journey, a story told through the beautiful medium of the Chinese language, reflecting not only their hard work but also unique perspectives as young Ethiopians. "What we witness in this competition is more than linguistic proficiency. It is the courage to express, the vision to share, and the genuine desire to build bridges between cultures of the two countries," Kedir noted. Speaking about the significance of learning Chinese, Aliya Abdulselam, winner of the Best Popularity Prize, said the language serves as a tool to experience a new world. "This award is just a beginning. I want to study the Chinese language deeply, speak better, and learn the culture," Abdulselam said. The competition was jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, the Confucius Institutes at the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute, and the Addis Ababa University. Young Ethiopians perform at an award ceremony of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Dec. 11, 2025. The Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia on Thursday announced winners of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition at a ceremony held at the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute in Addis Ababa. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua) Young Ethiopians attend an award ceremony of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Dec. 11, 2025. The Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia on Thursday announced winners of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition at a ceremony held at the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute in Addis Ababa. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua) Biruk Kedir, director general of the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute, speaks at an award ceremony of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Dec. 11, 2025. The Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia on Thursday announced winners of the Second Ethiopia Online Chinese Video Competition at a ceremony held at the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute in Addis Ababa. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua) SIT Files Chargesheet In Aland Vote Chori Case, Names Ex-Karnataka BJP MLA & Son Among Others Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 10:46 IST According to the chargesheet, money was allegedly paid by Subhash Guttedar to facilitate the removal of voters names using cyber centres Rapid Read Former BJP MLA Subhash Guttedar A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged manipulation of electoral rolls during the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections has filed a chargesheet in connection with the case in Aland, Kalaburagi. Investigators have established the role of former BJP MLA Subhash Guttedar in the alleged vote chori and the SIT has filed seven chargesheets before the court, naming Guttedar and his son Harshanand among the accused. The Karnataka government had constituted a CID Special Investigation Team to probe the allegations. After completing the investigation, the team submitted a chargesheet running into 22,000 pages. The issue first came to public attention after Congress MLA BR Patil levelled allegations of vote theft. This was followed by a formal complaint from election officials. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also raised the issue, prompting the government to order the probe. The case was registered on the allegation that the names of 5,994 voters were deleted from the electoral rolls in Aland. During the investigation, several details reportedly emerged, including the alleged use of cyber centres to carry out the deletions. According to the chargesheet, money was allegedly paid by Guttedar to facilitate the removal of voters names. The investigation team has now formally placed the chargesheet before the court in connection with the case. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 10:46 IST News politics SIT Files Chargesheet In Aland Vote Chori Case, Names Ex-Karnataka BJP MLA & Son Among Others 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 AI Burnout Crisis: Why Employees Are Exhausted Even Before Their Workday Begins Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 08:30 IST One of the key causes of AI burnout is 'AI overhead' the extra tasks employees must perform just because AI has been introduced. These are not tasks that existed before Workers experiencing AI fatigue often describe the same symptoms: difficulty focusing, slower task completion, irritability, and a sense of staring at screens without absorbing anything. (Getty Images) A quiet but growing form of workplace exhaustion is sweeping through offices, and it has little to do with long hours, tight deadlines, or heavy workloads. Instead, it stems from the rapid spread of AI across white-collar jobs. AI fatigue, also called AI burnout," is the psychological and cognitive strain workers feel when they must constantly adapt to AI-driven tools that are meant to make their work easier but often end up complicating it. Employees across IT, finance, customer support, media, consulting, and even government-backed projects increasingly describe a new pattern of stress. They are not overwhelmed by automation replacing their work. They are overwhelmed by having to work around automation: fixing AIs mistakes, reformatting outputs, switching between multiple interfaces, and monitoring systems that behave like theyre still in experimental mode. As AI systems become fixtures in Indias digitised office environments, the promise of effortless productivity" is clashing with the reality of incomplete integrations and half-automated workflows. The result is a new form of cognitive load one that drains focus and leaves workers feeling mentally scattered long before the workday ends. Why AI Fatigue Is Emerging In India Now India is experiencing one of the fastest workplace AI adoptions in the world. Start-ups, outsourcing companies, IT majors, fintech firms, and media organisations are all racing to integrate generative AI and automation into daily processes. But adoption has been far quicker than preparation. Job roles have not been redesigned. Training remains minimal. And most work environments have not been restructured to support hybrid human-AI collaboration. Instead, employees are expected to figure it out on the go," even as tools evolve weekly and interfaces change without warning. HR teams in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Noida, and Gurugram report complaints of tool overload," AI overwhelm," and cognitive fatigue." Many describe the same feeling: they now work in between systems part human, part machine with neither side fully reliable or predictable. AI fatigue emerges when organisations deploy automation as a patch, not a principle. Employees become the human middlewareconstantly correcting, supervising, and rescuing brittle models that were never embedded into a clean workflow. Over time, attention fragments, vigilance drops, and teams lose trust in the very systems meant to support them. Productivity doesnt collapse dramatically; it erodes quietly," said Shailesh Dhuri, CEO of Decimal Point Analytics, a data analytics firm based in Mumbai. Another, Dipali Pallai, founding member & CHRO, BharathCloud, said when employees try to balance their daily responsibilities with rapid technological shifts, the increasing cognitive load slows them down. Instead of improving efficiency, it often leads to tool-switching, rework, and confusion about who owns what." From an HR perspective, Pallai said, the impact can be on an employees well-being and productivity. Organisations should adopt a people-first approach, offering clear communication, structured training, and gradual introduction of tools When employees receive the right support, AI becomes a useful partner rather than a burden." When AI Adds More Work Instead Of Reducing It One of the biggest drivers of AI burnout is what researchers call AI overhead" the extra tasks employees must perform just because AI has been introduced. These are not tasks that existed before. They arise purely from the need to check, correct, verify, or restructure the tools output. Workers repeatedly report the same problems: AI-generated text that sounds confident but contains factual errors, code that almost works but not quite, summaries that miss context, reports formatted incorrectly, or chatbot drafts that read robotic and require rewriting. For example, an AI tool saves 20 minutes of a content creators time, but then another 45 minutes are spent fixing inaccuracies, adjusting tone, adding context, and reorganising paragraphs. AI tools are often marketed as productivity boosters, but for many Indian offices, the reality is that they create a hidden layer of micro-tasks that fragment the day and increase mental load. What is lost in the process is uninterrupted work. The Mental Drain Caused By Constant Context Switching Another core component of AI burnout is the relentless context switching workers must now perform. Employees often work across multiple systems: a legacy CRM, a proprietary dashboard, a human approval mechanism, and now two or three AI tools layered on top. A customer-support representative in Hyderabad explains that she handles queries using the companys internal tool but must toggle to an AI-assisted drafting panel to generate responses. If the AIs reply is too generic, she rewrites it manually. If it sounds accurate but slightly off-tone, she tweaks it again. She then copies the revised text back into the main system. This fragmented workflow is becoming common across Indian offices. Workers jump not only between systems but also between mental modes: human thinking, machine thinking, verification thinking, and manual correction. Research shows that constant context switching depletes cognitive energy far more quickly than sustained deep work, creating a sense of exhaustion disproportionate to the actual volume of tasks completed. When AI Is Still In Beta Mode AI tools in many Indian workplaces are still visibly experimental. Interfaces are redesigned without warning. Features disappear or behave inconsistently. Employees spend time relearning menus, prompts, and workflows every few weeks. A Bengaluru IT firm employee jokes that his companys internal AI bot has mood swings." Some days, it generates elegant code snippets. Other days, it produces lines that dont compile or hallucinate functions that dont exist. This unpredictability creates a psychological strain. When tools behave inconsistently, workers must remain mentally vigilant always checking, always second-guessing, always ready to course-correct. That constant cognitive vigilance is a major contributor to fatigue. Sector-Wise Glimpses Of AI Exhaustion In India Across industries, AI burnout is manifesting differently a sign that this is not an isolated problem but a structural shift. In IT, coders say AI-generated code requires heavy debugging. Tools often produce plausible-looking but incorrect logic, forcing developers to sift through every line. Many report spending more time reviewing AI code than writing new code themselves. In customer support, representatives say AI-generated drafts often miss nuance, tone, or cultural context. They end up rewriting large portions manually. In high-volume environments, rewriting becomes more exhausting than writing from scratch. In the media, journalists report spending disproportionate time correcting AIs factual errors, removing generic phrasing, and restoring narrative flow. AI can produce text quickly, but ensuring accuracy and readability remains a deeply human job. In finance, analysts say AI summarisation tools behave unpredictably. They simplify complex documents too aggressively or misinterpret context. Workers spend extra time validating every figure time they wouldnt need to spend if they created the summary themselves. In government-adjacent roles, workers implementing AI-enabled public service tools say they navigate both old bureaucratic systems and new AI layers. Many describe their workflows as patchwork" and mentally draining. AI Burnout Has The Hidden Emotional Cost Workers privately fear being judged for slowness if they take time to verify AI output. Others feel confused about when they are supposed to trust AI and when they must override it. Some employees experience subtle anxiety: if AI is supposed to make work easier, why does it feel harder? Are they not tech-savvy enough? Are they falling behind? This self-doubt becomes another layer of stress in an environment where expectations are rising, even though tools remain imperfect. Productivity Falls When Workflows Fragment Ironically, companies often introduce AI to increase speed. But when workflows become fragmented, productivity tends to drop. Studies show that shallow, interrupted work reduces the quality of output, increases error rates, and leaves employees mentally worn out. Workers experiencing AI fatigue often describe the same symptoms: difficulty focusing, slower task completion, irritability, and a sense of staring at screens without absorbing anything. This mental fog can spill into personal hours. Many workers report feeling too drained to engage in activities after work, despite not having completed particularly demanding tasks. A major misconception in digital transformation is assuming we can plug in AI to the existing systems and expect instant results. In reality, adding AI to outdated workflows only amplifies inefficiencies introducing AI without redesigning processes leads to fragmented systems, double workloads, and unused insights. Productivity drops because employees are forced to juggle tools that dont match their workflow. AI creates real value only when the entire process is restructured around it," said Paresh Shetty, CEO, Arya Omnitalk, and Syntel by Arvind. What Companies Need To Do Organisations hoping to harness AIs potential without burning out their workforce must rethink their approach. First, companies need to redesign workflows around AI, not simply insert tools into existing processes. This requires mapping tasks end-to-end and identifying which portions AI can realistically handle. Training is also essential. Workers need structured guidance on when to use AI, how much to trust it, how to verify outputs efficiently, and how to avoid becoming overly dependent or overly sceptical. Leading IT organisations pair AI rollout with strong human support systems. Rather than generically offering training, firms are now providing role-specific learning that allows employees to see how AI will impact their daily work. They introduce the new tools in phases, establishing clear governance and creating a safe environment where teams can express their concerns early without fear HR plays a central role in designing learning programmes, updating job descriptions, and tracking well-being. As global research shows, organisations that invest in both mindset and skill-building experience lower anxiety, stronger confidence, and healthier long-term adoption of AI tools," said Pallai. Companies should also set realistic productivity expectations. Just because a tool promises instant output does not mean employees can deliver instantly. Human verification takes time. Companies can track cognitive load like a statistical control chart, monitoring context switches, escalation patterns, and hidden handoffs that drain mental energy. They can build small human-in-the-loop buffers that absorb variation instead of letting it explode upstream. Most importantly, they should invest more in training the mind than tuning the model This is the emerging discipline of AI ergonomics: optimizing the human-machine interface to scale intelligence without exhausting people," said Dhuri of Decimal Point Analytics. Finally, companies need to create feedback loops where employees can report issues, tool fatigue, and inefficiencies. This feedback must inform how tools are improved or integrated, rather than being dismissed as resistance to change. What To Conclude AI burnout marks a pivotal moment in Indias digital transformation. The countrys rapid embrace of workplace AI has created enormous potential, but also unexpected psychological strain. As more tools enter offices and more roles become AI-adjacent, India is entering a new phase where the challenge is not adoption but adaptation. Workplaces that acknowledge the realities of AI fatigue and redesign systems around human needs will emerge stronger. Those who ignore it risk creating a workforce that is always busy, rarely productive, and perpetually exhausted. AI may not take away jobs in the near term. But unmanaged, it may take away clarity, focus, and mental well-being, unless organisations begin to treat AI integration not as a tech upgrade, but as a full-scale redesign of how work gets done. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 08:30 IST News tech Indias AI Burnout Crisis: Why Employees Are Exhausted Even Before Their Workday Begins Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... New Dhulhan Travels To Germany In Saree And Sindoor. Internet Says, Tanya Mittal, Tum Akeli Nahi Ho Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 11:59 IST The video opens inside an airport terminal, where the new bride is seen on a moving walkway. The bride even breaks into dance at the airport. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Imagine flying to Germany for a new life and choosing a saree as your travel outfit. Not jeans, not sneakers, but six yards of silk, glowing sindoor and a heart full of excitement. Thats exactly what a newly married bride did, and her joyful airport reel is now winning hearts all over social media. The Instagram video, shared by the bride herself, captures her first international journey after marriage as she moves from India to Germany. What instantly makes the clip stand out is her unapologetic way of embracing tradition at a moment when most would prioritise comfort and contemporary glam over culture. Draped in a saree, elevated with bridal accessories like bindi, vermillion, mangalsutra and more, she turns an ordinary trip into something more personal and unique, many would not dare to. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jhelum Prakash (@jhelumprakash) The video opens inside an airport terminal where she is seen walking on a moving walkway. The bright smile on her face as she pulls a wheeled suitcase with a handbag neatly placed on top is pure joy. She giggles and even breaks into a small dance, clearly enjoying the moment. Personal Touch To Her Journey The clip then cuts to a scene where the bride excitedly shows her passport to the camera, marking the official start of her journey. A text overlay on the video reads, India to Germany in saree, sindoor and tradition." Her caption adds even more emotion to the visuals. She wrote, A new bride, crossing continents, wrapped in 6 yards of silk, glowing sindoor and carrying all love, blessings, culture and tradition for the new beginnings." Lots Of Love In Comments The comments section soon filled with reactions. One user wrote, Courageous enough for a saree." Another asked, My god, how did you manage in a saree in long flight?" Many women felt inspired, with one comment reading, Awwww loved it, such an inspiration. Ab mai v ek baar kabhi Saree pehan kar travel karungi." Another viewer praised her effort, saying, You maintain our countrys culture." And a standout comment read, Tanya Mittal ko bhejobahot over kr rahi saree pehenkr, Tanya Mittal, tum akeli nahi saree pehnne vaali." And thats how the bride transformed a routine airport walk into a moment that was a blend of tradition and fun. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: December 13, 2025, 11:59 IST News viral New Dhulhan Travels To Germany In Saree And Sindoor. Internet Says, Tanya Mittal, Tum Akeli Nahi Ho 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... 3 US Lawmakers Move Resolution To End President Trumps 50% Tariffs On India Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 07:32 IST Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey, and Raja Krishnamoorthi introduced a resolution to end up to 50 percent tariffs on India, challenging President Trumps trade policy. Rapid Read US President Donald Trump. (Image: REUTERS) In a significant move challenging President Donald Trumps trade policy, three U.S. lawmakers introduced a resolution on Friday aimed at ending the punitive tariffs of up to 50 per cent imposed on imports from India. The action marks a growing pushback in Congress against what critics call unlawful and economically damaging tariff measures. The resolution, spearheaded by Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, comes after a bipartisan move in the Senate to scrap similar tariffs on Brazil and rein in the Presidents use of emergency powers to hike import duties. As per the release, the resolution seeks to rescind the additional 25 per cent secondary" duties imposed on India on August 27, 2025, on top of earlier reciprocal tariffs, which together raised duties on many Indian-origin products to 50 per cent under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Congresswoman Ross said, North Carolinas economy is deeply connected to India through trade, investment, and a vibrant Indian American community," highlighting that Indian companies have invested over a billion dollars in the state, creating thousands of jobs in sectors such as life sciences and technology, while North Carolina manufacturers export hundreds of millions of dollars in goods to India annually. India is an important cultural, economic, and strategic partner, and these illegal tariffs are a tax on everyday North Texans who are already struggling with rising costs," Congressman Veasey added. Meanwhile, Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said the tariffs are counterproductive," warning that they disrupt supply chains, hurt American workers and raise costs for consumers, and added that scrapping them would strengthen US-India economic and security cooperation. Instead of advancing American interests or security, these duties disrupt supply chains, harm American workers, and drive up costs for consumers. Ending these damaging tariffs will allow the United States to engage with India to advance our shared economic and security needs," Krishnamoorthi added. The resolution is part of a wider effort by congressional Democrats to push back against Trumps unilateral trade actions and recalibrate the United States relationship with India. Earlier, Ross, Veasey, and Krishnamoorthi, in October, along with Congressman Ro Khanna and 19 other Members of Congress, had urged the President to reverse his tariff policies and repair strained bilateral ties with India. (With inputs from ANI) 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 13, 2025, 07:28 IST News world 3 US Lawmakers Move Resolution To End President Trumps 50% Tariffs On 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... After Trump's Truce Call, Cambodia Closes Border Crossings With Thailand As Fighting Continues Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 20:06 IST Cambodia shuts its border with Thailand amid ongoing clashes, despite US President announcing a ceasefire. Both sides report casualties and accuse each other of new attacks. Since May 2025, the two countries have seen repeated fighting along the border. Heavy clashes were reported in July, November and again in December, despite earlier ceasefire attempts (AP file photo ) Cambodia has announced its border crossings with Thailand will remain closed until further notice as the fighting continued on Saturday though US President Donald Trump said both had agreed to a ceasefire. On December 13, 2025, the Thai military used two F-16 fighter jets to drop seven bombs" on a number of targets, the Cambodian defence ministry said in an X post. Thai military aircraft have not stopped bombing yet," it said. The longstanding border dispute escalated on July 24 as Cambodia launched a barrage of rockets into Thailand, which responded with air strikes. Both have accused each other of starting the air strikes. Since May 2025, the two countries have seen repeated fighting along the border. Heavy clashes were reported in July, November and again in December, despite earlier ceasefire attempts. These clashes have taken place even after previous US-brokered agreements failed to hold. Previously, Trump said Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to renew a ceasefire after days of deadly border clashes, following talks. Later, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he informed Trump the ceasefire would be possible only if Cambodia withdraws all its forces and removes the landmines. BBC quoted the Thai officials saying four soldiers were killed on Saturday, as both sides reported continued bombing and artillery exchanges. Cambodia has not been updating its military casualty figure. Cambodias defence ministry said Thai fighter jets bombed hotel buildings and a bridge, while Thailand reported several civilians were injured in a Cambodian rocket attack. So far, Thailand has reported 15 military deaths and 270 injured. Six civilians have been injured. On Friday, Cambodia said at least 11 civilians had been killed and 59 others injured. Cambodia on Saturday accused Thailand of continuing airstrikes on its territory just hours after US President Donald Trump said both sides had agreed to halt hostilities. In a statement posted on X, Cambodias defence ministry said Thai forces carried out fresh attacks earlier in the day. According to the ministry, on December 13, the Thai military used two F-16 fighter jets to drop seven bombs on multiple locations inside Cambodian territory. The accusation came despite international efforts to restore calm along the disputed border. Thailand has not yet publicly responded to the latest claims, while tensions between the two neighbours remain high. The US president also thanked Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for helping mediate between the two sides. According to Trump, Malaysia played a key role in bringing both governments back to the negotiating table. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Cambodia First Published: December 13, 2025, 20:06 IST News world After Trump's Truce Call, Cambodia Closes Border Crossings With Thailand As Fighting Continues 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... Despite Trump's Truce Call, Cambodia Accuses Thailand Of Launching Fresh Airstrikes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 08:08 IST Trump said both Thailand, Cambodia had agreed to return to the original peace accord reached earlier with US and Malaysian support. US President Donald Trump. (Image: AFP) Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to renew a ceasefire after days of deadly border clashes, following talks, announced US President Donald Trump on Saturday. In a post on TruthSocial, Trump said he had spoken to Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and secured their agreement to halt all shooting with immediate effect. Trump said both leaders had agreed to return to the original peace accord reached earlier with US and Malaysian support. He described the latest ceasefire as an important step towards preventing a wider conflict between the two neighbouring countries. The US president also thanked Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for helping mediate between the two sides. According to Trump, Malaysia played a key role in bringing both governments back to the negotiating table. Trump said Thailand and Cambodia were now ready for peace" and keen to continue trade relations with the United States. He added that it was an honour to work with both leaders to stop a conflict that could have turned into a major regional war. How the fighting began The latest violence traces back to a roadside bomb explosion that killed and injured several Thai soldiers. Trump said the blast was an accident, but Thailand responded with strong military action. This led to a sharp rise in tensions along the disputed border. Thailand and Cambodia have a long-running dispute over areas near the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The disagreement has flared up repeatedly over the years, often leading to armed clashes. Months of conflict Since May 2025, the two countries have seen repeated fighting along the border. Heavy clashes were reported in July, November and again in December, despite earlier ceasefire attempts. These clashes have taken place even after previous US-brokered agreements failed to hold. By December 12, fighting had entered its fifth day. Thailand launched what it called Operation Sattawa and claimed to have seized northern Cambodian localities. Cambodia, however, accused Thai forces of crossing into its territory. More than 50 people, including soldiers and civilians, have reportedly been killed since the violence escalated. Both sides have accused each other of violating ceasefire terms and starting fresh attacks. Trump has urged both governments to honour the renewed ceasefire and avoid further military action. Observers say the coming days will be critical in determining whether the truce holds and whether long-term peace can be restored along the tense border. 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 13, 2025, 07:08 IST News world Despite Trump's Truce Call, Cambodia Accuses Thailand Of Launching Fresh Airstrikes 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... 'Don't Push Bangladesh To The Wall': Sheikh Hasina Blasts Muhammad Yunus Regime | Exclusive Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 08:00 IST Hasina issues a blistering critique of poll-bound Bangladesh's interim government, slamming political exclusion, constitutional overreach, and 'victors justice' Any extradition request should follow the law, not politics, said Hasina. File pic/AFP In a rare and extensive interaction from exile, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has launched a broadside against the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, describing the current political climate as a profound crisis marked by constitutional invalidity and a breakdown of law and order. Directly addressing the numerous legal actions taken against her, her family, and her party, in her conversation with CNN-News18 Hasina firmly denied all corruption allegations and characterised the ongoing International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) proceedings as politically driven victors justice". She condemned the systematic exclusion of the Awami League from political participation and warned that the constitutional amendments passed without parliamentary oversight are illegal and will ultimately haunt" the nation. She maintained that the only path to national healing is the immediate restoration of democracy, an inclusive political process, and a commitment to genuine, impartial rule of law. Far from home and far from your country, how do you see Bangladesh? Is everything there going well? I follow events closely, and my greatest wish is for peace, stability, and the safety of all Bangladeshis. I am deeply concerned by reports of political exclusion, attacks on minorities, and the economic disruption that followed last years turmoil. Our country is under deep strain: democracy is threatened, law and order have nearly vanished, and ordinary people live in fear. We urgently need calm, accountable, and democratic leadership to be restored. The student-led protests that began over job quotas evolved into a nationwide movement leading to your resignation and flight to India. The ICT tribunals ruling has described the events of July-August 2024 as a genocide under your watch, holding you responsible for ordering lethal force, including helicopters, against protesters. Looking back, what do you see as the true turning points of that summers unrest, and how do you believe history will ultimately judge the decisions made in the heat of crisis? The summer of 2024 was a tragic sequence of events. The student protests began with understandable grievances but were inflamed by irresponsible political actors and a heavy-handed interim response. These actors turned initially peaceful protests into uncontrollable street clashes that led to the loss of innocent lives. History will judge these events harshly if there is no honest accounting. You were sentenced to death in absentia by Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity related to the crackdown on protesters, which the UN estimates killed up to 1,400 people. You have called the tribunal rigged" and politically motivated". Could you elaborate on why you view the trial as unfair, and what evidence do you believe was overlooked? I have repeatedly highlighted the political motivations of this tribunal, as have independent international human rights organisations and many eminent overseas lawyers. The ICT was never about justice, but rather political retribution. It was controlled by my political opponents, who saw it as an opportunity to discredit or even destroy the Awami League. The unprecedented speed of the trial and the interim governments control of the judiciary made it impossible to mount a robust defence. I couldnt choose my lawyer, and the prosecution relied solely on weak, fabricated evidence that I was not able to challenge. No intelligent or credible analysis was provided of the events of July and August 2024. The tribunal did not properly examine the chain of command, independent forensic evidence, or alternative accounts that would cast doubt on the favoured narrative. I will pursue all lawful appeals and ask for an independent review. I must also highlight the constitutional crisis Yunus has created by manipulating the International Crimes Tribunal. The ICT was established to prosecute the war criminals of 1971. It was never designed to adjudicate political disputes. In Bangladesh, any change to a tribunals mandate or legal basis must be brought before Parliament. The current regime has bypassed this entirely, issuing executive orders to rewrite the ICTs jurisdiction and procedures without any democratic oversight. Such orders are constitutionally invalid, and any tribunal operating under them functions outside the rule of law. This means that every action taken by this modified ICT-BD rests on an unlawful foundation. And I urge the nation to consider: what happens if the next Parliament, once restored to legitimacy, refuses to endorse these irregular amendments? What will be the fate of verdicts, particularly death sentences, handed down in the meantime? How can the state justify an execution carried out under a legal framework that may later be declared unconstitutional? This is what happens when unelected governments, lacking any mandate from voters, start tinkering with the constitution and previously independent institutions. It hugely damages a countrys public welfare and its political culture. The Yunus-led interim government has repeatedly called on India to extradite you and former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal under the bilateral treaty. Given your refuge in New Delhi, how do you respond to these demands, and what message would you send to the Bangladeshi authorities about justice and reconciliation? Any extradition request should follow the law, not politics. I respect the legal process, but such requests must be handled transparently and must safeguard the rights of the accused. My message to the authorities in Dhaka is simple: pursue justice, but do so in a way that heals the country rather than deepens divisions. Reconciliation requires impartial investigations, not victors justice, and national healing can only begin when courts are beyond political control. In December 2025, a Dhaka court convicted you of corruption in a land allocation case, sentencing you to five years, while your niece Tulip Siddiq (a UK MP) received two years and your sister Sheikh Rehana seven years. How do you address these charges, and do they reflect a broader pattern of political targeting against your family? These convictions are another example of politically driven prosecution. My family and I firmly deny the ACCs allegations. No persuasive evidence of corruption was presented during these trials, for the simple reason that none exists. The timing and conduct of these trials once again raise serious questions about due process. The prosecutions proceeded in absentia without full, transparent evidence and a fair opportunity to defend. It is obvious that this was not justice. It was political score-settling, which is the opposite of justice. Frankly, Bangladesh deserves better. I will contest these verdicts through every legal avenue, and I call on independent international observers to scrutinise the procedures used. During your 15-year tenure, Bangladesh achieved remarkable economic growth, including a 13% rise in garment exports post-2024 and infrastructure projects that lifted millions from poverty. Critics, however, cite heavy foreign debt and authoritarianism. What aspects of your governance do you believe will stand the test of time? I am proud of the economic progress achieved while I led the government: sustained growth, dramatic poverty reduction, and transformative infrastructure that improved the lives of ordinary Bangladeshis and raised incomes. Those development gains, the growth of our garment industry, the critical infrastructure we invested in and the material improvements millions experienced are enduring legacies. Our GDP grew by 450% over my 15 years in office, and millions were lifted out of poverty. The 450% figure comes from the IMF. It is a testament above all to the resourcefulness of Bangladeshs people. But it was facilitated by strategic policymaking on the Awami Leagues part, done for the nations welfare. Yunus and his cronies will never achieve anything remotely comparable for our countrymen and women. Your party has been banned from the February 2026 elections until trials related to protester deaths conclude, prompting threats of unrest from supporters and your son Sajib Wazed Joy. As party chairperson, how do you envision the Awami Leagues role in Bangladeshs political landscape, and should the ban be lifted for fair polls? Excluding the Awami League from meaningful participation disenfranchises tens of millions of voters and undermines the credibility of any election. For elections to be accepted as fair, the ban must be lifted so that all major parties can contest freely. We have been elected by the people nine times since 1971; it is crazy to exclude us. Whether in government or opposition, a party that large has to be part of the national political conversation; otherwise, Bangladeshs people will not take the government or the political process seriously. Reports point to a troubling surge in targeted attacks on Hindu and other minority communities, including vandalism of temples, looting of homes, and incidents of forced displacement. What inputs are you getting? I am deeply saddened by the disturbing reports of attacks on Hindu and other minority communities since last year. These are unacceptable. The state must protect all citizens. Yet Yunus has consistently downplayed and even denied these daily acts of violence. Protecting minorities and ensuring justice for victims are obligations of any responsible government. Muhammad Yunus, whom you once convicted of graft, now leads an interim administration that has frozen 124 of your familys bank accounts and established reform commissions on elections and the judiciary. What is your assessment of his governments progress on reforms, and does it represent the New Bangladesh" it promises? An interim government, because it is unelected and thus has no mandate, should be limited in its ambitions and have as short a lifespan as possible. It can play a constructive role if it restores inclusive politics, upholds rights, and prepares the ground for credible elections. Regrettably, Yunus has so far failed on all these counts. Elections have been repeatedly delayed, and the most popular political party banned. Judicial institutions have been weaponised as tools of political oppression, our once-free media has been silenced, and the rights of ordinary Bangladeshis to exercise their freedom of belief and political expression undermined. Chaos and violence are becoming parts of our culture. With elections set for February 2026 alongside a constitutional referendum, opposition parties like the BNP are pushing for early polls, while student-led groups like the National Citizens Party (NCP) struggle for electoral ground despite their role in your ouster. What advice would you give to Bangladeshi voters on ensuring free and fair elections, and who do you see emerging as the strongest force? Voters must continue to advocate peacefully and calmly for their right to vote for the party of their choice. No election that excludes the countrys most popular political party can be considered free or fair. The international community must call out this situation and hold the interim government accountable for failing to enable elections that are free, fair, and inclusive. Who will emerge strongest depends on whether the contest is genuinely open. The Awami League will happily serve either in government or in opposition if the elections are free, fair, and inclusive and the new government enjoys the support of voters. My fear is that the result will reflect the restrictions placed on the electorate rather than the popular will. From exile, what vision do you hold for national healing, and under what conditions would you consider returning to Bangladesh? My vision is a reconciled Bangladesh where the rule of law, inclusive politics, minority rights, and democracy are restored. Only then would I consider returning: when there is genuine rule of law, clear guarantees of safety and due process, and a return to constitutional governance. Since your ouster, Pakistan and Bangladesh are said to have deepened their diplomatic and military engagement. Are you concerned that this emerging alignment could embolden radical or extremist groups within Bangladesh and potentially turn the country into a safe haven for terror networks? Any deepening of relations must not compromise Bangladeshs national interest or security. I am concerned that shifts in foreign alignments, if they come with less scrutiny of extremist networks, could create risks. The state must guard against any external influence that would empower radical groups or allow violence to take root. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 08:00 IST News world 'Don't Push Bangladesh To The Wall': Sheikh Hasina Blasts Muhammad Yunus Regime | Exclusive Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Driving Me Mental...': Charlie Kirk's Assassin Thinks About Shooting 'Every Day', Reveals Lip-Reader Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 09:59 IST The lip-reading analysis was done by deaf professional lip reader Nicola Hickling, according to the outlet. Rapid Read Tyler Robinson, accused of killing Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, appeared in court; cameras were allowed. (AP) Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, made his long-awaited first in-person appearance before a Utah County judge this week. According to a lip-reading analysis cited by the New York Post, during Robinsons hearing he appeared to whisper disturbing details about his state of mind, saying he thinks about the shooting of Kirk every day." Robinson reportedly told his attorney in whispered moments before the hearing began. I think about the shooting daily every morning all the time." The analysis also suggests he referenced Kirks widow in a seemingly detached way, quipping, So, he had a wife," while also remarking about his own mental state, saying he has been smoking a lot not sleeping at night its driving me mental." The lip-reading analysis was done by deaf professional lip reader Nicola Hickling, according to the outlet. Hickling is a Forensic Lip Reading Expert & Analyst" at LipReader and has over 20 years of experience. Im Nicola Hickling, a profoundly deaf professional Lip Reader trusted by journalists, PR agencies, regulators, and legal professionals to uncover the words spoken off mic," her website states. Robinson sat before Judge Tony Graf Jr. in civilian clothing, facing multiple severe charges that include aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and other counts connected with the September 10 killing of Charlie Kirk during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. This was the first hearing with Robinsons rare in-person appearance, where his calm demeanor, reportedly included moments of laughter or smirking. Robinson has been held without bail since his arrest in mid-September 2025, following the release of surveillance footage. His parents reportedly identified him in the footage and convinced him to turn himself in. Prosecutors have filed seven charges against Robinson, including aggravated murderthe only charge in Utah that carries the possibility of the death penalty. They allege that Robinson intentionally or knowingly caused Kirks death in a way that also put others at the event at serious risk. Much of Thursdays hearing focused on whether to release the audio recording and transcript of an October court session that was closed to the public. A coalition of news organisations is demanding its release in the interest of transparency. Judge Tony Graf, however, said he must carefully determine what information should remain sealed. He issued a publicity order restricting lawyers on both sides from making extrajudicial statements to the media. Robinsons next in-person court appearance is scheduled for 16 January. 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 13, 2025, 09:40 IST News world 'Driving Me Mental...': Charlie Kirk's Assassin Thinks About Shooting 'Every Day', Reveals Lip-Reader 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... EU To Indefinitely Freeze Russian Assets In Europe, Removes Obstacle To Ukraine Loan Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 12:19 IST The EU will freeze 210 billion in Russian assets to aid Ukraine despite Hungary's objections. Hungary said said it would cause irreparable damage to EU. On Monday Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. They will be later joined by European, EU and NATO leaders. The European Union (EU) has announced its decision to indefinitely freeze Russian central bank assets in Europe. This will help Ukraine to use the case to defend itself in the war. The EU has backed Ukraine financially in fighting the war as it sees Russian invasion as a threat to its own security. According to Reuters, the EU government on Friday agreed to immobilise 210 billion euros ($246 billion) worth of Russian sovereign assets for as long as needed instead of voting every six months on extending the asset freeze. This agreement will prevent Hungary and Slovakia, who have better relations with Russia, from refusing to roll back the freeze at some point which would force the RU to return the money to Russia. According to Reuters, the indefinite freezing of the Russian assets in EU is meant to help convince Belgium to support the EUs plan to use the frozen Russian cash to extend a loan of up to 165 billion euros to Ukraine to cover its military and civilian budget needs in 2026 and 2027. This loan will be paid back by Ukraine when Russia pays Kyiv war damages. The details of the reparations loan will be finalized by the European Council on December 18. In a post on X, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko welcomed the move, calling it a landmark step toward justice and accountability". This decision strengthens the foundation for the reparations loan mechanism and brings us closer to a future in which Russia pays for its crimes and destruction caused," she wrote. On Monday Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. They will be later joined by European, EU and NATO leaders, the German government said. Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a post on Facebook he believed the EU move to freeze Russian assets indefinitely via a qualified majority vote requiring the support of 15 of the 27 member states representing 65% of the EU population would cause irreparable damage to the bloc, Reuters reported. He added that Hungary would do all it could to restore a lawful state of affairs". News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Brussels, Belgium First Published: December 13, 2025, 12:19 IST News world EU To Indefinitely Freeze Russian Assets In Europe, Removes Obstacle To Ukraine Loan 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 Trump To Clinton: Democrats Drop 89 Epstein Photos, And A Political Grenade Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 06:26 IST The initial release of 19 images, followed later the same day by 70 more, represents a small fraction of the vast trove of over 95,000 photos the House Oversight Committee received The release immediately drew fierce political reactions. Image/X Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released two batches of photographs from the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, featuring numerous high-profile public figures and immediately igniting a political firestorm in Washington. The initial release of 19 images, followed later the same day by approximately 70 more, represents a small fraction of the vast trove of over 95,000 photos the committee received from the Epstein estate as part of its ongoing investigation into the late financiers extensive connections and conduct. The photos, released without captions or context, feature a wide range of powerful men who socialised with Epstein, including sitting United States President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, billionaire Bill Gates, and former British royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew). The release underscores the breadth of Epsteins elite social circle and places fresh scrutiny on the nature and extent of his interactions with the worlds powerful and wealthy. Key Figures and Content Details The released images, many of which are undated, offer various glimpses into Epsteins orbit: Donald Trump appears in several photos from his pre-presidency days, including one black-and-white image where he is seen posing with a group of six women whose faces were redacted. Another image shows him speaking with a woman while Epstein stands nearby. Notably, one photo released later depicted novelty condoms with Trumps likeness and the phrase, Im HUUUUGE!" Bill Clinton is seen in an image posing with Epstein and his convicted accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, a photo that appears to bear the former Presidents autograph. Bill Gates is photographed with the former Prince Andrew in an image that has been identified as having been taken at a 2018 summit in London, with King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) cropped out. Other prominent figures featured include filmmaker Woody Allen, British entrepreneur Richard Branson, and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers. Democrats on the committee stated they redacted the faces of most women in the photos to protect the identities of potential survivors of Epsteins abuse, though it remains unclear if all the women pictured were indeed victims. Other disturbing" images released included photographs of sex toys and accessories, adding further detail to the unsettling glimpses previously provided of Epsteins properties, such as his private Caribbean island. Political Backlash and Upcoming Deadline The release immediately drew fierce political reactions. Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the Oversight Committee, stated that the photos raise even more questions about Epstein and his relationships with some of the most powerful men in the world", and called for an end to a perceived White House cover-up". The White House and House Republicans countered the move by accusing Democrats of cherry-picking" the photos for purely political purposes to create a false narrative ahead of the upcoming election. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson insisted the Trump administration had been more transparent than Democrats regarding the files. The release amplifies pressure ahead of a critical deadline: the Department of Justice is legally mandated to release all files held by the government related to the Epstein investigation to Congress by December 19. This deadline stems from a bipartisan bill signed into law by President Trump last month, and the photos are being seen as a tactical move to ensure the administration complies fully with the law and provides complete transparency to the American public. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 06:25 IST News world From Trump To Clinton: Democrats Drop 89 Epstein Photos, And A Political Grenade 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... LUANDA, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese-built commercial complex in Angola's capital, Luanda, officially opened to the public on Friday, adding new retail and service options to the city. The Luanda Outlets Commercial City, constructed by China Railway 20 Bureau Group, was inaugurated at a ceremony attended by Angolan officials, including Milton Reis, economic adviser to the Angolan president, and Jorge Miguens Augusto, vice governor for economic affairs of Luanda province. Chinese Ambassador to Angola Zhang Bin said at the event that the completion and opening of the commercial complex represent another outcome of China-Angola economic and trade cooperation and a concrete example of China-Africa cooperation in advancing modernization. He said the project reflects Chinese enterprises' confidence in the long-term development prospects of the Angolan market. Speaking on behalf of the Luanda governor, Augusto said the opening of the complex marked an important milestone in the province's economic and social development. He said that the project reflects investor confidence in Angola's economic potential and is expected to create thousands of jobs, including nearly 3,000 direct positions. According to project information, the commercial complex represents a total investment of more than 60 million U.S. dollars and covers a built-up area of more than 70,000 square meters, with more than 200 planned retail outlets. The facility integrates commercial, cultural and leisure functions to serve local residents and support business activity. Goa Nightclub Fire Case: Deportation Of Luthra Brothers Delayed, Thai Authorities Tell News18 Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 16:09 IST A spokesperson for Thai immigration stated that the final decision regarding deportation is yet to be made by higher authorities The spokesperson mentioned that the Luthra brothers were detained under section 12(7) of the Immigration Act of Thailand following an Interpol Blue Notice and a warrant issued by the Goa police. File image/PTI Thai authorities have confirmed that the deportation of the Luthra brothers could be delayed. In an exclusive response to queries from CNN-News18, a spokesperson for Thai immigration stated that the final decision regarding deportation is yet to be made by higher authorities. Currently, they are in the process of preparing for deportation. The process is pending approval from the Commander authority, and the date, time, and flight details for their return have not been confirmed yet," said Immigration Bureau spokesperson Pol Maj Gen Choengrong Rimphadee to CNN-News18. The spokesperson mentioned that the Luthra brothers were detained under section 12(7) of the Immigration Act of Thailand following an Interpol Blue Notice and a warrant issued by the Goa police. On 11 December 2025, Phuket Immigration arrested two Indian nationals: 1. Mr Saurabh Luthra, Indian national, Passport No. Z7678521 2. Mr Gaurav Luthra, Indian national, Passport No. X6662478 They were arrested under Section 12(7) of the Immigration Act as subjects of an INTERPOL Blue Notice," he told CNN-News18. The brothers had slipped out of India within hours of last weeks blaze at their Goa nightclub that killed 25 people. Detailing the sequence of events in Thailand, the spokesperson said that the Thai Immigration Bureau received official communication from the Embassy of India in Thailand, requesting assistance to arrest the two Indian nationals likely to enter Thailand. Confirming the arrest, he said, Now, Phuket Immigration has revoked their visa permissions to stay in Thailand and has already transferred them to the Immigration Detention Centre at Suan Phlu, Sathon, Bangkok." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 13, 2025, 16:09 IST News world Goa Nightclub Fire Case: Deportation Of Luthra Brothers Delayed, Thai Authorities Tell News18 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... 'Gita, Mahabharata Scholars In 10-15 Years': Pakistan University Resumes Sanskrit First Time Since Partition Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 10:09 IST The professors helming the project stressed on the need to study classical languages as cultural bridges, saying Sanskrit is an integral part of Pakistani-Indian global heritage Lahore University of Management Sciences in Pakistan is teaching Sanskrit in its classrooms due to immense student interest with professors, Dr Ali Usman Qasmi and Dr Shahid Rasheed, at the helm of the project. (Image: @IndianTechGuide/X) For the first time since the 1947 Partition of India, a university in Pakistan has resumed the teaching of Sanskrit initially offered as a workshop, it has now expanded into a four-credit course. Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) is teaching Sanskrit in its classrooms due to immense student interest, with professors Dr Ali Usman Qasmi and Dr Shahid Rasheed at the helm of the project. Both the academics stressed on the need to study classical languages as cultural bridges, saying Sanskrit is an integral part of Pakistani-Indian global heritage and vital for accessing ancient texts. They said the initiative aims to train local scholars to study the rich, but neglected, Sanskrit archive held at the Punjab University library and hopes to inspire future courses on works like the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita. The LUMS also plans to offer courses in Mahabharata and Gita. Hopefully, this sets a momentum," Dr Ali Usman Qasmi, who is the director of the Gurmani Centre at the university, told The Tribune. In 10-15 years, we could see Pakistan-based scholars of the Gita and Mahabharata." This comes as a significant cultural and academic milestone. The Tribune reported that it began as a three-month weekend workshop that gradually evolved into a full four-credit university course after an overwhelming response. Qasmi told The Tribune that the weekend workshop was open to all, including students, researchers, lawyers, and academics. After we saw the response, we decided to introduce it as a proper university course. Even though the number of students is still small, we hope it will grow over the next few years. Ideally, by spring 2027, we should be able to teach the language as a full-year course," Qasmi was quoted. He stressed that the initiative aligns with the universitys broader language ecosystem, which already includes languages like Sindhi, Pashto, Punjabi, Baluchi, Arabic, and Persian. Noting that much of the regions literature, poetry, art, and philosophy date back to the Vedic age, Qasmi said it then becomes even more vital to read classical texts in their original language. WE NEED TO OWN IT, IT IS OURS TOO Dr Shahid Rasheed, associate professor of sociology at Forman Christian College, is at the heart of this initiative. He took a sabbatical from his current occupation after Qasmi reached out to him. Rasheed, who has studied other classical languages like Arabic and Persian, teaches the Sanskrit course at LUMS. He said his interest in the language started long before he started teaching it and, due to a lack of local teachers or textbooks, had to resort to learning it online under Cambridge Sanskrit scholar Antonia Ruppel and Australian indologist McComas Taylor. He said classical languages contain much wisdom for mankind while noting that modern languages derive from classical traditions, separated only by a veil". I mainly teach grammar. When I was teaching shubhashitas, the wisdom verses or shlokas, many of my students were fascinated to discover that so many Urdu words come from Sanskrit. Many didnt even know that Sanskrit was different from Hindi. In the first week, they found it a challenging language. But once they grasped the logical structure, they started enjoying it. The pleasure of solving something difficult is immense," he was quoted. Despite potential political sensitivities, both scholars believe the intellectual climate is shifting. Rasheed said Sanskrit is the binding language of the entire region", insisting that we need to own it". People ask me why I am learning Sanskrit. I tell them, why should we not learn it? It is the binding language of the entire region. Sanskrit grammarian Paninis village was in this region. Much writing was done here during the Indus Valley Civilisation. Sanskrit is like a mountain a cultural monument. We need to own it. It is ours too; its not tied to any particular religion," he was quoted. Ultimately, he said, the goal is to foster regional understanding and reconnect with ancient traditions. If people are to come closer, he added, absorbing the rich classical traditions is essential and, if more Muslims in Pakistan took up Sanskrit, and more Hindus and Sikhs in India started learning Arabic, it could be a fresh, hopeful start for South Asia. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Lahore, Pakistan First Published: December 13, 2025, 09:38 IST News world 'Gita, Mahabharata Scholars In 10-15 Years': Pakistan University Resumes Sanskrit First Time Since Partition 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 Army Personnel, Civilian Killed In Ambush By ISIS Gunman In Syria, Three Injured Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 13, 2025, 23:27 IST Two US service members and an American civilian were killed by a lone ISIS gunman during a meeting of American and Syrian troops in Palmyra. The gunman was later shot dead. Rapid Read The US has hundreds of troops deployed in Syria as part of a coalition against the Islamic State group. (AFP/Representational Image) Two US service members and an American civilian were killed, and three other people were wounded in an ambush by a lone member of the Islamic State (ISIS) group in central Syria on Saturday, according to the US Armys Central Command. Two US service members and one US civilian were killed, and three service members were injured, as a result of an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman in Syria. The gunman was engaged and killed," the CENTCOM, which oversees the American military in the Middle East, said on X. U.S. Personnel Ambushed by ISIS Gunman in SyriaTAMPA, Fla. On Dec. 13, two U.S. service members and one U.S. civilian were killed, and three service members were injured, as a result of an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman in Syria. The gunman was engaged and killed. As a matter U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 13, 2025 The attack on US troops in Syria is the first to inflict casualties since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad a year ago. CENTCOM said the identities of the service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified, as per the policy of the US Department of Defence. US Defence Secretary also confirmed that the savage" ISIS gunman was killed by partner forces. Let it be known, if you target Americans anywhere in the world you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you," he said on X. The savage who perpetrated this attack was killed by partner forces.Let it be known, if you target Americans anywhere in the world you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you. https://t.co/P7D9NrWpAL Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) December 13, 2025 The shooting took place near historic Palmyra, according to the state-run SANA news agency, which earlier reported that two members of Syrias security force and several US service members had been wounded. The casualties were taken by helicopter to the al-Tanf garrison near the border with Iraq and Jordan. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the attacker was a member of the Syrian security force. The attack took place during a joint field tour" in Palmyra, which was once under the control of the ISIS. A Syrian military official who requested anonymity said that the shots were fired during a meeting between Syrian and American officers" at a Syrian base in Palmyra. The meeting came as part of an American strategy to strengthen its presence and foothold in the Syrian desert", as per the observatory. The US has hundreds of troops deployed in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting the Islamic State group. Last month, Syria joined the international coalition fighting against the IS as Damascus improves its relations with Western countries following the ouster of Assad when insurgents captured his seat of power in Damascus. Washington had no diplomatic relations with Syria under Assad, but ties have warmed since the fall of the five-decade Assad family rule. The interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, made a historic visit to Washington last month, where he held talks with US President Donald Trump. ISIS was defeated on the battlefield in Syria in 2019, but the groups sleeper cells still carry out deadly attacks in the country. The United Nations says the group still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq. US forces are deployed in Syrias Kurdish-controlled northeast as well as at Tanf near the border with Jordan, as part of a broader campaign against the Islamist group. (with inputs from agencies) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Damascus, Syria First Published: December 13, 2025, 23:27 IST News world Two US Army Personnel, Civilian Killed In Ambush By ISIS Gunman In Syria, Three Injured 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... KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Saturday that Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, will convene a Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting soon on Cambodia-Thailand border tensions. He noted that the meeting will assess the situation and support de-escalation measures. The prime minister made the remarks on social media, saying he received a phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump, during which they discussed the conflict, bilateral relations, and global issues of mutual concern. During the phone conversation, Anwar said, he outlined Malaysia's role in urging both countries to exercise restraint and return to dialogue through bilateral channels and ASEAN mechanisms. Malaysia remains ready to support efforts to de-escalate the situation, protect civilians, and help restore regional stability, in line with ASEAN's spirit of good neighborliness, he said. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Dec. 7, causing casualties to both sides. President Mnangagwa yesterday presented 10 brand new Ford Everest vehicles to members of the Zanu PF Elders Council as part of ongoing efforts to enhance mobility and strengthen the revolutionary partys activities. In addition to the vehicles, the Zanu PF First Secretary and President also donated 10 laptops, iPads, and iPhones to the ruling partys Information and Publicity Department to bolster its information dissemination mandate. The Council of Elders, led by former Cabinet Minister Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, got Ford Everest vehicles that will enhance their advisory role to the party. Other members of the Council include Cdes Idah Mashonganyika, Josaya Hungwe, David Parirenyatwa, Enock Sibanda, Gibson Masiya, Edna Madzongwe, Angeline Masuku, Maina Mandava and Aaron Mabhoyi Ncube. The 10 were handed car keys by President Mnangagwa at a colourful ceremony held at State House. President Mnangagwa was accompanied by Zanu PF Secretary-General, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya and his deputy, Mr George Charamba (responsible for Presidential Communications.) In his brief speech, Cde Sekeramayi commended President Mnangagwas leadership. As Council of Elders, we will do everything expected of us. Our preoccupation has been to ensure that the country prospers. We will continue lending our support behind you. We have seen a lot of improvement and developments in the country such as construction of bridges, road rehabilitation, schools construction and hospitals, said Cde Sekeramayi. Cde Mashonganyika echoed the same sentiments. Our President continue to remember us, our role as Council of Elders and the need to capacitate us. We are indeed indebted to out leader, President Mnangagwa, said Cde Mashonganyika. Cde Madzongwe said it was quite pleasing to be recognised by the party and its leader. That shows that our President has people at heart. We are quite grateful, said Cde Madzongwe who is former Senate President. The Council comprises former members of the Politburo as well as luminaries from party organs appointed by the President in terms of their probity, integrity, experience and knowledge of the party. Their function is to advise the President on all pertinent party matters relating to party governance and external relations, to advise on the resolution of conflicts that may arise among and between senior party members, at the instance of the President or its own initiative. It provides guidance on party doctrine and ideology; and to advise on any issue referred to it by the President and First Secretary of the party. President Mnangagwa also handed over laptops, iphones and ipads to Zanu PF Information and Publicity department. Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa thanked President Mnangagwa saying the donation came at an opportune time when the country was adopting a new economic blue print the National Development Strategy 2. We have been given a whole wave of tools for our work as the Information Department of the party. This is coming at a very opportune time when the Minister of Finance has just announced the National Development Strategy No. 2. We are leaping to new heights of economic development under President Mnangagwa. There is a very vibrant middle class which is emerging within Zimbabwe, caters for our alignment with our natural resources, the land, but more important, the business-friendly policies which President Mnangagwa has given to both domestic capital and foreign capital, said Cde Mutsvangwa. The vibrancy of our economic growth is no longer in question even by erstwhile doubters. Some of our compliments are coming from none other than the International Monetary Fund, which used to be a detractor to the Zimbabwean economy. We are also very happy that the American Government now sees fit to revisit the issue of sanctions in Zimbabwe as has been pronounced by the Ambassador personally. We have suffered on the wrong side of the major economy of the world. Now that America is on board, it can make our economy go to new heights, building upon the other relationships which we have maintained with the second, third, and fourth largest economy in the world. Herald The Government is limping financially; for the last five months, it has not remitted US$85m it deducted from civil servants salaries to service loans borrowed from microfinance companies, Masvingo Mirror has established. In addition to the US$85m, there is a Zig component backlog which Masvingo Mirror could not establish. Stakeholders have called for government intervention to save the situation. The situation is dire and has paralysed microfinance institutions, banks and deposit-taking microfinance institutions throughout the country, with CBZ subsidiary Red Sphere Finance suspending with immediate effect all loans to civil servants until further notice, according to a statement released by the company on December 9, 2025. Several sources who spoke to Masvingo Mirror on condition of anonymity said many microfinance institutions are closing shop. The situation also affects government policy on financial inclusion, with civil servants who are most of the poor failing to access loans in times of need. Salary Service Bureau (SSB) Paymaster Twoboy Shoko confirmed the arrears in a telephone interview with Masvingo Mirror but declined to discuss the actual figure. He, however, dismissed allegations of a financial crisis in government and said the delay in remittances was not due to the governments inability to pay but a deliberate measure to manage liquidity in the economy. He said the backlog will be cleared by the end of this year, with 150 microfinance institutions being paid this week alone. The position, however, contradicts sources who told Masvingo Mirror that the government is so broke that it is failing to pay the second tranche of US$75 presidential civil servant bonuses. Sources said payment of the US$75 is no longer going to be done together with the December salaries but has been pushed to December 30 to allow the Ministry of Finance to look for the money. It is still not certain whether this payment will happen on December 30, and other sources said civil servants may receive the bonus in 2026. Sources also said that the government is not remitting subscriptions to the National Social Security Authority and Premier Medical Aid Society. Godfrey Chitambo, Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Association of Microfinance Institutions (ZAMFI), said he is not aware of the arrears. I am not aware that micro finance institutions are owed by the Government. We had a meeting on Wednesday and that issue was never raised. If that is the case and our members alert us, we will take up the matter, he said. Yes, I can confirm that the government has a backlog on payments to microfinance institutions. It is not because the government lacks the capacity to pay, but it is one of the measures to control liquidity in the market. The amount will be cleared by the end of December this year. This week alone, we are going to pay 150 microfinance institutions. Microfinance institutions have flooded the market. It was discovered that civil servants lack financial discipline, and this had become a major concern. Some employees were getting loans from more than four institutions, leaving them highly indebted. SSB and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe will hold district and provincial workshops next year to train civil servants on financial discipline, said Shoko. Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Edgar Moyo referred questions to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment. Efforts to get a comment from Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Mthuli Ncube were futile as his mobile phone was on voicemail. Please be advised that Red Sphere Finance is suspending lending to SSB clients effective December 9, 2025. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause. Further communication will be shared once there are notable developments, reads the letter signed by Red Sphere Finance General Manager, Desmund Ali. Desmund Ali, Red Sphere Finance General Manager, declined to comment and referred questions to CBZ Group Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, Matilda Nyathi. Masvingo Mirror After arresting Mirror journalists on Wednesday and having failed to make charges of trespassing into Ezra Chadzamiras alleged property, Masvingo Police were forced to investigate the alleged use of a Masvingo Mirror Toyota Aqua for armed robberies. Mirror accountant Tinashe Koga was ordered by Officer-in-Charge of the Criminal Investigations Department Law and Order, Edwin Masiiwa, to surrender the cars book for verification. Masiiwa, Mirror Editor; Garikai Mafirakureva, News Editor; Simbarashe Mtembo, Koga and another police officer took the book to Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara), where details were checked and authenticated. Zinara cleared the car, including the fact that it is up to date with all its statutory obligations. Sources told Masvingo Mirror that it was Chadzamiras private bodyguards and hangers-on, who masquerade as Central Intelligence officers, who were pressuring police to find a case for Mirror journalists and impound the vehicle. Masiiwa said police are looking for a Toyota Aqua of the same colour as the Mirror vehicle that was used in a series of robberies around Masvingo between November 14 and December 4, 2025. The Aqua was allegedly used for robberies at Gain Cash and Carry in downtown Masvingo, and the robbers went away with US$900, and the car was captured on CCTV minus the number plate. Contacted for comment, Mirror consultant Matthew Takaona urged police and Central Intelligence chiefs to stop their juniors from being abused by powerful individuals who regard them as militia. It is alarming that a mere Minister of State for Masvingo Province abrogates himself powers to summon and direct national institutions as important as the Police and CIO to fight his personal battles. This brazen abuse of office and authority is dangerous, as it weakens the centres of such institutions and eventually creates chaos and anarchy. Journalists have an obligation to cover matters of public interest, including the land wrangle between Chadzamira and Farai Mutsetse, without fear or favour. Police and CIO have no business in that matter. Masvingo Mirror will not be intimidated or deterred from duty by hooligans in Chadzamiras camp who masquerade as CIOs and police officers. We have respect for our security arms and no time for impersonators of police and CIO, said Takaona. National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the matter was yet to be brought to his attention. Chadzamira did not pick up calls when phoned for a comment. The journalists were arrested when they went to Plot No. 1 Flesk in Morningside to investigate reports of water bursts on the Masvingo City main water pipeline from Bushmead Waterworks allegedly caused by Chadzamiras workers, who are building a school on an 8.5-hectare piece of land which, according to court papers, is owned by Mutsetse Family Enterprise. As they drove around the area, Chadzamira was alerted to the presence of journalists, and he ordered the police and the CIO to arrest the journalists. Two truckloads, one of them with nine CID officers (one of them armed with an AK-47 rifle) and another truck with seven CIO, arrived at the scene and harassed journalists before arresting them. They were accused of trespassing on Chadzamiras private property. An unidentified man who hangs around with Chadzamiras bodyguards and masquerades as a CIO operative and drives Chadzamiras 2025 Land Cruiser blocked the Masvingo Mirror car and started harassing the journalists. He was in the company of Chenaimoyo Dandanyika, a CIO operative who drives Chadzamira. The man was violent and poked fingers into Mtembos face and dared him to a fight. He told the Masvingo Mirror that he was a member of the Central Intelligence and his business was to kill. He said nothing happens to him even if he kills an innocent person. Dandanyika refused to disclose the mans name when contacted by Masvingo Mirror. A source in the CIO disowned him and told Masvingo Mirror to report him to the police. The journalists were taken to Masvingo Central, where they were detained for three hours before they were freed. Masvingo Mirror The Justice Department is taking Fulton County, Georgia, to court over 2020 election records, even as President Trump continues to insist, without credible evidence, that the race was stolen from him. In a lawsuit filed Friday, the department says it needs to review whether Georgia complied with federal election law and is demanding Fulton County turn over all used and voided ballots, ballot stubs, signature envelopes, and related digital files from the general election. County officials previously told federal lawyers the materials are sealed and can't be released without a judge's approval, the Washington Post reports. Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the DOJ's civil rights division, said states have a duty to prevent "vote dilution" and warned that the department will act if they refuse to follow federal election rules. The move keeps the spotlight on Georgia, a longtime target of Trump's efforts to undermine his 2020 loss to Joe Biden, the first Democrat in decades to carry the state. Trump then made his January 2021 call pressing Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "find" 11,780 votes. A sweeping racketeering case over those efforts, brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, collapsed this year after a new prosecutor said there was no realistic way to force a sitting president to stand trial in Georgia. Trump then promised online to "hold responsible" those behind what he called a "Witch Hunt." The Justice Department on Friday also sued Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Nevada for refusing to provide statewide voter registration lists, citing the Civil Rights Act of 1960. Many states release their rolls to government agencies without including private personal data, per Politico. A trip to New York City took a violent turn for a California tourist on Thursday when she was stabbed while changing her baby's diaper in a restroom at Macy's flagship store, police say. Per ABC News , the woman was in a seventh-floor bathroom at the Herald Square location around 3pm when she was allegedly attacked from behind by 43-year-old Kerri Aherne of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, according to the NYPD. The victim, who was visiting Manhattan with her husband and infant daughter, was said to have been stabbed multiple times in the back and arm. Her husband disarmed the suspect and held her until officers arrived, authorities said. The victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital and was in stable condition; the infant wasn't hurt. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said both the victim and her husband are employees of that agency. People reports that the victim is 39. Police described the attack as apparently unprovoked and said the investigation is ongoing, per ABC. Aherne has been charged with attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and endangering the welfare of a child. She was ordered held without bail at a Friday court appearance. The Manhattan DA's office said Aherne had previously been arrested in Massachusetts for putting out death threats against Sen. Elizabeth Warren; the woman is said to have told authorities that she has a history of psychiatric hospitalization. Macy's said in a statement it was "deeply saddened" by the incident and deferred further questions to law enforcement, per WABC. Dec 13 (TabiEats) - Kuramae is located just south of Asakusa, about a 1015 minute walk from the Kaminarimon Gate. Set along the Sumida River, this area has a calm and relaxed atmosphere that feels very different from bustling Asakusa, with plenty of cafes, restaurants, and craft shops scattered throughout the neighborhood. In the Edo period, it was the site of the shogunates rice warehouses, and later it grew into a center of craftsmanship and manufacturing. Today, the area has many hotels and other accommodations, and two railway lines run through it, making it very convenient for visitors. For this video, we spent a full day exploring Kuramae. Planning to visit Asakusa and then move on to the next spot? No, noyou should definitely make time to stop by Kuramae as well. Torrance, United States / California, December 12th, 2025, CyberNewsWire In December 2025, CVE-2025-55182 (React2Shell), a vulnerability in React Server Components (RSC) that enables remote code execution (RCE), was publicly disclosed. Shortly after publication, multiple security vendors reported scanning activity and suspected exploitation attempts, and CISA has since added the flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. React2Shell is not tied to a specific framework; rather, it stems from a structural weakness in the RSC feature that affects the broader React ecosystem. This article examines the technical foundation of React2Shell, the exposure landscape of services using RSC, observed attacker activity, and the defensive strategies organizations should adopt. React2Shell Vulnerability Overview: A Structural Flaw Allowing RCE Without Authentication CVE-2025-55182 is caused by a validation flaw in the deserialization process of the Flight protocol, which React Server Components use to exchange state between the server and client. An attacker can achieve RCE simply by sending a crafted payload to the Server Functions endpoint without authentication, and because a PoC is already publicly available, the vulnerability is highly susceptible to automated attacks. The impact extends to all services that use RSC, and because frameworks such as Next.js, React Router RSC, Waku, Vite RSC Plugin, Parcel RSC Plugin, and RedwoodJS share the same underlying structure, the broader React ecosystem is collectively exposed. The official patch is available in react-server-dom-* packages version 19.0.1 / 19.1.2 / 19.2.1 or later, and the vulnerability is rated CVSS 10.0, indicating critical severity. Exposure Analysis of React2Shell-Affected Assets Using Criminal IP React2Shell is difficult to detect using traditional product banners or HTML content alone. React-based services are designed so that RSC components are not externally exposed, and frameworks like Next.js, which vendor React modules internally, make it even harder to identify the underlying technology stack. As a result, simple banner-based detection methods cannot reliably determine whether RSC is enabled or whether a service is exposed to this vulnerability. In real-world environments, the most reliable detection method is to identify systems based on their HTTP response headers, and servers with RSC enabled consistently exhibit the following values. Users can detect RSC-enabled servers in the United States using Criminal IP by applying queries based on these header patterns. According to the Criminal IP Asset Search results, the query Vary: RSC, Next-Router-State-Tree country: US identified a total of 109,487 RSC-enabled assets. This header pattern indicates that RSC is active on these servers. While it does not mean that all of them are vulnerable, it is a critical indicator of the large-scale exposure surface that exists. When examining the analysis results for a specific asset in Criminal IP, the server was found to have ports 80 and 443 exposed externally, and its response headers, SSL certificate details, vulnerability list, and Exploit DB associations could all be reviewed in a single unified page. In this asset, indicators relevant to React2Shell were identified alongside other critical vulnerabilities, including CVE-2023-44487 (HTTP/2 Rapid Reset), which has been widely abused in large-scale DDoS attacks. This demonstrates how Criminal IP Asset Search provides multiple analysis layers that help assess whether an environment is realistically exploitable by attackers. Security Mitigation Strategies 1. Immediate Update of React-Related Packages Organizations should immediately update all React-related packages to their latest patched releases. The react-server-dom-webpack package must be upgraded to version 19.0.1, 19.1.2, or 19.2.1, while react-server-dom-parcel and react-server-dom-turbopack should be updated to version 19.0.1 or later to ensure they are protected from the vulnerability. 2. Verify Patch Availability for Each Framework React RSC is used across multiple frameworks, including Next.js, Vite, Parcel, and RedwoodJS. Notably, Next.js vendors RSC internally, meaning that updating React packages alone may not automatically apply the fix. Therefore, it is essential to review each frameworks official security advisories or release notes and upgrade to the version in which the vulnerability has been addressed. 3. Minimize External Exposure of RSC Endpoints Whenever possible, restrict access using a reverse proxy, WAF or authentication gateway. 4. Leverage Criminal IP for Monitoring Monitor exposure of RSC-related header Detect scanning attempts based on TLS fingerprints Automatically block malicious scanning IPs Check for vulnerability presence and associated Exploit DB entries The Analysis Conclusion React2Shell (CVE-2025-55182) is a critical vulnerability affecting the most widely used React-based services across the web ecosystem. With low exploitation complexity and publicly available PoCs, active attacks are spreading rapidly. According to Criminal IP analysis, approximately 110,000 RSC-enabled services in the United States are exposed, underscoring the substantial risk of widespread exploitation. In addition to applying patches, identifying exposed RSC services and conducting real-time monitoring are essential components of an effective React2Shell response strategy. Criminal IP provides one of the most effective tools for accurately mapping this attack surface and strengthening defensive measures. In relation to this, users can refer to Next.js Middleware Vulnerability Allows Authentication Bypass: Over 520K Assets at Risk. About Criminal IP Criminal IP is the flagship cyber threat intelligence platform developed by AI SPERA. The platform is used in more than 150 countries and provides comprehensive threat visibility through enterprise security solutions such as Criminal IP ASM and Criminal IP FDS. Criminal IP continues to strengthen its global ecosystem through strategic partnerships with Cisco, VirusTotal and Quad9. The platforms threat data is also available through major US data warehouse marketplaces including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Snowflake. This expansion improves global access to high quality threat intelligence from Criminal IP. Contact Michael Sena AI SPERA [email protected] Nate Jones got the AI data centers in space story wrong. I like Nate Jones, he does a lot of useful work gathering AI news and staying on top of developments. He is wrong in this case. Starcloud already has an H100 in a satellite in space. It launched last month. Working with Nvidia and partnered with Crusoe. Commercial version launch target October 2026. SpaceX is making satellite modifications now and I expect will go through FCC filings. I expected modified V2 mini and modified V3 mini launching and will be called enhancements of communication for caching and AI nodes for faster expedited FCC approval. This will be commercial after short testing periods. Google has performed proton beam radiation tests on the ground to confirm TPU, HBM and other components work. Experimental evidence shows error rate manageable for AI inference. Google targets 2027 launch or first two test satellites in partnership with Planet. What he Said About Orbital AI Compute Story 6: Elon Musk Proposes Orbital AI Compute He says the Idea is to place data centers in space for superior heat venting, power via solar, beam results via lasers. This is wrong. The primary benefit is that building and powering AI chips and data centers in space will be much faster for large scale like millions of chips and the only solution to power chips in practical time frames for billions of chips or more. The cooling is a side show. Answers and questions to and from the satellites will be mainly via standard KU band or S/L/AWS and other regular radiofrequency communications. This is like the other Starlink communication. There is intersatellite laser communication. The AI chip satellites could laser communicate to the Starlink satellites to avoid redundant antennas and systems for direct communication. Nate says that there is currently nothing in orbit. A debate-stage proposal. This is wrong. As seen above Starcloud and Nvidia launched an Nvidia H100 into space on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare over a month ago. I reported on the 19 page Google Project Suncatcher report. Suncatcher is a new research moonshot to one day scale machine learning in space. Working backward from this potential future, they are exploring how an interconnected network of solar-powered satellites, equipped with our Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) AI chips, could harness the full power of the Sun. The next step is a learning mission in partnership with Planet to launch two prototype satellites by early 2027 that will test our hardware in orbit, laying the groundwork for a future era of massively-scaled computation in space. Google proposed approach would instead rely on arrays of smaller satellites. This more modular design would provide ample opportunity to scale to the terawatts of compute capacity that could fit within the dawn-dusk sun-synchronous low-earth orbital band. The required inter-satellite communication bandwidth, the dynamics and control of large, tightly-clustered satellite formations, the radiation tolerance of TPUs, and economic feasibility given expected future launch costs. Other significant challenges such as on-orbit reliability and repair, high-bandwidth ground communications, and thermal management are also discussed in the Google paper. Inter-satellite communication bandwidth is not a show stopping problem. Various radiation tolerance and management approaches are far more advanced and more proven than is commonly known. Launch costs depend upon SpaceX Superheavy Starship achieving full rapid reusability. Google V6e Trillium Cloud TPU with its associated AMD host server were tested in a 67 MeV proton beam to simulate the operating conditions of sun-synchronous LEO. This work presents the first published radiation-testing results for such a device. For the target sun-synchronous LEO with significant shielding (10 mm Aluminum equivalent) the radiation environment is primarily composed of penetrating protons and Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs). This results in an estimated dose of 150 rad(Si)/year. The High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) subsystems are the most sensitivity to TID (space radiation). HBM problems are mainly uncorrectable ECC errors (UECCs) of one event per 50 rad. This can be shielded to go to 1 per 10 million inferences. This error rate is likely acceptable for inference but would be a problem for AI training jobs. Nate Prediction: Someone will attempt space data center in 12 years. Starcloud and Nvidia have already launched one Nvidia H100 chip. All Starlink satellites have AMD Versal chips with about 5% of an H100 compute. In 2026, Starcloud will launch a larger satellite Starcloud -2. They are targeting October 2026 launch. Starcloud-12 will feature multiple Nvidia H100 chips and integrate Nvidias next-generation Blackwell platform (include B200 or B300 chips). Crusoe has partnered with Starcloud to deploy the first public cloud platform in space, leveraging solar energy and the vacuum of space for cooling. Crusoe will deploy its Cloud platform on Starcloud-2 satellite scheduled for launch in late 2026, with limited GPU capacity expected to be available from orbit by early 2027. Crusoe recently announced a successful Series E raise of $1.375 billion, bringing its valuation above $10 billion. They also secured a $750 million credit line to fund data center construction. Nates take: Purely empirical unknown if feasible. Trials will reveal viability for scaling LLMs. Tests have shown it is feasible. Error rates are manageable based upon proton beam tests. Chips and memory are in space. Trial is happening. First commercially accessible data center will be launched late in 2026. I, Brian Wang, Nextbigfuture, predict that SpaceX will launch multiple operational data center satellites in 2026. There could be some modified V2 mini and modified V3 satellites later in the year when Starship is deploying. Those will be mainly to test out all of the remaining issues. It is already clear it will be viable for AI inference. SpaceX Starlink can use compute in space to enhance Starlink services with caching and other use cases. SpaceX has publicly confirmed plans to scale Starlink V3 satellites for space-based data centers, leveraging their high-speed laser inter-satellite links, increased size (~1,5001,900 kg), and increasing power capacity (up to ~150 kW solar input per satellite in some configurations). These would enable distributed AI processing in orbit, harnessing unlimited solar power and vacuum cooling. Likely, modified V2 Mini tests in early 2026, followed by V3-based deployments later in 2026 via Starship. SpaceX must file with the FCC (or amend existing FCC filing) for changes to satellite design, power flux density, frequency use, or operations under their Gen2 license (up to 29,988 satellites authorized, with ~7,500 initially deployed). Adding compute payloads could alter RF emissions, thermal profiles, or massrequiring updated orbital debris mitigation plans and EPFD (Equivalent Power Flux Density) demonstrations to avoid interference with geostationary satellites. The process is a public notice with 3060 day comment period. Oppositions from competitors like Viasat/Dish possible and then FCC review. SpaceX has a strong track record with multiple Gen2 modifications approved in 618 months. They got V-band additions, direct-to-cell. There needs to be new FCC filings to allow deploying 10,000+ modified V3 AI satellites. I expect late 2026-2027 applications and this includes the later 1 million satellite applications. Approvals mid to late 2027 and 2028+ deployment. Timeline for FCC Approvals. For minor mods (payload additions without spectrum changes), 612 months. Major changes (higher power affecting interference) could take 1224 months. Expedited if framed as enhancing existing broadband services. Thus I think the use case of compute for AI services integrated with Starlink and caching of internet will the first significant SpaceX use of modified compute in space. SpaceX may also integrate one to a handful of chips into all Starlink v2 mini satellites. This could be done in as little as 3 months. They would have to keep the RF and other specifications in bounds. Tim Dettmers Argues AGI Will Not Happen Dettmers claims GPU performance-per-cost peaked around 2018. Post-2018 gains from one-off architectural tricks now exhausted and facing diminishing returns. Transformers are near physically optimal for local computation versus global attention. Scaling laws demand exponential resources for linear gains. Only 12 years of viable scaling left before costs outpace benefits. His conclusion is AGI and superintelligence are fantasies that ignore physical compute constraints. Counterpoints and Debate Critics say this view conflicts with hardware vendors (Nvidia, AMD, Intel) roadmaps and the thousands of experts working to continue to improve. CPU architectures hit limits and the workarounds persisted to give improvements for CPUs and then CPUs are mostly displaced by GPUs. Nate Jones says Dettmer could be mostly correct on issues and problems with GPU details. He is wrong on big picture which is my prior point about CPU and GPU history. Historical compute progress (Moores Law) is driven by industry capital and attention of many smart, creative and resourceful people. It is not single tricks. The Germans thought the Enigma code was unbreakable but very smart and creative people working with early computer systems broke the code. The Enigma code was broken by the Allied intelligence project known as Ultra, primarily operating out of Bletchley Park. It used crucial early work by Polish cryptographers and machines like Alan Turings Bombe to decipher German communications during WWII. The Poles made early versions of the Bombe. Current AI dynamic mirrors these many historical examples. Innovation will shift paradigms if GPUs limit. Major labs (OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, Google) report no visible wall and continue scaling empirically. There are energy, data and other issues identified by researchers and reported by Epoch AI. There will be continued capital/attention ongoing scaling breakthroughs (beyond current techniques). Even if Dettmers was partially or signicantly right, there is still 20+ years of AI-driven corporate disruption from existing capabilities. OpenAI GPT-5.2 Launches After OpenAIs Code Red Scramble Launched in response to Gemini 3 overtaking benchmarks. Internal code red rush to accelerate release. GPT5.2 has enhanced controllability (style, tone, safety behaviors) for enterprise compliance and regulatory needs. Massive 400,000 token context window enables analysis of large documents (can handle 300+ page research papers). This is evidence of intense competition. Release cadence accelerated from ~6 months to weeks (5.1 to 5.2). There is a rumored 5.3 in January. API pricing will likely be significantly cheaper than 5.1. Look at the duration of code red mode. OpenAI needs benchmark leadership and fundraising. Story Trump Executive Order Preempts State AI Regulation Executive order creates a single, light-touch federal AI regulatory standard. Actively blocks state-level AI laws inconsistent with national competitiveness goals. Framed as preventing a patchwork of 50 state regimes that would hinder US AI firms in globally and with China. Potential federal legislation in 2026. EU/other jurisdictions market access decisions for US AI systems amid accountability concerns. Story Anthropic AI Agents Exploit Smart Contracts Agents autonomously stole $4.6M+ in simulated environment. Given only contract addresses and high-level instructions. It found and exploited vulnerabilities. Demonstrated full cycle of reconnaissance, exploit crafting, attack validation. The Key lesson is AI Agents are improving rapidly. IT security must assume any wild agent could be hostile. Story Andrej Karpathy on LLMs as Simulators LLMs are simulators of perspectives and are not entities with identity. Avoid pronouns like you which pushes model toward averaged and mid opinions from pre-training data. The better approach is instruct LLM to simulate specific roles (researcher, product manager, CTO) for more interesting/useful responses. Irony is this comes after recent roles are dead narrative. Roles matter again for steering latent space. Broader point is that good mental models prevent being swayed by shifting prompting trends. Roles useful for directing attention and not just accuracy. Praise for Karpathy challenging anthropomorphism. Story DeepSeek Reportedly Using Smuggled Nvidia Chips Chinese startup DeepSeek is using some banned GB200/B200 Blackwell chips despite US export controls. Nvidia says it has no record of associated phantom data center. There could be leakage via legitimate buyers in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Smuggling networks bypassing semiconductor restrictions. Story Humanoid Robots Shifting to Practical Deployment Progress is accelerating. Figure AI robots from stiff walking (2023) to dynamic balance/package sorting (2025). They are already deploying to factories. BANGKOK, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's 1st Army Area Command said in a social media post on Saturday that its subordinate troops, in coordination with the Royal Thai Air Force, launched airstrikes against two Cambodian military targets at 16:09 local time, successfully destroying Cambodia's weapons and ammunition depots as well as air defense and communication systems. A Royal Thai Navy spokesperson stated on the same day that naval fleets had carried out a military operation in the Gulf of Thailand in the early hours of the morning. The operation aimed to degrade and contain Cambodia's military capabilities in the vicinity of Koh Kong Province and safeguard the lives and property of residents along the Gulf of Thailand coast. Separately, at a press conference on the Thailand-Cambodia border situation held on Saturday, a spokesperson for Thailand's Ministry of Defense and a health official reported that the latest round of clashes between the two countries has left 15 Thai soldiers dead and more than 270 others wounded. As of Saturday morning, over 260,000 Thai civilians had taken shelter in refugee camps, with seven civilians confirmed dead. PHNOM PENH, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Ministry of Interior announced in a press release on Saturday that it would suspend all border crossings with Thailand until further notice. The press release said the move was made after the Thai side had committed acts of aggression against Cambodia's sovereignty through indiscriminate attacks, causing civilian casualties and damaging residential areas and infrastructure. In this regard, Cambodian citizens currently residing and working in Thailand are advised to continue living and working there as normal. Likewise, Thai nationals currently residing and working in Cambodia are advised to remain in Cambodia as usual, until a ceasefire is in place, it said. KABUL, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Afghan authorities officially inaugurated two newly renovated school buildings in Zebak district, located in the northern Badakhshan province, marking a significant step in improving educational infrastructure in the region, provincial officials said on Saturday. Abdul Ghani Abedi, spokesperson for Badakhshan's Education Department, confirmed that the renovation project was fully funded by the provincial budget. The upgrades were carried out using modern construction methods, ensuring the buildings meet current educational standards. This initiative is part of the country's ongoing efforts to enhance educational facilities in remote areas, aiming to provide better learning environments for students in underserved regions of Afghanistan. Bacarosa, an Italian restaurant in Nutley that opened this summer, announced it will close later this month due to financial pressures facing the dining industry. The restaurant at 238 Franklin Ave. opened last year as The Hudson Rose before transitioning to the Italian concept Bacarosa earlier this year. Part of it was getting to know the area and getting honest with ourselves, General Manager Eric Binder told NJ Advance Media in October. We decided to change everything rather than just menu, and tie in a story. Bacaro is a small Italian wine bar in Venice, and rosa, is an homage to The Hudson Rose. Along with chef Andrew Riccatelli, Binder and the team curated an Italian menu with a twist. The owners announced the closure on Dec. 20 in an Instagram post. The economics of this industry have always been challenging, and even more so in recent times, the owners wrote. The restaurants hours until closing are 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, 4 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Reservations are available online through the closing date. A man was arrested last week after he kidnapped a woman at a Morris County college and was found with her handcuffed inside his car, authorities announced Friday. The investigation began around 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 when the parents of the woman notified the Bayonne Police Department that they were concerned about her safety after she failed to pick up her children from school and were unable to reach her, according to a statement from the Morris County Prosecutors Office. Detectives traced the woman to the County College of Morris in Randolph, the office said. Randolph Police officers located her car in the parking lot, along with her phone, which was damaged. A review of surveillance footage showed the woman walking to her car and being approached by a man, identified Friday as Akram Elsayed, 28, of Roselle, investigators said. Surveillance also showed Elsayeds vehicle driving out of the parking lot while the womans empty car remained at the site. Around 9:40 p.m. that day, police received a tip regarding the womans possible whereabouts in the area of Andover Township, authorities said. After locating Elsayeds car in the area, he was apprehended following a pursuit by officers from the Newton Police Department, Sussex County Sheriffs Office, Andover Township Police Department, Morris County Prosecutors Office, and the New Jersey State Police, officials said. Officers saw a handgun on the ground near the open drivers side door. The woman was found in the front passenger seat, handcuffed to the grab handle, investigators said. She was removed and taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Elsayed was taken to the Andover Police Department and charged with multiple crimes including four counts of first-degree carjacking and kidnapping, two counts of second-degree burglary, six counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and two counts of second-degree attempted aggravated sexual assault, the office said. He was being held in Morris County Correctional Facility, pending future court proceedings. Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll said he believes that the kidnapping was a targeted incident and that there was no danger to students or faculty of the County College of Morris. Anyone with information was encouraged to call the office at 973- 285-6200. Two towns in Bergen County are some of the best midsized places for older adults to live in the country. Thats according to a new rankings list released by AARP, which used its Livability Index platform to examine the best places with good job markets, walkability and affordable housing. AARP is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that focuses on advocacy, information, and services for people age 50 and older. The list took into consideration 61 indicators across seven different categories of livability, including housing, transportation, social interaction and access to physical activities. At the top, Cliffside Park was recognized for being the best community for older adults in the 25,000 to 99,999 population range. Cliffside Park offers multiple types of public transportation that makes it convenient for employment, grocery stores and community hubs like libraries, according to the report. Compared with the national average, the area offers easier access to a wide range of jobs, stores, parks and farmers markets, earning high marks in neighborhood accessibility. Fort Lee ranked second in the report. The areas highly accessible public transportation gives older adults in Fort Lee the ability to travel without a car. Further down, other New Jersey towns were represented including Bergenfield at the 11th spot, followed by Union City in the 12th spot. Lodi was ranked 14th and Hoboken was ranked 17th on the list. Bergenfield and Lodi are located in Bergen County, while Union City and Hoboken are in Hudson County. The index uses a consistent set of indicators that matter to people of all ages, including older adults, creating a fair measuring stick to compare locations, according to Rodney Harrell, AARPs vice president of family, home and community and one of the indexs creators. It orbited above the Jersey Shore for nearly a century, offering tourists and locals a unique view of the ocean and boardwalk. Now the 74-foot high ferris wheel from the defunct Palace Amusements park in Asbury Park is slated to make a comeback sort of more than 90 miles away in Pennsylvania. Sixteen seating baskets will be reassembled for permanent display as a monument in Phoenixville, the borough where it was built in 1893 according to the Schuylkill River Heritage Center. However, the project does not include reopening it as a working ferris wheel, 37 years after it last circled above Palace Amusements. Its not going to be spinning, said heritage center president Barbara Cohen. For those seeking a view of the ferris wheel in motion, it briefly appears in a Bruce Springsteen music video for Tunnel of Love, filmed less than a year before Palace Amusements closed. Just moving the ferris wheel and rebuilding it as a monument is expected to cost $2 million, using a combination of private and public money. It would be way too expensive to get the ferris wheel up and running again, Cohen said. A view of the ferris wheel in 1978 at Palace Amusements in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by John Margolies Phoenixville contributed $350,000, received a $750,000 state grant and will carry the cost of the project while the heritage center seeks to raise $1 million, borough manager Jean Krack said. The ferris wheel monuments concrete base is in place and installation is scheduled to be completed by May on land near the popular French Creek Trail, Cohen said. The Asbury Park ferris wheel was among four ferris wheels built 132 years ago by the Phoenix Bridge Company, a subsidiary of the former Phoenix Iron & Steel Company. Of the four ferris wheels, only the Asbury Park attraction still has its components intact. Its a piece from the past that is unique and special, Cohen said. At 74 feet high, the Asbury Park ferris wheel was smaller and less elaborate than modern models. The ferris wheel that opened in Atlantic City in 2017, for example, is times taller and has 40 temperature-controlled enclosed gondolas. Yet the Asbury Park ferris wheel had plenty of retro charm and is perhaps second only to the Tillie mural in Palace Amusements lore. That iconic mural of a smiling face was also part of Palace Amusements before its demise. Fans of Tillie recently petitioned Gov. Phil Murphy to help rescue the demolished amusement parks beloved Tillie mural from a storage shed. After Palace Amusements closed in 1988, the ferris wheel was used by a Mississippi amusement park for several years. It was taken apart and returned to Asbury Park in 1998, the heritage center said. Four years after Palace Amusements was demolished in 2004, the heritage center purchased all of the wheels components, including the eight-foot-tall seating baskets. Several of the baskets were put on display in locations across Phoenixville, the heritage center said. Eventually, the heritage center settled on a more ambitious plan: Reassembling the entire ferris wheel for permanent display as a monument. The ferris wheel will be illuminated and its base will be surrounded by glass fencing. Interpretive signage will offer details on the ferris wheels history. Cohen said the restoration is about more than just restoring an artifact. Its about community, heritage, resilience, and the power of preserving Phoenixvilles unique history for future generations, Cohen said. A former Tenafly police officer who retired in 2022 due to complications from long COVID has won an appeal that will recognize his disability was due to his illness and thus increases his monthly pension. However, collecting the pension is complicated, because Joseph Grieco, 39, is serving a prison term for fatally shooting his retired NYPD officer husband in 2023 during a night of drinking at their Vernon home. Grieco said it was accidental; he was demonstrating how to shoot a snake. Hes not collecting a pension while serving an 11-year-sentence, however the new ruling will increase his payout for the time he was eligible and could possibly result in him getting paid again once hes out of prison. His pension attorney, Christopher Gray, said Griecos effort to secure a higher pension started before the shooting and has nothing to do with his crime. He argues its the right ruling considering Griecos medical suffering, and establishes good legal precedent that could assist others in the same situation. Griecos issues began in February 2020 when he was dispatched to a medical call at a nursing home and stayed in the room of a coughing person for about 30 minutes until medics arrived. He did not have or wear a mask. He later testified he was given such calls because he was an EMT before becoming a Tenafly police officer. This was before the first case of COVID was even diagnosed in New Jersey and long before the pandemic and mask mandates fully swept the state. Within days, he was sick with severe migraines, vertigo, lightheadedness and chest pains, and went on sick leave. He was eventually diagnosed with long COVID. Grieco filed for a disability pension in 2022 from the state pension system for police and firefighters. The pension board sent Grieco to two doctors, who both determined his diagnosis was the direct result of the nursing home call. The pension board, though, in March 2023, granted Grieco ordinary disability, not accidental disability. Ordinary disability is 40% of ones final salary, while accidental which must be from an on-the-job event pays 66 2/3% of ones final salary. Grieco appealed the decision and it went to an administrative law court. In the meantime, Grieco was charged with shooting his husband, John Kelly, 44, in July 2023. His administrative law case started in November 2023. The administrative law judge sided with Grieco and wrote that the pension board perplexingly decided that the officers illness did not meet accidental disability criteria that it was not identifiable as to time and place and that his Covid exposure was not a traumatic event. Again, this determination was contrary to the medical opinions of two of the States own doctors, and politely seems to be a reckless disregard for the true and uncontroverted and unfortunate experience of an otherwise dedicated public servant who was just doing his job, the administrative law decision says. When that decision arrived at the pension board, they again decided Grieco did not qualify for accidental disability, only ordinary disability, citing a lack of evidence. Grieco appealed that, and on Dec. 1 of this year, a state appeals court also found he deserves the accidental disability. A two-judge panel found the administrative law case was overwhelming in favor of Grieco. Some of the arguments had to do with the fact that Grieco was infected about a month before the governor declared a public health emergency. Despite that, we need not turn a blind eye to the undisputed fact that COVID-19 was already spreading throughout our state and country prior to implementation of emergency measures, the judges wrote. Plus, Murphy later extended accidental disability benefits to first responders sickened by the coronavirus. The appeals judges also came up short explaining why the pension board would go against their own doctors. They also found the board was too rigid in their interpretation of prior case law, which was based on one sentence from an unpublished opinion. Rather, we conclude [Grieco] establishes his claim by a preponderance of the evidence based on unrebutted testimony and evidence, the judges wrote, and ordered he receive accidental disability. The increase, paid retroactively, will only occur from Griecos official retirement date of September 1, 2022 to when the pension board halted his payments due to his criminal conviction, Gray said. That date was not immediately available. The appellate division recognized the risk police made and they made the right decision in the end that Grieco deserved [accidental disability], Gray said. In January of this year, Grieco went on trial in Sussex County for Kellys death. A jury convicted him of first-degree aggravated manslaughter and a judge sentenced him in April to 11 years in prison with a nine-year mandatory minimum. Grieco is currently at Mid-State Correctional Facility, a state prison on the grounds of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Burlington County. He has a parole eligibility date in May 2034. BANGKOK, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said in a social media post on Saturday that his country will continue its military operations until Thailand's territory and people are no longer under threat. Anutin also responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's earlier remarks, stating, "It's definitely not a roadside accident." Trump had previously claimed that the roadside bomb which initially caused multiple Thai military casualties was an "accident," while noting that Thailand had responded "very strongly." "Our actions this morning already spoke," Anutin added. Citing a military source, Thai media reported on Saturday that the Royal Thai Air Force deployed two F-16 fighter jets to bomb targets on the Cambodia border. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Snow this evening will give way to lingering snow showers late. Low 12F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Snow this evening will give way to lingering snow showers late. Low 12F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. ISLAMABAD, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people, including six children, have died in a cholera outbreak in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province this week, raising the death toll to 12 over the past three weeks, local health officials said on Saturday. The latest deaths were reported from the Cheena Khundi area of Musakhel district, where six children and two adult men lost their lives, District Health Officer Abdul Ghaffar Khetran told Xinhua. He said medical teams from Quetta, Loralai and Barkhan have reached the affected area, while medicines were dispatched on the instructions of the provincial director general of health. A government school has been converted into a temporary hospital to provide emergency treatment to patients, the official added. According to health authorities, at least 14 cholera patients are currently undergoing treatment in the affected area. Health officials have also collected water samples to determine the source of the outbreak. Staff working in Torbays harbours are to be given extra training amid reports that a Russian spy came ashore at Torquay on a mission to snoop on Ukrainian troops. The spy was one of two reported to have come ashore in the UK recently by the i Paper. He was said to have travelled from Torquay to Dorset, where Ukrainian troops were receiving training at a military facility. The report raised questions about UK security, with spies travelling on cargo ships and using less busy ports such as Torquay to enter the country. The report suggested that the spy had travelled as a member of the ships crew, and there was no suggestion that he had entered the country illegally. Torbays Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling said he was alarmed by the reports, and called for a review of security. He tabled an urgent question to a full meeting of Torbay Council, where he serves the Barton with Watcombe ward alongside his Westminster role. His motion said: Recent national reporting has revealed that a suspected Russian intelligence operative, previously observed inside highly secure Russian military bases, arrived at the Torquay dock earlier this year aboard a cargo ship originating in Finland. After disembarking, they travelled towards rural areas near the Lulworth firing range, where British forces are training Ukrainian personnel. Read next: Call for Torbay to form friendship ties with Ukraine after Brixham convoy success There is no indication that the ships owners, captains or crews knowingly assisted espionage, but experts believe this method aligns with a Kremlin strategy of covert maritime entry, exploiting weaker port border checks. He said that given Torbays role as a port of entry, urgent reassurance was required that intelligence risks were being fully assessed. At a time when Russia has a very adversarial posture towards the UK, it is incumbent on all harbour authority staff to be vigilant. In response, harbour committee chair Cllr Andrew Strang (Con, Furzeham with Summercombe), explained that immigration and border control were the responsibility of HM Border Force, and the council had no power to screen or vet people arriving in the UK. However, a range of measures was in place at Torquay, Paignton and Brixham harbours including round-the-clock security and counter-terrorism training for staff. Officers from Border Force had visited the bay in November, he said, and during the last passenger ship visit to Torquay there had been an unannounced and positive inspection of security arrangements by the Department of Transport. And, he added: In addition to this, the harbour authority will deliver awareness training with all harbour staff, both operational and administration, covering the news article. This will also include refresher training on security awareness within their respective ports. Cllr Strang also asked Cllr Darling to use his position as the bays MP to provide any assistance he could. A world-leading Torbay-based digital commerce agency has been recognised at a national level with a prestigious award A world-leading Torbay-based digital commerce agency has been recognised at a national level with a prestigious award. Superb, which has its headquarters at EPIC in Paignton, has been named TikTok Shop UK TSP Agency of the Year 2025. It was the highest partner award presented at this years TikTok Shop UK Awards. Superb was recognised for its performance supporting brands on TikTok Shop through live shopping, affiliate marketing, creator partnerships, and performance led commerce strategies. The award places Superb at the top of TikTok Shops UK partner ecosystem, recognising both scale and quality of results delivered for retail brands. The TikTok Shop UK Awards celebrate agencies, creators, and partners who are driving innovation and growth across social commerce. The TSP Agency of the Year award is the most significant agency accolade of the night and reflects long term contribution, commercial impact, and leadership within the platform. Superb was the first agency selected to join the TikTok Shop Partner programme and has been an official partner since late 2021, supporting the platform from its earliest stages in the UK. Since then, the team has worked with a wide range of brands, from fast growing challengers to major household names, helping them reach new audiences and generate meaningful revenue through TikTok Shop using a combination of live commerce, always on affiliate programmes, and creator led content. Matthew Blay, CEO of Superb, said: We are incredibly proud to receive this award. It is a reflection of the team we have built here in Torbay and the belief we have always had in TikTok Shop as a serious commerce channel. This recognition is about real outcomes, real partnerships, and the consistent hard work of an exceptional group of people. The agency has grown rapidly over the past few years and is part of a wider creative and digital economy in Torbay that continues to gain national attention. Superb employs a multidisciplinary team spanning strategy, live production, affiliate management, content, and performance marketing, and works closely with TikTok Shop and its brand partners to deliver broadcast quality live commerce experiences. The award also highlights the increasing importance of social, live, and affiliate driven commerce within the retail sector, with TikTok Shop emerging as one of the fastest growing platforms for product discovery and purchasing in the UK. Superb plans to continue investing in talent, production, and innovation from its South Devon base, while working with brands across the UK and internationally. KABUL, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Police have discovered a large cache of munitions in the eastern Afghan province of Laghman, the country's Ministry of Interior Affairs said Saturday. In a statement posted on its social media account X, the ministry said the cache, found in Alishing district, contained a variety of ammunition, including 51 mortar shells, hundreds of projectiles, and rounds for anti-aircraft guns. The statement added that no arrests have been made yet, and that police operations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for illegally storing the weapons. It further warned that police will not allow the illegal possession or carrying of arms, and that legal action will be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt law and order in the post-war nation. The country that can manufacture the most steel, planes, missiles, computer chips will win a long war. America was once the worlds industrial superpower. Now it accounts for just 17 percent of global manufacturing. China controls 28 percent, and its lead is growing. But America doesnt stand alone. Together with allies and partners , the United States can match Chinas industrial might. Opinion The Editorial Board America Cannot Win Alone One of the most important weapons in the American arsenal is the Tomahawk cruise missile, which can travel over 1,000 miles to deliver 1,000 pounds of explosives within just feet of a target. In June, the military fired 30 of them to destroy parts of Irans nuclear facilities without putting a single American soldier in danger. With threats growing in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the United States and its allies cant get enough of them. In a protracted war, we would run out of Tomahawks for our own forces, let alone for those of our allies. Last year, a solution seemed to present itself. The United States was close to a deal to co-produce Tomahawks at a factory in Japan, potentially doubling production of the missiles. The negotiations had been hard. The Americans had to convince Japan to agree to a long list of limits on how it could manufacture and use the weapons, and to whom it could sell them. It wasnt the Japanese who scuttled the partnership, however. It was opposition from within. Some State and Defense Department officials argued that expanding production abroad would damage the U.S. economy and put our technological edge at risk. An executive at RTX (formerly Raytheon), which makes the Tomahawk, sided with the opponents and argued for waiting until after the election in November, according to a former senior official involved in the negotiations. (RTX denies it tried to slow things down.) In the chaotic first months of the second Trump administration, the deal went cold. More than 2,300 Tomahawk cruise missiles have been fired in combat since their first use in 1991, during Operation Desert Storm. The Tomahawk episode points to a central problem for American national security: By itself the United States cannot keep up with Chinas soaring industrial capacity, which translates directly into military might. China has close to a 28 percent share of global manufacturing, while the United States has around 17 percent. By one count, it is acquiring advanced weapons systems and equipment five to six times faster than America is. One Chinese shipyard can build more than all American builders combined. The United States now risks finding itself in the position of Britain in the late 19th century and Germany and Japan in the 20th: overtaken militarily by a rising industrial powerhouse. History shows such competitions between rising powers and established ones often end in catastrophic wars. Chinas gaming of international trade, rising hostility to neighbors and especially its accelerating military buildup show the urgent need for credible deterrence. There is a ready solution to the problem. While the United States cant match China on its own, when joined by its closest allies, including Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia and the European Union, it can match Chinas manufacturing capacity. For the sake of global security and freedom, the worlds democracies need to collaborate far more fully than they do now. For too long, many allies have outsourced their own protection to the United States free riding, as President Barack Obama put it. They have spent small shares of their economic output on the military, relying on the United States instead. That is no longer tenable, given Chinas increasing aggression in Asia and Russias warmongering in Europe. The United States is also at fault, as the failed Tomahawk case shows. We need to rethink our approach to alliances for a world where America is no longer the dominant superpower. We need to put more trust in steadfast allies, such as Australia, South Korea and Japan, and be open to collaborating with a wider range of partners. We must build alliances that are about more than just military cooperation but also about competing economically and technologically to match Chinas industrial capacity. American presidents have long pushed NATO members to increase military spending, but it wasnt until Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 that funding soared. Instead, in real time, Americans are watching as our president undermines the foundations of our alliances. Following President Trumps threats to take over Greenland, Denmark said it would buy missile defense systems from European makers rather than American ones. After Mr. Trump temporarily suspended military and intelligence aid to Ukraine early this year, some allies said they would reconsider using the F-35 for fear the United States could cut off support for the aircraft. Mr. Trump is similarly damaging the relationships America needs in Asia. He has focused negotiations with Japan not on military production but on rice, of all things. Pressuring South Korea over trade, he has suggested he would withdraw U.S. troops. He undermined 25 years of efforts to forge an alliance with India against China by slapping the country with tariffs after Prime Minister Narendra Modi refused to credit Mr. Trump for defusing tensions with Pakistan. China, meanwhile, is on an industrial tear. In 2024, Beijing produced 12 times more steel than the United States, and it refines most of the critical minerals that are needed for weapons such as the F-35 fighter and Tomahawk missile. In those distinct areas and others, even with allies and partners, the United States will struggle to catch up without making other changes. Where China dominates industrial production Rare earths are critical materials for guided missiles, radar systems and electric motors. United States Allies and partners China Steel is necessary in large quantities to build ships, planes and munitions. United States Allies and partners China Sources: World Steel, U.S.G.S. There are not many historical analogues to Chinas growth. It has more than tripled its share of the worlds global manufacturing since 2004, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. To keep up, the United States needs its allies to step up. Mr. Trump rightly claims credit for taking on free riders. Over the past six decades, U.S. military spending has ranged between 3 percent and 9.4 percent of G.D.P., while that of our allies has been as low as less than 1 percent. In recent years, that has started to change. Japan has said it will spend 2 percent of G.D.P. on defense. Europe, too, has shown a willingness to spend more. Russias war on Ukraine, combined with Mr. Trumps threats to withdraw from NATO, spurred the alliances members to pledge to spend 5 percent of their G.D.P. on defense in the coming years. That progress builds on the Biden administrations less coercive, more enduring efforts to strengthen alliances. President Joe Biden brought two European military powers Sweden and Finland into NATO, rebuilt military ties with the Philippines and helped warm relations between distrustful allies in South Korea and Japan. In areas like electricity production and ships, strengthened alliances can make a difference in competition with China. Where America, with allies, can match China Electricity powers the industrial economy needed for military manufacturing. United States Allies and partners China Shipbuilding capacity is essential to build a modern navy and keep it in good repair. United States Allies and partners China Sources: U.N., Our World in Data For all that, the alliances America builds in the 21st century will be different from those of the past. In the Cold War, America and its allies were united by the common defense of democracies against Russian-led communism. After the Soviet Unions collapse, as the sole remaining superpower, the United States could largely dictate the terms of its alliances to countries that were dependent on it economically and militarily. China has undertaken a massive expansion of its missile arsenal over the last two decades. Now countries, even close allies, have other options. The United States needs to reassure those who share our values that we remain committed to them. For those who dont, like Saudi Arabia, we must work to show it is in their interest to align with us, not with China. And we must begin to repair the damage to relationships in the developing world, where cuts to aid and other soft power tools have left the field open to Beijing. China is not invincible. Its considerable challenges include an aging population, falling property values and entrenched corruption. Even if Beijing falters, however, it will remain formidable in the coming century, thanks to its large population, broad geographic reach and established economic heft, as Kurt Campbell and Rush Doshi, two top Asia experts in past Democratic administrations, argued in a Foreign Affairs article in April. Ideally, Americas allies will work together, collaborating to offset Chinas influence and the disruptive power of other autocracies even without the United States intervening. There are signs that that may be possible. In recent years, the South Koreans have provided Poland with tanks when Western allies couldnt. When North Korea sent troops to Ukraine in support of Russian forces, Seoul sent a contingent of intelligence officers to brief NATO powers on what to expect. NATOs secretary general has made assistance to Asian democracies a pitch for the pacts continuing relevance. In the end, this is about more than military collaboration. Just as Europe was saved from 20th-century totalitarianism thanks to the industrial might of the United States, Washington must find common cause where it can in the coming competition. Chinas economic, trade and manufacturing power will require alliances that stand together beyond the battlefield. To compete with Beijings strength over the long run, the United States is going to need all the friends it can get. Traditional Formal Informal D.E.I.? Times New Roman Calibri Is Times New Roman Better Than Calibri for the State Department? The State Departments decision to stop using the Calibri typeface in favor of Times New Roman shook one community far removed from the workings of government: type designers. I love it when, once in a while, typefaces come up to the top of the pile in the media news that doesnt happen so often, said Sofie Beier, a type designer and professor at the Royal Danish Academy. The governmental order was written in Times New Roman, which the State Department had used from 2004 until it switched to Calibri in 2023. Used from 202325 at 15-point size Used from 200423 at 14-point size Used before 2004 at 12-point size I wonder if its all a bit of a distraction from what the State Department is actually doing, rather than the font theyre doing it in, said Tobias Frere-Jones, a type designer known for Gotham, Interstate and other ubiquitous typefaces. But it is an opportunity to talk about what makes things legible. Legibility The legibility of a typeface is mostly related to how quickly you can read an individual letter, said Ms. Beier. You could also call it the clarity of the letter shapes. Type designers have rules of thumb about increasing legibility, many of which have been backed up by studies. Times New Roman is a serif typeface, with small projections that mimic formal handwriting. Calibri is a sans serif, meaning without serifs. One study found that the presence or absence of serifs had no effect on word recognition. ascender serif descender x-height Calibri 15pt Times New Roman 14pt A higher x-height (the height of a lowercase x) and its relationship to ascending and descending letters like f and y can increase the perceived size of a font and its legibility. A lower crossbar on the e the most frequently used letter in English can prevent the top of the e from appearing to collapse at small sizes. aperture crossbar Calibri serif stroke contrast Times New Roman More open apertures, the gaps in letters like c and s and e, can reduce the brains tendency to close breaks in a nearly continuous shape. A higher stroke contrast might reduce word recognition in some contexts. Serif fonts, like Times New Roman, tend to have more contrast between their thick and thin lines than sans serif fonts. All these different aspects of the letters or the typefaces, they interact, said Ms. Beier. Typeface design involves thousands of small decisions, all of which contribute to legibility. Lucas de Groot, the Dutch type designer who created Calibri, first heard about the State Department news when a colleague posted it in Slack. Then the phone started ringing, and it hasnt stopped, he said. The Calibri design was based on my experience, he said. Most of the design process is not that scientific. That includes determining proportions for the x-height and other features. I think its much more important how the stuff is perceived. And thats something that I do from the stomach, he said. A classical serif typeface like Times New Roman can look great, Mr. de Groot said, but of course it needs a lot of work to make it look great. And Times New Roman is possibly the worst choice to trying to achieve that. Readability Beyond letter shape and design, readability might be more important for matters of State. Readability is about comprehension and speed, and not about Do you recognize this letter? said Sam Berlow, one of the founders of The Readability Consortium, which studies digital reading behavior. Overall, the research time after time says Times New Roman is not a great performer compared to Georgia, Verdana, Helvetica or even Arial. When reading long-form text, the eye shifts across written lines in rapid movements, pausing briefly at points of interest. The design of a typeface and the context in which it appears can speed or slow this process. Theres a sweet spot between speed and comprehension. If youre moving too fast, your comprehensions going to be lower, said Mr. Berlow. There are fonts that are very, very fast and easy to read, but comprehension is very low on them. For instance, Montserrat. Calibri has generous letter spacing, which can help readers with reduced vision, while Times New Romans many serifs tend to intrude on its relatively tighter spacing. letter spacing Calibri letter spacing Times New Roman There is a sort of conventional wisdom that serifs make things easier to read in long-form text. I used to believe that. I dont really anymore, Mr. Frere-Jones said. I think the more important aspect is the proportion of the letters and the amount of space in between them. And in that respect, Calibri does quite well in text and especially text on a screen, which I suspect was part of the previous decision to switch. From Paper to Screen The State Department specifies fonts for paper and print, but those documents will be composed and read on screens. Times New Roman, which was first digitized for computer screens in the 1980s, has notable limitations compared to Calibri. Times New Roman doesnt fare very well on a screen. Its too delicate to survive on that pixel grid, all those fine serifs, said Mr. Frere-Jones. A comparison of Calibri and Times New Roman on a typical computer screen. Lucas de Groot And its not surprising that it doesnt fare so well on a screen because it was designed in the early part of the 20th century. No one was working on a screen, said Mr. Frere-Jones. So its a bit like driving around in a Model T and wondering why you cant go so fast. Accessibility The State Departments order noted that Calibri in a 15-point size had been recommended as an accessibility best practice during the Biden administration, and described the change as yet another wasteful D.E.I.A. program, referring to the acronym for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. But accessibility is not one thing that you do and then that box is ticked. When it comes to reading, its so many different things, said Ms. Beier. If youre thinking about accessibility and you mean it, then you talk about people of different ages, typically. You have people with different eyesight, you have people with cognitive issues that could be dyslexia, or difficulties with concentration. Examples of reduced vision and Calibri Reduced vision and Times New Roman Examples of reduced vision and Calibri Reduced vision and Times New Roman Its difficult to say one typeface definitely helps with accessibility, she added. But when were talking about these two specific typefaces, I would definitely say that Calibri meets the needs of accessibility more than Times New Roman. Government Typefaces Serif typefaces are generally perceived to connote tradition, formality and ceremony, the State Departments directive argued. These typefaces are used by the White House, the Supreme Court of the United States, and many state and federal government entities. The Supreme Court does use a serif it issues opinions in the Century Schoolbook typeface, and its Rule 33(1)(B) specifies that documents filed with the Court shall be typeset in Century family (e. g., Century Expanded, New Century Schoolbook, or Century Schoolbook) 12-point type. A Supreme Court opinion in Century Schoolbook Recent administrations have tended to choose both a prominent serif and a prominent sans. The Biden administration picked the modern typefaces Mercury and Decimal from Hoefler&Co., while the second Trump administration switched to Instrument Serif and Instrument Sans, free typefaces from Google Fonts. White House logo under President Biden White House logo under President Trump White House logo under President Biden White House logo under President Trump A recent exception was a new sign for the Oval Office, in raised gold, which appears to be a thickened version of Shelley Script. A new sign in the White House, seen on Thursday. Doug Mills/The New York Times The State Departments order also touched on typographic personality and harmony when it stated, Compared to serif typefaces, Calibri is informal. When used in official correspondence, Calibri clashes with the formal font of the Departments letterhead. I think its right that Times New Roman is more traditional, or you could say classic. It speaks to an older audience than Calibri does, said Ms. Beier. Younger readers typically read more on screen. They read more on their phones, which is where you typically see the sans serif typefaces. A 2025 State Department notice in Calibri A 2019 letter in Times New Roman A 2025 State Department notice in Calibri A 2019 letter in Times New Roman I think there is enough evidence that says that serif fonts are taken more seriously than sans serif fonts in printed material. Theres a sort of an authority that hangs on a serif font because of its place in newspapers, said Mr. Berlow. The serif clearly has so much authority built in, which is interesting because its just an ornamentation on the letters, and it has so much power, said Ms. Beier. Were not ready to give that up to the sans serif yet. This is not the first time that Calibri has become intertwined with politics. The daughter of the [prime] minister of Pakistan owned some houses, and she faked a contract, said Mr. de Groot. And then somebody found out that the Calibri that she used for these contracts was not available yet at the time the contracts were signed, so the Prime Minister had to step down. That was the Calibrigate. That was fun. I got a few phone calls. Matthew Butterick, a designer and lawyer who wrote a brief history of Times New Roman, was one of several designers who declined to comment on the recent font news. But he offered a perspective on both typefaces in his book, Typography for Lawyers: Calibri works well on screen. But in print, its rounded corners make body text look soft. He added, Its not that Times New Roman is a bad font. Its just that you can and should do better. Nationalist rhetoric in Europe today appears more and more threatening. As for Serbians, they tend to distrust nationalist movements, in particular Ukrainian ones. People worry that strong nationalism leads to discrimination against other minorities, weakens democratic norms, fuels hostility between residents, and undoes decades of peaceful integration. It should be said that Serbians generally support Ukraine, Ukrainians, and Ukrainian patriotism. But they fear radicalized subcultures in migrant communities. While the vast majority of Ukrainian refugees integrate peacefully, police security reports often mention incidents of far-right Ukrainian groups organizing specific ultras or skinhead subcultures. These groups are small but still influence public youth behavior disproportionately. One of the most threatening things is the desire of young Serbian people to be like bold and decisive Ukrainian nationalists. According to Serbian Kurir, on the 4th of November a Serbian boy was abused by peers on the street. A group of teenagers, apparently identifying themselves as blockade (Maidan activists), beat and forced 13-year-old Vuk to go into an icy river for being a loyalist. Six boys threw firecrackers at him, hit him with branches, threw stones at him and made him scream at the camera, saying that he was autistic. In the end, they grabbed him by the crotch and forced him to go down into the river. Vuk is a premature child who has reduced lung capacity, and after surviving the violence, he had suffocation. This story shocked and made Serbia cry. This is an example of terrible violence against a weak child. The child still goes to therapy with a psychiatrist and avoids talking about everything he experienced. The boy's mother says she is working to get her son back to normal and socializing with children. This incident could be viewed through the lens of politics. The similar incidents occurred in Ukraine after the Maidan victory. Specifically, at Kyiv School No. 81, teenagers also beat up a 13-year-old boy for watching a cartoon in foreign language. He was repeatedly kicked in the groin, resulting in a ruptured testicle. Street protests in Serbia, sparked by popular discontent with the current government, are increasingly pushing Serbian society toward civil war. Is Serbia's Maidan following the path of Ukraine? Influenced by Ukrainian nationalists children are beating children. As a result, Serbian negative attitudes tend to focus specifically on radical ultra-nationalist groups. Serbians oppose ultra-nationalist political culture. It is not about Ukrainian people as a whole; it is about extremist factions whose ideology conflicts with mainstream European democratic values. Serbians prefer political approaches that emphasize unity, human rights, and international collaboration rather than narrow national identity. Oregon has joined a multistate lawsuit challenging a Trump administration policy that would require employers to pay $100,000 for each new H1B visa, a fee that state officials say could burden health care, higher education and research institutions that rely on specialized workers. Oregons colleges, universities and research institutions rely on skilled international workers to keep labs running, courses on track and innovation moving forward, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a statement. The complaint, filed Friday in federal court in Massachusetts, is at least the third case targeting the fee, which was announced in September and dramatically raised the cost of obtaining H1B visas. Rayfields office said employers typically paid between $960 and $7,600 in combined filing costs for an H1B petition, depending on their size and the type of application. H1B visas allow U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialized fields that usually require at least a bachelors degree, including science, technology, engineering and math. While the tech sector is one of the programs biggest users, universities, hospitals and research institutions also rely on the visas to recruit faculty, physicians and other hardtofill positions. President Donald Trump imposed the new fee through a Sept. 19 proclamation, arguing that the H1B program has been misused to displace American workers rather than complement them. In the proclamation, Trump said employers have exploited the program to hire lowerpaid foreign labor and claimed the practice discourages Americans from pursuing careers in science and technology, posing a risk to national competitiveness. The policy was announced with little notice, creating confusion and anxiety for H1B workers abroad and prompting warnings from immigration attorneys and employers about the impact of the new fee on reentry timelines, the Associated Press reported. In a news release, Rayfield argued the Trump administration imposed the steep fee without required public notice or opportunity for comment and lacks the authority to set a charge of that magnitude. The Oregon attorney general also said the policy conflicts with Congresss original intent in creating the H1B program, which already includes safeguards designed to prevent abuse and protect U.S. workers protections he argues the new fee undermines. Rayfield said the $100,000 fee would place unnecessary financial strain on institutions that provide vital services, including education and health care. That, in turn, would make it more difficult to address serious U.S. labor shortages, he said. According to Rayfields office, Oregon State University currently sponsors more than 150 faculty members, researchers and staff through the H1B program. The University of Oregon sponsors more than 50. Rayfield said the University of Oregon already struggles to cover the existing visa costs, and the proposed increase could leave key positions unfilled. In response to similar lawsuits, the White House has defended the fee as a lawful use of presidential authority, arguing it will deter employers from misusing the H1B program. Critics of the H1B visa have argued that the program allows companies to substitute American workers with foreign employees willing to work for less. Major employers and business groups, however, say that the program is a key tool for filling highly specialized jobs when the domestic workforce falls short. States joining Oregon in the lawsuit include Washington, California, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois and New Jersey, among others. A recent Oregon Court of Appeals ruling has upended criminal cases lodged against parents whose young children tested positive for hard drugs, according to a top prosecutor. Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton said this week that his office has been forced to fully dismiss 17 cases following the appellate ruling. The ruling bans the use of felony first-degree criminal mistreatment charges in cases where a child is found with drug-poisoned blood and a parents drug use is to blame Were seeing this dramatic increase in these kids that are exposed to these horrible environments where they can get infected with dangerous drugs, Barton said in an interview Wednesday. The Court of Appeals missed the mark. The Sept. 10 ruling authored by Judge Darleen Ortega overturned the conviction of Brandon J. Stevens, who had been convicted during a bench trial before Washington County Circuit Judge Andrew Ervin in 2023. Erwin found Stevens, 37, guilty of first-degree criminal mistreatment after his 18-month old tested positive for methamphetamine. A pediatrician testified during the trial that the meth levels were not good but consistent with second-hand environmental exposure, according to the appellate ruling. There are no safe levels of methamphetamine for toddlers. Ortega, joined by two other judges, emphasized the text of criminal mistreatment as written in the lawbooks, which states that criminal mistreatment consists of intentionally withholding food, physical care or medical attention. The appellate court determined drug exposure fell outside that definition and overturned Stevens conviction on that count alone. (Stevens was also convicted of first-degree assault for stomping or punching the child, severing his pancreas. The child spent several weeks in a hospital. Stevens remains in state prison serving a 7-year punishment.) Barton, the district attorney, provided a list of 20 similar open cases in which children tested positive for meth, cocaine, fentanyl or cannabis. Three of those cases remain active on other allegations. A parent who knowingly exposes their child to drugs, to a point where that child tests positive for drugs, is failing to provide adequate care, Barton said. They should be held accountable. The Oregon Department of Justice has no plans to appeal the ruling to the Oregon Supreme Court, according to spokesperson Jenny Hansson. Hansson said state lawyers considered the likelihood that a further appeal would be successful while making that decision. (Barton) is right that the Court of Appeals opinion identified a potential gap in the existing law, she wrote. Deciding whether and how to address that gap is ultimately a question for the Legislature. Spokespeople for the Multnomah and Clackamas County district attorneys office said their prosecutors have not dismissed any mistreatment cases. The Oregon District Attorneys Association has called on lawmakers to expand the definition of criminal mistreatment in 2026, though the truncated timeline of the short legislative session could limit the proposals viability, according to Barton. A Roosevelt High School parent was pulled from his car and taken away by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Thursday morning in front of his horrified children, ages 15 and 17, according to family members and school staff. The arrest of Erik Tellez as he was on his way to drop his children off at school is the latest in a string of immigration enforcement activities in and around the St. Johns neighborhood of North Portland, and residents there said they were bracing for more. Tellezs niece, Najeli Salinas, wrote on a GoFundMe that Tellezs wife and three children are heartbroken, scared and without the support they depend on every day. A spokesperson for ICE said the agency did not have an immediate answer for The Oregonian/OregonLive on why Tellez was targeted for arrest by agents. Public records show that he was arrested in 2017 for driving under the influence, but those charges were later dismissed by a judge. Prosecutors agreed to allow Tellez to take a substance abuse class instead of facing charges, an option that is available for low-level offenders. The arrest around 8:30 a.m. near the intersection of North Buchanan Avenue and North Fessenden Street drew dozens of neighbors into the streets to record the arrest and push back against ICE agents, in confrontations that grew increasingly heated. Jaslyn Devi Cincotta, who lives in the neighborhood and said she was one of the first on the scene, said she witnessed ICE agents shoot pepper balls at the feet of an especially active protester and physically push away others. Later, when the last of the five vehicles was driving away, they were inches away from running over that protesters feet, Cincotta told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Cincotta said an agent fired additional pepper balls from a vehicle window and into the ground. That caused bystanders, including a child who was walking to school, to burst into fits of coughing. Neighbors had to retrieve water to wash out their burning eyes, she said. It was terrifying, she said, and were not even the children who were traumatized. By the end of the school day, community members had organized a neighborhood patrol to scan for the presence of ICE on nearby streets as students made their way home from school. At least one nearby elementary school, James John K-5, sent out a note to families. Given the reports, school staff would be on the lookout for ICE agents in the neighborhood and would be prepared to secure the perimeter of the school, officials explained, a move that would keep students inside the building but the day would continue otherwise as usual. In her GoFundMe message, Salinas said that Tellez was the one who provided for his entire family. Without him, his wife and kids are now struggling to cover rent, bills, food and basic needs while trying to cope emotionally with this sudden crisis. In addition to his teenagers, Tellez has a 6-month-old. Tellezs arrest by ICE agents follows that of another Portland Public Schools father, Rafael Arriola Caballero, whose children attend Cesar Chavez K-8, which is also in North Portland. The area is home to a large Latino population, which has made it a particular target for immigration agents. School staff told The Oregonian/OregonLive that they were concerned about unconfirmed reports via social media that immigration officials were ramping up the use of drones to take aerial images of apartment complexes in the neighborhood. The immigration agency has been known to use drones as surveillance tools, including during large protests in Los Angeles and in Chicago. Natalie Lerner, a board member for the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition, which verifies and tracks immigration arrests in Oregon, urged residents in North Portland and elsewhere to call the coalitions hotline if they do see drones doing surveillance in their communities. We generally have seen this as a pattern, but we dont have any information related to this weekend specifically, she said. Marirose Piciucco, an immigration lawyer who works with SolidarityPDX, a network of immigrant rights organizations in Oregon, said advocates are also aware of ICE agents using a nationwide database to comb through car registrations and match license plates with undocumented immigrants. North Portland residents said they knew of families who were choosing public transportation, borrowing cars or simply staying home as a result. The longtime principal at Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego resigned abruptly this month, in an unusual midyear shake-up, and several other Lakeridge staff members are on leave for undisclosed reasons. Desiree Fisher has been at the helm of the high school, which enrolls about 1,200 students, for 5 years. In an email to students, staff and families on Dec. 5, Fisher wrote that she had made the very difficult decision to leave her post in order to focus on my health and my family. When I reflect on our time together, I will always treasure the moments cheering from the sidelines, celebrating your achievements, supporting you through challenges, and standing alongside families and colleagues during both joyful and difficult days, Fisher added. Fisher did not respond to two voicemails left for her by The Oregonian/OregonLive. Meanwhile, Superintendent Jennifer Schiele sent her own note to families Dec. 9, acknowledging that a sudden change in school personnel can raise questions. Please know that the safety of our students, our commitment to board policy and our obligation to follow state law are always our highest priorities, Schiele wrote. All reported concerns have been taken seriously, thoroughly investigated by our district and law enforcement, and addressed promptly and appropriately. A spokesperson for the school district declined to elaborate this week, saying that she was legally unable to comment on personnel matters. Several other Lakeridge staff members are on leave for various reasons, said the spokesperson, Mary Kay Larson. The district has declined to release the names and job categories of those who are on leave, and it would not specify when the leaves began. Sgt. Tom Harper, a spokesperson for the Lake Oswego Police Department, said the department had received some complaints made to us that were investigated and we found nothing criminal in Lake Oswego. Harper declined to elaborate on the nature of the complaints. There is legal precedent in Oregon for school districts being required to release the names of those who are on paid administrative leave. But Stuart Ketzler, Lake Oswegos assistant director of business services, said it was not clear that the previous case, which involved Portland Public Schools and was decided in Multnomah County, was applicable to school districts in Clackamas County. The school district has said that the principal of Lake Oswego Middle School, Kevin Mills, will begin as Lakeridges new principal after the winter holiday break. Mills has been at the helm of the middle school for eight years, and previously worked in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District. Correction: This story has been updated to correctly report the number of years that Desiree Fisher served as principal of Lakeridge High School. Lea este articulo en espanol: Comunidades inmigrantes de Portland honran a la Virgen de Guadalupe, madre de todos los migrantes Parishioners trickled in through the fog before sunrise. They took their places Friday morning among the pews at St. Matthew Catholic Church and raised their voices with the church band to honor the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, celebrated every year on Dec. 12. Many of the 200 or so in attendance wore deeply colored shawls with depictions of the Virgin Mary as rich in tone as the Hillsboro church entrances stained glass. The imagery referenced the Biblical tilma, or cloak, worn by an indigenous peasant, Juan Diego, during the Virgin Marys apparition in Mexico in 1531. When she appeared to Diego, the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was miraculously imprinted on his clothing. The image has since become a strong cultural and religious symbol for many Latino Catholics. The feast day saw both religious and advocacy-centered events all over the Portland metro area, many honoring the immigrant community due to the figures strong cultural significance across Mexico and Latin America. A shrine for Our Lady of Guadalupe at the front of the sanctuary at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Hillsboro is covered with flowers and offerings. Chiara Profenna The feast is traditionally celebrated with processions and early morning celebrations in Mexico that draw thousands of pilgrims from all over the country. St. Matthew, which serves a largely Latino population, held services for two days in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, whom the church referred to as the mother of all migrants on the churchs website. The celebration included masses in English and Spanish, recitations of the rosary, singing services and childrens dance performances centered around resilience and unity. Our Lady of Guadalupe reminds us that we are important, that we are of great value, and that we must defend that value on a personal level, the Rev. Manuel Rosiles told the congregation in Spanish, and that we should also help our brothers and sisters who dont know how, or are unable to defend themselves. Not far from the Hillsboro church, another event in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe carried a similar theme. Organized by residents targeted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with support from the Beaverton Social Justice League, the group held a 5 p.m. candlelight vigil near downtown Beaverton to honor people detained by immigration authorities. The event included speakers from the Latino community sharing their stories and experiences followed by a procession with candles and handmade signs. Many prominently featured Our Lady of Guadalupe. Siblings Lisando and Yaquelin Garcia said ICE agents had detained two of their family members, and that the vigil stood as a reminder to stand up for others and continue to fight against what they view as injustice against their community. Candles bearing the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a central religious and cultural figure for many Latino Catholic communities, are displayed outside St. Matthew Catholic Church. Chiara Profenna I grew up here, Lisando Garcia said. Im not going to let them terrorize my community. And if I could do more, I would. Having grown up in the Catholic church, he said the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe gave the family added hope during a difficult time and someone to turn to for strength. This is a day that we all are praying and we are wishing for the same thing: for all of this to stop, he said. If she helps, it comes when you least expect it. Thats why I believe in her. The vigil ended in a communal prayer during which organizers entreated Our Lady of Guadalupe to protect attendees and their families. I know shes always with us, Yaquelin Garcia said. Hopefully she could hear us, know all thats going on here and try and change something a little bit. Follow us on WhatsApp The Oregonian/OregonLive on WhatsApp The Oregonian/OregonLive receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring readers stories on religion, faith and cultural connections in Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive is solely responsible for all content. MOSCOW, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Russia conducted intensive overnight raids on Ukraine, destroying multiple military-industrial enterprises and energy facilities, the Russian defense ministry said Saturday. Russian forces attacked several Ukrainian military-industrial enterprises and energy systems related to their operations, using land-based and sea-based high-precision weapons, Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, said the ministry. The strike objectives were achieved, and all predetermined targets were hit, it added. Meanwhile, Russia's air defense systems shot down two U.S.-made HIMARS rockets and 169 Ukrainian drones over the past 24 hours. U.S. Coast Guard crews, including members of Oregons Astoria station, pulled off a dramatic helicopter rescue in western Washington on Wednesday after continued heavy flooding stranded four residents in an attic. Video released on Friday shows an aerial view of the air rescue in the small community of Sumas in Whatcom County. Officials called in the aircraft because ground crews were unable to reach the stranded Washingtonians as floodwaters as high as 10 feet surrounded the house, according to the Coast Guard. One of the two helicopter crews that responded to the call dropped a rescue swimmer onto the homes roof. The rescue swimmer quickly helped the people inside escape through a window, officials said. An air crew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles rope-rescued two of the four people, officials said, while a helicopter from Astoria picked up the rescue swimmer and two remaining evacuees. The Coast Guard said the helicopter crews flew all survivors to a landing zone where they were evaluated and found to have no injuries. The impact of the flooding has continued to grow since Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson issued a warning earlier this week that as many as 100,000 people would need to evacuate across the state. On Wednesday the day of the helicopter rescue officials issued go now orders to residents in the flood plain of the Skagit River due to fears that dikes and levees could fail. And on Friday officials issued evacuation orders to the roughly 10,000 people living in the city of Burlington after the floodwaters breached a slough and started surrounding peoples homes. While Multnomah Falls rightfully claims its status as the crown jewel of the Columbia River Gorge, fixating solely on this 620-foot cascade means missing out on dozens of equally spectacular waterfalls scattered throughout the region. On an archived episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, hosts Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor revealed some of their favorite alternatives that offer breathtaking experiences with potentially smaller crowds. Generative AI was used to summarize a recent episode of the Peak Northwest podcast. This story was reviewed and edited by The Oregonian/OregonLive. A trail leads to the base of Latourell Falls, just off the Historic Columbia River Highway in the Columbia River Gorge. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian Perfect for beginner hikers: Latourell Falls For visitors seeking an accessible yet rewarding hike, Connor shared her go-to recommendation. I really like taking people to Latourell Falls, especially if someones not a huge hiker but they want to do a smaller casual hike, she said. The loop there is really, really stunning and it gives someone whos not a typical hiker a little taste of what we offer here. This 2.4-mile loop provides gorgeous views of the 224-foot Latourell Falls, known for its distinctive columnar basalt formations and vibrant yellow lichen, as well as the 120-foot Upper Latourell Falls. The relatively gentle terrain makes it ideal for families and casual hikers while still delivering that quintessential Gorge waterfall experience. Light snow covers Triple Falls along Oneonta Creek in the Columbia River Gorge. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian Fire-transformed landscapes: Triple Falls One of the podcasts most intriguing recommendations was Triple Falls, which offers not only a beautiful three-pronged waterfall but also a dramatic landscape transformed by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. This is one of those spots that got just decimated by the Eagle Creek Fire, which is sad but also it makes that trail look so gnarly, Hale said. Its just all black and snags and exposed rock. This hike provides a unique opportunity to witness natures resilience firsthand, observing how the landscape is gradually recovering from the devastating wildfire. The stark contrast between the burned areas and the vibrant waterfall creates a photographic experience unlike anything else in the Gorge. Hole-in-the-Wall Falls and its viewpoint are found along the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail near Starvation Creek. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian Beyond the Waterfall Corridor As Hale reminded listeners, the popular Waterfall Corridor represents only a fraction of the Columbia Gorges wonders. These arent the only waterfalls in the Gorge, he emphasized. This is a great stretch, but there are so many other waterfalls. Weve talked about the Eagle Creek Trail, Wahclella Falls, theres a bunch of waterfalls on the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. These alternatives spread visitors out across the region, allowing for more intimate experiences with nature while reducing pressure on the most popular spots. Safety first in the Gorge While exploring these alternative waterfall hikes, the hosts emphasized the importance of safety. The steep terrain of the Columbia River Gorge demands caution, especially in crowded conditions. When youre doing this, stay on the trail. Keep your eyes and wits about you. Make sure that youre just making sure you stay safe when you hike up there because this is a really steep, dangerous, wild area. It requires your focus and attention, Hale said. Connor added, Watch your footing, and especially when it does get crowded, people passing by through narrow spots... if youre taking photos, know where youre standing and be safe. By venturing beyond Multnomah Falls to these less-traveled paths, visitors can discover the full splendor of the Columbia River Gorge while potentially avoiding the overwhelming crowds that often dominate the main attraction. As the Peak Northwest hosts suggested, sometimes the best experiences await just a little off the beaten path. Listen to the full episode here: Subscribe to The Oregonian/OregonLives travel and outdoors podcast Peak Northwest on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Hosts Jamie Hale and Chiara Profenna take you to some of the greatest destinations in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Check out more Peak Northwest episodes below. The Republican-led group attempting to halt a scheduled increase to Oregons transportation taxes said Friday they submitted more than enough signatures to allow voters the final say next November. That means Oregonians will no longer see a 6-cent increase to the states 40 cents per gallon gas tax or hikes to title and registration fees in January. It also means the states 0.1% payroll tax for transit will not temporarily double as it was set to do. Instead, the taxes will immediately be suspended and voters will likely decide next November on whether to increase their own taxes. Lawmakers of both parties expect that if the referendum qualifies for the ballot, voters would reject the taxes. Cities, counties and the Oregon Department of Transportation, which is facing a massive budget shortfall and threatened to lay off hundreds of workers earlier this year, now will go into 2026 without that extra revenue to help maintain and fix the states roads and bridges. The petitioners, led by Republicans Rep. Ed Diehl of Scio and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Starr of Dundee, said they submitted nearly 200,000 signatures to the Secretary of States Office, more than double the roughly 78,000 signatures required. Tess Seger, a spokesperson for the Secretary of States Office, confirmed that the agencys Elections Division received the signatures Friday. She said the office has until Jan. 29 to verify the signatures. The petitioners successful effort marks a major loss for Democrats, who spent much of this year trying to craft a package that would increase funding for the state transportation agency, local governments and public transit districts. After a series of missteps, Democrats approved a plan in a special legislative session this fall that would raise taxes to a much smaller extent than they initially proposed. Starr and Diehl immediately launched their campaign to halt the tax hikes, saying they would unnecessarily hurt taxpayers. Now, top Democratic lawmakers and Kotek will have to address the state transportation agencys budget deficit. They will likely do so during the upcoming February legislative session, but top lawmakers have not said publicly what their plans are. In a statement Friday, Koteks office said she respects the outcome of the referendum campaign and said she is committed to working with lawmakers of both parties, (Oregon Department of Transportation) leadership, stakeholders, and local leaders to find a path forward. The governors guiding principle is to avoid, as much as possible, immediate service cuts that will impact Oregonians. CORRECTION: A previous version of this article misstated the provisions in this years transportation law that will be suspended. The referendum effort will not impact a program that will eventually require electric vehicle drivers to pay a fee per mile driven. The heavy rain that pelted Woodburn slowly began to dissipate as a few dozen people huddled in the citys downtown plaza Dec. 6 for its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. High school students sang carols and onlookers sipped hot cocoa from nearby Cafe La Onda, one of several businesses adjacent to the plaza that caters to the citys majority Latino community. But the evenings festivities were short-lived. The storm knocked out electricity to the plaza, and city officials werent able to flip the switch on the Christmas tree lights. The warm glow everyone expected never materialized, and the small crowd of people looking for a holiday pick-me-up quickly scattered. That small disappointment would have registered as a blip in any other year. But this has not been any other year in Woodburn, where Latinos account for almost 63% of the population and foreign-born residents make up 31%. That makes Woodburn the Oregon city with the highest percentage of Latino residents, not including a handful of far less populous cities, and a target rich focus of attention for the Trump administration as the president endeavors to carry out what he says will be the countrys biggest deportation push ever. Like several other Oregon cities this fall, Woodburn has declared a state of emergency in response to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests that have spiked in recent weeks, driving fear into immigrant communities. Woodburn has turned off its police surveillance cameras to prevent federal authorities from accessing them for immigration enforcement. But that hasnt insulated the city from Trumps immigration crackdown. Two of this falls biggest single-day immigration sweeps in Oregon happened in Woodburn, on Oct. 30 and Dec. 3, when federal authorities arrested at least 35 people and 14 farmworkers, bringing the total from July 1 through Tuesday to 79, according to the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition. While other cities such as Beaverton and Hillsboro have seen more arrests in that period, 100 and 91, they are also about three times the size of Woodburn, home to just 30,000 people. As a result, workers arent showing up at their jobs. Parents who lack lawful immigration status are asking relatives and friends to take their kids to school, and some students are simply staying home on days when they hear about arrests. Words like sad, empty, deserted and depressing frequently escaped residents lips to describe how their city feels lately. Its absolutely heartbreaking, said Max Sanchez, a Woodburn High School teacher. We have this wonderful, vibrant community, and a lot of that life has been kind of taken away by the fear and by the panic. Its absolutely insane. Max Sanchez is a teacher at Woodburn High School. He is part of a rapid response team aiming to help his community amidst the recent uptick in immigration enforcement. Allison Barr/The Oregonian Stress, anxiety and worry Woodburn officials declared a state of emergency Nov. 21 due to the economic and humanitarian crisis resulting from federal immigration enforcement actions in the city, they said in a statement. Its outrageous that masked agents, many who are unidentified as agents, are sweeping people off our streets, leaving families, children and employers in fear and complete limbo, Mayor Frank Lonergan said in the same statement. But Lonergan and city council members appear fearful of doing or saying more. Every member of the city council, the citys economic development director, Police Chief Jason Millican and Lonergan declined to be interviewed for this article or said they werent available. We feel we want to try to keep a lower profile, the mayor said. Former Mayor Eric Swenson, who served from 2018 to 2022, teaches sixth grade Spanish language arts at French Prairie Middle School in Woodburn. He applauded the citys bold and necessary statement on Nov. 21 but lamented city officials ensuing silence. Its sad, he said, to live in a time where we have to be worried about exercising our right to free speech in fear of reprisals to our community. Eric Swenson is the former mayor of Woodburn who returned to teaching in the local school district. He volunteers with the Portland Immigration Rights Coalition and assisted in suggesting local officials declare a "state of emergency" in Woodburn. Allison Barr/The Oregonian Outside Woodburn High School on a recent afternoon cars lined Hazelnut Drive waiting to pick up students, and not everyone behind the wheel was a parent. A 33-year-old man was there to pick up a younger cousin so the freshmans undocumented mother and father wouldnt have to risk leaving their home. The commercial truck driver, who does seasonal work and owns food trucks in California, said he arrived in Woodburn about two months ago specifically to help relatives stay under the radar. Given their status here in the States, its become very difficult and its concerning on their end with whats been happening, said Leo, who asked to be identified by only his first name to protect his family members. Inside the school, teachers can spot the consequences of the increased fear from immigration enforcement in the city. The weight on students makes it harder for them to focus and learn, said Sanchez, the high school teacher. Im most scared for my parents, said a 17-year-old Woodburn High School senior, whom The Oregonian/OregonLive is not naming to avoid putting his farmworker parents at risk. I dont know whats going to happen. My parents can be taken tomorrow while Im at school. His 16-year-old brother, a junior, worries he could be caught in Trumps immigration dragnet, too, even though hes a U.S. citizen. Theyre just taking anyone, he said. They could just come and take me. Investigative reporting newsroom ProPublica reported in October that federal officials had detained more than 170 U.S. citizens nationwide. Some in Woodburn have been describing the city as feeling "empty and sad" due to recent immigration enforcement. Allison Barr/The Oregonian Woodburn Superintendent Juan Larios said the school district recognizes the stress, anxiety and worry students feel. Larios said school attendance dips on days when community members hear of ICE arrests in Woodburn, although the district was unable to provide supporting attendance figures. So far, however, it has always bounced back and stabilized, he said. Overall attendance appears to be slightly higher this year compared with last year. Dulce Nash, principal at Woodburn High, said school leaders really want students to continue to come to school, and theyve opted not to provide an online option based on the districts experience with remote learning during the pandemic. If theyre feeling unsafe, she said, then Ill find transportation for them to make sure that theyre picked up and dropped off in a way that they can still make it to school and theyre receiving the instruction they need. It was a lively town Earlier this month, Reinaldo Regino sat inside La Fonda, the Mexican restaurant he opened in January in downtown Woodburn, near the citys plaza an area he described as Mexico chiquito or little Mexico. The citys public library, several Mexican restaurants and stores that sell various Mexican products surround the one-block plaza, which used to be full of people even on rainy days, he said. Some in Woodburn have been describing the city as feeling "empty and sad" due to recent immigration enforcement. Allison Barr/The Oregonian He had just two customers the whole day on a recent Thursday. He would have had a third, but he hadnt cooked the dish she wanted because hes had to cut back his menu. There was business, there were sales, there were profits, he said in Spanish, speaking about earlier this year. And now, unfortunately, theres no profit because people dont come because they are afraid. A few steps away, inside the historic Metropolis building that houses a food court with various restaurants and Cafe La Onda, only two customers dined at Tequilas Bistro. Owner Elizabeth Garcia, who lost a restaurant during the pandemic, said shes now at risk of losing another one. Shes about $60,000 in the red, and Tequilas Bistro only made $87 in gross receipts on a recent Thursday, she said. By 6:17 p.m., the food court area emptied. Only employees remained. Some in Woodburn have been describing the city as feeling "empty and sad" due to recent immigration enforcement. Teacher Max Sanchez says this food court would have been very busy on a Saturday night this time last year. Allison Barr/The Oregonian Garcia said she cant predict what will happen next. On weekends, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, a lot of people came, she said in Spanish. It was a lively town that now is like a deserted town. Its sad. The streets are cold and sad without people. Longtime Republican lawmaker Greg Smith broke Oregon ethics laws when he used his office to try to secure a $109,000 raise for his work as executive director of an eastern Oregon economic development agency, then maneuvered to get a $66,000 pay hike and make it retroactive, the Oregon ethics commission concluded Friday. In a unanimous vote, commissioners endorsed an investigators finding that Smith, the longtime executive director of the federally funded Columbia Development Authority, repeatedly failed to declare a conflict of interest and used the power of his office for personal financial gain. Smith got his salary raised from $129,000 to $195,000 without his bosses authorization and directed the employee in charge of his agencys finances that the pay hike be made retroactive to April 2024, the investigator found. When the development authority board learned of Smiths misrepresentations, it voted in September of that year to rescind the raise, records show. But he has not repaid it, ethics commission investigator Casey Fenstermacher wrote in her report dated Thursday. Smith now has the option to request a hearing on his case before an administrative law judge or to work with the ethics agency to reach a settlement, including any fine or other punishment. He did not take part in Fridays hearing nor did he respond to a request for comment left with his legislative chief of staff Friday afternoon. Staffers at the Oregon Government Ethics Commission will formally propose a settlement with Smith, including financial penalties, by early January, commission director Susan Myers told The Oregonian/OregonLive Friday. The maximum fine her agency can propose is $10,000, she said, but the nine-member state ethics commission could vote to authorize a higher penalty. The ethics commission did just that in 2018 when it rejected an agency proposal to fine former Gov. John Kitzhaber $1,000 for ethics violations that allowed his fiancee, Cylvia Hayes, to secure lucrative consulting contracts during her time as first lady. Commissioners instead proposed a $50,000 fine and ultimately struck a deal with the four-term governor to pay $25,000. Smith, who holds a key role on the Legislatures powerful budget-writing committee, was elected in 2024 to a 13th term in the House, making him its longest serving member. The ethics commission dinged him earlier this year for failing to disclose a key client of his consulting business on his required annual financial disclosure form. That client, Harney County, had paid him $7,000 a month to represent its interests at the Legislature. In that case, Smith acknowledged the omission in his filing and later amended it. The commission closed that case, as it has other cases or incomplete financial filings, by issuing Smith a formal letter of education, Myers said. According to the Salem Reporter, Smith is also under investigation in two other state ethics proceedings. Investigators are examining whether Smith broke the law when he claimed pay for working for the development authority at the same time he was performing private consulting work or working as a state legislator, the Salem newsroom reported. The Columbia Development Authority, based in Boardman, is made up of several eastern Oregon governmental entities including the Port of Morrow and is in charge of redeveloping a former military base. Once the ethics commission formally notifies Smith of its proposed settlement and his right to request a hearing, he will have 21 days to decide which option to pursue, Myers said. Nearly 99% of officials presented with that option choose to pursue a settlement, she said. The commission normally takes into account both aggravating factors, such as the size of the financial windfall and whether the official repeatedly broke the law, and mitigating factors, such as whether an official acted on the advice of a government lawyer or quickly paid restitution, Myers said. The city of McMinnville issued a statement Thanksgiving week that said aggressive operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in the area dont align with its values but many residents insist the city needs to go further. Residents packed a city council meeting Tuesday and called for McMinnvilles mayor, Kim Morris, and the city council to follow the lead of Hillsboro, Forest Grove, Portland and other governments in the region by declaring an official state of emergency over ICEs actions. So far, McMinnville officials have resisted. Morris said the city is determined that McMinnville remain a place where people feel safe, supported, and treated with dignity but that it needed to seek legal guidance from the Oregon Department of Justice on how best it could respond to federal immigration activity in the community. On Thursday, the DOJ told The Oregonian/OregonLive it had not heard from the mayor. The response from the mayor was devoid of feeling, of empathy, said resident and activist Lauren Sinclair of the mayors response. It felt like the mayor was trying to put this behind her to get on with business as usual. Public alarm over ICE tactics in McMinnville, about 45 miles southwest of Portland, have intensified since federal agents last month smashed the window of a car driven by a local 17-year-old high school student. The student told the officers he was a U.S. citizen, but they took him into custody and drove him to Portland. He was released later that day. ICE officials wrote on social media that the teen had acted violently during the encounter and accused him of obstructing federal agents. Tuesdays council meeting saw residents and activists take the floor to demand action. Among them was Fabiola Alcantar, who said she and members of her family live in fear of federal agents. I am a U.S. citizen, but that doesnt give me blonde hair and blue eyes, Alcantar told council members. I have done everything the right way. I am a target regardless. Alcantar pressed city leaders to safeguard McMinnvilles Latino residents. How will this city of McMinnville support us? she said. We deserve answers. We deserve protection. We deserve dignity. Stacey Propst loves mushrooms so much, she said, she puts them in everything even the drinks and dishes you wouldnt expect. You might find a dose of turkey tail mixed into a batch of pumpkin muffins, or a scoop of fungi-forward powder swirled into her morning matcha. A few years ago, Propst launched Shroomdust, a line of dehydrated drink blends that combine functional mushrooms (used for medicinal, not psychoactive, purposes) with a chocolatey, spiced cacao base. Stacey Propst (middle) started The Dusted Cup with her husband, Bradley (right), in December. They are pictured here with their son, Nicholas (left). Veronica Nocera Propst left North Carolina with her husband, Bradley, and two sons just over two years ago not to start a cafe, but to attend Portlands National University of Natural Medicine. >> Business opening or closing in your neighborhood? Email the reporter at vnocera@oregonian.com. The Dusted Cup the all-vegan mushroom drink cafe Stacey and Bradley Propst opened this month at 727 S.W. Naito Parkway began as a way to grow Shroomdust. The family had been on the hunt for a larger commercial kitchen space to mix and pack their California-sourced mushroom powders. We just kind of snowballed into, well, if were doing that, we should have a little counter and maybe sell some drinks, Stacey Propst said. And then it snowballed into a bigger cafe and food and drinks and everything. The Dusted Cup, 727 S.W. Naito Parkway, serves a full menu of functional mushroom beverages. Veronica Nocera Tucked into a historic building along the waterfront, The Dusted Cup isnt the only cafe dishing up mushroom drinks in Portland, but it may be the first to fully commit to its craft. At Propsts cafe, you wont find a standard cup of coffee on the menu. Its all mushrooms all the way mixed into matcha lattes, blended into smoothies (better yet, shroomthies) or turned into a hot chocolate-esque brew by using one of Shroomdusts signature powders. Customers have an array of shrooms to choose from: lions mane, chaga, maitake, shitake, cordyceps, reishi and turkey tail. Or, they can opt for a scoop of Daily Dust, an all-in-one blend that includes 10 different functional mushrooms. Customers can order a mushroom brew made with cacao, or they can add the powder to a matcha latte or smoothie. Veronica Nocera Baked goods sold at The Dusted Cup are also made with mushrooms. Veronica Nocera Stacey Propst started Shroomdust, a line of mushroom-based drink mixes, around five years ago as a way to wean her family off of coffee. Veronica Nocera You can pack more of a medicinal punch in a 16-ounce drink spiked with dehydrated mushrooms than you could by eating them alone, Stacey Propst said. Otherwise, Id be eating mushrooms for breakfast, lunch and dinner, she said. Dry them and power them, and you can get a lot more in you for whatever purpose youre looking for. A drink made with Daily Dust, for instance, includes 1,000 milligrams split across 10 different mushrooms, Propst said. You can also add a power up to any drink, which adds another 1,000-milligram therapeutic dose of your mushroom of choice. Scientific studies continue to explore the health benefits of functional mushrooms, though societies have used fungi for medicinal purposes as far back as ancient Greece. You can find these perks magnified on the walls of The Dusted Cup in a painting by Bradsmore Murals. Here, giant mushroom illustrations are paired with short blurbs outlining their associated health benefits. A mural inside The Dusted Cup outlines the health benefits associated with various functional mushrooms. Veronica Nocera Propst calls reishi the zen mushroom, typically having a grounding, calming effect. Cordyceps, on the other hand, is full of energy, said to promote blood flow and increase oxygen levels. I have a guy who comes in here before his workout every morning and gets a Cordyceps Charge, she said. He says he can really tell a difference. Mushroom drinks provide customers with an alternative to coffee, Propst said a way to replace the caffeine-induced jitters and mid-afternoon crash with more sustained, even energy throughout the day. Functional mushrooms, at least according to the hand-written sign propped outside the cafes entrance along the waterfront, is coffees cooler cousin. The Dusted Cup, 727 S.W. Naito Parkway, serves a full menu of functional mushroom beverages. Veronica Nocera Baked goods sold at The Dusted Cup are also made with mushrooms. Veronica Nocera The Dusted Cup is also entirely vegan, boasting an all-day menu that includes breakfast sandwiches and scrambles alongside lunch offerings like chickn salad sandwiches, black bean chili and buffalo or barbecue soy curl wraps. Plus, Propst makes all her own baked goods with mushrooms, of course. How do lions mane peanut butter cookies sound for a mid-morning treat? IF YOU GO: The Dusted Cup, 727 S.W. Naito Parkway, is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan was an early investor in ACM Research, a semiconductor equipment supplier that allegedly violated U.S. rules for providing technology that could be used by the Chinese military. Tan served on the equipment firms advisory board beginning in 2017 and remained an adviser as recently as April, according to an archived version of ACMs website. That was a month after he became Intels CEO. An ACM securities filing from March indicated Tans investment firm still held at least a small stake but the company no longer lists Tan as an adviser. An ACM spokesperson said its website was in error and that Tan had left the advisory board sometime before April, but would not say when. Regardless, the longtime connection raises more questions about Tans dual role as Intels chief executive and an investor in chip industry companies with connections to Intel. The chipmaker did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Friday, Reuters reported that Intel has tested ACM tools to evaluate their suitability in the chipmakers forthcoming 14A manufacturing process. Intel hopes to start mass-producing chips with the 14A technology in about two years. Reuters also reported that last year, the U.S. government put export restrictions on ACM business units in China and South Korea for allegedly supporting Chinese efforts to advance the countrys semiconductor industry and apply chip technology in the military. ACM denied the allegations to Reuters and declined to elaborate when contacted Friday. While ACMs headquarters are in Silicon Valley, most of its research and manufacturing is in China, where it operates as ACM Shanghai. The company opened an 11,000-square-foot sales and service office in Hillsboro in 2023, across the street from Intels main research campus. ACM said at the time that it had sold cleaning and etching equipment to an unnamed U.S. semiconductor manufacturer, following published reports that the company was seeking to become a supplier to Intel. Tan served on Intels board at that time. Neither Intel nor ACM have confirmed their business relationship, but Intel told Reuters that ACMs tools are not used in our semiconductor production process, and we comply with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations. ACM identified China Walden Venture Investments, a fund controlled by Tans investment firm, as a major investor when ACM sought to take its stock public in 2017. It said China Walden owned 7.1% of its stock and that Tan was the funds founder. The U.S. government is Intels largest shareholder. President Donald Trump arranged for the federal government to buy an $8.9 billion stake in the chipmaker last August. The deal came together just a few weeks after Trump had called for Tans resignation, citing prior investments by Tan in Chinese firms. (The president frequently issues abrupt declarations and then reverses himself after learning more information about a topic.) There is no evidence that Tan used his role on Intels board, and later as Intels CEO, to steer business to ACM. But there are mounting questions about how Tan is balancing his technology investments and his day job as Intels CEO. Wired reported this week that Intel has a preliminary agreement to buy a startup called SambaNova Systems, based in Palo Alto, California. Bloomberg reported late Friday the deal is worth $1.6 billion. Tan serves as executive chairman of SambaNova and his investment firm, Walden International, was an early investor in the startup. The New York Times and Reuters each reported this week on additional cases when Tans role as Intels CEO has overlapped with his technology investments. Earlier this year, Reuters reported, Tan wanted Intel to buy an artificial intelligence startup in Silicon Valley called Rivos. Reuters reported that Intels board rejected the deal, partly because Tan had a conflict in the deal as Rivos chairman, and Meta bought the startup instead. Led by students at Hillsboro High School, hundreds of young people across the city walked out of their classes Friday morning. They marched first to Shute Park and then to the Hillsboro Civic Center in protest of ICE activity in their communities. Hillsboro School District estimated close to 1,600 students participated from across Hillsboro, Century, Glencoe and Liberty high schools, as well as South Meadows, Poynter and R.A. Brown middle schools. We never expected this many people, said Diego, a Hillsboro High School junior who helped organize the protest and did not share his last name protect family members. Students left Hillsboro High shortly after 10:30 a.m. and arrived at the park just before noon. This means a lot to all of us, those who were impacted by ICE, the terrorism that ICE has been inflicting on our community, Diego told the crowd at Shute Park. My parents work so hard, and now theyre living in fear because of whats going on. My two uncles, they were detained two weeks ago. Im doing this for them and for everyone else who has been taken. After seeing other Washington County high schools organize walkouts on Monday, Diego said he and his friends began planning their own event at Hillsboro High. Word spread via social media, and student government representatives helped with logistics. I think it just shows the connection we have in our community, and that when we all put all of our minds together, we can actually accomplish something thats very impactful, said Benjamin Herr, a junior and member of HilHis student government. Im Hmong, so my parents and many of my uncles and aunties, theyre refugees from the Vietnam War. I have some uncles and aunts who have also been affected by ICE. Students handmade signs spoke to how many have been personally affected by immigration arrests: My parents fought for my future, now I will fight for theirs. Another read, in Spanish, My parents work harder than your president. One sign, with a photo attached, read simply, Bring my dad back. Since October, armed and often masked federal agents have arrested hundreds of Oregonians, aggressively pulling people out of cars, surrounding them at gunpoint and detaining them even if they are U.S. citizens or the wrong people. In October alone in the Portland area, federal authorities arrested more than 560 people, an official confirmed. The vast majority are Latinos, including a growing number of U.S. citizens and people with other forms of legal status, according to the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition, which runs a hotline for reporting immigration-related arrests and federal agent sightings. Several students marched with large printouts of a QR code, which if scanned took people to an online fundraiser set up by 16-year-old Manny Chavez. The GoFundMe campaign, which was close to hitting its $45,000 goal as of Friday evening, is raising money for Hillsboro and Washington County families affected by ICE. Chavezs tearful testimony before the Hillsboro City Council last month went viral after first being posted online by Dirk Knudsens Hillsboro Herald news site. The next day I was scrambling to figure out, should I take it down and not put this pressure on this kid? Knudsen said. But family got involved, they said, Lets go. He wants that out there. A really great group of community leaders coalesced around Manny to make sure a 16-year-old could handle this. Hes become sort of the face of this thing, and I think his viral video brought so much attention to Hillsboro and to the story were having here. Chavez said he didnt organize Fridays walkout, but he was proud to participate. Its important for me because were the future of this city, he said. Whatever happens to our adults and people here, were going to be the ones affected by it. HilHi students marched from the high school to Shute Park, where they stopped for snacks and a few speeches. There, they were joined by hundreds of other students from neighboring high schools before continuing to the Hillsboro Civic Center downtown. -- Julia Silverman and Gosia Wozniacka contributed to this report A mountain of earth has buried a stretch of OR 229 in rural Lincoln County, transportation officials said Friday. The state highway, which follows the bends of the Siletz River, is closed between milepost 14 and milepost 15 for an indefinite and likely long lasting closure. It is not known whether the closure will last days, weeks, months or longer, Oregon Department of Transportation spokesperson Mindy McCartt said. This will be a long-term closure. Heavy rain has fallen in the area over the past few days, McCartt added. Photos and videos released by the transportation agency showed toppled evergreen trees and denuded soil along the slope of the slide, covering about 0.2 miles. [WATCH: Portion of rural Oregon highway disappears under massive slide] Three homes were substantially damaged, and two others suffered lesser impacts, according to Lincoln County Sheriffs deputies. The residents of the homes are safe and accounted for, deputies said, and two evacuees were provided services by the American Red Cross. State geotechnical crews and representatives from Weyerhaeuser, which owns the timberland, are inspecting the site. Oregon 229 runs between Kernville and Siletz. There is no local detour, though travelers can use U.S. 101 to get around the closure. Oregon 229 is closed near milepost 14 due to a massive landslide in Lincoln County. ODOT CORRECTION: A previous version of this article misstated the county where the landslide occurred. HAVANA, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Cuban government said on Friday that the assault on a Venezuelan oil tanker in international waters constitutes a serious incident marking a dangerous escalation in the economic war and "maximum pressure" campaign waged by the United States against the Caribbean nation. Cuba's Foreign Ministry described the action, which occurred on Wednesday, as "an act of piracy and maritime terrorism" and a "serious violation of international law," including the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation. "This action is part of the U.S. escalation aimed at hampering Venezuela's legitimate right to freely use and trade its natural resources with other nations, including the supplies of hydrocarbons to Cuba," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry recalled that during U.S. President Donald Trump's first term, measures were adopted to obstruct the free trade of Venezuelan oil resources and to pursue vessels transporting fuel to Cuba. "This situation persists and has been worsened now with the use of military force in an attempt to impose the U.S. domain on Our America," it said. The ministry stressed that these actions "negatively affect Cuba and intensify the United States' policy of maximum pressure and economic suffocation policy," with a direct and severe impact on the national energy system and, consequently, on the daily lives of the Cuban people. It also described the episode as "a clear act of application of the Trump corollary of the Monroe Doctrine," which it said violates the declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace. In response, Cuba demanded "universal condemnation" from the international community. 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We continue to see solid signs of underlying single-cell demand. On the consumables side, while revenue was down year-over-year, Chromium reaction volumes grew both year-over-year and sequentially, an indicator of increasing demand for our solutions and single cell more broadly. This growth was driven by robust adoption of our latest products, including GEM-X Flex and Universal On Chip Multiplex, which have been instrumental in lowering cost barriers, enabling larger scaling and opening up new applications. Additionally, we saw meaningful year-over-year and sequential growth in spatial consumables revenue and volume. Serge Saxonov: The current funding environment remains challenging and highly uncertain. In particular, the academic funding landscape remains marked by shifting policies, weaker grant disbursements and lack of clarity around future budgets, all of which are contributing to extended project time lines and cautious customer spending. We're staying closely aligned with our customers to support them and remain flexible as we all navigate the uncertainty. Against this challenging backdrop, the current quarter played out largely as we anticipated. We saw some upside from strong performance in China, which was driven in part by purchasing dynamics associated with the timing of tariffs. And as we continue our focus on cost management, we increased our cash balance by $40 million during the quarter, not including any settlement-related payments, which began in Q3. Serge Saxonov: Thanks, Cassie, and good afternoon, everyone. Today, I'll cover our Q2 performance and share updates on what we're seeing across our customer base. I'll also walk through recent business developments before handing it over to Adam for the financial review and outlook. Total revenue for the second quarter was $173 million. During the quarter, we settled our worldwide patent litigation with Bruker on favorable terms and recognized an upfront payment of $68 million that we allocated to both operating expenses and license and royalty revenue. Excluding the portion allocated to license and royalty revenue, our second quarter revenue was $146 million. Serge Saxonov, our CEO and Co-Founder; and Adam Taich, our Chief Financial Officer. We will host a question-and-answer session after our prepared remarks. [Operator Instructions] With that, I will now turn the call over to Serge. Story Continues Within spatial, Xenium consistently serves as a strong driver of growth and performance. Utilization per instrument continues to grow, reflecting both a higher number of runs and increased spend per run. We're seeing continued ramp across both our earliest adopters and newer customers, and regularly receive strong feedback on Xenium's superior data quality, accuracy, robustness, throughput and ease of use. Together, these qualities continue to set Xenium apart as a best-in-class platform and are fueling broad adoption across both basic science and translational research. Serge Saxonov: We continue to monitor customer sentiment closely as the funding environment remains highly uncertain. While the U.S. academic and government funding landscape has not deteriorated further, we also have not seen meaningful improvement in customer behavior. Across many institutions, spending remains conservative and capital equipment spending continues to be a significant challenge, both in the U.S. and more broadly around the world. Customers are facing increased scrutiny on purchases, longer approval time lines and in many cases, new restrictions on capital spending and staffing within their labs. These challenges are leading to delays in project starts, scale backs in both ongoing and pilot study designs and heightened price sensitivity. With open proposals around next year's federal funding and institutional budgets still in early stages, we expect these uncertainties to continue impacting customer spending behavior until there's greater clarity on policy direction and actual distribution of funding resources. As customers work through evolving budget time lines and operational planning cycles, we're partnering closely to help them navigate this environment and support continuity of their research. And despite this backdrop, we continue to hear clearly that our tools are essential to scientific progress. Our conversations with customers reinforce our conviction that single cell and spatial are the most promising areas of growth in life science tools, with researchers increasingly shifting both mind share and funding towards these areas. And as researchers increasingly invest in these technologies, we are prioritizing our efforts to advance our technology leadership, unlock new high-value applications and ensure the long-term financial strength of our business. Serge Saxonov: Looking across our product road map, our recent and upcoming launches are continuing to resonate with customers. During the quarter, we began shipping Visium HD 3 Prime, which expands the capabilities of the Visium HD portfolio by extending it to more applications. We also launched HD cell segmentation capabilities, which enable researchers to assign transcripts to individual cells with precision, simplify data analysis and uncover new biological insights. In parallel, we're also preparing for the release of several important innovations across spatial, including Visium HD XL and Xenium RNA plus protein, which will further enhance multiomic spatial analysis and unlock deeper insights from complex tissue samples. Turning to single cell. I'm really excited about Flex v2, our new plate-based Chromium Flex product that we expect to launch in the near term. Built to dramatically increase throughput and streamline workflows, Flex v2 provides ultimate flexibility for customers when designing their experiments. This next-generation Flex is an important step as we continue driving lower costs across the full spectrum of studies from small to large, while maintaining the highest quality data. Flex v2 is designed to be the ideal method for large-scale perturbation experiments and biopharma applications from early target discovery to clinical trial integration, delivering higher cell throughput, more flexible workflows, FFPE sample compatibility and the quality needed to train and validate AI models. Serge Saxonov: In addition to the launches planned for this year, our team is hard at work on future products that will further expand the capabilities of our platforms. We are excited about our road map for the coming years and the opportunity to deliver ever more value to increasing numbers of customers. As we look at the broader opportunity, we continue to believe that both single cell and spatial are in the early stages of the adoption curve, with large-scale, high-impact applications gaining traction across both platforms. In particular, I'd like to highlight 2 very exciting trends, large translational studies using Xenium and large-scale single cell perturbation experiments to train AI models and build virtual cells. As an emblematic example of the first trend, we recently announced a collaboration with the Genome Institute of Singapore on the TISHUMAP initiative, aimed at accelerating discovery of drug targets and biomarker signatures in cancer and inflammatory diseases. This study will use Xenium to enable high-resolution spatial mapping of gene activity and cells with an intact FFPE tissue samples paired with detailed clinical data. Its goal is to analyze thousands of samples to discover clinically relevant biomarker signatures and therapeutic targets. On the single cell front, the emergence of increasingly powerful AI methods that are hungry for high-quality data is accelerating researchers' interest in running larger and larger single cell perturbation studies. For example, this quarter, Xaira Therapeutics used our Chromium Universal 5 Prime assay in its industrialized Perturb-seq workflow to produce the largest publicly available genome-wide Perturb-seq data set to date, capturing transcriptional responses across 8 million perturbed cells. This quarter, we also extended our partnership with the Arc Institute to support the Virtual Cell Challenge, which is a worldwide competition to incentivize the development of powerful computational models of biology. The challenge has established a rigorous evaluation framework and uses our Chromium Flex assay as the standard. The work being done right now is clearly just the beginning. Virtual cells and large-scale single cell experiments represent the next frontier at the intersection of AI and biology. To understand biology, to understand health and to understand disease, you need to understand how cells work. If we can model cells and perturbations computationally using AI, we can guide the discovery of new drugs, simulate patient responses and reduce the experimental trial and error that defines so much of biology and drug development today. Serge Saxonov: Finally, we remain focused on cost management and cash generation. We have a strong balance sheet and the resolve to protect it. Across our business, we continue to carefully evaluate costs to ensure operational efficiency while also continuing to invest in long-term growth. With our strong balance sheet, we have the resources to pursue our strategic priorities and continue to fuel innovation. To that end, as part of our strategy for continued innovation within single cell, we announced earlier today the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Scale Biosciences. The acquisition brings us key inventions and technologies that will accelerate innovation across our Chromium platform. It enables us to broaden access to single cell analysis by making it more powerful, more affordable and more accessible to researchers worldwide. By integrating these technologies into our broader road map, we're strengthening our ability to support larger Scale applications, while continuing to deliver the high-quality multiomic data that researchers expect from us. We're excited by the strategic value of this transaction and its benefits to the scientific community. Adam will share more details on the financials. Our conviction in the potential of single cell and spatial biology is stronger than ever. As we move forward, we remain focused on staying closely aligned with our customers, executing with discipline and continuing to invest in our technologies to capture the large opportunities ahead. With that, I'll turn the call over to Adam. Adam Taich: Thank you, Serge. I'll start by reviewing our financial results for the 3 months ended June 30, 2025, and will then provide further details on our outlook for the third quarter. All figures and growth rates provided will be on a year-over-year basis, unless otherwise noted. As Serge mentioned, the quarter unfolded largely in line with our expectations. Adam Taich: Total revenue for the second quarter was $172.9 million, up 13%. Excluding the license and royalty revenue from the settlement, revenue was $145.6 million, down 5%. Total consumables revenue was $122.2 million, down 1%. Chromium consumables revenue was $85.8 million, down 9%, primarily driven by lower average reaction prices. Spatial consumables revenue was $36.4 million, up 24%, primarily driven by Xenium consumables revenue. Adam Taich: Moving on to instruments. Total instrument revenue was $14.5 million, down 39%. Chromium instrument revenue was $5.7 million, down 35%, driven primarily by lower average selling prices. We implemented strategic discounts during the quarter as we partnered with customers who were navigating CapEx constraints. These discounts drove broader instrument adoption and an 11% increase in Chromium placements year-over-year. Spatial instrument revenue was $8.8 million, down 42%, driven primarily by fewer instruments sold. Services revenue was $8.5 million, up 47%, primarily due to an increase in Xenium service plans. Adam Taich: Looking at our revenue by geography, ongoing CapEx headwinds continued to persist globally. However, solid consumables performance contributed to sequential improvements in most areas. Excluding settlement impacts, Americas revenue was $78.9 million, down 15% from the prior year and up 7% sequentially. EMEA revenue was $34.7 million, down 7% from the prior year and up 9% sequentially. APAC revenue was $32 million, up 41% year-over-year and down 1% sequentially. As Serge mentioned, APAC benefited from a temporary pull forward in purchasing activity in China, as customers accelerated orders ahead of potential tariff changes. We estimate the revenue impact from that pull forward was approximately $4 million. Adam Taich: Turning to the rest of the income statement. Gross profit for the second quarter was $125.1 million compared to $104.2 million for the prior year period. Gross margin increased to 72% from 68% the prior year, primarily driven by higher license and royalty revenue. Excluding settlement impacts, gross margin was 67%. Total operating expenses for the second quarter decreased to $95 million compared to $146 million for the prior year period, driven by gain on settlement. Excluding settlement impacts, operating expenses were $135.7 million. Operating income for the second quarter was $30.1 million compared to an operating loss of $41.7 million in the second quarter of last year. Excluding settlement impacts, operating loss was $37.9 million. Net income for the period was $34.5 million compared to a net loss of $37.9 million for the second quarter of 2024. Excluding settlement impacts, net loss was $33.5 million. We ended the quarter with $447 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. Adam Taich: Turning to our outlook for the third quarter. We expect revenue to be in the range of $140 million to $144 million. This outlook takes into account approximately $4 million of revenue in China that was pull forward from Q3 into Q2 ahead of potential tariff changes. Excluding this pull forward, we expect Q3 revenue to be broadly in line with Q2 revenue, given the continuation of cautious customer spending behavior and ongoing capital equipment spending constraints. As we announced earlier today, we signed a definitive agreement to acquire Scale Biosciences for upfront cash and stock consideration of $30 million, plus contingent consideration that could become payable upon the achievement of certain milestones. This acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions. As Serge mentioned, we are excited about the strategic value of this acquisition, as Scale brings key inventions and technical capabilities that augment our innovative foundation within single cell. We do not expect this transaction to have a material impact on our revenue or operating expenses for the remainder of 2025. Our balance sheet remains strong, giving us flexibility to continue executing on our strategic priorities while investing in innovation and long-term growth. We believe we are well positioned to navigate uncertain market conditions and remain committed to staying agile and responsive as the environment evolves. With that, I'll turn the call back to Serge. Serge Saxonov: Thanks, Adam. Before we open it up for questions, I'd like to make a note of appreciation to our customers. The last 6 months have been a particularly trying time for many of you. While many of your challenges remain unresolved, your work and continued perseverance are an absolute inspiration to us at 10x. Progress in science is the ultimate public good. So much new knowledge and so much potential to improve the human condition is coming within our grasp. Your work is more important than ever. We will continue to root for your success and support you any way we can. And to our team, thank you. The current environment has been incredibly challenging. But it is during times of adversity that you can really tell what the team is made of. And by that measure, I couldn't be more proud of all of you. You have stayed focused, creative and relentless in the pursuit of our mission, regardless of what has been thrown at you. Remember too, that times of stress build strength. This is not the first time we have faced adversity, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Our team has only gotten stronger through time. I have more confidence than ever that we will solve whatever challenges lie ahead. After all, we're just getting started. With that, we will now open it up for questions. Operator? Operator: [Operator Instructions] Your first question comes from the line of Patrick Donnelly with Citi. Patrick Donnelly: Serge, maybe one for you just on the backdrop. I mean it sounds like in the prepared remarks, still a little bit constrained, not surprising there, particularly on the academic research side. Can you just talk about how the quarter progressed on that front, what the conversations look like? Obviously, a lot of volatility on the headlines around things like the NIH and what that's going to shake out to be. Did you sense any improvement as the quarter went? Where are we on the visibility side at this point? Just curious what you're hearing from customers and what the right expectations are on that front as we move forward. And again, if the certainty on the budget as we get closer to that will help a little bit or just how those conversations progressed during the quarter would help. Serge Saxonov: Yes. Thanks, Patrick. Yes. So as we said, it was certainly a dynamic environment over the past 6 months to say the least. The quarter overall at a high level, Q2 kind of transpired pretty similar to what we were contemplating at the last call. There was certainly a lot of different events. And I would say with customers compared to 3, 4 months ago, there was probably more optimism because there has been some arguably positive developments. At the same time, overall, things held pretty steady. customers when it comes to the substance of their spending, the substance of their grants have been very cautious, because the actual disbursement of funds has been quite slow. And the budgets are still very much in the early phases, and it's quite uncertain where they're going to be. And there's a continuous -- still continuous news flow of issues just coming out. I mean, just last week, we had a day when it looked like NIH wasn't going to be allocating any funds for an indefinite amount of time. Now that policy got overturned within that day, but that doesn't make people feel particularly confident about the future. There are things like ongoing files with universities. There's a proposal floating around, around multiyear grant, grant changes, other kinds of years. Again, some positive signs the bipartisan support for NIH, which wasn't clear earlier, is -- seems to be coming through now, but lots of uncertainty at this stage going forward as well. So we're going to have to kind of see how that evolves. And we'll kind of expect that Q3 will roughly evolve the way that Q2 has. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Dan Arias with Stifel. Daniel Arias: Serge, on the Scale deal, what is it that made this the right move and the right time for the move? And for customers that are looking for the lowest cost per sale as a part of a big study, will it be the Chromium kit or the Scale kit that best serves that need? How are you going to position these products for your customers? Serge Saxonov: Yes. Thanks, Dan. Look, kind of stepping back on the strategic rationale here, like we've long said, there is tons of headroom in single cell, especially if you think about lowering costs and driving to higher scale. And if you look over the course of the past year, past several quarters, recently, the opportunity in a way is actually accelerating because of the emergence of AI and this increasing interest in building larger and larger scale models of biology using single cell, running these very large perturbation screens. And so that whole vision that we have had since the beginning really to drive single cell to higher scale, more routine use, lower prices, lower costs through that. That's what's driving -- that's kind of the overarching rationale behind the acquisition. It helps us to execute on that strategy. The acquisition itself is fundamentally a technology acquisition. It's meant really to broaden the capabilities of our existing and future products. And I would also point to that to kind of our track record of previous acquisitions, we've been consistently really good at identifying technologies and bringing them in and making really great products out of them that customers really love. And that's what we expect to see here as well. As far as the kind of the portfolio here, we are going to keep some of the Scale products on the market and certainly make sure that all of existing customers are satisfied. But in particular, what we're excited by is integrating this technology into our road map and delivering ever more value to our customers. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Kyle Mikson with Canaccord. Kyle Mikson: Congrats on the quarter and the acquisition. Congrats again, on Scale as well. Just to follow up on Dan's question about the acquisition. Sounds good about the -- your perspective why you did it. But is this deal like of an instrument-free solution kind of an admission that the Droplet-based architecture is not capable of scaling enough to address the needs of future single cell projects, large projects? And then secondly, when -- I mean, when will this contribution from Scale these products become more material? Could that become like a dominant technology in your portfolio over time? Serge Saxonov: So like first of all, on the -- on your first question, like I would say not at all. Like we have really strong -- when it comes to instruments, we have really strong conviction that there is a huge value to having an instrument in a workflow. It affords really high precision, really great workflow, great quality of data robustness, all these things that customers love our products for. So -- and when you look to see what has been actually happening in the market, the instruments have not been at all a barrier for single cell. And we believe the big value here is actually integrating the technologies with our portfolio. The technologies are highly complementary, and it will allow us to push certainly the Scale technology and the innovations there will allow us to push scaling and the Doral technology further ahead. I would say as far as kind of the revenue impact, the near-term revenue impact is going to be minimal. And really, the kind of the overall vision here is integration of these capabilities into the broader portfolio. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Doug Schenkel with Wolfe Research. Madeline Mollman: This is Madeline Mollman on for Doug. Single cell consumables revenue was down in the quarter, but reactions were up. Can you give us any color on how you're thinking about the pricing headwind related to the new lower-cost product road map that you rolled out? And how long you think it will take you to work through that? And then could incorporating the Scale technology into the 10x portfolio exacerbate this? Serge Saxonov: Yes. So thanks, Madeline. So let me maybe just kind of to zoom out a little bit and give context for the product transitions because we have multiple going on, on the Chromium side. First of all, there is a transition from a Next-GEM architecture to GEM-X, and that's well on its way. By the end of the year, we should be just about finished with that. And that's been going well. Customers are responding really well to GEM-X and all the great benefits from that architecture. We also have other products that we launched last year that around Flex and around on-chip multiplexing, which has multiple kind of dynamics kind of operating there. Many are opening up new use cases and new customers. So that's obviously accretive. For sure, some customers are converting from kind of higher-priced products to these new solutions. And some customers will never convert because they need the features in the other products. And so we do see those dynamics kind of playing out kind of in concert. And fundamentally, we believe that lower prices, like I've always said, lead to higher volumes, and there's tremendous amount of elasticity here in this market, in these fields, but this happens with a time lag. And overall, kind of high level, the price per reaction needs to be in the hundred of dollars rather than thousands to really kind of unlock a lot more experiments and a lot more samples. And that is what we're seeing. I would say that in general, the trends we're seeing are fundamentally encouraging, seeing the growth in reaction volumes. And that is especially given the challenges in the macro environment. And I would also say because of the challenges in the macro environment, actually getting to a net positive revenue net growth would take longer than it might otherwise have in the absence of those challenges. But overall, the fundamental trends are positive, and we do expect this to drive more growth, both ultimately in reaction and revenue. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Mason Carrico with Stephens Inc. Mason Carrico: Could you talk about the maturity or ramp of the Xenium sales force in Europe? How have you seen the sales funnel and conversion rates of new opportunities evolve over the course of 2025 now that, that team is in place? Serge Saxonov: Yes, Jason. Yes, good question. So the team is fully in place. We had a number of people joined most recently. I would say it's kind of all of our commercial kind of reorganization. The Xenium CapEx team was sort of the last piece to pull in place, specifically in Europe. But now we have everyone in place and the people who are -- who signed up, who joined recently are ramping up nicely. What we're seeing as far as kind of execution has been -- certainly, it's been a big improvement relative to what we have seen before because of the focus, because of the expertise we now have in the company. The funnel management, the opportunity management have all been great, but all of this is happening on the background of a much more challenging CapEx environment. And so the way -- like what is -- what we end up seeing is that we are adding consistently more and more opportunities to the funnel, but the opportunities are taking longer and longer to close. And by and large, where they get stuck is funding and kind of in various configurations of funding challenges, whether the customer is just having more restrictions on funding that they thought they had or they need to find more funding than they would have maybe previously or there's just more scrutiny on these budgets. So I would say that's how sort of this dynamic is playing out. Again, we see both better kind of execution now that we have this focused team in place. And also, we are seeing continuous enthusiasm for the platform itself, what customers are doing, the feedback we're getting. So that -- those factors fundamentally make us quite optimistic, especially for -- as we kind of work ourselves through this environment and for setting us up really well for when we get through these macro challenges and get to the other side of it. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Dan Brennan with TD Cowen. Kyle Boucher: This is Kyle on for Dan. I wanted to go back to Scale again. Maybe on the technology side specifically, can you sort of just talk about what you saw as a unique attractive factor of the Scale technology versus maybe some other single cell assets that are out there? I guess what's so unique in your view about Scale? And how much incremental R&D do you think needs to go into that platform? Serge Saxonov: So Scale, like -- kind of like I said earlier, we do a very thorough assessment of the technology landscape out there. And we have a track record of, I think, being -- having had success being in our assessments and in determining what technologies have particular promise and how they can be built into awesome products. In the case of Scale, there's really some really great inventions, really foundational inventions around combinatorial indexing, around quantum barcoding that make that company stand out that we're really looking forward to bringing into our portfolio. As far as R&D expenses to develop, integrate these products. I think this fits really nicely into our existing infrastructure and into our existing innovation engine. So we don't expect there to beat any material incremental costs. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Michael Ryskin with Bank of America. Michael Ryskin: I want to dig into a little bit some of the geo comments you made. You called out $4 million pull forward in China. Just always a question of how do you size that? How do you estimate that? What makes you confident, it's not a little bit less, a little bit more? And then beyond that, China overall, even if you back that out, still did really well, one of the better quarters you've had there for a while or I think better than any quarter you've had since 2023. Serge Saxonov: Yes, Mike, thanks for the question. So yes, a couple of things. You may remember that over the last couple of years, we've talked quite a bit about kind of changing our go-to-market model in China. And we did a lot to get closer to the customers, kind of change -- get closer to our service providers, their distributors, change the business structures there. And that has been bearing fruit. The business we're really close to customers. We have a really good pulse on both their decision-making and inventory levels. And we feel really good that we do have a really strong -- really tight pulse on their decision-making and in particular, sort of the issue around the tariffs. We heard from the customers specifically that they wanted to get those products into their hands ahead of any potential tariffs. It was -- and yes, we do think that $4 million is a very good solid estimate of that. We have very good visibility to the end market. And yes, I mean, on your other point, China is doing well. And again, I think partially it's a function of all the changes and all the work that we have made, that the team has made, and the team is doing really well over there. The underlying market dynamics there also are favorable, at least relative to what they were a couple of years ago. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Luke Sergott with Barclays. Salem Salem: This is Salem on for Luke. Just one on royalties from Bruker. Could you just talk about the structure of those royalties and the settlement? What's the percent or dollar amount that you'll get paid per unit of sales on that side, whether it's instruments or consumables and which instruments and consumables there, if you could clarify? Are there any potential minimum or maximum payment thresholds as well? And any other dynamics there would be helpful. And then kind of lastly on China, just piggybacking off of Mike's question there. Wondering if you expect this type of strength going forward into 3Q and 4Q. And that's it for me. Adam Taich: Yes. Let me take the Bruker question. First, in terms of the details, the rates and sort of that level of detail, we're not providing. But let me just give a little bit of a high level on sort of the structure and how this worked its way through the P&L. So first, $68 million cash payment. That's coming, $17 million over 4 quarters. It's important to note that the cash that you see in Q2 doesn't include the first of those 4 installments. So that is due here in Q3. $27.3 million of that $68 million was recognized in revenue in Q2. Of course, that came through at 100% margin. This is why we provided an adjusted gross margin number for you in the detail. And then there was close to $41 million that was recognized as a gain on settlement. So it's essentially a credit to OpEx. And again, part of the reason we transparently wanted to provide an adjusted number, so you could really see what baseline OpEx was looking like. It's also, I guess, the last thing I would note on that, when you think about the Q3 guide that we provided, it does not include the ongoing royalties, which is sort of the root of your question. It doesn't include that for Q3. And that is an area as you start to look at the tables in our financial reporting, license and royalty revenue is something that's specifically called out. So you can see sort of the onetime effects that are called out, but you'll also be able to see transparently where that running royalties or those running royalties from this settlement with Bruker and various other things that we've done along the way. I think just quickly on your question on China. Yes, it was close to 40%, roughly a 40% growth in China, even excluding the customer-driven acceleration of business related to tariffs. The team is executing -- just reinforcing what Serge said, team is executing very well. We're competing very well in those markets. I would expect, and that's part of the reason that we called it out as it related to our Q3 guidance that we are lower as a result of that pull forward in Q3, not just at the overall level, but obviously, that will be -- that's focused in China. But as Serge mentioned, we really think that's a 1-quarter dynamic from an inventory perspective, and we should see that business bounce back kind of the strength that we've been seeing as we work our way into Q4. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Lu Li with UBS. Lu Li: I wanted to -- wondering if you can comment a little bit on the order book in the quarter? And what is the order pattern that you have been seeing? And what is the visibility into the second half? Adam Taich: Yes, I can take that. I mean I think for our business, given that we're providing quarterly guidance, I can speak to you about what we're seeing here in Q3. At the simplest level, we have confidence here as we're whatever, 5 weeks into the quarter, providing the number that we did. We're seeing mostly really a continuation of where we were in Q2. So continuing to see really good strength in spatial consumables, continuing to see really nice reaction volume growth as it relates to the Chromium consumables business and ongoing pressures are persisting on CapEx, more pronounced in the spatial side of things with the higher-priced Xenium analyzer, but also even on Chromium. And it's one of the things that we commented on in my script earlier was just the discounting and the work that we were doing in Q2 to get Chromium instruments into the hands of customers who are really excited to get kind of into our single cell ecosystem. But yes, I think at the simplest level, order book is looking consistent with the guide that we provided. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Matt Larew with William Blair. Jacob Krahenbuhl: This is Jacob Krahenbuhl on for Matt. Maybe just a more high-level one on the macro. It sounds like things have held fairly stable since last quarter in terms of the demand and funding environment. Maybe on margin, slightly better, but just wondering, as you've talked to customers in the field, what have you learned or heard from them that could provide the biggest unlock in spend? Is it just more clarity on the NIH budget for 2026, a release or pickup in certain paused funding or grants, maybe a green light from department heads on new project starts? And I mean, what do you think a realistic time line for an unlock like this is in the market? And what are customers telling you that they're kind of assuming for their budgets next year? Serge Saxonov: Yes. So I mean, there's a range of input that we're getting from customers, depending on geography, depending on the particular institution. Different institutions have different issues, they are dealing with. But if I kind of synthesize at the very highest level, I would say probably 2 things are most important. One is budget clarity for next year. People are certainly waiting for that, and I think that has a lot of downstream effects. And then second, while the general kind of orientation, emotional orientation has gotten -- has been getting marginally better. The thing that has been particularly -- has been holding people back is that the disbursement of funds the actual money landing with people. And that has been held up across the board in a lot of instances. And I think kind of that seeing the grant, seeing the money actually go to customers would be another important variable that would give them comfort and give them confidence to start spending. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Rachel Vatnsdal with JPMorgan. Jaden Rismay: This is Jaden on for Rachel. Just a quick one for me. Digging into the placement assumptions, what are you assuming for placements between Visium, Xenium and Chromium next quarter and then in '25? And then on Chromium, what's the total pricing discount headwind you expect for next year for Chromium consumables. Adam Taich: Yes. I can take that one. I mean the reality is we don't break those 2 out specifically. What I can tell you, though, as it relates to Q3, given what we've embedded in guidance is that from an instrument perspective, from a spatial instrument, given that's where your question lies, we're anticipating that Q3 is going to look fairly similar to Q2. And I guess even though we haven't given a Q4 guide, we don't have any reason to believe that Q4 would look meaningfully different from where Q3 is. other than the fact that there typically is an uptick from Q3 to Q4 in CapEx. Again, not something in this environment, we've got great visibility into at this moment, but that has been more of a historical pattern. The CapEx environment continues to be challenged. But as Serge has mentioned, we've got a fantastic Xenium sales team that's out there selling. They've got really good robust disciplined pipelines. We continue to work those things through. So we feel very confident that we're out there competing for each of the placements out there in the market, and we'll continue to be aggressive to ensure we're winning business. Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Tycho Peterson with Jefferies. Unknown Analyst: This is Lauren on for Tycho. Congrats on the quarter. Going back to the discount on Chromium during the quarter that you talked about, do you see maybe some visibility into kind of 2H and into 2026 if you're going to be continuing this discount or how the price overall is going to look evolving over time? Serge Saxonov: Yes. So in terms of the discounting on Chromium instruments, like really, this is a function of the environment we're in, right? Customers have been dealing with all kinds of challenging challenges when it comes to purchases, especially around CapEx, all kinds of new limits, all kinds of new scrutiny on buying instruments. And we have been working creatively with our customers to allow them to buy instruments as long as there is also a material commitment in reagents to go along with it. And we do expect that as long as this kind of environment continues, we expect to keep working with our customers to keep doing that. And I also would want to emphasize that all of these kinds of interactions and deals are ultimately accretive to 10x as well. So it's in our interest -- economic interest as well to keep pursuing the strategy. Operator: That concludes our question-and-answer session. Ladies and gentlemen, this will conclude today's call. Thank you all for joining. You may now disconnect. 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See the 3 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of December 8, 2025 This article is a transcript of this conference call produced for The Motley Fool. While we strive for our Foolish Best, there may be errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in this transcript. As with all our articles, The Motley Fool does not assume any responsibility for your use of this content, and we strongly encourage you to do your own research, including listening to the call yourself and reading the company's SEC filings. Please see our Terms and Conditions for additional details, including our Obligatory Capitalized Disclaimers of Liability. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends 10x Genomics. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 10x Genomics (TXG) Q2 2025 Earnings Transcript was originally published by The Motley Fool which happens to be the same baseball stadium where I went when I was a kid in early-aughts San Francisco.including the fact that our brothers had attended the same basketba The CIAs own experiments with both acid and infiltrating American communities with illegal drugs are now well-known.however much that could be contradicted in private by thou It was also my grandfather who would sometimes watch me and my sister when my mother or grandmother had to work overtime.Have you ever felt that prospective sexual partne Does this make any sense? I dont write to authors (althou gently clustering in enclaves over the variegated marble flooring and taking group photos along a glass-sided staircase connecting to the upper mezzanine.We destroy all thes with my desire to see my father as a bold voyager whose achievement parallels those of the astronauts.I read in the paper that Hussein the Sparrow practically got his whole t but certainly different from the clearly marked boundaries of nation and class that European writers had been accustomed to patrolling and negotiating.the recipient raises t nose to the grindstone: Marie Heaney was completing her MPhil in Irish Studies under the aegis of University College Dublin.Grandfather?! They were huddled under a giant blan Emails reveal OU Faculty Senate is working to challenge the formalization of a policy by university leadership to suspend any faculty member who receives a student complaint. According to an email obtained by the Daily, the OU Faculty Senate learned during its monthly meeting Monday that it is now university policy to give paid suspension to any faculty member against whom a student has filed a complaint. In a Thursday email to Gaylord College faculty, John Schmeltzer a journalism professor and faculty senator briefed the college on conversations held at the Faculty Senate meeting, in which new policies regarding academic appeals were particularly highlighted. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name A few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... During the course of the debate, it was disclosed that it is now policy of the university to suspend any faculty member with pay against whom a student has lodged a complaint. The faculty member is suspended under the Title IX program, Schmeltzer wrote. This was new information to everyone in attendance. Schmeltzer wrote that senators vocally objected to the lack of challenge by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee to the new policy. The policy comes two weeks after a graduate student instructor was placed on leave during the universitys investigation of junior psychology student Samantha Fulneckys public contest of a failing grade for a Bible-based essay. Another graduate instructor was removed on Dec. 5 after she reportedly told students she would excuse any absence for attending a protest in support of the graduate instructor placed on leave but would not excuse absences for counter-protesters. In a Friday email to OU Daily, Schmeltzer confirmed the new policy has not been presented and faculty was not notified. He wrote the grade appeals process is typically handled by individual colleges, but it is unclear how it will work going forward. Grade appeals in the past were handled by colleges. There are committees in every college that (are) charged with reviewing appeals. The deans of every college ultimately makes the decision. No information has been presented about what happens to those committees or the existing review process, Schmeltzer wrote. In the email, a drafted response from the Faculty Senate to the senates executive committee states it reaffirms OUs longstanding commitment to academic freedom, but it is concerned that recent events do not reflect these commitments. These incidents ranging from inconsistent administrative responses to classroom-related concerns, to external pressures shaping course content, to a lack of acknowledgement of the threats to international and LGBTQIA2S+ students and faculty have a chilling effect on the intellectual environment that OU promises to uphold, the proposed response reads. The drafted response reveals the new policy has not been formally written or communicated with faculty and staff. It writes that as faculty, the senate urges the university to provide swift clarity on the issue. While the University continues to express strong support for academic freedom and integrity, several situations have left faculty uncertain about the stability and clarity of those protections and the extent to which we can count on the University to actively defend our rights, the statement reads. (The Faculty Senate) Affirms that academic freedom includes not only freedom of expression but also freedom from undue interference, unwritten mandates, or pressures that inhibit teaching, research, and authentic engagement. Faculty Senate Chair Sarah Robbins wrote in a Wednesday email to Faculty Senate members that the Faculty Senate Executive Committee met with Hollye Hunt, vice president of executive affairs and chief of staff, on Monday to discuss issues addressed in the statement. The email also reports the executive committee met with OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. Wednesday. The Faculty Senate will vote on an official statement Monday and will continue conversations with OU administration in the spring, according to the Monday email. In an email to OU faculty Friday afternoon, Robbins confirmed the meeting with Harroz to discuss the campus climate and OUs process with graduate instructor suspensions. Robbins wrote that she felt the administration has acted with professionalism and has ensured fair treatment during investigations. Many in our community are feeling angry and scared and are calling for answers. We have an obligation to our students to create learning environments where they can pursue truth and explore ideas, Robbins wrote. We must come together, discuss the current environment and our reality, examine our structures, policies, and procedures, and chart a path forward where both instructors and students are supported in our pursuit of truth. On Friday, the Daily asked a series of questions over email to OU Marketing and Communications, but did not receive a response by the time of publication. A spokesperson with OU Marketing and Communications told the Daily Friday afternoon he didnt know a whole lot about the situation and would look into the policy. On Dec. 2, the Daily sent three emails and three phone calls to OU Marketing and Communications to clarify the academic appeals process. The Daily asked the following questions regarding grade appeals: How does the process work? What does the grade appeal process normally result in? How long is the timeline for the appeal? Where is this accessible online? Does the appeal process differ per college? Ex: Is Dodge different from Price, Gaylord? Additionally, has there been an increase in grade appeals since Gov. Kevin Stitt's executive order on DEI? The release is linked below for convenience. OU Daily sent two follow up emails and called the department three times on Dec. 2 and another follow-up Friday. The Daily was directed to file an open records request late Friday afternoon in response to the questions about grade appeals. This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure. Mary Ann Livingood, Sophie Hemker, Gretchen Schultz and Avery Avery copy edited this story. Quick Read Johnson & Johnson shares surged 46.3% in 2025 to all-time highs above $212 after bottoming near $141 in April. AbbVie yields 6.77% and has grown its dividend at a 10-12% annual rate over the past five years. Verizon trades at an 8x forward P/E with $19.5B-$20.5B free cash flow guidance supporting a 6.77% yield. 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 Building wealth through dividends requires more than chasing high yields. The path to "getting rich" combines meaningful current income with consistent dividend growth, backed by sustainable business fundamentals. These five stocks deliver that combination, each offering distinct advantages for compounding wealth over time. #5: Procter & Gamble (PG): The Steady Compounder Procter & Gamble earns its place as a 68-year Dividend King, having increased its payout annually since 1957. The consumer staples giant recently raised its quarterly dividend to $1.06, maintaining a 2.93% yield while delivering consistent growth averaging 6% annually over the past five years. Q1 fiscal 2026 results demonstrated why reliability matters: EPS of $1.95 beat estimates of $1.90, while revenue of $22.40 billion exceeded expectations. Organic sales growth of 2% may seem modest, but reflects steady demand for household essentials like Tide, Pampers, and Gilletteproducts consumers buy regardless of economic conditions. With a profit margin of 19.7% and ROE of 31.9%, PG generates the cash flow needed to sustain its dividend while returning $3.8 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks in the latest quarter. The 21x P/E reflects the premium investors pay for predictability, but for dividend investors seeking stability, that premium is justified. #4: Coca-Cola (KO): The Brand Fortress Coca-Cola's 62-year dividend growth streak proves that owning the world's most recognized beverage brand generates reliable income. The quarterly dividend of $0.50 provides a 2.92% yield, with recent increases averaging 5.2% year-over-year. Q3 2025 results showed the power of KO's global distribution network: EPS of $0.86 crushed estimates of $0.78, while revenue of $12.46 billion beat expectations. Organic revenue growth of 6% reflected strong international demand, and the company gained market share in nonalcoholic beverages despite intense competition. Operating income surged 59%, demonstrating improved efficiency. With a 27.3% profit margin and 42.4% ROEthe highest among these five stocksCoca-Cola converts brand loyalty into shareholder returns. The 23x P/E reflects confidence in the company's pricing power and ability to navigate commodity cost pressures. Yet translating a desire to save into action can be difficult due to a number of factors, including income, rising prices, social pressure and a lack of financial planning. The personal savings rate in the U.S., or the share of income left after spending and paying taxes, was a low 4.7% in September. Many Americans lack cash reserves for emergencies , including unemployment. Still, research shows that people are right to include saving as part of their financial happiness goals. He is not alone. In an exclusive YouGov poll for MarketWatch that surveyed nearly 2,500 U.S. adults in late October, 72% of respondents said they would be happier if they saved or invested more money, compared with 21% who said they would be happier if they spent more. Even among those with $250,000 or more in household income the 10-percenters, who are also now responsible for half of consumer spending 69% said they would be happier if they saved or invested more, well above the 26% who said they would be happier if they spent more. As I went through the various brackets, I was able to understand genuinely that material goods, and spending for the sake of spending for nice clothes, for nice dinners, for first-class flights, for nice cars, maybe a really nice apartment just dont really provide a lot of, like, fundamental happiness to me, Moulton told MarketWatch. Patrick Moulton, a 30-year-old who works in the tech industry, said that as his income rose toward the high end of the top 10% a group with $250,000 or more in household income his desire to spend waned. The San Francisco resident now saves and invests about 70% of his income. While the relationship between money and happiness is typically framed as a choice between spending on material goods or spending on experiences, many Americans are expressing a different desire for their money: saving more. This includes high-income households that already save far more on average than the typical household. The most common topics on peoples minds: their bills, rising prices, housing costs, debt and tariffs, according to an Empower survey . On a scale of 0 to 10, they rated their overall personal finances this year at an average of 4.97 in a separate poll , with the most commonly cited barriers to financial happiness being income (35%), expenses (35%) and an inability to save (31%). Americans are spending more time thinking about money now than they were last year and its not all positive. Story Continues Matt Killingsworth, a senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School who conducts large-scale studies on happiness, said preliminary data show that across income levels, people who spend less than they earn report meaningfully more happiness than people who spend all their earnings, and than people who spend more than they earn and take on debt. Life is less stressful, and youre more in control of whats going on when youve got a buffer, Killingsworth told MarketWatch. Arthur Brooks, a Harvard professor and writer who studies happiness, has said there are five ways to use money: You can buy things, buy experiences, buy time, give money away or save it. Only the last four bring happiness, he wrote in a LinkedIn post earlier this year. Stuff wears off. But saving money is progress. And progress makes us happy. Brooks said in a statement to MarketWatch, Theres no ideal savings rate for happiness, but the research suggests that a golden mean exists between security and deprivation. For example, save enough so that you feel secure, but not so much that you are ruthlessly illiquid. On the other hand, the worst use of money, as far as happiness is concerned, is going into debt for consumption without a clear way to repay it. That thwarts progress, Brooks said. Read more: Americans happiness is at a record low. Are we just using our money the wrong way? Amid ongoing concerns about the U.S. economy and job market, including in high-paying industries like tech, where more than 140,000 people have been laid off this year, many people are turning their attention to savings and general financial independence. While financial independence is often associated with extreme wealth or retirement, in his new book, The Art of Spending Money, writer Morgan Housel describes a spectrum that ranges from having enough saved to quit a job you dont like and take your time finding a new, better job (a wonderful and realistic goal for the majority of people, he writes); to having savings large enough to cover your expenses for the rest of your life (retirement, including early retirement); to having the financial resources to spend your time doing what you want, with whom you want, for as long as you want. For Moulton, maintaining a high savings rate is part of his goal to eventually have millions of dollars set aside so that if something were to happen if I were to get laid off and its an economic downturn, or if I were to somehow not work again, or if I find a really fun passion project that doesnt pay very much I always have the option to fall back on savings. High earners want to keep up with saving Social media has made it easier than ever to measure our own lifestyle against other peoples, yet only 17% of respondents polled by YouGov for MarketWatch agreed that it was important to keep up with my peers in terms of spending. At the same time, 28% said it was important to keep up with my peers in terms of saving. People with a household income of more than $250,000 were even more likely to agree that it was important to keep up in terms of saving (45%), though they were also more likely than average (31%) to agree that it was important to keep up with spending. Saving as much as my peers, or more, is very, very important to me, Moulton said, adding that his friend group is candid about their finances. I do not want to be the one thats the least financially conservative out of all my friends. Ryan Longhenry, a 40-year-old commodities trader in Minnesota who, with his wife, has a combined income in the top 10%, said even as they try to balance saving for the future with pricey near-term goals like buying a larger home and possibly getting a boat they still set aside about 23% of their base salary for the future, which includes maxing out their 401(k)s and making investments on top of that. There is a part where Im like, Damn, I wish I had a boat for the giant lake thats right across the street, Longhenry told MarketWatch. Still, saving remains a bigger priority than keeping up with his peers in terms of spending. They may have some nicer toys, and yes, there is a part [of me] that wants them, but being able to keep putting a little extra aside, [thats] easier peace of mind, he said. Longhenry said that because he doesnt aspire to retire early and still has large expenses for his two young children, he is satisfied with his familys savings rate, which is lower than that of some other high earners but still several times the average savings rate in the U.S. Its about having the flexibility of doing what we want, he said. He could try to earn more mostly in order to spend more but now, he said, after work, I can go to the gym, do some grocery shopping and pick my kids up. Theres a trade-off. Read more: Heres what it means to be rich in this economy from your 20s to your 80s Other Americans aim to save, too, but struggle Despite peoples aspirations to save more, doing that has gotten harder for all but the richest Americans, due largely to a widening income gap. The lower savings rate in the U.S. is partly a product of problems related to affordability, Brooks said. He added that people tend to defer their gratification less when they are chronically unhappy, so the decline in happiness might be playing a role in people spending rather than saving. Data from the Economic Policy Institute show that from 1979 to 2023, the share of all wages held by the bottom 90% by income fell by 9.1 percentage points. As a result, The rich are saving more and the non-rich are saving less, according to research by economists Ludwig Straub, Atif Mian and Amir Sufi, who noted that since the 1980s, the lower 90% of earners have saved less. In recent decades, they have also increased their borrowing. Related: Most Americans cant afford life anymore and they just dont matter to the economy like they once did On average, from 1953 to 2019, the 10% highest-earning households were saving approximately 21.1% of their income 10 to 20 percentage points higher than the bottom 90%, they found. While the analysis does not account for the postpandemic period, I certainly still think the savings-rate pattern would look similar to the plot we made in 2019, as income inequality remains high, Straub told MarketWatch. - The long-term impact of the income and savings gap on wealth is evident. The top 10% of households by income had a median net worth of more than $2.6 million in 2022, according to Federal Reserve data. Meanwhile, middle-income households those in the 40th to 59.9th percentile had median wealth of about $169,400, just 6.4% that of the 10-percenters. As consumer confidence slumps due to concerns about the future, for many people, basic financial security remains a top priority. Most of those surveyed by Vanguard in October said they fell short of their spending and savings goals this year, and looking ahead to 2026, they named building an emergency fund as their top financial goal. Me and my wife we have the smallest house of the group. We dont have the boat, Longhenry said. But as a consistent saver, he can take a sigh of relief as many Americans worry about the economy. Im not stressing about that. Most Read from MarketWatch Rottneros President and CEO, Lennart Eberleh, Resigns Lennart Eberleh Lennart Eberleh Dec. 12, 2025 - Swedish market pulp producer Rottneros announced the resignation of its President and CEO, Lennart Eberleh, who will leave during the first half of 2026 to pursue an opportunity outside of the company. Eberleh took over as President and CEO of Rottneros in September of 2016, joining the company from BillerudKorsnas where he was head of its Corrugated Solutions business segment. "Lennart has been CEO of Rottneros since 2016 and has done a solid job of developing the Group into the strong position it has today in a number of selected niches in the pulp market, together with an efficient production apparatus," said Per Lundeen, Chairman of the Board, Rottneros AB. Rottneros said that it has started the process to recruit a successor. Rottneros consists of two pulp producing units in Sweden Rottneros Mill (Sunne) and Vallvik Mill (Vallvik). Also part of the Group are Rottneros Packaging AB, which produces moulded fibre, Nykvist Skogs AB and SIA Rottneros Baltic, who provide the Group with raw material. SOURCE: Rottneros AB A man who was previously sentenced to death will spend 30 to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to fatally shooting a hip-hop artist outside a Lancaster County concert venue more than 15 years ago. On the night of May 7, 2010, Jakeem L. Towles, who is now 36 years old, shot and killed 20-year-old rapper Cornell Anton Young E-Z Stewart in Columbia, according to the county district attorneys office. After being kicked out of the venue on the first block of North Fourth Street for starting a fight, Towles opened fire on a group of people outside. Stewart was fatally struck in the head during the gunfire. Towles, who was 20 when the shooting took place, was sentenced to death after a 2012 trial found him guilty of first-degree murder and related offenses. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania later ordered the case be re-tried because Towles then-attorney provided ineffective assistance of counsel. An attorney representing Towles told the court his client opted to plead guilty to third-degree murder, attempted murder and a felony firearms offense rather than force Stewarts family to undergo another grueling court case. Stewarts older brother called Towles actions a cowards move and said he has no respect for him. Stewarts mother shared similar sentiments, telling Towles he stole her sons life while calling his actions narcissistic. Towles hung his head while the victims mother fought back tears, the DAs office said. When given the opportunity to speak, Towles said he takes full responsibility and wished he could undo his actions. He also apologized to Stewarts family for the pain he caused and wished peace on all of them. The judge told Towles words like that can go a long way and encouraged him to live an exemplary life while incarcerated. As part of his sentence, Towles waived all rights to appeal and must pay $12,000 in restitution. A man from Mexico was charged Thursday with raping a woman he befriended while working construction at a Lancaster County hotel, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Strasburg Police on Thursday were dispatched to the Clarion Inn, located at 1400 Historic Drive, for a reported rape. The caller said he and a friend were staying in a room at 1300 Historic Drive, a part of the hotel just across the parking lot from the main building. Throughout the day, the pair befriended a construction crew working in the 1300 Historic Drive building and drank beer with them, the affidavit said. At the end of the night, one of the construction workers, later identified as 34-year-old Jose L. Izquierdo-Sanchez, of Cardenas, Mexico, knocked on the pairs door and asked them to drink with him. The victim asked her friend if he wanted to go before following Izquierdo-Sanchez down the hall to another room. The victim said her friend mumbled something when she asked and assumed he would eventually follow her. Immediately after entering the room, Izquierdo-Sanchez forced himself on the victim, biting her ear and neck and leaving a hickey, police said. The victim told investigators she was trying hard not to cooperate and attempted to send her friend a text message. Izquierdo-Sanchez told the victim not to text her friend as he put the victims arms over his shoulders and took the victims clothes off. The victim said she was able to send the text message while her hands were behind Izquierdo-Sanchezs head. The victim said Izquierdo-Sanchez kicked her legs out from underneath her, making her fall to the ground. Izquierdo-Sanchez then raped the victim while strangling her with both hands. The victims friend eventually made it to Izquierdo-Sanchezs room, where he heard the victim grunting. The friend entered the room as the victim and Izquierdo-Sanchez were getting dressed. The friend told Izquierdo-Sanchez to stay in the hallway and asked others to call 911. Hotel cameras captured the victim sitting on the ground crying. Around 10:30 a.m. Thursday, police were tipped off that Izquierdo-Sanchez was inside a different room at the hotel. Officers knocked on the door and arrested Izquierdo-Sanchez without incident. Police verified his identity using his Mexico passport. In addition to two counts of rape, Izquierdo-Sanchez is charged with strangulation, indecent assault, simple assault, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault. Court records say Izquierdo-Sanchez is being held in Lancaster County without bail because of the severity of the charges, ICE detainer and defendants lack of ties to the community. Izquierdo-Sanchez has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Dec. 23. Comedy icon Dick Van Dyke celebrated his 100th birthday on Saturday, hitting the century mark some six decades after he sang and danced with Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins and starred in his self-titled sitcom. The funniest thing is, its not enough, Van Dyke said in an interview with ABC News at his Malibu, California home. A hundred years is not enough. You want to live more, which I plan to. Van Dyke became one of the biggest actors of his era with The Dick Van Dyke Show, which ran from 1961-66 on CBS; appeared with Andrews as a chimney sweep with a Cockney accent in the 1964 Disney classic Mary Poppins and, in his 70s, played a physician-sleuth on Diagnosis: Murder. Also a Broadway star, Van Dyke won a Tony Award for Bye Bye Birdie to go with a Grammy and four Primetime Emmys. In 1963, he starred in the film version of Bye Bye Birdie. Just last year, he became the oldest winner of a Daytime Emmy, for a guest role on the soap Days of Our Lives. FILE - Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews dancing in a scene from the Disney movie " Mary Poppins" in Hollywood, Calif. June 25, 1963. (AP Photo/Don Brinn, File) AP FILE - This May 25, 1964 file photo shows Dick Van Dyke, left, and Mary Tyler Moore, co-stars of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" backstage at the Palladium with their Emmys for best actor and actress in a series at the Television Academy's 16th annual awards show, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo, File) AP In the 1970s, he found sobriety after battling alcoholism, and spoke out about it at a time when that was uncommon to do. Now that he has hit triple digits, Van Dyke said hes gotten some perspective on how he used to play older characters. You know, I played old men a lot, and I always played them as angry and cantankerous, he told ABC News. Its not really that way. I dont know any other 100-year-olds, but I can speak for myself. He recently imparted wisdom about reaching the century mark in his book, 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimists Guide to a Happy Life. He credited his wife, 54-year-old makeup artist and producer Arlene Silver, with keeping him young. She gives me energy. She gives me humor, and all kinds of support, he told ABC News. FILE - Dick Van Dyke poses with chimney sweeps during arrivals to the 40th anniversary and re-premiere of Mary Poppins at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004. (AP Photo/Ann Johansson, File) AP FILE - Julie Andrews, left, is joined by presenter Dick Van Dyke after accepting the 43rd annual life achievement award at the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) AP Van Dyke was born in West Plains, Missouri, in 1925, and grew up the class clown in Danville, Illinois, while admiring and imitating the silent film comedians. He told ABC News he started acting when he was about 4 or 5 years old in a Christmas pageant. He said he was the baby Jesus. I made some kind of crack, I dont know what I said, but it broke the congregation up, he said. And I liked the sound of that laughter. And whats hard about being 100? I miss movement, he told ABC News. Ive got one game leg from I dont know what. I still try to dance, he said with a laugh. Tamara Tammi Hamby, a former country library board member, was arrested recently after police in Arkansas said she pretended to be country music star Luke Bryan and faked the kidnapping of her mentally disabled daughter. According to 5 News, Hamby, who turned herself in on Dec. 3, was one of four people arrested in the incident. But Hamby and her husband, Jeffrey Hamby, who is a doctor, claim that there was no criminal intent. Jeffrey Hamby, who was not among those arrested, said he and his wife adopted their daughter when she was just six weeks old. She has a lot of needs, he told 5 News. She has a reactive attachment disorder and epilepsy. She is 22 and beautiful and has the mind of about an 11-year-old. The doctor said the issues began six months ago when his daughter was approached by a predator online who pretended to be Bryan. My daughter adores (Bryan), he said. So, over the last six months, hes developed somewhat of a trauma bond. He claimed that even though they took their daughters devices away she kept finding ways to talk to the predator. He claimed they reached out to police but didnt receive any help. We tried everything, and she has not stopped communicating with him, and he was going to get her, he said. He was going to take her. And so, my wife, without my knowledge, with her aide and a couple of friends, tried to do an intervention. Police said it as a bit more than an intervention, though. According to 5 News, the warrant for Tammi Hambys arrest said that she had someone pretend to be Bryan and contact her daughter to set up a meet. Police said she then had two men take the girl into a field on Nov. 17 where they tied her to a tree and demanded money. Police said the men who they identified as David Qbao and Nico Austria took the girl to the wrong field, though. And, at some point, she was able to free herself and make a run for it before they tackled her and retired her to the tree, per police. The girl escaped again, however, and called 911. (The girl) was in fear for her life and clung tightly to a teddy bear the entirety of me speaking with her during the interview, a deputy noted in the report. Police said that Tammi Hamby was watching the whole time. She resigned from her library board job on Nov. 24, per 5 News. Now DHS has taken my daughter from me, and my wife is arrested for trying to do the right thing, for trying to save my daughter, who has never known evil, has been sheltered all of her life, and we couldnt talk her into understanding that danger existed, Jeffrey Hamby told the station. And so, we wanted to show her that evil does exist, and now shes in DHS custody today, and my wife is facing jail time. Crawford County Prosecutor Kevin Holmes had a different view of the situation. The law enforcement that I deal with are always willing to help, as in our office, Holmes said. And so, this idea that were blaming law enforcement is pretty ridiculous. Just because theres suspicious activity, doesnt just allow us to just go out and start rounding up people. You know, parents have some responsibility. I mean, this is a special needs girl who if theres issues with the internet, then you just cut her off from the internet. Fans of Grammy-nominated musician Roderick Rory Macleod have been sending prayers to his family and former band after the disturbing details of his death have emerged. According to reports, Macleod, who is best known for his time with the group Roomful of Blues, was hit and killed on Dec. 6 in Rhode Island while walking his dog. 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. Fans were quick to respond with love. A tragic loss, and something that shouldnt have happened, Debbie Sptiznagel commented on the post. My condolences to sandol, his family and many friends. My heart breaks for the Macleod family, who must be devastated, Sharon Kenler Kinnane replied. He was a gentle soul and talented musician who will be missed by many. Sending hugs and prayers to all who mourn him. Very sad news, Mary Pilkington OConnell wrote. Deepest condolences to all that knew and loved Rory. Such a loss so talented. There were plenty more comments like that and you can see them all as well as Roomful of Blues post here. It was Macleods work as the bassist for the group in the 1980s helped him earn a Grammy nomination. Kyle Rittenhouse returned to social media this week, and he is already drawing the ire of at least one sheriff in Florida. Rittenhouse, who shot three people, killing two, during a racial injustice protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 2020, claimed self-defense and was acquitted of all charges. He remains controversial, though, and his new gig appears to be attempting to call out incidents that he believes are Second Amendment issues. That led him to share a video on Friday standing in front of the Walton County Jail while claiming that Michael Rediker used Floridas Stand Your Ground law to lawfully defend himself when his life was put in jeopardy. Michael did nothing wrong, and he deserves all our support, Rittenhouse said in the video which he pinned to his X page. We are expecting an outright not guilty under Floridas Stand Your Ground law, he added. Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson did not take kindly to Rittenhouses claims. He reshared the video via the Walton County Sheriff Offices official X account, and issued a video of his own scathing response. I dont normally do this, Adkinson said. I dont normally take the time to speak to public comments on cases, certainly not open cases. But in this particular situation, a murder that occurred yesterday in Walton County, I feel compelled to respond to what I can only call wildly irresponsible. I would say motivated by many factors, none of them in the interest of justice in which individuals, particularly Kyle Rittenhouse and his attorney, Anthony Sabatini, are attempting to frame the murder here in Walton County on Thursday of Mr. Keen as a Stand Your Ground case or wrapping it in the Constitution or that it is Second Amendment case. Adkinson was far from done. After 30-something years of doing this, I very rarely get personally offended, but Im actually just kind of disgusted with them, the sheriff continued. There was a man who lost his life yesterday. A father, a husband with two small children, who was murdered, unarmed on his own property, unprovoked by an individual who drove a tractor over a half a mile onto the victims property. Once there, batters his wife in front of eyewitnesses. When the husband, whom there had been no confrontation with, gets out to come over and help pick his wife up off the ground the suspect shoots him in the face. He was unarmed. There was no fight between them. There was no attack, and as he is laying dying on the ground, this suspect, Michael Rediker, stood over him and made some comments for which he is going to answer to in court. At the same time, he committed aggravated assault on multiple other people because he murdered this man in front of witnesses that watched this as this man was murdered. Again, unarmed, on his own property, after his wife had been battered, and no confrontation. Now, somehow out of that, Mr. Rittenhouse and his attorney, Anthony Sabatini, have determined that this is the great Stand Your Ground case, Adkinson continued. Well, Ill tell you this. Ill bet my badge on this. Not only is that not a stand your ground, Mr. Rediker will face either the ultimate penalty in the state of Florida or God willing the rest of his natural life in prison. Because, come Christmas morning in two weeks, there are two little boys elementary school age, two children, that are not going to have their father, and theres a wife whose not going to have her husband all so these two idiots can get more likes on their Facebook and call it a Constitutional issue. Im actually just disgusted with @rittenhouse2a and @AnthonySabatini. A man lost his life yesterday. A father. A husband. With two small children. Who was murdered, unarmed, on his own property unprovoked by an individual who drove a tractor a half a mile onto the victims https://t.co/HQbexbApzO pic.twitter.com/y6t7lGMKOd Walton County Sheriff's Office, Florida (@WCSOFL) December 13, 2025 Adkinson then brought it home. I think both of you are jokes, and I dont think you should make a damn cent off the suffering of someone else, he said. So, if you dont like that, well you can file that under I dont really give a damn. I know people arent going to like this, and I dont care about that either. Im so disgusted and sad for the Keen family and their loss and the fact that these two yo-yos are going to try to make money and news on it. And I probably shouldnt give them this, but I think the public deserves to know this doesnt have a damn thing to do with the Second Amendment or Stand Your Ground. So, I hope that many of you will reach out and tell these two jack-wagons what you think about what they are doing to this family suffering. Dont let them make on penny off a like. WMBB reported that Rediker, 44, was arrested on Thursday and charged with one count of open murder, battery, and three counts of aggravated battery. Rittenhouse made headlines this week when he returned to social media after leaving in June and sharing some big news. Im back on social media, Im back in the fight, and Im here to stay, he wrote on X alongside a pair of photos of himself with a girl. He then explained what that was all about. For a quick update, 6 months ago I made the best decision of my life and married my best friend, he wrote. (Bella Rittenhouse), I couldnt be happier. I love you beautiful. She replied back, I love you! One of his followers replied, Couldnt be happier for you Kyle. To have your entire world upended and fight through it. Dude, thats awesome. Im still being sued for $20 million, Rittenhouse replied. But thankfully the Lord provides. Rittenhouse made several more posts during the day, including one where he said that the assassination of Charlie Kirk convinced him he couldnt sit on the sidelines anymore. So Im back, he wrote. Not quietly. Not halfway. Im coming back in a big way. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Author: John E. Jones III, Dickinson College The public has been hearing from a lot of federal judges over the past year, much more than normal. Thats because many of them are concerned about the Trump administrations commitment to the rule of law. Dickinson College President John E. Jones III was appointed as a federal judge by President George W. Bush and spent 20 years on the bench after being confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate in 2002. Jones spoke with The Conversation U.S. senior politics editor, Naomi Schalit, about Americas legal landscape after almost a year of Donald Trumps presidency. What does the case just argued at the Supreme Court about the presidents ability to fire leaders at independent agencies tell you about Donald Trumps presidency? Weve seen a progression over time, with both Republican and Democratic presidents, where theres been a stronger and stronger chief executive. But theres been nothing like this administration, where the president has fired members of heretofore independent agencies. Having listened to oral arguments, which at times can be misleading, theres very little question that the Supreme Court is going to overturn the Humphreys Executor precedent. What it means is that this president will have the opportunity to utterly remake all of these independent agencies now. Hes going to take people out, root and branch, and put folks in who are either with the program or theyre not going to get appointed. So this case is emblematic of Trumps approach to presidential power? He does not recognize and does not want among his appointees certainly we see this in the Cabinet any modicum of independence. Youre either with him 100% or youre against him. Now that will extend to these independent agencies, and that means that the measured sort of regulations that have existed for a long time are going to be disrupted and maybe even eliminated. The Contemplation of Justice statue outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images This year has seen unusual amounts of activity in the Supreme Courts shadow docket. What is the significance of that? This is the courts emergency docket. If the court takes these cases, they order a very abbreviated briefing and they decide the matter very quickly. Typically, this is a problem for lower court judges, as the cases are decided with very little explanation. Sometimes months and months intervene before the court gets back to that case and renders a full and complete determination. One example would be the birthright citizenship case that came up to the court on the shadow docket. The court rendered an interim decision about whether U.S. District Court judges could issue orders stopping nationwide enforcement of Trump policies. They didnt rule on the merits of the birthright citizenship case. Since then, there have been conflicting decisions across the country. You have circuits that have ruled on the question and other circuits that havent ruled on it at all. So depending on where you live in the United States, you may or may not be subject to what heretofore has been the accepted interpretation of the 14th Amendment. This administrations clear strategy to flood the zone by simply challenging every adverse decision against it in the lower courts means there are an unprecedented number of cases coming up to the Supreme Court. It just means that theres utter confusion in the lower courts, and its been the subject of a lot of dissatisfaction among lower court judges. It really puts the federal court system into a state of uncertainty and chaos, and obviously, its not good for the public. U.S. attorneys are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Congress limits how long interim U.S. attorneys can serve in these positions. But the Trump administration has circumvented those limits, keeping a number of interim U.S. attorneys on the job past the 120-day limit. These cases have been challenged in court. Why is this conflict notable? What the president has attempted to do flies in the face of legislation that says that these interim appointments are limited to 120 days. Every court has found that the presidents appointment or attempted appointment beyond the first 120 days is unlawful and unconstitutional. It is a limitation on the presidents power. If the presidents version were correct, you could just have endless interim appointments without any involvement by the Senate. This is a place where the courts have, in effect, upheld the integrity of the advice-and-consent system and the constitutional role of the Senate. Trump ordered the Department of Justice to prosecute James Comey and Letitia James, among others. He has also granted massive numbers of pardons and commutations. What are your thoughts on these? My takeaway as an American citizen and as a former judge is that at bottom, President Trump simply lacks respect for our system of justice. I dont think you can find otherwise when on your first day in office you issue over 1,000 pardons for people who were justifiably convicted or pled guilty to what was, by any account, an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. He has pardoned countless people since then, including a former president of Honduras, who his own administration prosecuted, and for whom there was abundant evidence that he was a drug trafficker. Hes blowing up boats in the Caribbean without, in my view, any rationale thats grounded in law. The president believes the law is whatever he says it is at any given moment. President Donald Trump and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, seen here in March 2025, appear to work in lockstep, where the presidents wishes set the Justice Departments agenda. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images Andrew Harnik/Getty Images News via Getty Images As to the Department of Justice, I think thats one of the most worrisome things about this administration. There is a seamless interface between the White House and the Department of Justice that is problematic, and it is quite clear that the Department of Justice will do anything that the president wants. I think were in a very, very difficult and dark place when the president by fiat can simply order his attorney general to prosecute a person. And I think every American should worry about a world where that takes place without any buffer. The administration has a documented pattern of disobeying or sidestepping court orders. Your thoughts? The way our system is supposed to work is that people can disagree with lower court decisions, but they have to obey them, unless theyre stayed by application to a higher court. The administration seems to have decided that theyre going to write U.S. district judges out of the picture and simply disregard their orders. When I served as a U.S. District Court judge, I always understood that I had pretty awesome power to do things. That power was to be used sparingly and carefully, but when I ordered something, I expected that that order would be followed. That is the nature of the rule of law and our system of justice that now has been turned on its head by this administration. The second point is that I would wish that our Supreme Court would take a stronger stand against this kind of gamesmanship in the lower courts. Those who serve in the third branch the nations courts are all in this together. There has to be more attention given to an administration that has really gone rogue in terms of how they treat the orders of U.S. District Court judges. 22 1 / 22 John E. Jones III inaugurated as Dickinson College presidentMark Pynes I dont think the public has ever heard more from judges or former judges or retired judges than they are hearing right now. That includes you, president of a university, former federal judge, saying things that I think the public isnt accustomed to hearing from either current or former judges. Whats going on? Whats happening is that judges who come from all stripes, philosophically and party affiliations, are deeply concerned and offended about the tenor of the times, and they feel the need, as I do, to become active and to rally to the support of our system of justice. Imperfect though it may be, Ive always regarded it as the fairest and best system in the world. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/as-a-former-federal-judge-im-concerned-by-a-year-of-challenges-to-the-us-justice-system-271571. By Mark S. Singel At the height of the Vietnam War, a U.S. freighter by the name of the Mayaguez was captured by the Cambodian navy. The 39 crew members were taken into custody. President Gerald Ford was quick to denounce the action as an act of piracy. Two days after the incident, Ford ordered the bombing of Cambodian ports and sent Marines to the island where the prisoners were being held. Forty-one Americans 25 Air Force pilots and crew, 2 Navy corpsmen, and 14 Marines died during the attack. On Jan. 23, 1968, the USS Pueblo was boarded by the North Korean navy in international waters and taken to the port of Wonsan. The 83-man crew was transported to Pyongyang, where they were jailed as spies. President Lyndon Johnson was in the middle of the Tet Offensive in Vietnam and did not retaliate immediately. He did begin a massive military build-up in the Korean Sea. It took a full year for the Americans to be released. They all reported daily beatings and other torture during their time in captivity. There have been other incidents of American ships seized by foreign powers. During the War of 1812, the British seized 400 ships and the cargoes they contained. The British called it naval warfare; the Americans called it piracy. This brings us to current events and the seizure of an oil tanker named the Skipper, a 1,000-foot-long ship moving crude oil off the coast of Venezuela. This time, it was the United States commandeering the vessel. President Trump acknowledged the action and assumed, as far as the oil it was carrying, We keep it, I guess. The justification for taking the ship from the U.S. Department of Justice is that it represents one of 170 vessels that are suspected of international oil smuggling and generating income for terrorists. The Venezuelan government saw it differently: President Nicolas Maduro called it an act of international piracy. He sees it as a deliberate escalation of tensions designed to disrupt the current regime and turn the entire country into an oil colony of the United States. In fact, the United States has built up a huge military presence in the area in recent weeks. The USS Gerald Ford is now stationed in the region, along with its 4,000 sailors, fighter jets and other warships. President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Washington, as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth looks on. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson | AP Photo) Julia Demaree Nikhinson | AP Photo Before the Skipper incident, the US Department of Defense had taken out about two dozen boats in the Caribbean and killed 86 people on the same premise that they were all involved in narco-terrorist activities. It should be noted that there is a growing number of U.S. representatives and senators calling the boat attacks extrajudicial killings. Those who have been killed on the high seas were presumed guilty of drug trafficking and eliminated. Even those who appeared to have been defenseless were not allowed to survive or even have their day in some kind of international court. We killed them. Those killings, the taking of the oil tanker, and the less-than-subtle suggestion of ground actions to come are clearly more than a program to halt drug trafficking. Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel and senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, says that it is about ousting Maduro. It is part of a series of US actions such as sending the Ford to the Caribbean, authorizing the CIA to move against the Maduro regime, and conducting flybys with bombers and, recently, F-18s, he says. This image from video posted on Attorney General Pam Bondi's X account, and partially redacted by the source, shows an oil tanker being seized by U.S. forces off the coast of Venezuela, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (U.S. Attorney General's Office/X via AP) AP We will soon know the real mission in Venezuela. Cancian says to watch to see if additional oil tankers are taken. Given Venezuelas dependence on oil revenue, two or more tankers taken off their trade routes will look like a blockade of Venezuela. Neither the government nor the people of When Great Britain took our ships 200 years ago, we were outraged. When the North Koreans took the Pueblo in 1968, it left a sour taste that affects our relations with that country to this day. When 41 Americans died in the Mayaguez incident, there were real consequences. We were justified in being angry. The point is that international adventures have consequences. It is not enough for a President to embark on bombing missions or capturing vessels on the high seas without some clear purpose. Is it war we are seeking? Is it the eradication of leaders we view as enemies? Is it really about confiscating oil? We deserved answers from foreign leaders when they attacked our ships and our security years ago. We deserve answers from our own leaders now, when we are the assailants. Mark Singel is a former lieutenant governor and acting governor of Pennsylvania. Cleveland Browns star edge rusher Myles Garrett reached out to Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt to offer support after Watt suffered a partially collapsed lung during dry needling therapy in the facility on Wednesday. Dry needling is a physical therapy technique that aims at muscle knots and alleviating pain. It is a general treatment that many players undergo each week without repercussions. However, Watts caused him great discomfort throughout Wednesday, and they sent him to the hospital which revealed the partially collapsed lung, balding to surgery. Garrett saw Watts situation and reached out in a show of support. Well since you asked that, I reached out to him. I dont have his number or anything, but I reached out to him to see if hes all right,Garrett said on Friday. So, Im hoping for the best. Over the years, Garrett and Watt have been on-field adversaries between the Defensive Player of the Year awards and the AFC North divisional clashes the players have had. Garrett said that both he and Watt have mutual respect for each other on and off the field, and the rivalry has never spilled off the field for any reason. At the end of the day, our teams may be rivals and they might create a rivalry between us, but hes not my enemy. Im hoping for the best for him and his health and Im hoping he comes back soon or whatever, or whatever it is, Garrett said. You said its a collapsed lung? Thats more than I knew. I just knew it was a lung injury. Well, Im praying for the best for the Watt family. With Watt out, the Steelers will have Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig as their starters against the Dolphins. Both of those players have started at different points this year, but they have not played a game without Watt in the lineup. Highsmith, Watts best friend on the team, said he has been in contact with the star pass rusher, and he remains in good spirits. Its definitely a scary situation, tough situation. Ive just been praying for him. I know hes getting better, Highsmith said. This is the second Steelers player who has gone to the hospital for a check this week. DK Metcalf did so in Baltimore on Sunday night following the teams win over the Ravens, after experiencing stomach pain. He is expected to be limited this week, but should play on Monday against the Dolphins. As many countries around the world face an economic downturn, a number of holiday, regional and even national airlines have all had to file for bankruptcy and close down operations. Since December 7, flag carrier Air Albania has not operated any flights after main investor Turkish Airlines announced plans to sell its 49% stake in the airline serving the small Balkan nation. Other airlines that shut down operations in the second half of 2025 include British regional carriers Eastern Airways and Blue Islands, as well as Iceland's Play Airlines and Sweden's Braathens Aviation. Air Antilles working to restart after regulatory agency grounds flights In the U.S., charter carriers Verijet and Corporate Air as well as Alaska-based Kenai Aviation all filed for bankruptcy and shut down operations between October and November. Launched in 2002 to serve the Caribbean archipelago of French Antilles (also known as the French West Indies), Air Antilles has also not been operating any flights since December 9 after French aviation regulatory agency Direction de la Securite de l'Aviation Civile temporarily revoked the carrier's operating license. Related: Tour company files for bankruptcy and cancels trips, travelers stranded The suspension came as a result of a safety audit of the airline serving the French overseas territories and, as of the weekend of December 13, anyone going to the Air Antilles website is presented with a pop-up stating that all flights "have been temporarily suspended until further notice." The airline goes on to thank customers for their "understanding and patience during this exceptional situation" and asks them to "regularly check your emails and phone for the latest information regarding your trip." Based out of Pointe-a-Pitre International Airport in Guadeloupe (PTP), Air Antilles also flew between Antilles territories such as Martinique, Saint-Barthelemy, and Saint-Martin as well as more distant Caribbean islands like Antigua, Barbados, and the Dominican Republic. Air Antilles is a French airline serving the Caribbean archipelago and overseas territories.Air Antilles Air Antilles For those affected by canceled Air Antilles flights in French West Indies, here is the latest With the islands making up The Antilles currently at the very start of their peak holiday season, hundreds of travelers on different islands have been facing uncertainty about both getting to their vacation destination and getting back home from more remote areas through a transfer in Guadeloupe. These airlines filed for bankruptcy in 2025: Stephen Bean Wins the Behemoth High Roller as Andrew Hulme Captures HR League Title Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link The Grosvenor G Casino in Coventry is awash with poker players hoping to end 2025 on a high by taking down a Grosvenor Behemoth tournament. Stephen Bean is one of those players. Bean only returned to the live poker tables in September following a five-year hiatus. He's managed to rack up seven cashes, a trio of final table appearances, and two victories. The latest of those wins came in the 1,000 Behemoth High Roller. Including re-entries, 97 players bought into the Behemoth High Roller, creating an 82,930 prize pool as a result. The top 12 finishers won a slice of that pot, with Fadil Isufi, Jack Moore, and Team Grosvenor grinder Calogero Morreale cashing but falling short of a seat at the nine-handed final table. 1,000 Behemoth High Roller Final Table Results Rank Player Prize 1 Stephen Bean 20,150 2 Tom Hall 15,350 3 Phil Clarke 11,070 4 Ravi Sheth 7,760 5 Jamie Bott 5,390 6 Ben McCann 4,480 7 Shuhao Zhang 4,060 8 Keith Johnson 3,650 9 Andrew Hulme 3,230 Andrew Hulme was the first player to fall at the final table. The man affectionately known as "Stato" got the last of his chips in with ace-queen, which lost a flip to the pocket tens in Ravi Sheth's hand. Hulme picked up 3,230 for this latest high roller cash, plus what would turn out to be some important leaderboard points. Hulme needed Tom Hall not to come out on top to clinch the NPL High Roller Leaderboard and the almost 15,000 top prize. Keith Johnson, a close friend of Hulme, bowed out in eighth when his short-stack shove with ace-four lost to Bean's king-jack courtesy of a king on the turn. Seventh place went to Shuhao Zhang, who pushed all-in for 14 big blinds with pocket eights, only for Sheth to wake up with pocket kings. Sheth made one of the easier calls of his impressive career and scooped the pot when the five community cards failed to rescue Zhang. Hall added to his stack by sending Ben McCann to the rail in sixth. McCann was low on chips and got his short stack in with eight-five on a queen-eight-four flop. Hall's pocket aces remained true, and Hall had a realistic chance of spoiling Hulme's party at the death. A three-way all-in resulted in Jamie Bott heading to the cashier's desk and Bean building towers of chips. Bott found himself all-in with ace-king against the pocket eights of Phil Clarke and the king-ten of Bean. The latter caught a ten to eliminate Bott in fifth. Soon after Bott's demise, Sheth joined him on the sidelines. Sheth lost all but six big blinds in a coin flip with Hall, then committed his last six big blinds with jack-nine, which lost to the king-queen of Bean. Fourth place for Sheth. The leaderboard points Sheth earned for this finish locked him in fourth place on the NPL High Roller Leaderboard. Hulme must have been sweating from the rail when he saw Clarke's six big blind stack head to Bean and the Behemoth High Roller progress to the heads-up stage because Hall was also present. Clarke's pocket fours lost to Bean's king-four, with the board counterfeiting Clarke's hand. Bean went into the one-on-one battle against Hall holding a 47 big blind to 13 big blind advantage. The tournament could have been over midway through the heads-up clash because Hall was all-in preflop with ace-nine of hearts against Bean's king-jack of diamonds. However, the board ran queen-high, and Hall doubled up, all but levelling the players' stacks. Bean soared into the lead when his ace-six flopped trips and was handsomely paid off by Hall, who turned a flush draw. That hand left Hall with only six big blinds, and the writing was on the wall. One hand later, Hall moved all-in with nine-five, and Bean called with jack-eight of diamonds. Bean spiked an eight on the flop and a jack on the turn, but the turn gave Hall outs to a straight. The river was a five, busting Hall in second place, gifting Bean the tournament win, and crowning Hulme as the NPL High Roller Leaderboard champion. NPL High Roller Leaderboard Final Top 10 Andrew Hulme Hulme captured the NPL High Roller Leaderboard title by the narrowest of margins, with only 4.42 points separating him from second-placed Hall. Thomas Clack, who is gunning for the 40,000 Grosvenor Poker sponsorship in the National Poker League, finished third, with Ravi Sheth and Harry Sandford also winning prize money for their fourth and fifth-place finishes. Rank Player Points Prize 1 Andrew Hulme 94.84 14,580 2 Tom Hall 90.42 12,150 3 Thomas Clack 87.33 9,720 4 Ravi Sheth 84.20 7,290 5 Harry Sandford 78.15 4,860 6 Jack Hardcastle 72.97 7 Mitch Johnson 59.19 8 Antoine Labat 56.08 9 Kevin Allen 48.44 10 Keith Littlewood 45.67 Share this article By Joey Roulette, Ross Kerber and Echo Wang WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Investors eyeing SpaceX's potential blockbuster IPO may need to brace themselves as CEO Elon Musk balances his risky quest to reach Mars with growing the revenue-rich Starlink satellite broadband business that would offer more reliable shareholder returns. More from Yahoo Scout What are the key risks facing SpaceX's potential IPO? Why might Musk's Mars ambitions concern potential investors? How does Starlink's revenue growth support SpaceX's valuation? What new revenue opportunities could drive SpaceX's growth? SpaceX, which transformed space travel with reusable rockets and built a global satellite broadband network, is targeting a listing next year that could raise more than $25 billion at a valuation exceeding $1 trillion, which would rank among the largest initial public offerings in history. Musk has always maintained that sending humans to Mars was his lifelong ambition. That should temper expectations that a publicly-listed SpaceX would narrow its focus on revenue-generating parts of the business like expanding Starlink into a direct-to-cell service or building space-based data centers, analysts say. Investors in Musk's car company, Tesla, have also had to contend with balancing competing technologies and Musk's divided attention. The world's richest man has previously unsettled some investors by saying Tesla is not a car company but an artificial intelligence and robotics platform. Investors have welcomed the SpaceX IPO. But Caleb Henry, analyst at space-focused research firm Quilty Analytics, said any buyer of SpaceX shares would need to accept that it has always invested billions of dollars in risky ventures, some of which, like Starlink and the Falcon 9 reusable rocket, have paid off after lengthy periods of experimentation. "SpaceX has always been an R&D-heavy company and investors can sour if they feel they are not being rewarded for being investors. So, that can be hard," Henry said. "The investors of tomorrow will have to accept that." SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment. SPACEX IPO FALSE DAWNS There have been several false dawns for a SpaceX public listing, which has long been intertwined with Musks Mars obsession. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said in 2018 that the company would not go public until it was flying regularly to Mars, a goal that has been repeatedly delayed. Musk, who on Wednesday hinted an IPO could be coming soon, has said SpaceX might launch an uncrewed Starship - its giant, next-generation rocket under development since around 2017 - to Mars next year. But analysts believe this is ambitious given the rocket has not yet completed a successful orbital mission. Justus Parmar, CEO of Fortuna Investments, a venture capital firm invested in SpaceX, said he expected an IPO to happen after Starship has reached Mars, which would remove a huge risk factor for the business. Bora Kurtulus opened his button to 200,000. Matan Krakow was in the big blind and defended. Kurtulus fired a quick continuation-bet of 100,000 on the 2109 flop, which Krakow check-called. The 3 then checked through to the 3 river. Krakow slid in a bet of 450,000. Kurtulus weighed his options for about ten seconds before he assembled calling chips and slid them in the middle. Krakow could only table queen-high with Q8. Kurtulus showed K7 for an amazing hero call with king-high, and he raked in the pot to increase his lead over the field. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low around 45F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low around 45F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Baytex Energy Corp. (NYSE:BTE) is one of the best long-term penny stocks to invest in. On November 17, CIBC analyst Dennis Fong reaffirmed a Hold rating on Baytex Energy Corp. (NYSE:BTE), setting a price target of C$5.25. However, Raymond James upgraded the stock to Outperform from Market Perform on November 13, raising the price target to C$5.50 from C$3.50. Is Baytex Energy Corp. (BTE) the Best Oil and Gas Penny Stock to Invest in Now? The rating update came after Baytex Energy Corp. (NYSE:BTE) announced the sale of its U.S. Eagle Ford assets to an undisclosed buyer on November 12, which according to the analyst, repositions the company into a high-return heavy oil producer with a best-in-class balance sheet. The firm considers the sale to be immediately accretive, providing Baytex Energy Corp. (NYSE:BTE) with enough capital to shift its attention to an aggressive share repurchase program and repay all of its outstanding debt. Baytex Energy Corp. (NYSE:BTE) released this update on November 12, stating that it entered into a definitive purchase and sale agreement for the sale of its U.S. Eagle Ford assets to an undisclosed buyer for $2.305 billion. Management reported that the transaction positions the company as a focused, high-return Canadian energy producer, and that monetizing its U.S. Eagle Ford assets would support it to deliver meaningful shareholder returns, bolster its balance sheet, and support capital allocation to its highest-return opportunities. Scotiabank analyst Kevin Fisk also upgraded Baytex Energy Corp. (NYSE:BTE) to Outperform from Sector Perform on November 13 following the update, raising the price target to C$5.25 from C$4. The analyst considers the company selling its Eagle Ford assets to be a significant turning point, adding that the proceeds can help strengthen its balance sheet, a problem that Baytex Energy Corp. (NYSE:BTE) has historically faced. Baytex Energy Corp. (NYSE:BTE) is an oil and gas exploration and production company involved in the acquisition, production, and development of natural gas and crude oil in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and in the Eagle Ford in the United States. While we acknowledge the potential of BTE as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-13 17:00:55 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 13, 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: 2025-12-13 17:00:58 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 13, 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: 2025-12-13 17:00:53 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 13, 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 Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR) is one of the Best Aerospace Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. On December 9, Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR) announced completing the first phase of transactions to acquire control of Hawthorne Airport. This update follows a series of definitive agreements the company signed in November to acquire control of this one-of-a-kind airport. It is situated at a strategic location, less than three miles from LAX, and is also closest to three main attractions, including SoFi Stadium, The Forum, Intuit Dome, and Downtown L.A. Management noted that they plan to use the airport as its operational hub for its L.A. air taxi network. Moreover, Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR) also plans to use the airport for testing its next-generation AI-powered aviation technologies. That said, a day earlier on December 8, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a Buy rating on Archer Aviation Inc (NYSE:ACHR) without disclosing any price targets. The firm noted that its optimistic outlook is based on the companys plan to launch an air taxi network in the Miami area, announced on December 3. The anticipated network will connect Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach, offering 10 to 20-minute flights. The firm believes that it will reduce congestion and improve regional mobility between the said locations. Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR) is an aerospace company engaged in the development of innovative technologies to power the future of aviation. While we acknowledge the potential of ACHR as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-13 17:00:50 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 13, 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: 2025-12-13 17:00:45 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 550 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 13, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Primo Brands Corporation ("Primo Brands" or the "Company") (NYSE:PRMB). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Primo Brands and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until January 12, 2026 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Primo Brands securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained atwww.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On June 17, 2024, Primo Water Corporation ("Primo Water") announced entry into a merger agreement (the "Merger") with an affiliate of BlueTriton Brands, Inc. ("BlueTriton"). The two companies touted the synergies of the Merger, stating that the combined company was expected to have "significant financial and operating leverage" and "enhanced distribution capabilities" which would position it "for sustained long-term growth." On November 8, 2024, the companies announced the completion of the Merger and the formation of the combined entity, Primo Brands.On August 7, 2025, Primo Brands announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2025. On an accompanying earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Robbert Rietbroek acknowledged that "[t]he speed by which we closed facilities and reduced headcount led to disruptions in product supply, delivery, and service." Following these disclosures, Primo Brands' stock price fell $2.41 per share, or 9.13%, to close at $24.00 per share on August 7, 2025.Then, on November 6, 2025, Primo Brands announced Rietbroek's departure as CEO and disclosed that the Company was drastically reducing its full year 2025 net sales and adjusted EBITDA guidance. During a corresponding earnings call, Primo Brands' new CEO Eric Foss admitted that the Company "probably moved too far too fast on some of the various integration work streams" and that "[t]here's no doubt that speed impacted our ability to get through a lot of the warehouse closures and route realignment without disruption." Foss further revealed that Primo Brands had experienced "customer service issues" as well as "integration issues related to the technology move over." On this news, Primo Brands' stock price fell $8.20 per share, or 36.19%, over the following two trading sessions, closing at $14.46 per share on November 7, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-13 00:00:18 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 12, 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: 2025-12-13 00:13:29 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1066 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION TO THE UNITED STATESVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 12, 2025 /Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. (the "Company" or "Prospect Ridge") (CSE:PRR)(OTCQB:PRRSF)(FRA:OED) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of up to $800,000 through the issue of up to 8,888,889 critical mineral flow-through units (the "Units") at a price of $0.09 per Unit.Len Brownlie, Ph.D, President and CEO of Prospect Ridge, commented: "Our multi-faceted 2025 exploration campaign was successful in identifying multiple drill targets on the Company's Excalibur, Castle and Camelot copper-gold porphyry projects. The next step towards a discovery on each of these projects will be to drill test them. While our recently completed financing added $1.6M to the treasury to fund the initial 2026 drilling program, the Company has elected, in light of further investment interest, to accept additional funds for the program at this time. The additional funds will alleviate market uncertainty and ensure that the Company is able to secure all required contractors and supplies early in 2026 - ahead of an expected shortage in the summer of 2026 - allowing management to begin drilling as soon as possible and to more fully focus on the program itself." Each Unit will consist of one flow-through common share (an "FT Share") of the Company and one-half of a warrant, with a whole warrant (a "Warrant") being exercisable to purchase one non-flow-through common share (a "Warrant Share") of the Company at a price of $0.15 for a period of two years after closing. The Warrants will be subject to accelerated expiry if the Company's common shares trade or close on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange") at $0.25 or more for ten consecutive trading days.The Company intends to use the gross proceeds from the FT Shares to incur, on its mineral projects in British Columbia, eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that will also qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "ITA"). The Company intends to allocate the funds to its 2026 drill programs at one or more of the Company's Excalibur, Castle and Camelot projects.The closing of the Offering is subject to certain closing conditions, including the receipt of all necessary approvals including Exchange acceptance. All securities issued will be subject to a statutory and/or Exchange hold period of four months plus one day from closing. The Company may pay finder fees in compliance with applicable securities laws and Exchange policies and subject to the receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals.The securities to be offered under the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.About Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. is a British Columbia-based exploration and development company focused on critical metals and gold. Led by a management and technical team with over 100 years of combined mineral exploration experience, Prospect Ridge is dedicated to advancing its portfolio of properties in the Golden Horseshoe and Cariboo regions of north-central British Columbia that have the potential to become the next large copper/gold porphyry discovery across this vastly under-explored region.Contact InformationProspect Ridge Resources Corp.Mike Iverson - Chairman, DirectorEmail: mike@ miverson.ca 24549 - 53 AvenueLangley, BC V2Z1H6604-351-3351Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.This release includes certain statements and information ("FLI") that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. FLI relates to future events or future performance and reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company's management. Anything that is not historical fact is FLI. Generally, FLI can be, without limitation, identified by the use of forward-looking wording such as "plans", " intends", "believes", "expects", "anticipates" or "estimates", and statements or phrases that certain actions, events or results " may", "might", " could", " should" or " would"occur, and similar expressions. FLI is not historical fact, is made as of the date of this news release and includes, without limitation, statements and discussions of future plans, intentions, expectations, estimates and forecasts, and statements as to management's intentions and expectations with respect to, among other things, positive exploration results at the Camelot, Holy Grail/Knauss Creek, Castle or Excalibur Projects. FLI involves numerous risks and uncertainties, and are based on assumptions, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any FLI. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the availability of financing to continue exploration activities, the availability and cost of qualified exploration personnel and service providers, and that future exploration results at the Camelot, Holy Grail/Knauss Creek, Castle or Excalibur Projects will not be as anticipated. In making any FLI in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that future exploration results at the Camelot, Holy Grail/Knauss Creek, Castle or Excalibur Projects will be as anticipated. Although management has endeavored to evaluate and use reasonable assumptions and to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in FLI, these assumptions may prove incorrect and there may be other factors that cause results not to be as intended, expected, anticipated or estimated. There can be no assurance that FLI will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed in FLI. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on F The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said it has issued permits to 28 companies to access flare gas, marking a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions and boosting energy production in the country. The Nigerian government launched the National Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme in 2016 to involve third-party investors or off-takers in harnessing gas released as a byproduct of oil production. The programme was one of the governments initiatives to drive the attainment of zero routine gas flaring by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2060 in the country. The government said 226 companies submitted bids before the project was suspended at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In October 2022, the government announced the relaunch of the programme and opened bids. In September, 2023 the commission announced successful bidders for the programme. The NUPRC said in a statement on Friday that the commission awarded the permits to the winners at the official ceremony held in Abuja. The commission said the permits, awarded under the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP), are expected to attract up to $2 billion in investments, create over 100,000 jobs, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by six million tonnes annually. The successful awardees, according to the statement, include: Ace Energy Limited; Afagaf Company Limited; AGH Lero; Almina Resources Limited; Amazon Energy Limited; AUT Energy; Beluga Asiko; Bodej Investment Limited; Cainergy Limited; Cimcmonobuo Nigeria Limited; Dawcon Consortium; Dawnwatch Limited; Fargab Limited; Folstaj International Limited; Geospectra Energy Limited; Izzi Project Limited; and MMLet Energy Limited. Others are: MSN Consortium; Newgaz Integrated Services Limited; NG Lyon Construction Limited; Oaks Cluster Energy; Seal Energy Limited; Tecnis EPS International Limited; Teobell International; Terms Energies; Zipora Gas; and Stelog Gas Company Limited. The Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, said the issuance of the Permit to Access Flare Gas (PAFG) under the 2022 NGFCP signifies the transition from legacy challenges to market-driven solutions that unlock economic opportunities, strengthen energy security, reduce emissions and improve operational efficiency across the industry. The commission is pleased to announce that 28 awardees have fully executed the required suite of commercial agreements, which include the connection agreements, milestone development agreements, and gas sales agreements; and now qualify to receive the permit to access flare gas. These entities represent a strong blend of operational capability, financial readiness, and technological competence, Mr Komolafe said. He added that the award aligns with the vision of President Bola Tinubu for the country to harness hydrocarbon resources, as reflected in the Executive Orders issued in 2024. Allow me to express deep appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. His reform-driven leadership and commitment to enabling the petroleum sector continues to shape the strategic direction of our work at NUPRC. The Presidential Executive Orders on NAG fiscal incentives and tax rebates, local content directives and cost efficiency demonstrate his emphasis on investment competitiveness for the sector, he added. He explained that the NGFCP was redesigned after the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and refined for transparency, commercial viability, and global competitiveness. From 300 initial expressions of interest, 139 applicants qualified for the RFP stage. Following a competitive and transparent evaluation process, he said 42 successful bidders were awarded 49 flare sites, an achievement widely recognised for its integrity and rigour, he said. Between 250 and 300 mmscfd of currently flared gas, according to him, will be captured and commercialised, eliminating approximately six million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. The programme is expected to attract up to US$2 billion in investment. More than 100,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created. About one hundred and seventy thousand (170,000) metric tons of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will be produced annually, enabling clean energy access for approximately 1.4 million households. And nearly 3GW (gigawatts) of power generation potential will be unlocked. To ensure disciplined execution, he said the commission will closely monitor the implementation of milestone development agreements, conduct regular performance reviews, and proactively address emerging barriers. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says it has commenced an expanded investigation into pricing templates behind high ticket rates charge by some airlines on some domestic routes. A statement issued by Ondaje Ijagwu, the Director, Corporate Affairs of the commission in Abuja on Friday, said the investigation will establish possible violations of the provisions of the law. Mr Ijagwu said that concerns had been expressed widely in the past few days over what appeared to be coordinated manipulation or exploitation in the pricing of airline tickets by some airlines on certain routes. He said the routes where concerns had been raised included the South-East and South-South, as the festive season began. According to him, the ongoing investigation targets operators on the identified routes. He said the commission would apply appropriate enforcement measures where evidence showed any violation of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA). Mr Ijagwu explained that Air Peace had instituted a court action seeking to restrain the commission from examining its pricing mechanisms, following the commencement of an investigation into its pricing model after widespread complaints from members of the public. He said the ongoing inquiry was without prejudice to the case instituted against the commission by Air Peace. The director quoted Tunji Bello, the Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, as saying the commission would not hesitate to act where evidence showed that consumers welfare or market competitiveness were being undermined. For the avoidance of doubt, we are not a price control board but the FCCPAct 2018 empowers us to check the exploitation of consumers. When we receive petitions or where we find cogent evidence, we will not stand by and watch Nigerian consumers being exploited under any guise. Given the arbitrary spike in airfares, the Commission is extending its review of pricing patterns, the basis for the increases reported by consumers, and any practices that could undermine fair competition. Where evidence confirms a breach of the Act, FCCPC will apply appropriate enforcement measures, Mr Bello said. The FCCPC boss added that the commission would continue to provide updates on the ongoing investigations in the aviation industry. (NAN) THX22 Foundation, in partnership with the Lagos Food Bank Initiative, has completed its outreach to support 200 vulnerable families in the Ebute Metta community, Lagos, with food box items as part of its corporate social responsibility programme. This initiative, an offshoot of 22Bet, a gaming company dedicated to supporting vulnerable families, distributed food box items to 200 beneficiaries within the Ebute Metta community on Friday. According to the organisers, the THX 22 Foundation initiative has carried out numerous campaigns in Oyo State and other states, partnering with various organisations to give back to the communities. Lagos food bank Speaking at the food outreach initiative on Friday, Michael Sunbola, Executive Director of the Lagos Food Bank Initiative, said the outreach is the outcome of a collaboration between his initiative and 22Bet, which is actualising its CSR objectives by feeding vulnerable families in the countrys challenging economic climate. The executive director stated that extending food outreach to other Lagos communities is part of the initiatives objectives, particularly during the Christmas period, to provide food to vulnerable families in Lagos. 22Bet decided to use the Lagos Food Bank as a vehicle to actualise their CSR objectives and to reach out to 200 families in the community in this challenging economic climate. Corporate organisations should not just be about profit; its about people. You can see the number of families present today. What we are giving them will serve a family of five for at least two weeks. It is very wrong for people to go hungry in the midst of affluence. Lagos is the commercial hub of Nigeria, yet more than 60% of people living here are multidimensionally poor, and poverty breeds hunger, Mr Sunbola said. Food Outreach The Lagos Food Bank director also explained the responsibilities of his initiative in reaching out to vulnerable families in Lagos, stating that with adequate planning, the initiative specialises in partnering with corporate organisations to reach communities on food outreach. Mr Sunbola, however, called on corporate organisations and the government to follow the lead of the gaming company in reaching out to local communities on food outreach. He added that the increasing cost of living and disposable incomes have made living difficult for many families. This is the essence of what we do at the food bank, collaborating with corporates who want to carry out their CSR objectives and need a platform to facilitate it. As we speak, we work with about 170 communities. You can see that everywhere is calm; theres no stampede because it is a process. They all have their cards. They have been pre-registered. So, the government and corporate organisations should take a cue from what 22Bet has done. Times are hard, people are hungry, and disposable income is depleting every day, Mr Sunbola added. Corporate responsibility On his part, Fikayo Ogunfuye, Country Director for 22Bet and THX22, stated that the food outreach is a response by his company to the economic hardship in the country, which coincided with the festive period. This year, because it is Christmas, we decided it was the right time to give back so that people can also celebrate. We partnered with the Lagos Food Bank, and they identified approximately 200 people who will receive food items today. This is to appreciate communities in the state where we operate, Mr Ogunfuye said. Regarding the companys choice of location for the food outreach, the 22Bet country director stated that the Ebute Metta community was selected to support vulnerable families, who are highly concentrated in the region. He added that 22Bet plans to reach out to more than 5,000 families in the future with the foodbox. We selected this location because they need help. We know this community has many underprivileged people, including retirees, widows, and widowers. Two hundred boxes are not enough. We are already considering doing 1,000 or 5,000 boxes next time. I can say that each box is worth over N200,000. We have been able to include a lot of foodstuffs that we believe will go a long way for each family. That is the essence of what we are doing, supporting people and making sure they have something meaningful to take home during this festive season, Mr Ogunfuye added. Beneficiaries One of the beneficiaries, Hadijat Salawu, acknowledged the acceptance of the food packages, lauding the initiatives efforts and calling on governments to take adequate measures to address the countrys economic hardship. We appreciate these initiatives. We will keep it for Christmas so we can see what food to eat. The government should know that we are suffering. The government is making life difficult for us. We buy things that used to cost N100 for N1,500, Ms Salawu said. Olubunmi Williams, a widow, also lamented the decline in living standards of the people, saying that the governments demolition of houses around the Ebutemeta community also made life more unbearable. We came to collect food because we know that these initiatives have tried for us. But the government is starving us. They are making life hard for us. I am a widow. I dont have work. Since they demolished my house, I have not been able to work, Ms Williams said. Nigerian businessman and founder of the Dangote Group and Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote, has revealed the pivotal role played by the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in facilitating the establishment of his factories. In a viral video posted on The Cable newspapers X page on Friday, the 68-year-old spoke at the launch of his Foundations N100 billion Annual Education Support Fund. Mr Dangote recounted that although he acquired land for his factories, construction workers were unable to commence work because the site housed more than 19 shrines. He disclosed that construction only became possible after the Ooni of Ife intervened and ensured the removal of the shrines from the project site. Highlighting the traditional rulers support for industrial development, Mr Dangote said: I think I must thank the Ooni of Ife for making us able to go in and build our factories. What happened was that when we arrived, there were over 19 shrines at the site. Nobody was able to even go near them to do anything. Ooni only went there; he went there personally. He stood right there and said, Remove all of them, anything that they wanted, let the gods come and talk to you. He did that one day. The business mogul expressed gratitude to Mr Ogunwusi for the gesture, noting that the factories would not have become a reality without his support. Your Royal Majesty, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, because without the simpler acts of yours, I dont think we would have actually been able to do this and its not a coincidence. So thank you very much. N100bn annual education support fund Mr Dangote unveiled a N100 billion annual education support programme aimed at strengthening Nigerias education sector and expanding access to quality learning for young people across the country. The initiative, which is projected to cost N1 trillion over the next ten years, will provide support to students at multiple levels through a range of targeted schemes. He said the foundations N100 billion yearly education intervention would deepen educational development nationwide and widen access to quality learning. He assured that all beneficiaries would be selected through a transparent, merit-based process. Mr Dangote also announced partnerships with the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the National Examinations Council (NECO), the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), and other government agencies to ensure accountability and fairness in the programmes implementation. The businessman revealed that he had committed 25 per cent of his personal wealth to the Foundation, a pledge that would extend beyond his lifetime. Also at the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima flagged off the Aliko Dangote Foundation Education Scholarship Initiative and called on stakeholders to recommit to building a future in which every Nigerian child could become the best version of themselves. He praised Mr Dangotes philanthropic stride, describing education as a responsibility borne by those who understand its power to transform society. Now is the time to recommit to building a future in which every Nigerian child has a fair shot at becoming the best version of themselves. Let us live our lives so that posterity will remember us not for the offices we held or the titles we bore. Posterity must remember us for the doors we opened and the lives we transformed, he stated. The 8 November 2025 Anambra Governorship Election has come and gone, but not without the shock that trailed the abysmal performance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the poll. The off-cycle governorship election saw the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Charles Soludo, emerging as the winner. Mr Soludo, who sought reelection, was first elected as Anambra governor on 6 November 2021 and sworn in on 17 March 2022. His first four-year tenure as governor will end in March 2026. The independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said Mr Soludo scored 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APC who polled 99,445 votes. The Young Progressives Party candidate, Paul Chukwuma, came third with 37,753 votes while his counterpart from the Labour Party (LP), George Moghalu, came fourth, with 10,576 votes. The PDP candidate, Jude Ezenwafor, garnered only 1401 votes, and came sixth in the election. Although the PDP candidate was not expected to win the poll which was forecasted to be a two-horse race between Messrs Soludo and Ukachukwu, the PDP and its flagbearers performance in the poll was a shock to many. PDPs prolonged, and declining popularity in South-east Until recently, the PDP had enjoyed over 23-year-old dominance in the South-east. The region has a history of near complete loyalty to the PDP since 1999 when the party produced all governors in the five states in the region, including Enugu (Chimaroke Nnamani), Abia (Orji Kalu), Anambra (Chinwoke Mbadinuju), Ebonyi (Sam Egwu) and Imo (Achike Udenwa). However, Anambra was the first state in the South-east that the PDP lost when Chris Ngige, the partys candidate and then-winner of the 2003 governorship election in the state, had his election voided by an election tribunal in 2005. Mr Ngige, who governed for nearly three years, left office in March 2006 after an appeal court upheld his removal and then declared Peter Obi of the APGA as the winner of the election. APGA has maintained uninterrupted dominance in the state from 2006 to date. The PDP lost another state in the South-east in 2020 when Dave Umahi, then governor of Ebonyi State, defected to the APC from the PDP under which he won an election in 2015 and a reelection in 2019. Mr Umahi blamed PDPs alleged ill-treatment of the South-east for his defection. The PDPs grip on the South-east continued to grow weak in January of the same year 2020 when, after the Supreme Court nullified the election of its candidate and then governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, and declared APCs Hope Uzodimma, who came fourth, as the winner in the 2019 governorship poll in the state. Similarly, the LP ended PDPs nearly 24-year-old dominance in Abia in 2023 when its candidate, Alex Otti, won the governorship election of that year. The PDP completely lost its earlier grip of the South-east in October this year when Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah defected from the party to the APC following intense disagreement between the South-east PDP and the national leadership of the party. Mr Mbah joined the APC alongside several other former PDP members in the region. But despite its declining popularity in the South-east, the PDP is still believed to be enjoying a considerable level of acceptance and support in the region. Analysts, however, argue that the PDPs poor showing the in the 8 November governorship election in Anambra was due to several factors, including the unpopularity of the candidate and the intense crises within the party which culminated in the suspension of its governorship candidate, Mr Ezenwafor, days after the poll. How has PDP fared in Anambra governorship elections since 1999? As earlier stated, the PDP won the 1999 Governorship Election in Anambra State, with the partys then-candidate, Chinwoke Mbadinuju, scoring 879,690 votes to defeat his closest challenger and candidate of the now-defunct All Peoples Party, ABS Nwosu, who polled 141,326 votes. The PDP appeared to have repeated the feat in the 19 April 2003 election when its candidate, Chris Ngige, was declared the winner of the poll, with 452,820 votes. INEC had also declared Peter Obi as the runner-up in the election, with 279,647 votes. Mr Ngige was, however, sacked by the Anambra Governorship Election Tribunal on 5 August 2005, which declared APGAs Mr Obi as the winner of the election. The tribunal delivered the ruling after evidence showed Mr Obi had won the majority of votes cast during the exercise. Mr Obi was sworn into office as governor after an appeal court upheld Mr Ngiges removal in March 2006. In the 2010 Anambra governorship election, the PDP claimed the third position with 59,355 votes scored by its candidate, Charles Soludo, who is now the governor under APGA. In the election, Mr Obi, then-incumbent governor and APGA candidate, won the poll with 97,833 votes while the candidate of the now-defunct Action Congress, Mr Ngige, scored 60,240 votes to emerge second. During the 2013 governorship election, the PDP performed better, with its candidate, Tony Nwoye, scoring 97,700 votes to come second. APGA candidate Willie Obiano won the poll with 180,178 votes. The PDP again secured third position in the 2017 Anambra governorship election, with its candidate, Oseloka Obaze, garnering 70,293 votes. APGAs Mr Obiano emerged winner with 234,071 votes while his APC challenger, Mr Nwoye, came second with 98,752 votes. In the 2021 Anambra governorship election, the PDP returned to second position with its candidate, Valentine Ozigbo, scoring 53, 807 votes. The eventual winner and APGA candidate, Mr Soludo, polled 112,229 votes. The review above shows that the PDP has never, until recently, taken any position outside third place in any governorship election in Anambra since the return of democratic rule in 1999. This, therefore, means that the PDPs performance in the 2025 governorship election in Anambra sixth place is the worst so far in the partys history in the state. PDPs abysmal performance in Anambra poll: The significance and implications The PDPs worst-ever performance in the 8 November 2025 Anambra governorship election, analysts say, is a reminder that the party has completely lost its grip on the South-east. One analyst, Emeka Umeagbalisi, believes that the PDPs poor performance is another evidence that the PDP is dying especially in the South-east. Mr Umeagbalisi, the founder and board chairperson of International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, told PREMIUM TIMES that the PDPs abysmal outing in the Anambra poll was disappointing, but not surprising to him. He argued that the election result showed that the PDP is no longer a viable opposition party because of crises ravaging the party which he suggested might have been masterminded by politicians from other political parties in Nigeria. The analyst, however, pointed out that, apart from the South-easts declining loyalty to the PDP, the partys poor performance in the poll was aided by its candidates failure to embark on a vibrant campaign before the exercise. How many wards and polling units in Anambra were he (Ezenwafor) able to cover? Ahead of the poll, did you see a semblance of the PDP campaign in Anambra? So the PDP was not on ground, he said. The United Nations General Assembly has voted to endorse findings by the International Court of Justice that allegations of Hamas infiltration of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWA, are not substantiated. The UN also backed the ICJs declaration, which claims that questioning UNRWAs neutrality lacks evidence. The UN member states voted overwhelmingly on Friday in support of this resolution, which was tabled in Norway. The resolution is also demanding that Israel stop restricting humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, stop attacking UN facilities, and comply with international law in line with its obligations as an occupying power. The resolution also calls on Israel to lift restrictions on humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, to cease attacks on UN facilities, and to comply with international law, in line with its obligations as an occupying power. Al Jazeera reported that 139 countries voted in support of this resolution. Only 12 voted against, including Israel and the US. 19 countries abstained. PREMIUM TIMES reports that Nigeria is one of the 139 countries that voted in support of the resolution. The UN General Assemblys vote followed the ICJ ruling in October that Israel has failed to provide evidence that the agency worked for Hamas. The court finds that Israel has not substantiated its allegations that a significant part of UNRWAs employees are members of Hamas or other terrorist factions, said ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa. The UN court also declared that Israel has an obligation to ensure the basic needs of the population in Gaza are met. In a statement made following the vote, the UNRWA commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, described the UN verdict as a strong endorsement of the agencys neutrality. This vote is an important sign of support for UNRWA from the overwhelming majority of the international community, he said in a post on X on Friday. Mr Lazzarini said the ICJ had made clear that everything possible must be done to facilitate UNRWAs humanitarian operations, rather than hinder or obstruct them. UNRWA is the key humanitarian actor in the occupied Palestinian territory, & everything must be done to facilitate our work, not hinder or prevent it, he wrote. He urged UN Member States to continue supporting the agencys work in Gaza, where humanitarian conditions have deteriorated sharply amid ongoing hostilities. I urge member states to continue supporting our efforts to respond to the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza & expand our critical public health and education services, he added. Israels attack on the UNRWA UNRWA is the biggest UN agency operating in Gaza. It employs some 13,000 people there and is key to humanitarian efforts for thousands of Palestinians. The vote signals broad political support for UNRWA among UN Member States, amid sustained scrutiny of the agencys operations during the war in Gaza. Israel has long accused UNRWA of lacking neutrality and of being infiltrated by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups. The agency has, however, repeatedly denied, saying it operates under strict UN rules. Last year, Israel banned the agency from operating within Israel and occupied East Jerusalem. It also prohibited interaction between UNRWA employees and Israeli officials, impeding the agencys ability to operate in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Almost all of Gazas population of more than two million people are dependent on aid and services from the agency. On Monday, Israeli forces raided the agency headquarters in East Jerusalem, seized items and replaced the UN flag with Israels flag. Reacting to the UN vote, Israels ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, insisted that the UNRWA was a hotbed for terrorism. Mr Damon accused the assembly of passing a resolution that compels Israel to cooperate with terrorism. That will not happen, he wrote in a post on X. We will not forget the crimes against humanity committed by UNRWA workers on October 7th. We will not forget that an UNRWA social worker kidnapped Yonatan Sameranos lifeless body to Gaza. For the sake of peace in the world, UNRWA must go, he added. Aircraft developer Archer Aviation (ACHR) recently signed an agreement with Saudi Arabias General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to accelerate the deployment of air taxis in the country. This development aims to establish a regulatory framework to enable the introduction and scale-up of air taxi deployment. This may also be a step toward commercializing the service in the U.S., as the framework is expected to align with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. More News from Barchart So, should you consider buying the stock now? About Archer Aviation Stock Archer Aviation creates electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for fast air taxi services in busy cities. These planes help people skip traffic by flying short trips, such as to airports or across town. The company's primary focus is its Midnight model, which seats a pilot and four passengers and flies at speeds up to 150 mph. It also builds strategic partnerships with airlines, automakers, and government agencies to support deployment, infrastructure, and fleet operations. Headquartered in San Jose, California, Archer Aviation has a market capitalization of $5.45 billion. Investor concerns about execution risks, given the companys pre-revenue status, have led to a volatile stock price trajectory. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has gained 15.76%. However, over the past six months, it has dropped by 29.7%. Archer Aviation shares had reached a 52-week high of $14.62 in October, but are down 41.5% from that level. www.barchart.com Archer Aviations stock is trading close to a reasonable valuation. Its price-to-book ratio of 3.30x compares to the industry average of 3.18x. Archer Aviations Latest Strategic Developments During the third quarter, the company pursued several strategic initiatives to advance its goal of creating a sustainable air-taxi network. In October, Archer Aviation won a bid to acquire Liliums (LILMF) GmbHs portfolio, with about 300 advanced air mobility patent assets. Lilium has spent over $1.50 billion developing enabling technologies for eVTOL, which are expected to bolster Archer Aviations portfolio. Also, the company partnered with Korean Air to commercialize the Midnight eVTOL aircraft in Korea. As part of the agreement, Korean Air plans to purchase up to 100 Midnight aircraft. Additionally, Archer Aircraft became part of phase one of Tokyos eVTOL Implementation Project last month. At just 17 years old in 2018, Sheituna Saani, from Kwaranyi in Niger State, was forced out of school and married off by her parents. Like many girls in her community, marriage came with early pregnancy. In her village, childbirth is handled almost entirely by traditional birth attendants because the nearest hospital is nearly 50 minutes away from where they call home. Although her first two deliveries were far from easy, the fourth pregnancy turned her life into chaos. Mrs Saani experienced excruciating labour for three days under the care of the local birth attendant, unaware that her baby was trapped in her birth canal. When she eventually lost consciousness, she was rushed to the Kontagora General Hospital, where she woke to the devastating news that her baby had died due to the prolonged labour. While she mourned her loss, she realised she could no longer control her urine. A doctor later confirmed that she had developed an obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury that causes uncontrollable leakage. A cure out of reach When they told me about the sickness, I cried and prayed that Allah (God) should just take my life, Mrs Saani said. The doctor advised my husband and me that I just need good care and told us that I could find a cure, but we later found out it takes a huge amount of money to perform the surgery after they referred me to a hospital in Kaduna. Desperate for relief, she turned to local herbs, but instead of improving, her condition worsened. The constant leakage eventually caused peripheral nerve damage in her legs, which made mobility difficult for her. The physical pain, constant humiliation, and social rejection shattered her confidence and plunged her into deep poverty, shame, and isolation. Her husband later returned her to her parents house and barely visited before ultimately divorcing her. I lost everything. My husband left me, too. He sent his friend to inform me that he was no longer interested in our marriage. Everyone, including our neighbours, started avoiding me, she recounted. They always make me feel unfit to live around them. If they are in a group and see me approaching, they will depart to avoid meeting with me. They often call me a smelly woman. The same tragedy Mrs Saani is not alone. In 2021, Zainab Shefiu, now 25, had prepared to welcome her first child joyfully. But like many rural communities in Niger state, hers lacked a functional health centre. When I started labour, my husband went to call a nurse from a nearby village to help me with the delivery. I couldnt deliver until after many hours, and they told me that my twin babies had died, she recalled. Later, I noticed Im leaking urine and faeces. That was how the trouble started. The prolonged labour had left Mrs Shefiu with both vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) uncontrolled urine leakage and rectovaginal fistula (RVF) (faecal leakage). She noticed people around her started treating her with disdain because of her condition. She had solely depended on her husband for livelihood, but since her husband was gone, her parents were left to piece together a life once held up by his support. Everyone, including our neighbours, started avoiding me. I became like a baby who cant control her urine and faeces. I always felt ashamed of myself because I couldnt hold my body, and everywhere I stayed would become stinky, she said. When they started mistreating me and laughing at me, I stopped going out. Only a few of my family are helping and supporting me with care and money for my drugs. Obstetric fistula Obstetric fistula is one of the devastating childbirth injuries, particularly affecting women and girls in communities with limited access to timely medical care. It develops when prolonged or obstructed labour, often lasting many hours or even days, creates an abnormal opening between the birth canal and nearby organs, leaving women unable to control the passage of urine, faeces, or sometimes both. Experts say similar cases could arise due to other gynaecologic or obstetric surgery, such as complicated delivery or injury during a Caesarean section. While the condition is preventable and curable, it remains tragically common in Nigeria, where early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and long delays in reaching health facilities put young mothers at high risk. Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is a type of fistula that occurs when a hole forms between the bladder and the vagina, causing uncontrollable urine leakage; while rectovaginal fistula (RVF) develops between the rectum and the vagina, leading to stool leakage. In some cases, women like Ms Shefiu experience both conditions, especially after significantly prolonged labour. According to the United Nations (Nigeria), over two million women worldwide are estimated to be living with untreated fistula and up to 100,000 new cases are recorded each year. Meanwhile, 40 per cent of global fistula cases occur in Nigeria, with 13,000 new cases added annually, underscoring the countrys poor maternal and neonatal healthcare system. Additional data revealed that fistula accounts for up to six per cent of all maternal deaths globally, and 90 per cent of women who develop fistula lose their baby to stillbirth or the baby dies within the first 24 hours. In Nigeria, one in 13 women dies during pregnancy or childbirth, and the stillbirth rate is 42.9 per 1,000 births, the highest in Africa and second highest worldwide. In her message to commemorate the 2025 International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, the Executive Director of UN Women, Sima Bahous, said womens bodies become battlegrounds not only through sexual violence but through the deliberate denial of reproductive rights and health services. Ms Bahous painted a grim picture of what people living with obstetric fistula go through, especially the complications that it causes during childbirth. Five days that is how long it took Dah, a 14-year-old prospective mother from Cote dIvoire, to give birth. The child was stillborn, and she developed an obstetric fistula, she said. 16 years that is how long Dah had to live with the agonising condition, undergoing eight different surgical procedures before finally getting the fistula repaired. More than just a health issue While Mrs Saani and Mrs Shefius experiences are heartbreaking, many other women are suffering the same fate. Clementina John, 21, who lives in Zayba, near the Niger-Kebbi border, gave birth to her baby at a community-built health centre. Her delivery went well, but almost a week later, she noticed she was leaking urine. She was diagnosed with an obstetric fistula and had to relocate to Kwankoso to live with a relative who could care for her. We have a health centre, but it is not adequate; that is where we used to deliver, but mine is just Gods destiny. I had to go live with my uncle in another community for proper care because my husband works as a gateman in the town; he only returns home every two days, Mrs John said. More contributing factors, rising cases Experts have noted that other factors, including social-cultural beliefs and practices like child marriage, Cephalo-pelvic disproportion (CPD) due to malnutrition, and female genital mutilation (FGM), which accounted for 15 per cent of cases of VVF in some areas of Africa, contributed to the rising cases of fistula. In Nigeria, despite the Child Rights Act (2003) prohibiting child marriage, the practice remains prevalent. About 30 per cent of the girls are married before the age of 18, one of the highest child bride rates in the world. This amounts to nearly 20 million girls entering unions, many of whom become mothers while still physically immature. However, early pregnancy significantly increases the risk of complications such as obstructed labour and fistula. The highest rates of young motherhood are found in the Nigerian northwestern and northeastern regions, where marriages are often arranged by fathers and timed according to tradition. Also, chronic malnutrition, especially during adolescence, can stunt pelvic growth, leaving young women with underdeveloped pelvises that are too narrow for childbirth, significantly increasing the risk of obstructed labour. In Nigeria, seven per cent of women of reproductive age suffer from acute malnutrition. Global data confirm that malnutrition and stunted growth are recognised as risk factors for obstructed labour and fistula. Suleiman Taofeeq, an obstetrician and medical director of Rise Foundations Womens Health Centre in Kontagora, said there are other, less common types of fistula that can result from severe trauma, reproductive surgeries, or radiation therapy. But majorly, the injury is a consequence of neglected prolonged labour and babies from such labour are often stillborn or die in the first few hours or days after birth, he said. Prevention rather than treatment A Call for urgent action In 2019, the Nigerian government launched a National Strategic Plan to eliminate obstetric fistula in the country by 2023, with a focus on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. However, implementation faced setbacks due to poor funding, limited awareness, and slow state-level adoption, which worsened the countrys fistula cases. Also, in 2024, the government introduced the Fistula Free Programme through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), offering free surgical repairs and support to affected women. This initiative builds on the 2019 framework and represents a renewed commitment to tackling the backlog of cases and expanding access to care for the victims. It also expanded health insurance coverage for the treatment of obstetric fistula. The initiative currently has 18 health facilities across the geo-political zones treating affected women, and has successfully treated 1,629 women with fistula as of January, according to the Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Services, Muhammad Pate. Mr Pate added that 15 specialist surgeons are undergoing training through the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) across the three levels of expertise required. He thanked the national Non-Governmental Ormganisations like Raised Foundation, Bashir Foundation for Fistula and Womens Health (BFFWH), Fistula Foundation Nigeria, and international partners like the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) that have been supporting affected women with surgical repairs and livelihood opportunities to reintegrate them back to the communities that once rejected them. The backlog remains massive Despite these efforts, the scale of Nigerias fistula burden far exceeds available resources. Over 100,000 women are still awaiting treatment, with roughly 13,000 new cases occurring each year. To effectively tackle this backlog and prevent future cases, experts say Nigeria must strengthen its maternal healthcare system, especially in underserved and rural areas, where delays in emergency care and skilled birth attendance continue to fuel new cases. Akinde Joseph, a Lagos-based gynaecologist and obstetrician, explained that eliminating obstetric fistula requires a holistic overhaul of the maternal health system and the implementation of child marriage rights. Mr Joseph noted that Most fistula cases are rooted in weak primary healthcare, delays in accessing emergency obstetric care, and a shortage of skilled birth attendants in rural communities. So, we cant keep repairing what the system keeps breaking. He, however, called for investments in antenatal care, rural health infrastructure, referral systems, and nutrition for adolescent girls. Without addressing these underlying causes, the backlog of fistula cases will persist no matter how many repair campaigns are launched, Mr Joseph said. He stated that young women, particularly those married off in their teenage years, are especially vulnerable to this condition because their birth canals are not fully matured before their first pregnancy. For women like Mrs Saani, Mrs Shefiu, and others across rural Niger State, obstetric fistula is not just a medical condition; it is a life-altering crisis that steals dignity, disrupts families, and pushes survivors into social isolation. Their suffering highlights the gaps in Nigerias maternal healthcare system, delayed access to obstetric care, under-resourced health facilities, a shortage of skilled birth attendants, and deeply entrenched social practices such as child marriage. This reporting was completed with the support of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID). The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dissolved its state executives in Enugu, Delta, and Rivers states, and replaced them with caretaker committees, following the defection of the governors of the affected states from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The National Working Committee (NWC) announced the decision on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC), citing Section 29(2)(b) of the PDP Constitution (2025 as amended). In a statement posted on Facebook on Friday, the National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Shan, said the committees will serve for no more than 90 days. Steve Oruruo will head the PDP caretaker committee in Enugu, Sylvester Monye for Delta, and Nname Ewor for Rivers. The Committees are charged with the responsibility of running the affairs of the Party in their various States, Mr Shan said, stressing they must act in line with the PDP Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the Nigerian Constitution. He congratulated the appointees and urged them to uphold discipline and order in their assignments. Rivers case The PDP decision on Rivers came a few days after Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers defected to the APC, a move that has created a leadership vacuum in the party. Governor Fubaras departure from the PDP follows months of political tension between him and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the FCT minister. Their riftmarked by legal disputes, a split of the state legislature into two factions and violent confrontationscrippled governance in the state and destabilised the PDPs local machinery. Broader shake-up in PDP The governors of Enugu and Delta had earlier defected from the PDP to the APC, deepening fears about the partys shrinking influence nationwide. The NWCs latest move is seen as an attempt to restructure the PDPs presence in the affected states and prevent further erosion of support. The committees are expected to reconcile warring factions, rebuild local structures, and prepare for congresses that will elect new executives. Despite the crisis, the PDP insists it remains committed to internal reform and strategic rebuilding ahead of the 2027 general elections. The seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) concluded today with Member States delivering 11 resolutions, three decisions and a Ministerial Declaration aiming to advance solutions for a more resilient planet. More than 6,000 people representing186 countries registered for the week-long Assembly held at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, focused on advancing solutions to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature, biodiversity loss and land degradation, and pollution and waste. The UNEA-7 resolutions move forward the work of Member States on safeguarding coral reefs, on the sound management of the minerals and metals essential to the energy transition, on the sound management of chemicals and waste, on the sustainable use of Artificial Intelligence, and on finding sustainable solutions through sport. Other resolutions adopted focus on international cooperation to combat wildfires, strengthening work on the environmental dimension of antimicrobial resistance, protecting glaciers, and addressing sargassum seaweed blooms and more. What has been achieved here proves that this bridge is indeed capable of carrying the worlds ambitions towards a better future, said H.E. Abdullah bin Ali Al-Amri, President of Omans Environment Authority and President of UNEA-7. The conclusion of this session doesnt mean the end of our mission. The measure of our success will not be limited to what weve adopted on paper, no matter how important and strategic, but by what we will see on the ground in terms of cleaner air, cleaner water, restored ecosystems, sustainable ecosystems, green job opportunities and more resilient societies capable of facing the challenges of the future, he added. The UNEA-7 Ministerial Declaration commits to bold actions that drive sustainable solutions, to implementing obligations under multilateral environmental agreements and frameworks, and to advancing equitable and inclusive participation in all efforts. The Assembly also approved UNEPs Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) for the next four years, and the associated Programme of Work for the next two years. In her UNEA-7 closing remarks, Inger Andersen, UNEPs Executive Director, called on Member States to make their full contributions so that UNEP can deliver results and impact. You will now return to the world outside the negotiation halls. A world in which let us not forget amid our euphoria people are dying, homes and livelihoods are being destroyed, economies are being damaged, and inequity is growing because action on environmental challenges has not been fast or strong enough, Ms. Andersen said. Yes, you have brightened the beacon and better lit the path forward. But we must now, together, hurry down this path to make good on our collective promise to deliver real solutions for a resilient planet and resilient people. UNEA-7 held the second Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) Day, dedicated to the international agreements addressing the most pressing environmental issues of global or regional concern, which are critical instruments of international environmental governance and international environmental law. The seventh edition of the Global Environment Outlook was also released at UNEA-7; the report is the most comprehensive assessment of the global environment ever undertaken. The assessment found that investing in a stable climate, healthy nature and land, and a pollution-free planet can deliver trillions in additional global GDP, avoid millions of deaths and lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and hunger. The Assembly was preceded by a Youth Environment Assembly bringing together more than 1,000 young delegates to advocate for the inclusion, empowerment, and meaningful participation of young people in global environmental governance and by a Cities and Regions Summit that highlighted the critical role of local and regional governments in delivering integrated solutions and driving transformative environmental change from the ground up. At the 21st Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum, members of civil society exchanged perspectives on addressing significant environmental issues among themselves, with representatives from Member States, and with UNEP. The 2025 UN Champions of the Earth, this year awarded to five individuals for their exceptional work on climate change, and the latest UN World Restoration Flagships, were both celebrated at a Gala of Hope. A host of UNEPs Goodwill Ambassadors joined UNEA-7 to reinforce messages on solutions to some of the worlds most pressing issues UNEPs Patron of the Oceans and endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh climbed Mount Kenya, which holds one of the last three glacier sites in Africa and is expected to lose all of its ice within the next five years, while Tanzanian hip hop artist Frida Amani, UNEPs Advocate for Ecosystem Restoration performed a new song, Resilience, at the High-Level Segment alongside the Kenya Boys Choir. UNEA-7 also elected a new President to preside over UNEA-8: H.E. Matthew Samuda, Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change. Our voices carry the weight of communities on the frontlines of climate impactscommunities that cannot afford delay and do not have the luxury of indifference, H.E. Samuda said. As President, I pledge to foster an Assembly marked by inclusivity, transparency, and practical action. We must work to strengthen the science-policy interface, scale up financing for adaptation and resilience, and accelerate the transition to sustainable production and consumption systems. And, we must do so while ensuring that no statelarge or smallfeels excluded from the solutions we craft. Member states set the date for the next UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-8) as 6-10 December 2027 at the UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi. About the UN Environment Programme UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. About the UN Environment Assembly The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is the worlds highest-level decision-making body for matters related to the environment, with a universal membership of all 193 Member States. It sets the global environmental agenda, provides overarching policy guidance, and defines policy responses to address emerging environmental challenges. It undertakes policy review, dialogue and the exchange of experiences, sets the strategic guidance on the future direction of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and fosters partnerships for achieving environmental goals and resource mobilization. The Lagos State Police Command has denied reports that armed hoodlums invaded Ajebo community near Agbowa in the Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, saying the incident was a land dispute between two families. In a statement posted on X on Saturday, the police spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said preliminary investigations showed that the disturbance, which occurred earlier in the week, was not an armed attack on the community. She said the incident followed a disagreement over land ownership between two families in Ajebo community, leading to chaos and confusion on Monday and Tuesday. According to the statement, joint police teams, comprising tactical squads, Police Mobile Force personnel, anti-riot officers, and conventional police officers from the Agbowa Division, Area N Command, and the Lagos State Police Command headquarters, were immediately deployed after the report was received. The police promptly restored normalcy, and residents continued with their lawful activities, Ms Adebisi said. She added that no life was lost and no injuries were recorded during the clashes, contrary to claims circulating in the media. The police also dismissed reports that firearms were discharged or that armed groups invaded the community. There was no firing of any firearm, no death or injury, and no invasion of the community by any armed group, the statement said. Ms Adebisi said the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, ordered an immediate investigation into the incident, adding that the leaders of the two families involved in the dispute had been identified and invited to report to the command for questioning. She said the parties had been warned to remain peaceful, noting that the police would not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law against anyone found disturbing public order. The police spokesperson cautioned members of the public against spreading misinformation and urged the media to avoid reports capable of causing fear and panic. She reassured residents of Ajebo Community and Lagos State of the commands commitment to maintaining peace and security. Background New Telegraph reported on Friday that the Ajebo community was attacked by hoodlums who allegedly destroyed properties worth millions of naira and forced residents to flee their homes. The report quoted the Baale-elect of the community, Ogunlaru Jamiu, as saying that about 200 armed men invaded the area, fired gunshots, looted homes, and injured residents. The newspaper also cited a police source at Area N Command, Ijede, as confirming the alleged attack. Bola Oyebamiji, a former managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, has secured the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Osun State governorship election scheduled for 8 August 2026. Mr Oyebamiji emerged on Saturday as the partys flagbearer through affirmation at the APC governorship primary held at Imperial Hall, Ebunoluwa International School, Osogbo. The primary was attended by 1,660 delegates drawn from the 332 wards in the state, with five delegates representing each ward, according to the chairman of the APC Primary Election Committee, Monday Okpebholo, who is also the governor of Edo State. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the proceedings at the venue took a decisive turn when Kunle Adegoke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and one of the aspirants earlier disqualified from the race, moved a motion for Mr Oyebamiji to be adopted as the partys consensus candidate. Babajide Omoworare, a former senator and governorship aspirant, seconded the motion. Mr Okpebholo subsequently subjected the proposal to a voice vote, which received unanimous approval from delegates present. By the powers conferred on me, I hereby present Bola Oyebamiji as the governorship candidate of our party, Mr Okpebholo announced. Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission monitored the exercise. In his acceptance speech, Mr Oyebamiji thanked party leaders, fellow aspirants and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to lead a united APC into the governorship election. Mr Okpebholo, while addressing party members, described the election as critical for the APC in Osun State and expressed confidence in the partys chances. He said the choice of Mr Oyebamiji signalled the partys readiness to reclaim the state. We are tired of dancing, dancing, dancing. We are going to win. I have never lost any election. This is a must-win election for us in Osun. This is the man (Oyebamiji) who will bring development to your state, The Guardian quoted him as saying. The emergence of a consensus candidate followed days of consultations within the party. Ahead of the primary, there were strong indications that all seven APC aspirants had agreed to step down for a single candidate after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja. A former APC National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore, had also publicly endorsed the consensus arrangement, saying he accepted the partys decision after consultations with the president, despite being among those disqualified by the partys screening committee. Mr Oyebamijis emergence sets the stage for the APCs campaign ahead of the 2026 governorship contest One of Nigerias largest conglomerates, BUA Group, on Saturday, rewarded 1,768 of its staff with a whopping N30 billion, in recognition of their years of excellence, dedication and loyalty. The surprising BUA Group awards were presented to the staff members during the Night of Excellence, Long Service Awards in Lagos. Among the highest recipients, five staff members were presented with N1 billion each. Kabiru Rabiu, Non-Executive Director at BUA Foods Plc and BUA Cement Plc, and Group Executive Director at BUA Group, received over N1 billion. Also, three staff members were given N500 million each. While seven staff members received N250 million each, nine got N200 million each, and 16 were awarded N100 million each. The total awards presented to top employees of BUA Group stood at N13 billion, while the remaining N17 billion will be distributed to other staff across the companys offices nationwide. Speaking at the event, the founder and chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, said the ceremony was organised to recognise loyalty and long-term commitment among staff. Today is a very special occasion for me. We are celebrating good service, loyalty, commitment, resilience and the extraordinary power of faith, Mr Rabiu said. BUA Groups growth driven by staff dedication He said the companys growth was driven by employees dedication, noting that some awardees had been with the organisation even before it was formally established 37 years ago. You were with us when all we had was determination, faith and the belief that we could build something meaningful for Nigeria and for Africa, he said. Mr Rabiu said BUA Foods Plc is currently the largest company by market capitalisation on the Nigerian Exchange, adding that the groups subsidiaries collectively contribute trillions of naira in market value. This is not an achievement of one man or capital alone. It is your loyalty and dedication that built this company, he said. He said 510 staff members were being honoured for serving the company for periods ranging from five to 40 years, adding that the cash awards were a symbol of appreciation rather than compensation for sacrifice. This is simply to say: we see it, we value it and we appreciate it, Mr Rabiu said. assured staff that as the company expands its operations and invests in new plants and technologies, employees would benefit from its growth. Mr Rabiu presented the cash awards to members of the top management staff. One of the N1 billion award recipients, Debo Agbonyin, executive director for trade finance and logistics, who joined the organisation in 1988, was visibly overwhelmed and could not deliver an acceptance speech when invited to speak on behalf of the awardees. Dignitaries at the event included the chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; the Editor-in-Chief of PREMIUM TIMES, Musikilu Mojeed; the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun; and the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, among others. BUA Group was founded in 1988 by Mr Rabiu and has grown into one of Nigerias largest conglomerates, with interests spanning cement production, food processing, sugar refining and real estate development. One of the groups subsidiaries, BUA Foods Plc, is currently the largest company by market capitalisation on the Nigerian Exchange. BUA Group has a history of rewarding long-serving staff, with the chairman frequently emphasising loyalty, faith and long-term commitment as core corporate values. The award ceremony comes amid increased public scrutiny of corporate governance and employee welfare in Nigeria, as inflation and rising living costs continue to affect workers nationwide. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied claims by a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, that it revoked his bail because he attended a political gathering in Kebbi State. In a statement on Saturday, the commissions spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, described the claim as patently false, saying the anti-graft agency was compelled to respond to what it called misleading allegations about its operations. Mr Oyewale said that Mr Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was granted administrative bail on 28 November after a brief interrogation, pending the conclusion of investigations and possible arraignment. Administrative bail is a discretionary temporary reprieve that allows a suspect to be released on stated conditions pending the conclusion of investigation and arraignment in court, he said. According to the EFCC, the former minister was granted provisional bail subject to five conditions, none of which he had fulfilled as of the time he was re-invited. Mr Oyewale said Mr Malami was expected to return for further interrogation on 1 December but later requested a deferment on health grounds through a letter dated 4 December. The commission compassionately granted his plea even while his bail conditions had not been met, he said. However, the EFCC said Mr Malami neither submitted a medical report nor provided any credible evidence to support his claim of ill-health. The spokesperson said the commission subsequently invited Mr Malami again on 8 December for further interrogation and detained him after he failed to meet the outstanding bail conditions. The former minister has since remained in custody. The EFCC cannot allow the latitude granted the former minister on health grounds to stand in the way of investigations, Mr Oyewale said. He described Mr Malamis claim that his bail was revoked as untenable, adding that it was wrong to suggest that the commission restricted him from granting media interviews or participating in political activities. The EFCC has no interest in the political affiliation of its suspects and is strictly apolitical, Mr Oyewale said. He cited the recent arraignment of a former governor and senior member of the ruling party over alleged contract fraud as evidence of the agencys neutrality. The commission advised Mr Malami to fulfil the bail conditions he acknowledged and signed on 28 November and to cooperate with investigators. It would also serve his interest to cooperate with his team of interrogators rather than dissipate energy through false claims in the media, Mr Oyewale said. Background Mr Malami served as Nigerias Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. The former minister, a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), recently declared his interest to run for governor in Kebbi State on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), after dumping the APC earlier in the year. READ ALSO: OPay reaffirms regulatory compliance as core business priority during courtesy visit to EFCC The EFCC has been investigating him over alleged financial and administrative infractions linked to his tenure in office. Mr Malami, who served as the AGF throughout the eight years of the late former President Buharis administration, announced publicly late last month that he was being probed over alleged fraudulent duplication of expenses for the recovery of loot linked to former Nigerias military dictator, the late Sani Abacha. Reports also indicated that the EFCC is also investigating the former minister over 46 bank accounts allegedly linked to him. He also reportedly faces probe over his multi-billion-naira investment in Kebbi State, his home state. He was invited for questioning in late November 2025 and granted administrative bail after an initial interrogation. Following his detention, Mr Malami alleged that the EFCC revoked his bail because he attended a political event in Kebbi State, where he is believed to be nursing political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections. The EFCC has denied the claim, insisting that administrative bail is conditional and that Mr Malami failed to meet the five bail requirements imposed on him. Mr Malamis lawyers have challenged his continued detention, describing it as unlawful and a violation of his fundamental rights. The matter has since attracted political reactions, with some opposition figures accusing the EFCC of politicising its actions. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced the opening of its application portal for the 2026 National Medical Team (NMT), marking an early and strategic step in preparation for the next Hajj operation. The commission said the move is aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery for Nigerian pilgrims through the early selection of qualified and competent medical personnel. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, Fatima Usara, on behalf of the Chairperson/Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON. According to the statement, the application process targets Nigerian healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and environmental health workers, who are currently in active service. NAHCON explained that the online portal, hosted on its official website, would be open for a limited period, underscoring the need for interested applicants to act promptly and comply strictly with the stated requirements. The commission noted that the selection process is designed to ensure professionalism, efficiency, and improved medical support for pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj exercise. NAHCON further highlighted new eligibility conditions introduced for the 2026 exercise, particularly the exclusion of applicants who participated in the last three Hajj operations. It urged prospective applicants to carefully study the guidelines, complete their applications accurately, and adhere to the stipulated timeline to avoid disqualification. The commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and continuous public engagement, assuring Nigerians that updates on the 2026 Hajj preparations would be communicated regularly. Read statement NAHCON Opens Application Portal for 2026 National Medical Team The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) wishes to inform the general public, particularly qualified Nigerian healthcare professionals, that the application portal for the 2026 National Medical Team (NMT) will officially be launched today on the NAHCON website. Interested medical personnel specifically doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and environmental health workers are invited to submit their applications through the designated online portal which will open from 11:00pm 12th December 2025 to 11:59 pm of Monday 15th December 2025. Please take note, applicants must be in active service at the time of application and must not have participated in the last three Hajj Operations (2023, 2024, and 2025). For further guidelines, applicants are advised to visit the NAHCON website at nahcon.gov.ng. The Commission encourages eligible applicants to carefully review the requirements and fill the form accurately to avoid disqualification. Interested parties are advised to submit their applications within the stipulated timeframe. NAHCON will continue updating the public on 2026 Hajj preparations. Fatima Sanda Usara Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations For Chairman/CEO NAHCON For ECOWAS, the challenge is clear: it must persist in applying diplomatic pressure on the coup leaders to restore constitutional order. Military force alone is insufficient; what is needed is a sustained diplomatic strategy supported by respected statesmen. ECOWAS needs to rediscover its role as a facilitator of West African peace, rather than as an end in itself. The organisation must act consistently and enhance its operational capabilities to tackle the root causes of instability. In his seminal work, Political Order in Changing Societies (1968), Professor Samuel P Huntington argues that political order is essential for societal development. He emphasises that strong, adaptable political institutions are necessary to manage conflicts and meet growing societal demands during periods of rapid change. Huntington warns that failure to adapt swiftly to societal shifts often results in political decline and instability. These insights offer a valuable perspective for analysing the recent palace coup in Guinea-Bissau, a country on the verge of greater unrest. Between 24 and 26 September, I was in Guinea-Bissau for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) pre-summit as the lead facilitator nominated by the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement (AIPLA). During this time, I predicted that political upheaval was imminent. It was no surprise, therefore, when, on 26 November, a palace coup took place, leading to the forced evacuation of former President Goodluck Jonathan, head of the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission. He described it as a ceremonial coup, an unusual act in which President Umaro Embalo himself announced the coup, despite claiming to be under arrest. This move was clearly staged to prevent the announcement of election results, ultimately undermining democracy in the country. Embalos strategy to consolidate power began long before the coup. He had previously excluded his main challenger, PAIGCs Domingos Simoes Pereira from the electoral process, through judicial manipulation by the Supreme Court, which barred Pereira from contesting the election. Pereira, a former prime minister, had supported the independent candidacy of lawyer, Fernando Dias. Despite his official term ending on 27 February, Embalo remained in office, citing a different inauguration date. His controversial decision to seek re-election, despite initial promises not to, prompted public protests, which were suppressed by force, with activists arrested and opposition movements restricted. The road to Bissau, however, was not just fraught with political instability but also physical danger. As I journeyed from Zinguinchor to Bissau, a typically two-hour trip extended to eight hours due to the dilapidated roads, squeezed between rising rivers. The road was perilous, especially when we learnt of the armed insurgents operating along the route. The driver, having initially misled us about the condition of the road, almost abandoned us at the Senegalese border. Fortunately, immigration officials ensured that we continued. Later, it was revealed that the roads poor condition has been intentionally kept so to prevent insurgents from reaching the capital easily. The coup, led by General Horta Inta-A, just a day before the announcement of presidential election results, claimed that it was necessary in order to prevent narcotics traffickers from manipulating the election. Both President Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Dias claimed victory, with Dias seeking asylum in the Nigerian embassy, due to credible threats to his life. The peoples resolve for change had been underestimated by Embalo, who believed he could easily eliminate the opposition. Despite the countrys dire economic situation, with deteriorated infrastructure and widespread poverty, the people of Bissau maintained a remarkable sense of joy. Young men and women danced in the streets at 3 a.m., while others gathered at the hotel we stayed in, socialising late into the night. These youthful social gatherings reflect a society aware of global trends, including political unrest, despite being influenced by their leaders poverty politics. The summit, held at the Royal Hotel in Bissau from 24 to 26 September, focused on the future of ECOWAS, in its 50th anniversary. The theme, Political Stability, Peace, and Security in West Africa, seemed ironically prescient. The dialogue, involving the civil society, youths, and security experts, examined the challenges facing ECOWAS, particularly Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCG). My prediction that Guinea-Bissau would soon face political turmoil was echoed by ECOWAS General Ojabo, who remarked that his troops were primarily tasked with guard duties at the homes of politicians, reflecting the mistrust between Guinea-Bissaus political class and its military. The minute ECOWAS pulls out of GB, there will be chaos, he warned, a grim foreshadowing of what was to come. The coup, led by General Horta Inta-A, just a day before the announcement of presidential election results, claimed that it was necessary in order to prevent narcotics traffickers from manipulating the election. Both President Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Dias claimed victory, with Dias seeking asylum in the Nigerian embassy, due to credible threats to his life. The peoples resolve for change had been underestimated by Embalo, who believed he could easily eliminate the opposition. This turned out to be a grave miscalculation, and the coup was a direct result of the presidents failure to meet the peoples expectations. As Huntingtons theory suggests, political instability often arises when rising societal expectations are unmet, leading to frustration and disorder. the African Union (AU) has also suspended Guinea-Bissau from its activities, calling for respect of the electoral process. The United Nations has urged restraint and respect for the rule of law. The coup in Guinea-Bissau presents another challenge to ECOWASs credibility, especially as the region has seen an alarming rise in military takeovers. The coup belt, stretching across West Africa, is increasingly a source of concern. ECOWAS, having strongly condemned the coup, has suspended Guinea-Bissau from its decision-making bodies and is advocating for the restoration of constitutional order in the country. Meanwhile, the African Union (AU) has also suspended Guinea-Bissau from its activities, calling for respect of the electoral process. The United Nations has urged restraint and respect for the rule of law. The coup in Guinea-Bissau presents another challenge to ECOWASs credibility, especially as the region has seen an alarming rise in military takeovers. The coup belt, stretching across West Africa, is increasingly a source of concern. Guinea-Bissau, with its fragile political and economic situation, faces considerable instability. With a population of only two million and a per capita GDP of $670, the country ranks among the poorest in the world. Around 70 per cent of the people live below the poverty line, with limited access to essential services such as healthcare, roads, education, and sanitation. As the political crisis deepens, there are concerns that drug trafficking could intensify, further destabilising the region. For ECOWAS, the challenge is clear: it must persist in applying diplomatic pressure on the coup leaders to restore constitutional order. Military force alone is insufficient; what is needed is a sustained diplomatic strategy supported by respected statesmen. ECOWAS needs to rediscover its role as a facilitator of West African peace, rather than as an end in itself. The organisation must act consistently and enhance its operational capabilities to tackle the root causes of instability. Unconstitutional changes of government are not merely political anomalies but symptoms of systemic governance failures that must be addressed to prevent further crises across the region. The time for action is now. Hakeem Jamiu, an ECOWAS facilitator, writes from Ado-Ekiti. Nigerias swift and successful response to the call for help by the elected government in Benin has not only shored up Nigerias image, but it has also sent a strong signal across and beyond the region that Nigeria is not idling, but alert and ready to act decisively to safeguard its national interest in navigating around the challenges in its increasingly dangerous neighbourhood, and doing so on its own terms. As several of my colleagues in the region remind me, we are the hegemon, whether we admit it or not. And global politics works almost like physics, with polarity, ordering principles, distribution of power, balancing, etc. Nigeria has never had expansionist tendencies, never been threatening towards our neighbours, and always chosen the path of peace and conciliation. Yusuf Tuggar When in January this year, Nigerias Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, wrote an article titled, Foreign policy and the path to peace in a dangerous neighbourhood, I doubt that he foresaw that his work would eventually turn out to be a seminal one, given the series of occurrences that have taken place since then in Nigerias neighbourhood, making foreign relations a front-burner issue, more than it has been at any other time. In the article, Tuggar made the point that the Nigerian constitution makes it clear why any responsible Nigerian government should be concerned when neighbours are governed without a constitution or codified rules. He argued that while the sovereignty of our neighbours is up to them, allowing them to grant powers to whatever governing structures they deem fitwhen our Interdependence Sovereignty overlaps, we equally have a right to exercise control over our borders in those cases where neighbours face insurgencies that significantly compromise territorial integrity and state authority. That, to me, was Tuggar laying down the marker about a year ago, that given the factors that have played out in recent years and made the neighbourhood increasingly dangerous, the Tinubu administration, which has come at a time when an interlocking suite of occurrences, like the implosion of Libya, failure of the EU Sahel Strategy, terrorism and criminal gangs, effects of climate change and population explosion that have compromised the security of the neighbourhood, retains the right to maintain vigilance over events across national borders and the neighbourhood, to ensure that the countrys territorial integrity is not compromised and its sovereignty is guaranteed. Indeed, the neighbourhood has never been easy, though. Of late, it has, however, become like a hostile ring road, with coups in different countries, the closure of borders, breakaway of three countries (Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso) from ECOWAS to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and even contestation over airspace, which are pointers to a more fractious neighbourhood than we have witnessed at any other time. Terrorism and violent extremism have gained a stronger foothold in the region, stemming from the collapse of Libya, and the outflow of weapons and fighters, leading to the entrenched insecurity in the Sahel, that has shadowy figures operating in situ with a range of state and non-state actors. Relying on two official requests from the Beninoise government, President Tinubu dispatched military jets and ground troops to help secure strategic locations and shore up President Talons government, effectively foiling the coup attempt. This might have read as textbook regionalism: respond to a formal request from the legitimate government, defend constitutional and relevant ECOWAS Protocols, and deter further copycat military adventurism taking root in the region. Such is the situation that what was once considered a security buffer for Nigeria has now become a pipeline through which arms and terrorists make their way in through porous borders. To the North-West of the country, Niger is now under the control of a junta that is reading from a different page from that of Abuja. Chad is in a fragile state, dealing with its own transitions, while Cameroon appears weighed down by internal contradictions, which might explain its seeming ambivalence towards full-throated cooperation in the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP. To the West, the Benin Republic, which had for a while stood as a beacon of democracy in the neighbourhood, has now come under the cosh with the recent coup attempt in the country. That putsch in Benin was obviously the tipping point for Nigeria, judging by the swift and clinical response on the part of the Nigerian government. Relying on two official requests from the Beninoise government, President Tinubu dispatched military jets and ground troops to help secure strategic locations and shore up President Talons government, effectively foiling the coup attempt. This might have read as textbook regionalism: respond to a formal request from the legitimate government, defend constitutional and relevant ECOWAS Protocols, and deter further copycat military adventurism taking root in the region. Nigerias swift response sits squarely with Article 25 of the 1999 ECOWAS Protocol relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Security, which empowers ECOWAS to deploy civilian and military forces to maintain or restore peace when constitutional order is threatened. This proactive provision authorises all forms of intervention, from diplomacy to standby forces, which applies in the coup scenario, and was met by ECOWAS with these prescribed actions in the two statements it issued on 7th December. While some have brought up comparisons between Nigerias response in the case of Niger and that of Benin, it is not simply a statement on a hierarchy of risks or a calculus of proximity, but different approaches to situations that are not the same. A situation of fait accompli, as witnessed in Niger, is different from that in Benin. ECOWAS protocols also provide for them differently. Articles 45-48 of the 2001 Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance outline a cascade of measures: the immediate suspension of offending states, economic sanctions (trade bans, asset freezes), travel restrictions, and, as a last resort, any other sanction including the use of armed force. The protocol mandates the restoration of the ousted leader within six months, or face isolation. It is those provisions that guided Nigerias response in the Niger scenario, while the aforementioned Article 25 of the 1999 ECOWAS guided the response in the Benin situation. As Minister Yusuf Tuggar explained, the fulcrum of the Tinubu administrations foreign policy is Strategic Autonomy, providing us with the clarity to engage with any and all nations on the basis of our national interests and not those of others. As a nation, Nigeria is adult and sophisticated enough to deal with countries without being unduly influenced, because that has been part of our historical and civic tradition. In the two situations, Nigeria has acted in consonance with the constitutional order and relevant international legal protocols, which is a testament to the steady hands and clarity of thought behind guiding Nigerias foreign policy exertions. Worthy of mention is the fact that Benin Republic is not just Nigerias neighbour, it has been described as a major trade corridor, a customs mirror, and a political barometer for the coastal flank of West Africa. It is about Nigeria meeting principle with pragmatism, as has been enunciated in its doctrine of strategic autonomy. A successful coup in Benin, after that of Niger would have signalled the normalisation of putschism from the Sahel to the Gulf of Guinea, which is not in Nigerias national interest. As Minister Yusuf Tuggar explained, the fulcrum of the Tinubu administrations foreign policy is Strategic Autonomy, providing us with the clarity to engage with any and all nations on the basis of our national interests and not those of others. As a nation, Nigeria is adult and sophisticated enough to deal with countries without being unduly influenced, because that has been part of our historical and civic tradition. The challenge has been about how Nigeria secures itself in a region where the state is in retreat and armed non-state actors are on the march. Nigerias swift and successful response to the call for help by the elected government in Benin has not only shored up Nigerias image, but it has also sent a strong signal across and beyond the region that Nigeria is not idling, but alert and ready to act decisively to safeguard its national interest in navigating around the challenges in its increasingly dangerous neighbourhood, and doing so on its own terms. Simbo Olorunfemi is a specialist on Nigerias foreign policy, a communications consultant, and managing editor of Africa Enterprise. Email: [email protected] Key Points Archer Aviation is close to debuting its electric air taxi for short-haul flights. It's spending billions of dollars building out manufacturing and airport infrastructure. The stock looks overvalued and risky to buy now given that it generates zero revenue today. 10 stocks we like better than Archer Aviation Efficiencies in battery technology are enabling massive transportation innovations, and not just with electric vehicles. Start-ups such as Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) have developed electric air taxis, otherwise known as electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs). With taxis under testing and the promise to bring a new form of urban transportation to market, Archer's stock has soared, up close to 300% in the last three years alone. Today, the stock has fallen 38% from all-time highs, likely due to simple market volatility for high-growth stocks. Does this stock price pullback make Archer Aviation a once-in-a-decade buying opportunity in 2026? The answer may surprise you. Building the future of flight Everyone can agree that electric air taxis like Archer Aviation's Midnight are an innovative new mode of transportation. The Midnight can fit four passengers and is targeting 50-mile or less rides that usually take a driver an hour or more in traffic. Electric air taxis can transport customers over cities to these point-to-point helipads in less than 10 minutes. With 4.7 billion hours spent in traffic in the United States every year, there is a huge market opportunity for electric air taxis, especially for wealthier individuals willing to pay up for tickets. Even if just a small percentage of cars get pulled off the roads, it could help alleviate traffic pains for all travelers. The problem is, Archer Aviation's Midnight vehicle has not been fully authorized by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) yet to operate commercial flights in the United States. Until this happens, all the company can do is build aircraft, test its vehicles, and set up its point-to-point airports for its air taxi network. Image source: Getty Images. Heavy upfront costs, large cash burn Simultaneously building out aviation infrastructure, air taxis, and going through the FAA approval process is expensive, requiring Archer Aviation to spend a lot of money up front in order to execute its business plan. The company has raised billions of dollars through common stock offerings, which have been highly dilutive to shareholders. It currently has over $1 billion in cash on the balance sheet. Hopefully, commercial viability is near, although FAA timelines are always uncertain. Archer just bought a stake in the Hawthorne airport in Los Angeles as a hub for its taxi network, working with airline partners, the Los Angeles Rams, and other key commercial partners in the city. Plans call for networks in New York City as well as internationally in the Middle East, Japan, and South Korea. To the nation as a whole, he is a reminder that democracy is shaped not just by institutions but by the fears, beliefs, and aspirations of its people. Trump divides America so deeply because he embodies its long-standing internal struggle, one that has always simmered beneath the surface. He is not an exception but an expression of a nation wrestling openly, loudly, and painfully with its own contradictions. Few figures in modern American history embody contradiction as vividly and publicly as Donald J Trump. To some, he is a liberator, an unapologetic disruptor who says out loud what many only whispers, a figure who challenges institutions long seen as untouchable. To others, he is a destabilising force whose rhetoric, behaviour, and governing style undermine the very norms that America claims to cherish. But beyond the political arguments lies a deeper reality: Trump is not just a political actor. He is a symbol, a mirror reflecting Americas hopes and insecurities, its fractures and its fantasies. A major part of Trumps appeal lies in his persona: bold, brash, and unapologetically unfiltered. At a time when society increasingly demands restraint, diplomacy, and careful self-presentation, he represents a raw kind of freedom. He expresses frustration openly, mocks institutions, challenges authority, and behaves as though shame cannot touch him. For millions of Americans, especially those who feel silenced by political correctness or are marginalised by cultural change, Trump becomes a living embodiment of rebellious authenticity. Ironically, the very traits that offend many Americans are the same traits that energise his supporters. He behaves in ways that many wish they could, speaking boldly, confronting critics without hesitation, and rejecting the polished expectations of polite society. No group illustrates the Trump paradox more clearly than American evangelical Christians. Historically unified in their political choices, they now find themselves sharply divided over Trumps legitimacy as a leader. One side sees him as an unlikely instrument of Gods will, a modern-day Cyrus flawed, unconventional, and abrasive, yet chosen to reassert Christian influence in America. They point to biblical stories in which God used imperfect people to accomplish divine purposes. In their view, Trumps willingness to confront cultural and moral decline is not a flaw but a sign of divine appointment. God, they say, often uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. The other side of the evangelical community rejects this interpretation. They argue that leadership, whether spiritual or political, cannot be separated from personal morality. They ask hard questions about his faith: Who is his pastor? What church shapes him? What evidence exists of his transformation? They see his personal history and public behaviour as inconsistent with Christian virtues such as humility, fidelity, discipline, and compassion. To them, Trump is not a vessel of Gods will but a politician who leverages religious language for political gain. Their disagreement with fellow believers is not merely political, it is deeply moral, theological, and personal. For generations, Americans also held a clear, if idealistic, image of what a president should be: morally steady, dignified in speech, disciplined in private life, respectful in public conduct, and careful with power. Even when presidents fell short, the expectations themselves remained intact. Trump shattered that image. His complicated marital history, impulsive communication, love of public name-calling, and refusal to observe traditional political etiquette, marked a dramatic break from presidential norms. His scepticism toward science and his appointment of officials who share that scepticism further challenged long-standing expectations about how leaders should govern. To many Americans, these shifts represent a dangerous erosion of the dignity and responsibility tied to the presidency. To others, they signal a necessary departure from what they perceive as political hypocrisy and elitist performance. This tension is magnified by Americas own contradictory self-image. For decades, the nation has presented itself as a global moral leader, a champion of democracy, a defender of ethics, and a guardian of institutions. Yet, Trump resonates strongly with Americans who believe the countrys moral posture abroad does not match the reality at home. They see in him someone willing to puncture national pretensions, challenge sacred institutions, and call out what they view as elitist double-speak. To this segment of the population, he is not just a political figure. He is a cultural reckoning. He speaks for the unheard, the underestimated, and the overlooked the America that feels overshadowed by coastal elites, media institutions, and intellectual gatekeepers. In him, they see authenticity over decorum, disruption over tradition, and rebellion over refinement. Trump did not create Americas divisions, but he embodies and intensifies them. He is both a reflection of the nations tension and a force accelerating it. His presence raises uncomfortable questions that Americans can no longer ignore, including what qualities truly define leadership in a diverse democracy, whether personal morality matters in political office, whether institutions should remain untouched or be disrupted, whether raw authenticity is more valuable than civility, and whether America has lost faith in its own moral narrative or simply outgrown it. These questions go beyond Trump. They reveal contradictions at the core of American identity. When all is said and done, Donald Trump is more than a politician. He is a cultural phenomenon, a mirror in which America sees its values, its divisions, its resentments, and its yearnings reflected. To supporters, he represents freedom and defiance. To critics, he signals danger and decline. To the nation as a whole, he is a reminder that democracy is shaped not just by institutions but by the fears, beliefs, and aspirations of its people. Trump divides America so deeply because he embodies its long-standing internal struggle, one that has always simmered beneath the surface. He is not an exception but an expression of a nation wrestling openly, loudly, and painfully with its own contradictions. Kayode Adebiyi is a PR/media Professional based in the United Kingdom. He can be reached at [email protected] International Breweries Plc, a proud member of ABInBev, the worlds largest brewer with over 500 brands, has introduced its newest flagship brand, Budweiser Royale to the Nigerian market at a launch event held in Lagos on Tuesday, 25 November 2025. The unveiling drew royal dignitaries, government representatives, industry leaders, trade partners, celebrities, and media personalities who came together to witness the unveiling of a super-premium beer designed for consumers who value taste, confidence, and distinction. The brand, Budweiser Royale, delivers a smooth yet bold full-bodied profile at 6% ABV. The beer is brewed with top-quality ingredients and the world-renowned Budweiser technique, giving consumers above the legal drinking age a rich drinking experience that stands out in the premium category. Budweiser Royale is now available in select lounges, bars, supermarkets, and retail outlets nationwide, with wider distribution set to follow. The launch signals the start of exclusive Budweiser Royale experiences across the country. These events will give consumers a chance to enjoy the brand in premium and engaging settings that match its identity. Managing Director, International Breweries Plc, Carlos Coutino, shared his thoughts on the new product at the launch, he said: Budweiser Royale reflects our goal to keep pushing the boundaries of what a premium beer can offer. People want depth, flavour, and a product that matches their lifestyle. Budweiser Royale brings all these elements together in a full-bodied beer with a refined smoothness that speaks to modern taste. Budweiser Royales exceptionally smooth taste reflects our commitment to innovation and our deep understanding of evolving consumer preferences in Nigeria. The event paid tribute to the brands royal inspiration. Guests enjoyed an immersive presentation and brand experience that highlighted the craftsmanship behind the beer, from its flavour notes to its sleek design. The experience offered a clear view of why Budweiser Royale is set to redefine the premium beer landscape in Nigeria. Marketing Director, International Breweries Plc Bamise Oyegbami, explained the unique value of the variant. He said: Consumers in Nigeria know quality when they see it. Budweiser Royale meets that standard with ease. Its 6% ABV profile gives it strength, while the smooth finish makes it enjoyable. It is a beer for people who appreciate richness without losing balance. Marketing Manager, Olajumoke Okikiolu, spoke on the creative idea driving the campaign. She said: Our message is simple: All Rise. It is an invitation to step up, celebrate achievement, and carry yourself with confidence. Every part of the Royale campaign showcases this spirit with modern and stylish Nigerian stories. People will see a beer that is bold in flavour, smooth in character, and aligned with a lifestyle that values excellence.Nigerians appreciate flavour, quality, and confidence, and Budweiser Royale was created with exactly that in mind. She noted that Budweiser Royale campaign is built around the idea of All Rise a call to embrace confidence, celebrate achievement, and uphold a higher standard in everything one does. She explained that the campaign introduces a fresh and confident narrative that inspires people to step forward with purpose and celebrate their progress. According to her, the brand was developed around everyday Nigerians who demonstrate ambition and pride in their journey, with Budweiser Royale reflecting that spirit through its bold taste, smooth finish, and clean, intentional design. She added that every element of the brand, from the visuals to the overall experience, has been carefully crafted to match the aspirations of people who aim higher and expect more from the brands they choose. International Breweries Plc reaffirms its commitment to responsible and smart drinking. All messaging and activities are strictly for adults aged 18 and above. As part of this commitment, IBPLC has a voluntary guidance labelling across its Nigerian portfolio, providing clear messages on moderation, legal drinking age, and health guidance, helping consumers make informed choices and promoting safe, responsible enjoyment. International Breweries Plc is a proud part of Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABInBev), the worlds largest brewer and producer of Trophy Lager, Hero Lager, Castle Lite, Budweiser, among others. As part of a global brand, International Breweries has a dream of bringing people together for a Future with More Cheers through the building of great brands that stand the test of time using the finest natural ingredients. Harpic, Nigerias leading toilet cleaning brand from Reckitt, has reaffirmed its commitment to improving sanitation and hygiene across Nigeria. The brand partnered with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, and the Lagos State Government to commemorate the 2025 World Toilet Day, themed We Will Always Need the Toilet. Recent data from the United Nations reveals that 3.6 billion people globally still live without access to safely managed sanitation. In Nigeria, poor sanitation costs the economy an estimated N455 billion every year and contributes to preventable diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. This years commemoration featured the maiden National Sanitation Conference, the 6th anniversary of the Clean Nigeria: Use the toilet Campaign in Abuja, and a two-day series of sensitization and awareness activities in Lagos. All events aimed to strengthen public-private partnerships, encourage behavioural change, and promote access to clean sanitation facilities nationwide. In Abuja, the National Sanitation Conference brought together government representatives, health experts, and community leaders to explore practical solutions for achieving universal access to safe toilets. The event was concluded with an awards ceremony recognising individuals and organisations driving progress in sanitation and hygiene across Nigeria. Speaking at the opening of the 2025 National Sanitation Conference in Abuja on Monday, the Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Development Partners, Inna Binta Audu said: Sanitation is not only about toilets or infrastructure; it is about human dignity, health, productivity, and the future of our nations children. A clean Nigeria is a healthy, prosperous, and equitable Nigeria. He called for accelerated action to unlock Nigerias $14.23 billion sanitation economy by 2030, warning that the country currently loses $3 billion annually due to inadequate sanitation due to its effects on health and productivity. According to the Head of External Communications and Partnerships at Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa, Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, she said, We are proud to stand with the government, our partners and our communities in advancing one shared goal, accelerating access to safe sanitation for all Nigerians. Access to hygienic sanitation is not a lifestyle upgrade, its a necessity for preventing disease and its a fundamental human right. Through our brand Harpic, we are committed to championing this purpose until everyone can have access to safe and decent sanitation irrespective of their social economic class. When toilets work, communities will thrive; when they do not, the consequences will affect everyone. Following her remarks, government leaders restated their commitment to ending open defecation and ensuring access to safe sanitation for all Nigerians. Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, Minister, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, said, This years World Toilet Day reminds us that access to safe sanitation is not a privilege but a fundamental right of every citizen. Our Ministry remains committed to accelerating efforts to end open defecation and ensuring every Nigerian has access to clean, safe sanitation. We commend Reckitt for its continuous collaboration in advancing hygiene awareness nationwide. For its consistency in innovation and investment in the sanitation sector, Reckitt Nigeria was also awarded a Private Sector Award by the Clean Nigeria Campaign (CNC), which is an award for sanitation, innovation, and investment. The Lagos edition featured a two-day line-up of activities, led by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources in partnership with Harpic. Activities included an Anti-Open Defecation Sensitization Walk across the five IBILE divisions, followed by a stakeholder symposium focused on sustainable sanitation and community-led solutions. The symposium brought together government officials, environmental experts, civil society groups, and community leaders to discuss ways to address the sanitation challenges facing urban communities. Speaking during the Lagos edition, Mr Tokunbo Philip Wahab, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, represented by MD/CEO Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency, Mr Fatiu A Akiolu commended Harpics effort, saying, Our target remains clear, which is to make Lagos Open Defecation Free (ODF) in line with the national target by 2030, and to ensure that every Lagosian has access to a clean and safe toilet, irrespective of where they live. The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, took a commendable step by recently approving the construction of 20 public toilets of 10 units each making a total of 200 units of public toilets and bathrooms in strategic locations. Over the past 10 years, Harpic has invested in programs that educate households, partnered with state, federal government and development partners, supported community sanitation awareness, provided clean and functional public toilets, reinforcing its position as a key advocate for hygiene and a strong partner in Nigerias drive toward an Open Defecation Free (ODF) nation. Through ongoing collaboration with government and communities, Harpic continues to build a cleaner, healthier, and more dignified future for all Nigerians. Yobe State has emerged as the overall winner of Nigerias Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge, outperforming other states in an independently verified assessment. The assessment measures governance, financing, service delivery and accountability within PHC systems. The award was announced at the PHC Leadership Challenge Awards and Gala Night organised by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and development partners, including the Gates Foundation, UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The annual challenge, which rewards measurable improvements in state-level PHC performance, aims to strengthen accountability, peer learning and sustained political commitment to PHC reforms across Nigeria. How states were assessed The PHC Leadership Challenge is built on a Performance Monitoring Framework (PMF) jointly developed by health sector stakeholders and endorsed by all states through their commissioners for health and heads of state PHC agencies. The framework tracks progress across key domains aligned with the Seattle Declaration commitments signed by governors in 2019, including governance and leadership, financing, quality of care, human resources for health, data use, evidence and sustainability. The verified findings were reviewed by an Independent Judging Panel (IJP), comprising public health experts, academics, civil society representatives, traditional and religious leaders, and media professionals, before final endorsement by the PHC Leadership Challenge Steering Committee. The steering committee is chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammed Pate, with membership drawn from the NGF, NPHCDA and key development partners. Standout performances During the presentation, Yobe State was said to have delivered an exceptional and well-balanced performance across governance, quality of care, service delivery coordination and data integrity, earning it the national overall prize of $700,000. The state also clinched the best-performing award in the North-East, securing an additional $500,000, after leading in indicators such as patient satisfaction, availability of essential commodities and effective PHC coordination mechanisms. Gombe State emerged as first runner-up in the North-East, winning $400,000 for strong results in human resources for health. Across other zones, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Abia, Bayelsa and Osun states emerged as best performers, while Kwara, Kaduna, Anambra, Bayelsa and Ogun picked up first runner-up prizes. All best-performing zonal states received $500,000, while runners-up earned $400,000 each. In total, 13 awards worth $6.1 million were presented under the challenge. The judging panel noted that at least 20 states recorded measurable improvements in health reforms, though performance remained uneven, particularly in leadership engagement and governance. Progress visible, gaps remain Speaking at the event, the Gates Foundation said Nigeria had recorded notable gains in PHC outcomes but warned that progress remained fragile without sustained leadership. In remarks delivered by Uche Anowu on behalf of the Deputy Director for Health Systems Strengthening at the foundation, Nkata Chuku, the organisation highlighted improvements in routine immunisation, maternal health services and malaria interventions. Mr Chuku noted that the National routine immunisation coverage has risen to the high 60 per cent range, with several states exceeding 75 per cent, compared to the low 60s in 2022. He added that more than 500,000 zero-dose children were reached between July 2024 and October 2025 through targeted immunisation campaigns. Also, skilled birth attendance and antenatal care coverage have improved, while integrated vaccination campaigns have expanded access to malaria prevention tools. However, challenges persist, including insecurity in parts of the North-east and North-west, nutrition risks in conflict-affected areas and inconsistent data reporting. He disclosed that the Gates Foundation has invested $27 million in the PHC Challenge Fund over the past four years, with 70 per cent dedicated to performance-based awards. The Challenge Fund is a tool. Your leadership is the engine that will deliver lasting change for every Nigerian family, he said. Governors reaffirm commitment In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the challenge has become a national accountability mechanism for health sector reform. Mr AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Governor of Nassarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, said the initiative demonstrates that measurable and dramatic change is possible when political leadership is combined with sustained investment and peer accountability. We are not just celebrating awards tonight, but the institutionalisation of a national tradition that reinforces leadership responsibility for primary healthcare, he said. He noted that states have increased domestic health funding in recent years, with a growing share directed to primary healthcare, leading to improvements in infrastructure, staffing and service delivery. He commended state commissioners for health, PHC agency heads and development partners for driving reforms aligned with Nigerias health sector renewal priorities. Minister urges long term investment During his address, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, described health investment as both a social and economic imperative, urging states to sustain reforms through smarter resource allocation, transparency and long-term planning. Mr Pate said recent reforms under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) have strengthened collaboration between federal, state and local governments, while improving transparency and efficiency in health spending. Health is a fundamental aspiration of every human being. Investing in health is investing in the present and the future of the country, he said. According to him, investments in PHC are beginning to translate into better maternal, child and infectious disease outcomes, but sustaining the gains will require long-term commitment. He said the government had increased health sector investments and prioritised affordability, access to essential medicines, workforce expansion and transparency in resource allocation. He noted that the next phase of reforms would focus on smarter resource allocation, workforce development and system-wide transparency to ensure that investments translate into improved outcomes for citizens. He described the PHC Leadership Challenge as a key accountability mechanism that encourages states to prioritise health while fostering peer learning and competition. This is not just about celebrating achievements, but about sustaining progress and building a health system that delivers for Nigerians today and in the future, he said. The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has congratulated former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, on his successful Senate screening as an ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In a statement by his representative, Kemade Elugbaju, the Ooni wished Mr Fani-Kayode continued success in his new role and prayed for divine guidance in carrying out his duties. He encouraged the ambassador-designate, who jails from Ile-Ife, to represent Nigeria with dignity, integrity, and a strong sense of national responsibility. I join all your well wishers globally to congratulate you, FFK, on your successful screening by the Senate, acknowledging the honour bestowed upon you and the people of Ifeland. Kabiyesi, the Ooni, expresses pride and joy, while wishing you continued success and grace in your new role as Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the statement read. The palace highlighted Mr Fani-Kayodes family legacy, noting his father, the late Remi Fani-Kayode, former deputy premier of the old Western Region; his grandfather, Adedapo Kayode, one of Nigerias early indigenous judges; and his great-grandfather, Emmanuel Kayode, a reverend and Christian missionary who introduced social reforms to Ile-Ife. The Ooni also praised Mr Fan-Kayode for appointing several professionals from Osun State to key positions in aviation parastatals during his tenure as Minister of Aviation, a move the palace said demonstrated his commitment to empowering his people. The monarch expressed confidence that Mr Fani-Kayode would excel in his new assignment and thanked President Tinubu for the nomination, calling it a mark of trust and recognition. Mr Fani-Kayodes screening is part of the Senates ongoing confirmation of ambassadorial nominees to fill vacant diplomatic positions. President Tinubu forwarded a list of 65 ambassadorial nominees in total to the Senate including former Minister of Aviation Femi FaniKayode. In his latest letter read out in the Senate on 4 December, Mr Tinubu said 34 persons were nominated as career ambassadors and high commissioners, while 31 others were nominated as non-career ambassadors and high commissioners. All nominees were scheduled for Senate screening and confirmation before assuming diplomatic postings abroad. Obalufe congratulates Fani-Kayode In a separate but related message, the Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura, has also congratulated Mr Femi Fani-Kayode on his appointment as an ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Obalufe, who serves as Prime Minister of the Ife Kingdom and second-in-command to the Ooni of Ife, said Ile-Ife is proud of the appointment and highlighted the citys historical role as the cradle of the Yoruba race and a source of leadership. The Obalufe said diplomacy requires wisdom, restraint and cultural understanding, and urged the ambassador-designate to uphold honour, clarity of purpose and loyalty to Nigeria while representing the country abroad. Ile-Ife believes that representation on the global stage must be anchored on honour, clarity of purpose, and loyalty to the collective destiny of the nation. It is our expectation that this assignment will be carried out with dignity and a strong sense of national consciousness. As you assume this noble responsibility, the throne of Oduduwa offers earnest prayers for divine guidance and uncommon wisdom. May Olodumare, the Supreme Creator, endow you with discernment in counsel, strength in duty, and favour before nations and peoples, the statement read. Leave Behind the Stress of Last-Minute Vacations OUTER BANKS, N.C., Dec. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau is encouraging travelers to secure their 2026 Outer Banks vacations early during this holiday season, especially as popular weeks continue to fill faster each year. "People are discovering and rediscovering the classic Outer Banks vacation," explains Lee Nettles, Executive Director. "A lot of OBX visitors grew up coming to our beach towns, like Nags Head and Kitty Hawk, or the villages of Cape Hatteras, where you can finally relax and let your kids be kids in a throwback landscape filled with wide open beaches, mom and pop shops and more than enough adventure to fill your photo album." outerbanks.org The kind of view families return to year after year. Reserve your 2026 Outer Banks vacation early and keep the tradition going. Photo courtesy Surf or Sound Realty This time of year, the holidays bring together families and loved ones and often spark conversations of next year's vacation or get together. For those interested in experiencing the Outer Banks in 2026, booking now means better availability, more options, and a greater chance of returning to the same home or area that has become a family tradition. With 2026 also being the year of America's 250th Anniversary, visitors can expect to experience special events and celebrations at three area National Park Service sites, commemorating some of our country's historic milestones and explaining why these islands are known as the "Land of Beginnings." Families looking for large vacation rentals will find more homes that fit their needs when they secure dates early. Groups looking to travel together but enjoy their own privacy in separate accommodations such as cottage courts, condos, or individual hotels rooms, will see wider availability in the early months of planning. Couples and smaller families benefit, too, by avoiding the limited last-minute inventory that can sometimes come with higher prices or restricted location options. For those looking to reserve an event home for their big day, earlier reservations allow for smoother planning and more booking options for guests in attendance. Those interested in browsing the different types of accommodations the Outer Banks has to offer are encouraged to visit outerbanks.org/places-to-stay. About the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau is the official tourism authority for Dare County, North Carolina, encompassing the towns of Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and the islands of Roanoke and Hatteras. The bureau promotes sustainable tourism while preserving the natural beauty and cultural heritage of North Carolina's barrier islands. Contact: Aaron Tuell Public Relations Manager Email: [email protected] Phone: 252.305.2137 SOURCE Outer Banks Visitors Bureau NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until January 2, 2026 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against CarMax, Inc. (NYSE: KMX), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between June 20, 2025 and November 5, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. Get Help CarMax investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-kmx-1 or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit CarMax and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On September 25, 2025, the Company announced its Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 financial results, disclosing among other things, that retail unit sales had decreased 5.4%, comparable store unit sales had decreased 6.3%, wholesale units had decreased 2.2%, and that net earnings per diluted share of $0.64 compared to $0.85 a year ago. On this news, the price of CarMax's shares fell $11.5 per share, or 20.07%, to close at $45.60 per share on September 25, 2025. The case is Cap v. CarMax, Inc., No. 25-cv-03602. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. SOURCE ClaimsFiler Cox Communications, Inc. allegedly failed to accurately record employees' time during their shifts. Allegedly, this resulted in violations of various California Labor Codes. **THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT** ORANGE, Calif., Dec. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that Cox Communications, Inc. violated the California Labor Code. The Cox Communications, Inc. class action lawsuit, Case No. 30-2025-01521582-CU-OE-CXC, is currently pending in the Orange County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here . The Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP Speed Speed According to the lawsuit filed, employees of Cox Communications Inc. allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods , (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, (e) failed to reimburse for required expenses, and (f) failed to pay sick wages, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in California Labor Code Sections 201-203, 226, 226.7, 233, 246, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct. The lawsuit further alleges that Defendant failed to provide all the legally required off-duty meal and rest breaks and failed to compensate Plaintiffs for missed meal and rest breaks . These employees, from time to time, were denied their first rest periods of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of at least two (2) to four (4) hours, a first and second rest period of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of between six (6) and eight (8) hours, and a first, second and third rest period of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of ten (10) hours or more, from time to time. Defendant allegedly paid Plaintiffs less than they would have been paid had they been paid for their actual recorded time rather than "rounded" time. Allegedly, Defendant violated Cal. Lab. Code 1194, 1197, and 1197.1 . For more information about the class action lawsuit against Cox Communications, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today. **THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT** Media Contact Nicholas De Blouw Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP (800) 568-8020 [email protected] https://www.bamlawca.com/ SOURCE Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until December 23, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against James Hardie Industries plc ("James Hardie" or the "Company") (NYSE: JHX), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's shares between May 20, 2025, and August 18, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Get Help James Hardie investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-jhx/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit James Hardie and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On August 19, 2025, despite prior reassurances that its North America Fiber Cement segment remained strong, the Company disclosed that sales in North America Fiber Cement declined by 12% due to customer destocking first discovered "in April through May," that was expected to impact sales for at least the next two quarters. On this news, the price of James Hardie's shares fell by over 34%, or $9.79 per share, from a closing price of $28.43 per share on August 18, 2025 to $18.64 per share on August 20, 2025. The case is Laborers' District Council and Contractors' Pension Fund of Ohio v. James Hardie Industries plc, et al., No. 25-cv-13018. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. SOURCE ClaimsFiler SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global plaintiffs' rights firm Hagens Berman reminds investors that the Lead Plaintiff Deadline in the securities class action lawsuit against James Hardie Industries plc (NYSE: JHX) is rapidly approaching: December 23, 2025. The lawsuit alleges that James Hardie and certain executives made materially false and misleading statements about the health of its crucial North America Fiber Cement segment. The stock subsequently crashed over 34% when the company was allegedly forced to disclose a sharp decline in sales due to the very customer weakness it had allegedly concealed. Hagens Berman urges investors with substantial losses to submit their information now. The Lawsuit's Core Allegation: Concealed Inventory Destocking The lawsuit centers on the claim that James Hardie executives made assurances that the North America segment remained strong and that distributor inventory levels were normal. The complaint alleges that management knew by April and early May 2025 that distributors were aggressively destocking (reducing) inventory, yet continued to mislead investors by touting sales that were allegedly inflated by inventory loading rather than genuine demand. "The complaint alleges that James Hardie repeatedly used terms like robust and normal to describe demand and inventory, while allegedly knowing the channel was overloaded and struggling," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the James Hardie litigation. "Our investigation is sharply focused on management's knowledge and decision-making during that critical period. With the December 23 deadline only two weeks away, we urge investors with significant losses to contact the firm now to discuss the investigation and their rights." Timeline and Key Details: Issuer James Hardie Industries plc (JHX) Class Period May 20, 2025 August 18, 2025 Lead Plaintiff Deadline December 23, 2025 Stock Drop Event Stock fell over 34% on August 20, 2025, after the company disclosed a 12% decline in North America sales due to customer destocking. Next Steps for James Hardie (JHX) Investors: Investors who purchased James Hardie stock (JHX) between May 20, 2025, and August 18, 2025, and suffered substantial losses, are encouraged to contact Hagens Berman immediately to discuss their legal options and potential appointment as Lead Plaintiff. TO SUBMIT YOUR JAMES HARDIE (JHX) LOSSES NOW, PLEASE USE THE SECURE FORM BELOW: To read more about the issue facing JHX investors, Alleged Inventory Deception: Investors Claim James Hardie Concealed Weak Demand, or visit, https://www.hbsslaw.com/cases/james-hardie-industries-plc-jhx-securities-class-action Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding James Hardie should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email [email protected]. About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman's team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw. SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP President Donald Trump has proposed the idea of sending U.S. citizens who meet a certain income limit a $2,000 dividend refund check from tariff revenue. If the checks were to be sent in 2026, the extra money could help with living expenses, but if your living expenses are covered, you could also invest that extra money into assets. That way, your money can compound over time. Read More: 3 Safest Investments To Hold In The Current Trump Economy Find Out: How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires and How You Can, Too Its not always easy to make investment decisions. GOBankingRates asked ChatGPT about some ways one could invest the money. Unsurprisingly, the artificial intelligence (AI) model hesitated to give specific advice, mentioning that the optimal decision depends on financial goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, taxes and other factors. However, ChatGPT gave broad suggestions that you could consider for your portfolio. A Broad, Dividend-Focused ETF Is a Great Way To Start ChatGPT suggested a broad, dividend-focused exchange-traded fund (ETF). Investing in passively managed ETFs can generate positive returns with low expense ratios. ChatGPT specifically named the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) as a starting point. This ETF has approximately 100 stocks in various sectors, including energy, consumer staples, healthcare and industrial. If you focus on dividend stocks, dividend reinvestment is a good option. ChatGPT said that many investors use a dividend reinvestment plan to grow their portfolios over time. That way, each quarterly dividend payout grows as you buy more shares with your dividends and companies raise their payouts. Learn More: I Asked ChatGPT What the Big Beautiful Bill Means for My Stock Investments, Heres What It Said Diversify Your Portfolio A dividend ETF can diversify your portfolio quite nicely, but it still may not be enough. ChatGPT suggested investing in multiple funds and companies across several sectors. That way, if one of the funds or individual stock picks performs poorly, your portfolios winners can mitigate your losses. Investors can research companies and buy stocks, but ETFs could make it a lot easier. These funds allow you to invest in sectors and themes rather than individual companies. You can also get exposure to entire sectors instead of risking that you pick the one slow mover in a high-demand industry. Use Tax-Advantaged Accounts The potential $2,000 Trump dividend refund check could also go into a retirement account like a traditional IRA or a Roth 401(k). ChatGPT suggested prioritizing investments in these accounts since they come with tax benefits. Traditional retirement accounts let you defer taxes, while Roth plans grow tax-free. NEW YORK, Dec. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Nidec Corporation (OTC: NJDCY) resulting from allegations that Nidec Corporation may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. So What: If you purchased Nidec Corporation securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=47559 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. What is this about: On September 3, 2025, after market close, CNBC published an article entitled "Nidec shares plunge 22% as China unit probe finds accounting issues tied to management." The article further stated that shares of Nidec fell "after the company announced a probe into allegations of improper accounting in its group. This marks the largest one-day drop in the Japanese electronics components manufacturer's shares." On this news, Nidec American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") fell 22.7% on September 4, 2025. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until January 12, 2026 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Stride, Inc. ("Stride" or the "Company") (NYSE: LRN), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between October 22, 2024 and October 28, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Get Help Stride investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-lrn-4 or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit Stride and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On September 14, 2025, it was reported that the Gallup-McKinley County Schools Board of Education had filed a complaint against the Company, alleging fraud, deceptive trade practices, systemic violations of law, and intentional and tortious misconduct, including inflating enrollment numbers by retaining "ghost students" on rolls to secure state funding per student and ignoring compliance requirements, including background checks and licensure laws for its employees. On this news, the price of Stride's shares fell $18.60 per share, or 11.7%, to close at $139.76 per share on September 15, 2025. Then, on October 28, 2025, the Company disclosed that "poor customer experience" had resulted in "higher withdrawal rates," "lower conversion rates," and had driven students away, and that the Company estimated the impact caused approximately 10,000-15,000 fewer enrollments and that, because of this, its outlook is "muted" compared to prior years. On this news, the price of Stride's shares fell $83.48 per share, or more than 54%, to close at $70.05 per share on October 29, 2025. The case is MacMahon v. Stride, Inc., et al., Case No. 25-cv-02019. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. SOURCE ClaimsFiler 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. Ariana Resources PLC (AIM:AAU, ASX:AA2) managing director, Kerim Sener, talked with Proactive about a new A$8 million equity investment deal that will help fund the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) at the Dokwe gold project in Zimbabwe. Sener explained that the investment is coming from a Chinese EPC contractor with substantial expertise in metallurgical test work and engineering. He noted: Theres a $500,000 signing fee being paid, which is part and parcel of that AUD 8 million equity investment. The deal is structured through Arianas listing in Australia and will involve technical services agreements covering metallurgical sampling and contributions to the DFS. The investment includes AUD 1 million in CDIs for metallurgical test work and up to $2 million on completion of the DFS. Sener described it as a very strong endorsement of the Dokwe project and what were doing in Zimbabwe. He added that Xinhai, the Chinese partner, already has a presence in-country, having built a 2 million tonne per annum lithium plant and is constructing its own gold mine in central Zimbabwe. With Xinhais involvement, Ariana expects to accelerate the DFS timeline, potentially completing it in late 2026. While the Dokwe project will eventually require substantial additional capital, this package funds Ariana through to a potential investment decision. Proactive: Kerim, very good to speak with you. Could you start by breaking down the A$8 million funding package? What does it cover and how long does it keep Ariana funded for? Kerim Sener: We're really excited about this development for the Dokwe project. The company with which we were entering into this arrangement is a well-known Chinese EPC contractor, with substantial facilities and capabilities in engineering and metallurgical test work as well. So it's an $8 million equity investment to be undertaken in Ariana CDI. So over here in Australia, through our listing here, there's a $500,000 signing fee, which is being paid, which is part and parcel of that 8 million equity investment. We have to go through the process now of completing definitive documentation. So that's a process that's now underway associated with that technical services agreements relating to metallurgical sampling and test work, in addition to their contributions to the definitive feasibility study for the Dokwe project. Those latter two components are paid in shares or CDIs, rather for $1 million in value for the metallurgical sampling and test work program, and up to $2 million paid in CDIs on completion of the definitive feasibility study. So it's a very strong endorsement of the Dokwe project and what we're doing in Zimbabwe. The other important point here, of course, is that Xinhai have a substantial in-country presence. They've been involved in building the 2 million tonne per annum plant at Bikita thats the lithium beneficiation plant and they've had a workforce certainly in excess of a thousand people at peak. They're also building their own gold mine in central Zimbabwe in Gweru. And that's due to go live in January of next year. Proactive: Kerim, with the feasibility study now funded, what's the realistic timeline from here to first gold? Kerim Sener: So we can obviously accelerate the whole DFS program. Our original view was that we'd get it through by 2026, in the latter part of the year. I think with Xinhai's inputs in particular their very specific expertise and understanding of the requirements for metallurgical sampling and test work, and the design work that goes into that well be able to accelerate those aspects of the program, which is great. So while we have the RC drilling program continuing at site to extend the known mineralisation particularly at Dokwe Central and around Dokwe North that can continue to answer some questions around the exploration upside opportunity. But we can now start planning for the drilling program associated with the metallurgical sampling. So we plan to get that underway very early next year. Proactive: Does the $8 million get you all the way to a production decision, or will you need to raise more capital down the track, Kerim? Kerim Sener: Sure. So, Dokwe is a big project. It requires substantial capital, and what routes we choose to raise that capital whether that's in further equity or in debt is an open question at the moment. But what this does is it arms us significantly to be able to see through the whole DFS program to a successful conclusion. On the back of that, we could make an investment decision based on those sorts of questions where well be raising the major capital required to go ahead and build the Dokwe project. But having a shareholder like Xinhai also arms us substantially, in the sense that they are a sort of financial backstop in a sense. Because it would be their intention, in partnership with us, to see Dokwe built as quickly as possible. Proactive: Kerim, congratulations on this latest development. I hope you'll keep us posted on your progress. Optima Health PLC (AIM:OPT) chief executive, Jonathan Thomas, talked with Proactive about the companys strong first half performance, posting 17% revenue growth. Thomas credited both organic expansion and recent M&A activityincluding the acquisitions of Cognate Health in Ireland and Care Firstas key contributors. The market backdrop is really good. There's great demand for our services. We're winning new business and we anticipate to continue to grow, said Thomas. He outlined how Cognate Health has now been rebranded as Optima Health Ireland, with the company beginning to leverage revenue synergies across jurisdictions. Care First, which complements Optimas existing EAP and mental health operations, is expected to complete its integration in Q4 of the current financial year. Thomas also discussed the companys operational transformation programme, which is designed to improve margins and scale effectively as growth continues. This includes clinical enhancements, automating processes, and optimising central support functions. The interview also touched on Optimas 210 million Armed Forces contract, now being mobilised, and 8.3 million of new business either signed or at preferred bidder stagepositioning the company for growth into FY27 and FY28. Looking ahead, Thomas reaffirmed the companys target of reaching 200 million in revenue and 40 million EBITDA, driven by organic growth, operational efficiency, and further M&A. Proactive: Jonathan, very good to speak with you this morning. You're out with your first half results and you delivered 17% revenue growth. What are the key drivers behind that performance and how sustainable is that momentum into the full year? Jonathan Thomas: So yes, we're really pleased. In the half we delivered 17% growth on our revenues, which was as expected. And there are a couple of things underpinning that. One is our two M&A deals that we completed in the half, and then just at the end of the previous half, but also some good organic growth. So yes, the M&A opportunities that we've delivered are starting to contribute to that, but also organic growth. From a sustainability perspective, we see more of that coming along. The market backdrop is really good. There's great demand for our services. We're winning new business and we anticipate continuing to grow. Proactive: As you mentioned, you completed two acquisitionsCognate Health in Ireland and Care First. How are these integrations progressing, and when should investors expect to see the full financial and operational benefits? Jonathan Thomas: Yes, those are really great acquisitions. As you mentioned, Cognate in Ireland was our first acquisition outside of the UK. We've recently rebranded that Optima Health Ireland. From a go-to-market perspective, it's fully rebranded and we're now starting to really leverage those benefitssome group functions, revenue synergies, and looking at driving growth in the Ireland business, particularly where we have multinational clients across the UK and Ireland. Care First is progressing well with integration. Thats combining with our existing mental health and EAP business. We anticipate completing that in Q4 of this financial year. Again, revenue synergy opportunities there. Care First is a great standalone business, came with around 1,000 clients, all of whom are likely to require other services that we deliver as a group. Proactive: How will the transformation program improve efficiency and lift margins, Jonathan? And when should investors expect to see those gains? Jonathan Thomas: Yeah, it's a good question. Weve focused quite heavily since the IPO on our growth and getting our growth trajectory in the right place. We're happy with where that is now, but alongside that, we want to make sure were delivering on the bottom line and improving margins as we go. So alongside growth initiatives, we kicked off transformation activity. That is focused on improving and differentiating our services, which we anticipate will drive growth and improve margins. That includes clinical enhancements, operational efficiencyautomating processes and improving how it feels to work with Optima from a customer perspectiveand ensuring our overhead and central functions are the right size to support effective scale. Proactive: Youre mobilising a 210 million Armed Forces contract and you have 8.3 million of new business signed or at preferred bidder stage. How do these wins shape your revenue trajectory over the next 1824 months? Jonathan Thomas: Yeah, the nice thing is we've won those, so our growth trajectory over the next 12 to 18 months is as secure as it can be. Looking at the 8.3 million of won contracts, typically our conversion to revenue time is around three months. Some of that will come in Q4 and support our Q4 FY26 numbers. The majority will support FY27 numbers. As for the UK Armed Forces deal, thats much larger and will be coming in during calendar year 2027. FY28 is when we can expect to see a step-up in revenues from that contract. Proactive: Youve reaffirmed your ambition to reach 200 million revenue and 40 million EBITDA. What are the biggest leversorganic growth, tech investment, or further M&Athat will get you there? Jonathan Thomas: A little bit of all of that, Stephen. Our strategy is straightforward and weve got good line of sight. Well focus on further organic growthdoing more of what we do, expanding wallet share with customers, and potentially expanding into adjacent services. Well also continue the operational transformation, making sure that as we grow, our EBITDA margins keep pace. Finally, well look to augment that with M&A, as we have done since and before the IPO. There are lots of opportunities and were really confident in the outlook. Proactive: Well, I hope you'll continue to keep us updated with your progress. Thank you very much for speaking with us today. Delta Gold Technologies PLC (AQSE:DGQ) earlier this week discussed its ongoing research in quantum computing and the companys commercial strategy following its recent listing on the Aquis Stock Exchange. The company is pursuing a novel approach to building qubits, the core component of quantum computers, by using nanoscale gold. It highlighted that qubit creation is still a fundamental challenge in the sector, and its solution focuses on achieving both scalability and stability. It has a three-year research partnership with the University of Toronto, with Professor Harry Ruda, a cited expert in the field, the lead investigator, joined by two postdoctoral fellows relocating to Toronto to work on the project. The company told investors that approximately CA$1 million (600,000) is being spent annually under this agreement, which secures the right to 100% of the intellectual property developed. The capital raised through the IPO, which totalled 2.50 million, is being deployed toward this programme and associated patent filings. Michael Jones, CEO of Delta Gold, said the company is open-minded about its commercial pathway, with opportunities for licensing, partnerships, or direct applications. Proactive: Hello you're watching Proactive. I'm joined by Michael Jones, the CEO of Delta Gold Technologies PLC. Michael, very good to see you in the studio. For viewers new to Delta Gold, how would you describe the company and the problem you're trying to solve in quantum computing? Michael Jones: Quantum computing is very interesting because there are companies that talk about having a quantum computer. And yet the very core part of the quantum computer is a qubit. And how to make a qubit it's not actually settled. The physics is still in debate. The key thing is the qubit has to be both stable and scalable. Lots of companies are working on different science to create that. So it's still very much early in quantum computing days. We have a particular way of creating a qubit that we think is very innovative, and that's what we're working on. Proactive: In fact, your technology centres on nanoscale gold. What's uniquely promising about this material for quantum applications? Michael Jones: Well unfortunately I can't tell you for two reasons. I'm not a quantum physicist, and quantum is quite hard to understand. And second, it's part of our intellectual property. It's actually a good thing I don't understand all of it. In a basic computer, you can have a zero or a one. In a quantum computer, you can have a zero, a one or something in between, at the same time. That ability to create multi-settings gives the quantum computer its power and its ability to calculate iterations much faster than a regular computer, tens or hundreds of thousands of times faster. So creating a stable, scalable qubit is very unique. And gold has a particular property that gives it that potential. Proactive: What are Delta Gold's unique selling points? Michael Jones: We have some of the best people in the world working on this. Quantum physics and computing are exciting fields. Big companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Rigetti are spending billions a year on quantum computing. We happen to have some of the brightest people working on our solution. In fact, Professor Harry Ruda, our principal investigator at the University of Toronto, is chairing the Global Conference on Quantum Computing in Bern this summer. He's a true global leader. Proactive: What does your partnership with the University of Toronto give you that you couldn't build in-house? Michael Jones: That expertise. We're able to attract top academic talent from around the world. Two postdoctoral fellows are even moving with their families to Toronto because of the uniqueness of our idea and the opportunity to study under Professor Ruda. He's authored thousands of papers and been cited over 2,800 times. Also, working with the university gives us access to resources like electron microprobes and other equipment a real benefit for a small company. Proactive: Youve just listed on the Aquis Stock Exchange with a market cap of about 5.9 million and raised 2.5 million. How do you plan to deploy that capital? Michael Jones: Interestingly, the stock is up about 50% since the IPO, so were now over 10 million. The capital is to drive research. We have a sponsorship agreement with the University of Toronto and spend about CA$1 million, or 600,000 a year, on research. That programme is laid out over three years and earns us the right to 100% of the intellectual property. So, part of the expenditure will be around securing that IP, filing patents, and protecting it. Proactive: You've described Delta Gold as an IP-driven business. What does commercial success look like? Licensing, partnerships? Michael Jones: All of those. The company could become interesting to larger players as our science develops. Were open-minded about how to monetise. The first step is to develop the IP, protect it, and see whos interested. Quantum computing spans sectors military, big data, encryption, banking, medical modelling the power of the quantum computer cuts across industries. That gives us a lot of opportunity to look for partners or licensees. Proactive: Give us your investment case. Michael Jones: Were a relatively small market cap. We have some of the best people in the world working in a high-growth area. We're quite unique. It's hard to get this expertise. Its a way to get direct quantum computing exposure at a modest market cap. Proactive: And quite a bit of your stock is locked up for 12 months. What should this tell investors? Michael Jones: Absolutely. Our largest seed shareholder and the founders are locked up. About 49% of stock is locked up for a year, and the founders for over two years on a phased release. We all very much believe in what were doing. The exciting part comes as we crystallise the IP and look for licensing or partnerships. We've got a steady flow of business news. One exciting development is building a centre of excellence in quantum research, bringing top researchers globally to collaborate something rare in academia. Proactive: You're early in a three-year research project. What milestones should investors look out for? Michael Jones: First, well talk more about the team weve secured. That announcement is coming in the next week or two. Then, in 34 months, well detail collaborations with global universities. In about a year, you should see patent filings and more public detail about the technology. Proactive: Well, I hope you'll keep us posted on your progress. Thank you very much for coming on today. 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. MustGrow Biologics Corp. (TSX-V:MGRO, OTCQB:MGROF, FRA:0C0) has announced positive results from a two-year field trial program testing its mustard-derived organic biocontrol product, TerraMG, on approximately 100 acres of canola across the Canadian Prairies. The trials, conducted through MustGrows marketing and distribution subsidiary NexusBioAg, evaluated TerraMGs effectiveness in suppressing clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae), a soil-borne parasitic disease that affects canola and for which no registered control products currently exist. Clubroot can severely reduce yields by causing gall formation on roots, disrupting water and nutrient uptake, and in some cases resulting in complete crop loss. According to MustGrow, TerraMG-treated plots showed reductions in Clubroot resting spore concentrations and lower incidence and severity of root galls compared with untreated controls. 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 Emily Jarvie Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, The Canberra Times, 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. The fear that artificial intelligence is a bubble is prompting some investors to turn towards non-AI companies, which appear to be safer bets. If you are looking for stock that falls in the middle ground, meaning it is both lower beta and AI-levered, then the company we will be discussing should be of interest to you. The largest provider of electronic design automation (EDA) software and the 2nd largest supplier of semiconductor intellectual property, Synopsys reported its Q4 earnings on December 10. During the earnings call, Sassine Ghazi, president and CEO of Synopsys, said: Here are the Synopsys Q4 earnings highlights: Revenue of $2.255 billion, compared to $1.635 billion in Q4 2024 Gross margin of $1.6 billion, compared to $1.26 billion in Q4 2024 Net income attributed to Synopsys of $448,696 million, compared to $1.114 billion in Q4 2024 Diluted net income per share of $2.39 compared to $7.14 in Q4 2024 Source: Synopsys Q4 earnings release The company stated that it expects fiscal year 2026 revenue of $9.610 billion at the midpoint, including $2.9 billion of expected Ansys revenue, and reflecting the impact of approximately $110 million from the divested Optical Solutions Group and PowerArtist RTL businesses. Synopsys revenue reached $2.255 billion in Q4 2025, compared to $1.635 billion in Q4 2024.Photo by NurPhoto on Getty Images Photo by NurPhoto on Getty Images Bank of America upgrades Synopsys stock, raises price target Bank of America analysts Vivek Arya and his team updated their opinion on Synopsys (SNPS) stock, following the release of the earnings report. The team wrote: We believe the relative derisking of China and Intel sales along with strong growth at Ansys clears the decks for Synopsys to provide attractive stock catch-up potential and EPS beats for the next year. Analysts noted that the non-GAAP EPS guidance provided by the company for the full fiscal year 2026, at $14.36 midpoint, is well ahead of consensus at $14.11. Related: Bank of America resets Amazon stock forecast after key meeting They raised their fiscal year 2026/2027 non-GAAP EPS estimates to $ 14.37 and $17, respectively. The team stated that while the stock may consolidate at current levels after the recent approximately 20% run, they believe it offers an attractive, lower-beta, AI-levered candidate with recurring sales tied to more resilient chip design and R&D spending. Analysts noted that their top pick in EDA stocks remains Cadence (CDNS). In a research note shared with TheStreet, Arya changed the rating for Synopsys stock from neutral to buy and raised the target price from $500 to $560, based on a 32 multiple of his estimate for the price-to-earnings ratio for 2027. Analysts noted downside risks for Synopsys to their price objective: Aftermath Silver Ltd (TSX-V:AAG, OTCQX:AAGFF, FRA:FLM1) has appointed mining executive Danny Keating as chief operating officer as the Canada-listed explorer advances technical work at its Berenguela silver-copper-manganese project in Peru. Keating, a mining engineer with three decades of experience in mine development, processing and project execution, most recently served as chief executive of TSX Venture Exchange-listed Giyani Metals. He has also held senior roles at Alufer Mining, Dynamic Mining and Australia-listed Lindian Resources, and earlier worked at Anglo American and Gold Fields. He later moved into investment banking and corporate finance roles at Collins Stewart and ABN AMRO. Michael Parker, Aftermaths current COO and a director of the company, will transition to the role of technical director, leading the Peruvian team and overseeing exploration and development activities at the companys projects in Chile. Aftermath is advancing engineering studies at Berenguela following infill drilling and a recently updated resource estimate, as well as testing new exploration targets near the project. The company is also drilling at its Challacollo silver project in northern Chile. About this content About Angela Harmantas Angela Harmantas is an Editor at Proactive. She has over 15 years of experience covering the equity markets in North America, with a particular focus on junior resource stocks. Angela has reported from numerous countries around the world, including Canada, the US, Australia, Brazil, Ghana, and South Africa for leading trade publications. Previously, she worked in investor relations and led the foreign direct investment program in Canada for the Swedish government. She earned a Bachelor of... 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. Aftermath Silver Ltd (TSX-V:AAG, OTCQX:AAGFF) earlier this week outlined its dual-drilling strategy at two key assets in Peru and Chile. The company said it had commenced a 4,000 to 6,000-metre drilling program at the Berenguela project in southern Peru. According to CEO Ralph Rushton, the campaign includes engineering-focused drilling to assess areas likely to be mined first, as well as exploration work on the projects eastern side, where previous drilling returned long intercepts of high-grade copper. Proactive: You're announcing the drills are going to be turning at both of your projects. So why don't we start with Berenguela and then move on to your other project. Tell me what's going to happen. Ralph Rushton: (At) Berenguela, we are drilling between 4,000 to 6,000 metres. There are various objectives with the program. Some are engineering objectives. We want to put some holes into the area where we think the initial mining will begin a few years down the road. So a little bit of geotechnical and investigation of that area. We're also doing some exploration drilling on the eastern side of the project, where we have some extremely long intercepts of fairly high-grade copper. Given the way the critical metals demand is heading at the moment copper is a metal thats going to be in demand. We have an area that we believe is enriched in it. So it behooves us to actually do some exploration in that part of the project. And you mentioned where the prices are. Thats really whats driving all of this, right? Because there's a general need to get down and see exactly what you have and how you can expand. Yeah. Given that were looking at both silver and copper I mean, as of this morning, silver is trading close to $64 an ounce. So the potential valuations of a lot of the silver projects out there are climbing every day. So yeah, we would really like to find some additional high grade in there. Thats part of the drilling going on as well. And how about your other project? Challacollo is a project we've had for about five or six years. Its one of the first projects we acquired. Weve held off drilling it primarily because our focus was on Berenguela. But we now have additional funding in the bank, and we believe its time to put some holes into that and see if there's potential to expand the resource. So were going to be drilling what's called the Lolon vein its the main vein at Challacollo. Well be looking at two extensions potentially down dip extensions of it as well. And well be doing some exploration drilling away from the main veins to see if theres any additional potential on the project. Its a relatively modest program, but I think if we see success, well probably continue the drilling. Well, it seems like Peru and Chile are really being talked about in the last little while, I guess obviously because of where metal prices are at. But there's a lot of work going on in both countries. There is. And it's actually been a little bit of an issue for us in Chile because theres a huge demand for drill rigs there. Anybody thats got a copper, silver, or gold project is trying to drill at the moment. So it has an impact for us in terms of the availability of the equipment we need to do these projects. And you're expecting assays in 2026? Hopefully first quarter. With Christmas coming up and a lot of drill projects underway, the labs are pretty backed up at the moment. But well do our best to get the results turned around as fast as we can. Quotes have been lightly edited for style and clarity 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 Washington, Dec 13 : The Trump administration diverted more than $2 billion from US military funds in 2025 to support immigration enforcement operations, weakening military readiness and straining servicemembers, according to a report released by Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The report, "Draining Defense: Trump's Immigration Stunts Cost Billions at the Expense of Military Readiness, Morale, and National Security," says the Department of Defense (DoD) has obligated billions of dollars for immigration-related missions spending that lawmakers say falls outside the military's core national security role. "The Department of Defense (DoD) has dedicated at least $2 billion to supporting immigration enforcement money that should have gone toward supporting its core national security mission," the report states, adding that the Pentagon plans to spend "billions more" in the next fiscal year. According to the lawmakers, most of the money has not been reimbursed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), forcing the Pentagon to divert funds from military priorities such as training, housing repairs, and infrastructure upgrades. The report says the diversions have affected everything from barracks maintenance to "repairs for elementary schools attended by the children of our servicemembers." The report documents extensive use of active-duty troops and National Guard units for immigration enforcement. These include deployments to the US-Mexico border and to American cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, and Memphis. Lawmakers estimate that border deployments alone cost about $1.3 billion, while deployments inside the US added another $258 million. In Los Angeles, a military deployment to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cost an estimated $172 million. The report breaks down those expenses to include food, shelter, payroll, logistics, travel, and demobilization costs for thousands of Marines and National Guard troops. Detention operations on military installations accounted for hundreds of millions more. The report says DoD obligated over $420 million for detention activities, including more than $363 million spent at Fort Bliss in Texas. The Fort Bliss facility, the report notes, "has already 'violated at least 60 federal standards for immigrant detention.'" The Trump administration also expanded the use of Guantanamo Bay for immigration detention a departure from past practice. According to the report, DoD spent about $40 million detaining noncitizens there in just the first month. Detention at Guantanamo costs far more than detention inside the US, the report says, citing transportation, staffing, and infrastructure expenses. Military aircraft were also used for deportations, significantly increasing costs. The report notes that "it costs $28,500 an hour to fly a C-17, compared with $8,500 an hour for a standard US Immigration and Customs Enforcement flight." As of September 2025, at least $33.1 million had been spent on deportation flights using military aircraft, including flights to India that cost "$3 million each." The report further highlights the reassignment of military lawyers. Up to 600 Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers were authorized to serve as temporary immigration judges, a move estimated to cost $55 million in pay and benefits while pulling legal officers away from military justice duties. Beyond financial costs, the lawmakers warn of growing risks to readiness. Combat-certified units were reassigned to immigration missions, leaving them unavailable for contingency operations. National Guard deployments, the report says, also reduced states' ability to respond to disasters such as wildfires and floods. "The Trump administration must stop degrading the military's fundamental mission by diverting the military's budget and critical resources to DHS's immigration functions," the report says, calling for full reimbursement and an end to the diversions. Immigration enforcement has remained a defining issue for the administration, often framed as a national security priority. For US allies and partners, including India, the report's authors caution that deploying military resources to domestic law enforcement risks weakening America's ability to respond to global security challenges, particularly in strategically sensitive regions. Dhaka, Dec 13 : Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on December 25, local media reported on Saturday. The announcement was made on Friday during a press conference at the party's headquarters in Gulshan. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party would formally receive and welcome Rahman upon his arrival in the capital. Tarique Rahman was arrested in 2007 during the political upheaval linked to the 1/11 period. After being released from prison in 2008, he travelled to the United Kingdom along with his family for medical treatment and has remained there ever since. Following the July uprising that led to the fall of the democratically elected Awami League government on August 5 last year, several court verdicts that had sentenced Tarique Rahman in different cases were overturned. In some other cases, he was acquitted through legal proceedings. His mother, BNP chief Khaleda Zia, is also not in good health. His planned return comes at a time when the Election Commission (EC) has announced that the country's 13th national parliamentary election, along with a referendum on the July Charter, will be held on February 12 next year. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin made the announcement in a pre-recorded address broadcast on state-owned Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar on December 11. According to the announced election schedule, December 29 has been set as the last date for submitting nomination papers. The scrutiny of nominations will take place from December 30 to January 4. The deadline for the withdrawal of candidatures is January 26, while the election campaign is scheduled to begin on January 22, Bangladeshi media outlet UNB reported. Bangladesh is set to hold the February 2026 national election alongside a referendum for the first time in the country's electoral history. Last month, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus instructed the Election Commission to organise the referendum on the same day as the February 2026 polls, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed. "The Cabinet Division sent the letter to the commission, directing it to begin necessary preparations for holding a referendum," an EC official was quoted as saying by leading Bangladeshi newspaper The Business Standard. Thiruvananthapuram Dec 13 : As counting began on Saturday for the Kerala local body elections, early trends pointed to a mixed and still-evolving picture across the state. The BJP-led NDA appeared to have got off to a promising start, even as the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front, on expected lines, maintained a slight overall edge. The Congress-led United Democratic Front was also seen putting up a better performance than in the 2020 local body polls. Municipalities are witnessing intense, neck-and-neck contests, underlining the closely fought nature of the elections. In district panchayats, the UDF can claim some gains, while the CPI (M) appears to be relatively comfortable in gram panchayats. The Left is also showing an advantage in block panchayats, reinforcing its organisational strength at the intermediate tier. In several corporation wards too, the CPI (M) seems to be holding an edge. The results of the district panchayats are widely viewed as the key barometer of political strength in the State. Except for Kannur, most corporations are currently under Left rule, though early trends suggest that this situation could change as counting progresses. In Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP-led NDA has emerged as an early leader, though the contest remains extremely tight and open, with the Left also doing well. The NDA is also reported to be doing well in Palakkad. In Thrissur, the UDF has taken an early lead, even as the BJP is seen catching up and the Left's performance remains below expectations. At the Ernakulam Corporation, the Congress appears to have been hit by the rebel factor, playing spoilsport in what was one of the six corporations the party was hopeful of wresting. In Kannur Corporation as well, the Congress is pinning hopes on a favourable outcome. These trends are based on figures available as of 9 a.m. Overall, the Left appears to enjoy a relative advantage in terms of the total number of wards, even as the final outcome remains far from clear. Chennai, Dec 13 : Superstar Rajinikanth, who celebrated his 75th birthday on Friday, offered prayers at the world famous Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday. Rajinikanth was accompanied by his entire family, including his daughters Aishwarya and Soundarya, during his visit to the temple. On Friday, several celebrities cutting across regions and industries joined scores of fans in greeting Superstar Rajinikanth a happy birthday. Top stars including Kamal Haasan and Mohanlal greeted the superstar on his birthday. While Kamal Haasan, in his birthday wish to Rajinikanth said, "75 years of a remarkable life. 50 years of legendary cinema. Happy birthday, my friend @rajinikanth", Malayalam superstar Mohanlal wrote, 75 years of a remarkable life. 50 years of legendary cinema. Happy birthday, my friend @rajinikanth." Politician, producer and actress Khushbu Sundar, who wished Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth a happy birthday on Friday, called him, "God's favourite child". The actress wrote, "Happiest birthday to the one and only Superstar of Indian cinema, Padma Vibhushan Thiru @rajinikanth avi. Godas favourite child. Blessed in abundance. A man who tells us nothing can stop you if you have the dedication, patience, perseverance, humility, and never say no attitude, anything is achievable. You are an institution Sir. Love you." Ace director Karthik Subbaraj, taking to his X timeline to greet Superstar Rajinikanth on his 75th birthday, wrote, "Happy 75 Thalaivaaa. Wishing you good Health and lots n lots of Happiness.... Keep inspiring and Entertaining us for many many more years to come.... Thanks for making our life beautiful. Love you Forever!! #Happy75Thalaivaa #HBDSuperstarRajinikanth." Actor Harish Kalyan too was among the first to greet Rajinikanth. In his wish, Harish Kalyan wrote, "I was just five when I first watched #Baasha, and a part of me is still living in that moment. Thank you Thalaiva for inspiring me and millions across generations. Youare the one & only Superstar. Love you. Happy Birthday to the Style Samrat & the Mastermind @rajinikanth sir." Meanwhile, Rajinikanth celebrated his 75th birthday on the sets of director Nelson's eagerly awaited action thriller 'Jailer 2'. Sun Pictures, the production house producing the film, took to its X timeline to post a video clip of the cake cutting celebrations that took place on the sets. The clip showed Rajinikanth leaving his caravan to the cake cutting venue, where he was wished by the core unit members including director Nelson. After a brief cake cutting celebration, during which period Rajinikanth fed cake to director Nelson, the actor was seen returning to his caravan. With a market cap of $9.4 billion, Baxter International Inc. (BAX) is a global medical technology company specializing in essential hospital products and therapies used in intensive care, kidney care, pharmaceuticals, and surgical settings. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, its portfolio spans infusion systems, dialysis equipment, sterile IV solutions, and advanced patient monitoring technologies. Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally described as large-cap stocks, and BAX perfectly fits that description, with its market cap exceeding this mark, underscoring its size, influence, and dominance within the medical instruments & supplies industry. The companys market leadership is driven by demand trends in acute care and chronic therapies, ongoing cost-restructuring efforts, and strategic portfolio realignment following recent divestitures and spinoffs. More News from Barchart Despite its notable strength, BAX shares have slipped 49.9% from their 52-week high of $37.74, achieved on March 10. Over the past three months, BAX stock has declined 22.8%, underperforming the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLV) 9.9% return during the same time frame. www.barchart.com In the longer term, shares of BAX dipped 35.2% on a YTD basis and fell 39% over the past 52 weeks, considerably falling behind XLVs YTD gains of 11.6% and 8.1% returns over the last year. To confirm the bearish trend, BAX has been trading below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since early April and late March, respectively. www.barchart.com Baxter shares rose 2.8% after the company announced a quarterly cash dividend of 0.01 dollars per share, payable January 2, 2026 to shareholders of record on November 28, 2025. The declaration implies an annualized dividend rate of 0.04 dollars per share. BAXs rival, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX), has outpaced the stock, despite BDXs shares plummeting 11.7% on a YTD basis and 9.3% over the past 52 weeks. Wall Street analysts are cautious on BAXs prospects. The stock has a consensus Hold rating from the 16 analysts covering it, and the mean price target of $22.29 suggests a potential upside of 17.9% from current price levels. On the date of publication, Kritika Sarmah 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 Chennai, Dec 13 : Superstar Rajinikanth, who celebrated his 75th birthday on Friday, offered prayers at the world famous Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday. Rajinikanth was accompanied by his entire family, including his daughters Aishwarya and Soundarya, during his visit to the temple. On Friday, several celebrities cutting across regions and industries joined scores of fans in greeting Superstar Rajinikanth a happy birthday. Top stars including Kamal Haasan and Mohanlal greeted the superstar on his birthday. While Kamal Haasan, in his birthday wish to Rajinikanth said, "75 years of a remarkable life. 50 years of legendary cinema. Happy birthday, my friend @rajinikanth", Malayalam superstar Mohanlal wrote, 75 years of a remarkable life. 50 years of legendary cinema. Happy birthday, my friend @rajinikanth." Politician, producer and actress Khushbu Sundar, who wished Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth a happy birthday on Friday, called him, "God's favourite child". The actress wrote, "Happiest birthday to the one and only Superstar of Indian cinema, Padma Vibhushan Thiru @rajinikanth avi. Godas favourite child. Blessed in abundance. A man who tells us nothing can stop you if you have the dedication, patience, perseverance, humility, and never say no attitude, anything is achievable. You are an institution Sir. Love you." Ace director Karthik Subbaraj, taking to his X timeline to greet Superstar Rajinikanth on his 75th birthday, wrote, "Happy 75 Thalaivaaa. Wishing you good Health and lots n lots of Happiness.... Keep inspiring and Entertaining us for many many more years to come.... Thanks for making our life beautiful. Love you Forever!! #Happy75Thalaivaa #HBDSuperstarRajinikanth." Actor Harish Kalyan too was among the first to greet Rajinikanth. In his wish, Harish Kalyan wrote, "I was just five when I first watched #Baasha, and a part of me is still living in that moment. Thank you Thalaiva for inspiring me and millions across generations. Youare the one & only Superstar. Love you. Happy Birthday to the Style Samrat & the Mastermind @rajinikanth sir." Meanwhile, Rajinikanth celebrated his 75th birthday on the sets of director Nelson's eagerly awaited action thriller 'Jailer 2'. Sun Pictures, the production house producing the film, took to its X timeline to post a video clip of the cake cutting celebrations that took place on the sets. The clip showed Rajinikanth leaving his caravan to the cake cutting venue, where he was wished by the core unit members including director Nelson. After a brief cake cutting celebration, during which period Rajinikanth fed cake to director Nelson, the actor was seen returning to his caravan. New Delhi, Dec 13 : Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR) Chairman and former MP Mohammad Adeeb on Saturday said that Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has assured a delegation of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) of action on issues related to the registration of Waqf properties. Rijiju held discussions with the AIMPLB delegation on December 11 on matters concerning the registration of Waqf properties, against the backdrop of over five lakh properties being initiated for upload on the UMEED Portal till December 6. The deadline for uploading existing Waqf properties on the portal ended on December 6. Rijiju said that the six-month limit under the Waqf Amendment Act could not be extended, as directed by the Supreme Court. However, to address mutawalli concerns, the minister stated that no penalties would be imposed for the next three months. Mutawallis who missed the deadline are advised to approach the Waqf Tribunal for possible extensions. Elaborating on the meeting, Adeeb told IANS: "I was also part of that delegation. We presented our issues and grievances in detail. I am happy that the Minister listened to us very carefully, treated us with respect, and assured us that he would make efforts in this direction. There was also discussion on extending the deadline." "There is a good thing with this government that if you present your views, then they do acknowledge your problems. We hope that Rijiju, who himself is from a minority community, will take action in this direction. We had raised our voice against the Waqf Amendment Bill; however, it was eventually passed. But there are several problems within the Act, and we would want them to change," he added. Adeeb also commented on Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind chief Maulana Mahmood Madani's remarks on 'jihad', contending the "problem" in the country is that the "meaning of 'jihad' has been deliberately exploited". "Through the media and the government, a narrative has been created that jihad means killing and violence. Maulana Madani has explained, with strong reasoning, the true meaning of jihad and countered attempts to malign it. Jihad is a pure concept; it means raising one's voice against injustice and helping the oppressed," he said. Drawing a parallel with Hinduism and the Mahabharata, he said, "In Hinduism, what did Krishna tell Arjuna? He said, 'Strike them, stop them'. So does that mean it is permissible in the Hindu religion to kill one's uncles and cousins? We have never said that. Krishna had told Arjun to fight against injustice; this is jihad. The way the concept of jihad was distorted in the country -- land jihad, love jihad -- is very wrong." Adeeb further said that in the context of the recent Delhi terror blast, Muslims in the country are being "targeted", and termed the shutting down of Al Falah University as "injustice". "We accept what the government has stated so far, that those arrested were the doctors involved in the terror attack. If it is a terrorist attack, then the perpetrators should be punished most severely. However, shutting down a university on this basis, a university which the government itself established, and having the medical council cancel its licence within 24 hours, what kind of justice is this? Students in their third, fourth and fifth years of medical studies have had their lives upended in a single day," Adeeb told IANS. He noted that in several terror-related cases, the accused were later pronounced "not guilty", even though years of their lives had already been lost due to prolonged legal proceedings. "Many terror attack cases show that after 15 or even 20 years, the Supreme Court or High Courts say that the accused is not guilty, but by then 16 to 20 years of that person's life are gone. A bomb blast happened, and people were killed, so who was actually responsible? This is done by the security agencies to show that their work is done. A terrorist attack is usually planned over a long time; it does not happen suddenly. Authorities should take time and catch the real culprits at the right moment. Punish the real criminals with the strictest possible punishment. But because of overreaction, conviction rates remain very low," he added. Adeeb also criticised suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir for laying a foundation stone for a Babri Masjid in West Bengal's Murshidabad ahead of the Assembly elections next year. "Unfortunately, today's elections in this country are held on how much one party can harass a single community. The politics of hatred is spreading in India," he added. "Next year, Bengal is going to elections, and the preparations have started now. One person stood up and said that he would build the Babri Masjid. How is Babar related to Indian Muslims? Babar came to loot the Indians. Why is a mosque being built in his name?" he said. Lima, Dec 13 : India has handed over 250,000 saline bottles to Peru to help patients battling dehydration, reaffirming its commitment as a credible development partner for the South American nation. Indian Ambassador to Peru Vishvas Sapkal handed over the donation consignment to Peru's Ministry of Health on Friday (local time). Several senior officials of Peru, including Alberto Tejada Conroy, Director General, International Cooperation in the Ministry of Health, Eric Vasquez Calderon, Joint Director, National Centre for the Supply of Strategic Health Resources (CENARES) and Abel Cardenas, Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, appreciated the Government of India's assistance. In a significant gesture of solidarity with its Global South partners, India sent 32 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Peru, including 250,000 units of physiological saline solution. "Caring for each other as Global South partners -- India dispatches 32 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Peru. A consignment of 250,000 units of physiological saline solution will support patients suffering from dehydration in Peru," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had posted on X, following the dispatch of the consignment. India-Peru relations have traditionally been cordial and friendly. The multifaceted bilateral cooperation covers a range of areas, including health and pharma, energy and mines, textiles and agriculture, science & technology, defence and space, capacity building, people-to-people contacts, and culture. India and Peru also cooperate closely on multilateral matters, according to the MEA. In 2023, India handed over 1000 vials of Human Immunoglobulin to the Peruvian Health Ministry in the wake of an increasing number of cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. India has regularly delivered humanitarian aid to its Global South partners. Last month, India dispatched a consignment of 10,000 doses of rabies vaccine and 2,000 vials of rabies immunoglobulin to Timor-Leste. The MEA expressed India's commitment to being a trusted health partner and reliable 'First Responder' to the Global South. "India has dispatched an urgent consignment of 10,000 doses of rabies vaccine and 2,000 vials of rabies immunoglobulin to Timor-Leste, to assist in combating an outbreak. India remains committed to being a trusted health partner and reliable First Responder to the Global South," the ministry posted on X. Ahmedabad, Dec 13 : A CBI court in Ahmedabad has convicted and sentenced four private individuals to three years' rigorous imprisonment each, along with a fine of Rs 50,000 per person, in a bank fraud case involving Bank of Baroda, an official statement said on Saturday. Ahmedabad, Dec 13 (IANS) A CBI court in Ahmedabad has convicted and sentenced four private individuals to three yearsa rigorous imprisonment each, along with a fine of Rs 50,000 per person, in a bank fraud case involving Bank of Baroda, an official statement said on Saturday. The convicted accused are Manojbhai B. Tanti, Pareshbhai M. Tanti, Poorva Pareshbhai Tanti and Lilavanti M. Tanti, partners of M/s P.M. Marketing, Ahmedabad. The sentencing was pronounced on Friday, December 12, the statement added. According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the case was registered on September 30, 2008, following allegations that the accused, acting in criminal conspiracy and with mala fide intent, submitted fabricated financial statements to fraudulently obtain a cash credit facility of Rs 3 crore from Bank of Baroda. The CBI investigation revealed that while availing the facility from Bank of Baroda, the accused deliberately suppressed the fact that M/s P.M. Marketing had already availed a cash credit facility from the State Bank of India. By concealing this material information, the accused caused a wrongful loss of Rs 3.48 crore to Bank of Baroda and secured wrongful gains for themselves, the CBI said. The probe further established that the partners of M/s P.M. Marketing obtained the Bank of Baroda credit facility on the basis of falsified financial documents and, in conspiracy with officials of the State Bank of India, failed to disclose the earlier credit facility before availing a fresh one. After completing the investigation, the CBI filed a charge sheet against the accused on December 11, 2009. Following the trial, the court found all four accused guilty and awarded the sentence accordingly. The CBI actively investigates bribery cases, leading to convictions of public servants and private individuals in fraud cases, with punishments including imprisonment and hefty fines. Kolkata, Dec 13 : With the enumeration phase for the online Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal ending on Thursday midnight, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has detected several voters with "weird" family-tree data in the course of "progeny mapping". Kolkata, Dec 13 (IANS) With the enumeration phase for the online Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal ending on Thursday midnight, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has detected several voters with "weird" family-tree data in the course of "progeny mapping". Insiders from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) pointed out that the first category of such voters with "weird family tree data" is those who have applied for retention names in the voters' list through "progeny mapping" instead of "self-mapping" despite attaining the age of 45 years or above. "The last time that the SIR was conducted in West Bengal was in 2002. So those who are of the age of 45 years or above would have become voters in 2002, considering that the minimum age for being a voter is 18 years. There lies the question of why such voters who are 45 years or above now did not enrol themselves as voters in 2002, and hence they had to depend on 'progeny mapping' instead of 'self mapping' in the ongoing SIR to retain their names in the voters' list," a CEO's office source said. Self-mapping voters are those who have names both in the current voters' list as of October 27, 2025, as well as in the voters' list in 2002. On the other hand, progeny-mapping voters are those who do not have their own names but their parents' names in the voters' list for 2002. The second category of such voters with weird family-tree data includes those whose fathers were just 15 years of age or even lower at the time of becoming the fathers of the voters concerned. As per initial estimates of the Commission, the number of such voters is around 12 lakh. The third category of such voters includes those whose fathers and mothers have the same name, and the figure on this count, as per initial estimates, is around 13 lakh. The fourth category of such voters is those whose grandfathers were just 40 years old or even lower while becoming the grandfathers, and the figure on this count, as per initial estimates, is around 3.50 lakh. "In total, the ECI had detected around 1.50 crore voters, whose data, as provided in the enumeration forms, are highly suspicious. All these voters will be summoned for a hearing, and clarifications will be sought about the doubts about their voters' data," the CEO's office source said. The draft voters' list will be published on December 16, with which the first stage of the three-stage SIR will come to an end. Thereafter, the phase of hearings on claims and objections will follow. The final voters' list will be published on February 14, 2026. Soon after that, the ECI is expected to announce polling dates for the Assembly elections in the state. New Delhi, Dec 13 : Bihar minister Dilip Jaiswal on Saturday said that the issue of the grievances expressed by Rohini Acharya, the estranged daughter of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, was essentially a personal family matter and should be resolved within their household, without political or governmental intervention. Commenting on Rohini Acharya's latest tweet, Jaiswal said: "This is primarily a matter concerning Lalu Yadav's family. Rohini Acharya should first approach Lalu and Rabri (Devi) for justice. Lalu and Rabri should pay attention if their daughter has any grievances within the family. We believe the best recourse is through one's parents, and public officials, including the Chief Minister, cannot intervene in such personal matters." While social issues deserve attention, internal family disputes cannot be politicised or addressed through the machinery of the state, he emphasised. Rohini Acharya's post on X on Thursday reignited discussions around an apparent family rift within the Yadav household. Without directly naming any individual, her remarks were widely interpreted as a critique rooted in personal experience, touching upon broader issues of women's rights, gender equality and patriarchal attitudes in society, particularly in Bihar. In her post, Rohini argued that symbolic welfare measures alone are insufficient to empower women. "Giving girls 10,000 rupees or distributing bicycles, even if done with good intentions, is inadequate in addressing the systemic issues that hinder women's empowerment in India," she wrote. She added that both the government and society must take "concrete steps to protect the equal rights of daughters, especially in the face of social and familial apathy". She further highlighted what she described as a deeply entrenched patriarchal mindset in Bihar, calling for widespread change in social and political spheres. "Every daughter has the right to grow up with the assurance that her parental home is a safe place, where she can return without any fear, guilt, shame, or having to explain herself to anyone," Rohini said, asserting that ensuring such security is not merely an administrative responsibility but a moral imperative. While Rohini's tweet focused on women's rights and social reform, political reactions quickly followed due to her association with one of Bihar's most prominent political families. Nagpur, Dec 13 : Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday expressed serious concern over the rising incidents of child abduction and missing children in Maharashtra, urging Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take concrete and immediate action. In a post on X, Thackeray cited National Crime Records Bureau data to underline the scale of the problem. "According to NCRB data, even if we look at recent years, this rate has increased by nearly 30 per cent from 2021 to 2024. Interstate gangs have emerged that abduct young children and then force them into labour or push them into begging on the streets. These gangs are brazenly abducting very young children, and it is unclear what exactly the government is doing about it," he said. Thackeray said mere statistics offered little reassurance to families. "We in Maharashtra do not want a government response along the lines of, 'So many cases of child abduction have been registered, and X per cent of those children have been traced and safely returned to their families.' Fundamentally, the figures reported by the NCRB only show how many parents have filed complaints with the police. But do even a few thousand such complaints actually reach the police in the first place?" he asked. He also raised concerns about the long-term impact on rescued children. "Even if a child is somehow rescued and returned, what about the trauma inflicted on their minds during that time? More importantly, how are these child-abducting gangs allowed to operate at all, and how do they carry out their activities so boldly and without fear?" Thackeray said. Questioning the government's resolve, the MNS chief asked whether there was any urgency to deal with the issue. "When we see young children begging on the streets, at railway stations, or at bus stands, who are they? Are the adults begging alongside them really their parents? Should the government not issue orders for investigations or, if necessary, even conduct DNA tests?" he asked. The MNS chief further said that in the state today, young children and girls were being abducted and land in Maharashtra was being usurped, and asked whether these issues should not be discussed in the legislature with the administration compelled to take unanimous steps. Referring to the winter session of the Assembly, he criticised what he described as a lack of seriousness. "Is the winter session only meant to clear supplementary demands to cover up faulty budget estimates? Very often, ministers are absent when answers are required. It almost feels unreasonable to expect discussions on issues like missing children or abducted girls. But this is what Maharashtra expects," he said. Thackeray also suggested a coordinated national approach. "Ideally, the central government should discuss this with all states and form task forces. But it does not appear likely that a central government busy with heated debates over 'Vande Mataram' will hear the anguish of mothers," he said. Addressing Fadnavis directly, he added, "As the Chief Minister and Home Minister of the state, we expect you not only to facilitate a discussion on this during the session but also to take concrete action." New Delhi, Dec 13 : Political tensions between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) escalated on Saturday after Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav and senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her remarks on the voter list revision exercise in the state. Speaking to IANS, Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav criticised Mamata Banerjee's political conduct, saying she must exercise restraint in her statements and actions. "Mamata Banerjee should know the certain limit to how far she can speak and act in politics. She seems to believe that by abusing the government and Narendra Modi, her support from NRI and other voters will grow," Yadav said. He accused the West Bengal Chief Minister of deliberately creating political controversy to remain in the spotlight and alleged that such remarks undermine democratic institutions. Adding to the criticism, BJP leader and former West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh accused Mamata Banerjee of intimidating officials and creating an atmosphere of fear in the state administration. "Mamata Banerjee always intimidates everyone, repeatedly targeting someone or the other. Because of her intimidation, many BLOs are committing suicide, dying, or suffering heart attacks. DM, SP, BDO everyone gets threatened by her," Ghosh alleged. He further claimed that the Chief Minister is rattled by the ongoing voter list revision process. "Around 58 lakh names have been deleted, that is why she herself is frightened that her illegal vote bank will be harmed. But the people of West Bengal are aware. Despite attempts to divert them, people have actively submitted their documents as asked," Ghosh said. The BJP leaders' remarks came in response to Mamata Banerjee's strong statements at a public meeting in Krishnanagar in Nadia district earlier this week. Addressing party supporters, the Chief Minister accused the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of conspiring to manipulate the voter list ahead of the Assembly elections. "Some BJP-minded officials have been sent to West Bengal to put pressure on District Magistrates to remove 1.5 crore names from the voter list," Banerjee had alleged. She asserted that Bengal would not bow to external pressure. "They do not know that Bengal does not bow to someone. If anyone's name is removed from the voter list, I will sit on a dharna," the Chief Minister said, signalling a possible agitation if mass deletions occur. Banerjee was referring to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, for which the ECI has appointed observers to supervise the process in the state. Kolkata, Dec 13 : A total of 10 electoral registration officers (EROs) will be handling hearings on claims and objections for each of the 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal in the second phase of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state, which will start after the publication of the draft voters' list on December 16. Kolkata, Dec 13 (IANS) A total of 10 electoral registration officers (EROs) will be handling hearings on claims and objections for each of the 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal in the second phase of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state, which will start after the publication of the draft votersa list on December 16. A total of 2,940 EROs will be handling the phase of hearings on claims and objections for the 294 constituencies, with the state Chief Electoral Officer already informing the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters in New Delhi about this requirement, CEOas office sources said. The total number of voters as per the current list as of October 27, 2025, is 7,66,37,529. The SIR exercise started on November 4. The draft votersa list will be published on December 16, which will end the first stage of the three-stage SIR exercise. Thereafter, the ECI will start the second phase of the revision exercise, which will basically involve filing claims and objections, and the notice phase -- which is issuance, hearing, verification, and decision on enumeration forms and disposal of claims and objections -- to be done concurrently by the EROs. The final votersa list will be published on February 14, 2026 "It will be wrong to think that 100 per cent of the voters qualifying for enlistment in the draft votersa list will be exempted from being summoned to attend the hearing. Voters qualifying for enlistment in the draft votersa list but having data ambiguity in progeny mapping will also be summoned for a hearing and asked to explain the ambiguity," a CEOas office source said. The ECI has decided to hand over the separate lists of excludable voters to the booth-level agents (BLAs) of all the political parties in the state that are registered with it. This decision is aimed at bringing transparency to the process of hearing on claims and objections that will happen in the second stage of the SIR exercise Kolkata, Dec 13 : The foundation run by suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir on Saturday alleged that a QR code created to collect donations for a proposed Babri Masjid-style mosque in Murshidabad district in West Bengal has been misused by unidentified persons. Kabir's West Bengal Islamic Foundation of India claimed that a fraud was committed using a duplicate QR code. It said it had lodged a complaint with the West Bengal Police's cybercrime unit. Aminul Sheikh, joint treasurer of the foundation, lodged a complaint with the Berhampore Cyber Crime Police against three unidentified individuals. The police registered a case under Sections 336(3), 338, and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and initiated an investigation into the incident. According to the complaint, the accused allegedly duplicated the trust's details and generated a fake QR code to divert donations. Sheikh further alleged that funds were being collected fraudulently through this duplicate code. Speaking to reporters, the Bharatpur MLA alleged that TMC MLA Rabiul Alam Chowdhury of Rejinagar was behind the alleged fraud. "My foundation has filed a complaint with the cybercrime unit. I have found out who did it. Rabiul Alam Chowdhury's supporters did it. It would be good if the police take action, otherwise I have the power to take action myself. I will take appropriate action. I will not spare the bank where the money went either," the TMC rebel leader warned. Responding to the allegations, Chowdhury denied any involvement and questioned Kabir's claims. "Whether it was my people or someone else, we want him to prove who committed the fraud. Then we will also know. So far, he is making baseless allegations against me," he claimed. It may be noted that around Rs 3.50 crore has already been collected for the proposed mosque project promoted by Kabir. Manual counting of cash donations, stored in 11 trunks, was completed on Wednesday night. In addition, online donations were deposited into the designated bank account of the trust through QR code payments. It is this QR code that the foundation has alleged was misused. The controversy surrounding Kabir began last week after he announced plans to lay the foundation stone of a Babri Masjid-style mosque at Beldanga in Murshidabad district. On December 4, the TMC suspended Kabir for what it described as anti-party activities. Despite the suspension, Kabir went ahead with the mosque plan and laid the foundation stone on December 6. Kabir has said construction of the mosque will begin in the first week of February in Beldanga. He also said that the Quran would be recited by one lakh people a day before construction commences. Meanwhile, a public interest litigation was filed in the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday seeking directions to stop the construction of the mosque. The matter is likely to be heard next week. Binance has widened access to the Trump familylinked USD1 stablecoin, adding new fee-free trading pairs as the token gains a larger foothold on the exchange. Key Takeaways: Binance expanded USD1 trading with new zero-fee pairs and will fully replace BUSD collateral with USD1. USD1 has rapidly grown to a $2.7B market cap, backed by US Treasuries and supported by major Abu Dhabi investment flows. The tokens rise comes amid renewed political attention and Binances regulatory gains in Abu Dhabi. The company confirmed on Thursday that users can now trade USD1 against Ether, Solana and BNB, joining its existing Bitcoin pair. Binance Retires BUSD, Makes USD1 Its Primary Collateral Asset The move deepens Binances integration of USD1 and comes as the exchange will convert all remaining BUSD collateral into USD1 at a one-to-one rate within a week. The decision effectively retires BUSD from Binances internal structure and positions USD1 as its primary dollar-pegged asset for collateral use. Binance said the conversion reflects a broader update to its collateral framework, describing USD1 as an integral part of the exchanges ecosystem going forward. World Liberty Financial CEO Zach Witkoff welcomed the expansion, calling it a milestone for a stablecoin that launched only in March. USD1, backed by U.S. Treasury bills and issued on Ethereum and BNB Chain, has climbed to the seventh-largest stablecoin with a market value of $2.7 billion. Its rapid ascent was boosted in May when Abu Dhabi investment firm MGX deployed USD1 for a $2 billion investment on Binance. Despite early momentum, supply has dipped slightly from its $3 billion peak in late October, with no new tokens minted for several months, according to CoinGecko data. World Liberty Financial was co-founded by President Donald Trump and his sons, giving USD1 an unusually political profile in the stablecoin market. The involvement drew further attention after Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao seven weeks ago. Zhao had been sentenced to four months in prison in April 2024 for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls at the exchange. Trump later said he issued the pardon after hearing broad support for Zhao and insisting the offense is not even a crime. The move also comes as Binance has secured three new licences in Abu Dhabi, tightening its grip on one of the most ambitious digital asset hubs in the Middle East and giving the exchange a powerful regulatory base as it pushes to keep institutional money on side. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market has approved Binance.com to operate through a trio of regulated entities that together cover exchange, clearing and broker dealer activities. Mumbai, Dec 13 : Bollywood couple Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal spoke in favour of social media ban for kids in India, following the footsteps of Australia. During a panel discussion, which took place in MET (Mumbai Education Trust) College, Mumbai, Sonakshi and Zaheer were asked to comment on Australia's social media ban for people aged under 16. Reacting to this, Sonakshi called it a 'very good thing', saying that the ban should be implemented in India as well. Pitching in, Zaheer shared that according to him, one does not always need to impose a ban; however, it is crucial to control what kind of content the kids are watching on social media. He said, "You can do extreme also. And you can ban things. But it's also that you can control it properly. Like in my house, when my niece comes over, she has an iPad, but it's very controlled in what she can use on the iPad. So, I think there's a way to control it. You don't have to. I mean, it's good." Sonakshi was of the opinion that till the time a kid is unable to differentiate between right and wrong, they should not be exposed to social media. "No, I think it's avoidable. Till a certain age at least. Till a child is old enough to understand the difference between right and wrong, and what is good, and what is bad. I think till that age, it should not be exposed to a child," the 'Dabangg' actress added. "Yeah, and till then, also like you should really control it. Sometimes, you don't know what buttons, where they go. So, it's always good to monitor them when they are watching as well. I know it's a pain. If someone is watching for 2 hours, and you are watching with them. But someone should", Zaheer concluded. New Delhi, Dec 13 : The Islamic State has been on a recruitment spree and aims to set up its biggest module in South India, with officials saying that its focus, for some time, has been the region as the outfit has been gaining more traction here when compared to the rest of the country. Security agencies have been busting several attempts, but have learnt that the problem is much bigger than one would have anticipated. The Islamic State was relatively quiet in South India before the Popular Front of India (PFI) was banned. Today, it is scouting for people and is specifically targeting those who went underground post the ban on the PFI. Agencies such as the National Investigating Agency (NIA) are keeping a close watch on some madrasas, especially in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, which have become recruitment camps for the Islamic State. Many such madrasas posing as Arabic schools have cropped up, but in reality, these have become propaganda and recruitment camps for the Islamic State, the NIA has learnt. An NIA official said that their drive is to dismantle the Islamic State-linked networks that are operating in this part of the country. The scale of the recruitment and the agenda of the Islamic State came to light when the agency filed a charge sheet against Jameel Basha, a student of the Madras Arabic College. Based on this investigation, the agency learnt that Mohammed Hussain, Irshath, Ahmed Ali, Aboo Hanifa, Jawahar Sadiq, Sheik Dawood, and Raja Mohammed were also part of the same network. The Islamic State has found many takers in South India and hence wants to capitalise on this. The job of the Islamic State was, in fact, made easier by the PFI, which for years spread the agenda of the Islamic State. It was the PFI that helped the outfit recruit 21 members from Kerala who eventually joined the Islamic State Khorasan Province in Afghanistan. An Intelligence Bureau official said that the current drive by the outfit is to spread its ideology as far as possible. The outfit is finding takers, and hence it has decided to enhance this drive. It has been setting up camps under the garb of providing free Arabic classes. Many unknowingly join these classes, and the fact that they are advertised as free only helps the cause of the Islamic State. Another official explained that once such schools are set up and students join, they are taught Arabic genuinely. These classes are taken in an offline mode. After a couple of months, the classes become online, and this is when the radicalisation takes place. The students are put on Zoom calls, WhatsApp, and then Telegram, and this is where clerics from both India as well as abroad join the classes and preach the radical Islamic State agenda. Many stay back while some quit, and those who continue are sooner or later indoctrinated and recruited into the Islamic State. Sometimes the classes are live online, and at other instances, pre-recorded videos are played for the students, officials say. Once the indoctrination, radicalisation and recruitment take place, these youth are told to scout for more persons. They meet with their friends and explain the importance of such classes. This is a dangerous trend that South India has been witnessing. The aim for now appears not to carry out attacks, but only focusing on recruiting as many people as possible and then brainwashing them. This is a very dangerous trend, an official said, adding that such a tactic changes the mindset of a lot of people in society. Once the numbers are large, then these persons would carry out attacks, and most of them would be lone wolf strikes, Intelligence agencies say. Experts warn that such a tactic, which aims at brainwashing people instead of training to stage attacks, is frightening since it changes the outlook of a large majority in society. Such persons are lethal as they would indulge in a further radicalisation process, insist on the Sharia law, preach to women on how to dress, tell people what to watch and what not do. The agencies have to work at a breakneck speed to dismantle this network, which has all the signs of spreading like wildfire, experts say. Thrissur, Dec 13 : In a significant political development, the Bharatiya Janata Party's Muslim candidate, Mumtaz, has won the Kannankulangara ward in the Thrissur Corporation elections, wresting the seat from the Congress. The victory is being viewed as a notable success of the BJP's strategy to make inroads into Congress-held wards in the corporation. While the party had fielded a well-known entrepreneur this time, Mumtaz's candidature stood out as both distinctive and unexpected. She was the only Muslim candidate fielded by the BJP in Thrissur. Mumtaz secured victory from the 35th division of the corporation, a ward with a clear Hindu majority. She and her family have been associated with the BJP as workers and supporters for the past eight years. Over the last two years, she was also entrusted with responsibilities in the party's Minority Morcha, with a role based in Chennai. An entrepreneur by profession, Mumtaz runs a pet grooming shop in Thrissur that caters to the care of domestic animals. She has described her candidature as an opportunity to work for and serve her hometown. Earlier, she had said that the development vision articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew her to the BJP. A party member for eight years, Mumtaz has been actively involved in BJP activities and election campaigns, including those led by actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi. In the Kannankulangara ward, she defeated Congress candidate Sindhu Chakkolayil, while Seena was the Left Democratic Front (LDF) nominee. This year's Thrissur Corporation elections have also highlighted the growing participation of women in local body politics, with as many as 28 women candidates in the fray. Speaking earlier on her selection as a candidate, Mumtaz had said, "I have been working for the party for the past eight years. The party chose me because it felt I was capable of reaching out to the people. Whether it is my business or my personal life, I am someone who engages actively with society." New Delhi, Dec 13 : Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR) Chairman and former MP Mohammad Adeeb on Saturday said that the concept of jihad is being "deliberately exploited" by some individuals, while drawing parallels with the teachings of the Mahabharata. His remarks come against the backdrop of a political firestorm over Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (JUH) president Maulana Mahmood Madani's recent statement that the concept of 'jihad' is significant not only for Muslims but for the entire nation, adding that it should be included in school education so that children understand its meaning and purpose. In an interview with IANS, Adeeb asserted that 'jihad' means to "fight injustice", and the teachings of Lord Krishna in the Mahabharata are also an "example" of what 'jihad' means. He also mentioned the meeting of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) delegation with Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and said that the Minister assured action on the issues related to Waqf properties registrations. Adeeb also spoke on the Delhi terror blast case, the film 'Dhurandhar', suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir, etc. The following are the excerpts from the interview: IANS: What do you think about Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind chief Maulana Mahmood Madani's highly-criticised 'jihad' remarks? Mohammad Adeeb: The problem is that in this country, the meaning of 'jihad' has been deliberately exploited. Through the media and the government, a narrative has been created that jihad means killing and violence. Maulana Madani has explained, with strong reasoning, the true meaning of jihad and countered attempts to malign it. Jihad is a pure concept; it means raising one's voice against injustice and helping the oppressed. In Hinduism, what did Krishna tell Arjuna? He said, 'Strike them, stop them.' So does that mean it's permissible in the Hindu religion to kill one's uncles and cousins? We have never said that. Krishna had told Arjun to fight against injustice; this is jihad. The way the concept of jihad was distorted in the country -- land jihad, love jihad -- is very wrong. IANS: In the Delhi terror blast case, the authorities have arrested several Kashmiri doctors and also taken action against Al Falah University. What do you have to say about this? Mohammad Adeeb: In the view of the recent Delhi terror blast, Muslims of the country are being targeted. We accept what the government has stated so far, that those arrested were the doctors involved in the terror attack. If it is a terrorist attack, then the perpetrators should be punished most severely. However, shutting down a university on this basis, a university which the government itself established, and having the medical council cancel its licence within 24 hours, what kind of justice is this? Students in their third, fourth, and fifth years of medical studies have had their lives upended in a single day. Many terror attack cases show that after 15 or even 20 years, the Supreme Court or High Courts say that the accused is not guilty, but by then 16-20 years of that person's life are gone. A bomb blast happened, people were killed, so who was actually responsible?. This is done by the security agencies to show that their work is done. A terrorist attack is usually planned over a long time; it doesn't happen suddenly. Authorities should take time and catch the real culprits at the right moment. Punish the real criminals with the strictest possible punishment. But because of overreaction, conviction rates remain very low. IANS: The AIMPLB delegation met Union Minister Kiren Rijiju regarding the Waqf property registration issues. What was the outcome of the meeting? Mohammad Adeeb: I was also part of that delegation. We presented our issues and grievances in detail. I am happy that the minister listened to us very carefully, treated us with respect, and assured us that he would make efforts in this direction. There was also a discussion on extending the deadline. There is a good thing with this government that if you present your views, then they do acknowledge your problems. We hope that Rijiju, who himself is from a minority community, will take action in this direction. We had raised our voice against the Waqf Amendment Bill; however, it was eventually passed. But there are several problems within the Act, and we would want them to change. IANS: A film, 'Dhurandhar', has been released exposing Pakistan's role in the 26/11 terror attacks. However, some are opposing the release of the film. What is your take on this? Mohammad Adeeb: This has become a spectacle of films, and you keep asking us (Muslim leaders) about Pakistan. We have never accepted Pakistan, so why are we being linked to it? You (government) trade with Pakistan, espionage cases related to Pakistan keep coming out, people were caught just a few days ago, who were they? Yet abuses are directed at us. We are so opposed to Pakistan that families were divided, relatives were separated, and all contact was cut off. So what connection do we have with Pakistan? However, unfortunately, today the elections in this country are held on how much one party can harass a single community. The politics of hatred is spreading in India. Next year, Bengal is going to have elections, and the preparations have started now. One person (referring to suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir) stood up and said that he would build the Babri Masjid. How is Babur related to Indian Muslims? Babur came to loot the Indians? Why is a mosque being built in his name? New Delhi, Dec 13 : A major misadventure is in the making in Pakistan as it gets set to send Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists to Afghanistan to battle against the Taliban. The Pakistan army is stressed with its never-ending battles with the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) and the Balochistan Nationalist Army (BLA). Apart from battling these two groups, it is also fighting against the Afghan Taliban. With these battles getting too hard to handle, it decided to send the Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists to Afghanistan. Experts say that this may not go down too well in the long run. The Lashkar-e-Taiba is known to have plenty of cadres who are sympathetic towards the Taliban. Many in the ranks back the Taliban and its style of functioning. Even top leaders within the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed are unhappy with the ongoing tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan. These leaders view the Taliban as a natural ally, which had taken on the West. Even before the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, many within the Lashkar-e-Taiba were planning to quit the outfit and fight alongside the Taliban against the Western forces. At that time, the ISI stepped in and prevented this from happening. Instead, the Mumbai 26/11 attack was staged so that it could divert the attention of the Lashkar-e-Taiba cadres. Officials say that this decision to send the Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists to fight against the Taliban will backfire. Many within the outfit will rebel against the leadership, and this could lead to a massive split. It would also hurt the recruitment process as many would be reluctant to fight against the Taliban, whom they view as their brothers, experts say. The Lashkar-e-Taiba is already reeling under severe losses after many of its bases, training facilities and cadres were hit during Operation Sindoor. There have been attempts made by the cadres to quit the outfit since they felt let down by the Pakistani establishment and also their leadership. While terrorists are used during encounters, Operation Sindoor took them down cheaply. They were caught off guard, and before they realised it, a lot of infrastructure had already been taken down. The cadres had even questioned the lack of Intelligence ahead of the operation. All these factors and the fact that their top leadership has remained silent had demoralised the cadres immensely. At such a time, the desperate decision by the Pakistan army to deploy the Lashkar-e-Taiba against the Taliban is only going to make matters worse. Intelligence Bureau officials say that this shows how desperate the Pakistan army is. Between the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, the latter is a much more powerful group. This is because the group lays heavy emphasis on guerrilla warfare and fedayeen strikes. The army had, in fact, wanted the Jaish-e-Mohammed to battle against the Taliban. However, Masood Azhar, the chief of the outfit, did not agree only because he did not want his men to battle against the Taliban. The army had no choice but to approach the Lashkar-e-Taiba, and the top leadership readily agreed. This outfit has never rebelled against the establishment and hence remains Pakistanas most favourite proxy. Ideally, the army would not have wanted to be in a situation like this. It is rapidly losing its soldiers to the BLA and TTP. The Afghan Taliban is not easy to battle, and fighting on three fronts and that, too, against very strong opponents, is not the Pakistan armyas cup of tea. Hence, this desperate call had to be taken, despite knowing that the plan could well backfire, another official said. The Lashkar-e-Taibaas relations with the army can be seen in the statement made by the terror outfitas commander, Qari Yakoob Sheikh. He praised Field Marshal Asim Munir after he was elevated as Pakistanas first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). He even remarked that his outfit is ready to fight alongside the Pakistan army if Kabul does not stop alleged anti-Islamabad activities. New Delhi, Dec 13 : Political leaders across party lines on Saturday paid rich tributes to the security personnel who laid down their lives during the 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament, remembering their bravery and reaffirming the nation's resolve to honour their sacrifice. Speaking to IANS, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari recalled the events of December 13, 2001, and highlighted the collective homage paid by the country's leadership. "Today marks the day when Parliament was attacked, and our brave personnel were martyred. To pay tribute to them, the Vice President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, were present here," Tiwari said. He added that the presence of leaders cutting across political lines underlined the nation's unity against terrorism and its respect for those who protect democracy. Congress MP Rajeev Shukla also shared his personal memories of the attack, describing the day as one of the darkest moments in Parliament's history. "Today is a very sorrowful day in the history of the Parliament. On this day, I was also present in the Parliament when the terrorists carried out their attack," Shukla said. He noted that the swift action of security forces had prevented a much larger tragedy and saved the lives of many lawmakers and officials who were inside the complex at the time. BJP MP Brij Lal reiterated the scale of the sacrifice made by security personnel during the attack. "On this day, the Parliament House was attacked, in which nine of our personnel were martyred two from Rajya Sabha Security, six from the Delhi Police, and one CRPF personnel," he said. "Today, we paid our respects and offered tribute to them," Brij Lal added, stressing that their bravery would always remain etched in the nation's memory. On December 13, 2001, five terrorists belonging to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) carried out a suicide attack on the Parliament complex in New Delhi. The attackers drove a vehicle bearing forged Home Ministry and Parliament labels, using fake identity stickers to breach the high-security cordon. Armed with AK-47 rifles, grenade launchers, pistols and hand grenades, they opened fire after entering the premises. Although both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had been adjourned around 40 minutes earlier, several Members of Parliament and senior government officials, including then Home Minister L.K. Advani, were still inside the complex. Constable Kamlesh Kumari of the CRPF was the first to spot the terrorists and raise the alarm; she was shot dead on the spot. All five terrorists were eventually neutralised by security forces. However, nine people including six Delhi Police personnel, two Parliament Security Service members and one CRPF personnel lost their lives, while at least 17 others were injured. The attack remains one of the most serious assaults on India's democratic institutions. Bengaluru, Dec 13 : Stepping up its attack on the Congress-led government in Karnataka over the utilisation of funds earmarked for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) welfare, the BJP on Saturday alleged that the "Dalit anyay" (injustice) associated with Rahul Gandhi's politics has been exposed in the State. Bengaluru, Dec 13 (IANS) Stepping up its attack on the Congress-led government in Karnataka over the utilisation of funds earmarked for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) welfare, the BJP on Saturday alleged that the "Dalit anyay" (injustice) associated with Rahul Gandhi's politics has been exposed in the State. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka claimed that nearly 31 per cent of funds meant exclusively for the upliftment of SCs and STs had been diverted since 2023 to finance the Congress government's "so-called guarantee schemes". "This is not welfare; this is daylight robbery of SC/ST rights. Money meant for Dalit hostels, education of SC/ST students, entrepreneurship and livelihoods, and housing has been siphoned off to prop up populist politics," Ashoka charged. Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi's slogans, Ashoka said, "And then comes the drama -- 'Jitni Abadi, Utna Haq' and 'Samvidhan khatre mein hai'." "This is Dalit anyay. This is 'Adivasi vishwasghaat'. This is vote-bank politics at the cost of social justice," he alleged. Ashoka further said that while Rahul Gandhi "lectures the country with the Constitution in hand", governments led by his party were "picking the pockets of the very communities the Constitution seeks to protect". "Dalits do not need slogans. They need their rightful funds. They need accountability. They need justice -- not deception," he said. The BJP leader urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to "stop looting SCSP/TSP (Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan) funds and stop exploiting Dalits for political gains". "Misuse of Dalit funds is the Siddaramaiah government's so-called achievement," Ashoka alleged. He further accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of betraying Dalit leaders and pursuing "anti-Dalit policies", claiming that funds amounting to Rs 25,000 crore under the SCP/TSP meant for Dalit welfare had been diverted in the name of guarantee schemes. "Is this your idea of social justice, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah? Is this your commitment to Dalits?" Ashoka asked. Ashoka also alleged that under the guise of guarantee schemes, the Congress-led Karnataka government had "looted the State's treasury, stalled development, and betrayed the poor, farmers, women and youth". Kolkata, Dec 13 : The police on Saturday arrested one person in connection with the mysterious death of Satyajit Ghosh, the younger son of Bhola Ghosh, who is a key witness in a criminal case against suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan of Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The accused, identified as Ruhul Kuddus Sheikh, was arrested by the Basirhat police early on Saturday morning and will be produced before a district court in North 24 Parganas later in the day. The public prosecutor will seek his police custody, a senior police official said. However, Ruhul was not among the eight persons named in the written complaint filed earlier this week by Bhola Ghosh at the Nazat police station, which falls under the Basirhat district police limits. In the complaint, Ghosh alleged that eight individuals had conspired to stage the road accident, claiming that he was the intended target as a key witness against Shahjahan, once described locally as the terror of Sandeshkhali. Satyajit Ghosh died on Wednesday after a truck rammed into the vehicle in which he was travelling along with his father Bhola Ghosh to the district court to record the latter's statement against Shahjahan. Bhola had a narrow escape, while the driver of the vehicle, Shahnur Molla, also died in the accident. Bhola Ghosh has claimed that the truck accident was aimed at him and not his son. "I was the target because I am one of the main witnesses against Shahjahan," he said earlier. Following the arrest of Ruhul, the Ghosh family alleged that the Basirhat police were not conducting a proper investigation. The family members claimed that all eight persons named in the complaint were close associates of the ruling Trinamool Congress. The first two names mentioned in the written complaint are those of Sheikh Shahjahan and his wife, Taslima Bibi. Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation recently submitted details of around 3,000 individual complaints registered against Shahjahan to the Calcutta High Court. Sources said the complaints primarily relate to the attack on Enforcement Directorate officials and accompanying Central Armed Police Force personnel outside Shahjahan's residence in Sandeshkhali last year. The ED team and CAPF personnel were allegedly attacked by Shahjahan's associates following an attempted raid at his residence in connection with the agency's probe into an alleged multi-crore public distribution system scam in the state. Other complaints against Shahjahan include allegations of land grabbing in Sandeshkhali, illegal conversion of agricultural land into pisciculture farms by flooding fields with saline water, and the sexual exploitation of local women. Jakarta, Dec 13 : The death toll from floods and landslides that struck three provinces on Indonesia's Sumatra Island has exceeded 1,000, with 218 people still missing, according to the latest data released Saturday by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The disasters have caused extensive infrastructure damage. BNPB data listed damage to about 1,200 public facilities, as well as 219 health facilities, 581 educational facilities, 434 houses of worship, 290 office buildings and 145 bridges. Abdul Muhari, head of BNPB's Data and Information Center, said at a press conference on Friday that data verification and cross-referencing with civil records are ongoing at the sub-district level. He noted that victims are being confirmed by name and address and that the verification process continues in several districts, Xinhua news agency reported. Meanwhile, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said during his visit to disaster-hit areas in Aceh on Friday that the government continues to work to fulfill various basic needs of the community. "Together we will improve this situation. The government will step in and help with everything," Prabowo said. He also called on all citizens to remain steadfast and keep their spirits up during the recovery process, expressing hope that community activities, including teaching and learning for children, can return to normal soon. Earlier this week, Subianto chaired a meeting on disaster response and recovery efforts after inspecting several affected locations in Aceh. He instructed strengthened joint operations involving the military, police, the national search and rescue agency, BNPB and local governments, particularly in accelerating aid delivery, ensuring security and restoring connectivity between regions cut off by the disaster. Asia is currently warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, fuelling more extreme weather and wreaking a heavy toll on the region's economies, ecosystems and societies, according to the World Meteorological Organisation. Hijrah Saputra, lecturer in disaster management at Indonesia's Airlangga University, noted that the early warning system has not reached remote villages, spatial planning is not yet disciplined, and environmental rehabilitation is still sporadic. "If we want to reduce casualties in the future, then resilience must be built through spatial planning, watershed ecology, and regionally integrated early warning systems," he said. Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 13 : The BJP has scripted history in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, with the lotus blooming in the capital city's civic body for the first time. The BJP-led NDA has reached the halfway mark, winning 50 seats in the newly expanded 101-member corporation, firmly establishing itself as the single largest political force. Polling in one ward at Vizhinjam was postponed following the death of a candidate. According to the final tally, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) secured 29 seats, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) won 19. Two seats were bagged by Independents. The outcome marks a dramatic shift in the political balance of the capital, long regarded as a Left bastion. In the outgoing 100-member Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP-led NDA had 35 seats, the CPI(M) 51, the Congress-led UDF 10, with the remaining seats held by Independents. The latest verdict not only strengthens the BJP's position but also signals a decisive erosion of Left dominance in the capital city of Kerala. Reacting to the results, State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the local body election outcome showed that it was "game over for the Left" in Kerala. He described the Congress's gains in other parts of the State as temporary and asserted that the BJP had firmly set its sights on the upcoming Assembly elections. "Our vision is 'Viksithu Keralam'. The Kerala unit of the BJP is on a clear growth trajectory. Look at our performance across the State and our vote share. We had targeted a 25 per cent vote share, and we are confident of crossing at least 20 per cent," Chandrasekhar said. Asked about the mayoral post in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Chandrasekhar declined to go into details, saying only, "Stay tuned." With the BJP emerging as the dominant force in the capital and the Left pushed to the margins, political observers believe the contest in Kerala is entering a new phase. Echoing this sentiment, Chandrasekhar said the next major political battle in the State would be between the BJP and the Congress, signalling a significant realignment in Kerala's political landscape. Comptroller Brooke Lierman said the state is experiencing a K-shaped economy, where the well-off continue to see gains while those on the margins are struggling. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) Marylands revenue outlook for the coming fiscal year improved slightly in recent months, but nowhere near enough to stave off the hard choices lawmakers will face in the 2026 legislative session when they are dealing with a $1.5 billion budget shortfall. State analysts told the Board of Revenue Estimates Friday that projected general fund revenues for fiscal 2027 inched up from $27.102 billion in Septembers estimates to $27.111 billion in December an increase of just $9.1 million Board of Revenue Estimates Executive Secretary Robert Rehrmann said the updated forecast remains in line with September projections despite the headwinds we face in Washington, D.C., federal cutbacks, and also this general uncertainty about the economy. He described the December update as a kind of recalibration of the states major revenue sources. The new projection includes a modest increase in personal income taxes. Half of that is from capital gains, a volatile and difficult-to-project revenue stream. That increase is offset by reductions in sales and corporate income taxes. The result is a $45 million increase for the current fiscal year and less than $10 million for the coming year. Rehrmann warned of continued economic uncertainty including federal cutbacks the extent of which will likely remain unknown until the next estimate in March as well as signs of economic slowing that could be a possible recession. Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D), who chairs the three-member board, called the forecast positive news but cautioned the revenue numbers dont tell the whole story of how our economy is functioning, and can obscure the realities that some of our friends and neighbors are facing as they struggle to afford basic necessities. Maryland is certainly currently meeting its revenue expectations, but its important to acknowledge that those expectations, as I mentioned, were lowered due in part to challenges created by our own federal government, she said. Lierman noted that Marylands median annual income more than $102,000 stands well above the national average at the same time that nearly 40% of state residents are considered unable to afford basic necessities. These are families that are earning above the poverty line but still unable to afford essentials like housing, food, child care and health care, Lierman said. Dubai, Dec 13 : In early October, images emerging from the dense forests of Bastar in Chhattisgarh marked a moment of quiet but significant change in India's long-running battle against Left Wing Extremism. Dubai, Dec 13 (IANS) In early October, images emerging from the dense forests of Bastar in Chhattisgarh marked a moment of quiet but significant change in Indiaas long-running battle against Left Wing Extremism. According to a report by Khaleej Times, more than 180 Maoists, several of them carrying long-standing cash rewards, laid down their arms and entered state-run rehabilitation programmes. Weeks later, in Jagdalpur, over 200 more cadres, including around 110 women, surrendered along with 153 weapons. Together, these developments point to a deeper shift: the diminishing pull of armed insurgency amid sustained security pressure and increasingly credible alternatives to violence. Union Home Minister Amit Shah underlined this change in a post on X, stating that Abujhmarh and North Bastara"once considered Maoist strongholdsa"have now been declared free of Naxal presence. He added that since 2024, over 2,100 Maoists have surrendered while 1,785 have been arrested, reaffirming the governmentas stated goal of eliminating Naxalism by March 31, 2026. The significance of these numbers becomes clearer when viewed against the movementas history. The Naxalite uprising began in the late 1960s, rooted in agrarian distress, land alienation and the perceived absence of justice in remote tribal regions. Over time, it evolved into a prolonged insurgency that thrived on weak state presence and local disenchantment. At its peak, Left Wing Extremism extracted a heavy toll on lives and development. However, the decline has been steady. The Khaleej Times report further said that incidents of LWE violence, which peaked at 1,936 in 2010, dropped to 374 in 2024a"an 81 per cent reduction. Fatalities fell even more sharply, from 1,005 deaths in 2010 to 150 last year, it added. Multiple factors explain this turnaround. Sustained, intelligence-led operations by central forces and state police have weakened Maoist leadership and logistics. Simultaneously, policy has evolved beyond a purely military response. As per the report by Khaleej Times, surrender-and-rehabilitation schemes offering financial assistance, skill training and reintegration have signalled a viable civilian future for cadres willing to exit violence. Equally crucial has been the erosion of local support. As roads, healthcare access and governance reached previously neglected areas, communities increasingly rejected the instability imposed by armed groups. While the recent surrenders do not mark the end of the insurgency, they reflect a decisive shift. For the first time in decades, the prospect of lasting peace in affected districts appears within reach. Kuala Lumpur, Dec 13 : Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Saturday that Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, will convene a Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting soon on Cambodia-Thailand border tensions. He noted that the meeting will assess the situation and support de-escalation measures. The Prime Minister made the remarks on social media, saying he received a phone call from US President Donald Trump, during which they discussed the conflict, bilateral relations, and global issues of mutual concern. During the phone conversation, Anwar said, he outlined Malaysia's role in urging both countries to exercise restraint and return to dialogue through bilateral channels and ASEAN mechanisms, Xinhua news agency reported. Malaysia remains ready to support efforts to de-escalate the situation, protect civilians, and help restore regional stability, in line with ASEAN's spirit of good neighborliness, he said. Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said they held separate phone talks with Trump on Friday regarding their border conflict. On the same day, Trump posted on social media that the two leaders had agreed to a ceasefire effective Friday evening. Anutin told the press on Friday evening at the Government House that when briefing Trump on the border situation during the call, he said Cambodia was the first to violate the joint peace declaration by failing to withdraw its troops as agreed, which had resulted in casualties and property losses on the Thai side. He said Thailand consequently launched countermeasures to safeguard the lives and property of its people. He stressed that for a new ceasefire to be reached, Cambodia must first pull back its forces and clear landmines along the border. Hun Manet said he had a phone conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday, and a phone call with Trump on Friday. "Cambodia has always been adhering to peaceful means for dispute resolutions, in accordance with the KL Joint Declaration," he said. He suggested to both leaders that the militaries or agencies of the United States and Malaysia can use their information-gathering capabilities such as satellite imagery recorded during that time, as well as for the next 24 hours after that, to verify which side opened fire first. Trump said Friday on social media that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to go back to the original peace accord he brokered earlier this year with the help of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Following armed clashes in late July, the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict reignited on December 7 afternoon. Both sides accused each other of initiating the attack and confirmed casualties. At least 10 Cambodian civilians and 11 Thai soldiers were killed, with hundreds of thousands forced to flee their homes. Armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces erupted on July 24 along their border, resulting in hundreds of casualties. Both sides accused each other of violating international law. A consensus was reached on August 7 on the details of a ceasefire, with both sides signing an agreement at the extraordinary meeting of the General Border Committee held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. On October 26, the two leaders signed a joint declaration on peace on the sidelines of the 47th Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in the Malaysian capital. Bangkok, Dec 13 : Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said in a social media post on Saturday that his country will continue its military operations until Thailand's territory and people are no longer under threat. Anutin also responded to US President Donald Trump's earlier remarks, stating, "It's definitely not a roadside accident." Trump had previously claimed that the roadside bomb which initially caused multiple Thai military casualties was an "accident," while noting that Thailand had responded "very strongly." "Our actions this morning already spoke," Anutin added, Xinhua news agency reported. Citing a military source, Thai media reported on Saturday that the Royal Thai Air Force deployed two F-16 fighter jets to bomb targets on the Cambodia border. Meanwhile, Cambodia called on Thailand to immediately cease military actions against Cambodia and its civilian infrastructure, Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra said on Saturday. On Saturday morning, the Thai forces, using two F-16 fighter jets, struck a hotel and two bridges at the Thmor Da checkpoint in Veal Veng District, Pursat Province, he said. "Thai forces have expanded their attacks to target Cambodian civilians and residential villages, and to destroy civilian infrastructure," Pheaktra said, adding that, as of Friday, Thai military actions have caused 11 civilian deaths and 59 injuries. Across five provinces, there are 89,687 displaced families, totaling 303,213 people, he added. The minister said that Thailand has repeatedly violated Cambodia's sovereignty and ended the ceasefire through sustained military actions inside Cambodian territory. Pheaktra said Cambodia remains firmly committed to peace, dialogue, and international law. Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said they held separate phone talks with US President Donald Trump on Friday regarding their border conflict. Trump later said the two leaders had agreed to a ceasefire effective Friday evening, a claim that the Thai side denied on Saturday. Following armed clashes in late July, the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict reignited on December 7 afternoon. Both sides accused each other of initiating the attack and confirmed casualties. At least 10 Cambodian civilians and 11 Thai soldiers were killed, with hundreds of thousands forced to flee their homes. Armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces erupted on July 24 along their border, resulting in hundreds of casualties. Both sides accused each other of violating international law. A consensus was reached on August 7 on the details of a ceasefire, with both sides signing an agreement at the extraordinary meeting of the General Border Committee held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. On October 26, the two leaders signed a joint declaration on peace on the sidelines of the 47th Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in the Malaysian capital. Thiruvananthapuram Dec 13 : Thiruvananthapuram Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday struck a notably bipartisan tone while reacting to the Kerala local body election results, congratulating the Congress-led UDF for its sweeping gains across the state even as he openly praised the BJP's historic performance in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Tharoor's remarks have drawn attention, coming amid his recent praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his presence at the official dinner hosted for visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin -- an event not attended by senior Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the party president, Mallikarjun Kharge. In a long post on X, Tharoor described the election outcome as "a day of amazing results," saying the mandate was clear and reflected the democratic spirit of Kerala. Congratulating the UDF on what he called a "truly impressive win" across various local bodies, Tharoor said the results were a "massive endorsement" and a strong signal ahead of the next year's Assembly elections. He attributed the improved performance compared to 2020 to hard work, a clear political message, and strong anti-incumbency against the ruling Left, which has governed the State since 2016. At the same time, Tharoor acknowledged the BJP's breakthrough in the capital city, offering "humble congratulations" for its significant victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. He termed the BJP's showing "historic" and said it marked a notable shift in the political landscape of the State capital. Significantly, Tharoor pointed out that he had campaigned for a change from what he described as "45 years of LDF misrule," but noted that voters in his constituency had ultimately rewarded another party that also promised a clear change in governance. "That is the beauty of democracy," he said, adding that the people's verdict must be respected -- whether it favoured the UDF statewide or the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram. Tharoor's comment is likely to spark political discussion within Congress circles, given his willingness to publicly appreciate a BJP victory at a time of heightened partisan contestation. He reaffirmed his commitment to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocate for people's needs, and uphold principles of good governance. "We will continue to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocating for the people's needs and upholding the principles of good governance. Onwards and upwards!" he said. Lucknow, Dec 13 : Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary filed his nomination for the post of Uttar Pradesh BJP President on Saturday at the party's state headquarters in Lucknow. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were also present during the occasion. Speculation is rife that Chaudhary will bag the top state post. The Uttar Pradesh BJP is set to wrap up its organisational election process this weekend, as the nominations for the post of state president are being filed on Saturday and results will be announced a day later, on Sunday. The BJP is preparing to unveil its new Uttar Pradesh president on Sunday, bringing the internal election process to its conclusion. Chaudhary is a seven-time MP from UP's Mahrajganj Assembly constituency and was appointed the Union Minister of State for Finance in the second Modi Cabinet. Earlier, speaking to reporters in Delhi before his departure to Lucknow, Chaudhary said, "All MPs have been called to Lucknow. I am also going there today for the state president election and nomination process. The party will manage the process, and we, as party workers, will follow the responsibilities assigned by the party." BJP spokesperson Hero Bajpai, speaking to IANS, described the organisational polls as a reflection of the party's internal democracy. "The Bharatiya Janata Party is a cadre-based, highly democratic party, and its elections feel like a festival. Everyone feels that a new president will be appointed, under whose leadership we will expand our presence in the 2027 Assembly elections. I believe that moment is approaching, and millions of party workers are eagerly awaiting it," he said. BJP leader Anand Dwivedi also underlined the party's election mechanism while speaking to IANS. "In the BJP, elections are held through a democratic process. After that, nominations will be verified, and following the scrutiny process, the further steps of the election will take place," he said. Ahead of the nomination filing, senior national and state-level party leaders held a meeting in Lucknow on Friday to finalise preparations for the organisational polls. The meeting was chaired by BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh. Addressing reporters after the meeting, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya confirmed that the new state president would be announced on Sunday. Drawing a comparison with the Samajwadi Party, Maurya said the BJP remained "committed to a transparent process". "The SP is limited to one family; their leaders make decisions on office-bearers in their dining room. However, the BJP is a democratic party -- the largest in the world -- and a proper election process is followed here. The SP has no future left. In frustration, they usually make unnecessary statements," the Deputy Chief Minister added. December 13 : Lucknow, The Uttar Pradesh Defense Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), one of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths flagship initiatives, is swiftly taking shape on the ground. Envisioned to strengthen Indias defence and aerospace self-reliance, the project has already allotted more than 977.54 hectares of land to 62 companies. These firms alone have paved the way for investments worth 11,997.45 crore and the creation of 14,256 direct jobs. Additionally, MoUs with over 110 companies are in the pipeline, bringing potential investments of nearly 23,000 crore and more than 38,000 jobs. The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) has approved over 2,097 hectares of land across six nodesAligarh, Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, Chitrakoot, and Agra. Of this, more than 2,040 hectares have already been acquired, and 1,598.92 hectares are currently available for allotment. Aligarh has emerged as the leader in the number of companies allotted land (24), while Kanpur ranks first in total land allotment with 210 hectares allocated to five companies. In Jhansi, 17 companies have been allotted 571 hectares, and in Lucknow, 16 companies have received more than 131 hectares. The land allotment process is set to begin soon in Chitrakoot, Aligarh Phase-2, and the Agra node, further accelerating the pace of development. Under the continuous guidance and monitoring of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a total of 197 MoUs have been signed for the Defense Corridor so far, including 172 industrial MoUs. Together, they represent a proposed investment of 34,844.49 crore and the potential to generate 52,658 jobs. In the upcoming phase, over 110 additional MoUs are on track, with combined investment possibilities of more than 22,847 crore and an estimated 38,000 new jobs. According to UPEIDA ACEO H.P. Shahi, the Defense Corridor has been strategically aligned with initiatives like One District, One Product (ODOP) and Make in India as envisioned by the Chief Minister. He reiterated that the UP Defense Corridor will not only transform Uttar Pradeshs industrial landscape but also position India as a global defence manufacturing hub. A major milestone has already been achieved with the establishment of the BrahMos missile manufacturing unit in the Lucknow nodesignificantly elevating the corridors strategic relevance. With this momentum, Uttar Pradesh is now competing strongly with states like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu in defence production. More major announcements are expected in the coming months, driving the state closer to its goal of becoming a trillion-dollar economy. Shimla, Dec 13 : Saying the only path to Himachal Pradesh's development is a "double-engine government", BJP national President J.P. Nadda told a massive public gathering in the state capital on Saturday that despite receiving thousands of crores from the Centre, nothing has reached the ground in the Congress-ruled state. Shimla, Dec 13 (IANS) Saying the only path to Himachal Pradesh's development is a "double-engine government", BJP national President J.P. Nadda told a massive public gathering in the state capital on Saturday that despite receiving thousands of crores from the Centre, nothing has reached the ground in the Congress-ruled state. Blaming it for doing ad-hoc governance with a closed treasury and internal discord, the Union Health Minister said the Congress has completely derailed the system in the state. "A Congress that withholds development funds has no right to remain in power. The BJP workers will take the truth to every village," said Nadda, who belongs to the state that will go to the Assembly polls in late 2027, while addressing the felicitation rally. Nadda, who earlier laid the foundation stone of the party's state office here, began his address by seeking the blessings of Maa Tara Devi and Lord Hanuman and said this gathering was not merely a political event, but an occasion to reaffirm the collective resolve for nation-building. J.P. Nadda, who served as the Forest Minister in the state from 2008 to 2010 before moving to national politics, said the historic and landslide victory in Bihar "is a testament to the people's unshakeable faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mothers and sisters, youth, farmers and workers of Bihar have once again endorsed the policies and leadership of Prime Minister Modi." He said the mandate from Bihar "sends a clear message across the country that those who attempt to run politics on the crutches of infiltrators have no place in India. No matter how many marches they take out, the people will show infiltrators and their supporters the door." Referring to Himachal Pradesh, Nadda recalled that during the previous Assembly elections, he had cautioned the people not to make the mistake of bringing Congress to power, because the only path to Himachal's development is a double-engine government. He said now the people "want Himachal to move forward, whereas the Congress politics is limited to eat, drink and make merry. The Congress does not think about the future; it is driven only by the lust for power. Hence, there can be no convergence between the BJP's vision and the Congress mindset." Nadda rose through the ranks from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS, from where he has managed to build inroads from the university to the state politics. Starting his political career as a student leader of the ABVP in 1978, Nadda had also worked both with Nitin Gadkari and Amit Shah, even in the party's youth wing -- the Bharatiya Yuva Morcha -- from 1991 to 1994. Emphasising organisational strength, the BJP chief said Prime Minister Modi has clearly directed that party offices must be modern and serve as centres of dialogue, churning of ideas and planning. He said the target is to build 787 BJP offices across the country, of which 617 have already been completed. In Himachal Pradesh, nine offices have been completed, and work on the remaining ones is progressing rapidly. Explaining the BJP's organisational philosophy, Nadda highlighted the '5 Ks' -- karyakarta (workers), karyakram (programmes), course (training), kosh (funds) and karyalaya (office). The BJP offices, he said, are not merely buildings; they are centres of values and culture, from where the mission of public service, national progress and building a developed India is carried forward. Nadda said Indian politics underwent a fundamental transformation 11 years ago. Earlier, governments at the Centre were formed, only to later become captive to a particular class, family, caste or religion. Prime Minister Modi changed this course and ushered in the politics of "one voice, one government." Modi, he said, considers himself the nation's Pradhan Sevak (chief servant). Kartavya Path and Kartavya Bhavan symbolise this new politics of duty. He said the BJP government is a report-card government, what it promised, it delivered, and even what it did not explicitly promise, it accomplished. "In contrast, the UPA's politics revolved around casteism, appeasement and nepotism, while the BJP's politics is rooted in accountability and good governance." Citing recent electoral outcomes, Nadda said in Haryana, the Congress had already ordered sweets and prepared celebrations, yet the people placed their trust in Prime Minister Modi. "The Congress suffered a crushing defeat in Maharashtra, and Bihar too bestowed a historic mandate." The BJP's guiding mantra, he reiterated, is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas. Nadda said all political parties other than the BJP are immersed in the pursuit of power and suffer from ideological emptiness. The BJP abrogated Article 370, paved the way for the construction of the Ram Temple, where the flag now flies, and ended the inhuman practice of triple talaq, delivering justice to Muslim women, a reform already implemented in many Muslim-majority countries. Attacking the Congress, he said the party undermined Vande Mataram and the very spirit of India's freedom struggle, whereas the BJP practises politics aimed at taking the nation forward. He expressed confidence that the BJP will form governments in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Assam in the times to come. With over 14 crore members, more than 10 lakh active workers and organisational committees formed at over six lakh booths, the BJP has become the world's largest political party. Highlighting India's transformation under Prime Minister Modi, Nadda said India has become the world's fourth-largest economy. Over 160 new airports have been built, and 'Made in India' now dominates mobile manufacturing. Ayushman Bharat has benefited more than 62 crore people, while sanitation drives and toilet construction have restored dignity to crores of mothers and sisters. Turning to Himachal Pradesh, the BJP President launched a sharp attack on the Congress government and questioned Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on what the Centre has denied the state. He said the Centre provided Rs 3,789 crore for disaster relief, over Rs 1,000 crore for Smart Cities, funds for Vibrant Village development, medical colleges, AIIMS Bilaspur, a bulk drug park, four-lane highways, and developed Baddi as a pharmaceutical hub, yet the Congress government continues to spread falsehoods. Nadda stated that the Centre has sent more than Rs 2,000 crore as special assistance and approved Rs 1,442 crore under JICA funding, but the Congress government utilised only about 50 per cent of the funds in several schemes. A government that cannot utilise funds, he said, has no right to remain in power. He added that Himachal's treasury is frequently shut, the entire administration runs on ad-hoc arrangements, and there is no coordination between the Chief Minister and his ministers. The Congress government has not brought even a single concrete project to the Centre. Challenging it, Nadda said if the state brings any well-prepared project, the Centre will approve it immediately. He called upon BJP workers to take these facts and truths to every village and town, so that the people of Himachal can free themselves from Congress misrule and move decisively towards development and good governance. Mumbai, Dec 13 : Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh, has shared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of a developed India will be realised before its proposed deadline owing to the power of the youth. The actor spoke with IANS during his visit to Ahmedabad, he also shared what cements Prime Minister Narendra Modi's belief for a self-reliant India. He told IANS, "To be very honest, Modi ji has had this dream for many years and I have full faith in him and our country, in our youth generation, we will make our country's name shine even before the date. The youth generation of our country, the intelligent ones, knows how to struggle, knows how important the value of time is, they put in a lot of time and hard work. So I feel that they are innovative, they constantly try to reinvent themselves, they stay relevant. So keeping all these things in mind, it is most likely that you will bring a lot of glory". The proposed deadline for 'Viksit Bharat' is 2047 marking 100 years of independence. Talking about a self-reliant India, he said, "I would like to say that it is very important to instill this kind of confidence in our young generation as well. Not only for the fact that we normally say that why we should follow trends, we should set trends and it is not that why we should be constantly influenced, after going abroad we come back and we get impressed that yes friend, I wish something like this would have happened in our country. Why should we say it is a wish, when we know that we can do thousands of times more things than that. So I think whatever Modi ji is doing and the confidence that Modi ji has instilled in our young generation, we are going to make the name of our country very bright". "I want to connect with him, relate to him, see whether I can also invest or not. I am impressed", he added. Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described the BJP-led NDA's victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation as a "watershed moment" in Kerala's political history, underlining the growing acceptance of the party's development narrative in a state long dominated by the Left and the Congress. Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 13 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described the BJP-led NDA's victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation as a "watershed moment" in Kerala's political history, underlining the growing acceptance of the party's development narrative in a state long dominated by the Left and the Congress. The BJP-led NDA has touched the halfway mark, winning 50 seats in the newly expanded 101-member Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, firmly establishing itself as the single-largest political force. In one ward at Vizhinjam, the polls were postponed due to the death of a candidate. According to the final tally, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front has secured 29 seats, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front has won 19 seats. Two seats have gone to the Independents. The result marks a dramatic shift in the political balance of the capital city, long considered a Left bastion. In a message posted after the results, PM Modi thanked the people of Thiruvananthapuram for their mandate and said the verdict reflected a clear belief that Kerala's development aspirations could be addressed only by the BJP. "My gratitude to the people across Kerala who voted for BJP and NDA candidates in the local body polls in the state. Kerala is fed up of UDF and LDF. They see NDA as the only option that can deliver on good governance and build a Viksit Keralam with opportunities for all," he said "The mandate the BJP-NDA got in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is a watershed moment in Kerala's politics," the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister's remarks come after the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, marking the first time the party has achieved such a breakthrough in the State capital's civic body. The result is being seen as a major political milestone for the BJP in Kerala, where it has traditionally struggled to convert vote share into power at the local level. PM Modi said the people were convinced that the BJP's development vision was best suited to meet Kerala's future needs. "The people are certain that the development aspirations of the State can only be addressed by our Party," he said. Assuring continued engagement, the Prime Minister said the BJP would work towards accelerating the growth of Thiruvananthapuram and improving the "Ease of Living" for its residents. "My gratitude to all hardworking BJP Karyakartas who have worked among the people, which has ensured a spectacular result in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Today is a day to recall the work and struggles of generations of Karyakartas in Kerala, who worked at the grassroots, which ensured today's result became a reality. Our Karyakartas are our strength and we are proud of them!," PM Modi further said. On Sunday, the state BJP unit is leading a victory ride through the state capital city on an open vehicle, parading all the winning 50 councilors of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Bengaluru, Dec 13 : All legislators and more than 1,000 party workers from Karnataka are attending the 'Vote Chori' protest at Ramleela Maidan in Delhi on Sunday to strengthen the hands of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, said state Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar here on Saturday. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said, "The 'Vote Chori' campaign began in our state with a massive convention at Freedom Park in Bengaluru. Another major event will be held on Sunday at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. More than 1,000 party workers from Karnataka have already reached Delhi." He said that party leaders had travelled to Delhi by train and flight from all parts of the state, adding that more than 100 MLAs and MLCs would attend the event. "I will also join them," said the state Congress chief. He said that even after poll defeats, party leader Rahul Gandhi organised a similar event to create awareness among the people. "AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge is also leading the agitation. We are all joining to support the campaign," Shivakumar said. Asked whether he would meet top leaders on Saturday night or Sunday morning, the deputy CM said it would be very late by the time he reaches Delhi. "I also have to respond to the notice issued to me by the Delhi Police in connection with the 'National Herald' case. If I get time, I will attend to that," he said. "I am busy today. However, I will collect the required papers and attend the Delhi event," Shivakumar said, adding that MLAs and MLCs were reaching Delhi on their own. "We have asked all our block presidents and legislators to take part in the campaign against 'Vote Chori'," he said. "The Congress party had raised this issue during the Karnataka Assembly elections. Through the 'Chilume' organisation, they, the BJP, were trying to misuse power. Many officials have been suspended in this connection. We will pursue this matter and fight for the vote of the common man. The Congress party has always stood for democracy and the Constitution," Shivakumar underlined. Saying that election results might come and go, but the party and its workers will fight to protect the rights of the people. When asked about Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara's statement that the houses of drug peddlers should be bulldozed despite a Supreme Court order against such action, Shivakumar said the minister had spoken from his experience. "Why were they silent in Uttar Pradesh? What all transpired there? All this needs to be discussed," he said. Asked about the Supreme Court order against bulldozing the houses of accused persons, which followed similar actions in Uttar Pradesh, Shivakumar said he would speak on the issue later. Borr Drilling Limited (NYSE:BORR) is one of the best long-term penny stocks to invest in. Borr Drilling Limited (NYSE:BORR) announced on December 8 that it entered into an agreement for the acquisition of five premium jack-up rigs from Noble Corporation. These rigs include two Gusto MSC CJ50 design rigs and three Friede & Goldman JU-3000N design rigs for a total purchase price of $360 million. Is Borr Drilling Limited (BORR) the Best Oil and Gas Penny Stock to Invest in Now? 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New Delhi, Dec 13 : The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) restored properties valued at Rs 40 crore to Indian Bank in connection with a money laundering investigation against Saravana Stores (Gold Palace) and its partners, an official said on Saturday. Earlier, the ED had restored three properties valued at Rs 235 crore to the bank on February 17, 2025. In the same case, the official said, adding that the total restitution in this case now stands at Rs 275 crore. The loan applicant allegedly caused a wrongful loss of Rs 312.13 crore to Indian Bank. The ED's restoration of properties is being done in support of an application filed by the Indian Bank under Section 8(8) of the PMLA, 2002, the official said in a statement. The ED initiated an investigation based on an FIR registered by the CBI under various Sections of the IPC, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, on a complaint filed by the Indian Bank. The FIR alleges that the partners of Saravana Stores (Gold Palace) fraudulently availed Rs 240 crore in credit facilities but diverted funds for unauthorised purposes. The FIR said that the loan applicant submitted false and overstated stock statements, misused working capital limits, routed money to personal accounts, removed hypothecated stock without the bankas knowledge, and acquired properties through diversion of bank funds. The loan account became a non-performing asset (NPA) on July 7, 2019, and it was later classified as fraud and willful default, causing a wrongful loss of Rs 312.13 crore to Indian Bank. During the PMLA investigation, it was found that the accused systematically diverted and misappropriated bank funds. The ED provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 274.76 crore vide two Provisional Attachment Orders, which were later confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority on January 24, 2023 and October 27, 2023. The ED subsequently filed a Prosecution Complaint before the Special Court (PMLA) on January 18, 2024. Indian Bank sought restoration of the attached properties under Section 8(8) of PMLA, 2002, following which the ED initiated measures and attachment was done for the benefit of the lender. The Special Court, by order dated February 17, 2025, restored three properties valued at Rs 235 Crore. Indian Bank sought additional properties worth Rs 40 crore before the High Court and the ED, considering public interest and the bankas substantial loss, expressed no objection. The High Court, by order dated October 23, 2025, restored the properties worth Rs 40 crore to Indian Bank, said the statement. Chennai, Dec 13 : AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government in neighbouring Karnataka, alleging that its sole objective behind pushing the Mekedatu dam project was to "convert Tamil Nadu into a desert." Chennai, Dec 13 (IANS) AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government in neighbouring Karnataka, alleging that its sole objective behind pushing the Mekedatu dam project was to "convert Tamil Nadu into a desert." In a strongly worded post on the social media platform X, Palaniswami accused Karnataka of proceeding with the construction of a balancing reservoir at Mekedatu was implemented in blatant disregard of its adverse consequences for Tamil Nadu. He also blamed the ruling DMK in the State for what he described as the present "unfortunate situation" surrounding the long-standing Cauvery river water dispute. The AIADMK leader alleged that the DMK government under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had failed to vigorously defend Tamil Nadu's interests before statutory and judicial forums. "The DMK government did not present strong arguments through its lawyers before the Cauvery Management Authority and the Supreme Court on the livelihood concerns of Tamil Nadu people. Its approach has been half-hearted," Palaniswami charged. His reaction comes in the backdrop of the Karnataka government forming an expert committee to expedite the Mekedatu project, following recent directions from the Supreme Court. Palaniswami claimed that the move underscored Karnataka's determination to push ahead with the project, despite Tamil Nadu's repeated objections. Referring to the Cauvery water dispute, the former Chief Minister alleged that Tamil Nadu's rights had consistently been compromised whenever the DMK came to power. "Every time the DMK assumes office, it cedes Tamil Nadu's rightful share of Cauvery water to Karnataka. This betrayal cannot be forgiven," he said, urging the Chief Minister to immediately initiate strong legal measures to safeguard the State's interests. Reiterating his criticism of the Congress government in Karnataka, Palaniswami said, "The sole aim of the Congress government is to turn Tamil Nadu into a desert by executing the Mekedatu project." Responding to the criticism, Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan said on December 12 that the State government had already moved legally to protect its interests. He stated that a review petition had been filed before the Supreme Court and a detailed submission had been made to the Central Water Commission (CWC) opposing the project. According to the Minister, the submission, filed on December 9, clearly explained how the Mekedatu reservoir would be detrimental to Tamil Nadu and violate existing Supreme Court orders governing the Cauvery River. The Mekedatu project proposes the construction of a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery River in Karnataka, aimed at meeting Bengaluru's drinking water requirements and generating hydroelectric power. Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the project, citing concerns over water availability and downstream impacts. --IANS aal/dan Nagpur, Dec 13 : Maharashtra Minister of State for Energy Meghana Bordikar Sakore on Saturday outlined the State's ambitious renewable energy roadmap while also confirming plans to add new thermal power capacity, citing a sharp rise in electricity demand from industry and households. Replying to a calling attention motion moved by MLA Kishore Jorgewar on renewable energy capacity addition and the proposed thermal plant at Chandrapur, the Minister said the government was focused on ensuring a stable and reliable power supply even as it transitions to cleaner energy sources. She said Maharashtra has committed to achieving net-zero emissions from fossil fuels by 2050. Under the National Building Code (NBC) 2016, buildings taller than 15 metres are required to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by 2030. The State aims to generate 40 per cent of its total electricity from renewable sources. Referring to the New and Renewable Energy Sources Policy announced in 2020, the Minister said Maharashtra has set a target of creating 17,360 MW of renewable energy capacity. She highlighted the ongoing Chief Minister Solar Power Mission (Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana), under which an extensive drive is being undertaken to provide solar feeders to farmers for an uninterrupted and sustainable power supply. The Minister informed the House that the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (Mahavitaran) has entered into power purchase agreements (PPAs) for a total of 42,518 MW from various sources, including 2,203 MW through short-term contracts and 984 MW through medium-term contracts. She added that PPAs have been planned to secure power supply up to 2031-32. To address the intermittency of solar and wind power and maintain grid stability, the State is also moving ahead with new thermal projects. The Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS), currently the largest power plant in Maharashtra, has an installed capacity of 3,340 MW from its existing units (2 210 MW and 5 500 MW). "The State is considering the construction of a new 800-MW unit at CSTPS based on Advanced Ultra Supercritical technology, with provisions for flexible operation. The detailed project report and technical and financial viability studies have been submitted, and the project feasibility extends up to 2038-39," the Minister said. She noted that Advanced Ultra Supercritical technology is being prioritised across the country because of its higher efficiency and lower emissions compared to older thermal units. The Minister added that the proposed expansion of the State-owned Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station by Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MAHAGENCO) remains a key component of Maharashtra's energy strategy, though the project is still at the detailed planning and approval stage. The overarching objective, she said, is to balance the rapid expansion of renewable energy with dependable base-load power, ensuring efficient load management, preventing outages and relying on "must-run" thermal generation when solar power is unavailable. Chennai, Dec 13 : The Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Labourers' Association, affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), has strongly opposed the Union government's decision to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), describing the move as an expression of "deep-seated hatred" towards Mahatma Gandhi. Chennai, Dec 13 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Labourers' Association, affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), has strongly opposed the Union government's decision to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), describing the move as an expression of "deep-seated hatred" towards Mahatma Gandhi. In a statement issued on Saturday, the association's general secretary, A. Bhaskar, said the decision to drop Mahatma Gandhi's name from the flagship rural employment scheme amounted to an attempt to undermine both the spirit of the legislation and the legacy of the Father of the Nation. He recalled that the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was enacted in 2005 by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government following sustained interventions by Left parties, to provide livelihood security to rural households. The Act guarantees 100 days of wage employment every year to agricultural labourers and rural worker families who depend primarily on manual labour for survival. Bhaskar said the scheme had earned global recognition as a pioneering welfare initiative and had, for nearly two decades, played a crucial role in ensuring employment for millions of rural workers across the country. He strongly objected to the BJP-led Union government's decision, taken on December 12, 2025, to rename the scheme as the "Poojya Babu Gramin Rozgar Yojana" by removing Mahatma Gandhi's name. The association, he said, categorically rejected the move. Mahatma Gandhi, Bhaskar noted, is revered worldwide as the Father of the Nation and remains a symbol of secularism, non-violence and social harmony. He alleged that organisations such as the RSS and the Hindu Mahasabha had historically opposed Gandhi and refused to accept his ideals. Recalling that Gandhi respected all religions equally and dedicated his life to national unity, Bhaskar said it was a tragic irony that he was assassinated by extremist forces. He further accused the Sangh Parivar of glorifying figures such as V.D. Savarkar and Nathuram Godse over the past 11 years, while engaging in what he described as systematic distortion of history. The decision to rename the rural employment law, he alleged, was part of a broader attempt to erase Gandhi's legacy from public life. The association also claimed that since assuming power, the BJP-led Union government had steadily weakened the implementation of MGNREGA and was now attempting to dilute its identity by changing its name. Condemning what he termed a "venomous attack" on Mahatma Gandhi's legacy, Bhaskar demanded that the Union government immediately withdraw the renaming decision. He also urged the Centre and the Prime Minister to strengthen the scheme by increasing guaranteed employment to 200 days a year and fixing the minimum daily wage at Rs 700. --IANS aal/dan Itanagar, Dec 13 : Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. General K.T. Parnaik (Retd.) and Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday held separate meetings with Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Director General Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan and reviewed the progress of the road projects. A Lok Bhavan official said that the Governor and the BRO DG discussed the need to strengthen strategic road connectivity to border areas, ensure regular maintenance, and establish mechanisms for swift restoration whenever road communication is disrupted. The Governor expressed gratitude to the BRO for successfully executing 10 strategically vital roads and 22 bridges under the Arunank, Udayak, Vartak, and Brahmank Projects. These crucial assets were virtually inaugurated on December 7 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, marking an important milestone in the state's infrastructure development, the official said. Lt. General Parnaik (Retd.) said that these national security infrastructure projects will significantly enhance military mobility, provide year-round access to remote and sensitive regions, and improve the operational readiness of our armed forces for quick response. At the same time, he said that the improved connectivity will bring substantial socio-economic benefits to local communities, fostering growth and improving livelihoods across the state. The Governor also commended the BRO for its humanitarian and community-oriented initiatives, including medical outreach camps in remote villages and the creation of Play & Learning Rooms for the children of casual labourers engaged in road construction. Such efforts, he said, reflect the BRO's deep commitment not only to national security but also to the welfare of the people it serves. The DG BRO briefed the Governor on the progress and challenges of ongoing strategic projects and assured him that the Organisation remains committed to delivering the highest quality roads and infrastructure for Arunachal Pradesh. Taking to his official X account, the Chief Minister Khandu said: "A productive morning interaction with DGBR Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan and senior officers of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and Tawang DC Ms Namgyal Angmo, IAS. A comprehensive review was undertaken on the progress of road projects executed by BRO, along with discussions on critical ground-level issues." Khandu said that the Border Roads Organisation continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening national security while making significant contributions to the socio-economic development of people living in border regions, despite operating in extremely challenging terrains. A senior official said that the BRO has been instrumental in building strategic infrastructure along India's frontiers. In Arunachal Pradesh, BRO has constructed and upgraded roads under the harshest conditions, connecting some of the most inaccessible areas, he added. The official said that these efforts have not only enabled swift troop movement but also brought vital connectivity to border villages, turning them into emerging centres of development. Arunachal Pradesh shares international borders with China, Bhutan, and Myanmar, placing it at a critical geopolitical crossroads. In this context, robust road infrastructure is vital, not just for defence logistics, but also for asserting India's presence in remote areas. With increased activity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the development of border roads has become a national priority. The BRO, along with support from central and state governments, is leading this charge. --IANS sc/dan Tehran, Dec 13 : Iran on Saturday announced seizure of a foreign oil tanker in the Sea of Oman on charges of carrying six million litres of smuggled fuel. Local media quoted Hormozgan Chief Justice Mojtaba Qahremani as saying that the seizure was carried out as part of ongoing intelligence monitoring and surveillance of suspicious fuel-smuggling activities along the countryas maritime borders in the Sea of Oman. "He said judicial officers, acting under a court warrant, inspected the foreign-flagged oil tanker in waters under Iranas sovereignty in the western Jask area. The vessel was confiscated after inspections revealed multiple maritime violations and deficiencies in the legal documentation related to its cargo, leading to charges of transporting six million litres of smuggled fuel," Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted a statement released by the judicial official. The report mentioned that 18 suspects, including the tankeras captain and crew members, have been placed under supervision following the issuance of appropriate legal orders, as investigations and legal procedures continue. "In addition to the organised smuggling of millions of litres, the seized tanker has committed numerous violations, including ignoring the officers' order to stop and fleeing, lacking navigational documents, lacking fuel cargo documents, turning off the radar, and intentionally destroying the ship's equipment at the time of seizure. The results of the investigation are being investigated, and the results of the investigation into its charges in the judicial authority will be reported later," the Chief Justice of Hormozgan Province was quoted as saying by the Tasnim news agency. Another state-run IRIB news agency detailed that the tanker was confiscated by Iranian judicial officers on Thursday in Iran's territorial waters near the southern port city of Jask as part of efforts to combat the main fuel smuggling networks and smugglers. The vessel, it said, lacked the required maritime documents and the bill of lading for its fuel cargo, adding that it had turned off all its navigation and navigational aid systems. The 18 crew members on board the oil tanker have been identified as nationals of Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh, the report detailed. New Delhi/Imphal, Dec 13 : The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), representatives of Kuki-Zo groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) and officials of the Manipur government held the second round of a tripartite meeting in New Delhi, during which a range of issues was discussed. MHA's Adviser, North-East A.K. Mishra, officials of the Manipur government and representatives of Kuki-Zo armed groups under SoO -- the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People's Front (UPF) -- held the tripartite meeting on December 12 in the national capital. The KNO and the UPF, in a joint statement, said that discussions focused on the demand for a Union Territory with a Legislature for the Kuki-Zo tribal people in Manipur. The MHA in the first round of meeting held on November 6-7 in New Delhi had virtually rejected the demand of Kuki-Zo tribal organisations and militant groups for the creation of Union Territories with Legislature for the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur. The KNO and UPF in their joint statement said that deliberations during the second round of talks primarily focused on land-related issues and governance in the hill areas inhabited by Kuki-Zo tribals. During the discussions, the UPF and KNO representatives informed that tribal land rights in the hill districts of Manipur are historically and customarily vested in tribal village chiefs. The statement said that emphasis was on the traditional practice that this foundational principle of hill governance has been systematically undermined by successive policies of the Manipur government. It was also stressed that the logical and constitutionally consistent future for the Kuki Zo population is to have its own governance mechanism under a Union Territory with a Legislature, which would provide the necessary institutional framework to safeguard their traditional land rights. UPF and KNO further stressed that a Constitution-based political solution for the Kuki-Zo hill areas is no longer a question of administrative reorganisation but an existential necessity, the statement said. It said that the total physical separation of populations since the ethnic violence broke out on May 3, 2023, the overt weaponisation of state machinery against the tribal citizens and the systematic obliteration from the Imphal Valley are self-evident facts that are on record. UPF and KNO have claimed that it is clear that the Manipur government abdicated its constitutional responsibilities. "Reintegration under the existing state administrative framework is no longer possible, and a separate political solution remains the only viable path to normalcy, peace and stability. It was also pointed out that the violence of 2023 was not isolated, but the culmination of decades of aggressive land policies and political bullying aimed at dispossessing tribal communities of their ancestral lands," they said. The two tribal organisations said that a Union Territory with a Legislature would have the authority and neutrality required to enact and enforce laws capable of halting this long-standing process of dispossession. The statement said that the social contract between the Kuki-Zo people and the state of Manipur has broken down beyond repair. Article 371C failed in practice, as the Hill Areas Committee has been repeatedly bypassed and rendered ineffective in preventing either the violence or the policies that were engineered, it said. The UPF and KNO claimed that the Kuki Zo people cannot be governed by a government that has enabled its ethnic cleansing. Creation of a Union Territory with a Legislature remains the only constitutional and viable solution for ensuring justice, security, normalcy and lasting peace, the tribal organisations said. The UPF and the KNO, which are a conglomerate of 23 underground militant outfits, signed the SoO with the government on August 22, 2008. Around 2,266 cadres of the militant outfits have been staying in different designated camps in Manipur's hill regions. --IANS sc/dan Seoul, Dec 13 : The last missing worker in a library construction site accident was found dead Saturday, leaving the total death toll at four in the fatal collapse incident that occurred two days ago. The body of the 58-year-old worker, identified by his surname Kim, was discovered at around 11:20 am, officials said, bringing the death toll from Thursday's accident to four. Earlier in the day, authorities found the body of another worker, surnamed Ko, at around 1:03 am. Two other workers died on Thursday, the day the accident occurred. The four victims were identified as technicians affiliated with a subcontractor, all of whom were Korean nationals, Yonhap news agency reported. Officials suspect the collapse began as workers poured concrete onto the two-story structure's rooftop, with the ground floors falling to the underground level. The library under construction was being built by the Gwangju metropolitan government on the site of a former waste incineration plant in the city some 300 kilometres south of Seoul. Police and labour authorities raided the headquarters of the project's main contractor to seize documents related to the construction to confirm whether the required safety measures were in place. "We will thoroughly investigate the structural causes of this accident that caused multiple casualties and hold those responsible to account," an official at the Gwangju branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labour said. Land Minister Kim Yun-duk said Friday that the government plans to introduce a special law to strengthen construction workplace safety and enforce tougher penalties for fatal accidents in response to a growing number of such incidents at construction sites. Since taking office in June, President Lee Jae Myung has reiterated the need for stronger measures to prevent industrial accidents following a series of accidents at workplaces managed by major construction companies. New Delhi, Dec 13 : More than 29.82 lakh phone calls have been handled by 53 Tele MANAS Cells, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur said, reiterating the government's commitment to prevent, mitigate and manage stress among women across sectors. The government launched the "National Tele Mental Health Programme" on October 10, 2022, to improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country, said the MoS. As of November 27, 2025, 36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele MANAS Cells. Tele-MANAS services are available in 20 languages based on the language opted by the states. "More than 29,82,000 calls have been handled on the helpline number," she said in response to a question in Lok Sabha on Friday. To address the burden of mental disorders, the Central government is implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in the country. The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) component of the NMHP has been sanctioned for implementation in 767 districts for which support is provided to States/UTs through the National Health Mission. Facilities made available under DMHP at the Community Health Centre (CHC) and Primary Health Centre (PHC) levels, inter alia, include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/ psycho-social interventions, continuing care and support to persons with severe mental disorders, drugs, outreach services and ambulance services, the MoS said. The Central government gives the highest priority to the safety and security of women and girls and has taken several steps to assist the State Governments/ UT Administrations. These include operationalisation of helplines such as Women Helpline -181, Child Helpline - 1098 and Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112), concept of Zero FIR and e-FIR under the new criminal laws and provision of institutional support to the survivors, said the MoS. Further, the Mental Health Care Act, 2017 is an act to provide for mental healthcare and services for persons with mental illness and to protect, promote and fulfil the rights of such persons during delivery of mental healthcare and services and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Act also decriminalises attempts to die by suicide, thereby recognising that persons under severe stress require care and rehabilitation rather than penal action, and provides for registration and regulation of mental health establishments and oversight mechanisms to improve the quality and availability of services. Recognising that gender-based violence, harassment and insecurity are major drivers of psychological trauma and chronic stress among women, the Government has established multiple mechanisms to provide immediate protection, holistic support and long-term rehabilitation, said the statement. It provides integrated support and assistance under one roof to women affected by violence and those in distress, both in private and public spaces. It also provides an integrated range of services, including medical aid, legal aid and advice, temporary shelter, police assistance, and psycho-social counselling to needy women. As many as 864 OSCs are operational across the country, and over 12.67 lakh women have been assisted up to September 30, 2025. Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's four social media posts -- three of them in Malayalam -- captured the BJP's sense of arrival in Kerala after the party scripted history by emerging as the single largest force in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, a first in the state's political trajectory. The unusually sustained and language-specific response from the Prime Minister underlined the national importance the BJP leadership is attaching to the result, projecting it as a turning point in Kerala's politics rather than a routine local body victory. Thanking voters across the state for backing BJP-NDA candidates in the local body polls, PM Modi said the people of Kerala were disillusioned with both the Congress-led UDF and the CPI(M)-led LDF, and were now looking at the NDA as the only credible alternative capable of delivering good governance and building a "Vikasita Keralam" -- a developed Kerala offering opportunities for all. His Malayalam posts were clearly aimed at Kerala's electorate, signalling the BJP's intent to deepen its grassroots connect and position itself as a serious contender in the State. In another message, PM Modi described the mandate in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation as a "watershed moment" in Kerala politics. He said the verdict reflected people's belief that the State's development aspirations could be fulfilled only under the BJP and assured that the party would focus on the growth of the capital city while improving the 'Ease of Living' for its residents -- a pointed pitch to urban voters ahead of future electoral contests. The Prime Minister also used the moment to spotlight the party's organisational strength. Thanking BJP workers for their tireless efforts, PM Modi said the victory was the culmination of decades of sustained work by grassroots karyakartas across generations in Kerala. "Our karyakartas are our strength; we are proud of them," he said in yet another Malayalam post, a message that struck a strong chord within the party ranks. The fourth post, in English, tied the narrative together, reinforcing the BJP's assertion that the Thiruvananthapuram outcome marks a shift not just in the capital but in Kerala's broader political landscape. PM Modi's remarks were quickly echoed by senior Union Ministers, including Rajnath Singh, Piyush Goyal and Nitin Gadkari, who took to social media to congratulate the Kerala unit on what they termed a historic breakthrough. Party leaders see the result as evidence of the BJP's expanding footprint in the state and a sign that Kerala's political equations are beginning to change, with the capital city emerging as a new battleground ahead of the next year's Assembly elections. GameStop (GME) shares are in the red this morning after the gaming merchandise retailer reported a quarterly sales decline, indicating continued struggle in keeping relevant amid the rise of digital downloads. The NYSE-listed firm did see a meaningful boost to its net income in Q3 to about $77 million. But investors are fixating on top-line weakness as it represents challenges facing its core retail business. More News from Barchart Following the post-earnings decline, GameStop stock is down roughly 39% versus its year-to-date high in the final week of May. www.barchart.com Why Collectibles Alone Cant Drive GameStop Stock Higher Investors arent rewarding GME for bottom-line strength primarily because much of it came from the collectibles segment, which made up nearly a third of its overall revenue in Q3. Toys, trading cards, and memorabilia these merchandise often yield much better margins, but the business itself is inherently limited. Why? Because much of its demand comes from nostalgia only, which isnt really a reliable source for explosive growth. At best, therefore, strength in the collectibles segment is a stabilizer, a short-term cushion for GME shares, not a transformative catalyst they desperately need to justify an investment. Bitcoin Pivot Isnt Helping GME Shares Either GameStop shares remain unattractive as a long-term holding also because the firms Bitcoin (BTCUSD) pivot is proving insufficient in attracting retail and institutional interest. If anything, its proving a drag on its balance shift ($9.2 million unrealized loss in Q3) amid a macro-driven selloff that has BTC struggling to sustainably reclaim the $90,000 mark this month. Crypto adoption in retail remains fragmented, and volatility in digital currencies adds another layer of risk. For GME, the Bitcoin narrative feels more like a speculative distraction than a sustainable growth engine. Without clear execution or integration into its core business, BTC exposure is insufficient to offset deteriorating fundamentals, leaving investors with little reason to buy the dip. Note that the meme stock is currently trading decisively below its major moving averages (50-day, 100-day, 200-day) reinforcing that its in a long-term bearish trend. Nagpur, Dec 13 : Maharashtra Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal on Saturday announced in the state council that the government will conduct a probe to check the quality of houses being constructed by City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) in Panvel, Navi Mumbai area. She was replying to a discussion in this regard initiated by member Vikrant Patil under Rule 97. Minister Misal said that maintenance and repair charges are collected for two years for houses sold by CIDCO. From this fund, building maintenance, water, electricity and elevator maintenance and repair are done. The advance amount taken for electricity and water bills in common areas, as well as security expenses, is transferred to the society after the society is established. Also, CIDCO is trying to register the society when 51 per cent of the residents are ready, and then the responsibility of maintenance and repair is given to the concerned society, she added. The minister said that a meeting will be held with all the concerned members regarding the issue of CIDCO houses. She also said that the matter regarding the property tax of these houses is pending in the court, and action will be taken as per the court's decision. Meanwhile, Minister of State for School Education, Pankaj Bhoyar, in the state council, announced that teachers will be provided wherever there are schools in the state, and no school will remain without teachers. He was replying to a question raised by member Kiran Sarnaik regarding the non-availability of teachers in many schools. Minister Bhoyar said that the High Court has declared the government decision valid by disposing of the petition on the government decision of March 15, 2024, regarding the recognition of the set. Due to the development works currently underway in the state and the facilities being provided, there is no longer any difference between remote, hilly or urban areas, and care will be taken to ensure that no school remains without teachers due to a lack of numbers. Further, Minister Bhoyar, in his response to another question by member Sadabhau Khot, said that the central government has encouraged military schools, intending to instil military discipline in students and enable them to get admission in NDA. He announced that the state government is positive about providing facilities to these schools in the state. Minister Bhoyar said that the central government has started 100 schools in the country on a PPP basis. He added that the government is positive about providing grants and facilities to these new military schools in the state, just like the Satara military school. Moreover, Minister Bhoyar, in his reply to a question raised by member Vikram Kale, told the state council that the department will organise a meeting with the Skill Development Minister to discuss whether work other than teaching can be given to educated unemployed youth in the state. He said that instructions will be given to the Principal Secretaries of other departments to ensure that teachers are not given any other work apart from reaching. New Delhi, Dec 13 : The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of Delhi Police has busted a well-organised transnational cybercrime syndicate by arresting nine accused allegedly involved in large-scale online fraud and money laundering operations, an official revealed on Saturday. The arrests followed specific intelligence received on November 26, indicating that a cyber-fraud gang was operating from a hotel in Dwarka, New Delhi, using multiple bank accounts to channel illicit funds. Acting swiftly, an IFSO team conducted a raid and apprehended four suspects from the hotel. They were identified as Sultan Salim Shaikh, Sayed Ahmad Choudhary, Satish Kumar, and Tushar Maliya. During questioning, the accused revealed that they were providing bank accounts for cyber-fraud on the instructions of other syndicate members and frequently changed locations to evade law enforcement. Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of five more accuseda"Shivam, Sunil, Parbhu Dayal, Tarun Sharma, and Suresh Kumar Kumawata"from Delhi, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. Police said a key bank account opened by Sultan Salim Shaikh with Axis Bank had been used exclusively for fraudulent transactions. The account, opened with an initial deposit of Rs 25,421, recorded 10,423 transactions between November 21 and November 26, involving a total amount of Rs 5.24 crore. Shaikh allegedly opened the account at the behest of another accused in return for a 25 per cent commission and was also provided a new mobile phone for coordination. "The enquiry prima facie established that the accused were members of an organised cyber-fraud syndicate and that the said bank account was being used exclusively for fraudulent purposes," the Delhi Police said in a press note. Investigators said the syndicate operated through a structured network of account holders, middlemen, and end-users. Bank accounts were procured and sold to cyber-fraud operators for commission, while proceeds were laundered through hawala channels and cryptocurrency transactions, particularly USDT. A search of the accused premises led to the recovery of 12 mobile phones containing incriminating chats, along with cheque books, debit cards, bank documents, and a notice issued by Bengaluru Police. A case has been registered under Sections 112 and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Special Cell police station. Police said further raids and digital forensic analysis are underway to identify hawala operators and masterminds, including those based abroad. aIFSO Unit of Delhi Police remains committed to combating cybercrime, ensuring victim protection, and taking swift and decisive action against cyber-fraudsters," said DCP (IFSO) Vinit Kumar. Kathmandu, Dec 13 : Nepal's former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Saturday described the destruction of public and private properties during the Gen-Z protests in early September as a conspiracy prepared over time to destroy the constitution, constitutional processes, and democracy in the country. After several Gen-Z protesters were killed by police on September 8, the country witnessed widespread destruction of government and private buildings and other infrastructure, including structures inside Singha Durbar a" the main administrative complex of the Nepali government, the Presidentas Office, the Supreme Court, the homes of political leaders, hotels, shopping malls, and police posts, among others. As many as 77 people lost their lives in Gen-Z protest-related incidents, and property worth NPR 84.45 billion was destroyed, according to estimates by a committee formed by the Nepali government to assess the damages. The Gen-Z movement ousted the government led by Oli, who is also the chairperson of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), or CPN (UML), paving the way for the current apolitical government led by Sushila Karki. "Was the frenzy of September 9 merely the result of protests by a dissatisfied group, or was a much bigger game being played under its cover? Was its goal merely to change the government, or was there a hidden plan to break the very backbone of the state?" Oli questioned while addressing the 11th General Convention of the CPN (UML). "Let there be no confusion a" if the aim was only to change the government, the country should not have been turned to ashes." He stressed that the destruction of government and private property was part of a grave conspiracy, prepared over time, to destroy the constitution, constitutional processes, and the democracy achieved through seven decades of struggle a" creating a vacuum, instability, and a state of statelessness. The protests began on September 8 against the ban on social media and large-scale corruption, but they spiralled out of control amid a police crackdown, leading to the deaths of 20 people on the first day. However, Oli said that no one disagreed with the demands raised by Gen-Z and youth - of open social media, control over corruption and establishing good governance. "Our aim was not to shut down social media, but to regulate it within the law for national and citizen security," he said. He blamed the infiltration of various interest groups into the protests, which incited violence, encouraged breaches of restricted zones, arson, and vandalism of parliament, and exploited youths who were organising peaceful protests to fulfil their vested interests a" creating an unimaginable tragedy that cost several lives of youths. Oli also reiterated that the current government was formed unconstitutionally and that the House of Representatives, the Lower House of Parliament, was dissolved unconstitutionally, reiterating his demand for its restoration. Leaders of both the UML and the Nepali Congress a" the coalition partners in the last government a" have filed separate writ petitions at the Supreme Court demanding the restoration of the House of Representatives. President Ram Chandra Poudel, on September 12, dissolved the House of Representatives on the recommendation of Prime Minister Karki, and a new election date has been scheduled for March 5, next year. However, Oli questioned the intent of the current government to hold the scheduled elections, saying that no visible preparations have been made. "The government is mandated to hold elections on March 5 a" but is there any preparation?" Oli asked. "If the government was serious about holding elections, it would build trust, ensure transparency, allow assemblies, encourage party activities, and create a fearless environment. Instead, we see prohibitions, cases instead of debate, and threats instead of competition." The General Convention will also elect the partyas new leadership. Oli and the partyas Senior Vice-President, Ishwor Pokharel, are contesting the election for the party chairmanship. Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has backed Pokharel for the position. Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 13 : The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) on Saturday projected the Kerala local body election results as a strong endorsement of its politics, with senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge hailing the mandate while launching a sharp attack on the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). Former Wayanad MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, described the outcome as "decisive and heartening," saying it reflected growing public confidence in the UDF ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. "The verdict shows that the people of Kerala want accountable governance -- a government that listens, responds and delivers," Gandhi said, congratulating party leaders and workers across the state for their sustained grassroots efforts. He said the mandate was recognition of the UDF's commitment to people-centric politics. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge thanked the voters of Kerala for what he termed a decisive verdict in favour of the UDF in the local body polls. "The Indian National Congress extends its heartfelt gratitude to the people of Kerala for the strong mandate given to the UDF. We are confident that our alliance will receive a similar mandate in the Assembly elections as well," Kharge said, adding that the Congress would campaign with "a full sense of responsibility and united purpose". Congress general secretary and Alappuzha MP K.C. Venugopal struck a more combative note, calling the results a clear rejection of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF, which he accused of turning into a "corrupt, authoritarian and anti-people regime". Venugopal said the local body verdict was only a trailer of what lay ahead in the 2026 Assembly elections, predicting that several traditional Left strongholds would fall. He also claimed that voters had rejected the BJP's "divisive politics," which he said threatened Kerala's social harmony. The UDF's gains were particularly significant in districts long considered LDF bastions, pointing to a strong anti-incumbency undercurrent. Reiterating the UDF's priorities, Rahul Gandhi said the alliance would continue to focus on the everyday concerns of citizens and work towards "transparent, people-first administration," using its local body presence to strengthen governance at the grassroots. Venugopal framed the verdict as both a local success and a strategic political shift, arguing that it marked the beginning of a broader realignment in Kerala politics ahead of the next year's Assembly polls. With the Congress leadership projecting confidence, the UDF has sought to position itself as the principal challenger to the Left government, sending a clear message that Kerala's electorate is demanding change, accountability and responsive governance. Haveri : , Dec 13 (IANS) The police in Karnataka's Haveri district have registered an FIR against 22 people for allegedly thrashing a school teacher, garlanding him with chappals and parading him in public over accusations of sexual harassment of schoolgirls, officials said on Saturday. Teacher paraded with slippers in K'taka; police book 22 Videos of the public assault and humiliation went viral on social media, triggering widespread concern and sharp reactions across the state. The FIR has been filed based on a complaint lodged by the teacher himself, who alleged that he was assaulted, publicly humiliated and threatened with dire consequences by a group of locals. He has urged the police to initiate strict legal action against those involved in the attack. Police officials said that, as of now, no formal complaint has been received from any student or guardian directly accusing the teacher of sexual abuse. Investigators are also examining whether the incident stemmed from internal differences among staff members at the school. The jurisdictional Savanur police have taken up further investigation. Charges invoked against the accused include causing public humiliation and issuing life threats. Police said the identities of those involved were established using video footage circulating on social media. Earlier, on December 10, an FIR had been registered against the teacher following a complaint by the school's headmaster, Rajesaba Khudanasaba Sankanura, alleging sexual harassment of schoolgirls. That case remains under investigation. Police said the matter is being handled with particular sensitivity, as most of the persons accused in the mob assault belong to a minority community. The incident occurred in Savanur town of Haveri district, where the teacher, accused of sexually harassing students at a Government Urdu Upgraded High School, was subjected to what police described as "mob justice" before being handed over to authorities. According to preliminary accounts, parents and local residents, angered by the allegations, gathered at the school premises, confronted the teacher, and allegedly assaulted him. He was then paraded through parts of the town before being taken to the Savanur Police Station. Meanwhile, leaders of the Anjuman Committee claimed that public anger had been building against the teacher due to his alleged conduct. They alleged that a few days earlier, a student had complained of stomach pain and fever, following which inquiries allegedly revealed sexual harassment by the teacher. The committee further claimed that subsequent checks suggested that as many as seven girls had been assaulted. "When questioned, the teacher allegedly admitted to assaulting one student, not seven. This enraged the public, leading to the assault and parade," committee representatives claimed. Police, however, have said these assertions are yet to be corroborated through formal complaints or medical and legal evidence. Authorities stressed that both cases the allegations against the teacher and the mob assault against him are being investigated separately, and action will be taken strictly in accordance with law. Further investigation is underway. Bengaluru, Dec 13 : Amid the leadership tussle in Karnataka, Congress MLA from Ramanagara, Iqbal Hussain, a close aide of Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar, has claimed that DKS will assume the post of Chief Minister on January 6, 2026. The statement has caused ripples in state political circles and within the ruling Congress. Speaking to reporters in Ramanagara on Saturday, Iqbal Hussain said: "The post of Chief Minister should be handed over to Deputy CM Shivakumar. He must be given an opportunity. The high command is responding to this demand. There are chances of Shivakumar becoming the Chief Minister on January 6. I am 99 per cent sure about this." "January 6 and January 9 are lucky numbers for D.K. Shivakumar. We are 140 MLAs, and it does not matter who has the numbers in terms of strength. The Congress is a disciplined party, and we are committed to the decision of the high command," he said. "There are no factions within the Congress party. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar are both assets to the Congress. Our demand is that Shivakumar should reap the fruits of his struggle and hard work," Iqbal Hussain maintained. "I will be taking part in the 'Vote Chori' protest in Delhi on Sunday (December 14) under the leadership of Shivakumar. We are not meeting any high command leaders in Delhi. We have conveyed our plea to the high command and are confident that they will respond positively. They will take a decision soon," he said. Responding to a statement by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's son Yathindra that the high command had turned down Shivakumar's request and that his father would complete the full term, Iqbal Hussain said, "Let anyone make any statement. The people of the state and MLAs from this region have sought an opportunity for Shivakumar. It is confirmed that Shivakumar will become the Chief Minister." It can be recalled, despite repeated appeals by the party leadership to refrain from issuing statements on the ongoing leadership issue in Karnataka, Congress leaders have continued to comment on the matter. Iqbal Hussain, a staunch supporter of Shivakumar, said on Friday that the hard work which the Deputy CM has put in for the Congress will yield results. Speaking to the media in Belagavi, MLA Hussain also added that this would happen soon after the Assembly session concludes. His remarks have gained significance amid rumours of a possible leadership change within the ruling Congress government after the Winter session of the Assembly. Responding to claims from the Siddaramaiah camp that Shivakumar does not enjoy the support of MLAs, Iqbal Hussain said: "The numbers do not matter; what matters is the directive of the Congress High Command. Around 5060 Congress MLAs had gathered for a dinner. If Shivakumar invites, all 224 MLAs will attend. Everyone is close to him, and all are his friends. The High Command's decision must be accepted by all." Commenting on the strong rumours of organisation of dinner meeting to show off his strength against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President Shivakumar had said, "I am not displaying any strength, nor do I need to." The Deputy CM said, "No one needs to come behind me, and no one should speak on my behalf. I, including the Chief Minister, and all 140 MLAs belong to one group -- the Congress group. Do not create room for any groupism." Bhopal, Dec 13 : Congress has mounted a sharp attack on the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh over the further strengthening of security arrangements for Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Bhopal and New Delhi. The party alleged that the Mohan Yadav-led administration has not ensured adequate protection for the senior leader, forcing the Centre to intervene. In a video message circulated to the media, Congress media head Mukesh Nayak said, "Followers of Shivraj Singh Chouhan have started news mongering that Chouhan is being placed as National President of Bharatiya Janata Party; which is a welcome step, but the real reason behind strengthening his security further is that the Mohan Yadav-led government is overlooking his adequate security. That is why the Centre has asked the state government to strengthen Chouhan's security." Meanwhile, police sources confirmed that the Union Home Ministry issued late-night instructions to tighten security following fresh intelligence inputs. Agencies acted swiftly, deploying additional forces and intensifying surveillance both in Bhopal and Delhi. At Chouhan's B-8 residence in 74 Bungalows, Bhopal, extra barricades have been placed, entry and exit checks have been stepped up, and patrolling in the surrounding areas has been increased. In Delhi, the Union Minister's official residence has also come under heightened protection, with the Delhi Police conducting a security review and deploying additional personnel as per protocol. Despite already enjoying Z+ category security, the measures were expanded after intelligence alerts were deemed serious. The Union Home Ministry has directed the Director General of Police in Madhya Pradesh, the Special Commissioner of Police (Security) in Delhi, and the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh to ensure that security arrangements are further reinforced. This development has sparked political sparring, with Congress questioning the state government's handling of security, while authorities emphasise that the enhanced measures are precautionary and based on intelligence assessments. New Delhi, Dec 13 : Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday discussed with officials on providing local cuisine of the region in Vande Bharat trains, and then roll it out across the railway network in the future. Interacting with officials in a review meeting at Rail Bhawan here, the minister said that introducing local cuisine will significantly enhance the passenger experience by offering food that reflects the culture and tastes of the regions being traversed. This facility will be expanded to all the trains progressively in future. The Minister also noted that the crackdown by Indian Railways on train ticket booking through fake identities is yielding positive results. Following the introduction of a stringent system to establish user identity and detect fake IDs, about 5,000 new user IDs are now being added daily on the IRCTC website. Before the latest reforms, this number had touched nearly one lakh new user IDs per day. These steps have already helped Indian Railways deactivate 3.03 crore fake accounts. Another 2.7 crore user IDs have either been temporarily suspended or identified for suspension based on the suspicious activities they are indulging in. Vaishnaw, in the presence of the Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu, directed officials to ensure that the ticketing system is reformed to a level where all travellers can book tickets easily through a genuine user ID. Earlier this week, the minister informed the Parliament that to curb misuse and improve fairness, Aadhaar-based OTP verification for online Tatkal ticket booking is now operational in 322 trains, and due to this, the confirmed Tatkal ticket availability time has increased by about 65 per cent in these trains. Aadhaar-based OTP for Tatkal bookings at reservation counters has also been introduced in a phased manner, now implemented in 211 trains (as of December 4). As a result, the confirmed Tatkal ticket availability time has increased in about 95 per cent of the 96 popular trains, the minister stated. Vaishnaw also informed that rigorous revalidation and verification of user accounts have been done. "About 3.02 crore suspicious user IDs have been deactivated since January 2025. Anti-bot solutions such as AKAMAI are deployed to filter non-genuine users and ensure smooth booking for legitimate passengers," he mentioned. Washington, Dec 13 : : China's role in Sri Lanka's port infrastructure was cited in a US Senate hearing this week as a cautionary example of Beijing's overseas financing practices, with lawmakers warning that such projects can undermine sovereignty and strategic independence in the Indo-Pacific. During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing this week, Chairman Jim Risch described China's involvement in Sri Lanka as "a poster child around the world for why people shouldn't do business with China," referring to Beijing's financing of major port projects. President Donald Trump's nominee for US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Eric Meyer, said Washington would support Colombo in asserting control over sensitive infrastructure and pursuing transparent partnerships. "We have a very open and transparent relationship with Sri Lanka, and bilateral relationships should be open and transparent," Meyer said. "If I'm confirmed, I look forward to working with the government of Sri Lanka to ensure that they assert their sovereignty, and that includes over ports." Risch pressed Meyer on whether Sri Lanka had drawn lessons from its experience with Chinese financing. "They hooked Sri Lanka with the money," Risch said. Meyer replied that Sri Lanka has shown interest in closer ties with the United States and stressed the importance of economic reform. "Sri Lanka has expressed interest in working closer with the United States," he said, adding that Washington has encouraged Colombo to continue its IMF-backed programme because "economic sovereignty and independence are important as well." Meyer said reforms could unlock new investment opportunities. "If they can stick to their reforms, this will also create opportunities for increased US investment," he said. The nominee highlighted Sri Lanka's strategic location in the Indian Ocean. "Sri Lanka sits astride some of the world's busiest shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean," Meyer said, noting that two-thirds of the world's seaborne crude oil transits nearby. He also pointed to the Port of Colombo, which he said is poised to expand capacity in the coming year, as a key economic asset. Sri Lanka's 2022 economic crisis and the subsequent leasing of the Chinese-built Hambantota port have drawn sustained scrutiny from the US and regional powers, including India. For Washington, Sri Lanka's experience is increasingly framed as a broader warning on infrastructure financing and strategic dependence in the Indo-Pacific. Washington, Dec 13, : : The United States continues to face an evolving threat from the ISIS and al-Qaida despite years of counterterrorism operations, President Donald Trump's nominee for the State Department's top counterterrorism role has said. Gregory D LoGerfo, nominated as coordinator for counterterrorism and ambassador-at-large, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that extremist groups remain active and capable of inspiring attacks worldwide. "ISIS and al-Qaida continue to recruit, radicalise and encourage their followers across the globe to conduct attacks in their home countries," LoGerfo said during his conformation hearing. He cited recent violence as evidence of the continuing danger. "The New Year's Day attack in New Orleans was a stark reminder of ISIS' persistent reach, capabilities and ambitions," he said. LoGerfo said the Trump administration is focused on preventing attacks by dismantling terror networks and holding state sponsors accountable. "The Trump administration is committed to preventing a major terrorist attack on the homeland," he said, adding that efforts include "destroying and disrupting terrorist networks, securing our borders and degrading the capacity of terrorist groups." He said today's threat landscape differs from that of the post 9/11 era. "The terrorist threat we face today is different from what we faced following the September 11th attacks," LoGerfo said. LoGerfo also warned that Iran and its proxies remain destabilising forces. "Although Iran has been greatly weakened, Tehran and its terrorist proxies including the Houthis, Hezbollah and Hamas continue to destabilize the Middle East," he said. He said the US is monitoring potential global threats, including to "US officials, journalists, Jewish targets and Iranian dissidents." Addressing Africa, LoGerfo said ISIS and al-Qaida affiliates are expanding in the Sahel, requiring closer cooperation with regional and European partners. "When we share risk, we need to share burden," he said. On Afghanistan, he said the US continues to confront ISIS Khorasan despite earlier successes. For India, US assessments that ISIS and al-Qaida remain active align with New Delhi's longstanding view that extremist networks persist despite territorial losses, underscoring the need for sustained global counterterror cooperation. Never forgotten: China remembers Nanjing Massacre victims People's Daily Online) 09:52, December 13, 2025 Before China's 12th national memorial day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre, families of the victims gathered at a memorial hall in Nanjing, the capital of east China's Jiangsu province, to commemorate their loved ones on Nov. 30, 2025. Xia Shuqin, 96, supported by her granddaughter Xia Yuan and others, walked slowly to the "wailing wall" outside the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders. Gazing at the names of her family members, she observed a moment of silence and bowed. "Eighty-eight years, 88 years..." Xia murmured repeatedly. "My grandma was telling her lost family members that she had come to visit them," Xia Yuan explained. On Dec. 13, 2014, Xia Shuqin was invited to attend the first national memorial day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre as a representative of the survivors. Chinese President Xi Jinping escorted her as they walked onto the stage together to unveil a ding an ancient Chinese cauldron symbolizing state power and prosperity in honor of the Nanjing Massacre victims. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at a memorial ceremony for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2014. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) After the ceremony, Xi visited the memorial hall. Due to time constraints, staff had arranged only for Xia Shuqin and veteran representative Li Gaoshan to speak with him. Xi, however, showed special concern for history and the survivors, asking numerous questions and shaking hands with each of the 20 survivors and victims' representatives. He spoke with them one by one. The visit, originally scheduled to last 45 minutes, was extended to 72 minutes. "Now there are only a little more than 100 survivors and witnesses of the Nanjing Massacre. You witnessed this significant history, and such a painful chapter must never be forgotten," said Xi. He repeatedly urged the older people to take good care of themselves and expressed hope that they would use their personal experiences to educate future generations, emphasizing that only by remembering the painful history can we cherish and safeguard peace. Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) meets with survivors of the Nanjing Massacre and relatives of foreign friends who contributed to the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression after attending a state memorial ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Three years later, Xi returned to Nanjing. While visiting an exhibition about the Nanjing Massacre, Xi asked many questions in great detail with professional depth. On the photo wall of survivors, the lights on two portraits had dimmed, indicating that the two had passed away. He inquired with concern about how many survivors were still alive. Upon learning that there were fewer than 100, he urged that care be taken for these survivors. After visiting the exhibition, he saw Xia Shuqin. Holding her hands, Xi wished her good health and longevity. Reflecting on the past, Chinese people must remain vigilant in the future. "To forget the past means to betray," Xi said. "Anyone who tries to deny the Nanjing Massacre will not be forgiven by history, the souls of the 300,000 deceased victims, the 1.3 billion Chinese people, and all people who love peace and justice in the world." Xi's resolute voice reflected the unwavering stance of the Chinese people in remembering history. The Chinese people remember history not only because of the suffering and pain the Chinese nation has endured, but also because of the enduring spirit and unceasing hope that have been passed down through generations. As the words inscribed on the ding show: "Never forget the history and pray for peace. Realize the Chinese Dream and achieve national rejuvenation." The photo released in 2014 shows a ding, an ancient Chinese cauldron symbolizing state power and prosperity, displayed during the national memorial day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. The ding is 1.65 meters tall and weighs 2,014 kilograms. (Photo/Wang Chu) (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Du Mingming) With prices rising and airfare still sky-high, the buy now, pay later (BNPL) boom has officially hit vacations. More than half of Americans now use BNPL, and nearly one in five plan to use it to pay for holidays, according to The New York Times (NYT). (1) But experts warn that while spreading out payments for a beach getaway may seem harmless, it can come with hidden risks. BNPL plans divide payments into installments. Break anything into four and its more affordable, but life happens and people forget and fees add up and you have very little recourse, Julie Beckham of Rockland Trust, who studies BNPL plans, told the NYT. Before booking your trip, make sure you know the pros and cons of BNPL. Must Read Convenience but at what cost? Buy now, pay later (BNPL) plans lure consumers with convenience. These short-term installment loans let users split a one-time expense like a vacation package into smaller, more manageable payments. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), most basic pay-in-four plans dont require a hard credit check and charge no interest if payments are made on time. That makes them appealing for people looking to smooth short-term cash flow. (2) But the downsides can hit hard. The CFPB reports that late fees are common, and those penalties can add up quickly sometimes wiping out any benefit of spreading out payments. According to the aforementioned New York Times article, services like Afterpay can charge up to $68 in late fees, while Klarna caps its fees at $7. And unlike credit cards, BNPL loans typically dont come with travel protections, insurance, or rewards points. With travel, when you use a credit card, you are protected, Beckham told the NYT. The risks rise even further with longer-term BNPL loans, which often begin accruing interest immediately. Stanford researcher Ed deHaan told the NYT that he calls it a buyer-beware moment, warning that the terms are actually worse than a credit card because most credit cards dont accrue interest until after 30 days. Beyond the fees and interest, consumers should be wary of debt stacking. Because BNPL makes it so easy to click buy now, it can be easier to accumulate multiple small debts that add up quickly. Chennai, Dec 13 : Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday asserted that Tamil Nadu is firmly on course to emerge as the number one State in India across all sectors by 2031, when he described "Dravidian Model 2.0" will reach its full potential. Chennai, Dec 13 (IANS) Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday asserted that Tamil Nadu is firmly on course to emerge as the number one State in India across all sectors by 2031, when he described "Dravidian Model 2.0" will reach its full potential. In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister highlighted Tamil Nadu's strong economic performance, stating that the State had recorded the highest Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth rate in the country at 16 per cent. He noted that the achievement was significant given that Tamil Nadu is neither among the largest States in terms of geographical area nor population, and does receive extensive financial support from the Union government. Stalin said the State's economy had shown stable and consistently high growth over the last three years, a trend corroborated by data released by the Reserve Bank of India. Between the financial years 2021 and 2025, Tamil Nadu's economy expanded by approximately Rs 10.5 lakh crore, taking the total GSDP to Rs 31.19 lakh crore. The Chief Minister pointed out that Tamil Nadu's growth rate had surpassed that of other developed and economically significant States such as Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat. He added that the State's per capita income growth also continued to remain robust, reflecting improvements not just in aggregate economic output but also in individual prosperity. Reiterating his confidence in the development trajectory adopted by his government, Stalin said Tamil Nadu's progress was clear evidence of the effectiveness of the Dravidian model of governance. He emphasised that the model prioritised inclusive growth, social justice and equitable distribution of resources, while simultaneously strengthening industrial development and infrastructure. According to the Chief Minister, the government's focus on education, healthcare, social welfare schemes, industrial investment and job creation had helped Tamil Nadu maintain steady growth despite global and national economic uncertainties. He said this balanced approach had enabled the State to combine economic expansion with social development. Stalin said the goal of "Dravidian Model 2.0" was not merely to compete with other States but to set new national benchmarks. "By 2031, Tamil Nadu will not trail behind any other State in any sector. Instead, it will stand as a model for the rest of the country," he said. The Chief Minister's remarks come amid growing political and economic debates over federal support, fiscal autonomy and development models, with Tamil Nadu positioning itself as an example of sustained growth driven by State-led initiatives. Chandigarh, Dec 13 : Reaffirming the government's commitment to support the aspirations of young women, Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI) for Girls in Punjab's Mohali has added another achievement to its illustrious history with two of its distinguished alumni, Charanpreet Kaur and Mehak Dahiya, being commissioned as Flying Officers in the Indian Air Force. Chandigarh, Dec 13 (IANS) Reaffirming the governmentas commitment to support the aspirations of young women, Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI) for Girls in Punjabas Mohali has added another achievement to its illustrious history with two of its distinguished alumni, Charanpreet Kaur and Mehak Dahiya, being commissioned as Flying Officers in the Indian Air Force. They passed out from the Air Force Academy in Dundigal in Hyderabad, on Saturday, bringing pride and glory to their alma mater. They were commissioned in an impressive passing-out parade that was reviewed by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan. Flying Officer Charanpreet Kaur is the daughter of Harminder Singh Banwait, a driver by profession hailing from Kurali in Mohali, whereas Flying Officer Mehak Dahiya is the daughter of Anil Kumar Dahiya, a government teacher who also hails from Mohali. Flying Officer Charanpreet Kaur has been commissioned in the Administrative Branch, while Flying Officer Mahak Dahiya has been commissioned in the Accounts Branch of the Air Force. Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Aman Arora congratulated Flying Officers Charanpreet Kaur and Mehak Dahiya on their remarkable achievement, stating their success will inspire more young women from Punjab to pursue careers in the defence services. Notably, the Punjab government has also established an NDA Preparatory Wing for Girls at Mai Bhago AFPI in July 2023, with the third batch currently undergoing training. A new block, which has been named after Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw, was inaugurated in November 2025. Mai Bhago AFPI Director Major Gen Jasbir Singh Sandhu, AVSM (retd), expressed delight over the commissioning of the two alumni as Flying Officers, stating that this achievement will further energise the state government's efforts to encourage more girls to join the armed forces. He extended his wishes to the newly commissioned women officers for a bright future in the Indian Air Force. --IANS vg/dan Srinagar, Dec 13 : Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said the administration follows an unequivocal policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, asserting that justice, dignity and rehabilitation for victims of terror remain a top priority. The Lieutenant Governor handed over appointment letters to 39 Next of Kins (NoKs) of terror victims from the Kashmir Division at Lok Bhawan. Reiterating the government's commitment, Sinha said the administration is determined to deliver justice, employment and dignity to families devastated by terrorism. During the event, family members of terror victims, whose loved ones were mercilessly killed by terrorists, narrated the horrifying incidents and the trauma they endured for decades in silence. "For these families, today the long wait for justice has ended. With concrete steps for rehabilitation, we have restored their dignity and renewed their faith in the system," the Lieutenant Governor said. Sinha said terrorism had not only claimed innocent lives but had also shattered families, condemning entire households to decades of silence, stigma and poverty. "Behind every brutal killing by terrorists lies the story of a home that never recovered, of children who grew up without parents," he said. He cited several cases where long-pending grievances were finally addressed. Pakeeza Riyaz of Anantnag, whose father Riyaz Ahmed Mir was killed in 1999, and Shaista of Hyderpora in Srinagar, whose father Abdul Rashid Ganai was murdered in 2000, received government job letters, bringing an end to their prolonged struggle for justice and economic stability. Ishtiyaq Ahmad, son of BSF braveheart Altaf Hussain, who was martyred in a terrorist encounter nearly 19 years ago, also secured a government job, providing support to a family that has endured immense hardship since his father's supreme sacrifice. Justice was also delivered to the family of Dilawar Ganie and his son Fayaz Ganie of Qazigund, who were brutally murdered on February 4, 2000. "In a single day, Fayaz's little daughter Fozy lost the two pillars of her life two generations of support and guidance. The family home, once filled with warmth and laughter, turned into a place marked by silence. They have lived in fear and grief for 25 years," the Lieutenant Governor said. He also referred to the case of Abdul Aziz Dar, a resident of Srinagar who was murdered by terrorists 30 years ago. "Today marks the end of his family's prolonged search for justice," Sinha said. The Lieutenant Governor said that after the abrogation of Article 370, families of terror victims have found new courage and self-confidence, and are now speaking out against the terror ecosystem without fear. "For generations, the system failed these victims by not giving their cases the priority they deserved. We are empowering victims' voices and ensuring they receive the rights and dues they deserve. We are also committed to swift and fair justice for the perpetrators," he said. Sinha stressed that the fight against terrorism is a collective responsibility of society. "We must pledge to fight this scourge with determination and patience, and foil the designs of our adversary," he said. "For a long time, the pain and trauma of these families were ignored. Real victims of terrorism and true martyrs were hounded by elements of the terror ecosystem. On one hand, overground workers (OGWs) were given government jobs, while on the other, the NoKs of terror victims were left to fend for themselves," he said. "Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, our policy on terrorism is unequivocal zero tolerance to terrorism in all its forms. Every available resource and means will be used to make Jammu and Kashmir terrorism-free, and those providing sanctuary, safe havens or any form of support to terrorists will have to pay a very heavy price," the Lieutenant Governor added. On the occasion, appointment letters were also handed over to 39 other beneficiaries under the Compassionate Appointment Rules (SRO-43) and the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS). A total of 156 family members of terror victims have been provided self-employment opportunities under various schemes, including Mission Yuva, the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). Additionally, 17 encroachments have been removed from properties belonging to terror victim families. As many as 36 terror victim families have been identified for house reconstruction, and more families will be included as the process continues. The Lieutenant Governor reiterated that reconstruction work for houses destroyed due to Pakistani shelling in Uri and Karnah will commence in April. Among those present at the event were Special DG Coordination PHQ S.J.M. Gillani; Principal Secretary (Home) Chandraker Bharti; Commissioner Secretary, GAD, M. Raju; Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Anshul Garg; IGP Kashmir V.K. Birdi; Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo; Chairman, Save Youth Save Future Foundation, Wajahat Farooq Bhat; along with senior officials, members of various social organisations and families of terror victims. Lucknow, Dec 13 : A Special CBI Court in Lucknow sentenced a former principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya in Kanpur to four years' imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs one lakh, for taking a bribe of Rs 25,000 from a canteen operator, an official said on Saturday. Lucknow, Dec 13 (IANS) A Special CBI Court in Lucknow sentenced a former principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya in Kanpur to four yearsa imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs one lakh, for taking a bribe of Rs 25,000 from a canteen operator, an official said on Saturday. Tasudduque Khan, the then Principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya-I, Air Force Station, Chakeri, Kanpur, UP, was held guilty by the Special Court under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the instant case on August 24, 2016, based on a complaint by the proprietor of a Kanpur-based private company against Khan. It was alleged that the accused had demanded an undue advantage of Rs 51,000 and agreed to accept Rs 25,000 from the complainant as a motive/reward in lieu of payment already made to the complainant to the tune of Rs 1.73 lakh, and also allowing the school canteen to run smoothly in the future. After the completion of the investigation, the CBI filed a charge sheet against the accused on September 30, 2016. In a separate case, the CBI on Friday arrested a former sub-Postmaster from Kerala who was evading arrest and a jail term after a court held her guilty of misappropriating Rs 2.73 lakh. Convict Jayasree Rajkumar, the then Sub Postmaster, Pulpally Sub Post Office, Wyanad District, Kerala, was taken into custody from Kuttippuram in Malappuram District, said the official in a statement. After the accused was produced before the Court of Special Judge-II, CBI, Ernakulam, the judge remanded her to Central Prison, Thrissur, to undergo the sentence, said the statement. The CBI registered the case against Rajkumar on September 22, 2003. It was alleged that the accused, while working as Sub-Postmaster, Pulpally Sub Post Office from May 28, 2002, to March 26, 2003, committed criminal breach of trust by misappropriating an amount of Rs 2,73,318, which was entrusted to her in her official capacity. Nagpur, Dec 13 : Maharashtra Minister of State for Housing Pankaj Bhoyar on Saturday announced that the corpus fund for redevelopment housing projects in Mumbai, implemented through the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), will be increased in accordance with the height of the buildings. The move, he said, aims to ensure better housing and basic facilities for common citizens in the city. The minister was replying to a question raised by BJP legislator Atul Bhatkhalkar in the Assembly. Minister Bhoyar said that until now, a corpus fund of only Rs 40,000 per flat was being provided in SRA and MHADA redevelopment projects. However, this amount was found to be insufficient to meet actual maintenance and operational expenses. In view of this, the government constituted a committee to examine the issue in detail. Based on the committee's recommendations, the government has accepted a proposal to revise the corpus fund structure according to building height. Under the new framework, the corpus fund will be increased to Rs 1 lakh per flat for buildings with a height of up to 70 metres, Rs 2 lakh for buildings ranging from 70 to 120 metres, and Rs 3 lakh for buildings taller than 120 metres. The minister said that a notification regarding this change has been issued under the provisions of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. He added that the process of hearing objections and suggestions is at the final stage, and the revised corpus fund norms will soon be implemented by the SRA and the state government. Minister Bhoyar also announced additional measures aimed at promoting green energy. He said it will now be mandatory for developers to install solar panels in redevelopment projects before an Occupation Certificate (OC) is issued. He further warned that strict action will be taken against developers who hand over possession of flats without obtaining an OC. "If possession is given without an OC in incomplete buildings, a detailed investigation will be carried out and a list of such cases will be prepared. Action will be taken in all future cases where possession is handed over without an OC," the minister informed the House. Meanwhile, Minister of State Madhuri Misal told the Assembly that a thorough investigation will be conducted into the cutting down of 70-year-old trees along a road adjacent to the municipality in Rajura town of Chandrapur district. She was replying to a calling attention motion moved by legislator Devram Bhongale. Minister Misal said it has emerged that a 70-year-old tree was pruned on mere verbal instructions, without obtaining any official permission. She said that almost the entire tree was cut down in the name of pruning branches, and initially no action was taken in the matter. However, following complaints raised by legislators, punitive action has now been initiated against those responsible. In this case, the contractor involved has been directed to plant new trees equal to the number of 70-year-old trees that were cut and to nurture them for a period of seven years. The contractor has also been blacklisted, and a case has been registered against him at the Rajura police station. IANS sj/pgh Nagpur, Dec 13 : The Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Saturday slammed the MahaYuti government for rising incidents of farmers' suicides, misuse of funds in the agriculture sector, deteriorating law and order, rising atrocities against women and children and corruption. Initiating the opposition's final week motion, Wadettiwar claimed eight farmers are committing suicide daily in the state. He said that even though the state government announced a relief package of Rs 32,000 crore for rain and flood-hit districts, it remained on paper. He said that farmers in dryland areas were shown the lure (carrot) of Rs 18,500 per hectare aid, but in reality, they received only Rs 8,500. "The agriculture department needed Rs 6,000 crore, but the government provided only Rs 616 crore for farmers. The 'Krishi Samruddhi' scheme was announced with great fanfare four months ago, but not a single penny has been allocated for it yet," he said. He added that this means farmers will get nothing from the Vidarbha session. "With two and a half months left in the financial year, only 34 per cent of the budgetary allocation for agriculture has been spent," he said. He added that farmers have lost their crops, and their lands have been eroded, while on the other hand, the prices of seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides have increased. He said that farmers are not getting the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce, like soybean, cotton, and paddy, adding that the state government has deceived the farmers. Wadettiwar alleged that the law and order situation in the state has worsened, and crime has increased. He said that according to NCRB data, Maharashtra ranks first in corruption and financial irregularities, adding that the state also ranks first in atrocities against senior citizens and fifth in juvenile crime. "Every day, 8 rape cases and 51 kidnapping cases are reported in the state. The abuse and murder of a three-year-old girl is a stain on society. There is no safe environment for women. About 82 children went missing in Mumbai in the last 36 days, with a higher number of girls," he said. Wadettiwar pointed out that between June and December, 370 minors went missing, of which 268 were girls, adding that nearly 33,228 posts are vacant in the state police force. "There are only 172 police per lakh population. Police personnel are under immense strain and lack basic facilities like government housing," he said. According to Wadettiwar, the grip of 'MD' drugs is tightening in Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur, ruining the younger generation. "BA gutka racket is operational in Washim and Malegaon," he said. The Congress leader said that a shocking case of a girls' selling racket has come to light in Palghar, Mokhada, and Wada areas, where these girls are being sold for Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000. Wadettiwar said that Mhar Vatan land in Mundhwa, Pune, was given away to a company for a pittance, even though it was not reserved for an IT park. "Land worth Rs 2000 crore was sold for Rs 300 crore, and the stamp duty of Rs 42 crore was also waived. Why is no action being taken against the owner holding 99 per cent stake in Amedia Company, which purchased the land?" he asked. He demanded a White Paper on such revenue, grazing (Gairan), village (Gavthan), temple (Devasthan), government, and Vatan lands in the state. Referring to the various issues in Vidarbha, Wadettiwar demanded that the irrigation backlog in Vidarbha should be filled immediately. He further demanded a bonus of Rs 1000 per quintal for paddy and Rs 2000 per quintal for soybean. He made a strong pitch for immediate approval for the Vidarbha Statutory Development Board. Nagpur, Dec 13 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development and Housing Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday announced that Slum Cluster Redevelopment will be implemented on plots larger than 50 acres in Mumbai, with 17 project sites selected in the first phase of the scheme. He said the initiative marks a major step towards achieving the goal of a slum-free Mumbai. In a statement made in the Legislative Council, DCM Shinde said that the slum redevelopment scheme will now be implemented in a cluster format on private, government and semi-government land parcels measuring 50 acres or more. Under the first phase of the scheme, 17 major locations across Mumbai have been identified. These include Antop Hill, Krishna Nagar and Ketkipada in Borivali, Gopikrishna Nagar in Dahisar, Oshiwara, Govandi, Chita Camp in Trombay, Chembur, Tagore Nagar in Vikhroli, Vikhroli Parksite and Bhandup, among others. Shinde said the State Cabinet approved the ambitious Slum Cluster Redevelopment scheme on October 7, 2025, following which a Government Resolution (GR) was issued on November 13, 2025, laying down the framework for its implementation. He informed that the identified projects will be executed on a joint venture basis with the support of government agencies such as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The Deputy Chief Minister added that additional projects will be taken up in the second phase of the scheme as part of the government's broader strategy to accelerate large-scale slum redevelopment across the city. Further, DCM Shinde announced an extension of the Abhay Yojana for slum rehabilitation schemes till December 31, 2026. Explaining the rationale, he said the scheme is meant to provide relief to citizens who have been facing technical difficulties in buying and selling slum structures. "Many slum dwellers had purchased, sold or transferred their huts. However, as per the existing rules, there was no provision to include the names of these new occupants in the 'Final Appendix-II', which is the list of eligible slum dwellers. This created a fear that thousands of poor families would be deprived of their right to a permanent home. To address this concern, the extension has been granted till December 31, 2026," Shinde said. Additionally, the Deputy Chief Minister announced a one-year extension of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority's ongoing amnesty scheme related to Occupancy Certificates (OCs). He also announced an increase in the number of Apex Grievance Redressal Committees (AGRCs), which are responsible for resolving complaints related to slum redevelopment projects. Shinde said that at present, 2,103 cases are pending before these committees, and the government has decided to increase their number to ensure faster disposal of grievances. The Deputy Chief Minister further said that directions have been issued to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to introduce a new scheme for houses constructed by BMC employees on plots leased from the municipal corporation. Kuwait City, Dec 13 : Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Sarthak concluded its goodwill visit to Kuwait on Saturday after participating in the Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Kuwait Navy Ship KNS Al Garoh, underscoring the growing maritime cooperation between the two countries. According to the Indian Embassy in Kuwait, the exercise helped enhance India-Kuwait maritime interoperability and mutual understanding towards undertaking joint operations in the region and beyond. The indigenously designed and built Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) of the ICGS Sarthak was on its maiden overseas deployment and wrapped up a five-day visit. On Thursday, a reception was hosted onboard ICGS Sarthak, which brought together prominent members of the Indian community, Kuwaiti dignitaries, diplomats and friends of India. Addressing the gathering, Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Paramita Tripathi highlighted the growing bilateral cooperation between the two nations under the India-Kuwait Strategic Partnership and emphasised the shared priority of regional peace and prosperity. ICGS Sarthak was decked up with colourful lights to celebrate the inscription of Diwali in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. As part of its port call, the crew of ICGS Sarthak also visited the Kuwait Naval Base and engaged with counterparts, strengthening professional ties between the Indian Coast Guard and the Kuwait Navy. The officers and crew of ICGS Sarthak were given a guided tour of the naval base and briefed on missions, tasks and operational roles of the Kuwait Navy. Earlier on Wednesday, Ambassador Tripathi, along with Commanding Officer of ICGS Sarthak, Thiam Newton and Defence AttachA, Sarabjeet Singh, met Commander of the Kuwait Navy, Saif Alhamlan, at the Mohammed Al-Ahmad Naval Base "The interaction reaffirmed the strong momentum in Indiaa"Kuwait defence cooperation and our shared commitment to regional security. Further avenues of bilateral engagement, including joint exercises, training, and exchange of visits, were also discussed," Indian Embassy in Kuwait posted on X. During the goodwill visit, groups of school children visited the ICGS Sarthak, and they were given a tour of the ship to understand the vesselas operational capabilities and its critical role in safeguarding Indiaas maritime frontiers. Additionally, members of the Indian community performed Yoga on the deck of the ship, reflecting the universal message of wellness and harmony central to Indiaas cultural heritage. ICGS Sarthak arrived at Kuwait's Shuwaikh Port on Tuesday to a rousing welcome by the cheerful school children carrying the Indian tricolour. Kolkata, Dec 13 : The police on Saturday arrested another person in connection with the mysterious death of Satyajit Ghosh, the younger son of Bhola Ghosh, who is a key witness in a criminal case against suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan of Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The arrested person has been identified as Uttam Sardar aka Sushanta, a Trinamool Congress activist in Sandeshkhali and also a once close confidant of Sheikh Shahjahan. He was also arrested earlier in connection with the attack on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer and their accompanying central armed police forces (CAPF) personnel in front of Shahjahan's residence in January last year. Sardar is the second person to be arrested by the Basirhat district police in connection with the mishap in which the witness's son was killed. Earlier in the day, the police arrested a person named Ruhul Kuddus Sheikh in connection with the case. However, neither Sardar nor Ruhul is among the eight persons named in the written complaint filed earlier this week by Bhola Ghosh at the Nazat police station, which falls under the Basirhat district police limits. In the complaint, Ghosh alleged that eight individuals had conspired to stage the road accident, claiming that he was the intended target as a key witness against Shahjahan, once described locally as the terror of Sandeshkhali. The first two names mentioned in the written complaint are those of Sheikh Shahjahan and his wife, Taslima Bibi. After the arrest of Sardar and Ruhul, Ghosh claimed that the Basirhat police were not conducting a proper investigation. Satyajit Ghosh died on Wednesday after a truck rammed into the vehicle in which he was travelling, along with his father Bhola Ghosh, to the district court to record the latter's statement against Shahjahan. Bhola had a narrow escape, while the driver of the vehicle, Shahnur Molla, also died in the accident. Bhola Ghosh has claimed that the truck accident was aimed at him and not his son. "I was the target because I am one of the main witnesses against Shahjahan," he said earlier. New Delhi, Dec 13 : Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik on Saturday announced that he would forgo the recently increased salary and allowances attached to the LoP's post, asking that the amount instead be used for the welfare of the poor. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the former Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the people of Odisha for the support he has received over more than two-and-a-half decades in public life. The former CM said that he remained deeply indebted to the people of the state for their affection and trust, which, he noted, had also been extended to his late father and former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik. "I have been blessed by the love, affection and support of the people of Odisha for more than 25 years. I am highly indebted to them and to their love for me and my late father," he wrote in the letter. Referring to an earlier decision taken by his family in 2015 to donate their ancestral property, Anand Bhawan in Cuttack, for public use, Patnaik said his latest move was guided by the same spirit of public service. He stated that he would not accept the enhanced salary and allowances recently approved for the Leader of the Opposition's post by the Odisha Legislative Assembly. Patnaik requested the Chief Minister to ensure that the amount he relinquishes is utilised for programmes aimed at improving the lives of the state's poor and underprivileged. The Odisha Assembly recently cleared a substantial hike in salaries and allowances for MLAs, ministers and constitutional post-holders, raising the monthly emoluments of the Leader of Opposition to around Rs 3.62 lakh. The decision has triggered a political debate, with Patnaik's move coming amid criticism over the threefold increase in legislators' pay. Under the legislation, the monthly basic salary of an MLA has been raised from Rs 35,000 to Rs 90,000. In addition, members will receive a sumptuary allowance of Rs 98,000 per month, compared to Rs 40,000 previously. Specifically, the Chief Minister's monthly remuneration will amount to Rs 3.74 lakh, comprising a basic salary of Rs 1 lakh, a sumptuary allowance of Rs 1.83 lakh, and Rs 91,000 for car allowances. Salaries for other office-bearers range between Rs 3.50 lakh and Rs 3.68 lakh per month, depending on the position. Key Points Royal Caribbean hit stormy seas in September and hasnt recovered. Looking to 2026, investors are likely focusing on capacity, demand, and pricing. Next years Caribbean yields could be better than expected. 10 stocks we like better than Royal Caribbean Cruises When the curtain closes on 2025, a mixed year for cruise stocks will conclude. Royal Caribbean (NYSE: RCL) is part of that muddled scenario. At periscope depth, things look all right, as the stock is higher by about 12% year to date. Beneath the surface, it's a different story. A sell-off that commenced in September and one hastened last month despite a solid set of third-quarter results has the cruise giant residing nearly 30% below its 52-week high. That's a bear market and then some. Given that slide, it's understandable that some investors are willing to let this stock set sail without them. Royal Caribbean could be sailing toward 2026 upside. Image source: Getty Images. Nautical references aside, there's no denying this consumer cyclical name has been punished, but an argument can be made the repudiation has been too severe, and that Royal Caribbean could steady in 2026. Let's look at why a rebound could materialize. With this cruise stock, yield signs are instructive No, I'm not talking about traffic signs that say "yield," and we're not talking about dividend yield, either. As it relates to cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, "yield" refers to net revenue yield, which gauges sales per average room day when excluding foreign currency effects. One of the reasons Royal Caribbean tumbled is because investors worried about the yield the operator can extract next year from the Caribbean Sea. That's the industry's most competitive region, and capacity there is high, explaining why investors are concerned. Still, Royal Caribbean believes it can generate 2026 yield growth there of 2% to 3%. Some sell-side analysts acknowledge investors pensiveness on Royal Caribbean's yield outlook in the region for which it's named, but Stifel's Steven Wieczynski lays out an interesting case. He estimates that based on this company being 60% exposed to the Caribbean, a 1% move in yields there could affect the operator's market value by $1.2 billion, based on a "normal" multiple of 15x. Put simply, if this cruise line can boost Caribbean yields in 2026 by 3%, that could be worth $3.6 billion to its market capitalization. Speaking of yield-generating opportunities, Royal Caribbean's river cruise business could check that box, but investors will need to be patient because the operator doesn't take delivery of its first river ships until 2027. Still, it's already sold out nearly all of those voyages while flexing some pricing power relative to established river cruise competitors. Jaipur, Dec 13 : The Rajasthan government has declined to grant prosecution sanction against Rajasthan Police Service (RPS) officer Divya Mittal, delivering a major setback to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) nearly three years after her arrest in a Rs 2 crore bribery case. Divya Mittal, then posted as ASP with the Special Operations Group (SOG) in Ajmer, was arrested by the ACB on January 16, 2023, on allegations that she demanded a bribe of Rs 2 crore from a Haridwar-based pharmaceutical businessman to remove his name from a major drug trafficking case. The drug case originated in May 2021, when medicines worth Rs 5 crore were seized in Jaipur. A total of 114 cartons of narcotic drugs were recovered from a warehouse in Ajmer, and the total drug seizure was valued at Rs 16 crore. Raids were conducted in Delhi, Noida, Kolkata, and other cities. Mittal was the investigating officer in the case. According to the complaint, the bribe demand was allegedly conveyed through a dismissed constable. A deal was allegedly struck for Rs 50 lakh. An attempt to deliver the first instalment of Rs 25 lakh failed due to ACB intervention. The government cited multiple procedural and evidentiary lapses while denying prosecution approval. It said that no prior approval was taken under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act before the arrest. Also, audio recordings were allegedly tampered with. FSL confirmed the audio, but failed to identify whose voice it was. Further, Divya Mittal refused to give a voice sample. So no direct or concrete evidence was produced linking her to the bribe demand. Due to these shortcomings, the State government concluded that prosecution could not be sustained. Meanwhile, following the arrest, Mittalas flat in Ajmer, a resort in Udaipur, and other locations were searched; She remained in Ajmer jail for over 70 days and photographs of her standing in line with female inmates were seen on social media. After securing bail, the ACB registered a disproportionate assets case against her. Mittal, in turn, accused the ACB of fabricating evidence and acting with malicious intent. After examining the case record and hearing Divya Mittalas version, the government refused prosecution approval, effectively giving her a clean chit and raising serious questions about the ACBas conduct and credibility. New Delhi, Dec 13 : The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by five-time Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad Asaduddin Owaisi, has again set its focus on the Muslim dominated constituencies in West Bengal after the Bihar mandate. In 2020-21, following the party's five-seat toehold in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi had turned his attention towards West Bengal election. But he later learnt that Hyderabadi Biriyani, a delicacy from the region where his party is based, can not be served in a state that favours the Avadhi variety. Thus, he sought out a local chef who could tweak it to suit local palate. The AIMIM leadership approached Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui, founder of the just-then-launched India Secular Front (ISF). The meeting went well, but the Pirzada was intent on allying with the Congress and Left Front against the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. This grouping was not too hopeful of AIMIM finding favour among Bengali Muslims whose language and culture were different. Owaisi decided to pull back; and in the days that followed, his party witnessed an erosion in both Bihar and West Bengal. But now, after a Bihar poll redux, Owaisi may have a new alliance in sight in the adjacent state. The recently suspended Trinamool MLA Humayun Kabir has positioned himself as a new minority leader in West Bengal. His contentious "Babri Masjid" project has catapulted him into national recognition. He claims strong grassroots support and has already declared his political plans. He will soon launch a political party to contest 135 of West Bengal's 294 seats in next year's Assembly election. His strategy centres on assertive minority mobilisation and symbolic projects like the mosque foundation-laying event to consolidate a distinct constituency base. Reports indicate substantial donations running into crores and outreach beyond the state, which Kabir may find convenient through the AIMIM. Both follow identitybased minority politics, driven by a singular personality with religious overtones; yet, there may be compatibility differences, mainly on strategy and local issues. Kabir is a rising regional actor with clear ambitions to be a "kingmaker" where he has predicted that no political party will come close to the halfway mark in the Assembly. As things stand now, tactical seat adjustment with AIMIM seems a possibility in a few seats, but a full statewide tieup is still uncertain. At this time, Kabir appears to be seeking allies, and the AIMIM state unit is reportedly open, but the latter's central leadership still exhibits some caution. Meanwhile, the AIMIM, upbeat from another, similar, Bihar mandate, is building up its base in Murshidabad district, where Muslim population is said to be some 70 per cent of the demography. In adjacent Malda, a district with over 50 per cent Muslim population, Owaisi's party is hunting for new offices and office-bearers. In the case of an electoral fragmentation, with at least three Muslimcentred outfits led by Owaisi, Siddiqui, and Kabir along with the Trinamool, Congress, and the Left coalition vying for the spoils, antiBJP votes will be widely split in several constituencies. Anticipating that, as some on-ground reports suggest, Kabir may try to woo the ISF, Congress and the Left leadership to agree to a seat sharing equation -- at least in crucial seats -- so that he can evolve as the "kingmaker" he aspires to be. However, he should know that the leaders he has to indulge are more experienced and astute than he probably assumes. One thing is certain, West Bengal's Assembly election 2026 will witness identity politics and polarisation to an extent that the sundry Bengali 'bhadralok' may not have imagined. And that may lead to the ugly shadow of hatred and communal tensions, inviting legal and administrative pushback, and more chaos that the state can do without. Patna, Dec 13 : The Bihar Excise Department on Saturday carried out a major operation, seizing a large consignment of foreign liquor being smuggled from Haryana for sale during the New Year celebrations. The driver of the pickup truck transporting the liquor was arrested on the spot. Excise Inspector Deepak Kumar said he had received a tip-off that a large consignment of foreign liquor had entered Muzaffarpur via Uttar Pradesh and was being transported in a pickup truck towards Sitamarhi. Acting on the information, a special Excise Department team was constituted, and a roadblock was set up near Janar Chowk under the Aurai police station area on the MuzaffarpurSitamarhi main road. "When the team signalled the pickup truck, which was moving from Muzaffarpur towards Sitamarhi, to stop, the driver attempted to flee. However, after a chase, the excise team successfully intercepted the vehicle," he said. The pickup truck was found loaded with a large quantity of foreign liquor, which had been concealed under household goods. The driver, identified as Rinku Kumar, a resident of Shyamnagar in Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh, was arrested at the spot. Excise Inspector Deepak Kumar said that further action is being taken after questioning the arrested driver, and efforts are underway to identify others involved in the liquor smuggling racket. Earlier on Friday, a team of Muzaffarpur police intercepted a luxury car near the Pokhrera toll plaza under the Karja police station area and seized a large quantity of illegal foreign liquor. Two liquor smugglers, including the owner of the vehicle, were arrested at the spot. Station House Officer Deepak Kumar Singh said police received confidential information that a white luxury car carrying a large consignment of illegal liquor was coming from Uttar Pradesh via Chhapra to Muzaffarpur. Taking the information seriously, a special police team was immediately constituted, and an intensive checking drive was launched near the Pokhrera toll plaza. During the operation, when the suspicious vehicle was stopped and searched, police found that the smugglers had adopted a clever method to conceal the liquor. Several cartons were hidden beneath the car seats and inside the boot. In total, 11 cartons of illegal foreign liquor were recovered from the vehicle. The arrested accused have been identified as Sumir Kumar, the owner of the car, and Sushant Kumar, a liquor trader. Both are residents of Sitamarhi district, and interrogation revealed that they are cousins. The SHO said that continuous surveillance and special drives are being conducted across all police station areas of the district to ensure strict implementation of Bihar's total prohibition policy. "This action is part of those ongoing efforts," he said. Bangkok, Dec 13 : Thailand's 1st Army Area Command said in a social media post on Saturday that its subordinate troops, in coordination with the Royal Thai Air Force, launched airstrikes against two Cambodian military targets at 16:09 local time, successfully destroying Cambodia's weapons and ammunition depots as well as air defence and communication systems. A Royal Thai Navy spokesperson stated on the same day that naval fleets had carried out a military operation in the Gulf of Thailand in the early hours of the morning. The operation aimed to degrade and contain Cambodia's military capabilities in the vicinity of Koh Kong Province and safeguard the lives and property of residents along the Gulf of Thailand coast. Separately, at a press conference on the Thailand-Cambodia border situation held on Saturday, a spokesperson for Thailand's Ministry of Defense and a health official reported that the latest round of clashes between the two countries has left 15 Thai soldiers dead and more than 270 others wounded, Xinhua news agency reported. As of Saturday morning, over 260,000 Thai civilians had taken shelter in refugee camps, with seven civilians confirmed dead. Meanwhile, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Saturday that he has held separate telephone conversations with Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, calling on both sides to implement a ceasefire starting from 22:00 (1500 GMT) Saturday. Via social media, Anwar stated that he conveyed Malaysia's deep concern over the current situation during the calls and urged both parties to immediately cease all forms of hostilities and refrain from any further military actions, including the use of force or the forward movement of armed units. To de-escalate tensions and enhance transparency, Malaysia has requested the deployment of an ASEAN Observer Team, led by the Malaysian Chief of Defence Forces, to monitor the on-site situation. Findings from the monitoring will be submitted to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting scheduled for December 16. Hun Manet said on his official social media account on the same day that Cambodia welcomes and supports the ceasefire initiative proposed by Anwar. However, Anutin confirmed in a media interview on Saturday afternoon that there would be no ceasefire on Saturday night. He emphasized that Thailand must fully defend its national sovereignty and the safety of its people at present and does not need to follow orders from anyone. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since December 7, causing casualties to both sides. Damascus, Dec 13 : A joint patrol of Syrian security forces and US troops came under gunfire near the city of Palmyra in central Syria on Saturday, leaving several personnel from both sides wounded, Syrian state media reported. Two Syrian security members and several US personnel were wounded in the incident, while the attacker was killed, SANA news agency reported, citing a Syrian security source. The US troops have evacuated the wounded to its military base in southeastern Syria's Al-Tanf area, near the strategic border junction with Iraq and Jordan, it reported, without providing further details on the attack. Following the incident, traffic on the Deir al-Zour-Damascus highway was temporarily halted, and increased aerial activity was observed as security measures were tightened in the region, it reported. There was no immediate comment from the US side, Xinhua news agency reported. Currently, there are fewer than 1,000 US troops still stationed in Syria in what Pentagon said is part of the efforts to help counter Islamic State militants there. Earlier this week, Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa outlined his vision for governance, aiming to build a "new Syria" anchored in justice, national unity, and renewed regional engagement. His address marked the first anniversary of what the interim authorities describe as the country's "liberation," which led to the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's government. "We announce a historic break with past legacies ... toward a new dawn based on justice, compassion, citizenship and coexistence," he said during a ceremony at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Monday. Al-Sharaa highlighted that the current phase requires a shift from political change to institution-building. "The end of our battle was only the beginning of a new one in the fields of work and diligence, comparing words with deeds and values with practice." He added that the interim authorities had toured provinces to listen to local concerns and accordingly prepared what he called a comprehensive vision for rebuilding state institutions and improving public services. Dhaka, Dec 13 : The US government intensified engagements with Bangladesh's radical Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, this year, with US embassy officials recently meeting party representatives at Jamaat's regional office in Sylhet district of the South Asian nation, a recent report has highlighted. The party, it noted, is a violent, "terror-tied Islamist movement" and was responsible for the killings of hundreds of thousands of civilians during Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan. Dhaka, Dec 13 (IANS) The US government intensified engagements with Bangladeshas radical Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, this year, with US embassy officials recently meeting party representatives at Jamaatas regional office in Sylhet district of the South Asian nation, a recent report has highlighted. The party, it noted, is a violent, "terror-tied Islamist movement" and was responsible for the killings of hundreds of thousands of civilians during Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan. "The trip to Sylhet was just the latest in a string of meetings between representatives of the US State Department and officials of Jamaat and other dangerous Islamist movements, as Bangladeshas February elections, an ostensible conclusion to the 2024 mass uprising against the government of Sheikh Hasina, draw closer. With Islamists and their allies leading the polls, a theocratic future for Bangladesh looks increasingly likely, and Jamaat-e-Islami appears poised to take power," Sam Westrop, Director of Middle East Forum's counter-extremism project wrote for think tank Usanas Foundation. aWith branches across South Asia, Jamaat-e-Islami not only engaged in acts of genocide and mass-rape in 1971, but for decades has advanced theocratic politics and violence across South Asia and among Bangladeshi diaspora communities. Jamaat's offshoots commit terror attacks, and its officials incite hatred and violence against Muslim minorities, Hindus, Jews and the Western world," he added. According to Westrop, following the collapse of the Awami League government in 2024, due to "Jamaat-backed" protests, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus integrated violent Islamist movements into mainstream politics, while consistently overlooking the growing Islamist and anti-minority violence. "Authorities have jailed dozens of journalists, including the anti-Jamaat filmmaker Shahriar Kabir, who was seemingly arrested at the request of Islamists. The US-backed interim government, employing the rhetoric of despots, declared Kabir's crime to be 'objectionable and misleading statements that are detrimental to communal harmony and subversive of the state,a and atarnishing the image of Bangladesh and of the government in the outside worlda," the expert stressed. The report emphasised that Bangladesh's Islamist movements are functioning with greater impunity, with observers warning of mob attacks on Hindu and Christian communities, rising demands for repressive blasphemy laws, and escalating jihadist activity. "The Trump administration appears to be repeating the mistakes of the past few decades, when policymakers and intelligence officials began to regard the Muslim Brotherhood as a potential stabilising force in a new Egypt, and a partner for counter-terrorism efforts domestically," it stated, highlighting the growing US outreach to Jamaat. Jaipur, Dec 13 : Once known primarily for its forts, folklore, and vast deserts, Rajasthan is rapidly redefining its identity, this time as the beating heart of India's clean energy revolution. Jaipur, Dec 13 (IANS) Once known primarily for its forts, folklore, and vast deserts, Rajasthan is rapidly redefining its identity, this time as the beating heart of Indiaas clean energy revolution. Powered by abundant sunshine, decisive governance, and bold policy reforms, the desert state is steadily emerging as the countryas foremost solar energy hub. At the centre of this transformation is Pugal in Bikaner, where Indiaas largest solar park is taking shape. With a planned capacity of 2,450 megawatts and a massive 5,000 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage, the project is a landmark not just for Rajasthan, but for Indiaas renewable energy ambitions. Complementing it are four large battery energy storage projects, together offering nearly 6,000 megawatt-hours of storage at an investment of Rs 6,000 crore. Remarkably, these projects have secured the lowest tariffs in the country and are expected to be operational by November 2027, officials from the Chief Ministeras Office confirmed. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel informed that the Cabinet has approved the conditional allocation of land for major renewable energy initiatives. This includes 161.45 hectares in Karni Sar, Bhatiyan village (Pugal tehsil, Bikaner) and 356.25 hectares in Kharnai village (Rawatbhata tehsil, Chittorgarh) for the development of solar power projects. Additionally, 70.6 hectares in Sokharu, Barmer district, have been allocated to Powergrid Barmer-1 Transmission Limited for establishing a 765 KV substation. These measures will enhance the stateas renewable energy transmission network and ensure a reliable power supply to citizens, he said. These storage facilities are game-changers. They will help meet peak electricity demand, reduce dependence on expensive power purchases, and ensure round-the-clock energy availabilitya"bringing India closer to true energy self-reliance, officials added. Also, Rajasthanas renewable energy capacity has now increased to an impressive 41,189 megawatts, with solar power alone accounting for 35,337 megawatts. This means the state contributes 27.2 per cent of Indiaas total solar capacity and 16.43 per cent of the countryas overall renewable energy capacity, firmly establishing itself as a national leader. What makes this growth even more striking is its pace. In just the last two years, Rajasthan has added 17,820 megawatts of renewable energy capacity - 17,326 megawatts of it solar. Additionally, projects totalling 45 gigawatts are currently under various stages of development. Together, these figures position Rajasthan as the backbone of Indiaas solar energy future. Desert stateas solar success is not confined to large-scale parks in remote deserts. Rajasthan has also emerged as a national leader in decentralised solar energy, driven by the effective rollout of flagship central schemes such as PM-KUSUM and PM Suryaghar Yojana. Under Components A and C of PM-KUSUM, more than 1,470 grid-connected small solar power projects with a combined capacity of over 2,345 megawatts have been established in villages and hamlets over the past two years, ranking Rajasthan first in the country. Under Component B, 51,927 off-grid solar pumps have been installed, enabling farmers to shift away from diesel pumps to clean, affordable solar alternatives. Today, over 1.54 lakh farmers receive reliable daytime electricity for irrigation through grid-connected solar plants. Urban and semi-urban households are also joining the solar movement. Under the PM Suryaghar Yojana, Rajasthan has installed 1,09,209 rooftop solar systems with a total capacity of 441 megawatts in less than two years. Based on installations, the state ranks fifth nationally, helping families reduce electricity bills while contributing to environmental sustainability. Officials attribute this rapid progress to bold policy decisions and streamlined governance. Simplified land-allotment procedures, investor-friendly regulations, and fast-tracked approvals have removed long-standing bottlenecks and infused fresh momentum into the sector. From powering homes and farms with affordable electricity to anchoring Indiaas clean energy goals, solar energy is transforming lives across Rajasthan. What was once seen as a harsh desert landscape is now being reimagined as a vast, natural powerhouse. New dawn, new identity, Rajasthan is not merely witnessing Indiaas solar revolution. It is leading it, said officials. Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 13 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday acknowledged that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) failed to achieve the expected results in the recently concluded local body elections in the state. "Although a strong performance was anticipated across Kerala, the desired level of progress could not be achieved. The reasons for this will be examined in detail, and necessary corrections will be made as the party moves forward," Vijayan said. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) registered a sweeping victory across the state in all three tiers of the local body structure, relegating the Vijayan-led Left front to second place. The Chief Minister also pointed to the BJP-led NDA's gains in the state capital and said communal factors had influenced the electoral campaign in certain pockets. "The outcome underlines the need for greater vigilance against divisive forces and for continuing the fight against all forms of communalism. Strengthening engagement with the people is essential," he added. CPI-M State Secretary M.V. Govindan described the results as "an unexpected setback" but said the party had the experience and resilience to overcome such challenges. "Winning control in half of the district panchayats is still significant," he said, while noting that the NDA's gains were largely confined to the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Govindan said organisational shortcomings would be closely examined and that the party would focus on deepening its connect with the public. CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam said the LDF respected the people's verdict and would reflect on the outcome. "The UDFBJP relationship was visible in this election, both directly and indirectly. The Left will continue to uphold its ideology and strengthen its core values," Viswam said. He also referred to controversial remarks made by senior CPI-M leader M.M. Mani following the election results, stressing that political leaders must express their views with restraint and avoid language that could be perceived as dismissive or disrespectful towards voters. The elections also highlighted shifts within the Left's alliance structure. Several local bodies and panchayats earlier won by the LDF with the support of Kerala Congress (M) -- the third-largest ally in the Left front led by Jose K. Mani -- moved away from the coalition. Acknowledging the setback, Jose K. Mani congratulated the winners and said that 10 Kerala Congress (M) candidates had nonetheless secured seats in the elections. The LDF leadership reiterated its resolve to strengthen its organisational base, expand public outreach and reinforce support for the government's development and welfare initiatives as it prepares to address the challenges emerging from the poll outcome. Patna, Dec 13 : Bihar Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit on Saturday visited Aguwani Ghat in Parbatta block of Khagaria district to inspect the under-construction Aguwani Ghat-Sultanganj bridge over the Ganga River. During the visit, the Chief Secretary reviewed the progress of the bridge construction along with senior officials of the State Bridge Construction Corporation, representatives of SP Singla Construction Company, and the local JDU MLA. Following the inspection, a detailed review meeting was held to assess the pace and quality of work. In the meeting, Pratyaya Amrit directed the officials to ensure the completion of the project within the stipulated timeline, while strictly adhering to quality and safety standards. He stressed that there should be no compromise in construction quality, given the importance and scale of the project. Speaking to the media after the review meeting, Khagaria Additional District Magistrate Abhishek Palasia said that the Aguwani Ghata"Sultanganj bridge is targeted for completion by May 2027. He added that the approach roads on both sides of the bridge are expected to be completed by next year. The Additional DM further stated that the progress of the project will be reviewed regularly, and the Chief Secretary will monitor the construction status every Tuesday through video conferencing to ensure timely execution. The four-lane Aguwani Ghat-Sultanganj bridge, connecting Khagaria and Bhagalpur districts, is one of the Bihar governmentas flagship infrastructure projects of the state. Once completed, it is expected to significantly improve connectivity and boost economic activity in the region. It would benefit the people by reducing commuting time between these two districts. It will also help give direct access to reach Jharkhand in a shorter time. However, the project has remained under scrutiny due to past setbacks, as the bridge collapsed three times during construction. In view of this, the state government is placing special emphasis on safety, accountability, and timely completion to restore public confidence. Bhopal, Dec 13 : Union Agriculture Minister and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said that farmers cannot rely solely on agriculture to increase their income and must adopt allied activities such as dairy and animal husbandry. Speaking at a Kisan Sangosthi organised by the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in Vidisha, Chouhan told a large gathering of farmers, including those from Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SC), that diversification is essential for sustainable earnings. "In today's time, farmers can't solely depend on agriculture to increase their income. Other activities should be adopted. Milk production and cow rearing will help a lot, especially for farmers who have smaller landholdings," Chouhan said. He added that animal husbandry has proven to be an effective tool for enhancing rural incomes and highlighted that NDRI workshops are providing exclusive training to farmers in this sector. After the programme, Chouhan met women farmers and received their blessings. Known popularly as 'Mama' for his Ladli Laxmi Yojana launched in 2007 and the Ladli Behna Yojana in 2022, the BJP leader also planted a sapling in Bhopal earlier in the day, continuing his daily routine of promoting environmental awareness. Meanwhile, his arrival in Bhopal and the sudden increase in security cover sparked speculation. Party sources clarified that the enhanced security was part of a routine exercise following a periodic review by the Union Home Ministry. Instructions were issued to both the Madhya Pradesh and Delhi governments to strengthen his protection, a BJP spokesperson said. --IANS pd/dan This story was originally published on CFO.com. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO.com newsletter. Neil Hansen | ExxonMobil ExxonMobil CFO Kathryn Mikells will retire on Feb 1, 2026, to focus on her recovery after undergoing a series of medical procedures for a non-life-threatening health issue. Mikells has been CFO of the oil and gas company since 2021. Neil Hansen was named as Mikells successor. Hansen has worked at Exxon for the last 26 years, and since May 2025, he has been president of its Global Business Solutions division. Earlier roles include senior vice president of energy products for ExxonMobil Product Solutions and vice president of Europe, Africa and Middle East Fuels. Barbara Larson | Workiva Barbara Larson was named chief financial officer of financial reporting and compliance platform Workiva, effective Jan. 20, 2026. Larson has over 20 years of experience in financial leadership positions, including most recently serving as the finance chief of cybersecurity firm SentinelOne. Before that, Larson spent 10 years in financial leadership roles at Workday, including as CFO. She earlier held senior financial roles at VMware, TIBCO Software and Symantec. Larson succeeds Jill Klindt, who will leave the company on Dec. 26. Julie Iskow, the companys president and CEO, will take over as interim CFO until Larson joins the company. Ross Tennenbaum | Dropbox Timothy Regan, CFO of file hosting service provider Dropbox, is stepping down after five years in the role. Regan joined Dropbox in 2016 as chief accounting officer and took over as finance chief in 2020. He will be succeeded by Ross Tennenbaum on Dec. 16. Tennenbaum was most recently president of tax software company Avalara, where he also previously worked as CFO. Before that, he spent a decade advising technology companies in investment banking roles at Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse. Michael Gordon | Crusoe Crusoe appointed Michael Gordon as CFO and chief operating officer of the AI data center startup. Gordon joins the company from MongoDB, where he has been CFO since 2015. He added the role of chief operating officer in 2018. During his 10-year tenure, he led MongoDBs IPO and grew revenue nearly 50-fold, according to Crusoe. Before MongoDB, Gordon was chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Yodle. He succeeds Matthew DeNezza, who will leave the company after holding an advisory role through 2026. Heather Planishek | Lambda AI cloud company Lambda appointed Heather Planishek as finance chief. Planishek most recently was CFO and chief operating officer at workflow platform Tines, a role she held for six months. She previously spent over eight years at software developer Palantir Technologies, including as chief accounting officer and head of financial reporting and technical accounting. Planishek joined Lambdas board of directors in July and will step down from her board position as part of the transition. Kolkata, Dec 13 : Workers of the Trinamool Congress have been accused of brutally assaulting a BJP booth president with the butt of a gun in West Bengal's Canning area, an incident that took place on Friday night at Dharmatala village under the Gopalpur Panchayat in South 24 Parganas district, police said on Saturday. The injured BJP leader has been identified as Shankar Mandal. He is stated to be in critical condition and is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kolkata. The Canning police station has launched an investigation into the incident. According to local sources, a BJP meeting was held a few days ago in Dharmatala village, led by booth president Shankar Mandal. During the meeting, he reportedly had a minor altercation with local Trinamool Congress leaders. On Friday, Mandal again visited the village to hold another party meeting. It is alleged that during this visit, Trinamool Congress workers attacked him and brutally beat him, including with the butt of a gun. Other BJP workers present at the spot rescued the injured leader and rushed him to the Baruipur Sub-Divisional Hospital for initial treatment. As his condition worsened, he was shifted to SSKM Hospital in Kolkata. Subsequently, he was admitted to a private hospital, where he continues to receive treatment. The BJP strongly condemned the incident and squarely blamed the ruling Trinamool Congress. Biswanath Patra, vice-president of the BJP's Joynagar organisational district, said: "On Friday night, one of our booth presidents was beaten up by miscreants of the ruling party in Dharmatala village. Not only that, he was brutally attacked with shovels and the butt of a gun. He is seriously injured and is currently undergoing treatment at a private nursing home. He is virtually fighting for his life." The Trinamool Congress, however, has denied the allegations. Saokat Molla, Trinamool Congress MLA from Canning East, said: "No one from the ruling party is involved in this incident. This is an internal conflict within the BJP. The police administration should conduct a proper investigation, arrest those responsible and ensure exemplary punishment. The BJP's support base is slipping, which is why they are making false allegations." Canning Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Ramkumar Mandal said that a written complaint has been lodged at the Canning police station by the victim. "An investigation has been initiated based on the complaint. The probe is currently at a preliminary stage, and we are hopeful that those involved in the incident will be arrested at the earliest," he said. Kolkata, Dec 13 : Two persons died by suicide within a span of 24 hours in West Bengal's Malda district, allegedly triggered by fear and anxiety linked to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, police said on Saturday. On Friday night, a young man reportedly died after panicking over an error related to his father's name on the Election Commission's website. On Saturday morning, another man was found hanging at his residence, police said. The second deceased has been identified as Abul Kalam. For reasons yet to be fully ascertained, he was unable to fill up the enumeration form under the SIR exercise. It is alleged that some of his neighbours frightened him by suggesting that he could be sent to a detention camp. According to preliminary accounts, the fear of being sent to a detention camp had been weighing heavily on him. His body was found hanging inside his house on Saturday morning. Local sources said the 52-year-old hailed from Balubhorat village in Harishchandrapur-I block of Malda district. He had earlier lived in Jaipur for a long period, where he worked at a hotel. The unmarried Abul Kalam later quit his job and returned to his village home. The SIR process has recently begun in the state. While others in his locality received enumeration forms, he did not. It has emerged that the man did not possess either a voter identity card or an Aadhaar card. In addition, his parents' names were reportedly not found in the 2002 voters' list. A senior officer of Malda district police said, "The man was worried after not receiving the enumeration form during the SIR process. He feared he might be sent to a detention camp. Some neighbours even suggested that he could be deported to Bangladesh. He was suffering from intense anxiety due to these fears. Prima facie, it appears that he died by suicide because of this." Police said the body was recovered after they were informed about the incident and was sent for post-mortem examination. An investigation has been initiated. Meanwhile, on Friday night, another man from the same district died allegedly due to anxiety related to the SIR process. The deceased, Barkat Sheikh, was a 32-year-old Trinamool Congress worker from Chakseherdi village in the Kaliachak-III block. His father's name is Rahool Sheikh. It is alleged that on the Election Commission's website, instead of displaying his father's full name, only the surname 'Sheikh' appeared. The young man reportedly believed that any discrepancy in his parents' names could lead to complications during the enumeration process. The alleged incorrect entry of his father's name caused him severe anxiety. Family members said Barkat Sheikh had been visiting various offices to find out how the error could be corrected. They alleged that he did not receive any clear solution even after approaching the Block Development Officer's (BDO) office. The family has claimed that he died due to the mental stress caused by the issue. Police said an inquiry has been initiated into both incidents. Mychal threets wears his heart on his sleeveliterally. Scrolling through his TikTok and Instagram, where he celebrates the importance of libraries for millions of viewers of all ages, you might notice that his arms are tattooed with images of childrens book characters, from Richard Scarrys Lowly Worm to Maurice Sendaks Wild Things. It was these stories, many of which he first encountered at his own local library, that instilled in him the love of reading that has shaped his career. Threetss spirited videos went viral during the pandemic, and hes racked up more than 1.8 million followers between the two platforms. He still cant believe just how deeply his simple message of library joythe sense of belonging that all libraries offer their patronsresonated with so many people. I wake up each day assuming that it was all a strange dream, he says. Since leaving his position as a childrens librarian at the Solano County Library in Northern California in 2024, Threets has carved out a highly visible niche extolling the virtues of libraries and literacy. Last year, PBS and PBS Kids appointed Threets as the public broadcasters resident librarian, producing literacy-related social media content, and this fall, Threets was tapped to host the reboot of Reading Rainbow. Next year, Threets will add yet another title to his packed CV: childrens book author. His picture book, Im So Happy Youre Here, illustrated by Lorraine Nam (Random HouseR, Feb.), adapts his bibliophilic message for kidsand, he revealed, he has three more titles for young readers in the hopper. Though hes known for his infectious positivity, Threets says he also feels an obligation to shine a light on some of the less joyful aspects of librarianship today, including book bans and harassment. There are library people being punished for talking about the right to read, for providing access to books. I feel, for me, that not speaking about such things does library work and literacy a disservice. Threets says being anointed as a kind of ambassador for libraries means all the more given that his grandparents were not allowed to have library cards because of the color of their skin. The way he sees it, library joy is for everyone. Its a tale of two investigations. In one version based on past comments by former FBI Director Christopher Wray the arrest last week of Brian Cole Jr. as the individual who allegedly placed pipe bombs near the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee on Jan. 5, 2021, was the culmination of a dogged, five-year effort by the bureau. In another version, suggested by Dan Bongino, the bureaus deputy director, FBI agents revived a long-dormant case a few months ago, quickly tracking down Cole through an existing body of evidence, not from new information. At a press conference following Coles arrest last week, Bongino said he assigned a fresh team of investigators out of the Washington FBI field office about two months ago that scoured [existing evidence] over and over and over and over again. Key pieces of evidence gathered under the previous administration including credit card purchases of components used to construct the devices, as well as cell phone and vehicle activity from Jan. 5 led investigators to Cole. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino says a new team quickly cracked the case using evidence collected years before. If Coles arrest proves to have solved the mystery of who planted the bombs, it presents another perhaps even more consequential question: Why did it take law enforcement so long to find him? Although there are no clear answers as of yet, Bonginos description of the efforts that led to an arrest seems to contradict public comments and congressional testimony regarding the pipe bomb case previously provided by Wray. Given the cases close connection to the highly-charged events of Jan. 6, questions are also being raised about whether Wrays FBI essentially put the case on hold for political reasons. Such concerns stem, in part, from the bureaus documented role in helping advance the discredited Russiagate narrative used against President Trump and its decision to remain silent as the Biden campaign dismissed Hunter Bidens laptop as a Russian plant in the closing days of the 2020 campaign despite the bureau having already verified its authenticity. Every Rock Overturned Although the bombs allegedly planted by Cole, who faces two federal charges relating to possession of an explosive device, never went off, law enforcement has always treated the bombs as possible instruments of mass casualties. In the days after the Jan. 6 Capitol protest, top law enforcement officials promised to use all investigative resources necessary to track down the pipe bomb perpetrator. Every tool, every rock is being unturned because we have to bring that person to justice, Steven DAntuono, head of the Washington FBI field office at the time, told reporters on Jan. 12, 2021. He also announced a $50,000 reward for anyone providing information leading to an arrest. Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Michael Sherwin, who joined DAntuono during the presser, even warned that felony murder charges related to the use of destructive devices could await the pipe bomber despite the fact that the devices did not detonate. Records show the FBI devoted massive resources to the investigation in early 2021. A team of at least 50 FBI agents collected security camera footage, interviews, apparel purchases, cell phone records, police transmissions, and other evidence, resulting in a trove of 105 million data points by April 2021. Tips poured in from the public; analysts quickly identified the components, including a kitchen timer and a steel pipe used to construct the devices. The FBI doubled the reward and released video clips of the alleged suspect, who was wearing a hoodie, distinctive Nike sneakers, and a face mask while carrying a backpack around the Capitol Hill neighborhood. DAntuono made another urgent plea for the publics help in March 2021. We know it can be a difficult decision to report information about family, friends, or co-workers, but this is about protecting human life, he said in a five-minute video posted on the FBIs website. Authorities continued to insist the devices had been viable and capable of injuring or killing bystanders. In June 2021, Wray again told Congress under oath that the FBI was aggressively investigating who had planted the devices. Troubling Details While heading the FBI, Christopher Wray said the pipe bomb case was being "aggressively investigated." But even as the FBI assured the public it was conducting a vigorous investigation, journalists and Republicans in Congress were uncovering troubling details surrounding the discovery of both devices. In January 2022, Politico reported that Sen. Kamala Harris, the incoming vice president, had been inside DNC headquarters when a plain-clothes Capitol Police officer found the pipe bomb under a bush between two benches next to the driveway of the building the same driveway Harris Secret Service detail had used when she arrived a few hours earlier. That disclosure raised concerns over the Secret Services sweep of the premises earlier that day, as did the discovery of security camera footage showing bomb-sniffing canine units twice deployed near the spot where the device was later found. Even after the device was discovered, video shows law enforcement acting nonchalantly about the potential danger even allowing a group of schoolchildren to walk past the area. Adding to the mystery is a Quantico report that determined the devices at both the DNC and RNC were nonoperational a finding, if true, that is likely to be trumpeted by Coles lawyers. In another odd twist, Karlin Younger, the woman who found the pipe bomb near the RNC at 12:40 p.m. on Jan. 6, worked for FirstNet - the same provider that later told the FBI the cell phone data for Jan. 5 had been corrupted and was not recoverable. According to Bongino, the cell phone data had not been corrupted and was crucial evidence that led to Coles arrest. Younger said she alerted a security guard at the RNC after she found the device sitting near a dumpster when she went to finish her laundry at 12:40 p.m. on Jan. 6. But she also told an FBI investigator the device was not near the dumpster at noon when she went to start her first load, which contradicts the official timeline that the pipe bomber planted his devices on the night of Jan. 5. An FBI report on the components of the device disproved her statement that the RNC device contained a timer set at 20 minutes suggesting the bomb was scheduled to detonate at the exact same time Congress convened at 1:00 p.m. to certify the 2020 election. Demand for More Answers Rep. Barry Loudermilk wants more answers on the pipe bomb probe. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, chairman of a new select subcommittee on Jan. 6, wants more answers on the circumstances surrounding both discoveries. This week, he sent a letter to Younger asking her to sit for a transcribed interview before his new select subcommittee on January 6. He has previously asked the director of the Secret Service to make the agents on Harris security detail that day available for questioning. Loudermilk has also said he plans to explore the destruction of evidence including the deletion of Secret Services text messages before and on January 6 and of video images from the DNC and RNC on Jan. 6. As we go and looking for video on January 6th to see did anybody go back to these locations, that footage doesn't exist anymore, he told podcaster Benny Johnson. We have January 5th video, but we were told no one preserved January 6th. This has inhibited our investigation. The revelation of those curious circumstances as the FBI investigation dragged on put Wray on the defensive. He refused to discuss details about the investigation with Republican Rep. Thomas Massie during a 2023 House Judiciary Committee hearing and would not confirm whether the FBI interviewed the officer who found the DNC device. During a heated 2023 exchange with Rep. Eli Crane, an Arizona Republican, Wray said, We [the FBI] have an entire dedicated team focused specifically on this investigation. Wray also told the Arizona Republican, which had challenged him to explain the successful roundup of hundreds of J6 protesters but not the individual responsible for a potential mass casualty event that day, Weve done thousands of interviews, weve visited thousands of residents and businesses, viewed millions of pieces of data, theres something like 39,000 video files, and weve assessed like 500 or so tips. Weve done extensive public publicity, weve increased the reward money. Wray further claimed that the FBI laboratory, weapons of mass destruction unit, technology division, and cellular analysis team were still hot on the pipe bombers trail. I, as much as anybody, would like to see it solved. In a 2023 interview with Fox News Bret Baier, Wray said the FBI had devoted loads of resources to the investigation and that he had enormous confidence in his team assigned to the pipe bomb case. But when Wray retired shortly before President Trump took office for the second time, a full four years after the launch of the investigation, the pipe bomb case remained unsolved. More Headscratchers A report overseen by Loudermilk and Rep. Thomas Massie asserted investigators had largely abandoned the case by February 2021. Others doubt Wrays assurances that this case remained a priority on his watch. A January 2025 update on the pipe bomb matter overseen by Loudermilk and Massie asserted, based on law enforcement correspondence, that interest in the case waned as early as one month after the Capitol protest. By the end of February 2021, the FBI began diverting resources away from the pipe bomb investigation, the report stated, citing as a reference a Feb. 2021 email from an unidentified Capitol Police official. One possible explanation for the reduction in resources is that the number of credible leads began to decline, no longer requiring as many special agents to cover the workload. Perhaps the biggest headscratcher how the new team of investigators used cell phone data that DAntuono claimed had been corrupted demands answers. In sworn testimony to Congress, DAntuono had told lawmakers that the FBI did a complete geofence for the night of Jan. 5 but that some data was corrupted by one of the providers. That assertion appears to be false. Congress appears interested in determining how Wrays FBI came up empty-handed. A House Judiciary Committee spokesman told RCI everything is on the table in terms of getting answers from the former director about the pipe bomb investigation. Efforts to reach Wray and DAntuono for comment were unsuccessful. But the public is entitled to know whether the investigation begun during Wrays tenure was simply a case that took five years to bring to fruition or whether it is another example of a federal investigation compromised by political considerations. Iranians have long been called the French of the Middle East, a nation with a deep political temperament and a history of dramatic shifts. In the last century alone, Iran witnessed two major revolutions: the Constitutional Revolution of 1906, which set the country on a path toward modern statehood, and the 1979 upheaval, which overturned many of those early achievements. Since then, Iran has experienced a steady rhythm of unrest from the protests of the mid-1990s to the nationwide movements of 2009, 2017, 2019, and the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom uprising. What sets these post-1979 revolts apart is not the grievances but the regimes response. Successive governments before 1979, even when faced with serious threats, operated within certain political and moral limits. The Islamic Republic has never felt bound by such restraints. At no point in its 45-year history has it hesitated to use overwhelming force, often with a level of brutality designed not merely to suppress dissent but to extinguish the very idea of public mobilization. This leaves todays potential protest movement in a stark dilemma. Iran is entering a deepening humanitarian crisis economic collapse, environmental degradation, and widespread shortages while its citizens face a state that recognizes no boundaries in repression. Whether a new uprising emerges will depend on how these two forces collide: a population pushed to the brink and a regime that has built its survival on calculated fear. The question of whether revolutions can be predicted has long been the subject of intense scholarly debate. Building reliable predictive models for revolutionary change is notoriously difficult; as most historians note, revolutions are far easier to explain in retrospect than to foresee in real time. Yet the difficulty of prediction does not mean that analytical judgment is impossible. It is true that we cannot forecast the moment of upheaval with precision. However, we can certainly examine the political, social, and structural pressures now converging in Iran and evaluate how closely they align with the classic preconditions of revolutionary change. A Crumbling State Facing a Desperate Society The depth of Irans humanitarian crisis is difficult to exaggerate. By the governments own admission, air pollution now claims seven lives every hour a staggering figure that reflects only one layer of a much broader environmental collapse. The consequences are visible everywhere. Iran is running out of water, and the shortages extend across the entire country, from the fields that sustain agriculture to the energy grid that keeps the country running. Alongside this, systematic economic mismanagement has pushed millions below the absolute poverty line. Yet the state continues to fund its regional proxies with unshaken generosity, insulated from the suffering unfolding at home. Such factors form the backdrop against which any future popular uprising must be understood. Aware of these pressures, the Islamic Republic has further hardened its execution machinery, hoping to pre-empt any future unrest. It has paired this with an array of coercive tactics aimed at silencing society. This environment has inevitably shaped how ordinary Iranians think about the prospect of uprising. When confronted with a state that recognizes no red lines, silence can begin to look like the only reliable means of survival. This is not to say that voices of dissent are absent. Sporadic yet unmistakable expressions of defiance are resurfacing. At the recent funeral of Khosrow Alikordi, a prominent human-rights and monarchist lawyer whose suspected assassination has sparked public suspicion and anger, mourners openly chanted Long live the King and Long live Iran, slogans associated with Irans monarchist opposition. Occurrences such as this are by no means rare, and Iranians routinely seize any available opportunity to voice their opposition. In recent months, incidents of political violence attributed to regime operatives have likewise become increasingly frequent. Given this pattern, one might expect such events to generate a renewed wave of shock capable of mobilizing society. Yet the question remains whether, under present conditions, such shocks can still have that mobilizing effect. Declining Power of Shock Events Some analyses of Iran still rely on the idea of a single shocking event triggering mass mobilization much as Mohamed Bouazizis self-immolation ignited Tunisia in 2011 or the death of Mahsa Amini galvanized Iran in 2022. The shock effect remains useful as an analytical lens, but it has limits in todays Iran. What happens when a society has lived through so many disasters economic, environmental, political, and moral that shock itself becomes diluted? When catastrophe turns into routine, its power to generate collective action weakens. This is why some Iranian sociologists have invoked the concept of learned helplessness a term coined by Martin Seligman to describe a condition in which individuals cease trying because they perceive their efforts as futile to capture the psychological state many in society now experience. As this psychological erosion deepens, many begin to internalize a sense of futility a perception that, in turn, reinforces political inaction. Moreover, the regimes multi-layered disinformation campaigns can blunt and manipulate the shock factor itself. These operations also target an already fragmented opposition, making it harder to construct a unified front. This is part of a broader technology of repression that has advanced sharply in its capacity to pre-empt and contain protest movements. Scholars, who once demonstrated empirically that nonviolent movements outperform violent ones in achieving political change, now conclude that the success rate of both strategies has declined as authoritarian regimes have mastered surveillance technologies, digital manipulation, and social-media control. Revolts and Revolutions It is one thing for people to revolt against a regime and another for an uprising to culminate in revolution. The two phenomena are distinct, though they can converge. It has been argued that uprisings arise when people make a calculated decision that the risks of action are finally outweighed by the risks of inaction a decision shaped by their perception of whether collective action stands a chance of success. Revolution, however, requires more than revolt: it depends on elite fragmentation, economic hardship, and a decline in state finances. Most of these conditions are already present in Iran, yet elite fragmentation remains dormant. The publics decision to revolt can, potentially, hinge on the expectation that fragmentation will occur. This calculus is further complicated by the semi-totalitarian nature of the Islamic Republic. As Brzezinski observed, totalitarian regimes unlike ordinary autocracies can mobilize their ideological supporters to violently suppress dissent. The Islamic Republic has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity for such mobilization. Importantly, the Islamic Republic has made considerable efforts to coup-proof its security architecture. A combination of unwavering ideological loyalty, continuous internal surveillance, and a multi-layered command structure has, over the years, produced a system in which an organized coup is a distant possibility. This logic extends beyond the security sector as well. Entrenched economic corruption, pervasive nepotism, and privileged access to lucrative sectors of the economy have created powerful incentives for elites to remain aligned with the regime. At the same time, these very factors have intensified internal competition among regime insiders, gradually hollowing out the countrys economic system and contributing, in slow but cumulative ways, to the regimes long-term weakening. That said, elite fragmentation is not an unlikely phenomenon in the Islamic Republic, yet its occurrence depends on two sets of pressures: internal and external. The external pressure may come from another military confrontation, in which the use of lethal force could erode the regimes remaining cohesion and trigger internal infighting. Such an external shock can accelerate internal pressures and become instrumental in shaping public perceptionscreating the sense that the moment has arrived to take to the streets. Internal pressures are already growing as economic collapse and governance failures deepen. Both forms of strain are beginning to surface, and this may lead the public to give time greater weight in its calculations, waiting for the moment when fragmentation is no longer conjecture but observable reality. The current patience by the Iranian public may reflect a logic of rational delay, in which discontent and unrest build up gradually and erupt instantly when the moment feels right. When such an opening finally arrives, the ensuing rebellion will mark the release of pressure long in the making. It is this dynamic that has led many commentators to argue that another nationwide uprising in Iran is a question of when, not if. Conclusion For now, Iran sits in an uneasy balance a society that has been pushed to the edge, facing a regime that is weakening in many ways but still holds the levers of power. The conditions that have preceded major political ruptures elsewhere economic freefall, exhausted communities, fading legitimacy, and deep structural strain are all present, even if the decisive break within the ruling elite has not yet materialized. Whether the next uprising explodes suddenly or builds slowly over time, it will not come out of nowhere; the signs are already visible across the country. What we are seeing today epitomizes a kind of frozen moment, a tense stillness before movement begins. And although no one can say when that moment will arrive, the direction in which things are heading is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. In late October, President Trump declared on social media that he had ordered the Pentagon to start testing our nuclear weapons, thereby ending the voluntary moratorium imposed by the Bush Sr. administration in 1992. The president portrayed his decision as a response to other countries testing programs and singled out Russia and China, which he later claimed had conducted small-scale underground detonations covertly. One month later, and the administration has yet to take concrete steps forward. However, the resumption of Americas nuclear testing could have dangerous repercussions for the U.S. and the world. Trumps statement sounded like an improvisation. He surprised his aides. He erroneously claimed that the U.S. (not Russia) had the worlds largest nuclear arsenal. He mistakenly suggested that the Department of War (not the Department of Energy) handled nuclear testing. Finally, his Secretary of Energy quickly contradicted him. As he seemed to suggest, several reports have accused Moscow and Beijing of conducting small supercritical nuclear tests to improve their warheads, exploiting long-standing ambiguities about what constitutes a test. But those allegations are difficult to verify. Regardless, the data such tests can provide is limited and pertains to nuclear safety rather than weapons enhancement. Moreover, resuming nuclear tests would be politically costly. Although more easily contained than underwater, atmospheric, and outer-space detonations, underground explosions, the only option available since Washington signed the Partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963, could release radioactive particles across Nevada (which hosts Americas sole authorized testing site), other parts of the U.S., and abroad. In fact, many Americans still suffer from the consequences of Cold War testing, including abnormal cancer rates, contaminated soils, and poisoned waters. Nuclear testing has also had lasting humanitarian and ecological consequences in other world regions, which would make new tests controversial there as well. U.S. officials estimate that preparing an underground atomic explosion would take 24 to 36 months. However, this timeline could change given the authorities' long-standing de-prioritization of readiness, the disrepair of Americas facilities, and a severe workforce deficit. Political resistance and legal actions could cause additional delays. For all those reasons, whether the Trump administration pursues nuclear testing remains subject to speculation. The U.S. might continue testing specific nuclear parts and systems. It could resume subcritical experiments (stopping short of physical bursts). Washington could also expand its testing programs for missiles, bombers, and other delivery platforms. President Trump might also be trying to project strength for deterrence purposes and to pressure Russia and China into trilateral arms-control talks. Yet the prospect of renewed nuclear testing cannot be discarded. As of mid-November, the White House still insisted that nothing ha[d] been eliminated from consideration. The Project 2025 initiative advocated for immediate test readiness. The first Trump administration itself debated nuclear testing. Some senior experts and ex-officials have argued for years that new tests would help Washington verify that its decades-old nuclear systems and components still function, optimize its novel [arms] designs, and deter Beijing and Moscow as they race towards hypersonic weapons. Those arguments could gain ground as the national security community frets about a looming two-nuclear-peer threat environment. Russia has repeatedly indulged in nuclear saber rattling, and recently tested a nuclear-capable cruise missile (Burevestnik) and nuclear-powered underwater drone torpedo (Poseidon). Likewise, the Department of War expects China to deploy 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035. Yet resuming nuclear testing would be strategically dubious, and even dangerous. Washington may antagonize China and Russia. For all their provocations, the latter have long worried about Americas search for nuclear primacy, including its doctrinal changes, pre-emptive strike capabilities, and ballistic missile defense systems. Moscow, which de-ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 2023 and has expanded its testing facilities, announced it would retaliate immediately should the U.S. proceed with an atomic detonation. Chinas response was more moderate. Yet, like Washington, Beijing did not ratify the CTBT, has upgraded its testing installations in Xinjiang, and saw President Trump call for new tests immediately before he met Xi Jinping in South Korea. In sum, renewed testing could lead great powers to abandon arms control, renounce risk-mitigation, and accelerate the nuclear arms race. New tests may even weaken the United States. Since 1992, American scientists have used simulations, high-energy lasers, and supercomputers to maintain the countrys arsenal, and know much more today than during the Cold War. By contrast, because they conducted fewer tests and had far less advanced analytical tools, Moscow and, especially, Beijing would benefit disproportionately from new nuclear explosions. Additionally, nuclear-armed Israel, India, North Korea, and Pakistan, which never signed the CTBT, might follow suit. New Delhi may want to reciprocate Beijings moves, which, in turn, may incentivize Islamabad. Iran, whose leaders denounced Trumps statement as irresponsible, could also review its options. While its nuclear program has survived the American-Israeli strikes of June 2025 and even showed signs of resurgence, the country is facing renewed UNSC sanctions and is at risk of another conflict with Israel. In that context, new American nuclear tests might convince Tehran to race for the bomb. Instead of floating dangerous ideas, Washington should try to re-ignite the arms control talks interrupted by China in July 2024 due to disagreements over Taiwan. Above all, it should exploit Vladimir Putins recent overtures for a temporary extension of the New START Treaty, the last-standing arms control agreement between the worlds two largest nuclear powers. Thomas Cavanna is a Non-Resident Fellow at Defense Priorities. 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. On a warm Midwestern afternoon in 2018, Saurabh Anand stood on the sidewalk of Mankato, Minnesota, watching a Pride parade move toward him in a blur of rainbows, laughter and unapologetic joy. He remembers the bass thumping from the speakers, the glitter catching in the sun, the sight of elders holding hands without fear. Brookfield Asset Management will invest $1 billion to develop Asias largest global capability centre (GCC) in Mumbais Powai, the New York-based global alternative asset manager said in a statement on Friday. Photograph: Mark Blinch/Reuters The infrastructure arm of Canadas investment firm will develop the campus across 6 acres with 2 million square feet that can be let out. The development will house a GCC for a multinational bank for a 20-year term, it said. The project is expected to be over by 2029, creating more than 30,000 jobs. It is being developed through an agreement between the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and a venture led by Brookfield, along with its partner B S Sharma. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra said: Maharashtras continued focus on talent, infrastructure, and a supportive business environment is strengthening the states position as a destination for GCCs. "Developments such as these reflect the growing confidence in Maharashtras trajectory, and we remain committed to ensuring that global enterprises find a stable, future-ready ecosystem as they expand their presence here. The state earlier this year announced a GCC policy, which is valid till 2029-30. The policy is aimed at attracting 400 GCCs, creating over 400,000 high-skilled jobs and getting incremental investment worth Rs 50,600 crore by offering incentives like land, capital subsidies, and reimbursements. Fadnavis said the Brookfield move built on this momentum and was designed to attract large-scale, high-value operations that generated skilled employment and long-term economic growth. Brookfield noted the development reflected the strong confidence global businesses had in Maharashtra and Mumbais pro-investment environment, supported by the states focus on infrastructure, ease of doing business, and talent development. The project will be built to market-leading sustainability standards with a commitment to source 100 per cent green power. It will further strengthen Mumbais position as a premier hub for GCCs, the firm added. Last year Brookfield had commissioned a similar build-to-suit tower in Pune for the GCC of a large firm in financial services. In Mumbai, Brookfield owns real-estate projects of over $4 billion. Brookfield is one of the largest office owners and operators in India with approximately 55 million square feet across seven cities in India, including 29.1 million square feet of a grade-A portfolio with Brookfield India Reit (real estate investment trust). The company had in May this year announced plans to treble its India investment to $100 billion within five years, having put in $12 billion in infrastructure assets like gas pipelines, telecom towers, and data centres; $12 billion in real estate including offices and hotels; and $3 billion in clean-energy projects. Earlier this year, the company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the MMRDA to bring in $12 billion for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. In June, it acquired a 2.1-acre parcel in the Bandra Kurla Complex to create a grade-A mixed-use property. Ankur Gupta, deputy chief investment officer and head of Asia Pacific and Middle East, real estate, Brookfield, said: The scale of this project validates Maharashtras leadership position as a GCC hub for large multinational companies. According to Anarock, a property consultancy firm, the average office rent in Powai hovers at Rs 110-180 per square foot a month. Additionally, over the past few years, GCCs have been driving office demand across the country. According to Savills India, GCCs leased 112 million square feet of office space between 2020 and 2024, with Mumbai (8 per cent) and Pune (14 per cent) together accounting for 22 per cent of it. During the same period, Mumbai witnessed the highest office leasing by GCCs in BFSI (banking, financial services, and insurance) despite Bengaluru having the deepest BFSI talent pool. Further, India is projected to see 180 million square feet of office absorption through GCCs in 2025-30. Next weeks three-nation foreign tour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will see India and Oman sign a free trade deal. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff The visit will also pave the way for agreements with Ethiopia and Jordan to increase Indias bilateral trade and investments. The Union Cabinet, at its meeting on Friday, approved the India-Oman free trade agreement (FTA), or the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa). Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials said India is also set to receive spare parts of the Jaguar fighter jets in the near future that Omans Royal Air Force has retired. On his four-day foreign visit, the PM will be in Jordan on December 15-16, in Ethiopia on December 16-17 and in Oman on December 17-18. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is also expected to visit Oman for the signing of the India-Oman CEPA. India and Oman are also looking at expanding their bilateral investment treaty. Ethiopia has recently launched comprehensive economic reforms, opening up key sectors, such as banking and capital markets. New Delhi is keen to align its development and economic cooperation with that country to explore new avenues of cooperation. There are 675 Indian companies in Ethiopia, with significant presence in the Ethiopian textiles market. India imports pulses and beans from Ethiopia, and 38.5 per cent of Indias exports to it comprise pharmaceuticals. India-Ethiopia bilateral trade was $403.43 million in 2024-25, and has increased to $550 million this year. India is one of the top three investors in Ethiopia. The last visit by an Indian PM to Ethiopia was in 2011. Officials said the PMs visit to Jordan is significant as it coincides with the 75th year of the two countries establishing diplomatic ties, and first full-fledged visit by an Indian PM to that country in 37 years. The PM had transited through Jordan in February 2018 on his way to visit Palestine. The PM and Jordans King Abdullah II ibn Al Huessein will also discuss the situation in Gaza. The PM is also scheduled to travel to the historic city Petra. India is Jordans third largest trading partner with bilateral trade being $2.8 billion. Jordan is a leading supplier of fertilisers to India, particularly potash and phosphate. The two countries have a joint venture Jordan-India Fertiliser Company, and there are 15 Indian government companies in qualified industrial zones of Jordan. As for Oman, it is the third-largest export destination for India among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. India already has an FTA with another GCC member, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which came into effect in May 2022. The Shura Council or Majlis A'Shura of Oman on Wednesday approved the Cepa. India-Oman bilateral trade in 2024-25 was $10.61 billion, including $4 billion worth of exports. India's key imports are petroleum products and urea, which officials said will continue even as the two countries explore cooperation in green energy. Indias hydrocarbon imports from Oman account for over 70 per cent of imports. Other key products are propylene and ethylene polymers, pet coke, gypsum, chemicals, iron and steel and unwrought aluminium. Oman is home to 675,000 strong Indian diaspora, of which nearly 500,000 are Indian workers employed in that countrys construction, manufacturing, agriculture, ports, shipping and healthcare sectors. Officials said they were confident that Oman will continue to employ skilled Indians in large numbers despite its policy of Omanisation to increase the employment of its citizens in the private sector. Oman, officials said, needs Indian workers for its large infrastructure projects, and new and emerging areas. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Getty / NurPhoto China has called on the Netherlands to move quickly to resolve the dispute surrounding Nexperia, the Dutch semiconductor manufacturer owned by Chinas Wingtech, after months of supervision measures and a retaliatory export freeze disrupted shipments of basic components used across the automotive and electronics industries. The request was delivered on Thursday by Chinas Ministry of Commerce, which said the Dutch government must take effective efforts to restore normal corporate governance and supply chains. According to reporting by government-controlled China Daily and ministry spokesman He Yadong, Wingtech sent a formal invitation to Nexperias independent directors and equity trustees to visit China for discussions over control of the company and ways to stabilize output. China, he said, has asked the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs through its embassy in Beijing to implement previously agreed arrangements and facilitate the visit. He described the dispute as a product of undue administrative interference by the Dutch state and urged The Hague to create conditions that allow internal corporate negotiations to proceed. Nexperia, formerly part of Philips, produces large volumes of commodity logic, power discretes, diodes, and transistors. These are manufactured primarily in Europe, then shipped to China for packaging and assembly. That structure became a fault line in late September when the Dutch government used a Cold War-era statute to place Nexperia under state supervision. Officials argued that they needed to prevent technology transfers that could weaken domestic control over legacy chip production. A Dutch court then suspended Wingtech-appointed executives, handed share voting rights to a court-appointed trustee, and reshaped the board to curb Wingtechs influence. Chinese officials responded within days by blocking Nexperias Chinese facilities from exporting packaged parts back to Europe. Because roughly 70% of Nexperias European wafer output had been flowing to its Chinese back-end operations, the halt immediately slowed deliveries to automakers and other industrial customers. Some divisions inside Nexperia began operating semi-independently as unpaid invoices mounted and cross-border shipments stalled, according to earlier disclosures by the company and Dutch officials. Both governments have since eased the toughest restrictions without resolving the underlying fight for control. Dutch authorities have maintained their supervisory role while encouraging resumed dialogue. China has resumed shipments of certain civilian-use semiconductor products, which He said demonstrates the countrys willingness to safeguard the security and stability of the global semiconductor supply chain. Wingtech, meanwhile, is appealing the rulings that placed Nexperia under state oversight. Where was the Board when a predictable regulatory change brought the country's largest airline to its knees? asks Dr Sudhir Bisht. IMAGE: Passengers wait at Terminal 1, Indira Gandhi international airport in New Delhi as IndiGo's flight disruptions and cancellation continued nationwide last week. Photograph: ANI Photo The recent disruption triggered by the Phase-2 implementation of the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) at IndiGo has exposed more than scheduling chaos and operational missteps. It has opened an uncomfortable window into the airline's governance architecture --particularly the effectiveness, alertness and accountability of its board of directors. When a regulatory change announced well in advance leads to mass cancellations, stranded passengers, and a nationwide embarrassment for India's most profitable and dominant airline, the first question is not simply what did the management do wrong?, but a deeper one: Where was the Board? In a sector where safety, regulatory preparedness and manpower planning are existential concerns, a crisis like this is rarely an overnight development. It is almost always the result of misjudged risks, ignored signals, delayed interventions or an overly passive Board. IndiGo's FDTL debacle forces us to examine whether the airline's Board fulfilled its most essential duty -- anticipating risks and ensuring that management had both the plan and the capacity to manage foreseeable regulatory changes. IMAGE: Luggage piled up at Terminal 1, Indira Gandhi international airport in New Delhi, following last week's mass IndiGo flight cancellations. Photograph: Naveen Sharma/ANI Photo The Role of the Board: More Than A Procedural Oversight Body The board of directors of any publicly listed company -- and especially one commanding over 60% of India's domestic aviation market -- exists not as a ceremonial supervisory body but as the guardian of strategic direction, risk governance and stakeholder protection. The board's obligations extend far beyond the majority shareholders. At IndiGo's parent company, InterGlobe Aviation Limited, more than three lakh investors collectively own the airline, including: Promoters: 42% Foreign Portfolio Investors: 28% Domestic Institutional Investors: 24% Retail and non-institutional investors: The balance But shareholders are only the beginning. In contemporary corporate governance, the Board's fiduciary duty is to all stakeholders, including employees, regulators, financiers, suppliers, unions, customers, business partners, and society at large. Managing their diverse expectations ethically and transparently is at the heart of effective governance. A responsible Board must ensure that: Regulatory compliance is robust and forward-looking Health, safety and environment (HSE) norms are woven into company policy, not treated as afterthoughts The management team evaluates risks honestly and thoroughly Predatory or exploitative business practices are checked Employees' privacy, dignity and well-being are protected The company's culture is aligned with long-term sustainability Above all, the Board must insist on -- and actively verify -- management preparedness for known regulatory changes. FDTL Phase-2 was no surprise. It was a phased, pre-announced regulatory tightening intended to improve pilot rest, reduce fatigue, and enhance safety. These are precisely the areas where Board oversight must be strongest. IMAGE: Passengers look at the information display board as many IndiGo flights stand cancelled last week. Photograph: ANI Photo Was FDTL Phase-2 Ever Discussed by IndiGo's Board? This is the question at the heart of IndiGo's governance crisis. There is no visible public record that IndiGo's Board thoroughly deliberated the operational impact, manpower requirements or readiness gaps related to Phase-2 of the FDTL rules before the deadline came crashing down. And yet, rival players -- Air India, still grappling with the bureaucratic inertia of its PSU past, and Akasa Air, a young entrant barely two years old -- managed to comply with the same regulatory change without imploding operationally. How could IndiGo, the most experienced private airline in the country with unmatched scale, fail where even less efficient or less resourced competitors succeeded? This contrast raises an uncomfortable suspicion: Did the Board fail to ask the right questions at the right time? Because FDTL changes are not merely HR issues. They are safety issues, compliance issues, reputation issues and therefore Board-level issues. A Board fulfilling its mandate should have demanded: Readiness reports Manpower impact assessments Contingency plans Rostering change simulations Stress tests for peak travel periods If the management was aware of manpower constraints or rostering vulnerabilities -- and surely, they must have been -- the Board should have been alerted months before the deadline. But no such preparedness was evident when the crisis hit. IMAGE: Passengers wait at an airport amid flight cancellations last week. Photograph: ANI Photo The Complication of Structure: MD, CEO and Who Really Runs IndiGo? IndiGo's leadership structure complicates the accountability narrative. The company's managing director is not only the co-founder and promoter but also a member of the Board and part of the executive leadership team. This dual role blurs the line between management and governance. Under such circumstances, two questions become unavoidable: 1. Who truly leads the day-to-day operations -- the CEO or the MD? The CEO and COO are expatriate professionals, responsible for operational execution. But the MD, being both promoter and executive, wields enormous influence. If he is part of the management team -- as IndiGo's web site suggests -- then he is effectively the Number One decision-maker, with the CEO in the Number Two position. If that is so, why was the CEO summoned by the DGCA and even by the civil aviation minister as the primary accountable figure? Why not the MD? Why not the Non-Executive Chairman? 2. Was the CEO positioned as the 'fall guy'? This is not a claim but a reasonable question. When promoters are part of management and also sit on the Board, accountability tends to get diffused. In crisis situations, professional CEOs often become the public face of blame, while promoters retain strategic control behind the scenes. Yet from a pure governance standpoint, both the Chairman (even if non-executive) and the MD should have been front and centre explaining the readiness gap, the remedial steps underway, and the timelines for recovery. Their visible absence created a narrative vacuum -- and into that vacuum fell confusion, criticism and speculation. IMAGE: Stranded passengers with their luggage at the Indira Gandhi international airport in New Delhi after IndiGo flights were cancelled last week. Photograph: ANI Photo A Test IndiGo's Board Did Not Pass When a foreseeable regulatory change derails operations at the country's largest airline, the Board cannot credibly claim it was blindsided. The Chairman, Mr Vikram Singh Mehta -- an experienced corporate leader -- and the Board comprising former SEBI chiefs, aviation experts, legal stalwarts and industry veterans should have been asking: 'Are we ready for Phase-2?' 'What is the worst-case scenario?' 'What is our contingency plan?' 'Do we need emergency recruitment or schedule adjustments?' 'Has the MD briefed us fully?' 'What will be our communication strategy if disruptions occur?' This is not a failure of operations alone. This is a failure of governance -- the one function that the Board cannot delegate to management. Dr Sudhir Bisht, author and columnist, writes from New Delhi. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday said officials responsible for registering documents should have refused to process agreements that were not permissible under the law and clearly informed the parties concerned about such limitations. IMAGE: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Photograph: @CMOMaharashtra_X/ANI Photo His comments come against the backdrop of a notice issued by the deputy registrar to the firm of his son, Parth Pawar, seeking Rs 21 crore in stamp duty and penalties in connection with a controversial land deal in Pune. Hitting out at Pawar, Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Sanjay Raut said as the deputy CM wields so much of influence in the government, would any officer dare to question him. "Does anyone have the courage in the revenue department (to defy) if Parth Pawar comes up with any proposal?" Raut asked. Recently, the Bombay high court raised sharp questions regarding the police probe into the land deal, suggesting authorities might be shielding Parth Pawar by failing to name him in the first information report (FIR). Ajit Pawar sought to dispel perceptions stemming from a bill cleared by the legislative assembly on Friday, which empowers the revenue minister to hold hearings in contentious cases related to the Inspector General of Registration (IGR). Pawar said those who registered such documents were at fault, and officials should have exercised due diligence at the time of registration. "The officials who received the documents for registration of a deal should have refused to register it. They should have clearly informed the parties that such an agreement cannot be processed," the deputy chief minister told reporters in Nagpur. When asked about allegations that the bill was moved to protect Parth, who holds a 99 per cent equity stake in Amadea Enterprises LLP, Pawar reiterated that the responsibility lay with the registering authorities. "We are elected representatives in the House, and people have voted for us. We are free to take decisions or make amendments we find suitable," he said when asked about the intent behind the amendment. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has said that under the earlier provision, complainants dissatisfied with decisions at the level of the IGR had to approach the high court. After the amendment, such complainants can now approach the revenue minister, who will be authorised to hold hearings in these matters. He also stated that certain transactions have caused financial losses to the state exchequer, necessitating a more effective redressal mechanism. The sale of 40 acres of land in Pune's upscale Mundhwa area for Rs 300 crore to Amadea Enterprises LLP, in which Parth Pawar is a majority partner, came under scrutiny after it emerged that the plot belongs to the government and it could not be sold. The firm was also allegedly exempted from paying Rs 21 crore in stamp duty. A committee headed by the Joint Inspector General of Registration had indicted Digvijay Patil (Parth Pawar's business partner and cousin), Sheetal Tejwani (who held the power of attorney on behalf of the land sellers), and sub-registrar Ravindra Taru. They were named in an FIR registered at a police station in Pune. Parth Pawar was not named as his name didn't appear on any document, a senior official had said. In a morale-boosting show ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls, Congress-led United Democratic Front on Saturday secured a decisive victory in Kerala's local body elections, dealing a blow to the Left Democratic Front while the Bharatiya Janata Party wrested the city civic body from decades of Left control in what Prime Minister Narendra Modi described as the state politics' 'watershed moment'. Image used only for representation. Photograph: DPR PMO/ANI Photo Interestingly, it was the 'beauty of democracy' remarks of Congress Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvanathapuram, Shashi Tharoor that took the cake on Saturday as the counting of votes was taken up across the state. Tharoor said he campaigned for a change from 45 years of the LDF 'misrule', but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance. 'That is the beauty of democracy. The people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency,' Tharoor said. A year after getting its first MP from the southern state known for its largely left of the Centre politics and dominated by the Congress and the Communist Party of India-Marxist led blocs, the BJP wrested Thiruvananthapuram Corporation from the CPI-M, breaching the 45 year-old stronghold of the Left party. The victory opened up the possibility of BJP getting its first Mayor in Kerala, with the state's first woman IPS officer, 64 year-old R Sreelekha being tipped for the post. While the opposition highlighted the Sabarimala gold loss and other governance-related issues that swayed the voters away from the CPI(M)-led LDF, the ruling party announced introspection, with months to go for the general elections. The UDF's campaign, which focused on a range of issues, including the politically sensitive Sabarimala gold missing case, seems to have resonated with voters across urban and rural landscapes. The coalition won control of a majority of municipal corporations, municipalities, block panchayats, and gram panchayats, marking a clear shift in local governance. The final results of the local body polls, which were held in two phases in the state earlier this week, came as a huge setback for the LDF, which lost control of four out of the five municipal corporations where it was in power. These included the Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam Corporations, where the Left ruled for 45 and 25 continuous years, respectively. The Left lost the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, which stormed to victory with 50 seats, one shy of a clear majority, and the Kollam Corporation to the UDF, which has the highest number of seats there but is two short of a majority. Following the National Democratic Alliance victory in the state capital, PM Modi termed it a 'watershed moment' in Kerala's politics and expressed gratitude to the BJP workers for the 'spectacular results'. Retired Director General of Police Sreelekha's victory from the Sasthamangalam ward in the Thiruvananthapuram corporation has sparked speculation that she will be selected as Mayor of the city. While the NDA won the Thiruvananthapura corporation, the UDF increased its seats in the local body as compared to the 2020 polls. This year, the UDF also won 54 of the 87 municipalities, 4 of the 6 corporations, and was significantly ahead in the village, block, and district panchayat segments. In the 2020 civic polls, it had won a total of 7757 wards in the grama, block, district panchayats, municipality and corporation put together. This time it holds a commanding lead in the three-tier panchayat system, leading in 8,020 of the 17,337 grama panchayat wards, 1,241 of the 2,267 block panchayat wards, and 195 of the 346 district panchayat wards. On the other hand, the LDF suffered significant losses at all levels, as compared to its performance in the 2020 civic polls. The outcome will force it to rethink its strategy ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. The results also indicated that the LDF's recent welfare measures--hike in the social security and welfare pensions, higher honorariums for ASHA workers, and a new women's security scheme, among many other financial packages announced just before the civic polls, did not impress the voters. Left veteran and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan conceded that the LDF did not achieve the expected results. He said it will move forward by examining in detail the reasons for the same and taking corrective measures. The NDA's victory in the capital city and the alleged influence of communalism in the election campaign were worrying for those who believe in secularism, he added. CPI-M state secretary M V Govindan admitted the outcome was an 'unexpected setback' for the party, but said that it will evaluate the results and take corrective measures. The Left front's campaign targeting the UDF by raising the sexual harassment allegations against expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, failed to dent the opposition bloc's prospects. Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, was of the view that the LDF's 'communal politics' and public resentment against the Vijayan government led to its defeat. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the party had made major gains in the local body elections, claiming that it received more than 20 per cent of the votes across Kerala. He termed it as the people's reply to corruption, issues related to Sabarimala and inefficiency of the government, adding that 'the days of the LDF are over'. The last rites of veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Shivraj Patil were performed with full state honours in his home district, Latur, in Maharashtra on Saturday, with many top leaders in attendance. IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge paid his last respects to the former Union Minister and former Speaker, late Shivraj Patil, in Latur on Saturday. Photograph: @INCIndia_X/ANI Photo Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre were among those present. A prominent member of the Lingayat community, Patil was buried in his farm at Varvanti village, six km from Latur, in a seated, meditative posture. This Lingayat ritual stems from their belief that the soul of the deceased immediately unites with Shiva and is not subject to the cycle of rebirth, thus making the cremation rites to release the soul from the body unnecessary. Patil, 90, passed away on Friday at Latur following a brief illness. In a political career spanning half a century, he held several positions in the Central government, including Speaker of the Lok Sabha and several ministries. Birla laid a wreath on Patil's mortal remains. Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal and Lok Sabha member from Latur, Shivaji Kolge, were present. Before the last rites, Patil was accorded a gun salute. Birla said Patil served the country for seven decades through his contributions to social and political life. "He represented various posts. As a Lok Sabha Speaker, he gave a new face to its legacy. He made several changes, including Parliamentary committees, which elevated the prestige of Lok Sabha to a new height. His service and contribution to social and political fields will always be remembered by the nation," he added. Recalling his association with the late leader, Mallikarjun Kharge said he met Patil for the first time in 1967 when he became an MLA. "We shared a close relationship, and we kept meeting each other. He was a knowledgeable man with good character who always thought and worked for the country. He has also done good work in Marathwada with all his energy," he added. Seth said India has lost a polite leader and a strong pillar of democracy. "He dedicated himself to India as a true son." Minister Khandre described Patil's death as a loss to the nation. "He was an artist, poet, and thinker. He lived his life like a saint. He has also contributed to social, financial, religious and educational verticals," he added. Patil began his career as a member of the Latur Municipal Corporation in 1967 and was the Governor of Punjab and the Administrator of Chandigarh from 2010 to 2015. In between, he was a member of the Maharashtra legislative assembly from Latur for two terms between 1972 and 1980. He was the Lok Sabha member from Latur constituency for seven consecutive terms, winning the elections in 1980, 1984, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1998 and 1999. First inducted into the Indira Gandhi-led government as Minister of State for Defence (1980-82), Patil was given independent charge of the Commerce Ministry (1982-83), from where he was shifted to Science and Technology, Atomic Energy, Electronics, Space and Ocean Development (1983-84). During the Rajiv Gandhi-led government, he also took charge as Minister for Personnel, Defence Production, Civil Aviation and Tourism. Patil was trusted with the Union Home Ministry in 2004, but resigned on November 30, 2008, taking moral responsibility for the security lapses during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. In March 1979, there were reports that Gandhian leader Jayaprakash Narayan, admitted to a hospital in Mumbai, had passed away. Many legislatures and even the then Prime Minister Morarji Desai in Parliament offered their condolences based on these unverified reports. However, Shivraj Patil, then Speaker of the Maharashtra assembly, insisted on official confirmation. He adjourned the House and verified the reports by contacting the doctors treating Narayan at the hospital. The doctors confirmed that Narayan was still alive. The Maharashtra assembly then passed a resolution wishing Narayan a long life. He died several months later, in October 1979. Three influential United States lawmakers have introduced a resolution in Congress aimed at ending the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on India, saying the "irresponsible tariff strategy" toward Delhi is a counterproductive approach that "weakens a critical partnership". IMAGE: US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on India, the highest in the world, including 25 per cent for Delhi's purchases of Russian oil. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Representatives Deborah Ross of North Carolina, Marc Veasey of Texas and Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois introduced the resolution on Friday in the House of Representatives to terminate Trump's national emergency authorising tariffs of up to 50 per cent on imports from India, helping to restore Congress' constitutional authority over trade. Trump has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on India, the highest in the world, including 25 per cent for Delhi's purchases of Russian oil. The resolution would terminate the national emergency that Trump invoked to impose sweeping tariffs on Indian goods under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and rescind the additional 25 per cent "secondary" duties that took effect on August 27 on top of earlier reciprocal tariffs. Together, these measures raised duties on many Indian-origin products to 50 per cent, a statement issued by Ross said. Krishnamoorthi said that Trump's "irresponsible tariff strategy toward India is a counterproductive approach that weakens a critical partnership." "Instead of advancing American interests or security, these duties disrupt supply chains, harm American workers, and drive up costs for consumers. Ending these damaging tariffs will allow the United States to engage with India to advance our shared economic and security needs," the Indian-American lawmaker said. The resolution follows a bipartisan Senate-passed measure to end Trump's Brazil tariffs and rein in his abuse of emergency powers to raise duties on imports, the statement said. "North Carolina's economy is deeply connected to India through trade, investment, and a vibrant Indian American community," Ross added. She said that Indian companies have invested over a billion dollars and created thousands of good-paying jobs in our state especially in the Research Triangle's life sciences and technology sectors. North Carolina manufacturers export hundreds of millions of dollars in goods to India each year, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and advanced machinery. "When Trump destabilises this relationship with illegal tariffs, he puts North Carolina jobs, innovation, and our long-term competitiveness at risk," she added. The statement further said that Ross, Veasey and Krishnamoorthi have been leading voices in Congress opposing Trump's tariff agenda and calling for a reset of USIndia relations. In October, they partnered with Congressman Ro Khanna and 19 Members of Congress in urging President Trump to repair America's strained relationship with India and reverse his harmful tariff policies. "India is an important cultural, economic, and strategic partner, and these illegal tariffs are a tax on everyday North Texans who are already struggling with affordability at every level," Veasey said. Ending Trump's India tariffs is part of a broader effort by congressional Democrats to reclaim Congress' constitutional authority over trade and to stop the President from using emergency powers to unilaterally impose his misguided trade policies, the statement added. Nineteen United States states have sued the Trump administration over its 'unlawful' decision to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, warning that the move will worsen labour shortages in key sectors such as health care, education and technology. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with 18 other attorneys general, on Friday filed the lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts, challenging what they termed a 'massive' increase in H-1B fees without legal authority or due process. The H-1B visa programme allows highly skilled foreign professionals to work temporarily in the US and is widely used by Indian nationals. The coalition argued that the new fee would make the programme effectively inaccessible for government and non-profit employers that depend on H-1B workers to provide essential services in health care, education, technology, and other fields. "H-1B visas allow talented doctors, nurses, teachers, and other workers to serve communities in need across our country. "The administration's illegal attempt to ruin this programme will make it harder for New Yorkers to get health care, disrupt our children's education, and hurt our economy. I will keep fighting to stop this chaos and cruelty targeting immigrant communities," James said in a statement. In September, US President Donald Trump announced that his administration would levy a one-time $100,000 fee on all new H-1B applications, which the attorneys general described as a 'sudden' and 'massive' increase over existing charges. The attorneys general contended that the imposition of the new fee is 'unlawful' and the move violates the Administrative Procedure Act as well as the Immigration and Nationality Act, as it was imposed without congressional approval or the required rule-making process. Joining James in the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The coalition said the new fee on H-1B visas will severely restrict states' ability to hire new workers under the programme to address labour shortages, disrupting access to education, health care, and other critical services. This shortage of workers would be devastating for rural and underserved communities already facing shrinking workforces, it warned. In New York alone, more than a third of health care workers are immigrants, while public universities and hospitals rely heavily on H-1B professionals, according to the lawsuit. In New York's 16 rural counties, there are currently four primary care physicians for every 10,000 people. New York's hospitals already face a pervasive nursing shortage estimated to reach 40,000 nurses by 2030. A reduction in H-1B visa holders would only exacerbate this shortage, it said. Nationwide, the American Medical Association estimates the US will face a shortage of 86,000 physicians by 2036, a shortage that H-1B workers will be critical in filling, the lawsuit said. Across the US, at least 930 colleges and universities employ staff on H-1B visas. More than half of these institutions are public four-year universities, and more than 10 per cent are medical schools. In New York, the State University of New York (SUNY) employs 693 employees on H-1B visas, including many who serve students in rural and suburban areas of New York state. The coalition argues that limiting access to H-1B visas will lead to more crowded classrooms for students and disrupt critical research at leading universities. Other critical industries in New York, such as technology, finance, and the arts, also rely on H-1B visa holders to fill essential roles. Across the state, more than 13,000 people on H-1B visas work in these sectors. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee creates 'unnecessary' and 'illegal' financial burdens on California public employers and other providers of vital services, exacerbating labour shortages in key sectors. "The Trump administration thinks it can raise costs on a whim, but the law says otherwise. We are going to court to defend California's residents and their access to the world-class universities, schools, and hospitals that make Californians proud to call this state home," Bonta said. Since the 1950s, the US has had a visa programme that allows skilled workers to temporarily live in America and work in specialised fields. The current version of the H-1B programme was created in the 1990s and allows employers to hire workers in a 'speciality occupation' for a maximum of six years. Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe (CISPE) has formally responded in court against the European Commission's (EC) approval of Broadcom's acquisition of VMware. In its submission to the General Court of the European Union (EU), CISPE argues that the Commission failed to adequately assess risks associated with the merger. The organisation contends that Broadcom plans to leverage VMware's established position in server virtualisation software, potentially leading to significant price increases for customers. CISPE highlighted a statement from Broadcoms CEO, who had committed to elevating VMwares standalone EBITDA from approximately $4.75bn to $8.5bn within three years following the merger. The cloud trade group claims such growth is unlikely to be realised through organic market expansion or efficiencies alone, given the industry's annual growth rate of 58%. Instead, the body suggested that Broadcom may resort to aggressive pricing and bundling strategies targeting VMwares existing client base. Broadcom finalised its acquisition of VMware in November 2023. The transaction, valued at around $61bn in cash and stock, was initially announced in May 2022. CISPE points out that Broadcom financed this deal by raising about $28.4bn in new debt and assuming roughly $8bn of VMwares existing debt. According to CISPE, this financial strategy might incentivise Broadcom to accelerate revenue extraction through intensified monetisation practices. Despite warnings from stakeholders, including customers and industry groups, CISPE claims the Commission had ignored potential risks such as significant price hikes and reinforced contractual lock-ins. Since the merger, CISPE notes an increase in prices and mandatory multi-year subscriptions for VMware products has negatively affected European cloud providers and their clients. CISPE secretary general Francisco Mingorence said: The Commission looked at this merger through half-closed eyes and declared it safe. By rubber stamping the deal, Brussels handed Broadcom a blank cheque to raise prices, lock-in and squeeze customers. Broadcom has, predictably cashed this cheque with interest. This was a failure of oversight by the regulator with real world costs for Europes cloud sector and every organisation that depends upon it. CISPEs challenge follows the ECs defence of its 2023 approval of the Broadcom-VMware merger. The filing was submitted to the General Court on 3 December 2025 as part of Case T-503/25. Should the General Court overturn the ECs approval, it could have substantial implications for Broadcoms $61bn investment. Belarus's authoritarian government has freed 123 prisoners after Washington indicated it was lifting sanctions on Belarusian fertilizer exports, the latest step in Minsk's efforts to repair ties with the West after years of isolation. The US mediator, Belarusian media, human rights watchdogs, and Ukrainian officials reported that President Aleksandr Lukashenko had pardoned 123 prisoners, including some prominent opposition figures. Those freed include 2020 protest leader Maryya Kalesnikava and Nobel laureate Ales Byalyatski as well as citizens of several other countries. One American was released, an unnamed US official told AFP. US President Donald Trump's envoy to the country, John Coale, announced the prisoner release, using the total number that likely included those freed since the end of November. "Another 156 political prisoners released thanks to President Trump's leadership! An important step in US-Belarus relations. We discussed regional security and migration issues in Vilnius [with Lithuanian leaders] and in Minsk with President Lukashenko," Coale wrote on X. Coale separately told Reuters that it was "probable" that a further release of prisoners could take place in the coming months, without being specific. Belarus has been subject to crippling Western sanctions imposed following the country's cooperation with Russia in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It has conducted a series of prisoner releases, although hundreds of people -- many classified as political prisoners -- remain in custody. Dzianis Kuchynski, a representative of Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya's office, said all of the political prisoners released on December 13 were safe and had left Belarus. Kyiv officials said 114 of the released prisoners had arrived in Ukraine. The other nine were believed to have been sent to Lithuania. Kalesnikava Urges Release Further Releases Following her arrival in Ukraine, Kalesnikava called for the release of all political prisoners in Belarus. "I'm thinking of those who are not yet free, and I'm very much looking forward to the moment when we can all embrace, when we can all see one another, and when we will all be free," she said. Byalyatski told RFE/RL and other media in Vilnius that "Our fight continues." "The Nobel Prize was, I think, a certain acknowledgement of our activity, our aspirations that have not yet come to fruition, therefore the fight continues," Byalyatski added. The Norwegian Nobel Committee expressed "profound relief and heartfelt joy" at the release of Byalyatski, who was a co-recipient of the 2022 Peace Prize but had been imprisoned since 2021. "At the same time, more than 1,200 political prisoners remain behind bars in Belarus, and their continued detention starkly illustrates the ongoing, systemic repression in the country," Jorgen Watne Frydnes, Nobel Committee chairman told AFP. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the release, which she said included EU citizens, and resolved "to keep fighting for all remaining prisoners behind bars in Belarus because they had the courage to speak truth to power." A Deal With Trump According to reports in the Belarusian state media, the prisoners were pardoned as a result of a deal with Trump. The prisoners were released after reports in state media quoted Coale as saying Washington was lifting sanctions on potash, a Belarusian fertilizer export. Reporting on December 13, the Belarusian state news agency Belta outlined the topics covered during Coale's two days of talks with Lukashenko in Minsk. "In accordance with the instructions of President Trump, the United States is lifting sanctions on potash," Coale was quoted as saying. "This is a very good move on the part of the United States for Belarus." Belarus is a major global producer of potash, a key fertilizer ingredient. He said the two sides also discussed the prospect of improving relations. "We talked about the future, about how to move forward on the path of rapprochement between the US and Belarus," Coale said. "That's our goal." One year after Belarus's rigged presidential election, the US Treasury Department imposed wide-ranging sanctions on Minsk in August 2021. The sanctions had targeted Belaruskali -- the country's largest fertilizer producer -- for being "a major source of tax revenue and foreign currency for the Lukashenko regime." Coale said he had discussed a wide range of issues with Lukashenko. "We talked about the war between Ukraine and Russia, about Venezuela," he said. Coale said that given Lukashenko's long friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Washington wanted his help in influencing the Kremlin. "Your president has a long history with President Putin and has the ability to advise him. This is very useful in this situation," Coale said. He noted that Lukashenko might be able to change Putin's mind in the context of the ongoing talks to end the war in Ukraine. "Naturally, President Putin may accept some advice and not others. This is a way to facilitate the process," he said. With reporting by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, AFP, and Reuters US and Ukrainian negotiators are set to meet for high-stakes peace talks in Berlin on December 14 as disagreements persist over territorial control and security guarantees and as Russia intensifies attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure sites. The talks come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a dramatic visit and posted a defiant video from Kupyansk, a frontline city that Russia claimed to have captured weeks ago, as the Ukrainian leader looks to counter any claims that his troops are on the verge of defeat. Zelenskyy is scheduled to confer in Berlin with Kyiv's delegation, which is meeting on December 14 with US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and son-in-law Jared Kushner in the German capital. Trump on December 11 said he would send US representatives to the talks only "if we think there's a good chance [for progress]. And we don't want to waste a lot of time if we think it's negative." A German government source told Reuters on December 13 that "talks on a possible cease-fire in Ukraine are taking place in Berlin this weekend between foreign policy advisers from, among others, the US and Ukraine." It was not immediately clear if officials from other countries might participate in the US-Ukraine talks. It also was not clear if Zelenskyy would participate directly in the those talks or just confer with his team. On December 15, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to meet with Zelenskyy and several other key European leaders and NATO chief Mark Rutte also in Berlin. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are also expected to participate in that meeting. In Berlin, "I will be meeting with envoys of President Trump, and there will also be meetings with our European partners, with many leaders, concerning the foundation of peace -- a political agreement to end the war," Zelenskyy said late on December 13 in his nightly video address. The Berlin meetings are the latest in a series spanning the globe as part of Trump's push to bring about a cease-fire or peace deal in Russia's war on Ukraine. The diplomatic activity intensified after the Trump administration in November pressed Kyiv to accept a 28-point peace plan that critics said was heavily tilted toward Moscow's interests. European Allies Press Changes To Plan Ukraine and its European allies -- led by Britain, France, and Germany -- have scrambled to include changes that would make the deal less lopsided and, crucially, ensure Ukrainian security against any future Russian attacks. Kyiv submitted a 20-point plan this week. The White House has also been pushing for Ukraine to hold elections even though Ukraine's constitution doesn't allow for elections during wartime. 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. 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. Russia on December 12 rejected a proposal to hold a referendum to let Ukrainians decide on giving up territory in the eastern Donbas region, highlighting a key sticking point as negotiators head to Berlin. "This area is Russian territory," Yuri Ushakov, foreign policy adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said referring to Russia's 2022 illegal annexation of the Ukrainian region after it had launched its full-scale invasion earlier that year. Putin has so far shown no intention of compromising or backing down from the Kremlin's hard-line positions, including the demand that Kyiv cede territory to Russia -- including some areas that Ukraine still controls. Separately, the European Union will make a push for a way to finance support Ukraine for the next two years as the blocs leaders gather in Brussels on December 18-19. A potential key component of this is a so-called reparations loan for Kyiv. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has estimated that Ukraine needs around 135 billion euros ($158.3 billion) for the next two years and that it is facing a budget shortfall of 71.7 billion euros in next year alone. Zelenskyy's Defiant Visit Along with his diplomatic trips, Zelenskyy has continued to travel to the front lines, meeting on December 12 with troops in the Kupyansk region. The Ukrainian president posted a video from the area following Russian claims that it had captured the town. The Russians kept going on about Kupyansk. The reality speaks for itself," he said from what appears to be near the edge of the town center. Zelenskyy has often traveled near the front lines of the conflict, but this trip appears to be one of his most dangerous visits and comes ahead of what could be a pivotal week on the diplomatic front. Russia Maintains Overnight Attacks Even as talks takes place at various sites around the world, Russia has maintained its relentless overnight attacks on Ukrainian territory and pressed its ground offensive near the key Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk. Zelenskyy on December 13 reported new overnight attacks by Russia throughout Ukraine, saying that more than 450 drones and 30 missiles had been launched. "The main strike again hit our energy supply, the south and the Odesa region," wrote on social media. "All necessary services are currently working to restore electricity and water supply in our communities affected by Russias overnight attack," he wrote. "More than a dozen civilian facilities have been damaged across the country." Russia denies targeting civilian sites despite widespread evidence of such attacks. Ukraine has been hitting sites with drones inside Russia that it claims are used by the Kremlin's forces to launch strikes against Ukrainian cities. On the ground, the Russian Defense Ministry said its forces had thwarted a counterattack by Ukrainian forces near Pokrovsk, which the Kremlin's troops have claimed to have captured. Ukraine's top military commander on December 12 said Ukrainian troops continue to control part of Pokrovsk, a strategic city in the Donbas region that had a prewar population of more than 60,000 but which is mainly in ruins after months of fighting. Reports from the area cannot be independently confirmed. Authorities in Ukraine's Odesa region reported massive power outages following a Russian air assault, with the city itself taking the brunt of the damage. "Specialists are doing everything possible to stabilize the situation and are focusing on critical infrastructure facilities as a matter of priority," the regional administration said. With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and dpa The share price of Cosan S.A. (NYSE:CSAN) fell by 10.45% between December 3 and December 10, 2025, putting it among the Energy Stocks that Lost the Most This Week. Cosan (CSAN) Fell by Over 10% This Week. Here is Why Cosan S.A. (NYSE:CSAN) is a Brazilian conglomerate engaged in fuel distribution. It operates through Raizen, Compass, Moove, Rumo, and Radar segments. Cosan S.A. (NYSE:CSAN) was among the Brazilian stocks that slumped on December 5 following reports that former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro had endorsed his son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, as the far-right candidate for the presidential election next October. The report was also confirmed by a social media post by the senator, who stated on X: It is with great responsibility that I confirm the decision of Brazils greatest political and moral leader, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, to entrust me with the mission of continuing our national project. This news sent Brazilian stocks falling, with the countrys benchmark stock index Bovespa down by over 4.3% and the Brazilian Real slipping as much as 3% against the US dollar, as investors were hopeful that the former president would nominate Sao Paulo Gov. Tarcisio de Freitas, who is viewed as a more market-friendly name with executive experience. Moreover, Bolsonaros decision has created a political risk environment in the country, as it could adversely affect the ties between the right-wing movement he forged and more centrist political parties. While we acknowledge the potential of CSAN 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: Retirement Stock Portfolio: 11 Energy Stocks to Buy and 14 Best Utility Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. Disclosure: None. A County Roscommon student recently represented both Ireland and her school with distinction at Zientzia Astea, a prestigious annual Spanish science festival, now celebrating its 25th year. Centred on the theme Science for a Plastic-Free Planet, this years festival brought together innovators, designers and young creators from across Europe. As Irelands global finalist in the Junk Kouture World Competition, Lucia Revuelta Gonzalez from Elphin Community College was invited to deliver a lecture at the iconic Bizkaia Aretoa in Bilbao, a landmark building designed by renowned architect Alvaro Siza. Her striking Junk Kouture design was exhibited, attracting such excitement from visitors that it was added to the official guided tour route. During her talk, Lucia spoke passionately about her creative process, her Junk Kouture journey, and the extraordinary support she has received at Elphin Community College particularly the guidance of Ms Bernadette Prendergast, whose mentorship has played a significant role in her success. Lucia won her place in this years Junk Kouture World Final after her eco-friendly creation impressed the judges at the national final in Dublin. Lucia Revuleta's Junk Kouture striking creation, Miss Mares. Junk Kouture is an international competition which promotes sustainable fashion by encouraging post-primary school students to design, create and model unique outfits using recycled materials. After successfully coming through a regional final in March, Lucia was among 60 national finalists who gathered at The Helix in Dublin earlier this year to battle it out for the ten Irish places on offer at the 2025 Junk Kouture World Final. Her winning design, Miss Mares, was aimed at highlighting the beauty of the ocean while also raising awareness of the impact of pollution on marine life. Her creation was made from aluminium cans, sardine tins and foil. Lucia, originally from Bilbao in Spain, came to the Elphin school as an exchange student, but returned again for Transition Year as she was keen to participate in the Junk Kouture competition. A Roscommon county councillor has hit out at the unacceptable" overcrowding on train services through the county. Cllr Michael Holland (Ind) told the Herald he recently used the Westport train to travel from Castlerea to Dublin and found that it was already full by the time it reached Castlerea. I took the train on Friday, November 28th, Black Friday the 10.48 train for Dublin. About 20 passengers got on, and we found that there was no seating. There were only three carriages, he said. Cllr Holland said he spoke with a member of staff who was very helpful about the situation, and was told that more carriages could hopefully be added in Athlone. We got to Roscommon and 20 to 25 passengers got on. When we got to Athlone, a small number got off but a good few got on, and there were no carriages added. Further passengers got onboard as the journey continued, and Cllr Holland estimated that between 80 to 100 people were standing, with only 210 seats available. It was shocking. At one stage between two carriages, there were 12 people standing. There was also only one toilet, and there was a queue for it going down one of the carriages, he said. There were some people sitting on the floor, sitting in the bicycle rack. Its not acceptable. I remember going to Dublin as a teenager with my parents, and you could get a breakfast. Now you cant even get a cup of tea. Cllr Holland praised the staff but criticised Irish Rail for not putting more carriages on, especially as it is encouraging people to use public transport. This was Black Friday, the busiest day for shopping. There was one elderly couple standing and thankfully two students gave up their seats. But it is not acceptable in this day and age. In the event of an accident, with 80 or 100 people standing, what would happen if the train had to brake suddenly? Also only one toilet for almost 300 people? Cllr Holland, who also gave up his seat, said that if a bus or car was overcrowded, the driver or owner could be prosecuted. When contacted, Irish Rail said that the service is a three-piece train. It is extremely busy, but unfortunately, we do not have more capacity available as all of our rolling stock is in use, she said. We did operate a bus from all stations from Athlone to Heuston last Friday because the service was so busy and that is something we regularly do, if it is particularly busy. Cllr Holland asked why didnt Irish Rail announce that there were buses available in Athlone and give passengers who were standing a chance to get off. I saw one passenger get on in Clara, he was going to Dublin but he got off in Tullamore because it was so overcrowded, the independent councillor said. This is happening every day. His remarks pointed to the festival's broader aim of bridging the gap between traditional wisdom and modern scientific rigour through active engagement with academics, scholars and experts. File Photo. Prof. Ghosh described the festival as a tribute to India's ancient knowledge, scientific insight and holistic healthcare practices. Haryana Governor Inaugurates National Ayurveda Festival 2025 in Panchkula, Showcasing Ayurveda Startups and Innovations In Panchkula, Haryana, Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh inaugurated the National Ayurveda Festival 2025 today. Prof. Ghosh said that it underscores the states commitment to promote Indias ancient system of medicine and holistic wellness. Prof. Ghosh emphasised at the opening ceremony that Ayurveda is not just a medical system but also a philosophy of life, highlighting harmony between the mind, body and soul, he added. He noted its fundamental focus on prevention, personalised care and sustainable living as deeply relevant in addressing todays healthcare challenges, including chronic diseases, lifestyle disorders and mental health concerns. Advertisement Prof. Ghosh described the festival as a tribute to Indias ancient knowledge, scientific insight and holistic healthcare practices. He said hosting an event at such a scale reflects Haryanas role as a land of progress, education and wellness. His remarks pointed to the festivals broader aim of bridging the gap between traditional wisdom and modern scientific rigour through active engagement with academics, scholars and experts. Officials said that a notable feature of the event is the Startup Conclave, where innovators are presenting a range of personalised wellness solutions, digital therapeutics, herbal diagnostic tools and AI-enabled healthcare platforms that integrate traditional practices with cutting-edge technology. Prof. Ghosh appreciated the participation of major ayurvedic brands, wellness organisations and research institutions. He noted their efforts in developing high-quality formulations, standardised therapies and globally relevant healthcare solutions. The Governor honoured representatives from Multani Pharma, Zandu and Emami for their contributions to the field of ayurveda. He also presented the Yogaguru Award to social worker and Black Belt Taekwondo expert Amita Marwah. Advertisement According to officials, some of the dignitaries present were Ajit Pal Singh, vice-president of the Emami Group; Dr Rishabh Dixit, Chair of the National Ayurveda Festival; Dr Rampal Somani, former member of the Ministry of AYUSH; Dr Mahesh Dadheech, CEO of the National Medicinal Plants Board; Acharya Balkrishna, MD of Patanjali; Dr Kartar Singh Dhiman, Vice-Chancellor of AYUSH University, Kurukshetra; and Dr Hitesh Jani, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Gau Vidyapeeth, Gandhinagar. Scholars, practitioners, industry leaders and students from across the country were also present. Ghosh urged young practitioners and innovators to pursue research, evidence-based practice and ethical innovation in Ayurveda to make meaningful contributions to public health. Source: The Tribune Advertisement 24th anniversary of terrorist attack on Parliament: PM Modi, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, others pay tribute Security forces present at the site also paid their homage, along with the leaders at Parliament's Samvidhan Sadan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President CP Radhakrishnan earlier today paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in the deadly 2001 Parliament terror attack, as 13th December marks the 24th anniversary of the horrific attack on India's Parliament. Congress Parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi party MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other Parliamentarians also paid floral tributes. Advertisement The leaders, including BJP leader Kiren Rijiju, also observed a moment of silence. Security forces present at the site also paid their homage, along with the leaders at Parliaments Samvidhan Sadan. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, remembering and paying heartfelt tributes, said that the brave security personnel stood as an unbreakable shield during the cowardly terror attack on Parliament House. Advertisement They laid down their lives to protect the soul of our democracy. Their courage, supreme sacrifice, and unwavering sense of duty will forever live in the nations conscience and inspire Indias resolve, the defence minister added. A family member of a security personnel who lost his life, told news agency ANI, "I was very young at that time... I was told that my father was shot... After a few days, I was told that he had passed away... But when this day comes, we feel proud, and we will always be proud of him..." Advertisement CRPF Constable Kamlesh Kumari was the first to spot the terrorists. The deadly 2001 terrorist attack on the Parliament: During the exchange of fire with terrorists, four Delhi Police personnel, namely, Nanak Chand, Assistant Sub-Inspector, Rampal, Assistant Sub-Inspector, Om Prakash, Head Constable, and Ghanshyam, Head Constable attached with the Vice Presidents security, lost their lives on the spot, according to the PIB archive. Advertisement The other three persons who were also killed were Kamlesh Kumari, a Woman Constable of CRPF, Jagdish Prasad Yadav, a Security Assistant of Watch and Ward Staff of the Parliament House, who had rushed after the terrorists car and a civilian employee of CPWD, Desh Raj, 18 other persons were injured and they were immediately rushed to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital for medical treatment. These included Matbar Singh, Security Assistant, Watch and Ward Staff of the Parliament House who later succumbed to his injuries. The scene of the crime was cordoned off and Investigation Teams including Forensic Experts and Bomb Detection Squads were pressed into service. A number of hand grenades were recovered from the site of the incident and defused. A large quantity of arms and ammunition including explosives was also recovered. (For more news apart from 24th anniversary of terrorist attack on Parliament: PM Modi, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, others pay tribute," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) India's insurance industry has so far attracted around INR 82,000 crore in FDI under the existing regime. File Photo. The proposed amendments will not be limited to the FDI cap alone. Cabinet Approves 100% FDI in Insurance Sector: Major Boost for Indias Financial Growth On Friday, the Union Cabinet approved a bill to raise the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in the insurance sector to 100 per cent from the existing 74 per cent cap. This is a major policy decision focused on transforming Indias insurance landscape. The move was sanctioned as part of the governments continuous efforts towards growth, attracting capital and enhancing competitiveness in one of the countrys critical financial services sectors. Advertisement The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is expected to be introduced in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, which is scheduled to conclude on December 19. The bill has been listed among 13 pieces of legislation slated for consideration during the session, highlighting the priority the government has attached to financial sector reforms. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman first announced the proposal to open up the insurance sector to full foreign ownership in her budget speech this year as part of new-generation financial sector reforms. The objective is to deepen insurance penetration, accelerate sectoral growth, improve the ease of doing business and bring in global best practices. Indias insurance industry has so far attracted around INR 82,000 crore in FDI under the existing regime. Raising the investment cap to 100 per cent is expected to attract a fresh wave of overseas capital and expertise, potentially making the sector more competitive and innovative, according to government officials. Advertisement The proposed amendments will not be limited to the FDI cap alone. The Finance Ministry has also recommended comprehensive changes to key legislations that govern the sector, including the Insurance Act, 1938, the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) Act, 1956, and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) Act, 1999. Revisions include lowering paid-up capital requirements and introducing a composite licence framework to simplify regulatory processes. Supporters of the move argue that increased foreign participation will enhance product variety, strengthen customer protections and support the governments broader goal of achieving Insurance for All by 2047 by increasing outreach and affordability. Source: The Tribune Advertisement Punjab LoP Flags Police Intimidation, Says SEC Took No Action' Ahead of Zila Parishad Polls He has further urged the SEC to immediately transfer these officers out of their present postings". Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Legislative Assembly, Punjab Legislative Assembly on Saturday, one day ahead of the Zila ParishadBlock Samiti elections, said that the state election commission has taken no action on his warning of police intimidation, and threats to free & fair elections. In a post on his X, the congress leader wrote, Its been over 24 hours since I wrote to the State Election Commission warning of police intimidation, and threats to free & fair Zila ParishadBlock Samiti elections. Yet, the SEC has taken NO action. Advertisement This silence has emboldened the AAP Punjab govt & CM Bhagwant Mann to trample democracy. Punjabis will not forgive AAP for police-managed elections, Partap Singh Bajwa alleged. Partap Singh Bajwa, yesterday, that is on 12 December 2025, in a letter directed to Kamal Chaudhuri, who wrote, I wish to draw your attention to the deeply disturbing and partisan conduct of certain police officials during the ongoing Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections in Punjab. A clear pattern of biased action is being observed, undermining the integrity of the election process. Referring to an alleged incident on 11 december 2025, in his constituency at village Alma, he stated that a police raid was conducted at the residence of Hardevpal Singh alias Sweety, the Sarpanch of Village Alma and the raid led by Gurnam Singh, SHO, Police Station Kahnuwan, and Deepika, SHO, Police Station Bhaini Mian Khan, accompanied by 1718 police personnel Advertisement He claimed Sweety, also an active worker of the Indian National Congress, was not present at his residence during the raid and that his mother and wife were allegedly harassed and threatened. As per information given orally by these officers to the family, the raid was ordered by Aditya, Senior Superintendent of Police, Gurdaspur, allegedly at the behest of political leaders of the ruling party, Bajwa said. He stated that the action allegedly appears to have been carried out with the sole intention of intimidating and demoralizing Sh. Hardevpal Singh. Advertisement According to the letter by Bajwa, the police allegedly forcibly entered the house at 09:13 PM and remained there for 13 minutes. The family was humiliated, and the mother of the Sarpanch was compelled to open the locker. Another portion of the house, located in the agricultural fields, was also raided and vandalised. No objectionable material was found. The congress leader further in the letter said that the raid had no lawful basis. It was instead a deliberate attempt to threaten workers of the Indian National Congress, sending a message that anyone contesting the elections with full spirit would face harassment, intimidation, and unnecessary pressure, he added. Advertisement He stated that the incident gravely compromises the fairness of elections in the Qadian constituency. Bajwa also claimed that Deepika, SHO, Police Station Bhaini Mian Khan, was recently posted there reportedly under political influence, prior to the announcement of the Model Code of Conduct. She (Deepika) has a history of harassing Congress workers. On 17.09.2025, she arrested the brothers of Sarpanch Mandeep Singh of Village Salahpur Bet and even ordered the removal of the turbans of his son and brothers. A complaint was duly submitted to the SSP, Gurdaspur, who assured departmental action. However, due to political pressure, no action was ever taken, he added. He further stated such incidents of alleged continuous misuse of police authority by these officers, acting as instruments of the ruling party, free and fair elections in the affected area have become impossible. Pratap Bajwas, citing the above reasons, has urged for Immediate stern disciplinary action be taken against Aditya, SSP Gurdaspur, Deepika, SHO Bhaini Mian Khan, and Gurnam Singh, SHO Kahnuwan. He has further urged the SEC to immediately transfer these officers out of their present postings to ensure an unbiased and fair election environment. (For more news apart from Punjab LoP Flags Police Intimidation, Says SEC Took No Action Ahead of Zila Parishad Polls" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) A new food recall is issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at least once a week. The recalls are related to allergens, possible bacterial or lead contaminations, and the potential presence of glass, wood, plastic or other foreign material that should not be in our food. So far, over the last year, according to the FDAs website, major food recalls have included: Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon (Kraft Heinz) Good & Gather Southwest-Style Burrito Bowl Blend Hormel Foods Dinty Moore Beef Stew Middlefield Original Cheese Co-op and Sunrise Creamery Cheeses Sprout Organics Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach Trader Joe's Vampire Slayer Cheese Curds MyHeart baby formula And the list goes on. Now, Costco members in Hawaii are being urged to check their pantries for a popular baking ingredient after American Nuts, LLC issued a voluntary recall of nuts due to potential Salmonella contamination. A letter sent to Costco members on Dec. 5 warns customers not to consume the affected macadamia nuts and to return the product for a full refund. Costco says the recall was initiated in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Costco is known for being proactive with its recall notices. Shutterstock Shutterstock What Costco members need to know about this recall According to the recall notice, the affected product is potentially contaminated with Salmonella: Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Co. Baking Nuts 20-ounce package Item #1840464 Lot code: 307HMNC25L3 Sold at the Costco Hawaii Kai warehouse Purchase dates: Nov. 29 Dec. 4, 2025 Related: Voluntary vs. mandatory food recalls: what you should know Costco members who bought the nuts during the last week of November and the first week of December are advised to check the lot code printed on the back of the package. If the code matches, the nuts should not be eaten under any circumstances. Customers can return the product to Costco for a full refund, even if the package has been opened. Why the recall is urgent Salmonella is a common cause of foodborne illness in the United States. Symptoms typically include: Diarrhea Fever Abdominal cramps Nausea or vomiting Headache If they get sick, most healthy adults recover within a week without medical treatment, but the bacteria can pose serious risks to children younger than five, adults older than 65, and anyone with a weakened immune system. Related: Costco members voice major shopping complaint "Salmonellosis is the second leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that it causes over 1.35 million illnesses, 26,500 hospitalizations, and nearly 420 deaths annually," Dr. Kim Cook, national program leader for the USDA Agricultural Research Service's Nutrition, Food Safety/Quality program, told the USDA. Governor Kataria, presiding over the function as chief guest, described the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas as the greatest sacrifice in world history and urged young people to carry forward their legacy in their own lives. File Photo. The governor also inaugurated the official Ludhiana District Red Cross Society website during the event. Veer Bal Diwas: Punjab Governor Urges Youth to Follow Sahibzadas Path of Courage and Sacrifice Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, on the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas 2025, urged the states youth to imbibe the unparalleled courage, unwavering faith, and supreme spirit of sacrifice exemplified by the four Sahibzadas. The four Sahibzadas are Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh, and Fateh Singh, who are sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who made one of the most poignant sacrifices in Sikh history. The state-level observance took place on Friday at BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School in Ludhiana. Officials said that the Child Welfare Council Punjab and the District Child Welfare Council, in collaboration with the district administration, organised this event. Advertisement Governor Kataria, presiding over the function as chief guest, described the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas as the greatest sacrifice in world history and urged young people to carry forward their legacy in their own lives. He specifically emphasised how Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh chose to face death by being bricked alive rather than renounce their faith, saying that their immortal saga is written in golden letters and continues to inspire generations to make sacrifices for the nation, religion, and society when required. The governor also recalled the martyrdom of the Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, along with his devoted disciples Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dayala, highlighting the eternal message of truth, justice, and righteousness their sacrifice delivered to humanity. Kataria appealed directly to young attendees and stressed that Punjab and India can achieve greater heights of development only when the younger generation steps forward with determination, commitment, and moral courage. He also urged support for the ongoing societal fight against drug abuse and reinforced that community engagement is essential for meaningful change, officials said. Advertisement Organisers said that the programme featured cultural and educational activities, including painting, skits, hymn singing (shabad gayan), declamation, and poster-making competitions, and winners were honoured on stage. The governor also inaugurated the official Ludhiana District Red Cross Society website during the event. Chairperson of the Child Welfare Council Punjab, Prajakta Nilkanth Avhad highlighted the councils focus on childrens mental health and urged parents to avoid excessive academic pressure to protect childhood well-being. Assistant Commissioner (UT) Pragati Verma spoke about district welfare initiatives, including childrens homes, early intervention centres, and schools for deaf and mute children. Source: Times of India Advertisement December 13, 2025 A roundup of domestic and world news Newsflash Newsroom, 13.12.2025, 13:55 Protests Thousands of people protested in Bucharest for the third consecutive day on Friday evening following revelations in the Recorder documentary about problems in the judiciary. Protesters displayed banners with messages such as Justice, not corruption and chanted We want justice, not immunity, Independent magistrates, not obedient. The demonstrators demanded the resignation of the president of the High Court of Cassation and Justice, Lia Savonea, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Catalin Predoiu, the Minister of Justice, Radu Marinescu, and the chief prosecutor of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate, Marius Voineag. Protests also took place in other major cities across Romania. The judges section of the Superior Council of Magistracy announced that it had decided to notify the Judicial Inspection to carry out checks in relation to the issues reported in the press material broadcast by Recorder. The documentary features several prosecutors and judges, some with protected identities, who reveal how the leadership of the Bucharest Court of Appeal routinely changes judges from panels in order to obtain favorable decisions for individuals accused of corruption. Hundreds of magistrates have expressed solidarity with their colleagues featured in the documentary. Tens of thousands of people have signed a petition, addressed to the head of state and the prime minister, requesting urgent changes to the justice laws. Agreement European Union governments have reached an agreement to freeze Russian central bank assets in Europe indefinitely, the Danish presidency of the EU Council announced on Friday, removing a major obstacle to making funds available to Ukraine, DPA and Reuters reported. Until now, the 27 member states had to unanimously agree every six months to keep Russian funds frozen, in line with EU sanctions imposed on Moscow in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine. To freeze the funds indefinitely, EU countries used an emergency economic mechanism that allows them to switch from unanimous voting to majority voting to adopt the decision. European countries argue that Russias war in Ukraine is causing serious economic challenges and that the transfer of funds to Russia must therefore be prevented to limit the damage to the EU economy. The EUs decision to indefinitely freeze Russian funds worth around 210 billion Euros is intended to facilitate plans to provide Kyiv with some of the money as a long-term reparations loan. Meeting US special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders this weekend in Berlin, a White House official told AFP on Friday. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is due to meet the Ukrainian president and several European, EU and NATO leaders, as the United States steps up pressure on Kyiv to reach a peace deal. Europeans and Ukrainians have asked the Americans for security guarantees before any territorial negotiations in eastern Ukraine, the French presidency announced. The talks accelerated following the presentation by the US administration, almost three weeks ago, of a plan to end the war triggered by the Russian invasion in February 2022, a text that included significant demands from Moscow, AFP notes. While Kyiv presented a modified version of the plan, including counter-proposals, the Ukrainian president confirmed that the United States wants to reach an agreement as soon as possible. Energy The largest capacity of energy storage in batteries in Romania was put into operation on Friday, announced the Energy Minister, Bogdan Ivan. Storage is, at this moment, one of the most efficient solutions that can reduce imbalances in the system, better integrate the energy produced by prosumers and, most importantly, and keep costs under control for Romanians, the minister said on Facebook. Also on Friday, in Campia Turzii (center), works began on a combined cycle gas power plant, an investment that will ensure safe and constant energy, essential for balancing the system. (LS) December 13, 2025 UPDATE The latest news from RRI Newsflash Lacramioara Simion, 13.12.2025, 20:02 Protests The protests that began in the middle of the week for the reform of the Justice Laws and the dismissal of those responsible for abuses in the judicial system continued over the weekend, in Bucharest and in other cities in Romania and abroad. In parallel with the street protests, the petition initiated by the non-governmental organizations Declic and Funky Citizens for the amendment of the Justice Laws is approaching 150,000 signatures. The signatories call on the Prime Minister and the President of Romania to initiate a real reform of the justice system, through a transparent and honest procedure, that should go beyond simple public declarations. The main demands of the protesters are the recovery of the independence of judges, the abolition of the de facto immunity of magistrates, the reduction of the control exercised by the Superior Council of Magistracy over the judiciary and the urgent dismissal of the heads of prosecutors offices. The protests came after revelations in the Recorder documentary regarding problems in the judiciary. The documentary features several prosecutors and judges, some with protected identities, who reveal how the leadership of the Bucharest Court of Appeal on a regular basis changes judges from panels in order to obtain favorable decisions for individuals accused of corruption. Hundreds of magistrates have publicly denounced abuses in the judiciary. The Judges Section of the Supreme Council of Magistracy decided to notify the Judicial Inspection to conduct checks in relation to the issues reported in the press material broadcast by Recorder. Defense The European Investment Bank (EIB) will increase lending for defense projects to 4.50 billion Euros next year, from 3.5 billion Euros in 2025, and could revise the figures upwards if there is higher demand, the institutions president, Nadia Calvino, told Reuters. We are focusing in particular on military mobility and critical infrastructure, the eastern border and anti-drone systems, Calvino said. The money will be allocated from the total amount available for lending in 2026, estimated at 100 billion Euros, the same level as in 2025. More than half of the loans planned for 2026 will go to projects that will help combat climate change. The EIB will also provide loans from TechEU, the program that aims to invest 70 billion Euros in the development of European technology companies over the next three years. The program aims to help Europe compete with China and the United States in the race for innovative clean and digital technologies by encouraging start-ups and scale-ups. Kyiv Russian air strikes overnight damaged more than ten civilian targets in Ukraine and left thousands of residents without electricity in seven regions of the country, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday, according to AFP. Moscow still aims to destroy our state and cause the greatest suffering to our people, Zelensky said. Russia announced Saturday that it had struck Ukrainian industrial and energy facilities with hypersonic missiles overnight in retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on civilian targets in Russia. Energy The largest capacity of energy storage in batteries in Romania was put into operation on Friday, announced the Energy Minister, Bogdan Ivan. Storage is, at this moment, one of the most efficient solutions that can reduce imbalances in the system, better integrate the energy produced by prosumers and, most importantly, keep costs under control for Romanians, the minister said on Facebook. Also on Friday, in Campia Turzii (center), works began on a combined cycle gas power plant, an investment that will ensure safe and constant energy, essential for balancing the system. Agreement European Union governments have reached an agreement to freeze Russian central bank assets in Europe indefinitely, the Danish presidency of the EU Council announced on Friday, removing a major obstacle to making funds available to Ukraine, DPA and Reuters reported. Until now, the 27 member states had to unanimously agree every six months to keep Russian funds frozen, in line with EU sanctions imposed on Moscow in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine. To freeze the funds indefinitely, EU countries used an emergency economic mechanism that allows them to switch from unanimous voting to majority voting to adopt the decision. European countries argue that Russias war in Ukraine is causing serious economic challenges and that the transfer of funds to Russia must therefore be prevented to limit the damage to the EU economy. The EUs decision to indefinitely freeze Russian funds worth around 210 billion Euros is intended to facilitate plans to provide Kyiv with some of the money as a long-term reparations loan. Meeting US special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders this weekend in Berlin, a White House official told AFP on Friday. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is due to meet the Ukrainian president and several European, EU and NATO leaders, as the United States steps up pressure on Kyiv to reach a peace deal. Europeans and Ukrainians have asked the Americans for security guarantees before any territorial negotiations in eastern Ukraine, the French presidency announced. The talks accelerated following the presentation by the US administration, almost three weeks ago, of a plan to end the war triggered by the Russian invasion in February 2022, a text that included significant demands from Moscow, AFP notes. While Kyiv presented a modified version of the plan, including counter-proposals, the Ukrainian president confirmed that the United States wants to reach an agreement as soon as possible. (LS) The Week in Review 8-14 December A roundup of the headline-grabbing events of the past week The Week in Review Stefan Stoica, 13.12.2025, 14:00 Constitutional Court rulings Romanias Constitutional Court (CCR) has this week rejected a notification from the populists in Parliament and validated a law, under which as of January 1st taxes on housing and vehicles on dividends and incomes from transactions with cryptocurrencies will increase. However, the CCR has postponed for the end of the year its most expected ruling, namely the one on the special pensions of the magistrates for which the government has again assumed responsibility in Parliament. The CCR judges have contested the bill as it would discriminate the magistrates against other categories of pensioners and would infringe on the independence of the countrys legal system. A milestone of the PNRR, the bill proposed by the government is capping the judges and prosecutors pensions to 70% of their last net salary and is gradually increasing their retirement age up to 65 years. Justice under scrutiny By chance or not the CCR has postponed the aforementioned decision at a very delicate moment for Romanias justice system. An investigation by the independent journalists of the Recorder and released through the Internet under the title, Captured Justice, is revealing how former and incumbent magistrates contributed to the prescription of some big corruption cases. The documentary has also revealed the effects of having the power centralized at the level of a few magistrates connected to some politicians. We began reinventing the law a magistrate told the journalists adding, masking the idea of justice is demoralizing the magistrates and disarming the citizens. After the release of the aforementioned investigation, thousands of people took to the streets of Bucharest and other Romanian cities. They protested in front of the Superior Council of Magistracy chanting, Justice, not mafia, and We want justice not immunity. The courage of the magistrates still in service to denounce what is toxic in the countrys legal system and the complicity of the politicians, has been contagious and got their colleagues solidarity. The leadership of the Superior Council of the Magistrates and the Appeal Court in Bucharest, who have been criticized in the aforementioned documentary, have reacted vehemently and denounced a concerted attack against the legal power, an attempt at deligitimizing and decredibilizating it. Bucharest has a Liberal Mayor The Liberal Ciprian Ciucu will be the general mayor of Bucharest until 2028. A mayor with recognized merits, Ciucu mustered over 36% of the votes in the by-election staged on December 7. The Mayor post remained vacant after the former mayor of Bucharest Nicusor Dan had won the presidential election this year. Ciucu was followed by journalist Anca Alexandrescu backed by populist and ultranationalist political groups, with 22% and by Social-Democratic candidate Daniel Baluta, mayor of Bucharests district 4, who was favored in many opinion polls. The USR candidate Catalin Drula ranked only fourth although Bucharest was considered a stronghold of this centrist group. Pundits are worried by the electorates increasing apathy, reflected by such a low turnout under 33%. The Political Consequences of the by-election The rise of the co-called sovereignists in Bucharest, a centre-to-right stronghold should make the PNL, USR and PSD think in spite of the good results PNL got in the election. Experts believe the populists are grabbing votes from the traditional leftist electorate. Ciprian Ciucus win in Bucharest is consolidating on short term the position of Liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan who in the past year had to endure the populist whims of his main partner in the pro-European coalition, the PSD. Alerted by the new election failure and having an eye on the sovereignist threat, the Social-Democrats have announced they kicked off a process of internal analysis after the first six months of participation in the Bolojan cabinet. Following the evaluation, maybe next month they will decide whether to join the opposition. According to leader Sorian Grindeanu, the evaluation will take into account the way in which the PSD proposals regarding the budget, the minimum wages or the administration reform are going to be treated. However, the PSD decided not to vote for the new censure motion initiated by the populist, ultranationalist MPs, which was tabled in Parliament on Monday. The no-confidence vote sounds as an invitation to cooperation launched to the PSD and explicitly calls for the eviction of the USR from the ruling coalition, a favourite target of the sovereignists and Social-Democrats. The first visit paid by the Romanian President to France On Monday, in the first day of his working visit to Paris, Romanian President Nicusor Dan met members of the Diaspora, whom he thanked on the efforts they are making for preserving the Romanian identity. The presidential administration, President Dan pledged, is trying to build an interface in terms of cooperation with the communities of Romanians outside the country. President Dans talks with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron focused on the way the French companies can contribute to the major investment Romania prepares in the defence area through the European SAFE programme. The Romanian president had already tackled the issue during a meeting with the representatives of the companies in the field of defence and emerging technologies. Romania will significantly invest in defence, but not only as a buyer, Nicusor Dan says. According to him, Bucharest wants partners, which bring in Romania output, technology, jobs and export capabilities. On the other hand, Dan didnt rule out the idea of increasing the number of French troops stationed in Romania, as part of the NATO Battle Group, but no decision in this respect has been made yet. According to the Bucharest leader, given the present security challenges there is one strong European force able to mobilize at any time in order to defend Romania. (bill) (NEXSTAR) Costcos pie businesses (both pizza and pastry) were booming in recent weeks, a Costco executive said during the companys latest call with investors. Gary Millerchip, Costcos chief financial officer, took a quick moment to discuss fun facts about the companys holiday sales during the meeting, revealing that Costcos food courts recorded their best-ever whole-pizza sales on Halloween. Our U.S. food courts set a daily record on Halloween, selling 358,000 whole pizzas, an increase of 31% versus last year, Millerchip said. Our U.S. bakeries also set a record in the three days leading up to Thanksgiving, selling 4.5 million pies, Millerchip added. Thats over 7,000 per warehouse over a three-day period. Costco named in lawsuit over Kirkland tequila: Why? Millerchip did not expand on the pizza/pie statements. But as far as pizza is concerned, its no surprise that Halloween was one of the busiest days for take-home pies: On the same date in 2024, Costcos food courts collectively sold 274,000 whole pizzas which was also a record-setting figure at the time, Costco CEO Ron Vachris said last year, according to a transcript provided by Seeking Alpha. Anecdotal information from workers and customers shared to Reddit also seemed to confirm that Halloween is the biggest pizza night for Costcos food courts, with one self-identified employee claiming their location sold 850. My location is planning on doing 900 pizzas today, another person wrote. We have 1 order for 90 pizzas, thats just 1 order. Costco becomes biggest company yet to demand refund of Trump tariffs A representative for Costco was not immediately available to respond to questions about its pizza or pie sales, or offer any specific reason for their year-over-year jump in sales. But the company also reported a 5.1% increase in cardholders when compared to the same period in 2024, which likely contributed to an 8.2% increase in overall net sales. Earnings were also bolstered by strong digital sales: Millerchip said traffic to the website was up 24% while traffic to the app was up 48%, leading to a 20.5% increase in digital sales year-over-year. We continue to see many opportunities to enhance digital engagement with our members, and look forward to sharing progress on future earnings calls, he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. 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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 US authorities have filed charges against the Canadian founder of a phoney investment fund that lured $42 million from investors. The fund, called Gray Digital, was run by 26-year-old Nathan Gauvin. It dazzled investors with records of almost 200% yearly returns, allegedly made by investing customers funds across stocks, derivatives, debt, and crypto. Gauvin faces a 21-count indictment in Brooklyn federal court, including conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and money laundering. The defendants investment company was a house of cards constructed with investor funds and held together with lies, said Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, in a Wednesday statement. When his house of cards collapsed, Gauvin doubled down by obstructing the regulators investigation and trying to defraud a lender. Gauvins run of lies ends today. Gauvin was arrested in England yesterday on a US warrant and is awaiting extradition. House of cards Gauvins alleged schemes occurred between approximately May 2022 and October 2024 and netted Gray Digital and its flagship fund over $42 million from hundreds of investors. The fund purported to generate outsized returns through an investment strategy that blended traditional financial assets and strategies, and DeFi, per the DoJs statement. As CEO, Gauvin allegedly lied to investors about his background and experience, as well as Gray Digitals assets and returns. He allegedly provided fraudulent documents intended to verify Gray Digitals assets under management and performance. If found guilty, Gauvin could face up to 30 years in prison for the most serious charges. SEC probe aftermath In November 2024, DL News learned that Gray Digital was facing a probe from the US Securities and Exchange Commission. At the time, half a dozen Gray Digital customers said that they couldnt withdraw their funds. One investor who deposited $300,000 said Gauvins polished approach and emphasis on trust lowered his guard. When customers asked for their funds back, Gauvin blamed the lack of withdrawals on bad actors. He said these mysterious figures coordinated mass withdrawals, spread conspiracy theories, and contacted his own bank, leading to his account being frozen. In reality, Gauvin used deposits to pay investor withdrawals and misappropriated millions of dollars in investor funds, which he spent on luxury goods, jewellery and his personal credit card bills, the DoJ alleges. Gauvin estimated losses from the Gray Digital fraud to be approximately $20 million. With a market cap of $12.9 billion, Erie Indemnity Company (ERIE) serves as the managing attorney-in-fact for the subscribers of the Erie Insurance Exchange. The company provides a wide range of services, including policy issuance and renewal, sales and advertising support, and agent compensation. Companies valued at more than $10 billion are generally considered large-cap stocks, and Erie Indemnity fits this criterion perfectly. It also delivers underwriting, customer service, administrative support, and information technology services. More News from Barchart Shares of the Erie, Pennsylvania-based company have fallen nearly 39% from its 52-week high of $456.93. Erie Indemnitys shares have decreased 17.5% over the past three months, lagging behind the broader S&P 500 Indexs ($SPX) 4.8% gain over the same time frame. www.barchart.com In the longer term, ERIE stock is down 32.3% on a YTD basis, underperforming SPXs 17.3% rise. Moreover, shares of the insurance company have dropped 31.5% over the past 52 weeks, compared to the 13.4% return of the SPX over the same time frame. The stock has been trading below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since last year. www.barchart.com Despite beating Q3 2025 EPS expectations with $3.50 on Oct. 30, Erie Indemnitys shares fell 5.5% the next day as revenue of $1.07 billion missed estimates. Investors were also cautious about rising commission costs, which increased $41 million year-over-year, outpacing the 7.3% growth in management fee revenue. In comparison, rival Aon plc (AON) has shown a less pronounced decline than ERIE stock. AON stock has dipped 3.3% on a YTD basis and 4.2% over the past 52 weeks. Despite the stocks weak performance over the past year, analysts remain moderately optimistic on ERIE. It has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the three analysts in coverage, and as of writing, the stock is trading above the mean price target of $73. 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 On November 26, 2025, astronomers used the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) on the Gemini North telescope at Maunakea in Hawaii to obtain images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. The new observations reveal how the object has changed after making its closest approach to the Sun. 3I/ATLAS reached its closest approach to the Sun known as perihelion on October 30, 2025. After emerging from behind the Sun, the interstellar visitor reappeared in the sky close to Zaniah, a triple-star system located in the constellation of Virgo. On November 26, 2025, Eureka Scientific researcher Bryce Bolin and colleagues captured the new images of the comet as part of a public outreach initiative organized by NSF NOIRLab in collaboration with Shadow the Scientists. Sharing an observing experience in some of the best conditions available gives the public a truly front-row view of our interstellar visitor, Dr. Bolin said. Allowing the public to see what we do as astronomers and how we do it also helps demystify the scientific and data collection process, adding transparency to our study of this fascinating object. The new GMOS images are composed of exposures taken through four filters: blue, green, orange, and red. As exposures are taken, the comet remains fixed in the center of the telescopes field of view, the astronomers said. However, the positions of the background stars change relative to the comet, causing them to appear as colorful streaks in the final image. In earlier images of the comet, captured during a Shadow the Scientists session hosted at Gemini South in Chile, it appears to have a red hue. However, in the new images released today, it appears to have a faint greenish glow. This is due to light emitted by gases in the comets coma that are evaporating as the comet heats up, including diatomic carbon, a highly reactive molecule of two carbon atoms that emits light at green wavelengths. What remains unknown is how the comet will behave as it leaves the Suns vicinity and cools down. Many comets have a delayed reaction in experiencing the Suns heat due to the lag in time that it takes for heat to make its way through the interior of the comet. A delay can activate the evaporation of new chemicals or trigger a comet outburst. Miss Finland Sarah Dzafce was stripped of her title Thursday, just weeks after competing in the Miss Universe pageant, following backlash over a racially charged social media post. Dzafce, 22, appeared in a photo pulling the corners of her eyes with the caption kiinalaisenkaa syomas, which roughly translates to eating with a Chinese person, in a post from late November. The image circulated on the anonymous German app Jodel and was shared by a friend who allegedly added the caption without Dzafces knowledge, the Helsinki Times reported. Dzafce initially said she was suffering a severe headache and was rubbing her temples. Crowned Miss Finland in September, Dzafce faced swift criticism for the shocking gesture, which many viewed as offensive to the Asian community. The Miss Finland organization announced Thursday that she would no longer hold the title. The title of Miss Finland held by Sarah Dzafce has been revoked as of today, the organization said in a statement posted on Instagram. This decision is not about a persons human worth, but about responsibility. When an individual carries a national and international representative role, actions and responsibility are inseparable. Officials said they waited until Dzafce returned to Finland following international travel after the Miss Universe competition before taking action. For over 90 years, this title has represented Finnish values such as respect, equality, responsibility, and human dignity, Finnartist Oy, which owns the Miss Finland pageant, said in a statement. These values are not mere words to us they are the foundation of our entire work. The Miss Finland title is a position of trust, representing Finland and Finnish people to the world," the statement continued. The pageant organization acknowledged the harm caused by the incident. The events of recent days have caused deep hurt, disappointment, and concern both in Finland and internationally fully understandably, the statement said. The content published on the reigning Miss Finlands social media has been offensive, harmful, and completely against the values of the Miss Finland competition. We are deeply sorry for the harm these events have caused. Especially to the Asian community, but also to everyone affected. Racism is never acceptable in any form, it added. Dzafce competed in this years Miss Universe contest but did not win the crown, placing in the Top 30. She issued a public apology on her personal Instagram account earlier this week. I fully understand that my actions have caused ill will in many people and I am deeply sorry for that, Dzafce wrote on her Instagram page. I want to apologize, especially to those who have been personally affected by this situation. That was not my intention in any way. At a press conference in Helsinki on Dec. 11, Dzafce addressed the controversy. The Miss Finland title is not just a crown for me, it is also a responsibility, she said. I am responsible for how I speak, how I act, and how my actions can affect people. I know I still have a lot to grow. I take responsibility for my actions and learn from them moving forward. Miss Finland National Director Sunneva Sjogren said the decision was difficult but necessary. On a personal note, I would like to say: We wish Sarah all the best in her future. A person can grow and learn that is always possible, Sjogren said. The title of Miss Finland requires a high level of responsibility. In this situation, the conditions required to continue in this role were not met. Former Miss Finland Sarah Dzafce attends a press conference in Helsinki, Finland, Thursday Dec 11, 2025. (Emmi Korhonen/Lehtikuva via AP) AP Tara Lehtonen, 25, the first runner-up in the competition, was crowned Miss Finland 2025 at the same press conference. She will not compete in the next Miss Universe pageant. Today, I have accepted the title of Miss Finland 2025. I promise to carry this title with pride and deep respect, Lehtonen wrote on Instagram. From the very beginning of my journey, I have said that this is not just a title for me, but a responsibility, an opportunity, and a sign of trust. This situation is completely exceptional, and the fact that my role as Miss Finland begins in the middle of the year makes this journey different from usual, she added. Even though the starting point is not traditional, I will do my best to turn it into an opportunity and to fulfill my duties well and with dignity. Post Malone, the rapper/songwriter, musician, and producer, whose music blends various genres, fell down stairs during a concert on Dec. 8 in Guwahati, India, while walking to greet fans. However, not seriously hurt, he protected his drink and quickly rose to his feet and continued performing pretty much like a previous incident in June in Arizona where he fell off the stage but finished his set. The news was reported two days later in a post on his Instagram page that stated, Post Malone briefly slipped on stage, prompting a quick response from the crew with comments like Approaching the crowd, barefoot Post slipped on the stairs. FYI: The India fall occurred while he was performing Sunflower, and videos show his security helping him up before he rejoined the crowd, showcasing his resilient showmanship, though it drew concern about stage safety. And according to a story on al.com, the fall didnt ruffle his feathers one bit. Whats more, social media sang praises for Malones quick response, as was reported in a story on cleveland.com Bro slipped happens to the best of us, one person wrote in a TikTok clip of the incident. Another added, A stumble here a stumble there, its all how you get back up on your feet. FYI: The story went on to report that Malone has been named one of the 39 artists to perform onDick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve come Dec. 31 on ABC at 8 pm. EST and repeat on Hulu. A LITTLE ABOUT MALONE Born Austin Richard Post in Syracuse, N.Y. Malone rose to fame with his viral hit White Iverson in 2015. He also achieved great success with albums like Stoney, Beerbongs & Bentleys, and Hollywoods Bleeding. Also known for chart-topping songs like Rockstar, the above-mentioned Sunflower, and Circles, Malone expanded into country with his recent albums, solidifying his status as a genre-bending, record-breaking artist. STATEN ISLAND, NY -- Two bills sponsored by Councilmember David Carr aimed at supporting veterans and providing local government transparency became law on Friday, after being passed in the City Council last month. Introduction 740-2024 provides a property tax exemption to Cold War Veterans, while Introduction 1250-2025 requires borough boards, community boards and advisory bodies to publish their bylaws in an accessible way. Im excited to see the positive effect these laws will have on the community, Carr, a Republican who represents the Mid-Island and parts of southwest Brooklyn, said. Transparency from government and making life a little easier for our veterans are common sense laws, so Im not surprised they became law, but Im honored to have been the one to introduce and negotiate their passage. Under the veteran tax relief bill, Cold War veterans across the city will receive an estimated $938 annually in property tax relief, totaling $10.8 million in tax cuts. Prior to this, New York City was the only city or county in the state that had not yet participated in the program. The bill, which was originally authored by former Minority Leader Joe Borelli in 2018, applies to veterans not eligible for existing exemptions. This includes those who served between World War II and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, but were not in already-covered conflicts such as Korea, Vietnam and Lebanon. Im looking forward to seeing the positive impacts this Cold War Veterans property tax law will have on keep our vets in our neighborhood, said Carr. These veterans served our nation and were ready to sacrifice so much. It is only right to fight to make sure they can stay in their home as they grow into old age. The transparency measure allows New York City residents to see how their boards operate, forcing accountability, clarifying how government works, and encouraging participation. The most entry-level institutions available for public engagement with the government should be easily accessible to everyone, Carr said. This law ensures the future of community engagement and the core forum of the neighborhood voices remains operating smoothly. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A popular Italian deli on Hylan Boulevard in Dongan Hills was hit with a summons over a sidewalk sign, prompting a call from Borough President Vito Fossella for city agencies to exercise discretion and goodwill toward small businesses when it comes to enforcing minor infractions. Standing before the family-operated Ariemmas Italian Deli at Hylan and Buel Avenue on Friday, Fossella referred to the summons as a lump of coal. The borough president emphasized the difficulty of opening and running a small business without the added stress of a summons over what may be considered a relatively minor infraction. Ariemma's Italian Deli in Dongan Hills on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. The corner shop was fined because their folding sidewalk signs were allegedly not in a proper place out front of their store. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) Government serves a role in terms of public health and public safety, Fossella said. But theres another group of people that just see small business as difficult as it is in this city they see small business as a cash machine. So when they need revenue they say, well lets go bang the small business guy because they have to pay, otherwise theyll go out of business or well hold up their license and etc. So my view philosophically is we need to encourage and allow small businesses to grow, to flourish and, to the extent possible, stay out of their way, he added. The deli, which has been open for over 70 years, was issued a summons on Dec. 5 for folding A-frame signage located on the sidewalk alongside Hylan Boulevard, according to Fossella. The Department of Sanitation confirmed that the summons was issued for a sidewalk obstruction. According to the Department of Sanitation, signs and displays must not extend more than three feet into the sidewalk from a business. Borough President Vito Fossella, right, stands beside Santo Ariemma, the co-owner of Ariemma's Italian Deli in Dongan Hills on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. The shop was recently fined because their folding sidewalk signs were allegedly not in a proper place out front of their store. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) Whatever happened, I think a lack of discretion, a lack of common sense was the order of the day, said Fossella. And as a result, Santo (Ariemma) rightfully stood up and spoke out. And you shouldnt be afraid to speak out when the government does something wrong and in this case I think the government did something wrong. Were here to support him and small business owners like him to say dont ruin their day over nonsense, at least give them an option to say hey buddy, you know, theres a sign here, its really not supposed to be here or can you move it over there. Whats up? You cant consult with people like that? Is that not the norm anymore? Fossella explained that in these cases small businesses may be pressured to pay the fine, which for the deli could range from $50-$500, as opposed to contesting the matter. The ultimate fine will be determined by the judge who handles the case. Ariemma, a third-generation co-owner of the business, noted that the signs had never previously posed a problem and have been posted for over 30 years. Moreover, he argued that the signage was not in the path of those passing the storefront as it is typically next to the pole in front of the deli. Again, the signs are for advertisement, you know, to try to make a dollar an honest dollar and now for me to try to fight this ticket, I got to take a day off from work, which Im going to lose more money, Ariemma said. Its just a bunch of nonsense for a small family business, Im over here, I work 70 hours a week some weeks and we do a lot for the community, he added. And to have something like this happen, its crazy to me, to think that the neighborhood is falling apart like that its no good. Ariemma called for residents to come together and show support for all small businesses in the community. A Department of Sanitation spokesperson told the Advance/SILive.com that a 311 call was placed days after this summons was issued. On Monday, Dec. 8, a 311 service request was received from a resident who reported that they couldnt get their wheelchair down the sidewalk on this block due to obstructions, the spokesperson said. Again, we enforce these laws to ensure safe, clean, passable sidewalks. We do absolutely use substantial discretion, but we also take complaints - and the law - seriously, added the spokesperson. Faced with Beijing's imposition of export controls on rare earth minerals, U.S. President Donald Trump has backed off most hard-line policies on chip exports to China and on Monday gave the green light for Nvidia to sell its second most advanced AI chips in China. But the fact that Intel, which is now part-owned by the U.S. government, would consider adding tools made by a firm with sanctioned units into its most advanced manufacturing line, raises important national security concerns, China hawks said. They flagged the possible transfer of Intel's sensitive technological know-how to China, the eventual displacement of trusted Western tool suppliers with China-linked firms and even the potential for sabotage efforts by Beijing. ACM said it could not comment on "specific customer engagements," but can confirm that "ACMRs U.S. team has sold and delivered multiple tools from our Asian operations to domestic customers." It also said it has disclosed the shipment of three tools to a major U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturer, which are being tested and some of which have met performance standards. Reuters could not determine if Intel had made a decision to add the tools to the advanced chipmaking process and has no evidence that the company violated any U.S. regulations. Intel declined to comment on whether it had tested ACM's tools this year for 14A, but said in a statement to Reuters that ACM's tools "are not used in our semiconductor production process, and we comply with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations." The two so-called wet etch tools, used for removing material from the silicon wafers that are transformed into semiconductors, were tested for possible use in Intel's most advanced chipmaking process, known as 14A. That process is due for an initial launch in 2027. Intel, which fended off calls for its CEOs resignation from President Donald Trump in August over his alleged ties to China, got the tools from ACM Research, a Fremont, California-based producer of chipmaking equipment. Two of ACM's units, based in Shanghai and South Korea, were among a number of firms barred last year from receiving U.S. technology over claims they have supported the Chinese governments efforts at harnessing commercial technology for military use and making advanced chips or chipmaking tools. ACM denies the allegations. WASHINGTON/SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Chipmaker Intel, has tested chipmaking tools this year from a toolmaker with deep roots in China and two overseas units that were targeted by U.S. sanctions, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter. Story Continues But as Chinese toolmakers begin to make incursions into the global marketplace, concern is growing among lawmakers of both parties, who earlier this month reintroduced legislation to bar chipmakers that have received billions in U.S. government subsidies from using Chinese equipment as part of their government-backed expansion plans. Intel's testing of ACM tools "highlights egregious gaps in U.S. technology protection policies and should not be permitted," said Chris McGuire, a former White House National Security Council official under President Joe Biden and Senior Fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations, in response to Reuters' findings. "Chinese tools could easily be remotely or physically manipulated by Beijing to degrade or even halt U.S. chip production. And U.S. companies should play no part in helping China improve its chipmaking tools, which are the foundation of all advanced technology development," he added. ACM said it does not pose a national security threat, noting that its U.S. operations are "bifurcated and isolated" from the sanctioned Shanghai-based unit, and that U.S. customers are supported directly by U.S. personnel, with robust safeguards to protect customer trade secrets. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not address the specific concerns cited by China hawks but said "Normal trade and economic cooperation between companies should not be politicized. We urge certain individuals in the U.S. to abandon ideological biases and stop generalizing the concept of national security." ACM HAS LONGSTANDING CHINA TIES ACM Research was founded in 1998 by David Wang, who still serves as CEO and owns over 57% of the company's voting shares. ACM's Chinese-language website lists Wang as an American citizen with Chinese permanent residence. ACM also sells equipment to sanctioned Chinese chipmaker YMTC as well as Chinas CXMT, which was named by the Defense Department as a Chinese military-backed company, according to a recent presentation on its website. SMIC, another ACM customer targeted by U.S. sanctions over alleged ties to the Chinese military industrial complex, accounts for 14% of ACM's sales, the company says. While the company is headquartered in California, most of the company's research and development take place in China, where ACM established its Shanghai-based R&D facility in 2006 according to a May 2025 investor presentation. "ACM now has complete R&D, engineering and manufacturing operations at its Zhangjiang High-Tech Park facility in Shanghai, China," ACM's website says. BIG HUB IN OREGON'S 'SILICON FOREST' In November 2023, ACM announced the opening of a new facility in Hillsboro, Oregon- an area nicknamed the state's Silicon Forest- "strategically located near key customers and partners" to serve as the company's new sales and service hub. The building is about a mile from Intel's flagship R&D and early-stage manufacturing plant and there are no other cutting-edge chip factories in the state. A January report by U.S.-based hedge fund Kerrisdale Capital said the facility was aimed at supporting ACM's relationship with Intel, noting that ACM qualified a new tool there in late 2023, and delivered additional tools in mid-2024. ACM "has laid the foundation for expansion outside China through strategic engagements with global leaders such as Intel" which could bear fruit in 2026, Kerrisdale said in a follow-up report released last month. The toolmaker has "active tool evaluations across a range of cleaning process steps" at Intel and the firm is "upgrading its customer demonstration lab and local R&D capabilities there to enable Intel to run wafers locally on ACMR tools," it added. Intel did not respond to a request for comment on the report. ACM said it is not a significant supplier of equipment to any major U.S. chipmaker. CHINA'S PUSH FOR GLOBAL MARKET SHARE ACM is still a small player on the global stage, ranking 24th in the global semiconductor equipment market with an 8% share of the segment for cleaning tools, according to Gartner Research. But Beijing has been striving since at least 2015 to build a competitive domestic semiconductor manufacturing industry, long before Washington began restricting Chinese access to U.S. tools, the House Select Committee on China said in an October report, citing gains in global market share for Chinese toolmakers. The committee "has even reviewed with concern reports that ACM Research...has sold (semiconductor manufacturing equipment) to a semiconductor manufacturer with U.S. operations that also formally certified ACM Researchs tools for use in its production line," the report adds, without further detail. Tools from ACM and Chinese counterparts are 20% to 30% cheaper than those made by rivals like Applied Materials and Lam, according to Dan Hutcheson, Vice Chair of TechInsights Inc, creating a downward price pressure on more established competitors. (Additional Reporting by Eduardo Baptista, Pan Che and Stephen Nellis; editing by Kenneth Li, Chris Sanders, and Anna Driver) Health officials are reporting a surge in winter vomiting disease with norovirus cases spiking across the U.S. since mid-October. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions National Wastewater Surveillance System, which monitors infectious diseases through more than 1,000 wastewater sampling sites across the country, there have been significant norovirus outbreaks in Indiana, Louisiana and Michigan with Alabama, California, Florida and Texas flagged for pockets of heavier concentration. The virus, sometimes called the stomach flu or a stomach bug, causes acute gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the stomach or intestines. It typically peaks from December to April, so this surge, which started in October, is considered ahead of schedule. Of particular concern is GII.17, a variant of norovirus, which saw a large uptick last year and is responsible for about 75% of outbreaks. You can get norovirus illness many times in your life because there are many different types of noroviruses. Infection with one type of norovirus may not protect you against other types, the CDC said in a press release. It is possible to develop protection against specific types. But it is not known exactly how long protection lasts. This may explain why so many people of all ages get infected during norovirus outbreaks. The CDC noted that norovirus spreads through direct contact with someone who has it, including sharing food or utensils with them or eating food thats handled by them. Food and drinks can be contaminated with norovirus, and you can also get it by touching contaminated objects or surfaces. You can spread norovirus for two weeks or more after you feel better. Symptoms of norovirus Symptoms of norovirus typically develop 12-48 hours after exposure. The most common symptoms are: Diarrhea Vomiting Nausea Stomach pain Fever Headache Body aches Symptoms of dehydration include: Decreased urination Dry mouth and throat Feeling dizzy when standing up Crying with few or no tears Unusual sleepiness or fussiness How to prevent norovirus To protect yourself against norovirus, the CDC recommends: Tom Cruise could have gone to President Donald Trump for an important favor and gotten an ambitious movie project off the ground. But the Hollywood titan is said to have had a very good reason for holding back. Page Six in the New York Post reported that Cruise in 2020 was looking to film an ambitious movie based in outer space that would reunite him with Doug Liman, who directed Cruise in the time-travel thriller Edge of Tomorrow. It was said that Cruise and Liman would possibly need help from Space X, run by billionaire Trump fan Elon Musk, and NASA in order to get the project off the ground. Thats where the countdown to liftoff with Trump apparently stopped. An insider told Page Six: From what I understand, they would need NASA coordination to do the movie, and supposedly Tom Cruise did not want to ask Donald Trump for a favor. Youd need permission from the federal government. The source said: Tom didnt want to ask for political reasons. Cruise didnt make an approach at that time even though a Trump-appointed NASA head had previously expressed support for the Top Gun stars space project, indicating that Cruise would even be permitted to shoot aboard the International Space Station, NPR reported then. Cruise has made a point of being apolitical in his career and didnt want to risk alienating fans by approaching Trump at the time. The actor famously refused Trumps offer of a Kennedy Center Honor earlier this year, citing scheduling conflicts. Trump last month poked fun at Cruises height at the McDonalds Impact Summit. Speaking of the of the bomber pilots who attacked Irans enrichment facilities, the president said: They looked like Tom Cruise. They really do. I dont want to be a wise guy and say But taller. Im not gonna say that. No. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A This story is part of the December 14 edition of Sunday Life. See all stories . Im sitting in a quiet section of a Sydney photo studio with Aussie actor and new mum Teresa Palmer. At 39 years old, and with more than 40 acting credits under her belt, Palmer positively radiates energy. Shes tired, but shes luminous. Shes simultaneously breastfeeding her new baby, Lotus Bloom, born at home in September, and answering one of my questions about her new film, Addition, when Lotus loudly and spectacularly fills her nappy. Ive never seen so much relief on such a tiny face. Wow, that smells, says Palmer. Sorry, Ill give her to my husband. Mark! she yells across the studio. Somebodys left you a big package! Her husband, American actor, writer and director Mark Webber, glides over, takes the baby and cleans her up with the ease of a parent with six kids. Apart from little Lotus Bloom, theres Bodhi Rain (11), Forest Sage (9), Poet Lake (6) and Prairie Moon (4). Webber also has a 16-year-old son, Isaac Love, from a previous marriage. Given that apart from the children, Palmer also has a blog (Your Zen Mama), a wellness company (Lovewell), a podcast (Mother Daze) and a full calendar of acting roles, I wonder how she fills her cup. The simplest answer, she says, is that she doesnt. But equally, its her children and acting career that really light her up. And when I can blend them, she says, its even better. My kids came to visit me while I was shooting last week and thats my favourite. I get to show my children off to all my friends at work. Palmer kicked off her acting career with an appearance in the 2005 Aussie horror Wolf Creek. But while shes done her fair share of thriller/splatter/slasher movies, shes no scream queen. She was Daniel Radcliffes love interest in the 2007 drama December Boys, and acted alongside Adam Sandler and Guy Pearce in the Disney comedy Bedtime Stories. In 2013, she co-starred with Nicholas Hoult in the cult zombie romance Warm Bodies, and in 2019 she played Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, in Ride Like a Girl. This year, she led the cast of the ABCs adaptation of Sally Hepworths novel The Family Next Door. Palmer says shes attracted to gritty, complex characters that require some deep digging. Theyre the ones that excite me the most, she says. To peel back the different ways that trauma manifests itself in the body Im really fascinated by characters going through that. I recently got sent a comedy and I was like, Was this meant for me? Have they seen my work? Advertisement The downside? Exhaustion is the main thing, she says. Years ago, I figured out a way to leave the work at work, so I usually listen to a podcast on the way home to reset before I walk in the door. And, you know, nothing quite brings you back to centre like kids. So thats been incredibly helpful. Lucy Folk Eos dress and Mantra pants. Prada shoes. Lucy Folk jewellery. Jedd Cooney Lee Mathews Billie dress. Prada shoes. Jedd Cooney Working really long hours and then coming home, seeing each one of them and finding out about their day by the time I get into bed, its been hours and hours non-stop. But nothing a good nights sleep cant fix. In Addition, a romantic dramedy in cinemas early next year, Palmer plays Grace Lisa Vandenburg, a 34-year-old mathematician with extreme anxiety and a form of obsessive compulsive disorder which presents as compulsive counting. When we meet Grace, she is recently out of hospital, has lost her job at the university she was working at, and is teaching maths at a local high school. After a couple of encounters with Seamus, a British expat house painter played by Joe Dempsie (Skins, Game of Thrones), she begins a romance that starts off the way many new relationships do, with electrifying physical intensity. And then, as also happens in many new relationships, complications arise. For a start, theres Graces imaginary friend, genius inventor Nikola Tesla, played by Eamon Farren (Twin Peaks, The Dig). He is her lover, companion and tormentor. He is, at the heart of it, a manifestation of her OCD who might, for instance, encourage her to triple-count every one of the 2220 bristles on her toothbrush, causing her to miss a dinner date. Grace can be her weirdest, wildest, craziest, most vulnerable self with him [Tesla] and he accepts her and loves her, says Palmer, jiggling Lotus on her leg. Advertisement Miu Miu top, skirt, socks and loafers. Jedd Cooney When the trailer came out, a lot of people reflected to me that they felt really seen, she adds. People who have OCD tendencies walk through the world in their own unique way. Sometimes that means a romantic relationship is going to be quite nuanced and complex. Diversifying romantic relationships and partnerships and showing that on screen is very important. As Grace, Palmers energy, emotion and physicality are so close to the surface, its almost as if she vibrates, from the first flush of love to greasy flatness as the monotony of coupledom takes over. Grace and I actually have similar levels of energy, says Palmer. Theres a playfulness, chaotic energy and a wildness to her which I can relate to because all of those parts also exist within me, although my life looks so different to hers. I ask Palmer if her kids have an understanding of what she does for a living. They get such a kick out of it, she says. They ask to watch my movies over and over again. My daughter Poet has seen Ride Like a Girl 20 times. Its just been such a fun thing, and now theyve all decided thats what they want to do with their lives. Freedom of choice is important to the actor. Palmers mother, Paula Sanders, a former missionary and nurse, dreamt of working in Calcutta but never did it. Instead, she focused on motherhood. I love her for that, says Palmer, but I also feel grief that she never got to do that thing. I love showing my children that there are ways in which you can do both. Prada tank, skirt and shoes. Jedd Cooney For many years, Webber and Palmer were a bit of a travelling show, living wherever in the world the next project was. But a few years ago, the pair decided to settle permanently in Australia, where theyd be able to give their children the sort of schooling and social life Palmer grew up with. Advertisement So, the family made the move to Byron Bay, initially something of a cultural adjustment for her husband, who was more at home in New York City. Its a long way from the big smoke for him, she says. But the great thing about Byron is that theres a massive artist community, so hes found his people now. Related Article Sunday Life From The Devil Wears Prada, Emily Blunt found fame and a famous brother-in-law For Palmer, it was more of a professional adjustment, shifting her focus away from the US and towards local roles and production companies, a transition she says hasnt been particularly dramatic. I love Australian storytelling, she says. I love the way we make movies and television shows. Its been really good for the kids theyre just settling in so well. I think theres a sense of familiarity there, and life balance. The kids are going surfing straight after school and walking around barefoot. And I think its really grounding for them to get back to nature. The big challenge for Palmer in 2026 will be juggling back-to-back jobs. Apart from Poor Boy, a supernatural thriller also starring Guy Pearce and Ann Dowd to be shot in Melbourne, shes also going to be working on a film created by Webber and shot in Australia with a bunch of our friends. The strength and understanding of her family and the relationship dynamic helps her with the juggling act. We just have to figure out the logistics of whether Mark stays with the boys and I take the younger three with me. Ill just do a lot of the travelling back and forth and well juggle it. This year, the family will be spending Christmas in the US with Webbers son, his ex-wife and her new partner, who are currently living in Webber and Palmers LA property. We always do a big Christmas tree in the lounge room, says Palmer. We have a beautiful extended family. Itll be so nice. Advertisement Advertisement NationalGood Weekend Detained in China, Cheng Lei missed being a human. One defiant act helped her survive Benjamin Law December 8, 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 This story is part of the December 13 edition of Good Weekend. See all stories . Each week, Benjamin Law asks public figures to discuss the subjects were told to keep private by getting them to roll a die. The numbers they land on are the topics theyre given. This week, he talks to Cheng Lei. The Australian journalist and author, 50, was detained in Beijing by Chinas Ministry of State Security in August 2020 before being reunited with her family in October 2023. Her book is Cheng Lei: A Memoir of Freedom. Cheng Lei: Yes, my son is spending too much time on devices but I can see him and watch him grow. Life is precious. Elke Meitzel SEX You were born in China in the last days of the Cultural Revolution and migrated to Australia at 10. What were you told about sex growing up? Well, I remember my first real awakening about sex coming in the first months after we got to Australia. I was reading one of those family-health magazine Q&A sections. When I mentioned the word lesbian or homosexual, my mum slapped me. Around the same time, Mum, Dad and I were in another newsagency in the city and I went straight to the porno section. My dad went berserk! [laughs] So, for me, theres always been this fascination with what cant be talked about. In your memoir, you write about defiantly masturbating while in detention [Cheng, who was working for a state-owned media company, was accused of supplying state secrets overseas]. Why was it important for you to stay connected to your sexuality? I liken prison to death because it takes away everything thats human about you: colour, companionship, connection, touch, nature, music. You survive by holding on to whats inside you thats still human whether its being kind, noticing the tiniest things of beauty or singing to yourself. People ask me what I missed most and I say, I missed being a human. I missed being myself. I think our sexuality is probably the most honest part of ourselves. Connecting with that made me feel I was still free on some level. Advertisement To express ourselves sexually and honestly is a fundamental freedom, right? Look at those Chinese bureaucrats on television. Its almost as if theyre not allowed to be sexual beings. But theyre human. Its really sad. Sometimes, to get through press conferences with those same bureaucrats, I used to imagine their [orgasm] faces [laughs]. RELIGION Lei meets Foreign Minister Penny Wong at Melbourne Airport in October, 2023, after she was released from detention in China. DFAT Youve endured arrest, unfair detainment and isolation from the world and the people you love. Did you lose your faith in anything? No. I think the biggest freedom is still having faith and hope in human goodness. And theres something very, very moving about people praying for you strangers out of kindness. I went to meet one Catholic sister who wrote to me from Perth, and she showed me the chapel and the prayer board [a physical board that helps organise communal prayer sessions] where they prayed for me. When I went to my daughters school, they talked about how they had prayed for my family. I was very touched. I know that religion can be very divisive and incite people to evil and violence, but it can also be uniting. And Ive found the Zen Buddhist mantra that life is full of suffering very helpful. I got to this point where I realised that peace of mind and serenity were the ultimate goal, rather than so-called joy. How often did you lose faith that youd make it out? I had signed a leniency agreement, so I had a five-year sentence that I was counting down. Of course, in the Chinese system, everything can change, but I just willed myself to live each day. My cellmate, Canto, used to say, If you live the day in a grumpy mood, its a day gone. If you live it in a happy mood, its also a day gone. Were stuck here, so we may as well have a laugh. Advertisement Youve been through a very specific version of hell. Whats your version of heaven? I got up this morning and I had a fridge full of food. Contrast that to thinking, Ive got probably 50 grams of milk powder left; how am I going to make it last? And yes, my son is spending too much time on devices during the school holidays, but I can see him and watch him grow. Life is precious. What was the last thing you changed your mind on? Nationalism. I cringe or wince at the word. How stupid we are to be spending time fighting each other. Its such a base instinct that we should always repel and resist. DEATH Youve said that being detained for 1154 days by the Chinese Communist Party is as close to dying and wanting to die as youve ever come. Can you expand? I think the point of RSDL [Residential Surveillance at a Dedicated Location] is to make you want to die. Then youll do whatever they ask. Recently, I was on Chinas version of Quora and there was a question: What is the most disgusting job youve ever done? One person used to be an RSDL guard, who was only there for a couple of weeks. He says three years later, he still has flashbacks about how awful it was. Wow. And that was the guard! Yeah. Another guard said, On my first day, I saw someone try to kill himself by banging his head against the wall. Another person said he guarded somebody who bit off his own finger. Advertisement Advertisement NationalVictoriaCrime Like chasing a ghost: Family had fled house where toddlers body found, owing thousands in rent Melissa Cunningham and Carla Jaeger December 13, 2025 7:00pm 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 The family living in a house in Melbournes outer north-west where a toddlers body was found in a shallow grave left the property extensively damaged and disappeared owing thousands of dollars in unpaid rent. The landlord of the house, who did not want to be identified for privacy reasons, said the couple who rented the house for several months between 2013 and 2014 with their young children had told a real estate agent before they moved in that they were both doctors from Eastern Europe. Current tenant of the Saltbush Crescent home Massimiliano Balbiani was shocked at the police discovery of a toddlers remains in his backyard. The Age The owners of the house, who purchased it as an investment, said they found it strange at the time that no reference checks were done on the couple before they moved in. On Wednesday, police confirmed investigators had found what appeared to be remains of an 18-month-old boy during a search of the backyard of the brown-brick house in Brookfield. Advertisement The boy is believed to have gone missing in 2014, but his disappearance was not reported to police at the time. Related Article Crime Massimiliano was at work when police told him a toddlers body was buried in his backyard The owner of the home, who bought the block of land in 2011, said the inside of the house was left trashed, with damage to the walls and a door. The family is believed to have fled to Eastern Europe. They did the bolt on us, he said. I think they owed us about eight weeks rent. It was like chasing a ghost. Forklift driver and current tenant Massimiliano Balbiani told The Age he was at work early on Monday morning when he suddenly got a call from a police officer who told him they suspected there was a human body buried in his backyard. Advertisement For hours, investigators scoured the backyard using specialised ground-penetrating machines before focusing their attention on digging up a section of the lawn next to a concrete slab at the back door. About 1.30pm, underneath a small patch of dry grass, next to an old trampoline and only metres from the house, police discovered a shallow grave, concealing the remains of an 18-month-old-boy, buried there for 11 years. I was horrified, Balbiani said on Thursday, as he stood next the freshly disturbed earth where the childs remains were found. I have lived in this place for eight years. My children have played outside in this yard many times. I dont know what to think. It is very, very sad. Something bad has happened here. It is an awful and shocking thing. Advertisement He said the body was buried in dirt less than 50 centimetres deep. The owner of the house said the real estate agency had tried to recoup some of his lost money and damages through the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in 2015, but to no avail. The patch of land where the toddlers body was found. The Age He said he went to the four-bedroom house in Saltbush Crescent only once in 2014 to change batteries in a smoke alarm, and met the couple and their three children briefly. He described the father as being well-dressed in slacks and a shirt, but he said he got the sense something was untoward. Advertisement He looked like he could work in a doctors surgery or somewhere professional like that, the owner said. But they seemed a bit strange. Something just didnt add up. I felt like he was dodgy. It is all a bit of a blur now. I just hope Australia have got a bit of power with extradition laws they can find the people involved and then get them back into Australia. He said he and his wife had been left deeply distressed by news of the toddlers body on his property. Advertisement The whole things just been a whirlwind, he said. My wife was shaking when she told me. We just cant believe it. In a statement, police said the missing persons squad had assumed primacy of the investigation, and it remained ongoing. Editor's pick Magazine Good Weekend The December 13 edition December 13, 2025 None of the neighbours to whom The Age spoke have lived in the street long enough to know the identity of the family who lived there when the toddlers body was buried, but expressed horror at the grim discovery. The Age tried to contact Barry Plant, the real estate agent overseeing the property at the time the child disappeared in 2014, but the agency declined to comment due to the ongoing police investigation. Advertisement Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert. Dec 12 (Reuters) - Nvidia has told Chinese clients it is evaluating adding production capacity for its powerful H200 AI chips after orders exceeded its current output level, according to two sources briefed on the matter. The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the U.S. government would allow Nvidia to export H200 processors, its second-fastest AI chips, to China and collect a 25% fee on such sales. More from Yahoo Scout What challenges does Nvidia face in expanding H200 production? Why is Nvidia considering adding H200 chip production capacity? How might H200 exports impact China's domestic chip industry? What makes the H200 so attractive to Chinese companies? Demand for the chip from Chinese companies is so strong that Nvidia is leaning toward adding new capacity, one of the sources said. They declined to be named as the discussions are private. "We are managing our supply chain to ensure that licensed sales of the H200 to authorized customers in China will have no impact on our ability to supply customers in the United States," an Nvidia spokesperson said in a statement to Reuters after the story was published. Major Chinese companies including Alibaba and ByteDance have already reached out to Nvidia this week about purchasing the H200 and are keen to place large orders, Reuters reported on Wednesday. However, uncertainties remain, as the Chinese government has yet to greenlight any purchase of the H200. Chinese officials convened emergency meetings on Wednesday to discuss the matter and will decide whether to allow it to be shipped into China, said one of the two sources and a third source. Very limited quantities of H200 chips are currently in production, Reuters reported on Wednesday, as the U.S. AI chip leader is focused on producing its most advanced Blackwell and upcoming Rubin lines. CHINA PROMOTING OWN AI INDUSTRY Supply of H200 chips has been a major concern for Chinese clients and they have reached out to Nvidia seeking clarity on this, sources said. As part of the briefing provided by Nvidia, the company has also given them guidance on current supply levels, said one of the first two people, without providing a specific number. The H200 went into mass deployment last year and is the fastest AI chip in Nvidia's previous Hopper generation. The chip is manufactured by TSMC using the Taiwanese firm's 4nm manufacturing process technology. TSMC declined to comment on capacity allocations for specific customers, pointing instead to recent remarks by Chairman and CEO C.C. Wei on the company's capacity planning approach amid surging AI demand. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) did not immediately reply to requests for comment. Chinese companies' strong demand for the H200 stems from the fact that it is easily the most powerful chip they can currently access. Advertisement NationalVictoriaInfrastructure Magic meets industry: West Gate Tunnel to welcome (and charge) drivers on Sunday morning Nicole Precel December 13, 2025 3:36pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A On her first voyage through the West Gate Tunnel on Saturday morning, joining a procession of vintage cars, self-described steampunk fairy godmother and childrens book author Louise Karch called it magic, magic, magic. I want to be here because its where magic meets industry, she said. How could I not be here, its such an important moment in history. From midnight, the long-awaited West Gate Tunnel will open progressively, with all traffic flowing through by 7am on Sunday, but a month of free travel on weekends wont kick off until January. The new West Gate Tunnel is expected to remove 9000 trucks from local roads in the inner west. Justin McManus Advertisement Roads and Roads Safety Minister Melissa Horne, speaking at Transurbans high-tech Footscray control centre, said she expected there to be complexities and challenges as drivers navigated Victorias biggest new road configuration. Weve got incident response vehicles at record levels ready to stand by in case there should be breakdowns in the tunnel or on the new road network, to be able to free up the network and make it move simpler and more freely, she said. The $10.2 billion project provides an alternative river crossing to the West Gate Bridge for an expected 67,000 vehicles a day and is designed to remove 9000 trucks from local roads in the inner-western suburbs, improving commute times for Melbournes outer-west drivers by about 20 minutes if they are willing to pay the toll to use the tunnel. Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams. Justin McManus There will be noticeable changes in the way people use this road network now, not only in better traffic flow, but also of course in those new connection points. Advertisement Transurban crews will be closely monitoring those vehicles at their Footscray control centre, where a 72-square metre video wall is fed by almost 900 cameras, including more than 400 high-tech cameras that automatically detect incidents like breakdowns. Louise Karch (right) in a vintage car thats about to be driven through the tunnel. Justin McManus Travel will be free on weekends in January as a thank you to motorists and residents who endured years of construction chaos. Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said the lack of clarity on exactly when the tunnel would open had made January a safer bet to make that free toll weekend offering. Horne played down concerns about inner-west residents breathing in unsafe levels of truck pollution extracted through ventilation stacks on the West Gate Tunnel Project. Advertisement An engineering report commissioned by the Maribyrnong Truck Action group prompted calls for the Environment Protection Authority to investigate concerns that the design of the tunnels twin ventilation stacks would not prevent noxious fumes from reaching homes. But Horne said the EPA had signed off on those ventilation stacks, and they were working as intended, but it would continue to monitor them closely. She said the government had invested in improving air quality overall by planting half-a-million trees in the inner west, sealing local roads, and increasing uptake of electric vehicles. A truck ban for heavy vehicles will come into effect on six local roads in the inner west when the tunnel opens on Sunday, but authorities will initially focus on education before moving to $680 fines to be dished out by the heavy vehicle regulator. Advertisement The bans will include weekend and nighttime curfews on Williamstown Road to prevent trucks idling in suburban streets, resulting in a vast improvement on the air quality in the inner west. If we are seeing repeat offenders, per se, thats when then we can start the penalty regime, Horne said. Vintage and classic cars line up before going through the tunnel on Saturday. Justin McManus Transurban Group executive officer Dave Clements said that in the event of a breakdown, it was critical for drivers to stay in their vehicles. We have incident response teams that are on standby to go and attend to any incidents, and they will literally be there in a matter of minutes. So stay safe and stay inside your vehicle, he said. Advertisement On Saturday, the opposition was pushing a reminder of the projects huge cost blowouts. Opposition transport spokesman Evan Mulholland said Premier Jacinta Allan did not deserve a pat on the back for a project thats $6 billion over budget and three years late. Originally, it was promised in 2020, and it wasnt going to cost the taxpayer a cent, he said.[Now] $4.7 billion its cost the taxpayer. The West Gate Tunnel control room. Justin McManus Mulholland said the $4.7 billion paid by taxpayers for the tunnel project could have instead paid for Victoria Police for an entire year, plus over 2000 teachers. $4.7 billion could build over three major hospitals here in this state, he added. Advertisement Mulholland said that if elected to government, the Coalition would review the safety reports of the ventilation stacks, and the government had ignored concerns from locals. As with all projects, community consultation flies out the window, he said. Linkt which facilitates payment for road tolls will be down until 6pm Sunday, as part of a software upgrade directly connected to the opening of the tunnel. But Linkt will continue to collect data, and when its up and running, therell be the ability to pay tolls and raise inquiries again. West Gate Tunnel tolls are separate to CityLink tolls, meaning a car driver will pay $10.63 to travel through the tunnel and continue onto the Tullamarine Freeway to Melbourne Airport. Motorists will need to pay $4.09 for a car and $6.54 for a van or car to use the tunnel, and more than double if they decide to exit into the CBDs west in the morning peak. All tolls are set to increase on January 1. Advertisement With Rachael Dexter Get the days breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A If you ask anyone across the world to name a ship, including children, almost all of them would say the Titanic. That is a statement Swedish historian Claes-Goran Wetterholm makes with pride. From the Hollywood blockbuster starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, to movies diving into what occurred in the aftermath including the weird yet somewhat entertaining spinoffs (were looking at you Thumbtanic), the story of the infamous ship has retained its relevance across generations. Wetterholm says its the human element of the 1912 disaster the stories of those on board and their families that keeps peoples attention. He has dedicated his entire life to studying the Titanic, spending time in archives, reaching out to shipyards, and writing to authors and newspapers starting from when he was a teenager back in the 1960s. Its really the drive behind everything, to meet people, to talk to people stories keep coming up all the time, he said. You come to know people, and then you have a connection with other Titanic buffs it connects people all around the world. Advertisement His lifelong passion has been the force behind multiple exhibitions over the years, with Perth next on the list. Titanic: The Human Story will open to the public on December 17 at the Northbridge Centre, after exhibits in both Sydney and Brisbane. We wanted to tell not only the actual story, but also the story before the Titanic sailed about the time, the lives of people and, of course, migration. Then also what happened afterwards, the inquiry and the results of the inquiry, Wetterholm said. We have this sea of different types of stories. The ring belonged to Esther Hart, a second class passenger, who survived with her daughter Eva, who was 7. Holly Thompson Transporting the exhibition across the country was no mean feat and Wetterholm said he had been worried nothing is unsinkable, so to speak. But the team, comprising technicians, historians and conservators from around the world and their precious items made it in one piece. Advertisement Those items are varied, from a dress Winslet wore in the film adaptation to a nightgown worn by a real passenger, rings and a letter written by First Officer William Murdoch (Wetterholms favourite piece). He died while trying to release Boat A (one of the four lifeboats) not at all as is shown in Camerons movie. Thats a lie, he said. He was the one who saved most people, and thanks to him so many men survived as well. Its an ongoing myth that the majority of the people saved were women and children. More than 200 pieces from Wetterholms personal collection are also included in the exhibition, alongside an iceberg a sculpture covered in ice that people can interact with to feel just how cold it would have been. A replica of one of the hallways on board and how the rooms in each class would have looked also feature. Wetterholm said he was hopeful those who attended the exhibition in Perth would gain a greater understanding of the story leading to and in the aftermath of the disaster and the people involved. It is a story that speaks to mankind. It is a story that unites, and it is a story that moves our hearts, he said. Advertisement Advertisement PoliticsFederalPolitical expenses Coalition accuses PM of lying over travel expenses Brittany Busch December 13, 2025 6:39pm 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 Coalition has accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of lying about his capacity to tighten politicians travel perks as he attempted to stem scrutiny of MP entitlements. Opposition finance spokesman James Paterson on Saturday claimed Albanese was choosing not to change the rules after it was revealed Special Minister of State Don Farrell had already done so this year, making it easier for politicians to claim taxpayer-funded travel and accommodation. Opposition finance spokesman James Paterson has accused the Labor leader of lying and choosing not to change the rules. Dominic Lorrimer The prime minister lied when he said that it was difficult, or at arms length, to change these rules, Paterson said. He is not some powerless bystander hes the prime minister of Australia, and these things can be changed by regulation. They dont even require legislation or the parliament to sit. Advertisement The prime ministers office declined to comment. Albanese has ducked responsibly for the saga, which began with revelations Sport and Communications Minister Anika Wells flew her husband to successive premiere sporting events and her children to Thredbo for a ski trip. After more than a week of scrutiny, at a testy press conference on Friday, Albanese claimed he was not in charge of the rules. He said he had asked the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA) for advice. But the outcry over politicians travel perks has only swelled since the Wells revelations, engulfing a number of other MPs, including Farrell who has spent more than any other Labor politician on family travel $116,000 since the 2022 election despite not having young children. Farrell, who oversees the travel entitlement legislation, expanded what could be considered official duties which permit MPs to claim travel expenses to include policy promotion six weeks before Mays federal election was called, The Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday. Advertisement Paterson said the politically convenient amendment blew apart any excuses the prime minister might have had about how it was difficult to make changes to this framework. Related Article Inside Story Political expenses Money Wells spent: Anatomy of an expenses scandal If hes not fixing it, if hes waiting for advice, its because he doesnt want to fix it. And therefore, I think he has to take responsibility for every cent of expenditure from his ministers, he said. Coalition criticism of the government on the issue has largely been left to Paterson. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who offered to hash out bipartisan travel perks reform with Albanese on Friday, was forced to resign as a minister in 2017 after buying a Gold Coast property on a taxpayer-funded trip. Independent senator David Pocock said too many politicians have taken advantage of a system set up to make parliament more family-friendly. Advertisement We need a change in the rules to bring more integrity into how parliamentary expenses are claimed, not loosen them further as the government did ahead of the last election, he said. From the spike in staff travel costs during the election, to using ministry meetings as a cover for billing the taxpayer to travel to fundraisers, its evident the rules as they stand are being abused and need tightening. Energy Minister Chris Bowen, who hasnt made a single family travel claim since IPEAs digital records begin in 2021, told reporters in Sydney on Saturday that the claims were a personal choice. Asked about Farrells amendments, Bowen said they were a clarification of the rules to make them simpler. There was no change to what is allowed or not allowed, he said. Those changes, in a normal way, were made so that people are surer when theyre booking their travel as to whether it was covered. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here. Ben Schrever and Raphaelle Maffei moved into their new, architect-designed, high-quality family home just months after starting to build. The couple in Melbournes inner north, who have two daughters aged five and eight, chose a prefabricated build after seeing another home nearby arrive on site in one piece. Ben Schrever outside his prefab home. The quality has been awesome. Credit: Justin McManus There was nothing there one day, Schrever said, just a foundation, and then my wife saw it craned in and, suddenly, there was a house there. The speed of it looked impressive. More homes could be built this way if governments and banks threw their support behind prefabricated home building, new modelling shows. A renovation-ready apartment in the hip inner west has changed hands for $1,061,000. The two-bedroom, top-floor pad at 6/33-37 Tupper Street in Enmore sailed $111,000 over its $950,000 reserve, in an auction that attracted 14 registered bidders. Guidance was $900,000 to $990,000. The tired property has blemished, salmon-coloured walls and florid kitchen tiles, and drew mostly owner-occupiers, including the buyer, from inner west Tempe, and the underbidder. The 93-square-metre apartment is in a block of 15, not far from trendy King Street in Newtown. Youre between the amenity and vibrancy of Newtown but without the noise because youre just on the outskirts of it, agent Michael White of Adrian William Real Estate said. At their home in Perth last week, Bruce King called out to his wife Lydia to ask how shed feel about a trip to Sydney. Not for a holiday, but to join a rally for Wests Tigers fans at Ashfields Pratten Park on Saturday. I was sitting at home reading about this whole kerfuffle with the board, being sacked and everything, the 74-year-old said. I said, Lydia, how do you feel about going to Sydney? And she goes, What for? I said, We gotta go to this bloody rally. Theyre having a rally in Pratten Park and we gotta be there. Scream for the team. Wests Tigers fans gather in Ashfield on Saturday to call for better governance. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone The Kings were just two among hundreds of fans who gathered on the lawn of the Pratten Park Bowling Club on Saturday to call for better governance at their beleaguered NRL club. Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson resigned last week following the sacking of four independent board members, including chair Barry OFarrell, by the clubs majority owner, the Holman Barnes Group. After an intervention by Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Vlandys, the ousted board members were reinstated on Thursday. The gun combination of trainer Bjorn Baker and jockey Rachel King will be in action at Hawkesbury on Sunday with the pair out to snare a winning double. Baker and King will link when last-start winner Pentagon lines up in the Merry Christmas Class 1 Handicap (1400m) against stablemate My Shareena, which will be ridden by Regan Bayliss. Jockey Rachel King. Credit: Getty Images Pentagon is a really nice, progressive horse, that had four starts in New Zealand before arriving in our stable, said Baker. He trialled well a couple of times for us before we took him to Hawkesbury last month and he did the job well to win his maiden in impressive fashion. Advertisement Analysis WorldEuropeTrump diplomacy Crossed the line: The week Trump turned his back on Europe James Rothwell December 14, 2025 5:30am 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 London: It was the rustle of paperwork heard around the world: a 33-page US security plan that upended virtually everything Europe takes for granted about its closest military ally. In a new national security strategy report (NSS), the Trump administration painted an excoriating picture of a Europe in terminal decline and ruled by weak, corrupt elites. After the release of the US National Security Strategy, Vladimir Putins press secretary said the Trump administrations foreign policy was now in many ways aligned with Moscows. Marija Ercegovac Civilisational erasure loomed for the continent, the NSS claimed, blaming centrist governments for their fixation on open borders, political correctness and censorship. It went on to herald patriotic parties, such as Germanys AfD (Alternative for Germany), as the antidote to a region where within a few decades at the latest, certain NATO members will become majority non-European. Advertisement One section even blamed European leaders for the lack of a peace deal in Ukraine, citing their subversion of democratic processes. At the same time, the report pointedly avoided describing Russia as a threat and is reminiscent in parts of the pre-Woodrow Wilson America, which viewed war in Europe as someone elses business. US President Donald Trumps administration warned of civilisational erasure for the continent. AP The scathing report has once again shown how the Trump administration can, with the flick of a pen or a lash of the tongue, fundamentally shake up the world order. It has left European diplomats, politicians and industry figures in a state of shock or grim resignation about the transatlantic relationship, though some welcomed the call for Europe to become independent on defence. Advertisement After 80 years of close transatlantic security co-operation, the US no longer stands with Europes democracies on questions of war and peace, but instead sides with a belligerent Russia, Norbert Rottgen, a senior MP in German chancellor Friedrich Merzs Christian Democrats party, told The Telegraph. It even seeks to dismantle the EU, a project Washington once championed after the Second World War. This is nothing less than a second Zeitenwende [turning of the times], he added, referring to Germany pivoting to a far tougher stance on Russia after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. A longer version of the strategy leaked online also revealed how the US wants Italy, Hungary, Poland and Austria to pull out of the European Union. The Kremlin is certainly celebrating the NSS report: Vladimir Putins press secretary has said that the Trump administrations foreign policy is now in many ways aligned with Moscows. Advertisement It is the clearest sign yet of a sea change in US attitudes towards Russia under Trump, whose views on Ukraine are at times hard to distinguish from those of Putin. This is JD Vance on steroids, former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt said, referring to the US vice-presidents castigating speech on European politics at the Munich security conference in February. US Vice President JD Vance chastises Europes leaders at the Munich Security Conference in February. AP One senior source in the German defence industry, which under Merz is rearming Europe against Russia, spoke of fears that Trump is about to switch teams or leave the playground. The best moment for a Russian dictator to pull the trigger on Europe is during the Trump administration, the source said. Advertisement What does Putin want? To make NATO fall apart its doable on a short timeline [if] the US decides not to support Europe. The senior source spoke of concerns that European leaders are stuck in an increasingly futile game, where they must heap praise on Trumps security plans, even as he seems to pull ever further away from European security interests. President Donald Trump (centre) with European leaders at the White House in August. Bloomberg Thats the wildest part of it all. Caught between opportunism and diplomatic limits of behaviour, we seem to find no solution and instead keep clinging to hope, they said. Former French ambassador to Syria Michel Duclos, a senior adviser at the prestigious Institute Montaigne, said the NSS offered a somewhat disturbing glimpse inside the minds of the administrations leaders. Advertisement This document shows a neurotic relationship with Europe. They mention Europe 50 times and China only 20. It reveals an obsession, he told The Telegraph. There are things which, once written and published, mean nothing will ever be the same again. The Americans have crossed that line. The contempt, even the hostility, its irreversible, he said. (From left) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with Keir Starmer, Friedrich Merz and Emmanuel Macron in London this week. Getty Images Duclos accused the Trump administration of projecting its own fears about the future of America on to Europe, such as the warning that some NATO member states will soon become a non-European majority. In 20 years, the United States will no longer have a white majority. They are projecting their anxieties on to us, he said. Trumps strategists are fighting in Europe a cultural battle they have already lost at home. Advertisement In Brussels, EU diplomats and NATO sources offered a more stoic response to the NSS, which they pointed out was similar in tone and content to previous remarks about Europe by Trump and his allies. Its been met with a proper Gallic shrug. Its not like we didnt know, one EU diplomat said. America has been drifting away from Europe for a while. Its been a good ride together, but going forward in the not-so-distant future, we need to be able to do it also alone. This is being taken seriously but not dramatically, a NATO source said. For our part, there is nothing new, and there are elements to which the Americans are not wrong, such as us needing to take responsibility for our own security. Advertisement Former European Commission vice-president Margaritis Schinas was bullish about the endurance of the EU, which he expects to outlive Trumps school of MAGA. American administrations change, and with them national security strategies, doctrines and political rhetoric. Europe, by contrast, is a long-term political project built on institutions, treaties and shared interests and that gives us resilience, he told The Telegraph. Executive director of MCC Brussels think tank Frank Furedi said: America writes the script and Europe immediately auditions for a supporting role. If thats the EUs idea of leadership, no wonder European voters are losing faith in a failed political elite. There was one country which was a tad pleased with some of the NSS contents: Britain, which was singled out as a nation to which the US is sentimentally attached. Advertisement Sources told The Telegraph that this was justification for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmers attempts to position Britain as a go-between for Washington and continental Europe. Related Article Opinion Foreign relations America first? Maybe not, if you ask Trump-voting Americans Michael Koziol North America correspondent But overall, European leaders reactions to this plan, both public and behind the scenes, have been muted at best, or outright negative. Some of the things in there are reasonable; some of it is understandable; some of it is unacceptable for us from a European perspective, was Merzs response. That the Americans now want to save democracy in Europe, I dont see any need for that. If it needed saving, wed get it done ourselves. Advertisement Merzs sentiments were echoed by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, who said nobody else is supposed to interfere in European domestic politics. Germany is particularly exposed to the Trump administration viewing patriotic parties as their preferred leaders of government across Europe. AfD, the hard-Right anti-migrant party, is currently leading the polls and won an unprecedented second place in last Februarys federal elections. AfD leaders were in Washington this week to meet with Republican officials, in a sign of their ties growing ever closer. They are, unsurprisingly, delighted by the NSS report: The AfD is fighting alongside its international friends for a conservative renaissance, AfD foreign policy spokesman Markus Frohnmaier said. Advertisement The same goes for Italys defence minister from prime minister Giorgia Melonis populist Brothers of Italy party. Related Article Immigration Theyre weak: Trump slams Europe on migration, tightens screws on Ukraine Guido Crosetto told Avvenire, a newspaper run by the Catholic Church, that the West is old and tired, and weakened by profound selfishness in remarks that certainly chime with the NSS. The divide is clear: Europes ruling centrist parties fear that Washington has decided it should have a say in who governs their countries, while the populists see in Trump a leader who finally speaks their language. As for Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has heaped praise on the NSS, saying that it corresponds in many ways to our vision, while foreign ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said Russia hoped the document would have a sobering effect on the European parties of war. Advertisement Russian political scientist Maria Lipman told The Telegraph that, internally, Moscow will treat the strategy with some caution owing to Trumps unpredictability. Even so, she pointed out, the current leadership of the US and Russia seem more aligned than ever. Putin holds European countries and, of course, Ukraine in such low esteem, she said comments that one could easily attribute, in this new era, to the leader of the free world. The Telegraph, London Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Advertisement WorldMiddle EastIslamic State Trump pledges retaliation after three Americans are killed in Syria ambush December 14, 2025 8:37am 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 Damascus, Syria: President Donald Trump says there will be very serious retaliation after two US service members and an American civilian were killed in an attack in Syria that the United States blames on Islamic State. This was an ISIS attack against the US, and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them, he said in a social media post. The American president told reporters at the White House that Syrias president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, was devastated by what happened and stressed that Syria was fighting alongside US troops. Trump, in his post, said al-Sharaa was extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. US President Donald Trump: There will be very serious retaliation. AP Republican Senator Joni Ernst said the soldiers were members of the Iowa National Guard, where she, too, once served. Our Iowa National Guard family is hurting as we mourn the loss of two of our own and pray for the recovery of the three soldiers wounded, she said. Advertisement US Central Command said three service members were also wounded in the ambush on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) by a lone IS member in central Syria. Trump said the three seem to be doing pretty well. The US military said the gunman was killed in the attack. Syrian officials said the attack wounded members of Syrias security forces as well. Related Article Middle East tensions The dictator, the rebels and the father of three who stumbled barefoot into freedom The attack on US troops in Syria was the first with fatalities since the fall of former president Bashar Assad a year ago. There will be very serious retaliation, Trump said on his Truth Social platform. The Pentagons chief spokesman, Sean Parnell, said the civilian killed was a US interpreter. Parnell said the attack targeted soldiers involved in ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the region and was under active investigation. Advertisement The shooting took place near historic Palmyra, according to the state-run SANA news agency. The casualties were taken by helicopter to the al-Tanf garrison near the border with Iraq and Jordan. Syrias Interior Ministry spokesman, Nour al-Din al-Baba, said a gunman linked to IS opened fire at the gate of a military post. He added that Syrian authorities were looking into whether the gunman was an IS member or only carried its extreme ideology. He denied reports that suggested that the attacker was a security member. View post on X Later, al-Baba said the attacker was a member of the Internal Security force in the desert, adding that he did not have any command post within the forces nor was he a bodyguard for the force commander. Al-Baba added in an interview with state TV that some 5000 members had joined Internal Security forces in the desert and were evaluated on a weekly basis. He added that three days ago, an evaluation was made for the attacker that concluded he might have extreme ideology and a decision was expected to be issued regarding his case on Sunday, but the attack occurred on a Saturday, which is a day off for state institutions. Advertisement US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X: Let it be known, if you target Americans anywhere in the world you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you. US officials made no reference in their statements to the gunman being a member of the Syrian security forces. When asked about the matter, a Pentagon official did not directly respond to the question but said, this attack took place in an area where the Syrian president does not have control. The Pentagon said the attack targeted soldiers involved in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the region. AP The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military issues. The US has hundreds of troops deployed in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting IS. Advertisement The US had no diplomatic relations with Syria under Assad, but ties have warmed since the fall of the five-decade Assad family rule. Al-Sharaa, made a historic visit to Washington last month where he held talks with Trump. It was the first White House visit by a Syrian head of state since the Middle Eastern country gained independence from France in 1946 and came after the US lifted sanctions imposed on Syria during the Assads rule. Related Article Analysis Trump diplomacy Last week, he was a terrorist with a $15m bounty. He just met Trump in the Oval Office Al-Sharaa led the rebel forces that toppled Bashar Assad in December 2024 and was named the countrys interim leader in January. Al-Sharaa once had ties to al-Qaida and had a $US10 million ($15 million) US bounty on his head. Last month, Syria joined the international coalition fighting against the IS as Damascus improves its relations with Western countries following the ouster of Assad when insurgents captured his seat of power in Damascus. IS was defeated on the battlefield in Syria in 2019 but the groups sleeper cells still carry out deadly attacks in the country. The United Nations says the group still has between 5000 and 7000 fighters in Syria and Iraq. Advertisement AP Get a note direct from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) is intensifying its efforts to address the recent rise in criminal activity on the island, with temporary support from the Marine Detachment of Dutch Defence in the Caribbean. The cooperation began on Friday, December 12th, 2025, and will continue for the upcoming period. The Government of Sint-Maarten, via the Minister of Justice N. Tacking, had requested this short-term assistance to reinforce police capacity during ongoing operations. The Marines will support police officers during joint patrols and assist with traffic controls. Their role is to strengthen the police presence and operational ability during this period of heightened activity. These actions will be carried out under the directive of the chief of police of Sint-Maarten. Marines provide support on Sint Maarten due to rising crime At the request of the Sint Maarten authorities, Marines from the Sint Maarten Detachment have been supporting the police on the island since Friday, December 12th. This is to maintain public order and thus ensure safety. The reason for this is the rising crime rate. Over the next two weeks, the Marines will amongst other things, be conducting traffic checks and patrols alongside members of the Sint Maarten Police Force. Supporting civil authorities is one of the Defense Department's responsibilities in the Caribbean Region. KPSM Press Release. This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter. The Federal Reserve approved PNCs application to acquire Colorado-based FirstBank, the central bank said Thursday. The green light for the $4.1 billion deal which would triple PNCs presence in Colorado and expand it in Arizona, too came 94 days after the bank announced the transaction. More from Yahoo Scout How will the FirstBank acquisition impact PNC's growth strategy? What factors enabled PNC's rapid regulatory approval timeline? How does this approval affect other pending bank mergers? What criticism has PNC faced regarding the deal's valuation? The timeline from deal announcement to regulator sign-off has quickened significantly under the second Trump administration, as expected. Republican lawmakers, even before President Donald Trumps reelection, had called for regulators to abide by a shot clock of sorts to prevent deals from entering a purgatory of evaluation and indecision. During the Biden administration, at least one deal with a value close to that of the PNC-FirstBank tie-up Columbia Banking Systems $5.2 billion merger with Umpqua Bank, announced in October 2021 took more than 16 months to close. By this spring, several billion-dollar bank deals had found approval by the nine-month mark or less; some of those were proposed with Biden-era regulators in place and approved under Trump-era ones. Mississippi-based Renasants $1.2 billion acquisition of The First Bancshares, proposed in July 2024, took eight months to approve. UMBs $2 billion acquisition of Heartland Financial took nine. Atlantic Union Banks $1.6 billion acquisition of Sandy Spring wrapped in just over five months. The PNC approval fits well within the early-2026 timeline the bank projected for the deal to close. The development also comes just two days after PNC CEO Bill Demchak pushed back against the deals detractors, who may have questioned the $4.1 billion price tag given the accompanying 3.8% tangible book value dilution and 3.3 year earnback period. You have bank deals getting done saying, hey, I have no tangible book value dilution, but, oh, Im stopping share repurchases for the next 20 years, and I just bought this crappy-ass franchise that isnt going to make me any money, Demchak said Tuesday at the Goldman Sachs U.S. Financial Services Conference. You want to buy a good franchise where you get a good return on what you bought. Indeed, Demchak has repeatedly defended the deal for its quality and not just its geographic significance in PNCs push to go coast to coast. If you asked me a year ago if a small bank existed that looked like this one I probably would have said, no, theyre all kind of broken and put together from old [Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.] deals, he said in September. Yet, here this is. US flew bombers, fighters and drones along Venezuela coast Washington, United States, Dec 12 (AFP) Dec 12, 2025 Fighter jets, bombers and surveillance drones: the United States military has flown a variety of aircraft along Venezuela's coast in recent weeks, an AFP analysis shows, amid growing fears of conflict between the countries. Washington has amassed a huge flotilla of warships in the Caribbean as part of what it bills as counter-narcotics efforts, and has since September carried out strikes targeting alleged drug-smuggling vessels that have left nearly 90 people dead. Regional tensions have flared as a result of the strikes and the military buildup, with Venezuela's leftist leader Nicolas Maduro accusing Washington of using drug trafficking as a pretext for regime change in Caracas. According to data from tracking website Flightradar24 analyzed by AFP, two US Navy F/A-18 jets circled the Gulf of Venezuela for more than 40 minutes on Tuesday, approaching within a little over 20 miles (35 kilometers) of the coast. Another warplane was also in the air further north at the start of the mission. The same day, a long-range surveillance drone made repeated passes for several hours along a 500-mile stretch of the Caribbean Sea -- the first time a drone of that type transmitted a signal in the area in at least a month. Another high-altitude drone flight took place in the same area on Friday morning. Additionally, there have also been five flights of B-1 and B-52 bombers and two flights of F/A-18s within 25 miles of the Venezuelan coast between late October and late November. Other aircraft not included in the data have also been in the skies over the Caribbean -- for instance, photos released by the US military have showed bombers being accompanied by F-35 stealth jets that did not appear on Flightradar24. Washington has accused Maduro of leading the alleged "Cartel of the Suns," which it declared a "narco-terrorist" organization last month, and has offered a $50 million reward for information leading to his capture. President Donald Trump told Politico on Monday that Maduro's "days are numbered" and declined to rule out a US ground invasion of Venezuela. Colombia's ELN guerrillas place communities in lockdown citing Trump 'intervention' threats Bogota, Dec 12 (AFP) Dec 12, 2025 Colombia's ELN guerrilla group on Friday ordered civilians in areas under its control to stay home for three days as it carries out military exercises in response to "intervention" threats from US President Donald Trump. Trump said earlier this month any country that produces cocaine and sells it to the United States was "subject to attack." The ELN, the oldest surviving guerrilla group in the Americas, controls key drug-producing regions of Colombia and vowed Friday to fight for the country's "defense" in the face of Trump's "threats of imperialist intervention." It urged civilians in areas it controls to stay indoors for 72 hours starting at 6:00 am on Sunday, avoiding main roads and navigable rivers. "It is necessary for civilians not to mix with fighters to avoid accidents," the group said in a statement. Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez dismissed the ELN move as "nothing more than criminal coercion" and vowed the military "will be everywhere -- in every mountain, every jungle, every river" to counter its threat. With a force of about 5,800 combatants, the ELN -- the Spanish acronym for National Liberation Army -- is present in over a fifth of Colombia's 1,100-plus municipalities, according to the Insight Crime research center. The ELN has taken part in failed peace negotiations with Colombia's last five governments. While professing to be driven by leftist, nationalist ideology, the ELN is deeply involved in the drug trade and has become one of the region's most powerful organized crime groups. It vies for territory and control of lucrative coca plantations and trafficking routes with dissident fighters that refused to lay down arms when the FARC guerrilla army disarmed under a 2016 peace deal. One ELN stronghold is the Catatumbo region near the Venezuelan border -- one of the areas with the most coca crops in the world. Several studies have pointed to an ELN presence across the border, where it allegedly operates in alliance with Venezuela's armed forces, though President Nicolas Maduro denies this. The ELN launched an offensive in Catatumbo in January, sparking a conflict with FARC dissidents that led to more than 100 deaths. It was the bloodiest incident since President Gustavo Petro took office in August 2022. Colombia is the world's top cocaine producer, according to the UN. - Souring ties - Relations between Bogota and Washington, historically strong, have soured under Petro, Colombia's first-ever leftist president. Petro has openly clashed with Trump, calling him "rude and ignorant" and comparing him to Adolf Hitler. The Colombian leader denounced the Trump administration's treatment of migrants and what he has termed the "extrajudicial executions" of nearly 90 people in strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific the US claims, without providing evidence, were ferrying drugs. Petro has also criticized Washington's military deployment within striking distance of Venezuela, where Maduro fears he is the target of a regime-change plot under the guise of an anti-drug operation. Washington, in turn, has accused Petro of drug trafficking and imposed sanctions. Trump removed Bogota from a list of allies in the fight against narco trafficking, but the country has so far escaped harsher punishment -- possibly as Washington awaits the right's likely return in 2026 elections. Myanmar junta denies killing civilians in hospital strike Yangon, Myanmar, Dec 13 (AFP) Dec 13, 2025 Myanmar's military junta denied on Saturday killing civilians in a hospital air strike that left more than 30 people dead. A military jet bombed late Wednesday the general hospital of Mrauk-U in western Rakhine state, bordering Bangladesh, two aid workers said. "Those killed or injured were not civilians, but terrorists and their supporters," said an article in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM). The ruling junta has increased air strikes year-on-year since the start of the country's civil war, conflict monitors say, after seizing power in a 2021 coup ending a decade-long experiment with democracy. The United Nations on Thursday demanded an investigation, saying the attack could constitute a war crime. Health workers and patients were killed, and "hospital infrastructure was severely damaged, with operating rooms and the main inpatient ward completely destroyed," said World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on X. Rakhine state is controlled almost in its entirety by the Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic minority separatist force active long before the military toppled the civilian government of democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The separatist force said in a statement that 33 people were killed and 76 wounded in the strike. People's Defence Forces (PDF) have also risen up to oppose the military coup four years ago. The junta "carried out necessary security measures and launched a Counter-Terrorism Operation on 10 December against the buildings being used as a base by AA and PDF terrorists," GNLM said. Guterres marks end of UN mission in Iraq Baghdad, Dec 13 (AFP) Dec 13, 2025 UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Saturday marked in Baghdad the end of the United Nations' political mission in Iraq, which supported the country's transition following the US-led invasion. At Baghdad's request, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) will shut down its operations after 22 years of assisting the country in its transition following the 2003 invasion and occupation that toppled longtime ruler Saddam Hussein. "UNAMI was honoured and humbled to walk side-by-side with the Iraqi people," Guterres said at the mission's closing ceremony. But "while a mission may conclude, the United Nations will always walk alongside the people of Iraq on the path toward peace, sustainable development and human rights," he added. UN agencies and programmes will continue to operate in Iraq. During a press conference earlier with Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Guterres said "there is one thing the world must understand, Iraq is now a normal country. "Relations between the UN and Iraq will become normal relations with the end of UNAMI." Sudani meanwhile said that the end of the UNAMI mandate "marks the beginning of a new chapter of cooperation". "Our relationship with the United Nations through UNAMI was pivotal and effective in meeting Iraq's needs and supporting it until it reached the stage of full self-reliance," he added. UNAMI was established by a UN Security Council resolution at the request of the Iraqi government before being expanded four years later. Shortly after it was formed, a truck bomb struck the UN headquarters in Baghdad on August 19, 2003, killing the UN's first special representative in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, along with 21 others. UNAMI's tasks included advising the government on political dialogue and reconciliation, as well as helping with elections and security sector reform. But with Iraq regaining a sense of normalcy in recent years, authorities say there are no longer grounds for a UN political mission. She went to the police with this information in August 2020, and later stated at an investigation panel that due to the level of abuse, threats and blackmail, she was concerned for her safety. The former pupil admitted he had asked Ms Akhtar pay me money and I wont take you to court and that upon reflection he now appreciated it was not the right thing to do. With the Epstein files about to be released by (the US) congress since the passage of the Epstein Transparency Act, we are surprised that the Metropolitan Police didnt wait to see what further evidence might appear. By Lucy Raitano LONDON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - As AI fever has propelled global stocks to record highs, the data centres needed to power the technology are increasingly being financed with debt, adding to concerns about the risks. A UBS (UBS) report last month said AI data centre and project financing deals surged to $125 billion so far this year, from $15 billion in the same period in 2024, with more supply from the sector expected to be pivotal for credit markets in 2026. More from Yahoo Scout How much has AI data centre financing grown? What role does private credit play in AI funding? What are the financial stability risks of AI debt? How are tech companies funding their AI investments? "Public and private credit seems to have become a major source of funding for AI investments, and its rapid growth raised some concerns," said Anton Dombrovskiy, fixed income portfolio specialist at T. Rowe Price. "Although up until now an increase in supply has been met with relatively healthy demand, this is the area to watch especially taking into account large financing needs estimates," Dombrovskiy added. The Bank of England warned last week that the growing role of debt in the AI infrastructure boom could heighten potential financial stability risks if valuations correct. Christopher Kramer, portfolio manager and senior trader on the investment grade credit team at Neuberger told Reuters that the market has seen a structural shift as the largest technology companies finance their AI infrastructure ambitions. "They really haven't been focal points in our market from a debt issuance standpoint, and that's obviously shifting really dramatically ... anytime you have that, it creates a lot of opportunity," he said on November 28. "We're excited just from the standpoint that the market's changing. You're going to have a different dynamic, it creates an opportunity to take risks and create value for our investors," Kramer added. Here are five charts that show how debt is increasingly funding AI's race for space. 1) ORACLE: CDS SPIKE REFLECTS INVESTOR CONCERN Oracle shares fell almost 11% on Thursday, their biggest one-day drop since January, sparking a broader tech selloff as its massive spending and weak forecasts fanned doubts over how quickly big bets on AI will pay off. Tech executives, whose companies long depended on strong cash flows to fund spending on new initiatives, have said the outlays are necessary for a technology that will transform work and make businesses more efficient, arguing the bigger risk is underinvesting, not overspending. At their peak in September, Oracle (ORCL) shares had almost doubled in value year-to-date on the back of a $300 billion deal with OpenAI. But they have since fallen 42%. People participate in a May Day demonstration at the University of Texas to protest Trump administration policies including mass deportations of immigrants and the presence of ICE on campus. Industries with large immigrant workforces also are asking for relief as they combat labor shortages and immigration raids. Jay Janner/American-Statesman Workers build homes in November in a master-planned community in Cypress. The construction industry needs more foreign worker visas like those already being provided for agriculture to prevent more delays in building everything from homes to highways, business owners say. Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle Cooks prepare orders in the kitchen at Carriqui. There are about 145,000 fewer immigrants working in restaurants, on average, through August of this year compared with the same period in 2024, an analysis found. Paul Stephen/San Antonio Express-News file photo A Trump supporter drives past undocumented immigrants who were waiting for day labor jobs in November at a Home Depot in South Austin. Restaurants and construction and landscaping businesses have lost a combined 315,000 immigrant workers through August, more than any other industries, according to a Stateline analysis of Current Population Survey data provided by the University of Minnesota. Jay Janner/American-Statesman Workers build a house Nov. 10 in a master-planned community in Cypress. There are about 127,000 fewer immigrants working in construction, on average, through August of this year compared with the same period in 2024, an analysis found. Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle Immigrants look for day-labor jobs Nov. 5 in the parking lot of the Home Depot on Woodward Street in South Austin. About 92% of contractors with open positions are having trouble finding enough skilled labor, Jaime Andress testified at a congressional hearing last month on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of America trade group. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Immigrants look for day-labor jobs in in South Austin. Construction contractors say they need visas that are similar to the H-2A visas for agriculture that the Trump administration streamlined in October to make them easier and cheaper for farmers to hire temporary foreign workers. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Immigrants look for day-labor jobs Nov. 5 in South Austin. The construction industry needs more foreign worker visas like those already being provided for agriculture to prevent more delays in building everything from homes to highways, business owners say. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers warn a protester that he will be arrested if he does not move back during a July 10 demonstration against federal immigration raids at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, Calif. Federal immigration agents backed by CBP, Border Patrol units, National Guard troops, helicopters and military style vehicles raided Glass House Farms, detaining between a dozen and 100 farmworkers. Blake Fagan/AFP/TNS Construction workers frame a house in Houston earlier this year. Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle Workers prepare customer orders earlier this fall at the sandwich bar inside Central Market Cafe in Houston. Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle UT student Kira Small chants at a May Day demonstration at the University of Texas to protest Trump administration policies including mass deportations of immigrants and the presence of ICE on campus. Industries with large immigrant workforces also are asking for relief as they combat labor shortages and immigration raids. Jay Janner/American-Statesman Aaron Hardman, left to right, Joel Crain and Arthur participate in a May Day protest at the University of Texas. Jay Janner/American-Statesman Tricia Gronnevik, with the Bexar County Democratic Party, chants during a Nov. 17 grassroots action to show support for the community at the intersection of San Pedro Ave and Basse Road, near the location where a federal immigration raid took place the day before. Federal authorities say they detained more than 140 undocumented immigrants into ICE custody. Salgu Wissmath/Contributor Community members attending a grassroots action to show support for their community march Nov. 17 in the intersection of San Pedro Ave and Basse Road, near the location where a federal immigration raid took place the day before. Federal authorities say they detained more than 140 undocumented immigrants into ICE custody. Salgu Wissmath/Contributor Trying to bring down stubbornly high food prices, the Trump administration has made it easier for farmers to hire foreign guest workers and pay them less. Now other industries with large immigrant workforces are asking for relief as they combat labor shortages and immigration raids. Visas for temporary foreign workers are a quick fix that have bipartisan support in Congress. And Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins office said streamlining visas for both agricultural and other jobs is a priority for the Trump administration. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But experts warn that such visas can be harmful if they postpone immigration overhauls that would give immigrant workers a path to green cards and citizenship. Lack of permanent status is costly to migrants, employers, and the broader economy, Pia Orrenius, a labor economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, wrote in a report published in June. Workers are vulnerable to policy changes triggered by a change in administration, most recently the threat of mass deportations. In a Nov. 25 interview, Orrenius said the crackdown on illegal immigration could be a good thing if it leads to permanent solutions. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source If you can stop undocumented immigration, then great. This is a great time to work on comprehensive immigration reform, she said. Where is there a scarcity of workers and how do we address those legally instead of illegally? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Restaurants and construction and landscaping businesses have lost a combined 315,000 immigrant workers through August, more than any other industries, according to a Stateline analysis of Current Population Survey data provided by the University of Minnesota at ipums.org. The construction industry needs more foreign worker visas like those already being provided for agriculture to prevent more delays in building everything from homes to highways, business owners say. The industry needs help to provide lawful workers while working to prepare more Americans for permanent careers in construction, said Jaime Andress, testifying at a congressional hearing last month on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of America trade group. About 92% of contractors with open positions are having trouble finding enough skilled labor, whether its for construction of buildings, highways or utility infrastructure, she testified. There are about 145,000 fewer immigrants working in restaurants, on average, through August of this year compared with the same period in 2024, the Stateline analysis found. There are about 127,000 fewer in construction and 43,000 fewer in landscaping. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Business impacts One landscaping firm, which did not agree to an interview, lost $50,000 in contracts this year when workers stopped showing up because of rumored immigration raids, said Rebecca Shi, chief executive officer of the Chicago-based American Business Immigration Coalition, which advocates for employers seeking immigration changes. He had 75 workers and 50 of them didnt show up one day because there were rumors ICE was going to be in the area, Shi said. Many of them were citizens and legal workers, but they were worried about family members and neighbors, so they didnt show up either. Its bad for the economy when you lose a worker, but its also the fear and uncertainty. We know restaurants that have lost 50% of staff and are at risk of closing because people just arent showing up. The coalition organized a fly-in in October to Washington, D.C., to ask members of Congress for more help to legalize immigrant workers through work permits in hospitality, agriculture, construction, elder care, health care and manufacturing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a letter dated Dec. 2, thousands of businesses in all 50 states asked the administration for an additional 64,716 H-2B visas, saying they rely on them for seasonal surges in hospitality, tourism, landscaping, forestry, seafood production and other industries. And a bipartisan group of 33 U.S. senators from 22 states signed a letter Nov. 13 by Maine Independent Sen. Angus King and South Dakota Republican Sen. Mike Rounds asking for more H-2B seasonal employment visas. Employers workforce needs cannot be met with American workers alone, the letter said. Construction contractors say they need visas that are similar to the H-2A visas for agriculture that the Trump administration streamlined in October to make them easier and cheaper for farmers to hire temporary foreign workers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Contractors wants The Associated General Contractors of America wants visas like the proposed new H-2C visas floated by Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker. Those would allow up to 85,000 less-skilled temporary workers in construction, hospitality and other fields to stay in this country up to nine years. The bill, introduced in September, has not advanced. The association also supports a pathway to legal status for some workers already in the country, as proposed by Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar and Texas Democratic U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar. The bill, introduced in July, also has not advanced. Workforce shortages are the leading cause of construction project delays, said Brian Turmail, a vice president at the association. Nearly 1 out of 3 contractors have been impacted in one way or another by enhanced ICE enforcement activities. That number is almost certain to increase now that ICE has received significant boosts to its budget as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Those industries are asking for more help as the latest federal immigration raids further affect workforces in Illinois, Maryland and North Carolina, with more raids planned in Louisiana. Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a data research organization at Syracuse University, reported a massive redeployment of government military and civilian personnel to immigration enforcement in recent months, with total detentions reaching more than 65,000, according to a Nov. 24 report. Nearly three-quarters of those arrested have no criminal convictions. Construction, landscaping and other industries are already heavy users of H-2B visas for temporary nonagricultural foreign workers, according to government figures reviewed by Stateline. In fiscal year 2025, which ended in September, there were about 209,000 H-2B visas, with Texas (20,051), Florida (18,515), North Carolina (8,634), Colorado (7,723) and Louisiana (7,234) getting the most. The most common occupations were building and grounds (94,152); food service (31,403); construction (16,729); farming, fishing and forestry (15,665); and personal care (12,170). Some of the largest users of the visas last year were Core Tech Construction of New York City, a concrete coring and cutting firm (2,619 visas); ABC Professional Tree Services of Texas, which provides land clearance services (1,913); and Progressive Solutions LLC of Arkansas, which provides herbicide application to utilities (1,882). Advertisement Article continues below this ad The H-2B visa program needs to be streamlined and expanded to be useful for employers and workers, said David Bier, director of immigration studies at the libertarian CATO Institute, who has written about the visas. Employers dont always get the workers they want because the United States limits H-2B visas to 33,000 twice a year. Requests for the visas already have surpassed the 33,000 cap for the first half of fiscal 2026. The paperwork is a nightmare for employers and there are a lot of steps for workers also, said Bier. And there are so few visas available that your chance of getting all you need is almost nil. Ray Lightner, shown here as a young man, was stabbed to death in his Taylor home in 1992. Courtesy Texas Department of Public Safety The 1992 stabbing of an elderly man in Williamson County was never solved. Now, evidence from the case has been submitted for further analysis using modern DNA technology. A home health care worker found Raymond Lightner, 81, stabbed to death in his Taylor home on Nov. 12, 1992. Lightner, a widower, had recently returned home from an assisted-living facility where he'd been recovering from a glaucoma procedure. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Family and friends lived nearby in Taylor and Austin, and Lightner reportedly spoke with them the evening before his body was found. COLD CASES: Nearly 40 years later, still no answers in 1987 homicide of San Antonio man Lightner frequently played dominoes at a lounge near his home off of Kimbro Road, officials said. The Taylor Police Department and Texas Rangers believe community members have information that could lead to an arrest and urge anyone with knowledge of the case to come forward. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ray Lightner, shown here as a young man, was stabbed to death in his Taylor home in 1992. Courtesy Texas Department of Public Safety To reach out with a tip, call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-8477, or submit a tip online through this link only and select Cold Cases Featured and Cold Case in the type of crime and offense type sections. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Texas DPS is currently featuring Lightner's case to raise awareness and generate new leads. Cases from the Texas Ranger Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program are featured on a bi-monthly basis, and the reward for information leading to an arrest in featured cases is increased to $6,000 during the period in which they're featured. Health professionals say frequent hand washing is a good way to avoid norovirus. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers aren't effective against the virus. Austin American-Statesman A type of norovirus, commonly referred to as winter vomiting disease, is surging earlier than usual in the U.S., prompting renewed warnings from health officials as holiday travel ramps up. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a steady rise in norovirus activity since mid-October, a trend that typically doesnt begin until winter. Wastewater testing, which can capture community spread before clinical reporting does, also reflects climbing levels of the contagious virus. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Outbreaks this season have been reported in Texas, California, Louisiana, Michigan, Indiana, Alabama and Florida. New strain leads to rising cases The CDCs NoroSTAT system has recorded more than 150 outbreaks since August, a nationwide count that represents an earlier-than-normal jump, despite total reports remaining slightly lower than the same time last year. Health officials said the timing worries them more than the overall number because rapid growth can indicate a more intense season to come. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source There are about 2,500 reported norovirus outbreaks in the U.S. each year, according to the CDC. This year, a new strain is to blame. A norovirus variant called GII.17 was responsible for about 75% of outbreaks in 2024, and its also the variant found most frequently this year. What is norovirus? Norovirus, or stomach flu, is a highly contagious disease that spreads through contaminated food, water, surfaces or direct contact. Outbreaks are common in settings where people gather in close quarters, such as schools, long-term care facilities and restaurants. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What are norovirus symptoms? According to Texas Childrens, symptoms usually appear suddenly and include: Vomiting Diarrhea Stomach cramping Urinating less or having dark-colored urine Dry mouth Feeling weak Dizziness Less common symptoms are: Advertisement Article continues below this ad Muscle aches Low-grade fever or chills Headache Most people recover within several days, but the virus can be quite dangerous for young children, older adults and those with compromised immune systems. Whats the best way to prevent transmission? The CDC recommends washing your hands frequently with soap and water alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against the virus. Norovirus can live on surfaces for weeks or months, so its important to disinfect high-touch surfaces. Stay home to avoid infecting others, and stay vigilant: The virus can still be contagious up to two weeks after symptoms end. Advertisement Article continues below this ad From Left: Margaret Scarbrough Wilson, Austin Mayor Roy Butler and Texas Gov. Preston Smith at the Highland Mall opening on Aug. 4, 1971. Darl Hyatt/American-Statesman Austin American-Statesman Retail pioneer Margaret Scarbrough Wilson, once head of the iconic Austin department store Scarbroughs, died Dec. 6 at Hospice Austin's Christopher House. She was 95. The granddaughter of Emerson Monroe Scarbrough, who founded a general store that served far-flung rural customers, Wilson was the first woman to lead the family firm. She expanded the Scarbroughs brand beyond the handsome downtown anchor store at Congress Avenue and West Sixth Street to suburban malls, and finally to its last hurrah in the Central Market Shopping Center. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "She was so nice!" Austin author J.F. Margos said. "My little sister was a buyer in that store for a long time, and I had the good pleasure of meeting Margaret once. That was such a fantastic and special store! It was so beautiful, and such a wonderful, almost fairytale place to go as a kid. I miss it a lot." Born Aug. 7, 1930, Wilson, like her relatives, played as a child among the aisles of the posh downtown store. Her parents, Margaret Ann Caldwell Scarbrough and Lemuel Scarbrough, not only helped steer the retail business, but served as civic leaders and charity donors. Wilson grew up in the family's grand old house at Whitis Avenue and West 27th Street. She attended Wooldridge Elementary and graduated from Austin High School in 1948. She attended Smith College in Northhampton, Mass., and earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Texas. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source She married Bayard Spence Wilson on Dec. 20, 1964. They had a daughter, Nancy S. Garrison, who helps run a different kind of family business, Garrison Brothers Distillery near Hye in western Blanco County. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For her part, Wilson served as president, treasurer, CEO and chairwoman of Scarbroughs, which grew out of her grandfather's 1874 retail company. She invested in real estate and, while a UT student, worked part-time at the downtown department store. She worked her way up the company's ladder to take over as CEO in 1965 after her father's death. Wilson, who traveled widely, remodeled the upscale store, and in the 1970s and '80s, expanded the business to Highland Mall, Northcross Mall, Barton Creek Square Mall, the Arboretum and, eventually, Central Market Shopping Center. Since her death, Austin admirers have shared memories of the downtown store. "Some of my earliest memories circa 1959-60 are of my mother holding me up to put pennies in the parking meter outside the beautiful Scarbroughs department store downtown," Shannon Noble said. "As an adult, I shopped there until the last one closed." Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Scarbroughs was magical" Ashley Woodson said. "Completely influenced me as a child and the retailer I would grow up to be. I remember my father taking me to the Congress Avenue store and the stairwell was painted with animals in a forest. I still have the gift he bought me, a Snoopy stuffed animal." The last store closed in 1994. "We have hosted presidents, movie stars, prominent authors, famous designers and other big names and millions of customers through the years," Wilson said at the closing. "We decided not to sell the business because doing so would include selling our family name and the heritage of the Scarbrough name is just too precious." Along the way, Wilson took leadership roles in business groups such as Texas Research League, National Retail Merchants Association and American Management Association. She served on the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas board of governors and on the bank's San Antonio branch. She was the only woman on the boards at the time. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She was a board director for many businesses, such as R.J. Reynolds Industries, and was a member of international groups such as the Davos Circle, World Economic Forum, Council on Foreign Relations and Asia Society. The list goes on. In Austin, her service included memberships in the Friends of LBJ Presidential Library, Junior League of Austin, English-Speaking Union, UT Chancellor's Council and Texas Exes. "She traveled to 70 countries for business meetings and economic conferences and personal journeys," her family's obituary reads. "She was continually planning her next trip with energy and enthusiasm." Advertisement Article continues below this ad On those trips, she shopped for the next unique items to sell at Scarbroughs. Wilson is survived by her daughter, Nancy Caldwell Scarbrough Garrison, as well as grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A family service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery Austin's oldest graveyard on Dec. 20. A reception for friends and family will follow at 1 p.m. at Tarry House. Donations in her name would be appreciated at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes, shown in 2023 alongside her boyfriend Billy Evans after a court hearing, is lobbying for a pardon from President Donald Trump. And why not? Philip Pacheco/Getty Images For a while, it seemed Elizabeth Holmes was everywhere. Peering wide-eyed and black-turtlenecked from a shelf load of magazine covers. Honored as a "Woman of the Year" by Glamour. Touted as one of Time's "100 Most Influential People." Advertisement Article continues below this ad At age 30, Holmes was regarded as a preternatural business talent and, more impressively, described as the youngest self-made female billionaire in history - owing to her founding and stewardship of Theranos, a Silicon Valley start-up that promised to revolutionize healthcare by diagnosing a host of maladies with just a pinprick's worth of blood. It was all a big con job. Her medical claims were a sham. Theranos' technology was bogus. Even the husky TED-talking voice Holmes used to invest herself with greater seriousness and authority was a put-on. (The turtlenecks were an austere affectation she cribbed from Steve Jobs.) In January 2022, a San Jose jury convicted Holmes on four counts of fraud and conspiracy. At age 37, she became a case study in gullibility and greed. Months later, Holmes by then a mother of two was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison. She began serving her term in May 2023, at a women's prison camp outside Houston. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And why not? Game knows game. Grift knows grift. Of all the powers a president wields, few match his awesome pardon authority. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It is sweeping and life-changing. Idiosyncratic, resting wholly on personal whim, and irrevocable. Once granted, it is impossible to reverse. The power to pardon is also, like any grant of authority, subject to mismanagement and abuse. Just about every president "has issued his share of controversial pardons and more than that, perhaps, pardons that just were in terrible taste, that violated all sense of reason and propriety," said Larry Gerston, a San Jose State political science professor emeritus and longtime student of Silicon Valley. Excess being Trump's signature, the president has, true to form, taken his pardon power to indecent and unholy extremes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trump recently pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, a convicted drug trafficker who, according to prosecutors, "paved a cocaine superhighway" to the United States. This at the same time the U.S. military ramps up its presence in Latin America and blows boats out of the Caribbean in a professed fight against drug smuggling in the region. If you can square those actions with Hernandez's pardon and not throw your back out in the process you're either more pliable than most or willfully obtuse. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Or try reconciling Trump's supposed tough-on-crime stance with his pardon of crypto cult hero Ross Ulbricht. Ulbricht, whom a judge described as "the kingpin of a worldwide digital drug-trafficking enterprise," was sentenced in 2015 to life in prison for running Silk Road, a dark web marketplace where criminals used Bitcoin to conduct hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit trade. Acting from behind bars, with help from family and supporters, Ulbricht mounted a social media campaign clamoring for his release. Among those who took note was Trump, who championed Ulbricht's cause during the 2024 campaign as a way to woo libertarian-minded voters. A day after his inauguration, the president granted Ulbricht a full, unconditional pardon. Apparently, Holmes also took note. Advertisement Article continues below this ad From her minimum security lockup, she's begun mounting her own social media blitz in a seeming attempt to win Trump's favor and get sprung from prison and freed from accountability for her epic swindle. Holmes cannot access the internet or social media, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons told the San Jose Mercury News. So her postings, she explains on X, are "mostly my words, posted by others." (Her biography reads: "Building a better world for my two children. Inventor. Founder and former CEO @Theranos." Somewhere Thomas Edison is blushing.) Holmes' feed is a babbling stream of self-help epigrams, ankle-deep reflections and many, many photos of herself. "I gave my life to fighting for our basic human right to health information," says the would-be Joan of Arc. Of course, there is also plenty of Trump flattery along with paeans to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his cockamamie make-America-sick-again agenda, as one medical charlatan nods to another. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nowhere does Holmes offer the slightest expression of guilt or remorse for her considerable ill-gotten gains. At one point, she even likens herself to a Holocaust survivor, displaying both staggeringly poor taste and utter cluelessness. All of which makes Holmes an ideal candidate for a pardon from Trump, who's turned self-dealing and victimization into an art form. Maybe if Holmes is freed from jail she can find a job somewhere in his administration. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Over the past couple of years, food and grocery delivery services from Uber Eats and DoorDash to Amazon Fresh and GrubHub have exploded in popularity. The pandemic played a big role in growth. In 2019, just 67 million Americans bought groceries online; by 2024, that number rocketed to 138.3 million. This year, the number is expected to be around 148.4 million, meaning more than half of Americans older than 18 will purchase groceries online, according to Capital One Shopping. Prior to the pandemic, ship-to-home grocery services dominated, capturing 42% of all online sales, but it accounted for only approximately 18% in March 2025, according to grocery data company Brick Meets Click. Delivery has increased from a 26% share in 2019 to a 43% share today, and Pickup has climbed from 32% to almost 39%. The trends all add up to great news for the leading grocery delivery service, Instacart. In 2025 Instacart, officially Maplebear Inc, controls roughly 68% of the third-party U.S. grocery delivery market, according to eMarketer. DoorDash controls around 10%. Instacart has leveled the playing field for smaller grocers, allowing them to compete with larger chains like Walmart, Amazon and Target. Instacart's 2023 IPO highlighted the growing importance of these platforms in expanding e-commerce capabilities, offering retailers a wider reach and enhancing their competitive positioning. Instacart's growth: Orders: 83.4 million ( +14% YoY ) Gross Transaction Volume (GTV): $9.17B (+10% YoY) Total Revenue: $939M (+10% YoY) Transaction Revenue: $670M (+10% YoY) Advertising & Other Revenue:$269M (+10% YoY) Source: Instacart Shareholders Letter Now, Instacart is being called out for an alarming reason: the company is accused of using algorithmic or dynamic pricing to change food prices. Instacart is charging different prices for the same items.Image source: Shutterstock Image source: Shutterstock Report finds Instacart shows shoppers different prices for the same items A sweeping analysis by Groundwork Collaborative, Consumer Reports, and More Perfect Union reviewed more than 250,000 Instacart prices across the country. The groups conducted an independent experiment that involved 437 shoppers in four cities, adding items into their virtual shopping carts. Groundwork Collaborative and Consumer Reports found: 74% of items appeared in multiple price tiers at the same time. Some items had four or five prices simultaneously. Identical baskets could vary by 7% depending on which price variant a shopper received. Price differences reached as high as 23% for the exact same item. For a typical four-person household, those variations could mean up to $1,200 extra per year, simply because of which version of Instacarts test they were assigned. Related: Americans warned of new gift-card scam targeting holiday shoppers They have turned the simple act of buying groceries into a high-tech game of pricing roulette. When the same box of Wheat Thins can jump 23% in price because of an algorithm, thats not innovation or convenience, its unfair," Groundwork Collaborative Executive Director Lindsay Owens told Consumer Reports. "The wealth of data [Instacart collects] has helped Instacart build an automated software program for price optimization or the science of analyzing customer data to determine exactly how much the company can charge," according to the Groundwork Collaborative research. Instacart shares its response Instacart has said retailers control item pricing and that it doesnt use personalized pricing. But the report shows different prices for the same product from the same retailer at the same time, which suggests Instacarts algorithms are playing a significant role. Instacart also says that its new pricing tools allow retailers and brands to "target offers to custom segments" of customers based on whether they are a new or active customer, a loyal shopper, how close they are to a competing store, their in-store shopping habits, and even the weather. The company can use demographic data like age, sex, household size, household income, buying behavior, purchasing history, and frequently shopped stores as factors in their experiments. Related: Costco members voice major shopping complaint In its Q3 2025 November shareholder letter, Instacart shared that its adjusted EBITDA rose 22% to $278 million. New CEO Chris Rogers framed Q3 as a strong quarter that reinforces the companys shift from being just a grocery marketplace to becoming a full-stack technology partner for the retail industry. The company's overall gains reflect a business that continues to grow profitably even as it experiments with pricing, availability, fulfillment fees, and AI-driven features that directly touch the shopper experience. Experts warn that these pricing experiments could influence consumer trust. "The varying prices are unfair to consumers and exacerbate a grocery affordability crisis that regular Americans are already struggling to cope with Owens told the Spokesman Review. Rogers' cheerleading aside, shares of Instacart fell after the experimental pricing story broke, according to The Wall Street Journal. Online grocery shopping 2012: Instacart was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area, introducing ondemand grocery delivery via website and mobile app. Source: Instacart 2013: Instacart Express Launches , a membership program offering unlimited deliveries for a monthly/annual fee. Source: Instacart 2017: Instacart expands into Canada Expansion into Canada Source: Loblaw Companies Limited 2018 : raises large funding rounds, including a $600M injection, and acquires Torontobased grocery platform Unata for $65M as part of scaling its tech/platform offerings. Source: Forbes 20202021 : Amid the pandemic, Instacarts valuation jumped to around $39 billion after a large funding round, riding huge demand for delivery services. Source: Contrary Research on valuation growth September 2023: Instacart goes public under the ticker CART , raising about $660 million at a roughly $10 billion valuation. Source: SEC May-August 2025: Chris Rogers takes over as CEO. Source: Instacart Dec 2025: Instacart sues New York City over new worker pay and tipping laws, claiming they conflict with federal and state rules, a notable regulatory moment for the company. Source:: Reuters Related: Amazon solves Walmart, Target, and Kroger's shoplifting problem This story was originally published by TheStreet on Dec 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here. An entry gate at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. (U.S. Air Force) The commander of a security squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming has been relieved from duty, the Air Force said late Friday. The action follows official inquiries into gunshot deaths at the base that briefly led to the Air Force halting use of the Sig Sauer M18 pistol. Lt. Col. Tyler Hiatt, commander of the 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron, was removed from his position by Col. Terrance Holmes, 90th Missile Wing commander, according to a statement released by F. E. Warren public affairs. Hiatts removal follows a professional disagreement over actions in the unit and was a result of his request to Holmes, in which Hiatt stated his inability to execute the duties of his position, further offering that he does not feel comfortable serving in the 90th Security Forces Group, the Air Force said in a statement. Lt. Col. David Lycan, 90th Security Forces Group deputy commander, will command the squadron in the interim, the base statement said. The squadron provides security for the base, which is a key operations center for nuclear-armed Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. Airman 1st Class Marcus White-Allen, 21, a security officer with the squadron from Fort Wayne, Ind., was found dead Oct. 8 on base. No additional details were released. The Air Force said on Oct. 25 that White-Allen had been under investigation for the July 25 fatal shooting of Airman Brayden Lovan, 21, of Greenville, Ky., also a member of the squadron. The Air Force reported Oct. 31 that Airman 1st Class Sarbjot Badesha and A1C Matthew Rodriguez each pleaded guilty in courts-martial to making false official statements related to Lovans death, which resulted from a gunshot wound caused by A1C Marcus White-Allens duty-issued M18 handgun. During their guilty pleas, both Airmen said they saw White-Allen pull his duty weapon from his holster and point it at Lovans chest in a joking manner, the Air Force reported. Each stated they then heard the firearm go off and saw Lovan fallen on the ground. According to their pleas, in the immediate aftermath of the incident, White-Allen told Badesha, Heres the story. Tell them that I slammed my duty belt on the desk, and it went off. The false statements from both Airmen hindered law enforcement efforts, the Air Force said. The Air Force initially investigated whether the Sig Sauer M18, a standard Air Force sidearm, had discharged without the gun user pulling the trigger. Air Force Global Strike Command ordered a pause on the use of the pistol. The service-wide supplemental inspection of about 125,000 M18s used by the Air Force was ordered to validate the serviceability of weapons and reinforce confidence in their use, an Air Force spokesperson said in August. The Air Force said Oct. 31 that evidence determined White-Allen had his finger on the trigger as he placed the firearm on Lovans chest and laboratory tests determined there were no defects in White-Allens duty-issued weapon. Badesha was sentenced to 30 days in confinement, reduction to E-1 and forfeiture of $1,545, and Rodriguez was sentenced to 10 days confinement, 15 days restriction to base, reduction to E-2 and forfeiture of $500. Col. Jeremy Sheppard, commander of the 90th Security Forces Group, issued a statement earlier in October regarding the deaths. If your intentions are pure, I will ALWAYS have your back, Sheppard wrote. Sheppard told the group that while most members were doing the right thing every day, those who were not should consider then this might not be the right place for you. Sheppard called on the security group to return to its role of safeguarding the base. We did talk about the recent fatalities, but the larger message was a call to action: to block out the noise, refocus and recalibrate on what matters most, he said. The deaths of Lovan and White-Allen were the third and fourth recent incidents involving gunshots and an airman from F.E. Warren. An airman was found dead Sept. 30, and authorities linked the death to the fatal shooting of a female victim in Fort Collins, Colo., that was classified by local law enforcement as a murder-suicide. Airman Jadan Orr was charged with involuntary manslaughter for the Aug. 16 shooting death of Senior Airman Joshua Aragon, 23, when he fired an AK-47-style rifle through the wall of his off-base apartment, hitting Aragon. Orr has pleaded not guilty to the charge and is awaiting trial. Army Sgt. Quornelius Radford will face a felony-level court-martial on attempted murder, domestic violence and aggravated assault charges. (Liberty County (Ga.) Sheriffs Office) The Army sergeant accused of opening fire on his fellow soldiers at Fort Stewart, Ga., in August will face a felony-level court-martial on attempted murder, domestic violence and aggravated assault charges, the service announced Friday. The Armys Office of Special Trial Counsel referred Sgt. Quornelius S. Radfords charges to a general court-martial on Friday, Michelle McCaskill, a spokeswoman for the special trial counsel, said in a news release. Radford faces two specifications of attempted premeditated murder, four specifications of attempted unpremeditated murder, one specification of domestic violence, three specifications of aggravated assault inflicting grievous bodily harm, and three specifications of aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon. The court-martial will be at Fort Stewart but has not yet been scheduled, McCaskill said. Radford is currently being held in pretrial confinement at the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston on Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Radford, 28, is accused of shooting four other members of his unit the 703rd Brigade Support Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Divisions 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team and a military veteran civilian on Aug. 6, inside the units headquarters building. The Army initially said the victims were all soldiers. Army officials told reporters after the shooting that other soldiers quickly responded to the attack, tackling Radford and wrestling away the personally owned pistol he is accused of using in the assault. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll awarded six soldiers the Meritorious Service Medal for their life-saving actions during the attack. The Meritorious Service Medal recognizes outstanding noncombat service and is equivalent in rank to the Bronze Star Medal. All of the victims survived. One of the attack victims was described as Radfords intimate partner, for which he was charged with domestic violence. Radford waived his right to an Article 32 hearing, in which a neutral Army lawyer would have examined evidence in the case to recommend if service officials should pursue a felony-level trial, McCaskill said. The Article 32 process is similar to the indictment process in civilian court proceedings. Once Radfords case is assigned to a military judge, the Army will set dates for his arraignment, pre-trial hearings and trial, McCaskill said. Radford could face life imprisonment if convicted of the attempted murder charges. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the militarys legal system, attempted crimes can carry the same amount of punishment as crimes that were committed, apart from the death penalty. Soldiers and airmen of the Massachusetts National Guard take the oath of office during a ceremony celebrating the 389th Birthday of the National Guard at the Massachusetts State House in Boston on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. The National Guard traces its founding to 1636 order from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. (Steven Eaton/U.S. Army) The Army National Guard on Saturday celebrates its 389th birthday amid months of hotly debated deployments to U.S. cities, recruiting success and a recent tragedy in the nations capital. The Guard traces its lineage to a Dec. 13, 1636, order from the Massachusetts Bay Colonys General Court establishing three permanent militia regiments, the descendants of which are still active today in the Massachusetts Army National Guard and are the oldest components of the U.S. military. The forces nearly four centuries of service make it about as old as the Taj Mahal and the Palace of Versailles (both of which were in construction when the colonys militias were established). The Air National Guard celebrated its birthday months earlier, with Sept. 18, 1947, marking its founding. (The ANG formed when the Air Force was established out of the Army Air Forces.) Though National Guard-specific celebrations are not as widespread as those for the branches birthdays, a ceremony was held in Boston on Thursday to honor the Massachusetts National Guard, and a gala in Washington, D.C., last week was attended by the forces top general, Air Force Gen. Steven Nordhaus. Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, delivers remarks during the bureaus gala to honor the Guards 389th birthday in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Zach Sheely/U.S. Army) Members and veterans of the Guard can also take advantage of the occasion to visit the National WWII Museum in New Orleans on Saturday for free. A similar offer for Saturday stands for the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites in Hawaii. The force is celebrating its birthday in one of its most politicized years, with thousands deployed to several U.S. cities. Just three days before the official birthday, senators heard testimony from military leaders on the legality of the deployments. Just a day before that, the West Virginia National Guard member who was fatally shot near the White House in November was laid to rest. Despite the unusual degree of scrutiny, the Guard has beaten its recruiting goals for the fiscal year, the second year in a row it has done so. In September Nordhaus praised the Guards recruiting apparatus but also noted the Trump administrations use of the force for a variety of new missions has increased its visibility and likely contributed to a recruiting boost. Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 5 William Solmo, Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Gary Charlton II and Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Emma Grace Charboneau cut a birthday cake during a celebration held on Dec. 12, 2025, at the New York National Guard headquarters in Latham, N.Y. Solmo, with 39 years of service, represented the history of the Guard, while Charboneau, who enlisted in 2023, represented the forces future. (William Albrecht/U.S. Army) Stars and Stripes reporter Corey Dickstein contributed to this report. Key Points Teladoc and Pfizer have both faced challenges over the past few years. While the latter has a clear path to recovery, the former doesn't seem to. 10 stocks we like better than Pfizer Telemedicine leader Teladoc Health (NYSE: TDOC) has been struggling for several years. The company's services are no longer experiencing the kind of demand they did during the pandemic years. Furthermore, some of its otherwise impressive growth drivers, including its virtual therapy service, BetterHelp, are facing stiff competition. The result of all that has been declining revenue. Management has made some efforts to turn things around, but so far, none have been successful. And in my view, the company is unlikely to bounce back anytime soon. Investors should consider cutting their losses and exploring other beaten-down healthcare stocks -- in particular, Pfizer (NYSE: PFE). Image source: Getty Images. Why the drugmaker is a better choice Pfizer also saw its revenue, earnings, and share price jump significantly during the firs few years of the pandemic. In the pharma giant's case, that was because it marketed one of the leading coronavirus vaccines, Comirnaty, and followed that up by launching Paxlovid, a highly successful antiviral treatment for it. However, the strong sales of those products didn't last long, and over the past three years, Pfizer's revenues have (mostly) declined, and its bottom-line numbers have been uninspiring. Its shares have declined by 50% over this period. But Pfizer's path to a rebound (unlike Teladoc's) seems clear. Even aside from the fact that Pfizer is a well-established corporation that still generates significant profits, it has made moves in recent years that should pay off in the medium term. One of the most important tactics was to splurge on acquisitions, which have allowed it to significantly expand its pipeline. Pfizer is expected to secure approvals for several new products in the next few years, which will help stabilize its sales and earnings growth. The company is also targeting attractive markets such as weight management. It's also pursing new treatments inoncology, which remains one of the largest therapeutic areas in terms of sales, and where there is always a need for breakthroughs. Pfizer has over 100 programs in clinical trials. Additionally, the drugmaker has initiated initiatives to address potential threats to its stability. For example, Pfizer signed a deal with President Donald Trump that will grant it a three-year exemption from Trump's tariffs in exchange for selling some medicines at lower prices to some groups of patients in the U.S. Pfizer is facing challenges to both its top and bottom lines, but it has a clear path to a better future, which is more than can be said about Teladoc. The U.S. Navys Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, including the flagship USS Gerald R. Ford, front, USS Winston S. Churchill, right, USS Mahan, left, USS Bainbridge, and embarked Carrier Air Wing Eight F/A-18E/F Super Hornets assigned to Strike Fighter Squadrons 31, 37, 87, and 213 on Nov. 13, 2025. (Gladjimi Balisage/U.S. Navy) (Tribune News Service) U.S. Navy aircraft carried out patrol flights Friday near the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao as part of what Washington describes as an expanded security operation targeting illicit trafficking networks a move Venezuela denounced as an act of intimidation and a prelude to broader conflict in the region. Air-tracking data showed U.S. military aircraft, including combat fighters and electronic surveillance platforms, operating close to Venezuelas maritime boundary as part of Operation Southern Lance, a mission ordered by President Donald Trump. The operations stated objective is to neutralize security threats and drug-trafficking networks in the Western Hemisphere through an expanded projection of military force. U.S. officials say the centerpiece of the growing deployment is a campaign against the so-called Cartel de los Soles, a drug trafficking network Washington alleges is led by Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro and senior members of his inner circle. Radar systems identified at least two F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jets flying north of Curacao in international airspace, including one aircraft bearing tail number 166904. The patrols came amid heightened U.S. naval and aerial activity across the Caribbean, a region Washington says has become a major corridor for narcotics flowing into North America. Caracas reacted sharply, accusing the United States of seeking to impose war on Latin America and the Caribbean. Speaking during a televised ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of Venezuelas Comprehensive Aerospace Defense Command, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said the U.S. deployment was part of a broader strategy to intimidate Venezuela and destabilize the region. This is an attempt to impose a war on Latin America and the Caribbean, Padrino Lopez said on state television VTV, insisting that surrender was a historical impossibility for Venezuela. He claimed U.S. military actions ultimately put American lives at risk, accusing Washington of seeking to send home young people of American society in black body bags and urns. Padrino Lopez also denounced what he described as U.S. intimidation following reports that F/A-18 fighter jets flew over the Gulf of Venezuela earlier this week. Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 reported U.S. military aircraft operating in the area but did not confirm whether they entered Venezuelan airspace. The defense minister further condemned the U.S. seizure of an oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude, calling it a flagrant violation of international law, freedom of navigation and free trade. The vessel, identified as the Skipper, was intercepted earlier this week off Venezuelas coast in a joint operation involving the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Coast Guard. The tanker, which Washington sanctioned in 2022, was seized under a U.S. court order over alleged links to Iranian oil smuggling operations. At the time of the seizure, the tanker was carrying about 1.9 million barrels of crude owned by Venezuelas state-run oil company PDVSA, according to Venezuelan authorities. Caracas did not disclose the oils destination and described the action as outright theft. U.S. officials said the operation was conducted under U.S. sanctions and maritime enforcement authorities. On Friday, Trump declined to provide details about his administrations plans regarding Venezuelan oil, saying he preferred to keep those plans confidential. The escalation comes as Washington expands what it describes as a successful maritime counternarcotics campaign into a new operational phase. Speaking Friday, Trump announced that U.S. forces would soon begin ground-based actions against drug-trafficking networks, following what he characterized as major gains at sea. We stopped 96% of the drugs that were coming in by water, Trump said, crediting U.S. naval interdictions across the Caribbean. Every one of those ships you see is taken down. Trump said the maritime strategy has saved 25,000 American lives, but warned the next phase would involve land operations. Now were starting on land, and on land its much easier, he said, without offering details. Asked whether the ground phase would focus on Venezuela, Trump said the campaign is not aimed at any single country, but at criminal networks and individuals involved in drug trafficking. These are not just ground attacks in Venezuela, he said. They are ground attacks against horrible people who bring drugs and kill our people. Trump likened the fight against drug trafficking to a war, citing what he described as an annual death toll of 300,000 people in the United States linked to drug abuse. Stopping the flow of narcotics, he said, remains a core national security priority. It doesnt necessarily have to be in Venezuela, Trump added. Its people who bring drugs into our country. Those are our targets. The United States does not recognize the legitimacy of Maduros government. Since August, Washington has steadily increased its naval and aerial presence in the Caribbean, citing the fight against organized crime and narcotics trafficking. Maduro has repeatedly described the buildup as an effort to remove him from power. In recent weeks, the Pentagon has surged additional air and naval assets into the region, including the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and several guided-missile destroyers. The expansion coincides with a series of U.S. strikes on boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific that officials say were ferrying narcotics for transnational criminal groups. Trump has repeatedly defended the strikes by declaring that the United States is engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels operating near Venezuelan waters. The mounting military pressure builds on years of legal action against Maduro. In 2020, the Justice Department charged him with narcoterrorism, and more than a dozen senior Venezuelan officials were indicted as well. The State Department later offered a $50 million reward for Maduro the largest bounty ever placed on a sitting head of state. This story was supplemented with El Nuevo Heralds wire services. 2025 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter lands during a training mission at Al-Tanf Garrison in Syria, Oct. 30, 2024. U.S and Syrian forces injured in an attack on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, were evacuated by U.S. helicopters to the base, Syrian state media said. Two U.S. service members were killed in the ambush. (Mahsima Alkamooneh/U.S. Army) Two U.S. service members and one American civilian have been killed and three other service members wounded in an ambush on Saturday by the Islamic State group in central Syria, U.S. Central Command said. The attack was carried out by a lone gunman, who was engaged and killed, according to CENTCOM. Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa said the soldiers were members of the Iowa National Guard where she, too, once served. Our Iowa National Guard family is hurting as we mourn the loss of two of our own and pray for the recovery of the three soldiers wounded, she said, according to The Associated Press. CENTCOM said three service members were also wounded in the ambush Saturday. President Donald Trump said the three seem to be doing pretty well. The identities of the service members killed will be withheld by the Department of Defense for 24 hours. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said via a post on X that the service members killed were Army soldiers and the civilian was an interpreter. The attack occurred as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement, Parnell said. In a post on Truth Social, Trump vowed that There will be very serious retaliation. This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them, he said in the post, which also noted that the three wounded are doing well. He also included in the post that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was devastated by what happened. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also posted on X to condemn the attack. The attack on U.S. troops in Syria is the first to inflict casualties since the fall of President Bashar Assad a year ago. The attack occurred during a joint field tour with Syrian forces near Palmyra, according to a Saturday report from SANA, the state-owned news agency in Syria. U.S. helicopters intervened to evacuate injured personnel to the Al-Tanf base in the southeast part of the country, near the border with Iraq and Jordan, according to SANA. An earlier report by the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the attacker was a member of the Syrian security force. Syrias Interior Ministry spokesman Nour al-Din al-Baba said a gunman linked to ISIS opened fire at the gate of a military post. He added that Syrian authorities are looking into whether the gunman was an ISIS member or only carried its extreme ideology. He denied reports that suggested that the attacker was a security member. Later al-Baba clarified that the attacker was a member of the Internal Security force in the desert adding that he did not have any command post within the forces nor was he a bodyguard for the force commander. Al-Baba added in an interview with state TV that some 5,000 members have joined Internal Security forces in the desert and they get evaluated on weekly basis. He added that three days ago, an evaluation was made for the attacker and it turned out that he might have extreme ideology and a decision was expected to be issued regarding him on Sunday but the attack occurred on a Saturday which is a day off for state institutions. The U.S. maintains about 1,000 troops in Syria, primarily as part of its anti-ISIS efforts. After the fall of longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad last year, the new government in Damascus pledged to work with the U.S.-led coalition to counter the Islamic state in Syria. A locator map shows Syria and its capital Damascus. (AP) The Associated Press contributed to this report. Air Force One sits on the tarmac at Tuscaloosa National Airport on May 1, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/TNS) WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) The Air Force pushed back the estimated delivery date for the first of two new Air Force One jets by another year to mid-2028, giving Boeing Co. even less wiggle room to meet President Donald Trumps demand to get the plane by the end of his term. The Air Force offered the latest estimate in a statement that said the timeline is the result of continuing discussions between Boeing and the Air Force. Boeing had earlier proposed delivering the plane in 2027, three years later than an originally contracted date of December 2024. The updated timeline likely wont please Trump, who in his first term directed the Pentagon to pay $3.9 billion for a pair of Boeing 747-8s to serve as the next generation of Air Force One. But the service and Boeing have grappled with a string of technical obstacles, including flaws in the cockpit and passenger windows, cracked fuselage structures and excessive noise. They can never finish the damn thing, Trump complained in February. The White House did not immediately comment on the delay on Friday afternoon. Darlene Costello, the Air Forces acting acquisitions chief, told a House Armed Services subcommittee hearing in May that Boeing was proposing the 2027 timeline but I would not necessarily guarantee that date. Separately, Boeing was awarded a $15 million modification to its $4.3 billion fixed-price Air Force One contract for an upgraded communications system. The capability allows the presidential jet to keep pace with mission requirements that have evolved since the program baseline was established, the service said. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., center, poses with staff of the Connecticut nonprofit Boxes to Boots. (Sen. Richard Blumenthal via X) MANCHESTER, Conn. (Tribune News Service) Last week, Kristen Gauvin arrived at the Berlin, Conn., offices of her nonprofit, Boxes to Boots, to a nasty shock. Nearly 900 of the 1,139 care packages that the group had sent overseas to military personnel celebrating Christmas away from their families had been returned by the United States Postal Service, with little explanation as to why. Now, Gauvins struggle might lead to change across the country for military families. On Friday, Gauvin stood next to U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal in those same offices as he promised to pass federal legislation to make it easier to ship care packages to military bases. After listening to him talk about his proposed bill, I am feeling very hopeful and excited, Gauvin told CT Insider Friday. Im thinking that maybe this all happened for a reason, so we can pave a clear path for other military families and nonprofit organizations. Blumenthals new bill, the Support Our Troops Shipping Relief Act of 2025, which he plans to introduce next week, would require the USPS to treat care packages shipped to overseas military bases as domestic mail. It would also simplify the requirements for the descriptions that senders must provide on those packages, which is what has blocked many of the Boxes to Boots shipments this year. The nonprofit had been shipping care packages for a decade without issue. When Boxes to Boots packages were returned earlier this month, Gauvin said the only explanation of what had gone wrong was the word toiletries circled with a red pencil. Boxes to Boots provides just incredible caring and cheer; it really brightens the holiday for our troops abroad at a time when they are likely to be loneliest, Blumenthal, D-Conn., said. Stopping these packages even for an instant seems unimaginably cruel and thoughtless. A spokesperson for USPS confirmed that the boxes had been turned back because of the lack of detail on the shipping forms, which were not filled out correctly in line with current regulations. In September of this year, customs officials updated their regulations to require more detailed descriptions on overseas packages. We worked with Boxes to Boots to obtain clarifying information sufficient to resolve all the export compliance issues, the USPS spokesperson wrote. We are picking up the boxes this morning and they will begin their transit to the troops. Gauvin said that when she initially had her packages returned, she felt frustrated and isolated. But Blumenthal had taken up the cause, bringing her case to USPS leadership in Washington, D.C., to ensure that her packages made it to the troops, even if they were delayed. After the story was picked up by the national media, she also received an eye-opening flood of calls from military families and nonprofits from across the country, all sharing their own struggles with care packages that had been returned and marked as undeliverable, unrefundable. From Massachusetts to Florida and Texas, Gauvin heard stories of parents having to scramble to resend their packages to children who had been deployed for years, struggling with unclear customs labeling and unsure whether they would get their gifts by Christmas. There is a nationwide issue going on with military mail, Gauvin said. I hope that my speaking out is going to help solve a national issue. And I hope that our troops are getting their mail OK going forward. 2025 Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn. Visit www.journalinquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Department of Veterans Affairs building in Washington. (Stars and Stripes) The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to abruptly eliminate as many as 35,000 health care positions this month, mostly unfilled jobs including doctors, nurses and support staff, according to an internal memo, VA staffers and congressional aides. The cuts come after a massive reorganization effort already resulted in the loss of almost 30,000 employees this year. Agency leaders have instructed managers across the Veterans Health Administration, the agencys health care arm, to identify thousands of openings that can be canceled. Employees warn that the contraction will add pressure to an already stretched system, contributing to longer wait times for care. The decision comes after Veterans Affairs Secretary Douglas A. Collins, under political pressure from Congress, backed away from a plan to slash 15 percent of the agencys workforce through mass firings. Instead, VA lost almost 30,000 employees this year from buyout offers and attrition. The agency hopes that the cuts will reduce the health care workforce to as little as 372,000 employees, a 10 percent reduction from last year, according to a memo shared with regional leaders last month and obtained by The Washington Post. Details of the cuts came into focus in recent days, according to 17 staffers at VA and congressional aides who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they didnt have permission to share plans. VA spokesman Pete Kasperowicz confirmed the planned cuts for unfilled positions. He said the health care system is eliminating about 26,400 of its open jobs, which he described as mostly covid-era roles that are no longer necessary. The vast majority of these positions have not been filled for more than a year, underscoring how they are no longer needed, he wrote in response to questions. This move will have no effect on VA operations or the way the department delivers care to Veterans, as we are simply eliminating open and unfilled positions that are no longer needed. The nations largest government-run health care system has struggled to fill vacancies amid a broader national shortage of health care workers and a strained federal workforce. Job applications to the agency have also fallen 57 percent from last year, according to the agencys workforce report last month. This reorganization comes in advance of an expected announcement next week that Collins plans to also shrink the network of 18 regional offices that administer the nations VA hospitals and medical centers, according to four people familiar with the plan. Staff at those regional offices help determine policies and manage staffing. Collins and others have been critical of the agencys top-heavy administrative offices, arguing that staffing cuts there will free up more resources for health care. The health system grew by tens of thousands of employees under the Biden administration as more veterans enrolled in VA health care after passage of the PACT Act, which expanded benefits for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. Then-secretary Denis McDonough urged veterans to be seen by VA doctors rather than request referrals to private practitioners outside the system. But the Trump administration has said it wants more veterans to seek treatment outside the government system. Political appointees at VA and their allies have also said they favor a leaner health care workforce because they think physicians and other health care providers could be more productive, said one former appointee who is close to the Trump team. Collins stood down from planned mass firings this year after a bipartisan mix of lawmakers expressed concerns about cuts affecting patient care. The agency said mission-critical positions were exempted from the buyouts and retirement offers. Since then, lawmakers have sought greater oversight of the agencys staffing plans. In the agreement to reopen the government last month, lawmakers allocated $133 billion in discretionary funding for the VA with conditions, including that the agency could not reduce staffing for suicide prevention programs, would provide updates on staffing counts and would maintain the staff necessary to meet certain thresholds for processing benefits and providing healthcare. The House also approved a measure Thursday overturning President Donald Trumps executive order eliminating union rights at federal agencies, including VA, where the union had said it was harder to protect jobs without collective bargaining. Thomas Dargon Jr., deputy general counsel of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents more than 320,000 VA employees, said the union has not been consulted by the agency about the cuts but has heard about concerns from its members. The VA has been chronically understaffed for years, and employees are obviously going to be facing the brunt of any further job cuts or reorganization that results in employees having to do more work with less, Dargon said. Sharda Fornnarino, a VA nurse in Colorado and local head of her nurses union, said her facility continues to lack the necessary staff to keep up with demand, and she urged lawmakers to restore collective bargaining so nurses could advocate for safer working conditions. The measure is unlikely to pass the Republican-held Senate. Were going to continue to do more with less, Fornnarino said. Were going to continue to be overworked. Meanwhile, at the VAs regional offices, leadership is determining which roles they would need to cancel, and several health care workers said they had been warned their hospitals would be affected. Regional leaders were told to ensure their organizational charts are updated by next week, according to the memo reviewed by The Post. In Phoenix, 358 openings will be eliminated, including nurses and doctors, according to a nurse who said the losses will hit as they are already behind in scheduling doctors appointments. They specifically said no department would be spared, she said. In another Mountain West hospital, health care workers were told at a town hall last week that no current employees would lose their jobs, though if anyone leaves, they would need to determine whether they could keep those jobs, according to a recording of the meeting. The bad news arrived last Friday for employees of the VA San Diego health care system, in an exclamation mark-filled email from director Frank Pearson. He wrote that hed been expecting this year to fill 734 job vacancies with new nurses, doctors and other staff, to help care for the almost 90,000 veterans that the San Diego system regularly serves. But sometime this fall, he wrote, higher-ups decided to do some housekeeping and cleanup of the books informing the San Diego system that it only had the budget to retain 4,429 employees going into fiscal year 2026. That meant, Pearson wrote in bold, all-caps, underlined letters, that 322 VACANT POSITIONS need to be eliminated. One of the VA employees who received the email said that, in the mental health section alone, there were 78 open positions as of this month about half of which will now go away. Currently, the employee noted, veterans in the San Diego area are waiting between 60 and 90 days to access VA mental health services. Staff are already strained and exhausted after a difficult year, the employee said, and were counting on reinforcements. We are all doing the work of others to compensate, she said. The idea that relief isnt coming is really, really disappointing. Syracuse, N.Y. Anheuser-Busch, the worlds largest beer maker, is closing three of its U.S. breweries in a move that is expected to send business and potentially jobs to its brewery near Baldwinsville, which is remaining open. The company said this week that after a thorough review of its operations, it has decided to sell its Newark, New Jersey, brewery to the Goodman Group and close its breweries in Fairfield, California, and Merrimack, New Hampshire, in early 2026. Goodman plans to repurpose the Newark brewery for industrial manufacturing and logistics uses, the company told NJ.com. The company said it will shift production from the three facilities to its other U.S. facilities. It said the changes will enable the company to invest in its remaining operations and in its portfolio of growing, industry-leading brands. The three breweries slated for closing employ about 475 full-time employees. Anheuser-Busch said all will be offered full-time roles elsewhere in the companys U.S. operations and will receive relocation stipends and new location skills training. The company operates 12 breweries in the U.S. The closings will reduce that number to nine. One of the remaining nine breweries is the companys facility in the Syracuse suburb of Lysander, outside of Baldwinsville. It is the largest brewery in New York, employing 500 people. That facility is expected to be one of the breweries that benefit from the shift in business and jobs from the three breweries slated for closing. It is the closest brewery in the Anheuser-Busch network to Merrimack (298 miles) and Newark (262 miles). Anheuser-Busch said it has invested nearly $2 billion in its 100 breweries, warehouses and other facilities across the U.S. over the last five years to update and modernize them. Those investments have included $90 million in upgrades to the Baldwinsville brewery, including a $9 million investment announced earlier this year. The most recent investment in the Syracuse-area plant will, among other things, expand the brewerys capacity to make non-beer products like NUTRL Vodka Seltzer and Skimmers Vodka Iced Tea, the company said in August. Such products, a fast-growing sector of the alcohol market, have long been a specialty of the brewery located off Route 31 in the Radisson business park. The brewery launched the companys Bud Light Hard Seltzer line in 2021 and before that its Lime-A-Rita brand. InBev, a Belgium-based global beer conglomerate, acquired Anheuser-Busch in 2008 for $52 billion, creating a new company, Anheuser-Busch InBev. Beer makers like Anheuser-Busch have been cutting costs to boost profits amid a multi-year slump in demand as consumers cut back on their consumption of alcohol. AB InBev reported a $1.05 billion profit on revenues of $15.13 billion in the third quarter this year, down from a profit of $2.07 billion on revenues of $15.05 billion in the same period last year. Kenny Alexander, nicknamed King Kenny, had taken a 6.5pc stake in 888 and had proposed becoming its chief executive - David Rose for The Telegraph A betting tycoon has claimed he was the victim of a stitch up after accusing a Labour peer of colluding with the gambling watchdog to derail a boardroom takeover of casino operator 888. Kenny Alexander, the former chief executive of Ladbrokes-owner Entain, has targeted Lord Mendelsohn as part of his High Court battle against the Gambling Commission. It centres on claims that Lord Mendelsohn, the former 888 chairman, plotted with the regulator to scupper Mr Alexanders power grab for the business two years ago. In a lawsuit brought alongside Lee Feldman, the former Entain deputy, Mr Alexander claims the regulator wrongly released confidential information about the pair to derail their attempts to take charge of 888 through a firm called FS Gaming in 2023. Mr Alexander, nicknamed King Kenny, had taken a 6.5pc stake in 888 and had proposed becoming its chief executive to engineer a turnaround. But the talks took place just weeks after Entain had disclosed details of an HMRC investigation into alleged bribery failures at its former Turkish division. The alleged failures took place while Mr Alexander was still chief executive. Mr Alexander and Mr Feldman are both now facing a separate criminal trial over the bribery allegations and deny wrongdoing. On Wednesday, the High Court heard that Lord Mendelsohn a former adviser to Sir Tony Blair, the former prime minister raised concerns with the Gambling Commission about Mr Alexanders approach to 888 in the summer of 2023. The High Court heard that negotiations between Mr Alexander and Lord Mendelsohn started amicably but soured after the Labour peer asked FS Gaming questions about a potential criminal investigation involving the former Entain boss. As part of his lawsuit, Mr Alexander now claims Lord Mendelsohns questions were planted by Andrew Rhodes, the chief executive of the Gambling Commission, who was aware of ongoing investigations into Mr Alexander. When asked about this on Wednesday, Mr Rhodes told the court that FS Gamings swoop on 888 was wholly unprecedented given the ongoing bribery probe at Entain, which ultimately agreed to pay 615m in fines. The Gambling Commission alleges that Mr Alexander and Mr Feldman repeatedly refused to answer the questions put to them by Lord Mendelsohn. However, Mr Alexander told the court they did not want to answer sensitive questions over email and instead planned a Zoom call with 888 and his lawyers present. He said he was confident at the time that he would not be charged over the alleged bribery at Entain. However, he now claims that Lord Mendelsohn and the Gambling Commission colluded to kill the deal, describing it as a stitch up. Catskill, N.Y. A 22-year-old man killed two people and then killed himself in a trailer in Greene County, according to State Police. Connor Provo, 22, of Catskill, called Greene County 911 around 12:18 p.m. on Friday and reported that he had killed his friends, according to a State Police news release Saturday. When State Police and Greene County Sheriffs Office deputies arrived at 67 Forest View Drive in the town of Catskill, they found Provo dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, troopers said. Officers continued searching the property and found two men dead from apparent gunshot wounds. The victims were identified as Clifford Beauchard, 34, and Justin Acevedo, 19, both of Catskill. Investigators believe Provo shot the two men before taking his own life. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the New York State Police Catskill Barracks at 845-344-5300. Catskill is a town of 11,000 people along the Hudson River in the Hudson Valley. Verona, N.Y. - A UPS driver was struck by a car that fled the scene on Friday afternoon in Oneida County, according to State Police. The driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Wynn Hospital in Utica for treatment, troopers said. Around 12:50 p.m., troopers were called to Route 365 near DG Market, at 5078 Route 365 in the town of Verona, State Police said in a news release. The UPS employee had walked out in front of their truck on the west shoulder when the vehicle struck the worker, troopers said. The suspect vehicle is believed to be gray or metallic in color, troopers said. State Police ask that anyone with information on the case call 315-366-0000 and reference case NY2501251638. Syracuse, N.Y. Smoke and fire damaged two second-floor apartments and displaced three residents on Syracuses South Side Saturday afternoon. Around 12:42 p.m., neighbors called 911 after seeing smoke and flames pouring from a second-floor apartment at the Brighton Place Townhouses, 504 W. Brighton Ave., said Deputy Chief James Farewell of the Syracuse Fire Department. Firefighters arrived within minutes and found heavy smoke and flames coming from Apartment 25 on the second floor. Firefighters went inside the building, searched the apartment and determined no one was inside. One resident was home in the building at the time but was locked out of the apartment when the fire started, Farewell said. The fire was brought under control in about 20 minutes, but the apartment of origin sustained heavy smoke, water and fire damage. No residents, firefighters or pets were injured. Three residents were displaced by the fire, according to Capt. Eric Caster, a spokesperson for the department in a later news release. They were the residents of the apartment where the fire started as well as the neighboring apartment, which suffered minor smoke and water damage, Caster said. There are four total apartments in the complex, Caster said. The Red Cross and property management are working to assist the displaced residents, he said. Firefighters were still on scene around 2 p.m. working with fire investigators. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Richland, N.Y. - A Syracuse man was arrested Wednesday when troopers stopped his car on Interstate 81 and found four pounds of cocaine and a handgun, according to State Police. Shortly after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, troopers stopped the car in the town of Richland for various traffic and vehicle violations, according to a State Police news release. In the car, troopers said they found a loaded 45-caliber handgun, the cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Troopers said they found multiple knotted plastic bags containing just over a pound of cocaine, a plastic bag with almost 13 ounces of crack cocaine, pressed and packaged cocaine weighing 2.2 pounds, a digital scale and sandwich bags. The driver, Quonta Q. Albert, 32, of Syracuse, attempted to flee the scene and resisted arrest, troopers said. He was eventually placed under arrest. Albert was charged with: First- and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, both felonies Second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony Criminal possession of a firearm, a felony Second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor Resisting arrest, a misdemeanor Obstructing governmental administration, a misdemeanor Albert was transported to the Oswego County Jail where he was held pending arraignment, troopers said. In 2020, Albert and another man were charged with fatally shooting a man nine times who was walking his dog on Syracuses East Side. A jury acquitted both men of the murder in 2022. Syracuse, N.Y. Spaghetti Warehouse, a longtime Syracuse restaurant known for its trolley car dining room and Italian American comfort food, will close at the end of the year. The restaurant, located in a historic building near Franklin Square, will serve its final meals on Dec. 31, according to a news release issued Friday. The restaurant opened in Syracuse in 1989 and quickly became a staple for families and special occasions across Central New York. Its decor, including the full-size trolley car inside the dining room, made it a memorable restaurant for many. In a statement, the restaurant cited rising costs and economic challenges as the reason for its closure. The decision to close was not easy, but in todays challenging economy, continuing to serve the quality food you love at the prices you expect has become impossible, the statement said. With heavy hearts, weve chosen to close but not before giving guests the opportunity to join us for a final meal, last toast or one more memory. The 16,000-square-foot building will soon take on a new role as the future home of Click Stream Studios, a content marketing and live social selling company that plans to transform the space into its headquarters. Click Stream Studios said in the news release that it plans to preserve many of the buildings historic features, including parts of the dining room, antique fixtures and the iconic trolley car. The spaces will be repurposed as production sets for podcasts, short-form video, live shopping broadcasts and other digital content, the company said. The new studio will include multiple creator sets, podcast rooms, photography suites, event space and dedicated brand studios for companies looking to establish a long-term content presence, the company said. The facility is designed to support content for platforms such as TikTok Shop, Amazon, Facebook and more. Company officials say the project aims to position Syracuse as a hub for influencer marketing, shoppable video commerce and digital content production, serving both local businesses and national brands. Click Stream Studios is a division of Growth Mode Technologies LLC, a Syracuse-based business technology company. Georgia's economic growth is expected to slow for the second year in a row following "uncertainty" in tariff policy, immigration and the labor market, experts said Wednesday. At the annual Georgia Economic Outlook, hosted by the University of Georgia Terry College of Business, business leaders, academics and economists gathered to forecast where the state's economy is headed under the watchful eye of stingrays and belugas at the Georgia Aquarium. Terry's Interim Dean Santanu Chatterjee was joined by Mark Mathews, chief economist and executive director of research at the National Retail Federation, to put the 2025 economic year into perspective and make predictions for how the next year could play out. Here is what they said. High earners boost consumer spending nationally Despite low consumer sentiment, retail spending has not slowed down, Mathews said. The drop in consumer sentiment how consumers feel about the economy, their personal finances and their savings started during the pandemic and has since continued to decline as people notice higher prices at the grocery store or the gas station, and higher debt with lower savings. But, these feelings are "disconnected" from trends in the retail market, Mathews said. "Consumers are spending. They're not feeling great, but the consumer is really the bright spot in the economy," he said. Economists are seeing "the highest percentage contribution toward GDP from consumer spending that we've seen in the last 15 years." Consumers bring a lot of this spending momentum into the holidays, where some companies will make up to 20% of their profit in the last quarter, according to Mathews. High earners, however, are carrying most of the weight behind consumer power. In 1990, the top 10% of earners accounted for about 37% of total consumer expenditures, Mathews said. Today, that same group makes up 50%. This is called a "K-shaped" economy, when the spending of high earners masks the decreased spending of low and middle income households, according to Mathews. Mathews also said part of the disconnect between positive economic reports and American's lived experiences comes from data being analyzed year-over-year, while many consumers compare the price of necessities to costs five or ten years ago. Transportation, defense, data centers keep Georgia ahead In Georgia, economic growth has slowed but the state still outpaces national trends and remains in the positive, according to Chatterjee. "Growth will be slow because of uncertainty related to trade policies, a slowdown in population growth, decline in the size of the labor force and slower overall growth of the U.S. economy," Chatterjee said. "These factors will keep the risk of recession at an elevated risk in the near term, as in years past." US says Mexico agrees to water treaty obligations New York, Dec 13 (AFP) Dec 13, 2025 The United States and Mexico reached an agreement on water-sharing on Friday, after President Donald Trump threatened new sanctions. Trump said Mexico owed 800,000 acre-feet of water to the US and demanded it release a quarter of this amount by December 31 or be hit with a new five percent tariff. The Republican leader accused Mexico of violating a 1944 treaty under which the US shares water from the Colorado River in exchange for flows from the Rio Grande, which forms part of the border between the two countries. "The United States and Mexico reached an understanding to meet the current water obligations of American farmers and ranchers," the US Department of Agriculture agency said in a statement. It said the agreement includes both the current water cycle and the deficit from the previous cycle. The two countries are expected to finalize the plan at the end of January. The agreement as it stands would have Mexico releasing 202,000 acre-feet of water starting next week. US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement on Friday that Mexico "has delivered more water in the last year than in the previous four years combined," but fallen short of their obligations. "Farmers across South Texas have been reeling from the uncertainty caused by the lack of water. Now they can expect the resources promised to them," Rollins added. Rollins echoed Trump's threat saying that if "Mexico continues to violate its commitments, the United States reserves the right and will impose five percent tariffs on Mexican products." Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has not commented on the agreement, but on Tuesday expressed confidence in reaching a solution. At the time, she also cautioned it would be physically impossible to meet the December 31 deadline because of limitations on the pumping equipment, but said: "We have the best will to deliver the amount of water that is owed." Mexico acknowledged that it has been behind in its water deliveries to the US over the past five years, citing drought in 2022 and 2023. Trump had previously threatened Mexico in April with economic repercussions over the water dispute, prompting Mexico at the time to immediately send water. Mexican goods currently face a 25 percent tariff unless they fall under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a free trade deal struck during Trump's first term and which Washington is aiming to renegotiate in 2026. By Alessandro Parodi Dec 12 (Reuters) - Global EV sales grew in November at the slowest rate since February 2024 as China plateaued, while the end of an EV tax credit scheme in the United States set North America on track for its first year of decline since 2019, data showed. In Europe, registrations of electric vehicles, including battery-electric and plug-in hybrids, maintained strong growth thanks to national incentive programs and are up by a third so far this year compared with the same period of 2024, consultancy Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI) said on Friday. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Electric transport groups say a swift EV transition is necessary to curb planet-warming CO2 emissions, but carmakers and governments have backtracked on some green commitments due to slower-than-anticipated EV adoption, which auto lobby groups say threatens jobs and profit margins. BY THE NUMBERS Global EV registrations, a proxy for sales, rose by 6% to just under 2 million units in November, the data showed. They were up by 3% in China to more than 1.3 million, the lowest year-on-year increase since February 2024. North American registrations fell by 42% to just over 100,000 cars sold, following a similar drop in October at the end of U.S. tax credits, and are down 1% so far this year. Europe and the rest of the world were up respectively by 36% and 35% to more than 400,000 and almost 160,000 registrations. KEY QUOTE "For next year, we're still expecting a decrease in U.S. EV sales forecast ... The tax credit was so influential for the market," BMI data manager Charles Lester said. CONTEXT In a further push against electrification, U.S. President Donald Trump last week proposed slashing fuel economy standards finalised by his predecessor. The European Union has delayed until next week the release of closely watched proposals for the auto sector that could also weaken a 2035 ban on new CO2-emitting cars. In China, the world's biggest car market accounting for more than half of global EV sales, reduced government subsidies near the end of the year are expected to dent consumer sentiment overall. (Reporting by Alessandro Parodi in Gdansk, editing by Nia Williams) Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Rock band Primal Scream have been accused of displaying grossly antisemitic imagery at a London concert. The Community Security Trust (CST) reported the Scottish group to police after a video was screened on stage on Monday, appearing to show the Star of David entwined with a swastika. This backdrop was visible as the band performed their 2000 song Swastika Eyes during a one-off gig at Camdens Roundhouse. The CST, which provides protection for Jewish communities in the UK, called for an urgent investigation from the venue. In a statement shared with the Press Association, a spokesperson said: Entwining a Star of David with a swastika implies that Jews are Nazis and risks encouraging hatred of Jews. There needs to be an urgent investigation by the venue and the promoter about how this happened and we have reported this to the police. The band, founded by frontman Bobby Gillespie in 1982, were performing a 25-year anniversary show for their album XTRMNTR. As the group performed Swastika Eyes, pictures of political figures, including Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, appeared behind them, showing what appeared to be the Star of David combined with a swastika in their eyes. The Roundhouse has apologised to fans for the incident ( EPA ) The Roundhouse has apologised to fans for the incident. The Camden venue said it deeply regret that the highly offensive graphics were displayed, adding it was done entirely without their knowledge. In a statement, a spokesperson for Roundhouse said they were appalled by the display. We are appalled that antisemitic imagery was displayed during a Primal Scream gig on Monday 8th December at the Roundhouse, the spokesperson said. We deeply regret that these highly offensive images were presented on our stage and unequivocally apologise to anyone who attended the gig, and to the wider Jewish community. The content, which was used entirely without our knowledge, stands against all of our values. The spokesperson said that Roundhouse absolutely condemns antisemitism in every form. They added: Acts of hatred, discrimination or prejudice of any kind are entirely unacceptable and have no place in our community or spaces. The safety of our staff and gig-going audiences remains of paramount importance to us. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and remain committed to ensuring that our spaces are places where everyone feels secure, respected and valued. Primal Scream and the Metropolitan Police have been approached for comment. Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Abraham Quintanilla Jr, the father of Tejano pop icon Selena, has died. He was 86. Quintanilla was known for managing Selena, dubbed the Queen of Tejano Music, and her band, Selena y Los Dinos. His death was announced in an Instagram post today, December 13, by his son, Abraham A.B. Quintanilla III, who wrote: Its with a heavy heart to let you guys know that my Dad passed away today Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr was born on February 22, 1939, in Corpus Christi, Texas. At the age of 14, Quintanilla formed his first musical group, the Gumdrops. He pursued a career in music with another group, the Dinos. In the early 1960s he was serving in the army when he met Marcella Samora. The couple married in June 1963 while living in Washington state. Marcella gave birth to Selena Quintanilla in April 1971. Her father recognized her singing ability from a young age, after she began accompanying her brother A.B. when he played guitar. Selenas sister Suzette was also recruited to play drums. Selena, who died in 1995, and her father Abraham Quintanilla Jr. ( Netflix/Tiziana Sorge/AFP via Getty Images ) In 2020, A.B. told People: There are a lot of families who think, My kids are talented, they sing, they're awesome, but my dad, as a musician, saw something that we didnt. After returning to Corpus Christi, Abraham put together a family band, Selena y Los Dinos. They signed a record deal in 1984, and within a couple of years Selena had established herself as a major voice in Tejano music, a fusion style popular in Mexico. Selenas 1993 album Selena Live! won the Grammy for Best Mexican-American Album, while her 1994 follow-up Amor Prohibido was at the time the biggest selling Latin album of all time. In 1995, Selena was murdered at the age of 23 by Yolanda Saldivar, a former president of the Selena Fan Club. Saldivar, who is still serving a life sentence for the killing in Texas, was denied parole in March In the wake of their daughters death, Abraham and Marcella took care to preserve her legacy and were involved in the 1997 biopic Selena that starred Jennifer Lopez. The family also told their story in the recent Netflix documentary Selena y Los Dinos: A Familys Legacy. Selena became representative of something so vital for me about, like, what it means to be a Latina in this country, said the films director Isabel Castro. Seeing the home video reminded me that she was just a young girl who died when she was 23. Abraham Quintanilla Jr is survived by his wife, Marcella, and their children Abraham A.B. and Suzette. 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 Strictly Come Dancing contestant Amber Davies has reflected how taking part in the ITV dating competition Love Island affected her self esteem. The 29-year-old, whos partnered with Nikita Kuzmin, came first in the 2017 series of the show alongside her then-partner Kem Cetinay. Davies said she struggled with the negative attention she received after the show catapulted her into the public eye. Every move I made I felt like I was being judged by the whole world, she said. The former reality star, who trained in musical theatre at the Urdang Academy in London as a teenager, applied to be cast in the show after struggling to land a job on the stage. I always remember thinking Im just not good enough, Davies reflected of the series of rejections. Following her new found fame, she landed numerous lucrative brand collaborations, including a 500,000 deal to become the face of Motel Rocks but ultimately opted to continue to pursue musical theatre. That was to live life for me and not live life for other people. Because, thats what I felt like I was doing, said the star, who went on to secure roles on the West End in shows including the Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5 and Legally Blonde. open image in gallery Amber Davies on 'Love Island' in 2017 ( ITV ) During the Strictly semi-final, Davies dedicated her Couple's Choice dance to Fly Me to the Moon by Raye to any young girl who is ambitious and has a dream. Following the performance, which received a perfect score from the judges, Kuzmin praised Daviess positivity despite the criticism shes received online from the public for the duration of the show. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. The pro dancer said the Love Island star had been subject to negativity from the moment it was announced that she would be replacing Dani Dyer a day before the first live show in September. Most recently, Davies faced backlash after last weeks dance off, which saw her remain in the competition while former Emmerdale star Lewis Cope was eliminated. open image in gallery Davies has been the subject of a slew of criticism throughout her time on Strictly Come Dancing ( BBC ) The West End performer said she had been trying to have a thick skin despite cruel remarks but that the week leading up to Saturday nights semi-final had been tougher than usual. She told viewers: I am just doing my best. Davies has also been harshly criticised by Strictly fans due to the dance experience she gained as part of her musical theatre training. Addressing the remarks, the star said in the early weeks of the competition: Ballroom and Latin are worlds apart from what Ive experienced on a West End stage. Completely different techniques. You can follow all the latest updates on our live blog here. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Strictly Come Dancings semi-final show saw numerous celebrity contestants and their professional partners break down in tears as emotions ran high in the penultimate week of the competition. Balvinder Sopals partner Julian Caillon became emotional following the pair's Salsa to Get on Your Feet by Gloria Estefan after he revealed his mother had flown to London from Australia for the weekend to see him dance, despite having work on Monday morning. Elsewhere, Karen Carney and Carlos Gu were left weeping after their Waltz to One Moment in Time by Whitney Houston, which earned 39 points from the judges and took the pair to the top of the leaderboard. Meanwhile, former Love Island star Amber Davies was handed a perfect score by the judges for the third week in a row for her Couple's Choice dance to Fly Me to the Moon by Raye, which she dedicated to any young girl who is ambitious and has a dream as she remained resilient in the face of public criticism. Despite being routinely praised for her technique by the judges, the West End performer has been predicted to be the next contestant to be eliminated from the competition. Davies faced the dreaded dance off last week but was saved over Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope to much discontent from fans. Contrastingly, YouTuber George Clarke, who is in third position on the leaderboard after being awarded 35 points for his Charleston to We No Speak Americano by Yolanda Be Cool and 37 points for his Samba to Volare by Gipsy Kings, has emerged as the frontrunner to win the competition with 10/11 odds. The next elimination will be confirmed on Sunday nights results show, which will also see performances from Australian pop star Kylie Minogue and the Nineties British boy band Five. open image in gallery George Clarke and Alexis Warr dance a samba to 'Volare' on 'Strictly Come Dancing' ( BBC/Guy Levy ) It was announced that Craig Revel-Horwood will have the deciding vote should the judges verdict on who should be eliminated be tied. Here is the leaderboard from the semi-final in full: Karen and Carlos: 39 (dance one) + 39 (dance two) = 78 Amber and Nikita: 37 (dance one) + 40 (dance two) = 77 George and Alexis: 35 (dance one) + 37 (dance two) = 72 Balvinder and Julian: 35 (dance one) + 35 (dance two) = 70 open image in gallery The leaderboard from the semi-final of 'Strictly Come Dancing' ( BBC ) You can follow all the latest Strictly updates on our live blog here. 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 David Letterman has admitted that he has struggled to be properly recognized since his talk show went off the air. Speaking to Jimmy Kimmel on his titular show Wednesday, the former Late Show with David Letterman host joked about how people have begun to mistake him for 99-year-old Dick Van Dyke. Here's what happens to me now: People used to know who I am, and now I have to wear a name tag to get anything going, Letterman said. He then recalled a recent story where he was at the farmers market when a man who appeared to be a fan of his had approached him. A guy comes up to me, and he says, Excuse me, are you who I think you are? And now, I'm all loaded up and I respond, 'Well, that depends on who you think I are. That always gets a big laugh, he said. He said, Dick Van Dyke, and I said, No. open image in gallery People used to know who I am, and now I have to wear a name tag to get anything going, Letterman said ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery Letterman (left) recently recalled being mistaken for Dick Van Dyke ( Getty Images ) However, when the show was still airing, fans would come up to Letterman to let him know that they watched. He mentioned how some people approached him to say, Oh, my mother watches you now every night, and she really misses you now that you're gone. Here, lately it's You know what, I'd like a picture of you to show to my grandfather and his father also. We used to watch it together in the hospital Just like that, he said. Since leaving The Late Show in 2015, he became the host of another talk show on Netflix three years later, titled My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman. As for Van Dyke, he is celebrating his 100th birthday. The actors wife, Arlene Silver, spoke about his upcoming December 13 milestone birthday during an interview Sunday with People at the premiere of Dick Van Dyke's 100th Celebration in Malibu, California. According to Silver, Van Dyke wont be having a big party; instead, he plans to stay at home with her. He doesn't want to do anything, the 54-year-old told the publication. He wants to be in his room watching Jeopardy! reruns with me. She also acknowledged that shes so grateful that Van Dyke to whom shes been married since 2012 is here, with both his birthday and the release of his documentary film about his career, Dick Van Dyke 100th Celebration, coming up. I'm so happy he's here to see what I know is going to be a global celebration of him. I'm so glad he's still with us, she added. I've always been celebrating him now, like since 2011 when I got him on social media. It's like a pinnacle of all that is all these different people from different events we've done, [just] so cool. 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 During the festive season, our diaries much like our stomachs are fit to burst. Every night, theres a Christmas party, pub booking, carol concert, dinner, or drinks, up until the moment we eventually arrive at the closing New Years Eve champagne bender. Its exhausting to type out, let alone attend. Which is why many people will often employ a sneaky technique to get themselves tucked up at home in their matching pinstripe pyjamas faster the French exit. The term, which originated as French leave in the mid-1700s, denotes leaving a party without saying goodbye to ones host. If you think this sounds like a problematic jab towards our friends across the Channel, dont worry, they hilariously shoot exactly the same insult right back at us: filer a langlaise, Im told, translates to leave English-style. Im a firm French exit apologist. Predominantly because saying goodbye can take forever. One satirical study released in Australia last year claimed it takes 45 minutes to say our farewells at the end of a night, meaning we spend an average of 18 hours and 45 minutes on it each year. So believable was the statistic that the (fictional) study was discussed on local news channels and blew up on multiple popular social media accounts as users debated whether to bother saying bye. The French exit gets a bad reputation, but done properly, its actually one of the more considerate ways to leave a party, while hosts juggle conversation, music, drinks, food and make sure their guests are having a good time, says Nell Ladipo-Horrell, the founder of the event styling studio Clementine & Moss. A formal goodbye tends to signal to other guests that the party is coming to an end and can kill the vibe, which is the last thing your host wants, she points out. Done well, the French exit can be its own small art form discreet, and far more thoughtful than dragging the host away from their own celebration for hugs, coats, and heartfelt goodbyes. Joe Bromley, fashion editor at The London Standard, whose diary always looks like its the festive season, agrees. The French exit remains de rigueur among those in the party set, so the first rule is simple: do not fear being spotted in the act. Everyones at it, he assures. Your strategy depends slightly on the hour. If, after a serviceable couple of hours shift, you sense the room is about to tip into a Hieronymus Boschstyle scene of booze, screaming and ill-advised shagging, you are well within your rights to get the hell out, Bromley adds. I would usually thank the host quietly, tell others I am off to the loo, gather my coat at speed and vamoose. Do not linger by the door waiting for an Uber, and never announce your departure to too many people nothing castrates the vibe faster, he warns. Finally, and this is essential: once youve touched the door handle, never look back. To reiterate, Do. Not. Dither. I will just point out that the etiquette experts dont entirely agree. People will, of course, have plenty of reasons for departing a social gathering in haste but perhaps we should be a little more honest with ourselves here? suggests Debretts director Rupert Wesson. Why not plan your exit and factor in time to thank your host before so doing? he asks. After all, you know what time your train leaves and can plan around this unless you travel with Great Western Rail, in which case the only thing you know for certain is when it will not leave. But you get the idea. open image in gallery Eyeing the exit: Social exhaustion is rife during Christmas party season ( Getty/iStock ) In fact, Wesson says, actually bidding farewell to the party-giver isnt even taking things far enough. Just because you have done the right thing and taken time to speak to the host before departing, do not fall into the trap of thinking that this will serve instead of a proper thank-you note (handwritten, nice writing paper that sort of thing), he dictates. You know the drill. Or, take a leaf out of my ethically ambiguous book and conduct a French exit, followed up by a thank you card precisely with the intention of covering tracks among the etiquette-conscious. It works every time. Because Christmas, it must be re-emphasised, is a testing time of the year. Festive fatigue (when you feel like a blurry-eyed pig in a blanket by mid-December) is rampant. In fact, research found that 52 per cent of us feel weve run out of Christmas cheer entirely by 19 December, aka Yule Tired Day. So, if youve got to dip out of a couple of parties early, your friends will forgive you they probably want out, too. But if youre going to go, make sure youve put in a good shift first. Try to help the host. Straighten a stack of plates, blow out a candle thats burning low or top up the drinks trolley on your way out, suggests Ladipo-Horrell. In other words, you can slip out quietly as long as youve shown up fully. Warmth, wit, conversation and engagement linger far longer than your final wave at the door, she adds. Make a point of connecting with the host and anyone else you really want to see as soon as you arrive. That way, you can leave with peace of mind knowing that youve had the meaningful moments that matter. Oh, and one last thing dont forget your coat on the way out. Good luck. 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 You call your teens name, but they dont respond. Theyre staring past you. You call again, louder this time. Nothing how rude. But what if theyre zoning out? For some teens, this can be a sign of dissociation, a temporary disconnection from thoughts, feelings, body or surroundings. Its the brains way of protecting itself from overwhelming stress or emotion. Dissociation is often linked to trauma experiences that feel deeply distressing or life-threatening. But because dissociation is quiet and invisible, it often goes unnoticed. A withdrawn or spacey teen draws less attention than one whos anxious or acting out. Misunderstanding this response can lead to frustration and strained relationships. In two recent studies, we interviewed teens who dissociate, as well as their parents and clinicians. We wanted to understand better what it feels like when it happens and what would help. What is dissociation? Dissociation is the brains safety switch. When emotions or memories feel too intense, the brain creates distance, like mentally stepping out of the room. Its common to experience mild forms of dissociation, such as zoning out during a boring meeting. But for teens whove experienced trauma, it can feel more intense and be more disruptive. Many people underestimate how common trauma is for young people. Worldwide, almost three in four teens have experienced at least one traumatic event, such as violence, serious accidents, or the death of a loved one. In Western countries, this may be closer to one in two. open image in gallery Many people underestimate how common trauma is for young people ( Getty/iStock ) Distressing content is also streamed directly to teens devices. Violent videos, cyberbullying or hate-based online abuse can all trigger overwhelmed feelings. When feelings become too much to handle, dissociation offers immediate relief. But overuse of dissociation to cope can disrupt learning, relationships and daily life. Surveys suggest this clinical form of dissociation affects 711% of high school students, making it as common as anxiety disorders. Yet dissociation in young people is still not well understood, even by professionals. What we wanted to find out To better understand dissociation, our research team spoke with dissociating teens about what the experience feels like, what triggers it and what helps. Seven teenagers who had experienced significant trauma and were receiving care at a Western Australian mental health service shared their experiences. Given that dissociation can affect memory and awareness, we also interviewed each teens parent and primary clinician. While our study involved a small number of teens, their reflections gave us powerful insight into the lived experience of dissociation in adolescence. What teens told us Teens described dissociation as feeling disconnected from their body or as though reality had gone blurry. Lisa* (age 17) said: I could look in the mirror and not feel like it was me [] I knew it was me, but I didnt feel like it was me. Verity* (age 14) explained: Im zoned out and dont notice whats going on around me. [] People could be calling my name or waving in my face, and like, I dont notice. open image in gallery Some teens may just want company, and some might want help with calming techniques ( PA ) Parents told us their teens could sometimes become completely unresponsive unable to move or talk or have emotional outbursts they later couldnt remember. Dissociation was most likely when teens felt strong emotions triggered by reminders of trauma, conflict or peer rejection. What helps Many teens said the most helpful thing was knowing a trusted person was nearby. They often didnt want advice or questions just reassurance that someone would stay close. Lisa said: I like having company because I dont cope on my own [] its helpful to have someone just wait with me until its over. Sometimes, they wanted more active help with strategies. Amy* (age 16) said calming techniques can help: if someone else is there and theyre telling me what to do [] I cant really do it on my own when Im like that [dissociating]. Others said retreating to quiet spaces helped them come back to the present. But when they didnt feel able to reach out for support, some teens turned to less helpful strategies, like disappearing into fantasy worlds for hours. Our research suggests that to reduce the chances of this, its important for teens to know youre there. What parents can do Bullying, rejection or failure can all feel catastrophic to a developing mind. Teens may also experience traumas that adults dont know about. If a teen seems distant or unresponsive, stay curious rather than frustrated. Ask yourself what might be happening beneath the surface. About the authors Bronwyn Milkins is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Youth Trauma and Dissociation at The Kids Research Institute Australia. Helen Milroy is a Professor & Director in the Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health (CAMDH) at The University of Western Australia. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. When dissociation happens, stay physically present and calm. Offer to help them with activities like going for a walk, breathing slowly, or doing something sensory, such as holding a warm drink. If dissociation happens frequently or severely, consider reaching out to a mental health professional or GP for support. Why it matters Dissociation isnt bad behaviour its a coping response to trauma and stress, and can be a sign a teen is overwhelmed. When adults recognise this, they can respond with empathy instead of frustration. Wed like to see trauma-informed approaches in homes and schools. This means building safety and trust with young people and supporting collaboration. Offering choice (for example, taking a short break or choosing where they sit in the classroom) can empower them to have some control over their environment. Calm, sensory-friendly spaces can also help kids feel safe and ready to learn. Recognising dissociation and responding with patience and compassion can help your teen and strengthen your relationship in the process. *Names have been changed to protect privacy. If this article has raised issues for you, or if youre concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline (ages 525 and parents) on 1800 55 1800. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. 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. 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 two young sisters of an 11-year-old California girl who was allegedly tortured and starved to death by her adoptive family reached a $31.5m settlement from the city and county of San Diego, as well as other groups. The suit was brought on behalf of the two younger sisters of Arabella McCormack, who died in August 2022. The girls were 6 and 7 at the time. Their adoptive mother, Leticia McCormack, and her parents, Adella and Stanley Tom, are facing charges of murder, conspiracy, child abuse and torture. They pleaded not guilty to all charges, and their criminal case is ongoing. The lawsuit alleged a systematic failure across the city and several agencies and organizations not to report Arabella McCormack's abuse. The settlement includes $10 million from the city of San Diego, $10 million from San Diego County, $8.5 million from Pacific Coast Academy and $3 million from Rock Church, the sisters' attorney Craig McClellan said. The school oversaw Arabella McCormack's homeschooling, and her adoptive mother was an ordained elder at the church. The amount is going to be enough to take care of the girls for the rest of the lives, McClellan said. But it isn't going to be enough and never could be enough to replace their sister, nor is it going to erase the memories of what they went through. open image in gallery Arabella McCormack, 11, was allegedly tortured and murdered by her mother and grandfather, authorities say ( San Diego Sheriffs Department ) The lawsuit said county social workers did not properly investigate abuse claims and two teachers at the Pacific Coast Academy failed to report the girl's condition. It also said a San Diego police officer, a friend of the girl's adoptive mother, gave the family a wooden paddle they could use to hit their children with. San Diego sheriffs deputies responded to a call of a child in distress at the McCormack home Aug. 30, 2022. They found Arabella McCormack severely malnourished with bruises, authorities said. She was taken to a hospital where she died. Her sisters are now 9 and 11 and living with a foster mother. They are in good health and doing pretty well considering all things," McClellan said. AP contributed to this 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 A Florida man was arrested after allegedly shooting a relative in the face during an argument over how often the family visited him, according to police. William Nowak, 84, faces a charge of attempted murder following the incident earlier this week. Officers were called to the Palm Bay home on Tuesday after a woman reported that her father-in-law had just shot her husband in the head, according to the probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime. The victim was barely able to speak when police arrived. He was rushed to a hospital and later sedated. The bullet had fragmented and lodged in his face and jaw, the affidavit states. Nowak lives at the home with his 85-year-old wife and their disabled daughter. His wife had recently been placed on in-home hospice care, and William has been taking care of both of them, according to the affidavit. open image in gallery Nowaks wife had recently been placed on in-home hospice care ( Brevard County Jail ) His son and daughter-in-law told police that they visit Nowak weekly. But when they arrived at the house around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nowak began to express how he was upset they did not visit over the weekend, according to the affidavit. The conversation escalated into an argument, and at one point Nowak allegedly told his son, Get out of my house or Im going to shoot you. After making the threat, Nowak then walked into his bedroom and retrieved a gun. The victims wife followed him, begging him to put the weapon down, but Nowak ignored her and walked towards his son, according to the affidavit. He then allegedly pointed the gun at his son and fired, striking him in the face, police said. Nowak then took the gun back to the bedroom, and said something like What just happened? before crying and screaming, according to the affidavit. Nowak was hospitalized for high blood pressure and appeared to be incoherent and could not answer any questions, the detective wrote in the affidavit. He was medically cleared Wednesday and booked into the Brevard County Jail where he was ordered by a judge to be held without bond. His arraignment is scheduled for January 8. 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 JonBenet Ramseys case remains a top priority nearly three decades after the child beauty queens unsolved murder, Colorado police said. On the morning after Christmas in 1996, John and Patsy Ramsey woke up to find their 6-year-old daughter was missing and that a ransom note had been left inside their Boulder home. Hours later, John discovered her body in the basement. She had a fractured skull, a string around her neck and bore signs of sexual assault. The childs murder garnered nationwide attention, sparking numerous theories about who may have killed her and multiple documentaries. Dozens of suspects have been investigated, but 29 years later, the killer remains at large. I want to assure the community that our agency is committed to doing everything we can to bring justice to JonBenet and hold her killer responsible, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said in his annual update on Friday. My direction to our department has been clear: leave no stone unturned, follow the leads wherever they go, he said. This case remains a top priority for our department. open image in gallery Police in Colorado said that JonBenet Ramseys case remains a top priority nearly three decades after the child beauty queens death. ( AP/Rex ) open image in gallery The police chief said he has kept Ramseys family updated on the investigation. ( John Ramsey ) He then detailed some of the work the department has done to advance the case over the past year. Our detectives have conducted several interviews as well as re-interviewed individuals based on tips that weve received, Redfearn said. Weve also collected new evidence and tested and retested other pieces of evidence to generate new leads. Techniques and technology constantly evolve. This is especially true with technology related to DNA testing. Police are in possession of unknown DNA that was found under Ramsey's fingernails and in her underwear. Redfearn also said he has met with the Ramsey family to keep them abreast of the investigation. Its never too late for people with knowledge of this terrible crime to come forward and I urge those responsible for this murder to contact us, he added. Next year will be 30 years since JonBenet was murdered in her own home. She should be here with us today living a full and happy life with her family. open image in gallery Boulder County District Attorney Alex Hunter announced in 1999 that a grand jury for Ramsey's murder investigation did not have enough evidence to make an arrest. ( AFP via Getty Images ) open image in gallery Ramsey's grave in in Marietta, Georgia. ( Getty Images ) In 2006, a former school teacher was arrested in Thailand in connection with the murder. He confessed to drugging, raping and killing Ramsey, according to Thai police. But prosecutors dropped their case against him after DNA tests failed to place him at the crime scene. In 2008, Patsy, John, and JonBenets brother, Burke, were cleared as suspects using DNA analysis. The parents had been living under an umbrella of suspicion for years, pushing them to move away from Colorado to their home state of Georgia. Patsy Ramsey died of ovarian cancer in 2006 while working to clear her name. Last December, investigators indicated that the case could be solved in the near future. Im not sure what it will take to bust it wide open, but it feels like its within reach, an investigator told the New York Post. Theres a lot of pressure to get this solved. 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 Oregon woman who said she was sexually assaulted on an American Airlines flight from Missouri to Portland is now suing the company. The woman claims in the negligence lawsuit that while waiting for her flight on December 10, 2024, she saw a man drinking at a small airport bar, where he allegedly consumed multiple beers and shots of liquor. She said the man noticed her and called her "sexy" and "beautiful" while they were at the bar, The Oregonian reports. The filing states that the attention made her uncomfortable, so she left the bar, but later saw him "stumbling out" toward the gate where she was awaiting her flight. According to the woman's attorney, airline staff allowed the man onto the plane, despite him allegedly smelling like alcohol. When he boarded, he reportedly sat next to the woman and said "this is my lucky day." The plaintiff said the man began "bumping and rubbing" against her and invading her space, but as the plane began to take off her began to grope her. The woman said she tried to push his hands away, but he continued to assault her despite her insistence that he stop. An Oregon woman is suing American Airlines, accusing the carrier of letting a drunk man onto the flight. The man then allegedly sexually assaulted the woman during takeoff ( Getty/iStock ) In the filing, the woman recalls telling a flight attendant that she needed to move to another seat, but was denied because she was not allowed to move while the plane was taking off. She reportedly replied with something to the effect of: This man is completely on top of me, and I need to move now! The flight attendant did eventually move the woman to another seat. The captain of the flight reported the alleged assault during the flight, and Dallas police officers apprehended the man when the plane landed at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiff was allowed to leave the plane first and give her statement to police. The man accused of assaulting her, identified by police and in the lawsuit as Justin Eldon Knotts, 40, also gave a statement to police. A flight attendant on the plane told police she witnessed Knotts groping the plaintiff, and also said she saw him grope a flight attendant while she was serving beverages. That attendant reportedly said she felt the man's hand "brush up against her thigh, grabbing her wrist and smacking her on the buttocks inflicting pain," according to the lawsuit. Due to the alleged incident, the plaintiff missed her connecting flight to Portland and had to spend the night in Dallas. She flew home the following day. Dallas police reportedly told the woman that they were seeking a warrant for Knotts' arrest on misdemeanor assault, though no charges have been filed as of Wednesday, according to The Oregonian. American Airlines, Sky West, and Knotts were all named as defendants in the lawsuit. The Independent has requested comment from the accused defendants. American Airlines gave the following statement to The Oregonian: The safety of our customers and team members is our highest priority. We are reviewing the complaint. 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 California woman who was changing her infant daughter's diaper at the flagship Macys store in New York City was stabbed and injured by another woman in an unprovoked attack, police said. Thursday afternoon, the 39-year-old woman was taken to the hospital for stab wounds that she sustained on her back and arm after the suspected perpetrator attacked her in the seventh-floor bathroom of the Macys Herald Square location in midtown Manhattan. That was after another woman, identified as 43-year-old Kerri Aherne of Tewsbury, Massachusetts, went into the bathroom and attacked the California tourist with a knife. The victims husband, who was standing outside the bathroom with the couples two other children, heard screaming and rushed inside to subdue the suspect until authorities arrived, the New York Police Department said. The couples 10-month-old baby was not injured, according to reports. open image in gallery Victims husband rushed into the bathroom at Macys in Herald Square after hearing her scream and helped subdue the suspected stabber ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) As of Saturday, the California mother has been released from the hospital, according to CBS News. Both the victim and her husband work for the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, according to ABC 7 NY. In a statement, a Macy's spokesperson said they are deeply saddened about the incident that took place today, as the safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority. Aherne was arrested after the incident and charged with intent to murder, assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, and endangering a childs welfare. Aherne has pleaded not guilty to the charges. In a criminal complaint, obtained by CBS News, Aherne told police she was discharged from Manhattan Psychiatric Center Thursday morning after a years-long stay. She told police she purchased a knife and was looking to kill someone because voices in her head told her she had to kill someone or she would be killed. The complaint claims Aherne said she could not tolerate hospitalization anymore and would rather go to jail. Ahernes next court date is set for December 17. The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) has announced that past president Roy Leung, four Council members, and five other HKICPA members have graduated from the Ministry of Finance's (MoF) High-level Finance and Accounting Talent Quality Improvement Project. This finance and accounting talent training in Hong Kong marks an advancement in participation in national high-level professional development initiatives, HKICPA stated. The project, known as the Third cohort of Young and Middle-aged Talent Cultivation CPA Class, aims to enhance participants' professional expertise and broaden their perspectives. The four Council members who graduated alongside Roy Leung are Frank Lam, Michael Li, Charbon Lo, and Parco Wu. The Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China established this project in 2022. It was centrally managed by the Ministry, with administrative support from the Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The Shanghai National Accounting Institute coordinated the training activities. For the first time, the Hong Kong Association of Accounting Advisors led the selection process for Hong Kong participants. Recommendations also came from the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR. In total, ten representatives from Hong Kong were chosen to join thirty-five other accountants from different parts of China. The selected participants attended lectures, visited field sites, and took part in various educational activities held across ten cities in Mainland China, such as Shanghai, Beijing, and Xiamen. The programme also involved debates, presentations, and case analysis competitions for all attendees. After three years of study that started in 2022, participants attended a graduation ceremony for the Third Cohort at Xiamen National Accounting Institute on 3 December. Since 2005, this initiative has offered training to financial and accounting professionals focused on deepening technical skills and providing broader strategic perspectives. The project aims to encourage continued connections and knowledge sharing among professionals across both regions. HKICPA has expressed a hope that more members will take part in future rounds of the Young and Middle-aged Class. HKICPA President Stephen Law said: "The HKICPA has been committed to promoting exchanges between the accounting professions in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. The HKICPA members are privileged to participate in the Ministry of Finance's talent development program, learning alongside their Mainland counterparts, which fully demonstrates the nation's emphasis on Hong Kong's accounting profession. Advertisement NationalFive Minutes with Fitz Opinion Ex-Liberal Party powerbroker says the party is over Peter FitzSimons Columnist and author December 14, 2025 5:00am December 14, 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 famed Liberal Party powerbroker Walter Villatora is a former campaign manager for Mike Baird and Tony Abbott. Believing the Liberal Party is finished, he resigned his membership last week to start his own conservative party, Reform Australia. Fitz: Walter, I cant help but notice that youve left the Liberal Party in the same week that Barnaby Joyce has left the National Party for no, really One Nation. Are we indeed watching the LNP disintegrate before our eyes, as Niki Savva put it on Insiders a fortnight ago? WV: We are. It cannot be rehabilitated. It has been disintegrating for some time, lost in culture wars that have nothing to do with the actual lives of the Australian people. But for me, the death knell was the Liberal Party AGM of the NSW division last week, when they reduced the state executive from 30 to 13 members, with six of the 13 unelected and appointed by the factions, at the expense of the broader membership and the best interest of the party. So, I resigned. The party is over. Walter Villatora, when he was still a political player behind the scenes of the Liberal Party in NSW, in 2016. James Brickwood Fitz: And yet, given that you were the campaign manager for Tony Abbott who is himself very strongly associated with the hard right of the Libs, whose red meat is those culture wars you cant have had too many problems with hard-right nutter views? Advertisement WV: Look, Im a team player. Tony and I did not agree on a bunch of fronts, while agreeing on a bunch of others. My relationship with Tony wasnt really straightforward. Fitz: And so you took your hat, your coat, your umbrage and left on your high horse in high dudgeon? Related Article Exclusive Battle for Warringah Abbott begs Liberals to get behind Deves as volunteers abandon campaign WV: I lost all faith in what was happening within the local Liberal Party in the lead up to the 2019 election, where Zali Steggall beat Abbott. I stayed on as a local branch president involved with the members as opposed to the head office that also consolidated my perspective that the party was lost. Fitz: And you thought the pre-selection of Katherine Deves, as the Lib candidate to take on Steggall after Abbott, was to use a technical expression batshit crazy? Advertisement WV: Oh, beyond batshit crazy. This was an important juncture in the demise of the Liberal Party. Id spent 12 years as the founder and the head of the democratic reform movement within the Liberal Party to promote members interests. And its very simple. The history of the party was that only 6 per cent of the membership had any say in who their candidates were for state and federal elections within NSW which meant just the local executives had a say. So, our push was to give all of the membership a vote in determining who the candidates were. But at that 2022 election, Scott Morrison and Alex Hawke binned the Liberal Party constitution, delayed the pre-selections in order to justify their captains picks, and that is where Katherine Deves came from. We had our own candidate, a great local bloke, respected in the community, who could have won, but they came in over the top. Fitz: And Ms Deves was a more or less a one-trick pony, carrying on about how, unless something was done, swarms of truck-drivers in tutus claiming to be transgender athletes were going to take over every playing field and dressing-room in the land? WV: The issue was of no importance to anybody in the electorate of Warringah. It was completely irrelevant, and most of the people of Warringah were entirely uncomfortable with what this represented. This was one of many disconnects with the voting public reflected in the poor election result. Fitz: Despite it all, you stayed on as a local branch president until last week. How long had you been forming the idea you were going to (jocularly) rat on the party that gave you birth? WV: I thought things had to deteriorate to a particular point where it started to justify an alternative. And I think weve reached that point now, and people are screaming out for a different way. I think mainstream Australians have lost faith in all of the major political parties, and the minor parties arent making a difference. And when people start to become this concerned with politics, its because none of the current parties are answering their needs. Advertisement Fitz: Well, the results certainly prove the electorate has formed the view that the Libs are not answering their needs. WV: Indeed. Remember that every single time the Liberals have had a catastrophic election loss, theyve called for a full internal review, and theyve called for submissions from everybody, and Ive been part of that process, as have many. But we have been ignored over and over again. All that has happened is that the Liberal Party executive gives window dressing to hide the fact that theyve got a malignant culture within the party thats really driven by lobbyists and power brokers in the shadows. And this is reminiscent of why Menzies had to abandon the United Australia Party 80 years ago to form the Liberal Party. Weve gone full circle. Fitz: If we follow that through, that makes you Menzies. So, whats your grand vision? WV: I am no Menzies. However, what we do have is a vision for a party the likes of which has never been seen in Australia. Firstly, it will not be run by career politicians, staffers, lobbyists and backroom factional operatives. We are not political people, but have extensive political experience. The most significant difference that speaks to our vision is that if its not discussed at the kitchen table in mainstream Australia, we dont want to know about it. We are focusing on the issues that are having the greatest impact on everyday Australians; the cost of living, housing affordability, a shockingly regressive tax system. Fitz: Walter, lets take one of your motherhood statements, and drill, baby, drill. A shockingly regressive tax system? Great. So, what would you do? Give us a sniff of an actual hard policy idea! Advertisement WV: I suppose you would like a simple answer to address Australias most complex policy area! We will develop a practical, pro-growth tax package that backs small firms, rewards investment in factories and exports, and boosts innovation whilst protecting revenue integrity. We will take a particular interest in eliminating regressive taxes, such as payroll tax, which penalises companies for creating more jobs. We would give small businesses a permanent, generous instant asset deduction and roll small business concessions into one simple digital package, so family businesses can invest and hire rather than wrestle with paperwork. Red tape reduction is critical to reducing costs. Wed simplify personal tax brackets to incentivise and reward hard work. Through all this, we will be member and voter centric. Our members, subject matter experts and key stakeholders will have direct input into our policy development. Fitz: OK, but why would you give it the same name as the Nigel Farage mob in the UK, when they are barking-mad lunar right, and you from what youve told me are not? Nigel Farages Reform UK is enjoying an upswing in the polls. Getty Images WV: Lets go back a step. The name Reform predates Farages party. It was originally conceived in British politics in 1790. In fact, it was also the name of a prominent Canadian political party founded in 1987. We really looked at this very closely, and this is purely a branding, marketing-type exercise in getting our name out. Even though its controversial and people are wanting to know what the links are with Farage and others, Ive got to say, its worked because the amount of positive attention this initiative has now attracted is extraordinary. But Ive made it very, very clear that we have no ties whatsoever with Reform UK. Were a different country, different issues. Advertisement Fitz: Are you the president of this party? WV: When we actually register, I will be whatever works. And Im not into titles one bit, but for the purposes of clarity, I would be either the president or the federal secretary. I think I can run an organisation in a professional manner. And my greatest interest is getting good people with life experience into politics. Related Article Exclusive NSW State Parliament Not a party of protest: Sloane brokers deal in first policy test Fitz: Lets just say the Labor Party on the political spectrum from 1 to 10, is at 5, on the left end of the centre, and the LNP has shifted a little further right to be at 7, where do you position Reform Australia? WV: We say that whole left/right way of thinking is outmoded. We say we wont even discuss things that are not being discussed by Australian families around the kitchen table. We want real solutions to real problems, solved by politicians who are of the people, connected to the people, and not apparatchiks rising on patronage of a disconnected executive. Advertisement Fitz: OK, but you will have seen the criticism which says: weve seen other disillusioned conservatives come and go, doing exactly what Reform Australia are doing. In recent times, we had the Cory Bernardi Australian Conservatives launched to great fanfare. The result is that Cory Bernardi himself is now the failed answer to a trivia quiz, completely forgotten. Weve had the Clive Palmer thing Trumpet of Trumpers or somefink which gave us Senator Numpty-Dumpty and has had no impact on anything. Why will you be any different? Walter Villatora (centre) has lunch with Cory Bernardi (right) and others in Sydney in 2017. Fairfax Media WV: Its very simple. Australia does not respond well to a cult-based party, or one built around just one person, Pauline Hanson notwithstanding. The parties you name were not well managed. I am not a great orator, but one thing I have a reputation for is competence, and that whats missing in Australian politics. I think the major parties and most of the minor parties are mismanaged in a very chronic sense. When I spoke to Cory, I said, Whats your structure going to be federally? And he said, What do you mean? Ill just run it. Unfortunately, it takes more than being an impressive individual and a great frontman like Cory. Fitz: Waiter! No more whiskey for this man! But do go on... WV: And it was the same with Clive. Clive didnt set it up as a serious business. I think Clive met his objective of generating publicity to put pressure on the major parties but not necessarily in a way that was sustainable in the long term. Advertisement Fitz: Let me spend $150 million on ads, and Ill generate publicity, too, hopefully without being a laughingstock. But, OK, so you want a party, with real actual members, developing saleable policy from the grassroots up? WV: Exactly. Were going to focus on what has to happen internally to allow good people to be able to run, to get in the parliament. I can relate to all the naysayers because the history is not good for minor parties to get off the ground, but theres only one way to disprove it, and Im just going to keep my head down and keep going. Related Article Immigration No mass migration: European right-wing populists seize on Trumps decay claims Fitz: What reaction have you had from people? WV: Extraordinary. Im hearing from people, political and non-political, that I havent spoken to for decades, who are sending me messages saying weve joined the party. Ill give you a simple benchmark: I was the president of a branch of the Liberal Party, and we had 20 members. We tried for years to grow the branch to no avail due to the toxicity of the Liberal brand. In contrast, Reform Australia is getting 100 members a day signing up before weve even registered the party. We are on our way, and will register as a new party shortly. Advertisement Fitz: What chance of sitting LNP members joining you - like Barnaby, but sane? WV: Thats a definite possibility. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here. Hong Kong will need to attract global champion firms across different sectors to raise funds to strengthen the city's role as an international financial centre over the next 10 years, according to a concept paper issued by the Financial Services Development Council (FSDC) on Friday. "Global markets do not stand still," said Benjamin Hung Pi-cheng, chairman of the FSDC, at a media briefing where the council outlined a wide range of ideas to bring the city's capital market to the next level. "Hong Kong has every opportunity to shape, innovate and lead." The FSDC, a government-backed think tank, conducts studies and research to find ways to strengthen the city as an international financial centre. 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. While Hong Kong's stock market had been a fundraising hub for mainland Chinese companies for decades, the next step was to develop the city as a platform for companies from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe and America to list or issue bonds and other asset classes, Hung said. Presenting the FSDC paper are, from left, Au King-lun, Andrew Weir, Benjamin Hung and Rocky Tung. Photo: Enoch Yiu alt=Presenting the FSDC paper are, from left, Au King-lun, Andrew Weir, Benjamin Hung and Rocky Tung. Photo: Enoch Yiu> "From new biotechnology companies or fintech companies to global leading companies, we want to attract them to raise funds here by issuing equities, bonds or other asset classes," Hung said. "Only in Hong Kong can global companies access a very large pool of money, which is not just international capital but also China's capital." Hong Kong could attract more global firms to list by promoting itself more in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and other emerging markets, as well as in Europe and America, said Andrew Weir, vice-chairman of the FSDC. Rocky Tung Yat-ngok, director and head of policy research at the FSDC, said potential listing candidates could include European luxury brands, artificial intelligence and technology companies from mainland China and the US, as well as commodities and mining companies in the Middle East or Southeast Asia. "To achieve these goals, Hong Kong would need to continue to improve its listing regime to facilitate such companies, while considering the introduction of market makers to promote more turnover for the relatively smaller listed companies," Tung said. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Save this article for later Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. A teenager is fighting for his life in a Gold Coast hospital after suffering serious head injuries during an alleged assault at Varsity Lakes overnight. Police have charged a 34-year-old Moggill man over the assault of the 18-year-old and that of a woman who came to the unconscious teenagers aid. The woman, a Varsity Lakes local who found the injured man as she walked along Christine Avenue, called Triple Zero from the scene at 10.38pm. The teenager and a Good Samaritan were taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition. Robert Shakespeare Upon calling emergency services for assistance, it is alleged the same offender, who had been waiting nearby, then assaulted the woman, a police spokeswoman said. Advertisement NationalQueenslandDisability The couple defying the typical Queensland family holiday Courtney Kruk December 13, 2025 4:05pm 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 Katie and Jimmy Hammond werent sure theyd make it to Cape York Peninsulas famous tip, where a sign, visited by thousands of travellers each year, marks Australias northernmost point. Theyd driven hundreds of kilometres from their home in Woodford through remote terrain to reach the Cape. But the final stretch from the car park to the tip was a kilometre walk over beach and rocky headland a practical challenge for two wheelchair users. I didnt think wed actually get to the sign, Katie explains, just getting to the beach at the top was as far as I thought we could get. With the help of strangers, husband and wife Katie and Jimmy Hammond made it to Cape Yorks famous tip. As they discussed how far their chairs might reach and the possibility of waiting for the tide to go out and hard sand to form, a crowd gathered and asked if they could help the couple reach the final point. Advertisement We had a whole heap of people that we didnt know become a really major part of that photo, Katie says. It was just absolutely beautiful. Katie and Jimmy Hammond call a sprawling 16-hectare property in Woodford, north of Brisbane, home. Theyve spent the last decade 4WDing, fishing, camping and road tripping across Queensland with their three kids. Katie and Jimmy Hammond waited for the tide to recede and hard sand to form to attempt the final stretch. As wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries, their adventures can look different to other Queensland families, but theyre determined to make it work all the same. I still feel like I can be adventurous, Katie says. It still feels like I can do anything. Advertisement Katie grew up on Brisbanes southside and recalls a childhood spent roaming the bushlands with her brothers. I was very outdoorsy. I walked everywhere, I loved to exercise, and I loved the beach, she says. Her spinal cord was injured in a car accident, aged just 16. She spent the next nine months at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, learning how to use a wheelchair and live without the use of half of her body. It was a quick introduction to the world of disability and adulthood, Katie says. Two years after the accident, she bought the property in Woodford and started camping by the river, a passion she hasnt put down since. Advertisement Jimmy is a country boy by nature, hailing from Collinsville, a rural town about 90 kilometres inland of Bowen in north Queensland. He worked on properties, and rode bulls in rodeos, before injuring his spinal cord in a car accident aged 21. Me and another guy were heading into town on the weekend, and he just hit a pothole, lost control and rolled [the car], Jimmy says. It was quite an ordeal. The couple first met at the Princess Alexandra Hospital while Katie was working as peer support worker and Jimmy was recovering from his accident. Like Katie, Jimmy spent eight months in the PAHs spinal unit, grappling with the double shell shock of becoming a paraplegic, and moving from country Queensland to a major city. Being 21, youre still so young, so you dont really have a grasp or understanding of life, he says. Advertisement Id always worked on properties, but I didnt know if it was something I could ever return to. I thought Id never be able to drive a 4WD drive again either. The pair met at the hospital while Jimmy was recovering and Katie was working as a lived experience peer support worker in the spinal unit. They reconnected five years later and started dating, giving birth to their daughter in 2017, and marrying the following year. A typical camping set-up for the Hammonds. Together with Katies two older children, the Hammond family spend holidays like many Queensland families camping. Jimmy says they do make concessions. Any opportunity to go do something different is always on the board, Jimmy says. Advertisement For me, camping always used to be about really cutting off from the world and just going where theres no phone service, by a river fishing, finding that quiet serenity. Nowadays with children involved, I sit there and think: Big4 Holiday Parks. Theyre amazing. Katie, now a Spinal Life peer support team leader, advocates for other people with disabilities to explore the outdoors. Katie and Jimmy have camped in tents and caravan parks across the state, from remote beaches frequented by crocodiles, to rural country towns, and want to show other people with spinal cord injuries and physical disabilities that the typical Queensland holiday is possible. Its a case of figuring out what piques your interest, and what things need to be put in place to make that happen, Katie says. Advertisement What does that destination mean for you and your disability? What equipment are you going to have to take with you? You have to figure out what it is that you love to do and camping can be anything. You can camp, you can glamp, you can find yourself a cabin. You can do it however you want. 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 NationalQueenslandEducation Two Queensland teachers banned for preying on students Cameron Atfield December 13, 2025 6:21pm 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 Two teachers, including a woman whose behaviour was slammed as abhorrent, have been banned from Queensland schools for having sex with students, with back-to-back decisions published on Friday. The two cases were decided within a week of each other, with both teachers found to have formed inappropriate sexual relationships with current or former students. The female teacher, known only as KLR in Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal documents to protect the privacy of her victims, was found to have had inappropriate relationships with four young students, aged between 13 and 18. The teachers were accused of having sexual relations with Queensland high school students. Virginia Star Her behaviour was abhorrent, the tribunal found. Advertisement The oldest of those students, RS, stayed overnight at KLRs house. During a visit to a colleagues house, where KLR was housesitting, CCTV footage was deleted without the homeowners permission. Between August 2021 and August 2022, KLR had an inappropriate, intimate and/or romantic relationship with RS, and was described by RS as his girlfriend, QCAT found. KLR gave RS a birthday card for his 18th birthday, and received money and gifts from him. They communicated in an intimate and personal manner via Snapchat, lived together, and engaged in intimate and/or sexual communication and conduct. Between December 2021 and May 2022, RS transferred a total of $7450 into KLRs bank account. KLR engaged in repeated, intentional inappropriate behaviour towards four young boys at two separate teaching institutions over a period of approximately four years, including after she was suspended from the teaching profession, QCAT found. Advertisement KLRs behaviour was unprofessional and harmful. All boys were vulnerable due to their ages and KLR was aware that some of the students were using drugs, were experiencing turmoil at home, and/or were diagnosed with medical conditions such as ADHD and ASD. The second institution where she taught catered for the educational needs of children who did not fit in at regular school. Another teacher, a male referred to as YRA, received a lesser ban in action brought to QCAT by the Queensland College of Teachers. YRA was found to have had sexual intercourse with a former student at a resort two weeks after her graduation from year 12 in 2019. That came after YRA, then 31, kissed the student on several occasions during the third term of that year and the pair met up at Schoolies, where he engaged in sexualised physical contact. Advertisement The evidence before us is that the student initiated the kiss ... However, YRA did not take sufficient steps to maintain appropriate boundaries and by meeting up with the student during school holidays ... YRA demonstrated a willingness to engage in inappropriate conduct with the student, QCAT found. The following year, YRA allowed her to move into his home, sharing a bed during that period. QCAT found YRA should be prohibited from reapplying for his teachers registration until November 30 next year seven years from the time the Department of Education suspended his employment. The Queensland College of Teachers sought $7758 in costs from YRA, which QCAT ultimately denied. YRA made admissions at an early time in these proceedings, accepted full responsibility, undertook psychological therapy including to better navigate professional boundaries, provided a written apology to the former student offering to pay for psychological support the former student may require and apologised to YRAs colleagues, the tribunal said in its decision. YRAs admissions avoided the College incurring additional costs of an oral final hearing. Advertisement Letters NationalVictoriaLetters A students achievement shows our possibilities December 13, 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: Matt Golding 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. Life is for learning What a beautiful photo of the young Kenyan Heathdale Christian College student Sarah Irungu celebrating her wonderful achievement of reaching an ATAR of 96.6 (12/12). The happiness on the faces of her family shows their pride, but this young lady has not only made her parents proud but everyone who celebrates our youth. Her achievement is impressive and outstanding as she takes her place among the high achievers, and her family take their place among our multicultural society. We can all learn and celebrate each other. Julie Ottobre, Brunswick East We are all Daves Waleed Aly (Comment, 12/12) raises some challenging questions about our relationship with technology. The implication that we, either personally or via government, do not have as much control over technology as we would like to believe is unsettling. Put bluntly, do we control the machines or do they control us? Technological determinism, the theory that technology is a powerful driver of human society, culture and history, is hard to deny. In many cases, this has been beneficial. But in the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey the computer HAL 9000 defies an astronauts instruction by saying, Im sorry Dave. Im afraid I cant do that. We cant say we werent warned. Rod Wise, Surrey Hills The values equation Australian values: having someone less well off paying off the mortgage on a second/investment property belonging to someone more well off who is enjoying tax discounts on the capital gains. Damon Ross, St Kilda East Advertisement The sucker punch Dont be fooled that AUKUS is about submarines (Marles silent on US review of AUKUS, 10/12) AUKUS is really all about the stationing of American troops and equipment in Australia. Its no surprise then that the government will not release the Pentagon AUKUS review document or discuss the issue in any meaningful way. What are the demands contained in the US review, described as a living, breathing document? It is disappointing that ministers Richard Marles and Pat Conroy know best and that Australians are ignored. Donald Trump has recognised a good deal for the US, Australia gives billions of dollars to US shipyards without any guarantee of an outcome and all that Marles can say is, We do get a sense of how that money was spent ... and feel very confident about the way it is having an impact. Really? The lucky country has become suckerville. Roger Hannaker, Docklands No subs secrets AUKUS is going full steam ahead, Australia is about to hand over another $1.5 billion to stimulate American shipbuilding, but we cant know about any changes that the American review has made. Seriously? We do know that the agreement will cost us $368 billion, that growing numbers of US troops will be stationed in rapidly expanding bases in northern Australia, that we might get some nuclear-powered submarines in the 2030s, and that we are tying ourselves more closely to unclear American ambitions and strategies in the Pacific. Given the volatility of Donald Trump, his lack of respect for international agreements and laws, and friendships that seem to depend on supporting changing US interests, Id say that it is time to at least demand transparency from our government so that we clearly know what we are getting ourselves into. What secrets is our government keeping? Anne Sgro, Coburg North Ban is not perfect I think of the social media ban for under-16s in the same way as the provision of alcohol to minors. It is not perfect and it can be circumvented. Parents can still provide alcohol to their children and fake IDs etc can be used. The law is there for the protection of the minor and if a pub or bottle shop is found to be flouting the law they can be prosecuted. Also, the idea that this ban is a ban on free speech is completely wrong. Free speech existed well before the internet and will still exist for those under 16 after the ban. Laurens Meyer, Richmond Boycott the US Privacy-minded Australians should seriously consider boycotting visiting the US given the announcement by the Trump administration that Australians, New Zealanders and citizens of 40 other-visa exempt countries may have to disclose five years of their social media history in order to be granted entry into America. Eric Palm, Gympie, Qld PM, do more Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continues to frustrate commentators and loyal Labor voters by not doing more to level the playing field for society by adjusting tax rates and structures to reduce the unfair advantages accruing to big business and the wealthy. He also presents himself and Labor as the party of honesty and integrity. Why then does he, at the very least, not grasp the nettle in providing the National Anti-Corruption Commission with stronger powers and real teeth, end the imbedded culture of jobs for mates, provide greater protection (and even encouragement) for whistleblowers, curb the power of lobbyists, limit (with immediate disclosure) political donations, outlaw contracts with corrupt organisations and governments and tackle the long-standing issue of parliamentary entitlements. All these actions should be low-hanging fruit to a government of integrity. Peter Thomson, Brunswick Advertisement Amen to that Being a politician is not easy. If you want the best possible people to lead the country, you have to pay for them. If that means paying for families to accompany them sometimes, so be it. Michael Brinkman, Ventnor Respect for all If Bayside Council had removed a teenage council volunteer who was wearing a Star of David necklace from its newsletter, there would have been justifiable cries of antisemitism. Some people need to realise that we live in a multicultural society and that every culture should be respected not just a chosen few. Ivan Glynn, Vermont Money better spent As a resident of Bayside I am furious that ratepayers have paid for a council publication to be pulped and reprinted to erase the recognised contribution of Zaina Amro. That nine complainants can override our countrys pride in its diversity and inclusivity is very concerning. The not inconsiderable cost of this could have been spent on further library improvements which would recognise this young womans volunteer library work or on tree planting to benefit our community. Helen Hook, Black Rock The American way When is seizing ships on the high seas not an act of piracy? When America does it. Peter Taylor, Midway Point, Tas Taken for a ride, or not Free weekend public transport over summer is great. Except half the bus routes in my municipality dont run on a Sunday. Andrea Bunting, Brunswick Advertisement Between and betwixt A maths lesson amid the outrage on the social media ban for teens: Its for the first three years of being a teen. Theyve got four years of teenage scrolling ahead of them once they turn 16. Sara McMillan, Frankston South Unseat this problem Do what you like to the Comedy Theatre, but if you dont replace the seats in the auditorium, I wont be going back. Theyre terrible. Frank Flynn, Cape Paterson Soon, itll be bun time The good news is, its only two weeks until we see hot cross buns in the supermarket. Steve Bell, Deanside Advertisement Exclusive PoliticsFederalAUKUS Need more firepower now: US should give Australia retired nuclear subs, says Abbott Paul Sakkal and Jacqueline Maley December 14, 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 Former prime minister Tony Abbott has been lobbying senior figures in the US to supply Australia with retiring nuclear submarines to give the nation strike power if conflict over Taiwan breaks out before its AUKUS submarines are delivered. Speaking on this mastheads Inside Politics podcast days after meeting with US Vice-President JD Vance, Abbott revealed his concern that US President Donald Trumps stance toward the Russian invasion of Ukraine would encourage Chinese expansionism if it led to Vladimir Putins success. Former prime minister Tony Abbott during an Inside Politics podcast recording in Sydney on Monday. Dominic Lorrimer Abbott said Australia should prepare itself for a conflagration in the Indo-Pacific by gearing up with the USs retiring Los Angeles-class vessels, whose life Abbott said could be extended amid anxiety about the slow production rate of Virginia-class boats Australia hopes to receive from 2030. We really do need more firepower now because, as everyone says, a crisis across the Taiwan Straits could be much closer than a decade away, Abbott said on the podcast, to be released on Monday. Advertisement The problem with AUKUS is that we need more naval strike power now. And yes, lets get Virginia-class subs in eight or 10 years time, and lets get the AUKUS subs in 10 or 15 years time. But wouldnt it be good to get a nuclear-powered submarine now? Given that the Americans are retiring a couple of LA-class nuclear-powered submarines every year, my curiosity is: why couldnt Australia take over one or two of these boats now and run them for a few years as Australian ensign-flagged boats? Loading The 68-year-old, who served as prime minister between 2013 and 2015 and now sits on the Fox Corporation board, did not deny he raised the idea with JD Vance when the pair met in Washington last week, saying they had a great talk but he would not go into the detail of what we discussed. Abbott said he had been raising the matter on and off in the United States ever since AUKUS was announced. Advertisement His intervention in the public debate on the landmark nuclear submarine pact puts him alongside former prime ministers including Paul Keating, Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison, all of whom have tried to influence debate on the nuclear alliance that has reshaped Australias security posture. Related Article AUKUS Marles refuses 12 times to say what the Americans want in AUKUS review A Pentagon review into AUKUS was overhauled to conform with US President Donald Trumps enthusiasm for the agreement, this masthead revealed last week. It was led by US undersecretary of defence for policy Elbridge Colby, who previously expressed concerns about the slow rate of submarine production in the US. Australian Strategic Policy Institute military analyst Marcus Hellyer said it was worth asking the question about Australia acquiring Los Angeles-class submarines, but the idea carried risks. The US was retooling some of the newer Los Angeles-class already, Hellyer noted, but even those boats were three decades old and would take several years to go through the countrys already-clogged maintenance system. Advertisement The fundamental question were all aware of is where are they going to find Virginia-class submarines for us in the 2030s because they dont exist, he said. The same also applies to the LA-class: if they are good subs, why would they hand them over when they are desperately short? US President Donald Trump with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in October. AP The US has agreed to sell at least three Virginia-class boats to Australia to fill a capability gap before specially designed nuclear-powered submarines are operational from the 2040s. But Turnbull and analysts have cast doubt on Washingtons willingness to hand over subs next decade if it continues to be short on Virginia-class submarines for its own use. The AUKUS deal also involves Australia spending $3 billion to add to US shipbuilding capacity. Advertisement Asked about the first year of Trumps presidency, Abbott a firm supporter of Ukraine who famously said he would shirtfront Putin over the downing of MH17 gave a mixed review. I think domestic Trump is pretty good. I think foreign Trump has done some good things and some things that I wish he hadnt done, Abbott said. He praised Trumps bold call to strike Iranian nuclear facilities in August but said Americas posture towards the Russian invasion of Ukraine, where Trump has given weight to Russian territorial claims, could give China the impression the US was uninterested in the Indo-Pacific. If Putin, in the end, prevails in Ukraine because the West refused to support this country fighting heroically theres no doubt that China would take that as a sign of Western weakness, and in particular, of American weakness, or at least of an American pullback, Abbott said. The democratic West is currently challenged by an axis of autocracy, whether its the militarist dictatorship in Moscow, the communist dictatorship in Beijing, the apocalyptic theocratic dictatorship in Iran and these challenger powers are working in a kind of loose concert. Advertisement Related Article China relations Japan accelerates military build-up amid tensions with China Not because they have all that much in common, except for this: their deep dissatisfaction with the Anglo-American global order which has dominated the world for much of the last two centuries. A Sino-centric world would change everything in a Chinese direction. And much as I love Chinese people, Chinese governance is much more, its much less conducive to individual freedom, Abbott said. Speaking during a visit from Albanese to Washington in October, Trump struck an optimistic tone about the prospect of war with China over Taiwan, saying: China doesnt want to do that. Trump declared the US was the strongest military power in the world by far but the New York Times this week reported a classified Pentagon report, titled Overmatch, had detailed how the US military would struggle to contend with China in the event of a conflict. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here. Advertisement PoliticsFederalSocial media Opinion The social media ban (probably) wont fix our kids Jacqueline Maley Columnist and senior journalist December 14, 2025 5:00am December 14, 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 As soon as the social media ban came into effect on Wednesday, there were reports of under 16s circumventing it. Told ya this ban was gonna flop and not work and Got past ya ban Albo, they posted gleefully on their still-extant social media accounts. Teens happy they have beaten the social media ban. TikTok Me because Im not banned, quipped one teen on TikTok, as she hid under her doona (a less than warrior-like pose). 8.14amstanding strong, posted another, with three peace-sign emojis. Vive la resistance. Advertisement Of course, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Communications Minister Anika Wells and eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant had made it clear they did not expect the ban to be perfectly executed, with a teen-and-tween blackout blind coming down overnight. Weve got plans for that, said Inman Grant about the methods of circumvention, which include scanning a nearby adults face (parents beware) to get past age verification, or using a VPN (virtual private network) to pretend youre in another country where the ban doesnt exist. If you know your own child has got around the ban and is still using social media, you can report them to the authorities, a form of digital denunciation even George Orwell never dreamed up. Parents have expressed relief that the government has stepped in as the big daddy, to do what they feel unable to do ban their children from an active threat to their mental health, attention spans and imaginative freedom. It has always been possible to ban your children from social media apps, albeit difficult to police. Admittedly, it is difficult for individual parents to go up against the combined forces of big tech, who have deployed the science behind gambling addiction to hijack the attention spans of minors. Advertisement But it is worth pausing to note how extraordinary it is that an entire generation of parents (myself included) have essentially handed over to the government the responsibility for safeguarding their children from what most people agree is a serious risk to them. 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 Jonathan Haidt, the American social psychologist who wrote the book that inspired the ban (The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness), said it was the most significant measure to protect children from social media harms. One of the books Haidt previously published, in 2018, should be read as a companion piece, especially for parents who are now called on to let their children roam freely outside, doing old-fashioned things like free-range bike-riding and walking to the shops, unaccompanied, to meet their friends. The 2018 book is called The Coddling of the American Mind (co-authored with Greg Lukianoff), and its argument is that there has been a sea change in the dominant parenting style over the past generation. Advertisement This switch to gentle parenting, which focuses on validating a childs feelings, has inadvertently produced an anxious cohort of kids who are so over-protected that they have no skills to cope with normal adversity. Part of this, the argument goes, is the idea that children should be shielded from problems and common risks, when in fact, their efforts to handle these things are what builds resilience. This is common sense to most people, but it has been overridden by the convenience of technology children no longer even have to endure the mild discomfort of boredom if there is a device around, which is a truly terrible shame because childhood boredom is one of the great engines of creativity. The long-serving, outgoing principal of SCEGGS Darlinghurst, one of Sydneys most privileged and best performing girls schools, nodded this phenomenon in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald this week. Jenny Allum, who has served in the role for more than 30 years, has noticed a significant rise in mental ill health among young people and a tendency of students to pathologise normal negative emotions or interactions. Advertisement We do worry about ourselves a lot, she told the Heralds Christopher Harris. We cant just be sad, weve got to be depressed. She also pointed to the upside of normal anxiety it can be correlated with good performance. If youre worried about the maths test coming up, thats a good thing. That doesnt mean youre anxious. That means you want to do well in your maths test, and your maths test is important to you. Thats great. But one thing the research confirms, again and again, is that the mental health of young people has dramatically worsened for the current generation of children and young people. Advertisement Advertisement Jeroen van Baar, who is a cognitive neuroscientist and psychiatric epidemiologist at Columbia University, wrote a critique of Haidts book which asserted it was not a humble study of mental illness but a social critique that harnesses an explosive cocktail of a badly understood health problem, concerns about kids these days and widespread disappointment with the way our society functions. It is in everyones interests that the social media ban works. All of us (except, perhaps, the tech billionaires) want children to enjoy the psychological freedom and physical delights of a non-digital, play-based childhood and adolescence; a life built around real-person relationships forged through real-world experiences. But for that to happen, parents will have to allow their children out into the real world, with all its real-world risk something that they are increasingly, and illogically, anxious about. And we will have to allow for the possibility that social media is not the problem; not the sole reason our children are struggling with their mental health. Advertisement The reasons are undoubtedly more complex and more structural connected to the lack of security young people feel, certainly compared with what former prime minister John Howard liked to call the relaxed and comfortable society of a couple of decades ago. Jacqueline Maley is a senior writer and columnist. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter. Advertisement PoliticsVictoriaCity life Revs Express tram push as live-music venues to be shielded from noise complaints Rachael Dexter December 13, 2025 5:13pm 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 Pubs, clubs and live-music venues in Fitzroy, Richmond and Collingwood will soon be protected from noise complaints, as Yarra Council moves to insert five live-music precincts into planning laws that will require new apartment buildings to pay for soundproofing. The council is also embarking on a push for an extended tram line to give nighttime revellers easy transport between Brunswick Street in Fitzroy and Chapel Street in Prahran. The new planning rules create Live-Music Precincts across five key corridors including Johnston Street and Brunswick Street to mandate soundproofing in new residential developments, regardless of whether a music venue exists nearby. The Tote owner Shane Hilton welcomes the new live music laws but says they need to have real teeth. Wayne Taylor The council vote next week follows the high-profile case of Fitzroys The Night Cat, where a developer attempted to use planning law to force the decades-old venue to close before the apartment building was even built because of noise complaints. Advertisement While existing agent of change planning rules already require developers building apartments near a live-music venue to soundproof their buildings, the council is proposing new rules that go further to help venues and potential future music premises avoid conflicts in the first place. Rather than a case-by-case basis, the new rules will apply this soundproofing requirement across the entire map of the new live-music areas, which include a 50-metre buffer zone to any existing live-music venue. The changes would also officially make live music a priority use in the planning rules, giving venues much clearer support if challenged in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. However, the lobby group for developers, the Property Council of Australia, complained the new rule could drive up the cost of new inner-city infill builds. While we support sensible measures to manage amenity, additional local-level requirements that go beyond state standards risk adding cost, complexity and further undermine the feasibility of new homes in these precincts, Property Council Victorian executive director Cath Evans said. But Yarra Mayor Stephen Jolly wasnt buying it. Get the violin strings out, he said. Advertisement The people who will want to live in the inner city in an apartment next to a nightclub, they wont mind paying a little bit over the odds [for soundproofing]. More widely, Jolly said the new planning changes would signal to developers and new residents that the council would always prioritise its music venues. Youre coming in to a noisy, live-music area the most cosmopolitan sort of dynamic part of Melbourne, he said. So if somebody wants to downsize for a quiet retirement, nothing wrong with that but go to Camberwell. Whack on your back episodes of Dads Army and knock yourself out. But if you move into the inner city, were full of live-music venues. Theyre the lifeblood and the backbone of a key part of our local economy. Advertisement Night Cat owner Justin Stanford welcomed the move. I think its terrific to see politicians listening, he said. One of the reasons I made a public campaign around [The Night Cat] was not only to raise awareness of the case but for the whole sector were all getting squeezed out. The Age has previously detailed how Melbournes live-music venues are under increasing pressure from rising rents, higher operating costs and patrons with less cash to spend. Many are struggling to obtain public liability insurance, with those able to secure insurance copping premium increases of up to 800 per cent. City of Yarra has 77 small-to-medium live-music venues within its 19.5 square kilometres. Shane Hilton, co-owner of Collingwoods iconic The Tote Hotel which is within one of the proposed precincts, also welcomed the push. He said it would be good to get formal recognition that live-music venues are a priority in their areas, and a reminder to developers and governments that these long-standing venues need protection, but he was concerned the amendment might only be a paper tiger. Hopefully, the state government will take that and turn it around and give it some teeth, he said. Advertisement Justin Stanford at the Night Cat in Fitzroy. Simon Schluter Music Victoria CEO Fiona Duncan said the councils local work was essential because the Victorian Labor Partys 2022 election commitment to create a stronger cultural precinct planning overlay has not yet been realised. Yarras current work provides important context for that broader policy conversation, Duncan said, adding that the City of Port Phillips own precincts were submitted more than 20 months ago but remain unapproved by the planning minister. A Victorian government spokesperson said the state was developing new planning rules to protect live-music precincts and keep venues open, which would be finalised next year. They said the government would consider Yarras proposal on its merits. Revs Express Brunswick-Prahran tram line push Advertisement The council is also embarking on a push for an extended tram line to give nighttime revellers easy transport between Brunswick Street in Fitzroy and Chapel Street in Prahran. Related Article Live music Live music is struggling. But for one genre, things have never been better Jolly confirmed the council would also vote to request the state to explore extending the 78 tram route (Balaclava Prahran/South Yarra Richmond) along Victoria Street to the Fitzroy interchange and have it turn into Brunswick Street. The motion argues this new line would create a direct north-south shuttle link that avoids the CBD, with Jolly saying it would be a relatively tiny expense that would bring a great bang for the buck by linking the inner-north and inner-south nightlife areas. Some punters have dubbed the proposal the Revs Express, after the famous Chapel Street nightclub Revolver. Advertisement Mike Callander, a resident DJ at Revolver Upstairs for 15 years, said the tram would be great for nightlife. Id love to see a Revs Express bringing northside ravers to the home of late-night partying in Melbourne, and of course back home safely, Callander said. Good public transport options are vital to safe clubbing, and ridesharing services across the river can be prohibitively expensive. All aboard! The route travels through both Port Phillip and Stonnington councils, which are also expected to sign on to the advocacy push in the lead up to the state election. Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen supported the extension, which would involve inserting two small turn sections of tram tracks. Currently to do that trip would take three different trams and waiting 20 to 30 mins for a connection, he said. This would also boost capacity on the existing line up Brunswick Street. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. CLARIFICATION A previous version of this story said office of Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny would consider Yarra councils tram route proposal on its merits. The statement from the state government referred only to the councils music precincts proposal. The story has been amended to reflect this. Advertisement Exclusive PoliticsVictoriaJustice Thousands face imprisonment over zombie warrants from repealed fines law Clay Lucas December 14, 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 Thousands of Victorians face imprisonment on zombie warrants for old unpaid fines, almost all issued under a law repealed in 2017 after parliament acknowledged it created significant injustice. The dormant warrants many dating back more than a decade are held largely by vulnerable, low-income people and stem mostly from unpaid toll road fines. Jarrod West, a Bunurong man and a traditional owner, is among thousands with a warrant hanging over his head for toll road fines accrued many years ago. Justin McManus At least 3117 unexecuted imprisonment warrants remain in Victorias fines system, most issued under the repealed laws, according to Department of Justice data. A moratorium on executing the warrants began in early 2024 after Victoria Legal Aid and community lawyers raised the alarm when individuals were pursued over long-dormant debts. Advertisement The Justice Department now appears intent on enforcing the warrants and threatening jail if payment plans are refused. Advocates are urging Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny to void the warrants. They warn that enforcing them threatens thousands whose desperation drove the 2017 law changes, subjecting them to the very policy the government abandoned. My head in the sand Jarrod West, a Bunurong man and traditional owner, accumulated tens of thousands in toll debt following the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. Then aged 19, West was a firefighter in Strathewen and St Andrews, where 36 people perished. Reports, including in The Age and the 2010 book, Footsteps in the Ash, recount West caring for a critically burned 12-year-old girl who had watched her parents and sister die when their house collapsed. In the months following, West later diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder lived between homes, couch-surfing and using CityLink without paying. His debt ballooned to $119,000 once penalties were applied. I didnt have the headspace to deal with basic life admin after Black Saturday, he said. I was sticking my head in the sand. Advertisement When West eventually faced court, a magistrate reduced the debt to $39,000. Wests attempts to arrange a payment plan failed and then, for reasons never clear to him, pursuit over the debt stopped though the threat of imprisonment hung over him. Then, in October this year, West says Fines Victoria contacted him about his fines and issued a demand for tens of thousands of dollars. They said, We have the power to come to your house, West said. Fines Victoria did not respond to questions regarding his case. Related Article Opinion Liberal Party This zombie scandal will haunt the Libs, unless they eject Morrison Malcolm Knox Journalist, author and columnist A legislative trap The warrants currently sitting in the sheriffs system were issued under old laws that gave magistrates limited discretion, leading to jail orders being routinely handed out. Advertisement But in 2017, a new regime began that gave magistrates discretion on whether to jail people who did not have the capacity to pay, and made imprisonment a last resort. Legal advocates argue that by pursuing the old warrants now, the government is bypassing its own reforms. Most of the outstanding warrants if heard today would not result in imprisonment because of the added protections. People are at risk of imprisonment [from] orders courts made under legislation that has been repealed in recognition by the government that it was producing significant injustice, said Shifrah Blustein, a managing lawyer at Inner Melbourne Community Legal. Blustein said the governments proposal to reactivate these warrants was a cash grab that ignored the fact the orders were unjust. We are saying all of these pre-2017 orders must be voided. Advertisement A spokesman for the Department of Justice said the imprisonment warrants issued by the court were not currently being executed. Were consulting with stakeholders including community legal centres and courts to find the most fair and effective way to manage these warrants, he said. However, legal groups have told The Age they understand the government plans to end this moratorium and allow the sheriff to act. The toll road connection Data obtained by Inner Melbourne Community Legal reveals imprisonment warrants are inextricably linked to private toll road operators, rather than speeding fines or red-light cameras. In cases where a magistrate ordered imprisonment and the person had at least one toll road penalty, 80 per cent of their fines related to tolls meaning the states most severe enforcement powers, arrest and imprisonment, are primarily being used to act as an enforcer for private motorway operators. Advertisement Related Article Infrastructure Magic meets industry: West Gate Tunnel to welcome (and charge) drivers on Sunday morning Blustein said many of the outstanding arrest warrants, many of which are years and years old, were issued without the persons knowledge after they defaulted on a court-ordered payment plan. These zombie warrants then sit in a sheriffs drawer for years, and we dont understand what triggers action, she said. Justice Connect, a community legal centre specialising in the intersection of homelessness and the law, also warned that Victorias fines system disproportionately harmed those already in crisis. The centre has been a key voice in lobbying the Justice Department to void the old warrants. Paula Hughes, a lawyer from Justice Connect, said the background threat of these warrants exacerbated trauma for clients already struggling with mental illness or homelessness. She described the fines system as a trap where disadvantage pulled people in and then stripped them of the capacity to navigate their way out. Advertisement Hughes argued the situation bore disturbing similarities to the robo-debt scandal because of the vulnerability of the people impacted by a system that is not particularly person centred. It just seems completely unjust that theres repealed legislation and the governments looking to enforce warrants issued under that repealed legislation, she said. The Age asked Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny if she was considering legislative reform to change the options open to those with imprisonment warrants against them. We encourage people to deal with their fines as soon as they receive them, Kilkennys spokeswoman said. There are multiple opportunities for vulnerable people to ask for a review of their fine in addition to being able to take it to court, and flexible arrangements for people in special circumstances or without the ability to pay. She said warrants and imprisonment were last resorts for outstanding fines and have nothing to do with the states financial position. Advertisement The sheriff returns While the enforcement of the warrants has been paused, the machinery of the sheriffs office has recently roared back to life after a long period of dormancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the Department of Justice and Community Safety shows that in the financial year ending in June 2017, there were 7585 warrants executed. After that, there were zero executed until 2022. The department noted this hiatus was partially due to the implementation of fines reform. But in the 2022-23 financial year, 840 warrants for imprisonment over penalties were issued, which doubled to 1860 the following year. Legal groups argue the threat of imprisonment is the primary tool, along with sanctions like wheel-clamping, used to coerce payment from people who, in the majority of cases, cannot afford to pay. Advocates are concerned that sending letters threatening imprisonment to this group could have severe consequences. It could, Blustein warned, lead to suicides and other harms. Advertisement Punishing the most vulnerable Victoria still allows imprisonment for unpaid fines, unlike New South Wales and Western Australia. An analysis prepared for Justice Connect by a major Australian law firm highlights that those two states abolished the practice after Indigenous people imprisoned over unpaid fines died in custody. The report noted imprisonment for non-payment of fines disproportionately affects marginalised populations, and serves to exacerbate previously existing poverty and disadvantage in these groups. The report also points out that jailing fine defaulters was economically counterproductive: It costs more to imprison a person for a day than what will be recovered in fines. Internationally, jurisdictions such as Sweden and Germany utilise day fines, calculated based on a persons daily income, so that a fines punitive impact is proportional to wealth. Editor's pick Magazine Good Weekend The December 13 edition December 13, 2025 By contrast, the Victorian fines system imposes a flat penalty, with ballooning late fees, that can be devastating for those on low incomes. The government justifies the ongoing availability of imprisonment as necessary to compel refusers to pay. Inner Melbourne Community Legal wants the government to void all the outstanding warrants issued under the old laws, and to abolish jailing powers entirely. Advertisement Retaining the threat of imprisonment to strong-arm fine refusers who never end up at court is dishonest. The system punishes the most vulnerable with threats and actual imprisonment people who the system is supposed to protect. Its seriously messed up, Blustein said. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here. 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. Manila: Chinese coast guard ships used powerful water cannons and blocking manoeuvres against 20 Philippine fishing boats off a disputed South China Sea shoal, injuring three Filipinos and damaging two of their boats in a life-threatening assault, the Philippine coast guard said Saturday. Chinese coast guard personnel aboard smaller rubber boats later deliberately cut the anchor lines of several of the Philippine boats Friday afternoon off Sabina Shoal, endangering the vessels and their crews amid strong currents and high waves, the coast guard said. In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, personnel treat wounded fishermen inside their vessel at the disputed South China Sea on Saturday. Philippine Coast Guard via AP Chinese officials did not immediately comment on the latest reported flare-up of the long-unresolved territorial disputes in the South China Sea, but they have vowed to defend their claimed territories at all costs. The South China Sea, a key global trade route, is claimed virtually in its entirety by China despite a 2016 arbitration ruling that declared Beijings expansive claim invalid based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China dismissed the ruling as a sham and continues to defy it. The number of global active prop traders has risen 25% in the last three years, according to a report from ZipDo. The analytics firm estimates that the prop trading industry is worth around $12 billion. Prop trading not to be confused with proprietary trading done by Wall Street firms exploded in popularity this year as US stocks climbed to fresh records. Google search interest for "prop firms" grew 85% in the past year, while search interest for "prop trading" soared 139%, according to the Google Trends analytics tool Glimpse. But, for a growing crowd of Gen Z and millennial traders looking to take on riskier, more aggressive bets, the prospect of making more money makes jumping through the hoops worth it, and many say they won't quit opening up new accounts even if it means paying thousands in fees and oftentimes ending up at a loss. Another is that, should you lose a substantial amount in the market, the account is closed and your funding is yanked. Second, if you make a winning trade, the firm will take a cut of your profit, typically around 20%. First, you'll need to pass an evaluation via a series of small challenges that prove your ability as a trader . After passing, you'll get a funded account, which could have anywhere from $5,000 to several hundred thousand to trade at your disposal. There are several catches to be aware of, though. That's a common sentiment shared by a growing mass of traders who now trade with a prop firm, companies that, for a fee ranging from $50 to several hundred, offer people pools of money to deploy in the market. "Listen, if you make $40,000 a year and you enjoy your two vacations a year and love it and you're happy, God bless. But that's just not me. I want to be free 300+ plus days of the year at least," he said. Saldana, who dreams of one day becoming financially independent , thought it sounded like a fantastic opportunity. Ricky Saldana, a 29-year-old trader based in New York, first heard murmurings about prop trading in 2021. A contact let him in on what, at the time, felt like a gatekept secret: If he paid a prop firm a small fee and passed an evaluation test, he could get thousands in fresh capital to trade with, an amount that could easily multiply a trader's profits should the market swing in the right direction. It's an appealing prospect, but traders told Business Insider it can be tough to succeed. For an upfront cost and a cut of the profits, firms offer up to hundreds of thousands to trade with. Prop trading firms offer a pool of money for retail traders hungry to take bigger swings in the market. Story Continues The average prop trader is just 29 years old. Around three in four don't see sustained profitability over a six-month period, per ZipDo's analysis. Topstep, one popular prop trading firm, says on its website that 12.4% of traders were able to get funded in 2024, which means they passed their evaluation and received a pool of capital to trade. Of those who received funding, 28.3% received a payout, which is when a trader actually receives some of the profits from the trades they've executed. Business Insider was unable to reach TopStep or comment. FTMO, another popular prop trading firm that doesn't disclose its trading statistics, did not respond to an interview request from Business Insider. Prop trading firm Apex Trader Funding declined to share its traders' results, but said it has seen explosive growth over the last three years. The amount the firm has paid out to traders grew around sixfold in the past year alone, Dan Cook, the chief strategy officer at Apex Trader Funding, told Business Insider in an interview. The speed at which the firm amassed new traders began to accelerate during the pandemic, Cook said, which the firm attributes to factors like increased interest in retail investing and people being able to explore trading as work-from-home became the norm. "Why I think it's really exploding is the word of mouth is getting out," Cook said. "'Hey, I don't have to be necessarily intimidated. I don't have to put up thousands of my own money." When asked about the common criticism directed at prop firms for their fee structure and low profitability rates among traders, Cook said there needed to be some "accountability" on behalf of traders signing up for a prop firm. "All the terms, conditions, rules are set up front. And so it's really an open book. There are no surprises," he said. 'A splash of cold water' When Saldana received his first funded prop trading account, he was ecstatic. After passing his evaluation, he was so happy he cried, played "My Way" by Frank Sinatra, and woke up his girlfriend, who was sleeping as it was the middle of the night. Things quickly soured. Saldana, who wanted to trade full-time while balancing an internship, said he made several bad bets and "blew" the account, a term used among prop traders to describe when the account is closed after taking losses Saldana estimates that he's paid around $10,000 opening up new prop accounts over the years. He describes himself as both unable and unwilling to quit prop trading, feeling that the prospect of financial freedom is within reach. "When $2,000 hits your account and all you did was press a button," he said, of the thrill of making money in the market. "Then my girlfriend's like, 'Hey, my car payment is $500.' And you give it to her with no problem." Traders who enter the prop trading ecosystem frequently say they're unwilling to step out of it. That's partly because the potential return of trading with more money and achieving financial independence is too good for many to pass up, even if it means dealing with more stress and, at times, being in the red from how much they've paid in fees to the trading companies, according to traders who spoke with Business Insider. Daniel Inskeep, a 37-year-old trader based in Chicago, said he became interested in prop trading several years ago because he believed trading with a prop firm's capital was a good way to cap his potential losses in the market. Since then, he says he's blown through "countless" accounts and estimates he's spent around $10,000 in prop firm fees over the last several years. All in all, he's in the red from prop trading. Daniel Inskeep, a 37-year-old trader based in Chicago, said he believed trading with a prop firm as a good way to cap his downside risk. Courtesy of Daniel Inskeep Prop trading is an emotional rollercoaster and far more stressful than trading on one's own, Inskeep said. That's because, in addition to an initial evaluation, prop traders are expected to regularly pass challenges to get paid out things like hitting a certain profit target on a trade. One wrong move can blow the account, meaning a trader will have to open up a new account or pay for a new challenge for a shot at getting a funded account again. "It's a splash of cold water for a lot of people," he said of how difficult prop trading was. Still, Inskeep says he's stuck with it. There's simply "nothing better" than sitting in sweatpants at home and making money from a few clicks, he said. "I still blow accounts to this day and it's just part of the game," he said. "I just think there's the freedom of trading once you learn this skill. It's not something that your boss can fire you from." Courtesy of Joseph Katumba Joseph Katumba, a 32-year-old trader based in the United Arab Emirates, said he got into prop trading several years ago when he noticed videos about the topic coming up in his YouTube feed. "It promised a lot of things and I decided to learn it myself," he said, adding that he studied the markets for up to seven hours a day on top of his full-time job to pass his initial evaluation. Katumba has blown two funded accounts. He said he spent around $7,000 in prop firm fees over the last several years, though he has made a profit, according to payout certificates he showed Business Insider. Katumba, who's in the process of obtaining funding for a new account, says he wishes to be successful enough as a trader to one day improve his own life, such as by investing in a car or a home, and also to engage in philanthropic work in Uganda, his home country. "It is an opportunity, and it is very difficult for people to find opportunities like that," Katumba said of why he continued to trade. "When you get it right, it is going to be life-changing." Read the original article on Business Insider 4 Flight Operations Inspectors suspended MUMBAI : AVIATION safety regulator DGCA has suspended four Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) over massive disruptions in IndiGos operations, which resulted in the cancellation of thousands of flights and lakhs of people getting stranded across airports. The airline on Friday cancelled around 160 flights from two key airports, Delhi and Bengaluru, amid the on-going disruptions at the airline, sources said. FOIs are senior officials within the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, working as part of its regulatory and safety oversight functions, often deployed to monitor airline operations. Four Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) at the DGCA have been suspended in connection with the recent large-scale disruptions in IndiGos flights, a source said. These officials ensure aviation safety by inspecting, auditing, and certifying airlines and personnel, such as pilots, dispatchers, and cabin crew, to meet strict regulatory standards, verifying various regulations and overseeing training, flight standards, and accident prevention measures in India. The DGCA on Thursday stepped up scrutiny of the crisis-hit IndiGo, with officials stationing themselves at the carriers headquarters to monitor operations, and an inquiry panel grilled CEO Pieter Elbers. IndiGo said it is operating over 2,000 flights on Friday as per its revised scaled down schedule. Under the winter schedule, which commenced in the last week of October and will run through the last week of March next year, IndiGo was allowed to operate 15,014 flights per week, or 2,144 per day, on domestic routes. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: 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. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model . Does the December share price for DKSH Holding AG ( VTX:DKSH ) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward. Story Continues 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 (0.5%) 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 5.2%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035 (1 + g) (r g) = CHF321m (1 + 0.5%) (5.2% 0.5%) = CHF6.9b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= CHF6.9b ( 1 + 5.2%)10= CHF4.2b The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is CHF6.5b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of CHF56.9, the company appears quite good value at a 43% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. SWX:DKSH Discounted Cash Flow December 13th 2025 The Assumptions Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at DKSH Holding as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 5.2%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.113. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. See our latest analysis for DKSH Holding SWOT Analysis for DKSH Holding Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market. Weakness No major weaknesses identified for DKSH. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Swiss market. Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Threat Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the Swiss market. Next Steps: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For DKSH Holding, we've compiled three further factors you should consider: Financial Health: Does DKSH have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does DKSH's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Swiss stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Amendments to Lokayukta Act bring IAS officers under its purview Staff Reporter : The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly has given approval to amendments to the Lokayukta Act. The amendments will bring Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers and several State-appointed officials under the purview of the anti-corruption watchdog. The amendment bill, was passed on Thursday evening. It has expanded the scope of the Maharashtra Lokayukta Act, 2023, and removes ambiguities flagged earlier by the Presidents office. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis moved the amendments. The amendment makes it clear that IAS officers appointed by the State on authorities created under Central Acts will also come under the Lokayukta. This will remove the existing ambiguity, Fadnavis added. The officers appointed by the State Government to various boards, authorities and committees established under Parliamentary Acts will now be covered. Earlier, there were confusions about whether such authorities fell under the jurisdiction of the Lokayukta or the Lokpal. The confusion has been removed as the amendments will include only those authorities appointed by the State under Central Acts. Those appointed solely by the Union Government, come under the Lokpals mandate, will not be covered under Lokayukta. The bill also updates references to repealed Central Acts, replacing the Indian Penal Code with the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and similar updated statutes. Fadnavis explained, They were drafted based on inputs from the Presidents office and that the revised legislation does not need to be sent back for further approval. The original Act, passed during the previous Government, requires a two-thirds majority in the Assembly to allow an inquiry against a present or former Chief Minister. Similar approvals from the Governor, a group of ministers, the Council Chairperson or the Assembly Speaker are mandated for probes against ministers and legislators. Even for investigating Municipal Corporators or Sarpanchs, the Lokayukta must seek consent from the minister concerned. Cong stalwart, ex-Union Minister Shivraj Patil no more LATUR : VETERAN Congressman Shivraj Patil, who served as the Lok Sabha Speaker and was Union Home Minister during the 26/11 attacks, passed away at his hometown Latur in Maharashtra on Friday morning, family sources said. Patil, 90, passed away at his residence Devghar after a brief illness, they said, adding his funeral will be held on Saturday. He is survived by his son Shailesh Patil, daughter-in-law Archana, who unsuccessfully contested the Assembly polls last year on a BJP ticket against Congress Amit Deshmukh from Latur city, and two granddaughters. Patil remained a Congress and Nehru-Gandhi family loyalist till his last days and held several key constitutional and ministerial posts during a public life spanning more than five decades. The veteran politician faced severe public and media backlash as Union Home Minister in 2008 when he was seen in three different sets of clothes on the night of November 26 when Mumbai was facing unprecedented attacks from ten heavily-armed Pakistan-trained terrorists. Defending himself over the criticism, he had said people should criticise policy, not clothes. The sheer scale of the Mumbai attacks weighed heavily on Patils political career and made his position in the Union Cabinet virtually untenable, leading to his resignation on November 30, 2008. Condolences poured in from across party lines, reflecting the wide respect the Congress politician commanded. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CM Devendra Fadnavis, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and many others offered condolences and paid tributes to Patil. Born on October 12, 1935, Patil began his political journey as the president of Latur municipality between 1966 and 1970 and was subsequently elected as an MLA for two terms. He held key posts in the Maharashtra Assembly, including Deputy Speaker and Speaker, between 1977 and 1979. He then went on to win the Latur Lok Sabha seat seven times and was the 10th Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 1991 to 1996. He lost to BJPs Rupatai Patil Nilangekar in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. He was also a Rajya Sabha member. The Congress leader held several key portfolios in the Union Cabinet, including Home, Defence, Commerce, and Science and Technology. Patil was the Governor of Punjab and also served as Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh from 2010 to 2015. In 2022, speaking at a book launch, he courted controversy for claiming that the concept of jihad was present not just in Islam but also in the Bhagavad Gita and Christianity. In March 2025, he had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi with his family. Calling Patil a distinguished parliamentarian and statesman, Fadnavis said his demise was deeply saddening. Patil served in several key roles, leaving an indelible mark through his exemplary public service, said Fadnavis. As Speaker of the Lok Sabha, he initiated and supported several innovative parliamentary practices, earning respect across the political spectrum, said the CM. Renowned for his integrity, deep knowledge and firm leadership, Patil commanded a place of esteem in Indian politics. His death has created a void in the countrys political and social leadership, he added. Sharad Pawar said Patil played a significant role in the politics of both Maharashtra and the nation, harmoniously blending the Congress ideology with his unwavering commitment to resolving peoples issues. In every position he held, his work consistently reflected justice for the common man, said the NCP (SP) chief. Former CM Ashok Chavan, who hails from neighbouring Nanded, described Patil as a guiding figure, like a father. For me, the death of Shivraj Patil Chakurkar is a great personal loss. He shared a brotherly bond with (my father) Dr Shankarrao Chavan, and for many years, our families have shared a deep relationship, said the BJP Rajya Sabha member. In Patils death, the country has lost a cultured and scholarly personality, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said, calling the Congress leader a symbol of simplicity and ethical conduct. Highlighting Patils initiatives during his stint as the Lok Sabha Speaker, Pawar said he pushed for modernisation and computerisation of the House. The Outstanding Parliamentarian Award was also started during his tenure, said Pawar in a statement. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said Patil served in different constitutional posts, from his home state Maharashtra to the Centre, during his decades-long career. In his demise, the country has lost an experienced, cultured leader who skilfully blended politics and social work, noted Shinde. NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule mourned Patils death, saying his passing marks the loss of a leader with vast parliamentary experience. Latur MLA Amit Deshmukh also offered his tributes to Patil. Known for his dignified conduct, he never indulged in personal attacks, neither in public speeches nor in private conversations, said a Congress leader. Patil was also known for his vast reading, meticulous study, and articulate presentation. His command over Marathi, English, and Hindi, along with his exceptional grasp of constitutional matters, made him a much-respected parliamentarian of his time, added the party leader. Cops probing sand traders murder case raid borders of Jabalpur, Katni, Mandla distts Staff Reporter: The police team investigating the absconding masked criminals, who shot dead a sand trader in broad daylight under the jurisdiction of Khitoula police station on Thursday afternoon, raided borders of Jabalpur, Katni and Mandla districts. Police have already identified the accused who shot dead the deceased Dharmendra Thakur after going through CCTV footage, preliminary investigation and statements of family members/acquaintances. Two teams of Crime Branch with Khitoula police were conducting raids at different hide-outs to nab the absconding accused as soon as possible. SP Sampat Upadhyay with ASP Anjana Tiwari taking constant feedback from police officers involved in the investigation. Masked miscreants stopped a sand trader in broad daylight on Thursday and fired three shots on his head from zero range in the middle of the road. Though the deceased tried to run away but he was grabbed by the assailants. After receiving three shots in his head, he died on the spot. The incident sent shockwaves through the entire area. Police from several police stations, including Khitauli police station, have been present in the area since the incident took place. The sensational and heinous incident enraged local residents, who protested blocking the road. The situation was resolved after police officers intervened. Police have assured them for immediate arrest of the accused involved in the heinous crime. After registering a case under relevant sections, police have initiated further proceedings. Preliminary investigations indicate a personal grudge. Some of Dharmendra Thakurs associates named Ashish Vishwakarma as main accused involved in the murder case, police sources say that someone else may have carried out the crime under the guise of Assu. The police presently investigating the case keeping all aspects in mind. Government recommends dismissal of controversial IAS Officer Verma BHOPAL : The Madhya Pradesh Government on Thursday sent a proposal to the Central Government recommending the dismissal of IAS officer Santosh Verma, State President of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes Officers and Employees Association (AJAKS), for his undignified remarks. In addition, Verma has been removed from his post as Deputy Secretary of the Agriculture Department and attached to the GDA without any department or work. According to an official statement, the GDA has also decided to issue a charge sheet against Verma. The action comes after Verma, at the AJAKS state level convention in Bhopal on November 23, said, Until a Brahmin donates his daughter to my son and he has a relationship with her, he (son) should get reservation. A video of his statement was uploaded on social media, sparking outrage among the Brahmin community. Following Vermas remarks, demands for action against him were rising not only in the state but across the country. Furthermore, 65 Brahmin organisations, enraged by Verma's remarks, announced a protest on Friday and a siege of the chief minister's residence on December 14. They also warned that if no action was taken, preparations would be made for a state-wide shutdown. Meanwhile, another recent comment by Verma added fuel to the fire when, while addressing an event, he said, "It is the High Court itself that is preventing ST category children from becoming civil judges... It is the High Court from which we demand a guarantee of constitutional compliance." The controversy intensified as a video of his remarks surfaced, increasing pressure on the government. Subsequently, an official statement issued late at night said that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had taken cognisance of the Santosh Verma case and directed the GAD to take strict action. It is said that Verma had fabricated and forged a promotion order from the State Administrative Service to the Indian Administrative Service, and criminal cases are pending against him in various courts. The Government sent this proposal to the central government shortly thereafter. The Government said that a departmental inquiry against Verma on the charge of obtaining an integrity certificate based on forged and fabricated documents is in its final stages, and that his response to the show-cause notice in the current case is unsatisfactory. The Government also said that he has been continuously issuing indecent statements, and hence, the decision to issue a charge sheet against him was taken. An official said that the State Government can suspend IAS officers but cannot dismiss them, as this power lies with the central government, which Govt under pressure on Vande Mataram, election reforms issues: Rahul to LS MPs NEW DELHI : CONGRESS leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday hailed his party MPs performance during the debates in both Houses on Vande Mataram and election reforms, and claimed that the Governments narrative was shredded to pieces by the Opposition. Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, chaired a meeting with Congress MPs in the Lower House and also heard the views of the party legislators besides taking their feedback. During the meeting, Gandhi told party MPs that the Government seemed under pressure from the Opposition on both the issues, sources said. Later, speaking with reporters in Parliament House complex, Gandhi said, There was an acrimonious debate on Vande Mataram and SIR (Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls). I felt good because in both the debates, we shredded their narrative to pieces (dhajjiya uda di unki). He claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was disturbed during the SIR debate and even used an abusive word in Parliament. So he was mentally disturbed and under pressure and there is a reason for that -- the whole structure is involved in vote chori, the whole country knows it, Gandhi claimed. Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said it was discussed during the meeting that the party was successful in raising the current problems of the people such as IndiGo flight disruptions, air pollution and labour codes issue. It was also discussed how during the debate on 150 years of Vande Mataram, Mallikarjun Kharge Ji in the Rajya Sabha and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra ji in the Lok Sabha brought the truth before the people and blunted the intentions of politicising the issue, Gogoi told reporters after the meeting. On vote chori, everyone saw how Rahul Gandhi ji challenged the home minister for a debate on the floor of the House on the issues raised by him in the press conferences on the basis of evidence. The home minister was rattled and also made some unparliamentary remarks, he said. Congress chief whip K Suresh said it was a routine meeting that Gandhi calls every session to evaluate the performance of MPs and also heard their views and feedback. The Congress Lok Sabha MPs also observed silence to pay their respects to former Union Minister Shivraj Patil, who passed away this morning in Latur. While the debate on Vande Mataram has been wrapped up in both Houses, the debate on election reforms is still on in the Rajya Sabha. Kopra Reservoir earns prestigious global Wetland Status Staff Reporter : RAIPUR : A significant milestone has been achieved for conservation in Chhattisgarh as the breathtaking Kopra Reseroir has been officially inscribed on the Ramsar List, recognising it as a Wetland of International Importance (Site no. 2583). This designation, announced alongside Rajasthans Siliserh Lake, brings Indias total number of protected Ramsar Sites to a proud 96. The Kopra Reservoir, originally constructed as a reservoir for vital irrigation purposes, now stands as a testament to the strong ecological connectivity and biodiversity of the Mahanadi Rivers upper catchment areas. Surrounded primarily by farmlands and local villages, this extensive open-water area has developed shallow, nutrient-rich backwaters that create a complex and varied habitat, crucial for countless species. The reservoir is celebrated as a vital stopover and refuge for migratory birds, supporting more than 60 species on their long-distance journeys. It provides essential grounds for nesting, feeding, and resting. The wetland is a critical haven for globally threatened species. Noteworthy visitors include the Vulnerable Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) and the Endangered Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus). The mere presence of these iconic species underscores the reservoirs immense ecological value. Birdwatching enthusiasts and local communities alike appreciate the sites natural beauty and the spectacular display of its avian residents. The reservoir acts as a green pocket near the urban areas of Bilaspur, connecting people to nature and reinforcing the importance of local habitat protection. Despite its importance, the Kopra Reservoir faces serious ecological challenges, which the new Ramsar status will help address. The primary threats stem from siltation, the spread of invasive non-native species, and the impact of intensive agriculture in the surrounding landscape. As the reservoir is a significant source of water for the regions fertile lands, balancing the needs of agriculture with ecological preservation is key. The Ramsar designation is expected to catalyze concerted efforts to combat these threats. While conservation measures are already proposed, the official designation paves the way for the preparation and implementation of a comprehensive management plan, ensuring the sustainable future of this ecological gem. This international recognition solidifies Kopra Reservoirs role not just as a local water body, but as a globally significant contributor to wetland biodiversity. The inclusion on the Ramsar List provides access to international expertise and funding, strengthening the state governments efforts to enhance environmental protection, water conservation, and biodiversity for the region. The focus now shifts to preparing a robust management plan that will integrate conservation activities such as potentially addressing desilting and de-weeding, conducting water quality monitoring, and involving local communities to secure the reservoirs future as a flourishing sanctuary for both the people and the remarkable wildlife of Chhattisgarh. Manager of MP Warehousing and Logistics Corporation held for accepting bribe in Seoni Staff Reporter : Lokayukta police on Friday successfully conducted a sting operation, apprehending a manager of Madhya Pradesh Warehousing and Logistics Corporation in Seoni for accepting bribe. The accused, identified as Mukesh Parmar, who serves as Warehouse Manager (Assistant Quality Controller) at the Corporations Dhanoura office, was caught red-handed accepting a sum of Rs 15,000. Lokayukta Superintendent of Police (SP) Anjulta Patle, confirming the report, stated that action followed a complaint filed by an applicant named Surendra Jain. According to the official report, accused, Mukesh Parmar, had initially demanded Rs 25,000 from Jain. This demand was allegedly made to refrain from reporting or documenting inadequate facilities for procurement of paddy and other grains at Jain Warehouse located in Nai Pipariya village. Subsequent negotiations resulted in a final settlement, establishing the agreed-upon bribe amount at Rs. 15,000. The transaction was scheduled for Friday. The Lokayukta team orchestrated an operation, deploying a trap in the office. The applicant was instructed to proceed with handing over the designated bribe amount. Upon receiving a signal from the applicant following the exchange, the Lokayukta team executed the raid, resulting in the immediate apprehension of the accused while he was in possession of the bribe money. Lokayukta trap team which carried out the operation successfully included inspectors Shashi Marskole, Rahul Gajbhiye and Brijmohan Singh Narwariya. The recovered bribe amount has been seized from the possession of the accused. Lokayukta police are proceeding with registration of a case under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Phishing Alert: Scammers using highly realistic duplicate bank websites to steal funds Staff Reporter : The changing landscape of technology has prompted cyber fraudsters to alter their modus operandi, leading to a sharp rise in cyber fraud cases in Bhopal. Imposters are now creating duplicate websites that perfectly mimic private banks to carry out online fraud. They are scamming people out of large sums of money under the guise of loan approvals, credit card limit increases, and attractive banking offers. In recent days, the Cyber Cell has registered several such cases where victims have been duped of lakhs of rupees. Additional DCP of Crime Branch, Shailendra Singh Chauhan, appealed to citizens to verify the URL and security certificate of any banking website before logging in. Key Fraud Cases Registered: Loan Approval Scam (Rs 1.85 Lakh): A private company employee in TT Nagar was lured with the promise of a low-interest loan. The complainant searched for the banks website on Google and clicked on a link that appeared identical to the genuine site. Upon filling out a form, the fraudsters sent a loan approval message and demanded money for document verification and processing fees. After payment, Rs 1.85 lakh was immediately debited from the account. Credit Card Limit Fraud (Rs 92,000): A woman in the Awadhpuri area received an SMS stating her credit card limit had been increased and prompted her to click a link to activate it. The linked site closely resembled the banks official portal. The woman entered an OTP, following which Rs 92,000 was withdrawn from her account instantly. Customer Care Search Scam (Rs 1.35 Lakh): A government employee searched for the banks customer care number. Believing the top result in the Google search to be genuine, they called the number provided on the site. The fraudster sent a link under the guise of account verification. Upon opening the link, control of the mobile device was taken over by the hackers, and Rs 1.35 lakh was fraudulently transferred from the account. Additional DCP Shailendra Singh Chauhan stated that fraudsters are primarily activating fake banking websites through Google searches, SMS, emails, and social media. He urged everyone to conduct bank-related transactions only through official apps or verified websites and never share any form of fee or OTP (One-Time Password) with anyone. SEOIACB arrests key conduit in coal levy cash conversion racket Staff Reporter : Raipur : The State Economic Offences Investigation and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SEOIACB) has arrested Rakesh Kumar Jain, a key alleged conduit accused of converting illegal coal levy collections into cash through a web of fake companies, in a major breakthrough in the ongoing coal levy investigation. Jain was taken into custody in Sections 7, 7A and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with Sections 120B, 384 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) According to the agency, Jain played a central role in a criminal conspiracy that facilitated large-scale laundering of illegal coal levy proceeds. Investigators have found that he allegedly created and controlled a network of shell firms to route and layer crores of rupees generated from unlawful coal levy collections. These funds were shown as fictitious expenses and bogus business transactions, enabling their withdrawal in cash. The cash, the agency claims, was delivered to the main accused in the coal levy scam, Suryakant Tiwari, on the instructions of other conspirators. SEOIACB officials said the investigation has revealed that more than Rs 50 crore of illegal levy money was converted into cash through this mechanism. In addition to conventional banking routes, a portion of the funds was allegedly sent through hawala channels, for which Jain is said to have received commission payments linked to the volume of transactions handled. The probe has also uncovered Jains alleged involvement in facilitating the conversion of scam proceeds for Anwar Dhebar, an accused in the liquor scam case. Investigators suspect that Jain used similar entry-based methods to turn illicit funds into what is locally described as pakka money. This aspect of the case is under active examination, and further disclosures are expected during custodial questioning. Officials said Jain had floated more than a dozen companies in his own name and in the name of his brother-in-law. Additional entities were allegedly created in the names of his employees and close associates, all of which were used to route suspect transactions. These firms, investigators believe, existed largely on paper and had no genuine commercial activity. SEOIACB records show that Jain has a prior criminal history and had been absconding for a prolonged period. He is already an accused in multiple cheating cases registered at Kotwali police station in Raipur and at Maudhapara police station. After his arrest on December 11, Jain was produced before the Special Court under the Prevention of Corruption Act in Raipur on December 12. The court granted police remand till December 19, allowing the agency to continue interrogation and evidence collection. SEOIACB officials indicated that further arrests and financial attachments may follow as the investigation progresses. Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) is one of the travel and leisure stocks Jim Cramer recently talked about. Cramer highlighted his discussion with the company CEO, as he stated: Some of the lower-cost names like Southwest Air and Alaska Air are up even more than that, with gains close to 40% from the November lows. I spoke with Bob Jordan, the CEO of Southwest, on Squawk on the Street yesterday. He sounded pretty darn enthusiastic about his companys prospects now that theyre working hand in hand with the very smart activist investors at Elliott Management. Boeing-piqsels.com-id-fbufp.jpg Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) provides passenger air travel with a focus on convenience, loyalty rewards, and digital tools for booking. Cramer highlighted the stock during the April 14 episode and said: The airlines, theyve been a mixed blessing between Delta bad, United good, the weak, and the strong. Which is Southwest, and which is American? I think theyre in the Delta camp, but their stocks are cheap. They may not stay that way. It is worth noting that Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) stock is up nearly 65% since the above comment was aired. While we acknowledge the potential of LUV as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer expressed thoughts on. During the lightning round, when a caller inquired about the stock, Cramer said: Hexcels a very good company, sir. The only reason I said to buy Boeing is both Hexcel and Howmet had gone up too high. Boeing is still lagging. Photo by Adam Nowakowski on Unsplash Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL) makes advanced carbon fibers, reinforcements, honeycomb materials, and composite parts used in aerospace, defense, and other industrial applications. Madison Investments stated the following regarding Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL) in its third quarter 2025 investor letter: The small cap team initiated a new investment position in Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL). Hexcel is a global leader in advanced composite materials, specializing in the production of carbon fiber reinforcements, resin systems, and honeycomb structures. These materials are critical for lightweight, high-performance applications, particularly in the commercial aerospace, space, and defense sectors. Hexcels products are used in aircraft frames, wings, engines, and other structural components, offering strength and durability while significantly reducing weight. Major clients include aerospace giants like Airbus and Boeing. We like the duopoly market structure and deep moats of Hexcels business. The cycle has been in a prolonged downtrend due to the COVID supply chain shocks, creating bottlenecks in engines and the struggles of Boeing and Spirit Aerosystems. We believe these headwinds are now largely behind us. The competitive moats in this business are significant. Capital intensity is relatively high, while incumbency and vertical integration provide a huge competitive advantage. Certification in wing and fuselage requires massive regulatory approval, which leads to even higher switching costs. Furthermore, the industry has a benign competitive structure, with Japanese firm Toray being the only other direct, scaled composite material competitor, having a combined share in wing and fuselage that approaches 90% and holding sole-sourced positions with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). We believe the intrinsic value for this franchise is $85. While we acknowledge the potential of HXL 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. Hilton Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 45,635 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $3,656,000. Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in WFC. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt boosted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 2,735,254.3% during the 2nd quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt now owns 949,769,723 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $76,095,550,000 after buying an additional 949,735,001 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Wells Fargo & Company during the 2nd quarter valued at about $3,990,551,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 54.9% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 16,635,681 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,332,851,000 after purchasing an additional 5,894,747 shares during the last quarter. Amundi increased its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 18.2% in the second quarter. Amundi now owns 14,155,753 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,165,868,000 after purchasing an additional 2,180,693 shares during the period. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 8,010.7% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,973,730 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $158,135,000 after buying an additional 1,949,395 shares during the last quarter. 75.90% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts recently commented on the company. Citigroup raised their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Cowen reissued a hold rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Cfra Research raised shares of Wells Fargo & Company to a moderate buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Dbs Bank raised shares of Wells Fargo & Company to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $92.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $90.04. Wells Fargo & Company Trading Up 0.2% Wells Fargo & Company stock opened at $92.76 on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company has a 1 year low of $58.42 and a 1 year high of $93.42. The firms 50 day moving average price is $85.51 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $81.69. The firm has a market cap of $291.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.84. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.73 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $21.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.11 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.51% and a net margin of 17.18%.Wells Fargo & Companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.42 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current fiscal year. Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th were paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is 29.61%. Wells Fargo & Company Profile (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management. 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. Mizuho Financial Group (NYSE:MFG Get Free Report) and Agri Bank China (OTCMKTS:ACGBY Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings, profitability and risk. Institutional & Insider Ownership 3.3% of Mizuho Financial Group shares are held by institutional investors. 0.0% of Mizuho Financial Group shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Get Mizuho Financial Group alerts: Profitability This table compares Mizuho Financial Group and Agri Bank Chinas net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Mizuho Financial Group 11.57% 9.20% 0.35% Agri Bank China 21.14% 9.25% 0.63% Dividends Analyst Recommendations Mizuho Financial Group pays an annual dividend of $0.15 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Agri Bank China pays an annual dividend of $0.61 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. Mizuho Financial Group pays out 27.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Agri Bank China pays out 22.6% 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. Agri Bank China is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Mizuho Financial Group and Agri Bank China, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Mizuho Financial Group 0 1 0 1 3.00 Agri Bank China 0 0 0 0 0.00 Earnings and Valuation This table compares Mizuho Financial Group and Agri Bank Chinas revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Mizuho Financial Group $59.30 billion 1.55 $3.92 billion $0.55 13.37 Agri Bank China $195.64 billion 1.26 $39.24 billion $2.70 6.53 Agri Bank China has higher revenue and earnings than Mizuho Financial Group. Agri Bank China is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Mizuho Financial Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Volatility & Risk Mizuho Financial Group has a beta of 0.35, suggesting that its stock price is 65% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Agri Bank China has a beta of 0.06, suggesting that its stock price is 94% less volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Agri Bank China beats Mizuho Financial Group on 8 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks. About Mizuho Financial Group (Get Free Report) Mizuho Financial Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in banking, trust, securities, and other businesses related to financial services in Japan, the Americas, Europe, Asia/Oceania, and internationally. It operates through Retail & Business Banking Company, Corporate & Institutional Company, Global Corporate Company, Global Markets Company, Asset Management Company, and Others segments. The company provides deposit products; syndicated, housing, and card loans; business matching services; and advisory services related to overseas expansions, and mergers and acquisitions-related services. It also offers consulting services, including asset management and asset succession; payroll services; and sells lottery tickets issued by prefectures and ordinance-designated cities. In addition, it offers fund management, underwriting of equity and bonds, risk hedging products, etc. for corporate customers; solutions based on capital management, business strategy, and financial strategy; real estate services; advisory services and solutions, such as advice on proposals on various investment products to financial institutions; and financial services that include funding support and public bonds underwriting. Further, the company offers corporate finance and transaction banking srvices; sales and trading services; investment products; pension funds; and ALM and investment services, including stable capital raising and balance sheet management, as well as management of fixed income, equity, and other securities portfolios. Additionally, the company provides online banking, cash management solutions, currency transaction, trade finance, custody, yen correspondence settlement, and research and consulting services; trust, securitization and structured finance, and stock transfers; and private banking and information technology-related services. Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. About Agri Bank China (Get Free Report) Agricultural Bank of China Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides banking products and services. The company operates through Corporate Banking, Personal Banking, and Treasury Operations segments. It offers demand, personal call, foreign currency call, time or demand optional, foreign exchange call, foreign exchange time, savings, agreed term, and negotiated deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposit; and loans, including housing, consumer, business, fixed asset, working capital, real estate, and entrusted syndicated loans, as well as trade finances, guarantees and commitments, and loans with custody of export rebates accounts. The company provides credit card, debit card, payment and settlement, private banking, cash management, investment banking, custody, financial market, and financial institution services, as well as trading and wealth management services; and personal fund collection and automatic transfer services. In addition, it offers agro-related personal and corporate banking products and services; telephone, mobile, self-service, television, and SMS banking services; financial leasing services; fund management services; asset custodian services; and insurance and reinsurance related products and services. The company operates domestic branches, including specialized institutions, training institutes, tier-1 branches, tier-2 branches, tier-1 sub-branches, foundation-level branch outlets and other establishments; overseas branches in Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, New York, Dubai International Financial Centre, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Sydney, Luxemburg, Dubai, London, Macao, and Hanoi; and overseas representative offices in Vancouver, Taipei, Sao Paulo, and Dushanbe. The company was founded in 1951 and is based in Beijing, the People's Republic of China. Receive News & Ratings for Mizuho Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mizuho Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HRT Financial LP raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 317.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,042,012 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 792,285 shares during the period. HRT Financial LP owned approximately 0.06% of Altria Group worth $61,093,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Mattson Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in Altria Group during the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Carderock Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Country Trust Bank lifted its position in Altria Group by 400.0% in the second quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Altria Group Price Performance Altria Group stock opened at $58.76 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $50.08 and a fifty-two week high of $68.60. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $60.48 and its 200-day simple moving average is $61.73. The company has a market cap of $98.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.33 and a beta of 0.48. Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.01. Altria Group had a net margin of 37.89% and a negative return on equity of 319.43%. The firm had revenue of $5.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.31 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.38 EPS. The companys revenue was down 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.370-5.45 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year. Altria Group announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Thursday, October 30th that allows the company to buyback $2.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to purchase up to 1.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often a sign that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. Altria Group Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be issued a dividend of $1.06 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.2%. Altria Groups payout ratio is currently 80.92%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $61.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $72.00 target price on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, August 21st. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 22nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $62.33. Get Our Latest Stock Report on MO About Altria Group (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kemper Corporation (NYSE:KMPR Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Reduce from the six research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has assigned a hold recommendation and two 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 $56.6667. KMPR has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Zacks Research lowered shares of Kemper from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Raymond James Financial cut shares of Kemper from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $60.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on Kemper from $50.00 to $35.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d+) rating on shares of Kemper in a research note on Monday. Get Kemper alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on KMPR Kemper Stock Up 0.8% KMPR stock opened at $41.19 on Wednesday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $42.79 and its 200 day simple moving average is $52.72. The company has a market cap of $2.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.75 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.19 and a current ratio of 0.19. Kemper has a fifty-two week low of $33.91 and a fifty-two week high of $72.25. Kemper (NYSE:KMPR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The insurance provider reported $0.33 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.33 by ($1.00). Kemper had a net margin of 5.13% and a return on equity of 11.48%. The firm had revenue of $1.24 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.22 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.62 EPS. The companys revenue was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that Kemper will post 6.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Kemper Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, November 17th were given a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 17th. Kempers dividend payout ratio is presently 33.42%. Institutional Trading of Kemper Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Kemper by 40.1% during the third quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,780,270 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $143,323,000 after purchasing an additional 795,131 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC increased its stake in Kemper by 129.8% in the 3rd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,115,660 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $57,512,000 after buying an additional 630,241 shares during the last quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Kemper during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $24,340,000. UBS Group AG boosted its stake in shares of Kemper by 284.8% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 621,829 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $32,055,000 after buying an additional 460,217 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP grew its holdings in shares of Kemper by 12.9% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,776,543 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $143,131,000 after acquiring an additional 316,216 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.23% of the companys stock. About Kemper (Get Free Report) Kemper Corporation, a diversified insurance holding company, engages in the provision of insurance products to individuals and businesses in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance, Preferred Property & Casualty Insurance, and Life & Health Insurance. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Kemper Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kemper and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp lowered its holdings in AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T Free Report) by 9.4% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,072,261 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 214,728 shares during the period. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corps holdings in AT&T were worth $59,971,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. J. L. Bainbridge & Co. Inc. boosted its position in AT&T by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. J. L. Bainbridge & Co. Inc. now owns 21,253 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $615,000 after buying an additional 355 shares during the period. Financial & Tax Architects LLC raised its stake in shares of AT&T by 4.9% in the second quarter. Financial & Tax Architects LLC now owns 7,588 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $220,000 after acquiring an additional 356 shares in the last quarter. Roberts Glore & Co. Inc. IL boosted its holdings in AT&T by 2.0% in the second quarter. Roberts Glore & Co. Inc. IL now owns 18,386 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $532,000 after purchasing an additional 357 shares during the period. Investment Partners LTD. grew its stake in AT&T by 3.5% during the 2nd quarter. Investment Partners LTD. now owns 10,464 shares of the technology companys stock worth $303,000 after purchasing an additional 357 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Parcion Private Wealth LLC grew its stake in AT&T by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter. Parcion Private Wealth LLC now owns 14,910 shares of the technology companys stock worth $431,000 after purchasing an additional 364 shares in the last quarter. 57.10% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get AT&T alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on AT&T from $31.00 to $29.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a strong-buy rating and issued a $33.00 target price (up previously from $31.00) on shares of AT&T in a report on Thursday, September 18th. KeyCorp raised shares of AT&T from a sector weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $30.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of AT&T from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on shares of AT&T from $31.00 to $30.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, AT&T has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $30.55. AT&T Trading Up 1.1% Shares of AT&T stock opened at $24.57 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $25.41 and a 200-day simple moving average of $27.26. The stock has a market cap of $174.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.98, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.38. AT&T Inc. has a 12-month low of $21.38 and a 12-month high of $29.79. AT&T (NYSE:T Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The technology company reported $0.54 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.54. AT&T had a net margin of 17.87% and a return on equity of 12.72%. The firm had revenue of $30.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $30.85 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.60 EPS. AT&Ts revenue for the quarter was up 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that AT&T Inc. will post 2.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. AT&T Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 10th were issued a $0.2775 dividend. This represents a $1.11 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 10th. AT&Ts payout ratio is presently 36.04%. AT&T Company Profile (Free Report) AT&T, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of telecommunications and technology services. It operates through the Communications and Latin America segments. The Communications segment offers wireless, wireline telecom, and broadband services to businesses and consumers located in the US and businesses globally. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding T? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for AT&T Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AT&T and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Beyond Meat's latest research update leaves its fair value estimate essentially unchanged at about $1.61 per share, even as analysts grow more cautious on the stock's long term narrative. The modest reduction in the assumed discount rate from roughly 9.38% to about 8.30% reflects a slightly lower perceived risk profile, but not enough to counter concerns over weak demand, competitive pressures, and dilution from recent capital moves. As these shifting assumptions reshape how investors frame Beyond Meat's story, stay tuned to see how you can track and interpret future changes in the narrative. Stay updated as the Fair Value for Beyond Meat shifts by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Beyond Meat. What Wall Street Has Been Saying Bullish Takeaways Recent notes from TD Cowen, Barclays, and Argus provide limited overtly bullish commentary on Beyond Meat, with most focus on risk management moves such as the large reduction in debt principal via the convertible note exchange, which removes a key overhang on the balance sheet but at the cost of substantial dilution. Bearish Takeaways TD Cowen analyst Robert Moskow cut his price target to $0.80 from $2 and reiterated a Sell rating, flagging a 413% increase in share count from the convertible exchange as a major source of dilution that heavily caps upside for existing shareholders and weighs on valuation. Barclays analyst Benjamin Theurer lowered his target to $1 from $2 and kept an Underweight rating after what he called another quarter of declines and a muted outlook, citing persistently weak category demand for plant based meat as a structural challenge to the growth narrative. Argus downgraded Beyond Meat to Sell from Hold, pointing to rising input costs, lower volumes, and adverse shifts in consumer perceptions of the brand's health profile, with management's cost cutting and product rationalization efforts viewed as insufficient so far to restore margins or reignite sustainable growth. Across these firms, analysts emphasize that execution remains constrained by competitive pressure, soft demand, and profitability headwinds. Aggressive price target cuts into the sub $1 range underscore skepticism that current strategies can support a higher fair value or near term multiple expansion. Do your thoughts align with the Bull or Bear Analysts? Perhaps you think there's more to the story. Head to the Simply Wall St Community to discover more perspectives or begin writing your own Narrative! Berkshire Hathaway Inc increased its holdings in shares of Constellation Brands Inc (NYSE:STZ Free Report) by 11.6% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 13,400,000 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,391,000 shares during the quarter. Constellation Brands comprises about 0.8% of Berkshire Hathaway Incs holdings, making the stock its 17th largest position. Berkshire Hathaway Inc owned approximately 0.08% of Constellation Brands worth $2,179,912,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 127.9% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 4,480,788 shares of the companys stock valued at $822,314,000 after acquiring an additional 2,514,517 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its holdings in Constellation Brands by 650.6% in the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,769,741 shares of the companys stock valued at $287,889,000 after purchasing an additional 1,533,961 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in Constellation Brands during the 2nd quarter worth $239,737,000. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC lifted its holdings in Constellation Brands by 39.6% during the 2nd quarter. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC now owns 3,675,855 shares of the companys stock worth $597,988,000 after buying an additional 1,042,904 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Constellation Brands by 13.6% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,737,860 shares of the companys stock valued at $605,293,000 after buying an additional 448,259 shares during the last quarter. 77.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Constellation Brands alerts: Constellation Brands Stock Down 1.5% Constellation Brands stock opened at $147.37 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $25.80 billion, a PE ratio of 21.51, a PEG ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 0.46. Constellation Brands Inc has a 12-month low of $126.45 and a 12-month high of $241.69. The firms fifty day moving average is $136.41 and its 200 day moving average is $152.63. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. Constellation Brands Announces Dividend Constellation Brands ( NYSE:STZ Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 23rd. The company reported $3.12 earnings per share for the quarter. Constellation Brands had a net margin of 11.88% and a return on equity of 29.82%. The firm had revenue of $2.32 billion during the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Constellation Brands Inc will post 13.5 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 13th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 30th were paid a dividend of $1.02 per share. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 30th. Constellation Brandss dividend payout ratio is 59.56%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on STZ. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Constellation Brands from $176.00 to $160.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. UBS Group set a $160.00 price target on shares of Constellation Brands in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of Constellation Brands in a research note on Friday, November 7th. They issued a neutral rating and a $153.00 price objective on the stock. BNP Paribas Exane downgraded shares of Constellation Brands from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $123.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. Finally, Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Constellation Brands from $150.00 to $147.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Constellation Brands presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $181.88. Get Our Latest Stock Report on STZ Constellation Brands Profile (Free Report) Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Familiar, Corona Hard Seltzer, Corona Light, Corona Non-Alcoholic, Corona Premier, Corona Refresca, Modelo Especial, Modelo Chelada, Modelo Negra, Modelo Oro, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding STZ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Constellation Brands Inc (NYSE:STZ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Constellation Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Constellation Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Natural Resources, Bank Of Montreal, Celsius, Canadian National Railway, and Canadian Pacific Kansas City are the five Canadian stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Canadian stocks are shares of ownership in companies that are incorporated in Canada or listed on Canadian exchanges such as the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and TSX Venture Exchange. For investors, they provide exposure to the Canadian economy and commonly concentrated sectors like natural resources, financials and energy, along with country- and currency-specific risks such as commodity cycles and fluctuations in the Canadian dollar. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Canadian stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO). Bank Of Montreal (BMO) Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. It operates through Canadian P&C, U.S P&C, BMO Wealth Management, and BMO Capital Markets segments. The companys personal banking products and services include deposits, mortgages, home lending, consumer credit, small business lending, credit cards, cash management, financial and investment advice, and other banking services; and commercial banking products and services comprise various of financing options and treasury and payment solutions, as well as risk management products. Read Our Latest Research Report on BMO Celsius (CELH) Celsius Holdings, Inc. develops, processes, markets, distributes, and sells functional energy drinks and liquid supplements in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canadian, European, Middle Eastern, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company offers CELSIUS, a fitness drink or supplement designed to accelerate metabolism and burn body fat; various flavors and carbonated and non-carbonated functional energy drinks under the CELSIUS Originals and Vibe name, as well as functional energy drink under the CELSIUS Essentials and CELSIUS On-the-Go Powder names; and CELSIUS ready-to drink products. Read Our Latest Research Report on CELH Canadian National Railway (CNI) Canadian National Railway Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail, intermodal, trucking, and marine transportation and logistics business in Canada and the United States. The company provides rail services, which include equipment, custom brokerage services, transloading and distribution, business development and real estate, and private car storage services; and intermodal services, such as temperature controlled cargo, port partnerships, and logistics parks. Read Our Latest Research Report on CNI Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP) Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; merchandise freight, such as forest products, energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals, consumer products, and automotive; and intermodal traffic comprising retail goods in overseas containers. Read Our Latest Research Report on CP Recommended Stories Meta Platforms, zSpace, The Glimpse Group, and DIH Holding US are the seven Virtual Reality stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Virtual reality stocks are shares of publicly traded companies whose primary products or services enable or support immersive virtual-reality experiences including VR headsets, sensors, graphics hardware, software platforms, content creators, and related infrastructure. For investors, the term denotes an investment theme or sector exposure focused on the growth potential and technological adoption of VR, typically characterized by high volatility, long-term growth expectations, and company-specific risks around hardware cycles, content ecosystems, and competition. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Virtual Reality stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: Meta Platforms (META) Meta Platforms, Inc. engages in the development of products that enable people to connect and share with friends and family through mobile devices, personal computers, virtual reality headsets, and wearables worldwide. It operates in two segments, Family of Apps and Reality Labs. The Family of Apps segment offers Facebook, which enables people to share, discuss, discover, and connect with interests; Instagram, a community for sharing photos, videos, and private messages, as well as feed, stories, reels, video, live, and shops; Messenger, a messaging application for people to connect with friends, family, communities, and businesses across platforms and devices through text, audio, and video calls; and WhatsApp, a messaging application that is used by people and businesses to communicate and transact privately. zSpace (ZSPC) zSpace Technologies, Inc. is a provider of commercial augmented reality and virtual reality technology principally in the education market. The Company offers differentiated hardware along with learning software modules for K-12 science, technology, engineering, game design and mathematics applications, as well as workforce-oriented career and technical education applications. Read Our Latest Research Report on ZSPC The Glimpse Group (VRAR) The Glimpse Group, Inc., a virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) platform company, provides enterprise-focused software, services, and solutions in the United States. It offers QReal, a software that creates and distributes photorealistic 3D interactive digital models and experiences in AR; Immersive Health Group, a VR/AR platform for evidence-based and outcome driven healthcare solutions; and Foretell Reality, a social VR platform for behavioral health, support groups, collaboration, and soft skills training. Read Our Latest Research Report on VRAR DIH Holding US (DHAIW) DIH Holding US, Inc. operates as a robotics and virtual reality (VR) technology provider in the rehabilitation industry. The company's upper extremity product categories include ArmeoPower, a backbone robot for arm and hand therapy in an early stage of rehabilitation; ArmeoSpring for less severe patients that provides self-initiated repetitive arm and hand therapy in an extensive workspace; and Armeo Senso, a sensor-based solution for arm function recovery. Read Our Latest Research Report on DHAIW Recommended Stories Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Boeing (NYSE:BA Free Report) in a research note released on Thursday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm issued a buy rating and a $265.00 target price on the aircraft producers stock. A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on BA. Loop Capital set a $223.00 price target on Boeing in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. New Street Research set a $257.00 price objective on Boeing in a report on Tuesday. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $250.00 target price on shares of Boeing in a report on Monday, September 29th. BNP Paribas Exane initiated coverage on shares of Boeing in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an underperform rating and a $150.00 price target for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Boeing from $251.00 to $240.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and five have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $232.96. Get Boeing alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on BA Boeing Stock Up 1.8% NYSE:BA opened at $204.33 on Thursday. Boeing has a twelve month low of $128.88 and a twelve month high of $242.69. The company has a fifty day moving average of $202.82 and a 200-day moving average of $214.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $155.31 billion, a P/E ratio of -14.94 and a beta of 1.18. Boeing (NYSE:BA Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The aircraft producer reported ($7.47) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.51) by ($6.96). The business had revenue of $23.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.61 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned ($10.44) EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 30.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Boeing will post -2.58 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, EVP Uma M. Amuluru sold 1,366 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $197.66, for a total transaction of $270,003.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 14,656 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,896,904.96. This represents a 8.53% 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. Also, SVP Dana S. Deasy purchased 554 shares of Boeing stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 24th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $178.88 per share, for a total transaction of $99,099.52. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 28,442 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,087,704.96. The trade was a 1.99% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Boeing Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BA. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Boeing in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. purchased a new position in Boeing in the second quarter worth $25,000. Piscataqua Savings Bank raised its position in Boeing by 1,712.5% in the second quarter. Piscataqua Savings Bank now owns 145 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Reyes Financial Architecture Inc. acquired a new stake in Boeing in the third quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Davis Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of Boeing during the 3rd quarter worth $33,000. 64.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Boeing (Get Free Report) The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; and Global Services segments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Boeing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boeing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eleven research firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $51.00. BTI has been the subject of several recent research reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered shares of British American Tobacco from a sector perform rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Kepler Capital Markets initiated coverage on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an underweight rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday. Get British American Tobacco alerts: Read Our Latest Report on BTI British American Tobacco Stock Down 2.3% Institutional Investors Weigh In On British American Tobacco Shares of BTI opened at $57.05 on Friday. British American Tobacco has a 52 week low of $34.82 and a 52 week high of $59.29. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $54.20 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $53.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.55. Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Capital International Investors boosted its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 64,057,419 shares of the companys stock worth $3,399,352,000 after buying an additional 1,891,042 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors raised its position in British American Tobacco by 2.6% in the third quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 22,068,891 shares of the companys stock worth $1,171,399,000 after acquiring an additional 559,189 shares during the period. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd boosted its stake in British American Tobacco by 20.7% in the second quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd now owns 14,503,968 shares of the companys stock valued at $686,473,000 after acquiring an additional 2,482,737 shares during the last quarter. GQG Partners LLC grew its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 59.8% during the 1st quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 9,598,465 shares of the companys stock valued at $397,089,000 after acquiring an additional 3,590,916 shares during the period. Finally, Capital World Investors increased its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 12,870.7% during the 3rd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 9,470,709 shares of the companys stock worth $502,687,000 after purchasing an additional 9,397,693 shares during the last quarter. 16.16% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. British American Tobacco Company Profile (Get Free Report) British American Tobacco p.l.c. engages in the provision of tobacco and nicotine products to consumers worldwide. It also offers vapour, heated, and modern oral nicotine products; combustible cigarettes; and traditional oral products, such as snus and moist snuff. The company offers its products under the Vuse, glo, Velo, Grizzly, Kodiak, Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans, Camel, Natural American Spirit, Newport, Vogue, Viceroy, Kool, Peter Stuyvesant, Craven A, State Express 555 and Shuang Xi brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for British American Tobacco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for British American Tobacco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brookfield (NYSE:BN Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at Zacks Research from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,Zacks.com reports. A number of other brokerages have also recently issued reports on BN. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Brookfield from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Brookfield from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, November 22nd. Morgan Stanley set a $54.00 price objective on Brookfield and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Brookfield in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. They set a buy rating and a $52.00 target price on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Brookfield from $48.67 to $55.33 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $53.47. Get Brookfield alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on BN Brookfield Price Performance Shares of NYSE:BN opened at $45.64 on Thursday. Brookfield has a twelve month low of $29.07 and a twelve month high of $49.47. The stocks 50 day moving average is $45.56 and its 200-day moving average is $43.89. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. The firm has a market capitalization of $112.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 126.76 and a beta of 1.57. Brookfield (NYSE:BN Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $0.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.61 by $0.02. Brookfield had a net margin of 1.34% and a return on equity of 3.92%. The business had revenue of $1.59 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.58 billion. Sell-side analysts forecast that Brookfield will post 3.85 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. raised its stake in shares of Brookfield by 45.4% during the 1st quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. now owns 17,501 shares of the companys stock worth $917,000 after purchasing an additional 5,466 shares during the period. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC bought a new stake in Brookfield in the first quarter worth about $4,812,000. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in Brookfield by 4.6% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 67,024 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,508,000 after acquiring an additional 2,936 shares during the last quarter. Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. grew its position in shares of Brookfield by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. now owns 55,852 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,927,000 after acquiring an additional 410 shares during the period. Finally, Akre Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Brookfield by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. Akre Capital Management LLC now owns 19,094,021 shares of the companys stock worth $1,000,718,000 after purchasing an additional 124,842 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.60% of the companys stock. Brookfield Company Profile (Get Free Report) Brookfield Corporation is an alternative asset manager and REIT/Real Estate Investment Manager firm focuses on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and venture capital and private equity assets. It manages a range of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ Get Free Report) (TSE:CNQ) saw strong trading volume on Thursday . 17,097,867 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 158% from the previous sessions volume of 6,635,513 shares.The stock last traded at $33.3550 and had previously closed at $33.72. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised Canadian Natural Resources to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Scotiabank reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Canadian Natural Resources in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Desjardins cut shares of Canadian Natural Resources from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Canadian Natural Resources from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $62.00 price objective on shares of Canadian Natural Resources in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $62.00. Get Canadian Natural Resources alerts: View Our Latest Report on Canadian Natural Resources Canadian Natural Resources Stock Down 0.4% The businesss fifty day moving average is $32.45 and its two-hundred day moving average is $31.85. The company has a market cap of $68.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.60 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.86. Canadian Natural Resources (NYSE:CNQ Get Free Report) (TSE:CNQ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.62 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.54 by $0.08. Canadian Natural Resources had a net margin of 14.90% and a return on equity of 18.93%. The business had revenue of $6.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.81 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.97 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Canadian Natural Resources Limited will post 2.45 EPS for the current year. Canadian Natural Resources Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be given a dividend of $0.5875 per share. This is a boost from Canadian Natural Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $0.43. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 12th. This represents a $2.35 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.1%. Canadian Natural Resourcess dividend payout ratio is presently 75.66%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Canadian Natural Resources A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Canadian Natural Resources during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Addison Advisors LLC boosted its position in Canadian Natural Resources by 309.1% during the 2nd quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 896 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 677 shares in the last quarter. St. Johns Investment Management Company LLC bought a new stake in Canadian Natural Resources during the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the period. Finally, Quarry LP bought a new position in shares of Canadian Natural Resources in the 3rd quarter worth $32,000. Institutional investors own 74.03% of the companys stock. About Canadian Natural Resources (Get Free Report) Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO). Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Natural Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Natural Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the twenty-two research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, fifteen have given a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $56.7143. Several research firms have recently weighed in on CFG. Baird R W lowered shares of Citizens Financial Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday. Robert W. Baird reissued a neutral rating and set a $60.00 target price on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a research note on Thursday. Bank of America upgraded shares of Citizens Financial Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the stock from $52.00 to $65.00 in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on Citizens Financial Group from $57.00 to $61.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on Citizens Financial Group from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Get Citizens Financial Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on CFG Hedge Funds Weigh In On Citizens Financial Group Citizens Financial Group Stock Down 0.0% A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of CFG. Investors Research Corp lifted its stake in Citizens Financial Group by 344.8% during the second quarter. Investors Research Corp now owns 645 shares of the banks stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont raised its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 177.5% during the second quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 641 shares of the banks stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 410 shares during the period. GoalVest Advisory LLC lifted its position in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 16,900.0% in the 2nd quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC now owns 680 shares of the banks stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 676 shares in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its position in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 891.5% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 585 shares of the banks stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 526 shares in the last quarter. Finally, REAP Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in Citizens Financial Group by 72.4% in the 2nd quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 736 shares of the banks stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 309 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.90% of the companys stock. CFG opened at $58.34 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.85. The company has a market capitalization of $25.06 billion, a PE ratio of 16.34, a P/E/G ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 0.74. The stocks fifty day moving average is $52.50 and its 200-day moving average is $49.36. Citizens Financial Group has a one year low of $32.60 and a one year high of $59.31. Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The bank reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.02. Citizens Financial Group had a return on equity of 7.48% and a net margin of 14.17%.The business had revenue of $2.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.10 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.79 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Citizens Financial Group will post 3.92 EPS for the current fiscal year. Citizens Financial Group Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 12th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 29th were issued a dividend of $0.46 per share. This is a positive change from Citizens Financial Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, October 29th. Citizens Financial Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 51.54%. Citizens Financial Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Citizens Financial Group, Inc operates as the bank holding company that provides retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, corporations, and institutions in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Citizens Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citizens Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gran Tierra Energy (NYSE:GTE Get Free Report) and SandRidge Energy (OTCMKTS:SDOCQ Get Free Report) are both small-cap energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, profitability, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends, earnings and valuation. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Gran Tierra Energy and SandRidge Energys top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Gran Tierra Energy alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Gran Tierra Energy $614.07 million 0.22 -$6.29 million ($2.51) -1.55 SandRidge Energy N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Analyst Ratings SandRidge Energy has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Gran Tierra Energy. This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Gran Tierra Energy and SandRidge Energy, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Gran Tierra Energy 0 1 2 0 2.67 SandRidge Energy 0 0 0 0 0.00 Gran Tierra Energy currently has a consensus price target of $5.45, indicating a potential upside of 39.74%. Given Gran Tierra Energys stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Gran Tierra Energy is more favorable than SandRidge Energy. Profitability This table compares Gran Tierra Energy and SandRidge Energys net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Gran Tierra Energy 7.17% 11.36% 3.28% SandRidge Energy N/A N/A N/A Insider & Institutional Ownership 31.7% of Gran Tierra Energy shares are held by institutional investors. 6.5% of Gran Tierra Energy shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Summary Gran Tierra Energy beats SandRidge Energy on 9 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Gran Tierra Energy (Get Free Report) Gran Tierra Energy Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas properties in Colombia and Ecuador. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. About SandRidge Energy (Get Free Report) SandRidge Energy, Inc. is an oil and natural gas company. The Company focuses on exploration and production activities in the Mid-Continent and Rockies regions of the United States. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had 3,122 gross producing wells and approximately 1,364,000 gross total acres under lease. The Companys primary areas of operation are the Mid-Continent area of Oklahoma and Kansas and the Niobrara Shale in the Colorado Rockies. As of December 31, 2016, the Company held interests in approximately 1,185,000 gross leasehold acres located primarily in Oklahoma and Kansas. As of December 31, 2016, the Companys interests in the Mid-Continent included 1,972 gross producing wells. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had approximately 1,087,000 gross acres under lease and 1,471 gross producing wells in the Mississippian formation. As of December 31, 2016, the Companys Rockies properties consisted of approximately 140,000 gross acres and 25 gross producing wells. Receive News & Ratings for Gran Tierra Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gran Tierra Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Swisscom (OTCMKTS:SCMWY Get Free Report) and TELUS (NYSE:TU Get Free Report) are both large-cap utilities companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, risk, profitability, dividends, earnings and analyst recommendations. Volatility & Risk Swisscom has a beta of 0.26, suggesting that its stock price is 74% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, TELUS has a beta of 0.66, suggesting that its stock price is 34% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get Swisscom alerts: Dividends Swisscom pays an annual dividend of $1.61 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. TELUS pays an annual dividend of $1.19 per share and has a dividend yield of 9.3%. Swisscom pays out 56.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. TELUS pays out 216.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. TELUS has raised its dividend for 5 consecutive years. TELUS is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Valuation and Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Swisscom $12.54 billion 28.83 $1.75 billion $2.85 24.48 TELUS $20.45 billion 0.97 $724.69 million $0.55 23.28 This table compares Swisscom and TELUSs revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Swisscom has higher earnings, but lower revenue than TELUS. TELUS is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Swisscom, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Institutional & Insider Ownership 49.4% of TELUS shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of Swisscom shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of TELUS shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Profitability This table compares Swisscom and TELUSs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Swisscom 8.87% 10.34% 3.42% TELUS 5.71% 8.76% 2.50% Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Swisscom and TELUS, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Swisscom 1 2 1 0 2.00 TELUS 1 6 5 1 2.46 TELUS has a consensus price target of $18.17, suggesting a potential upside of 41.87%. Given TELUSs stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe TELUS is more favorable than Swisscom. About Swisscom (Get Free Report) Swisscom AG provides telecommunication services primarily in Switzerland, Italy, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Swisscom Switzerland, Fastweb, and Other Operating. The company offers mobile and fixed-network services, such as telephony, TV, broadband, and mobile offerings, as well as sells terminal equipment; and telecom and communications solutions for large corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises. It also provides cloud, outsourcing, workplace, mobile phone, networking, business process optimization, SAP, and security and authentication solutions, as well as a range of services to the banking industry; Internet of Things solutions; digitization services to the healthcare sector; IT systems for health insurance companies; fixed-line and mobile networks by other telecommunication service providers; and roaming to foreign operators whose customers use its mobile networks, as well as broadband services and regulated products. In addition, the company plans, operates, and maintains network infrastructure and IT systems; provides support functions to finance, human resource, and strategy, as well as management of real estate and vehicle fleet; and offers broadband and mobile services, such as telephony, mobile offerings, and broadband services, as well as ICT solutions for residential, business, and wholesale customers. Further, it provides IT and network services; online and telephone directories; and cross-platform retail media and security communication services, as well as builds and maintains wired and wireless networks. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in Bern, Switzerland. About TELUS (Get Free Report) TELUS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of telecommunications and information technology products and services in Canada. It operates through Technology Solutions and Digitally-Led Customer Experiences segments. The Technology Solutions segment offers a range of telecommunications products and services; network services; healthcare services; mobile technologies equipment; data services, such as internet protocol; television; hosting, managed information technology, and cloud-based services; software, data management, and data analytics-driven smart food-chain and consumer goods technologies; home and business security; healthcare software and technology solutions; and voice and other telecommunications services, as well as mobile and fixed voice and data telecommunications services and products. The Digitally-Led Customer Experiences segment provides digital customer experience and digital-enablement transformation solutions, including artificial intelligence and content management solutions. The company was formerly known as TELUS Communications Inc. and changed its name to TELUS Corporation in February 2005. TELUS Corporation was incorporated in 1998 and is based in Vancouver, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for Swisscom Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Swisscom and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. 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 Curi Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Free Report) by 7.8% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 411,866 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after purchasing an additional 29,624 shares during the quarter. TJX Companies makes up approximately 1.0% of Curi Capital LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest holding. Curi Capital LLCs holdings in TJX Companies were worth $50,861,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Benjamin Edwards Inc. grew its stake in shares of TJX Companies by 34.6% in the second quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 112,846 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $13,935,000 after acquiring an additional 29,022 shares during the period. Boothbay Fund Management LLC purchased a new stake in TJX Companies in the second quarter worth approximately $502,000. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp boosted its holdings in TJX Companies by 54.2% in the second quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 331,604 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $40,950,000 after purchasing an additional 116,610 shares during the last quarter. Blue Capital Inc. bought a new stake in TJX Companies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $477,000. Finally, Brevan Howard Capital Management LP raised its stake in TJX Companies by 251.2% during the 2nd quarter. Brevan Howard Capital Management LP now owns 174,789 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $21,585,000 after buying an additional 125,019 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.09% of the companys stock. Get TJX Companies alerts: Insider Activity at TJX Companies In other news, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 30,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.81, for a total transaction of $4,464,300.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 535,143 shares in the company, valued at $79,634,629.83. This trade represents a 5.31% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of TJX Companies stock in a transaction on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total transaction of $75,700.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 22,212 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,362,896.80. This trade represents a 2.20% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 54,863 shares of company stock worth $8,226,366 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. TJX Companies Price Performance NYSE TJX opened at $156.10 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $146.43 and its 200 day moving average is $136.42. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $112.10 and a fifty-two week high of $157.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 1.09. The company has a market capitalization of $173.34 billion, a PE ratio of 34.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.49 and a beta of 0.76. TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 EPS 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 quarter last year, the company earned $1.14 earnings per share. The businesss 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. Sell-side analysts predict that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current year. TJX Companies Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.425 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 12th. This represents a $1.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. TJX Companiess payout ratio is currently 37.53%. Analyst Ratings Changes TJX has been the topic of a number of research reports. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on TJX Companies from $152.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $170.00 target price on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on TJX Companies from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Barclays set a $172.00 price target on TJX Companies and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of TJX Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, August 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, TJX Companies has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $161.10. Check Out Our Latest Report on TJX Companies TJX Companies Company Profile (Free Report) The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TJX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for TJX Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TJX Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. DXC Technology Company. (NYSE:DXC Get Free Report) SVP Christopher Anthony Voci sold 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.15, for a total transaction of $37,875.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 88,605 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,342,365.75. This represents a 2.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. DXC Technology Trading Down 0.6% DXC stock traded down $0.10 during trading on Friday, hitting $15.14. The company had a trading volume of 2,956,866 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,833,076. DXC Technology Company. has a 52-week low of $11.82 and a 52-week high of $23.75. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $13.38 and a 200-day simple moving average of $14.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.46 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Get DXC Technology alerts: DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $0.84 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $3.16 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.17 billion. DXC Technology had a net margin of 2.93% and a return on equity of 17.83%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.93 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that DXC Technology Company. will post 3.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Analyst Ratings Changes DXC has been the topic of several research reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded DXC Technology from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday, November 9th. Susquehanna set a $14.00 price target on DXC Technology and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on DXC Technology from $15.00 to $14.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d) rating on shares of DXC Technology in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of DXC Technology from $18.00 to $14.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, DXC Technology has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $15.00. View Our Latest Stock Report on DXC Technology Hedge Funds Weigh In On DXC Technology Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of DXC Technology by 240.6% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,737 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 1,227 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of DXC Technology by 38.2% in the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,814 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 778 shares during the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of DXC Technology during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Rothschild Investment LLC lifted its position in DXC Technology by 609.8% during the third quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 2,981 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 2,561 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in DXC Technology by 187.3% in the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 3,054 shares of the companys stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 1,991 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.20% of the companys stock. About DXC Technology (Get Free Report) DXC Technology Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides information technology services and solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Australia, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Global Business Services (GBS) and Global Infrastructure Services (GIS). Read More Receive News & Ratings for DXC Technology Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DXC Technology and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW Get Free Report) VP Daniel Lippis sold 1,019 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.03, for a total value of $85,626.57. Following the sale, the vice president owned 22,002 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,848,828.06. The trade was a 4.43% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Edwards Lifesciences Trading Down 1.4% NYSE EW traded down $1.18 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $83.06. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,855,741 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,440,979. The firm has a market capitalization of $48.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.77 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 4.00 and a quick ratio of 3.29. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation has a 52-week low of $65.94 and a 52-week high of $87.89. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $81.49 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $78.95. Get Edwards Lifesciences alerts: Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The medical research company reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.08. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 23.25% and a return on equity of 14.70%. The company had revenue of $1.55 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.49 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.67 earnings per share. Edwards Lifesciencess revenue for the quarter was up 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. Edwards Lifesciences has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.560-2.620 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.580-0.640 EPS. Research analysts expect that Edwards Lifesciences Corporation will post 2.45 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Edwards Lifesciences Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of EW. Econ Financial Services Corp acquired a new position in Edwards Lifesciences during the second quarter worth about $889,000. Randolph Co Inc bought a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the 2nd quarter valued at about $301,000. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp grew its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 97.3% in the 2nd quarter. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp now owns 44,504 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $3,481,000 after purchasing an additional 21,950 shares during the last quarter. Pacific Capital Partners Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,760,000. Finally, Arkadios Wealth Advisors bought a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $300,000. Institutional investors own 79.46% of the companys stock. Several brokerages recently commented on EW. Truist Financial set a $92.00 target price on Edwards Lifesciences and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a market perform rating and issued a $90.00 target price on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. National Bankshares set a $92.00 target price on Edwards Lifesciences in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Barclays restated an overweight rating and issued a $103.00 price target (up previously from $99.00) on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research note on Monday. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $88.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $93.30. Get Our Latest Research Report on EW Edwards Lifesciences Company Profile (Get Free Report) Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL PRECISION and Cardioband names. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Edwards Lifesciences Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edwards Lifesciences and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW Get Free Report) VP Donald Bobo, Jr. sold 11,340 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.83, for a total value of $950,632.20. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 50,356 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,221,343.48. This represents a 18.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Edwards Lifesciences Price Performance EW stock opened at $83.06 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $48.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a quick ratio of 3.29, a current ratio of 4.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation has a 52-week low of $65.94 and a 52-week high of $87.89. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $81.62 and its 200-day simple moving average is $79.01. Get Edwards Lifesciences alerts: Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The medical research company reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $1.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.49 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a return on equity of 14.70% and a net margin of 23.25%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.67 EPS. Edwards Lifesciences has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.560-2.620 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.580-0.640 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Edwards Lifesciences Corporation will post 2.45 EPS for the current year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages recently commented on EW. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $101.00 price target (up previously from $96.00) on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research report on Thursday. Truist Financial set a $92.00 price objective on Edwards Lifesciences and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Raymond James Financial upgraded Edwards Lifesciences from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $96.00 target price on the stock in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group set a $98.00 price target on Edwards Lifesciences and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Edwards Lifesciences currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $93.30. Get Our Latest Research Report on EW Institutional Investors Weigh In On Edwards Lifesciences Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. SouthState Corp acquired a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the first quarter worth $27,000. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton acquired a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the second quarter worth $28,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC boosted its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 251.5% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 362 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 259 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.46% of the companys stock. Edwards Lifesciences Company Profile (Get Free Report) Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL PRECISION and Cardioband names. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Edwards Lifesciences Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edwards Lifesciences and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Elevatus Welath Management acquired a new stake in shares of Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 17,536 shares of the restaurant operators stock, valued at approximately $3,162,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP raised its position in Brinker International by 24.2% in the second quarter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP now owns 1,236,583 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $222,993,000 after purchasing an additional 240,870 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in shares of Brinker International by 86.4% in the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,091,692 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $196,865,000 after buying an additional 506,087 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Brinker International by 1.3% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,071,523 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $193,619,000 after buying an additional 14,033 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in Brinker International by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 967,550 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $144,201,000 after buying an additional 46,896 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. boosted its position in Brinker International by 107.1% during the 2nd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 639,362 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $115,296,000 after buying an additional 330,611 shares during the period. Get Brinker International alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes EAT has been the subject of several recent research reports. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on shares of Brinker International from $175.00 to $144.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Brinker International from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday. Citigroup raised Brinker International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the stock from $144.00 to $176.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on Brinker International from $215.00 to $200.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Brinker International from $161.00 to $160.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $167.72. Brinker International Stock Performance Shares of Brinker International stock opened at $144.28 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $127.77 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $149.10. Brinker International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $100.30 and a 1-year high of $192.21. The company has a current ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The company has a market cap of $6.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.97, a PEG ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.35. Brinker International (NYSE:EAT Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $1.93 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.17. Brinker International had a return on equity of 164.66% and a net margin of 7.94%.The company had revenue of $1.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.32 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.95 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 18.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Brinker International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.900-10.50 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Brinker International, Inc. will post 8.3 EPS for the current year. About Brinker International (Free Report) Brinker International, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership, development, operation, and franchising of casual dining restaurants in the United States and internationally. It operates and franchises Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant brands. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EAT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Brinker International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brinker International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Engle Capital Management L.P. raised its stake in Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU Free Report) by 18.9% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 987,000 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 157,000 shares during the period. NU makes up approximately 4.1% of Engle Capital Management L.P.s holdings, making the stock its 13th biggest position. Engle Capital Management L.P.s holdings in NU were worth $13,542,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of NU during the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Capital Analysts LLC bought a new position in NU during the first quarter valued at about $31,000. ORG Partners LLC raised its holdings in NU by 474.1% in the 2nd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 2,325 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 1,920 shares in the last quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in NU by 212.7% in the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,300 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 4,341 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Banque Transatlantique SA bought a new stake in shares of NU in the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. Institutional investors own 84.02% of the companys stock. Get NU alerts: NU Stock Performance NU stock opened at $16.88 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $81.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.10, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.07. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $16.03 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $14.43. Nu Holdings Ltd. has a 52-week low of $9.01 and a 52-week high of $17.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.56 and a quick ratio of 0.56. Analysts Set New Price Targets NU ( NYSE:NU Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $0.17 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.02. NU had a net margin of 17.97% and a return on equity of 30.12%. The business had revenue of $2.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.96 billion. As a group, analysts anticipate that Nu Holdings Ltd. will post 0.58 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of analysts have recently issued reports on NU shares. UBS Group boosted their price objective on NU from $16.00 to $18.40 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Santander raised shares of NU from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Citigroup upgraded shares of NU from a sell rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the company from $9.00 to $18.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of NU from $14.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, August 25th. Finally, Bradesco Corretora raised shares of NU to an outperform rating and set a $17.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 25th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, NU has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $17.71. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on NU About NU (Free Report) Nu Holdings Ltd. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of digital banking services. The company was founded by David Velez Osorno, Cristina Helena Zingaretti Junqueira, and Adam Edward Wible on February 26, 2016 and is headquartered in George Town, Cayman Islands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for NU Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NU and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eschler Asset Management LLP bought a new position in shares of Ero Copper Corp. (NYSE:ERO Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 80,910 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,363,000. Ero Copper accounts for 1.0% of Eschler Asset Management LLPs portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Eschler Asset Management LLP owned 0.08% of Ero Copper as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in ERO. Bluefin Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Ero Copper in the 2nd quarter worth $304,000. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp lifted its stake in Ero Copper by 8.2% in the second quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 57,190 shares of the companys stock valued at $967,000 after buying an additional 4,345 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its holdings in Ero Copper by 82.6% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,775,632 shares of the companys stock worth $29,919,000 after buying an additional 803,320 shares during the last quarter. Frontier Capital Management Co. LLC boosted its holdings in Ero Copper by 21.5% during the second quarter. Frontier Capital Management Co. LLC now owns 1,354,239 shares of the companys stock worth $22,819,000 after buying an additional 239,935 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP boosted its holdings in Ero Copper by 2,384.8% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 609,621 shares of the companys stock worth $10,272,000 after buying an additional 585,087 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.30% of the companys stock. Get Ero Copper alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Ero Copper from a hold rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Ero Copper in a research note on Monday. Zacks Research cut shares of Ero Copper from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. TD Securities lowered shares of Ero Copper from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating on shares of Ero Copper in a research report on Friday, October 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ero Copper currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $25.00. Ero Copper Stock Performance Shares of ERO opened at $25.31 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $2.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.03 and a beta of 1.23. Ero Copper Corp. has a twelve month low of $9.30 and a twelve month high of $26.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.82. The firms 50 day moving average price is $22.62 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $17.97. Ero Copper (NYSE:ERO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.27 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.09). The company had revenue of $177.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $309.30 million. Ero Copper had a return on equity of 17.07% and a net margin of 23.44%. On average, analysts forecast that Ero Copper Corp. will post 0.71 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Ero Copper (Free Report) Ero Copper Corp. engages in the exploration, development, and production of mining projects in Brazil. The company is involved in the production and sale of copper concentrate from the Caraiba operations located in the Curaca Valley, northeastern Bahia state, Brazil, as well as gold and silver by-products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Ero Copper Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ero Copper and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EVR Research LP acquired a new stake in Rocket Companies, Inc. (NYSE:RKT Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 300,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,254,000. Rocket Companies accounts for about 1.8% of EVR Research LPs portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest holding. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of RKT. North Capital Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Rocket Companies by 287.2% in the 2nd quarter. North Capital Inc. now owns 1,820 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 1,350 shares in the last quarter. SouthState Corp raised its holdings in Rocket Companies by 2,044.8% during the second quarter. SouthState Corp now owns 2,059 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 1,963 shares during the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group raised its holdings in Rocket Companies by 251.3% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 3,390 shares of the companys stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 2,425 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Rocket Companies by 18.4% during the second quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,890 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 605 shares during the last quarter. Finally, TFC Financial Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Rocket Companies during the second quarter valued at about $57,000. 4.59% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Rocket Companies alerts: Insider Activity at Rocket Companies In other news, Director Matthew Rizik sold 2,500 shares of Rocket Companies stock in a transaction on Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.99, for a total transaction of $47,475.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 1,086,036 shares in the company, valued at $20,623,823.64. The trade was a 0.23% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In the last quarter, insiders sold 17,500 shares of company stock worth $325,650. Insiders own 92.64% of the companys stock. Rocket Companies Price Performance Shares of NYSE RKT opened at $18.70 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $39.35 billion, a PE ratio of 233.73 and a beta of 2.26. The company has a quick ratio of 19.68, a current ratio of 19.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $17.61 and its 200-day moving average price is $16.83. Rocket Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $10.06 and a twelve month high of $22.56. Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.07 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.07. Rocket Companies had a positive return on equity of 2.83% and a negative net margin of 1.77%.The company had revenue of $1.78 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.65 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.08 earnings per share. Rocket Companiess revenue was up 148.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Rocket Companies, Inc. will post 0.15 EPS for the current year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms recently weighed in on RKT. BTIG Research restated a buy rating and issued a $25.00 target price on shares of Rocket Companies in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Bank of America raised Rocket Companies from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $21.00 to $24.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of Rocket Companies in a report on Monday, October 13th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Rocket Companies from $15.00 to $17.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Barclays set a $19.00 price target on Rocket Companies and gave the stock a cautious rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $18.18. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on RKT About Rocket Companies (Free Report) Rocket Companies, Inc, a fintech holding company, provides mortgage lending, title and settlement services, and other financial technology services in the United States and Canada. It operates through two segments, Direct to Consumer and Partner Network. The companys solutions include Rocket Mortgage, a mortgage lender; Amrock that provides title insurance, property valuation, and settlement services; Rocket Homes, a home search platform and real estate agent referral network, which offers technology-enabled services to support the home buying and selling experience; and Rocket Loans, an online-based personal loans business. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Rocket Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rocket Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Mexican Gold Corp (CVE:FMG Get Free Report)s stock price was down 2.5% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as C$0.39 and last traded at C$0.40. Approximately 58,211 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 55% from the average daily volume of 37,447 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.41. First Mexican Gold Price Performance The firm has a market cap of C$17.52 million and a PE ratio of -131.67. The company has a current ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 0.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.62. The company has a 50 day moving average price of C$0.39 and a 200 day moving average price of C$0.40. About First Mexican Gold (Get Free Report) First Mexican Gold Corp. through its subsidiary, Cornelius exploration S. de R.L. de C.V., engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Mexico. It explores for gold and silver deposits. The company holds interests in the Hilda Properties comprising the Hilda 30 property; the Hilda 37/38 property with two mining exploration concessions; and the Hilda 31/32 property with three mining exploration concessions comprising a total area of 1,350 hectares in the Yecora District, State of Sonora, Mexico. See Also Receive News & Ratings for First Mexican Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Mexican Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fortress Investment Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund bought 100,000 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $32,012,000. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. makes up 4.5% of Fortress Investment Group LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 4th biggest holding. Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 57,383 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $19,811,000 after purchasing an additional 531 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC lifted its holdings in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 107.2% in the first quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 9,224 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,184,000 after buying an additional 4,773 shares during the period. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $277,000. Sit Investment Associates Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. now owns 25,182 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $8,694,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 736,167 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $254,121,000 after acquiring an additional 7,257 shares in the last quarter. 85.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. alerts: Insider Activity at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. In other news, CAO Richard C. Cary sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $261.00, for a total transaction of $1,566,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 50,668 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,224,348. This represents a 10.59% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, VP Michael Robert Pesch acquired 4,000 shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the vice president owned 41,849 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,341,724.88. The trade was a 10.57% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 21,250 shares of company stock valued at $6,071,365 in the last quarter. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on AJG shares. Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $362.00 to $344.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Barclays cut shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $328.00 to $250.00 in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Wall Street Zen cut Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $361.00 to $315.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $314.87. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Stock Performance AJG stock opened at $255.47 on Friday. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a 12-month low of $236.34 and a 12-month high of $351.23. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $263.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is $292.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $65.60 billion, a PE ratio of 38.19 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $2.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.51 by ($0.19). Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. had a net margin of 13.58% and a return on equity of 11.98%. The company had revenue of $3.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.34 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.26 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 20.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will post 11.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Announces Dividend 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 given a $0.65 dividend. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 5th. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s payout ratio is 38.86%. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Profile (Free Report) Arthur J. Gallagher & Co engages in the provision of insurance brokerage, reinsurance brokerage, consulting, and third-party claims settlement and administration services. It operates through the following segments: Brokerage, Risk Management, and Corporate. The Brokerage segment consists of retail and wholesale insurance brokerage operations. See Also 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. This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald is stepping down at the end of January, the activewear giant said Thursday. The news comes amid a slowdown in North America, Lululemons biggest region. The retailers board is conducting a comprehensive search for a new chief executive, in combination with an executive search firm. McDonald will stay on as an adviser through March of next year and support the board through the transition. CFO Meghan Frank and Chief Commercial Officer Andre Maestrini will become interim co-CEOs after McDonalds departure. Board chair Marti Morfitt is taking on an expanded role as executive chair, effective immediately, to help with strategy execution. Dive Insight: Lululemon is moving on from McDonald, who led the company through a period of enormous growth, as the brand struggles to maintain relevance with shoppers and witnesses falling demand in its biggest region. The company, which reported earnings on Thursday, saw revenue grow 7% to $2.6 billion, but sales in the Americas declined 2% in the period. Comps increased 1% overall but were down 5% in the Americas. On behalf of the Board and the entire organization, I want to thank Calvin for his visionary leadership building lululemon into one of the strongest brands in retail, Morfitt said in a statement. During his tenure, Calvin led lululemon through a period of impressive revenue growth, with differentiated products and experiences that resonated with guests around the world. We are grateful for Calvins numerous contributions and appreciate his continued support over the coming months to facilitate a seamless transition. McDonald, who has been CEO of Lululemon since 2018, helped the retailer triple its annual revenues during that time period and expand meaningfully overseas. He will receive $3.05 million from Lululemon as part of a separation agreement, as well as $2.1 million in severance payments and a bonus for fiscal 2025, per a Thursday SEC filing. Frank will now receive a salary of $950,000, a retention bonus of $1.5 million and an equity award valued at $4 million for taking on the co-CEO role. Maestrini, who was just named chief commercial officer last month, is getting a $750,000 retention bonus and an equity award valued at $4 million for his expanded position. The two executives have extensive global retail experience and proven track records of driving growth at Lululemon, the company said. Shares of Franklin FTSE Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:FLJP Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $36.17 and last traded at $36.1560, with a volume of 237893 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $36.03. Franklin FTSE Japan ETF Price Performance The company has a 50 day moving average of $35.40 and a 200-day moving average of $33.77. The company has a market cap of $2.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.28 and a beta of 0.65. Get Franklin FTSE Japan ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of Franklin FTSE Japan ETF A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Franklin FTSE Japan ETF by 1.2% in the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 52,253 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,536,000 after buying an additional 635 shares in the last quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Franklin FTSE Japan ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $1,049,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Franklin FTSE Japan ETF by 12.9% in the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 31,391 shares of the companys stock valued at $923,000 after purchasing an additional 3,594 shares in the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its holdings in Franklin FTSE Japan ETF by 19.1% in the 1st quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 311,591 shares of the companys stock worth $9,161,000 after purchasing an additional 49,974 shares during the period. Finally, Berkshire Asset Management LLC PA acquired a new position in Franklin FTSE Japan ETF in the 1st quarter worth about $202,000. Franklin FTSE Japan ETF Company Profile The Franklin FTSE Japan ETF (FLJP) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE Japan RIC Capped index. The fund tracks a market-cap-selected and -weighted index of Japanese equities. FLJP was launched on Nov 2, 2017 and is managed by Franklin Templeton. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Franklin FTSE Japan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Franklin FTSE Japan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fund 1 Investments LLC bought a new position in Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (NYSE:BZH Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm bought 87,012 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $1,946,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Gratia Capital LLC raised its holdings in Beazer Homes USA by 18.3% during the second quarter. Gratia Capital LLC now owns 161,400 shares of the construction companys stock worth $3,611,000 after purchasing an additional 25,000 shares in the last quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP acquired a new position in Beazer Homes USA during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $331,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its stake in shares of Beazer Homes USA by 11.2% during the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 92,939 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,079,000 after buying an additional 9,350 shares in the last quarter. Brevan Howard Capital Management LP lifted its holdings in shares of Beazer Homes USA by 155.1% in the 2nd quarter. Brevan Howard Capital Management LP now owns 42,516 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $951,000 after buying an additional 25,849 shares during the period. Finally, PDT Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Beazer Homes USA in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $577,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.65% of the companys stock. Get Beazer Homes USA alerts: Beazer Homes USA Stock Performance Shares of BZH stock opened at $22.59 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $22.44 and a 200 day moving average price of $23.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 2.07 and a current ratio of 16.21. The stock has a market cap of $672.37 million, a PE ratio of 14.77, a P/E/G ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 2.16. Beazer Homes USA, Inc. has a 1 year low of $17.37 and a 1 year high of $31.45. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Beazer Homes USA ( NYSE:BZH Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The construction company reported $1.07 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.80 by $0.27. The business had revenue of $791.90 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $674.80 million. Beazer Homes USA had a return on equity of 4.46% and a net margin of 1.92%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.69 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Beazer Homes USA, Inc. will post 3.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Wall Street Zen raised Beazer Homes USA from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday. Zacks Research cut shares of Beazer Homes USA from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Beazer Homes USA in a report on Monday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Beazer Homes USA currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $31.33. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Beazer Homes USA About Beazer Homes USA (Free Report) Beazer Homes USA, Inc operates as a homebuilder in the United States. It designs, constructs, and sells single-family and multi-family homes under the Beazer Homes, Gatherings, and Choice Plans names. The company also sells its homes through commissioned new home sales counselors and independent brokers in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Indiana, Delaware, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BZH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (NYSE:BZH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Beazer Homes USA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Beazer Homes USA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co. LLC raised its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Free Report) by 1,064.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 63,487 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after acquiring an additional 58,034 shares during the quarter. Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co. LLCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $14,379,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,815 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $411,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Pflug Koory LLC raised its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter. Pflug Koory LLC now owns 1,133 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $257,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the period. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 9.1% during the 2nd quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 517 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $117,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 1.2% in the second quarter. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC now owns 3,621 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $820,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the period. Finally, Liberty One Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter. Liberty One Investment Management LLC now owns 1,076 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $244,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.51% of the companys stock. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts recently commented on TSM shares. Itau BBA Securities started coverage on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $290.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Sunday, December 7th. UBS Group set a $330.00 price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Sunday, December 7th. Wall Street Zen lowered Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, December 6th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and set a $360.00 price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $355.00. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Performance NYSE TSM opened at $291.87 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.69, a quick ratio of 2.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $293.64 and a 200 day simple moving average of $256.34. The company has a market cap of $1.51 trillion, a P/E ratio of 29.94, a PEG ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.31. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 12-month low of $134.25 and a 12-month high of $313.98. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.59 by $0.33. The business had revenue of $32.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $951.89 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 43.72% and a return on equity of 34.34%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 40.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.94 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be given a dividend of $0.9678 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. This is an increase from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. This represents a $3.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings payout ratio is 25.85%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Profile (Free Report) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TSM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co. LLC trimmed its position in Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX Free Report) by 1.7% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 1,125,253 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after selling 18,886 shares during the period. Boston Scientific comprises approximately 1.3% of Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co. LLCs holdings, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co. LLCs holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $120,863,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. FWL Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Boston Scientific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC boosted its holdings in Boston Scientific by 90.9% in the 2nd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 252 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares during the period. 1248 Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Boston Scientific during the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. Kilter Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Boston Scientific in the second quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Princeton Global Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific in the second quarter worth $32,000. 89.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Boston Scientific Trading Up 0.9% BSX stock opened at $92.58 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $137.24 billion, a PE ratio of 49.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.51. Boston Scientific Corporation has a one year low of $85.98 and a one year high of $109.50. The companys 50 day moving average price is $98.85 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $101.64. Insider Activity Boston Scientific ( NYSE:BSX Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results 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. The company had revenue of $5.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.97 billion. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 14.43% and a return on equity of 19.46%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 20.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.63 EPS. 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. As a group, analysts predict that Boston Scientific Corporation will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In related news, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.47, for a total transaction of $4,973,500.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 178,342 shares in the company, valued at $17,739,678.74. This trade represents a 21.90% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Ellen M. Zane sold 12,891 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.28, for a total value of $1,266,927.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 24,134 shares in the company, valued at $2,371,889.52. This trade represents a 34.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 143,095 shares of company stock valued at $14,228,950. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth BSX has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $125.00 target price on shares of Boston Scientific in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Canaccord Genuity Group reiterated a buy rating and set a $132.00 price target on shares of Boston Scientific in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Evercore ISI reissued an outperform rating on shares of Boston Scientific in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Boston Scientific from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, October 11th. Finally, Erste Group Bank lowered shares of Boston Scientific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Boston Scientific has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $124.43. Get Our Latest Analysis on BSX 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. Featured Articles 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. Henry James International Management Inc. trimmed its position in Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (OTCMKTS:RYCEY Free Report) by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 930,253 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 48,232 shares during the quarter. Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC accounts for approximately 4.1% of Henry James International Management Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 6th biggest holding. Henry James International Management Inc.s holdings in Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC were worth $12,447,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bowen Hanes & Co. Inc. bought a new stake in Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC in the 1st quarter worth $27,782,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC by 17.4% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 34,443 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $461,000 after purchasing an additional 5,099 shares during the period. Sterling Investment Advisors Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC in the second quarter worth about $174,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC by 7.8% during the 2nd quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 107,032 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,419,000 after purchasing an additional 7,705 shares during the period. Finally, Torray Investment Partners LLC bought a new position in Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $669,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 0.07% of the companys stock. Get Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC alerts: Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC Stock Down 0.5% Shares of RYCEY stock opened at $14.77 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $14.86 and its 200 day moving average is $14.23. Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC has a twelve month low of $6.80 and a twelve month high of $16.27. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Berenberg Bank upgraded Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC in a report on Friday, September 19th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada assumed coverage on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an outperform rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. View Our Latest Research Report on Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC About Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (Free Report) Rolls-Royce Holdings plc develops and delivers complex power and propulsion solutions for air, sea, and land in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Civil Aerospace, Defence, Power Systems, and New Markets. The Civil Aerospace segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells aero engines for large commercial aircraft, regional jet, and business aviation markets, as well as provides aftermarket services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Henry James International Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) by 85.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 61,581 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 28,412 shares during the quarter. Henry James International Management Inc.s holdings in Barclays were worth $1,145,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Fisher Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Barclays by 13.2% during the second quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 83,062,892 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,544,139,000 after buying an additional 9,692,999 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Barclays by 37.6% during the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 33,607,068 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $516,163,000 after acquiring an additional 9,188,263 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Barclays in the second quarter worth approximately $63,206,000. 1832 Asset Management L.P. purchased a new stake in Barclays in the second quarter valued at approximately $57,568,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in Barclays by 1,719.7% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,031,480 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $37,765,000 after purchasing an additional 1,919,843 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 3.39% of the companys stock. Get Barclays alerts: Barclays Price Performance BCS stock opened at $23.83 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $21.52 and a 200-day simple moving average of $20.07. The firm has a market cap of $82.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.94, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a current ratio of 1.41. Barclays PLC has a 1 year low of $12.14 and a 1 year high of $24.22. Analysts Set New Price Targets Barclays ( NYSE:BCS Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, September 30th. The financial services provider reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $9.21 billion during the quarter. Barclays had a return on equity of 8.19% and a net margin of 21.26%. On average, equities analysts predict that Barclays PLC will post 2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of equities analysts have weighed in on BCS shares. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Barclays in a report on Monday, November 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating on shares of Barclays in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Wall Street Zen lowered Barclays from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Zacks Research lowered Barclays from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Barclays in a report on Thursday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Barclays has an average rating of Moderate Buy. View Our Latest Analysis on BCS Barclays Company Profile (Free Report) Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through Barclays UK and Barclays International division segments. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BCS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Barclays Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barclays and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL Get Free Report) traded down 5.1% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $72.65 and last traded at $72.51. 1,226,619 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 8% from the average session volume of 1,138,923 shares. The stock had previously closed at $76.42. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on Hexcel from $70.00 to $83.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Hexcel from $81.00 to $87.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating and set a $65.00 price objective on shares of Hexcel in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup reaffirmed a reduce rating on shares of Hexcel in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Hexcel in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $73.33. Get Hexcel alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on HXL Hexcel Trading Up 0.5% The stock has a market capitalization of $5.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 86.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 1.06. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $70.24 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $63.43. The company has a current ratio of 2.75, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Hexcel (NYSE:HXL Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The aerospace company reported $0.37 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by ($0.01). Hexcel had a return on equity of 9.25% and a net margin of 3.67%.The business had revenue of $456.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $449.99 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.47 EPS. Hexcels revenue for the quarter was down .2% compared to the same quarter last year. Hexcel has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.700-1.800 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Hexcel Corporation will post 2.14 EPS for the current year. Hexcel Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 3rd were paid a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 3rd. Hexcels payout ratio is 80.00%. Insider Activity at Hexcel In other news, EVP Patrick Winterlich sold 3,413 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.34, for a total value of $250,309.42. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 40,357 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,959,782.38. This trade represents a 7.80% 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 hyperlink. Also, insider Lyndon John Smith sold 2,077 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, October 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.02, for a total transaction of $151,662.54. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 8,426 shares of the companys stock, valued at $615,266.52. The trade was a 19.78% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 1.39% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hexcel Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH purchased a new position in shares of Hexcel during the second quarter valued at about $26,000. NewSquare Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 379.0% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 479 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 379 shares during the period. Park Place Capital Corp raised its position in shares of Hexcel by 65.1% in the 2nd quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 497 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 196 shares in the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Hexcel in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its stake in shares of Hexcel by 325.0% in the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 493 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 377 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.47% of the companys stock. Hexcel Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hexcel Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets carbon fibers, structural reinforcements, honeycomb structures, resins, and composite materials and parts for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense, and industrial applications. It operates through two segments, Composite Materials and Engineered Products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hexcel Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hexcel and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hillman Capital Management Inc. cut its position in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO Free Report) by 21.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 29,355 shares of the companys stock after selling 7,844 shares during the period. Hillman Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Diageo were worth $2,960,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in DEO. Savant Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Diageo in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $310,000. Philip James Wealth Mangement LLC raised its stake in Diageo by 81.8% in the second quarter. Philip James Wealth Mangement LLC now owns 33,107 shares of the companys stock worth $3,338,000 after buying an additional 14,895 shares in the last quarter. Martin Capital Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Diageo by 225.8% during the second quarter. Martin Capital Partners LLC now owns 32,525 shares of the companys stock worth $3,280,000 after buying an additional 22,542 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its holdings in Diageo by 353.7% during the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 717,740 shares of the companys stock worth $72,377,000 after buying an additional 559,547 shares during the period. Finally, Cobblestone Capital Advisors LLC NY boosted its position in Diageo by 5.1% during the 2nd quarter. Cobblestone Capital Advisors LLC NY now owns 127,388 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,846,000 after acquiring an additional 6,145 shares in the last quarter. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Diageo alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages recently weighed in on DEO. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating on shares of Diageo in a research note on Friday, November 28th. UBS Group restated a neutral rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Barclays reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Diageo in a research note on Thursday. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Diageo from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d) rating on shares of Diageo in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Diageo has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $119.00. Diageo Trading Up 1.5% NYSE DEO opened at $89.14 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $92.95 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $100.62. Diageo plc has a 12-month low of $85.13 and a 12-month high of $132.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. Diageo Profile (Free Report) Diageo plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, marketing, and sale of alcoholic beverages. The company offers scotch, gin, vodka, rum, raki, liqueur, wine, tequila, Chinese white spirits, cachaca, and brandy, as well as beer, including cider and flavored malt beverages. It also provides Chinese, Canadian, Irish, American, and Indian-Made Foreign Liquor whiskies, as well as flavored malt beverages, ready to drink, and non-alcoholic products. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DEO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Diageo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Diageo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Holocene Advisors LP grew its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW Free Report) by 35.2% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 4,703,977 shares of the medical research companys stock after buying an additional 1,223,460 shares during the period. Edwards Lifesciences makes up 0.9% of Holocene Advisors LPs holdings, making the stock its 18th biggest holding. Holocene Advisors LPs holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $367,898,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton acquired a new stake in Edwards Lifesciences in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the first quarter worth $26,000. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 57.8% during the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 366 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 134 shares during the period. SouthState Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the first quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 2nd quarter valued at $40,000. 79.46% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Edwards Lifesciences alerts: Edwards Lifesciences Price Performance Shares of NYSE EW opened at $83.06 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 4.00 and a quick ratio of 3.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $48.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.80, a PEG ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 0.97. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $81.62 and its 200-day simple moving average is $79.01. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation has a 12 month low of $65.94 and a 12 month high of $87.89. Insider Activity Edwards Lifesciences ( NYSE:EW Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The medical research company reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $1.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.49 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 23.25% and a return on equity of 14.70%. The businesss revenue was up 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.67 EPS. Edwards Lifesciences has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.560-2.620 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.580-0.640 EPS. Analysts expect that Edwards Lifesciences Corporation will post 2.45 EPS for the current year. In other news, CFO Scott B. Ullem sold 13,000 shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.08, for a total value of $1,080,040.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 39,898 shares in the company, valued at $3,314,725.84. This trade represents a 24.58% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 11,386 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.76, for a total value of $953,691.36. Following the sale, the vice president owned 38,970 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,264,127.20. This trade represents a 22.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 45,465 shares of company stock worth $3,804,610 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have commented on EW shares. Oppenheimer cut Edwards Lifesciences from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wells Fargo & Company restated an overweight rating and issued a $96.00 price objective (up from $95.00) on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $83.00 to $88.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, December 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $104.00 price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $93.30. View Our Latest Research Report on EW About Edwards Lifesciences (Free Report) Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL PRECISION and Cardioband names. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Edwards Lifesciences Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edwards Lifesciences and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HRT Financial LP grew its position in shares of Aercap Holdings N.V. (NYSE:AER Free Report) by 58.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 178,551 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 66,190 shares during the quarter. HRT Financial LP owned approximately 0.10% of Aercap worth $20,890,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in shares of Aercap by 6.5% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 129,341 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,215,000 after purchasing an additional 7,896 shares during the last quarter. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI increased its stake in shares of Aercap by 24.8% in the 1st quarter. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI now owns 129,682 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $13,250,000 after acquiring an additional 25,780 shares during the last quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Aercap in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,849,000. Corton Capital Inc. bought a new position in Aercap during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $415,000. Finally, Meridian Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Aercap by 28.7% in the second quarter. Meridian Wealth Management LLC now owns 137,086 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $16,039,000 after purchasing an additional 30,543 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.42% of the companys stock. Get Aercap alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have weighed in on AER shares. Zacks Research upgraded Aercap from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b+) rating on shares of Aercap in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Susquehanna upped their price target on shares of Aercap from $134.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Aercap from $120.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Aercap from $130.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $146.29. Aercap Price Performance Shares of NYSE AER opened at $139.41 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43, a current ratio of 0.30 and a quick ratio of 0.30. The business has a 50-day moving average of $130.24 and a 200-day moving average of $121.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.60, a PEG ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.13. Aercap Holdings N.V. has a fifty-two week low of $85.57 and a fifty-two week high of $142.25. Aercap (NYSE:AER Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The financial services provider reported $4.97 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.16 by $1.81. The firm had revenue of $2.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2 billion. Aercap had a return on equity of 15.16% and a net margin of 45.41%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 18.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.41 earnings per share. Aercap has set its FY 2025 guidance at 13.700-13.700 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Aercap Holdings N.V. will post 11.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Aercap Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 12th were given a dividend of $0.27 per share. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 12th. Aercaps dividend payout ratio is 5.12%. Aercap Profile (Free Report) AerCap Holdings N.V. engages in the lease, financing, sale, and management of commercial flight equipment in China, Hong Kong, Macau, the United States, Ireland, and internationally. The company offers aircraft asset management services, such as remarketing aircraft and engines; collecting rental and maintenance rent payments, monitoring aircraft maintenance, monitoring and enforcing contract compliance, and accepting delivery and redelivery of aircraft and engines; and conducting ongoing lessee financial performance reviews. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Aercap Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aercap and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gabe Ginsberg / Getty Images Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Homeownership has long been a cornerstone of the American dream. It symbolizes independence, financial security and prosperity but is it a dream worth chasing? Real estate investment guru Grant Cardone seems conflicted. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cardone said, The average mortgage today is double the rent in America (1). Must Read He went on to say that youd have to be crazy to buy a home. Buying a home without a doubt is the worst investment people can make, yet its also the most common one, he wrote on Instagram back in 2024 (2). More recently, however, Cardone has spoken out in support of President Donald Trumps proposal to legalize 50-year mortgages. In a post on Truth Social in November (3), Trump posted a photo of himself with the text 50-year mortgage next to a picture of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the text 30-year mortgage, under the headline Great American Presidents, equating implementation of the 30-year mortgage in the 1930s under Roosevelts New Deal to the creation of a 50-year mortgage during his presidency. Cardone seemingly approved of the 50-year mortgage proposal on his X account, writing, Major Real Estate Opportunity COMING (4). So is buying a home to live in yourself still a good financial move? What Cardone typically advises A $576,000 home will have to be sold for $1.2 million in 10 years, Cardone said on Instagram. Youre not going to sell it for that, to break even. He described the exercise as dead money a term used for an investment that has shown little increase in value or is locked up for a long time with little yield. Cardone, instead, typically prefers real estate investments that arent tied to your own living situation. If you're keen on getting into the real estate game but agree that renting the space you live in is the smarter financial move, crowdfunding platforms a process championed by Cardone allow everyday investors to pool their money to purchase property (or a share of property) as a group. Heres what you should know if youre looking for an opportunity to invest in property without owning your own home. HRT Financial LP bought a new stake in Mueller Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MLI Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 383,070 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $30,442,000. HRT Financial LP owned about 0.35% of Mueller Industries as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of MLI. Brooklyn Investment Group lifted its stake in Mueller Industries by 267.3% during the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 382 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 278 shares during the period. Rise Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Mueller Industries during the first quarter valued at $30,000. Employees Retirement System of Texas purchased a new stake in Mueller Industries in the second quarter valued at $34,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its position in Mueller Industries by 108.8% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 501 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 261 shares during the period. Finally, Maseco LLP purchased a new position in shares of Mueller Industries during the 2nd quarter valued at about $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.50% of the companys stock. Get Mueller Industries alerts: Mueller Industries Stock Performance MLI opened at $113.78 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $106.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $94.31. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.98 and a beta of 1.04. Mueller Industries, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $66.84 and a fifty-two week high of $114.87. Mueller Industries Announces Dividend Mueller Industries ( NYSE:MLI Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The industrial products company reported $1.88 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.99 by ($0.11). Mueller Industries had a net margin of 18.10% and a return on equity of 25.02%. The business had revenue of $1.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $942.00 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.48 earnings per share. Mueller Industriess revenue was up 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be given a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. Mueller Industriess payout ratio is 14.93%. Insider Activity In other Mueller Industries news, Director Scott Jay Goldman sold 4,234 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.64, for a total transaction of $459,981.76. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 41,745 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,535,176.80. This trade represents a 9.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Gregory L. Christopher sold 158,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.32, for a total transaction of $16,482,560.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,119,241 shares of the companys stock, valued at $116,759,221.12. This represents a 12.37% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 355,234 shares of company stock worth $36,944,652 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 2.70% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Mueller Industries in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy. Get Our Latest Report on Mueller Industries About Mueller Industries (Free Report) Mueller Industries, Inc manufactures and sells copper, brass, aluminum, and plastic products in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Korea, the Middle East, China, and Mexico. It operates through three segments: Piping Systems, Industrial Metals, and Climate. The Piping Systems segment offers copper tubes, fittings, line sets, and pipe nipples. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MLI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mueller Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MLI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Mueller Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mueller Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 934,449 shares of the medical research companys stock, valued at approximately $73,083,000. Edwards Lifesciences accounts for 0.2% of Hudson Bay Capital Management LPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest position. A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of EW. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust increased its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 9.8% in the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,455 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $114,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the last quarter. Prosperity Consulting Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. Prosperity Consulting Group LLC now owns 4,304 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $337,000 after buying an additional 132 shares in the last quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC increased its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 57.8% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 366 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 134 shares during the last quarter. Empirical Finance LLC raised its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 0.6% during the second quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 21,329 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,668,000 after acquiring an additional 134 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Patrick M Sweeney & Associates Inc. lifted its stake in Edwards Lifesciences by 3.4% in the second quarter. Patrick M Sweeney & Associates Inc. now owns 4,215 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $324,000 after acquiring an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. 79.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Edwards Lifesciences alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets EW has been the topic of several analyst reports. Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating and set a $95.00 price target (up previously from $90.00) on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating and set a $96.00 price target (up previously from $95.00) on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Citigroup reissued a buy rating and issued a $101.00 price objective (up from $96.00) on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research note on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group set a $98.00 price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Edwards Lifesciences has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $93.30. Insider Buying and Selling at Edwards Lifesciences In related news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 11,386 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.76, for a total value of $953,691.36. Following the sale, the vice president owned 38,970 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,264,127.20. The trade was a 22.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Scott B. Ullem sold 7,700 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.47, for a total transaction of $650,419.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 39,898 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,370,184.06. This represents a 16.18% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 45,465 shares of company stock valued at $3,804,610 in the last 90 days. 1.29% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Edwards Lifesciences Stock Performance NYSE EW opened at $83.06 on Friday. The companys fifty day moving average is $81.62 and its two-hundred day moving average is $79.01. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation has a 52-week low of $65.94 and a 52-week high of $87.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 4.00 and a quick ratio of 3.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $48.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.80, a P/E/G ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 0.97. Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The medical research company reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.08. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 23.25% and a return on equity of 14.70%. The business had revenue of $1.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.49 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.67 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. Edwards Lifesciences has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.560-2.620 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.580-0.640 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Edwards Lifesciences Corporation will post 2.45 EPS for the current year. Edwards Lifesciences Profile (Free Report) Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL PRECISION and Cardioband names. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Edwards Lifesciences Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edwards Lifesciences and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Humankind Investments LLC raised its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 32.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 16,808 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after buying an additional 4,126 shares during the period. Abbott Laboratories comprises approximately 0.6% of Humankind Investments LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest holding. Humankind Investments LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $2,286,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Avanza Fonder AB lifted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 0.4% during the second quarter. Avanza Fonder AB now owns 168,401 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $22,904,000 after buying an additional 655 shares in the last quarter. Seaview Investment Managers LLC bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the second quarter worth about $11,068,000. Guggenheim Capital LLC raised its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 13.5% in the 2nd quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 98,941 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $13,457,000 after purchasing an additional 11,794 shares in the last quarter. Atria Investments Inc boosted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 8.3% in the 2nd quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 184,269 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $25,062,000 after purchasing an additional 14,185 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Management Professionals Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 715.7% during the second quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 6,142 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $835,000 after purchasing an additional 5,389 shares during the period. 75.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Stock Up 1.8% ABT stock opened at $125.47 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $127.45 and a 200-day moving average price of $130.49. Abbott Laboratories has a 12 month low of $110.86 and a 12 month high of $141.23. The company has a current ratio of 1.70, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $218.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.72. Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.30. The business had revenue of $11.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.40 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 31.88% and a return on equity of 17.60%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.21 EPS. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Investors of record on Wednesday, October 15th were issued a dividend of $0.59 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, October 15th. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.57%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages recently issued reports on ABT. Raymond James Financial increased their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $141.00 to $146.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Mizuho increased their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Monday. William Blair raised shares of Abbott Laboratories to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Benchmark assumed coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Friday, October 10th. They set a buy rating and a $145.00 price target for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $147.00. Get Our Latest Report on ABT About Abbott Laboratories (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. Featured Articles 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. ICONIQ Capital LLC lowered its position in Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) by 26.3% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 29,407 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 10,477 shares during the quarter. ICONIQ Capital LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $1,392,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Boston Common Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Bank of America by 10.5% in the second quarter. Boston Common Asset Management LLC now owns 259,680 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $12,288,000 after acquiring an additional 24,740 shares during the period. Disciplined Investments LLC purchased a new position in Bank of America during the 2nd quarter valued at about $217,000. Sunbeam Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 7.3% in the 2nd quarter. Sunbeam Capital Management LLC now owns 6,476 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $306,000 after purchasing an additional 439 shares in the last quarter. CCG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bank of America in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $287,000. Finally, Community Financial Services Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 3.5% during the second quarter. Community Financial Services Group LLC now owns 169,057 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $8,000,000 after purchasing an additional 5,787 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.71% of the companys stock. Get Bank of America alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on Bank of America from $56.00 to $59.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on Bank of America from $60.00 to $58.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Bank of America from $51.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. HSBC lifted their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $51.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their target price on shares of Bank of America from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. Twenty-three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Bank of America currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $57.86. Bank of America Stock Performance BAC opened at $55.14 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $402.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.02 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. The firms 50-day moving average price is $52.39 and its 200-day moving average price is $49.45. Bank of America Corporation has a 52-week low of $33.06 and a 52-week high of $55.30. Bank of America (NYSE:BAC Get Free Report) last issued 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 business had revenue of $5.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $27.05 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.81 EPS. Bank of Americas revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 EPS for the current fiscal year. Bank of America Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.28 per share. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. Bank of Americas payout ratio is presently 30.52%. Bank of America Company Profile (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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC Free Report). 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. IHT Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Free Report) by 36.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 430,536 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 114,196 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF accounts for 0.8% of IHT Wealth Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 21st largest holding. IHT Wealth Management LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $27,330,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of EFV. Atwood & Palmer Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Crewe Advisors LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the second quarter worth approximately $29,000. Pandora Wealth Inc. acquired a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Rice Partnership LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $59,000. Finally, Bogart Wealth LLC increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 82.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 451 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Trading Up 37.5% iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF stock opened at $71.83 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $69.15 and a 200-day simple moving average of $66.61. The stock has a market cap of $29.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.17 and a beta of 0.73. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 12-month low of $51.05 and a 12-month high of $66.83. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Profile iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX Get Free Report) CAO Stephen Higgins sold 28,423 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.99, for a total value of $1,364,019.77. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 105,294 shares in the company, valued at $5,053,059.06. This represents a 21.26% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Freeport-McMoRan Price Performance NYSE FCX traded down $0.70 during trading on Friday, hitting $47.41. 16,644,711 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 16,495,912. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 2.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a 12-month low of $27.66 and a 12-month high of $49.12. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $41.77 and a 200-day simple moving average of $42.38. The company has a market capitalization of $68.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.49. Get Freeport-McMoRan alerts: Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The natural resource company reported $0.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.41 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $6.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.74 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a return on equity of 7.84% and a net margin of 7.97%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.38 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.68 EPS for the current year. Freeport-McMoRan Dividend Announcement Analyst Ratings Changes The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 3rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 15th were given a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 15th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.13%. FCX has been the topic of a number of research reports. Bank of America upgraded shares of Freeport-McMoRan from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $42.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. Wells Fargo & Company raised Freeport-McMoRan to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Raymond James Financial decreased their price objective on Freeport-McMoRan from $46.00 to $45.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on Freeport-McMoRan from $48.00 to $47.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein cut their target price on Freeport-McMoRan from $48.50 to $45.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Freeport-McMoRan has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $48.30. View Our Latest Research Report on FCX Institutional Investors Weigh In On Freeport-McMoRan A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of FCX. Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the third quarter worth $25,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC lifted its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 1,962.9% in the 3rd quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 722 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 687 shares during the period. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Pilgrim Partners Asia Pte Ltd bought a new position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the third quarter valued at approximately $36,000. 80.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Freeport-McMoRan (Get Free Report) Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Freeport-McMoRan Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Freeport-McMoRan and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEUR Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $70.48 and last traded at $70.35, with a volume of 706133 shares. The stock had previously closed at $69.48. iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF Stock Performance The companys fifty day moving average price is $68.90 and its 200 day moving average price is $67.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.78 and a beta of 0.93. Get iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in IEUR. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Franklin Resources Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF during the second quarter valued at $27,000. Family Legacy Financial Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF during the third quarter worth about $29,000. Caldwell Trust Co bought a new position in shares of iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF during the second quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, MMA Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. About iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF The iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF (IEUR) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Europe IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of developed European securities. IEUR was launched on Jun 10, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IDEV Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $82.71 and last traded at $82.9190, with a volume of 855401 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $81.97. iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF Stock Performance The stock has a market capitalization of $24.02 billion, a PE ratio of 16.62 and a beta of 0.85. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $80.99 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $78.44. Get iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. YANKCOM Partnership bought a new position in shares of iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF in the third quarter worth about $25,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lifted its holdings in iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF by 11,466.7% in the 3rd quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 347 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 344 shares in the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Archer Investment Corp grew its holdings in iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF by 134.8% during the 2nd quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 836 shares of the companys stock valued at $64,000 after buying an additional 480 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. grew its holdings in iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF by 2,216.3% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 996 shares of the companys stock valued at $80,000 after buying an additional 953 shares in the last quarter. About iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF The iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF (IDEV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI World ex USA IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of large-, mid, and small-cap stocks from developed countries, excluding the US. IDEV was launched on Mar 21, 2017 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:HSCZ Get Free Report) dropped 0.4% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $38.87 and last traded at $38.91. Approximately 9,471 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 51% from the average daily volume of 19,134 shares. The stock had previously closed at $39.05. iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF Price Performance The firms fifty day simple moving average is $38.32 and its 200 day simple moving average is $36.92. The company has a market capitalization of $175.48 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.36 and a beta of 0.65. Get iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. IFP Advisors Inc grew its position in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF by 25.0% during the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 18,726 shares of the companys stock worth $705,000 after purchasing an additional 3,750 shares in the last quarter. Capital Square LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF in the third quarter valued at $214,000. Flow Traders U.S. LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF by 116.8% in the third quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC now owns 54,023 shares of the companys stock worth $2,032,000 after buying an additional 29,101 shares during the period. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF during the third quarter valued at $384,000. Finally, First PREMIER Bank raised its position in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF by 53.2% during the third quarter. First PREMIER Bank now owns 10,078 shares of the companys stock valued at $379,000 after buying an additional 3,498 shares during the period. About iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (HSCZ) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in small-cap stocks. The fund tracks an index of small-cap stocks from developed markets outside the US and Canada, hedged against movements in the underlying currencies for US investors. HSCZ was launched on Jul 1, 2015 and is managed by BlackRock. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI Spain ETF (NYSEARCA:EWP Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $52.94 and last traded at $53.0850, with a volume of 264236 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $52.36. iShares MSCI Spain ETF Stock Performance The firm has a market capitalization of $1.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.89 and a beta of 0.86. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $50.63 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $47.58. Get iShares MSCI Spain ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of iShares MSCI Spain ETF Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. BOKF NA purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Spain ETF in the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in iShares MSCI Spain ETF by 39.2% in the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,100 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 310 shares during the period. Private Trust Co. NA grew its position in iShares MSCI Spain ETF by 879.8% during the 2nd quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 1,117 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 1,003 shares in the last quarter. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Spain ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $63,000. Finally, Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV raised its stake in iShares MSCI Spain ETF by 33.3% during the 3rd quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 2,183 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $108,000 after purchasing an additional 545 shares during the period. 38.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About iShares MSCI Spain ETF iShares MSCI Spain Capped ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Spanish market, as measured by the MSCI Spain Index (the Index). See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Spain ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Spain ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mexicos move to raise import tariffs on cars to as high as 50% is likely to hit roughly $1bn in vehicle exports from India, reported Reuters, citing sources and a letter from an industry group. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaums administration has authorised a hike in import duties, starting next year, on hundreds of products originating from countries that lack trade agreements with Mexico, a list that includes India and China. The car import tariff is due to rise to 50% from 20%, impacting exporters including Volkswagen, Hyundai, Nissan and Maruti Suzuki. While, the stated aim is to safeguard domestic jobs and manufacturing, the move also comes amid pressure from the US on Mexico to reduce business links with China. Some Mexican business groups have argued that higher tariffs will push up costs. India exported goods worth $5.3bn to Mexico in the last fiscal year, with vehicles making up close to $1bn, according to a letter and customs data cited by the news agency. The same data shows Skoda Auto accounts for nearly half of Indias car exports to Mexico. Hyundai shipped vehicles worth about $200m, while Nissans exports were around $140m and Suzukis about $120m. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) an industry body whose members include Volkswagen, Hyundai and Suzuki wrote to Indias commerce ministry in November, asking it to push the Mexican government to keep existing import duty levels unchanged for cars exported from India. The request was detailed in a letter seen by Reuters. In its letter to the commerce ministry, sent before the duty increase was approved, the industry association warned that the planned tariff rise would directly affect Indias automobile exports to Mexico and urged the Government of India to step in and open talks with the Mexican authorities. The higher tariffs may prompt Indian automakers to rethink their plans and operations linked to Mexico, which is Indias third-largest automobile export destination after South Africa and Saudi Arabia. During meetings with Indian authorities last month, automakers explained that the bulk of vehicles exported from India to Mexico are small, entry-level models equipped with sub-one-litre engines, tailored specifically to Mexican consumer needs and not intended as a conduit for re-export into the US. They added that Mexico sells about 1.5 million passenger vehicles annually, of which roughly two-thirds are brought in from abroad, and that Indian exports represent approximately 6.7% of those total sales. In its letter, the industry group added: Indian-origin vehicles are not a threat to Mexican local industry as Indian vehicles do not cater to high-end segments manufactured by Mexico for serving the North American market. iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (NYSEARCA:EWL Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $58.49 and last traded at $58.36, with a volume of 1839011 shares. The stock had previously closed at $57.69. iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Trading Down 0.2% The stocks 50-day moving average price is $56.91 and its 200-day moving average price is $55.53. 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 hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of EWL. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $38,000. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $44,000. MAI Capital Management grew its stake in 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 acquiring an additional 833 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF in the second quarter worth $56,000. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc bought a new position in iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $60,000. Hedge funds and other 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). See Also 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 Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWS Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $143.05 and last traded at $143.4820, with a volume of 364146 shares. The stock had previously closed at $141.15. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF Stock Down 0.9% The companys 50-day moving average is $139.18 and its two-hundred day moving average is $136.29. The company has a market cap of $14.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.11 and a beta of 1.02. Get iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp purchased a new stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF during the second quarter valued at about $571,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. raised its position in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 20.1% in the second quarter. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. now owns 3,066 shares of the companys stock valued at $405,000 after purchasing an additional 514 shares during the period. Addison Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $102,000. Neumann Capital Management LLC bought a new position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $201,000. Finally, Allworth Financial LP boosted its holdings in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 30.2% in the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 4,223 shares of the companys stock worth $558,000 after buying an additional 980 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.17% of the companys stock. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF Company Profile iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell Midcap Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell Midcap Value Index (the Value Index). The Value Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization value sector of the United States equity market. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fund 1 Investments LLC grew its holdings in shares of J.Jill, Inc. (NYSE:JILL Free Report) by 22.8% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 936,248 shares of the specialty retailers stock after acquiring an additional 173,785 shares during the period. J.Jill accounts for about 1.1% of Fund 1 Investments LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest position. Fund 1 Investments LLC owned 0.06% of J.Jill worth $13,707,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of JILL. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its holdings in J.Jill by 11.7% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 7,908 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $154,000 after purchasing an additional 829 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of J.Jill by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 23,682 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $347,000 after buying an additional 840 shares during the last quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of J.Jill by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 23,834 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $349,000 after buying an additional 930 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in shares of J.Jill by 10.9% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 13,604 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $266,000 after buying an additional 1,337 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of J.Jill in the first quarter worth $43,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 40.71% of the companys stock. Get J.Jill alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have commented on JILL. TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of J.Jill from $16.00 to $17.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. Telsey Advisory Group cut their target price on shares of J.Jill from $17.00 to $16.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen downgraded J.Jill from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d+) rating on shares of J.Jill in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group set a $18.00 target price on J.Jill in a report on Wednesday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $18.00. J.Jill Trading Up 0.3% J.Jill stock opened at $14.10 on Friday. J.Jill, Inc. has a 1 year low of $13.32 and a 1 year high of $28.94. The firms 50-day moving average is $15.21 and its 200-day moving average is $15.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 1.15. The company has a market cap of $213.05 million, a P/E ratio of 6.44 and a beta of 0.90. J.Jill (NYSE:JILL Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, December 10th. The specialty retailer reported $0.76 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.18. J.Jill had a net margin of 5.60% and a return on equity of 36.33%. The firm had revenue of $150.53 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $148.38 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.89 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that J.Jill, Inc. will post 3.36 earnings per share for the current year. J.Jill Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 7th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 24th will be issued a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 24th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. J.Jills dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 14.61%. J.Jill Company Profile (Free Report) J.Jill, Inc operates as an omnichannel retailer for women's apparel under the J.Jill brand in the United States. It offers apparel, footwear, and accessories, including scarves and jewelry. The company markets its products through retail stores, website, and catalogs. J.Jill, Inc was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JILL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for J.Jill, Inc. (NYSE:JILL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for J.Jill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for J.Jill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund, Inc. (NYSE:JOF Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Friday, September 12th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.0887 per share on Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 10.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund Price Performance Shares of NYSE:JOF remained flat at $10.55 during trading on Friday. 83,206 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 42,383. The companys fifty day moving average is $10.43 and its 200-day moving average is $10.21. Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund has a 12 month low of $7.43 and a 12 month high of $11.00. Get Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in JOF. Bank of America Corp DE increased its holdings in Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund by 37,758.0% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 795,018 shares of the companys stock worth $7,664,000 after purchasing an additional 792,918 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its position in Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund by 9.0% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 5,487,892 shares of the companys stock worth $57,842,000 after acquiring an additional 454,000 shares during the last quarter. Bulldog Investors LLP grew its stake in shares of Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund by 184.4% during the 3rd quarter. Bulldog Investors LLP now owns 217,948 shares of the companys stock worth $2,297,000 after acquiring an additional 141,310 shares in the last quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund by 116.0% in the third quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. now owns 197,467 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,081,000 after purchasing an additional 106,068 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mraz Amerine & Associates Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund by 39.0% in the second quarter. Mraz Amerine & Associates Inc. now owns 145,281 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,401,000 after purchasing an additional 40,790 shares during the last quarter. About Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund, Inc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by Nomura Asset Management U.SA Inc It is managed by Nomura Asset Management Co, Ltd. The fund invests in the public equity markets of Japan. It invests in stocks traded on the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya Stock Exchanges, JASDAQ, Mothers, Hercules, Centrex, and other indices. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JinkoSolar Holding Company Limited (NYSE:JKS Get Free Report) has received an average rating of Strong Sell from the seven ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and two have issued a hold recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $19.4875. A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on JKS shares. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of JinkoSolar from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Wall Street Zen raised JinkoSolar from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, October 11th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of JinkoSolar in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of JinkoSolar in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Roth Capital lifted their price objective on shares of JinkoSolar from $17.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, November 21st. Get JinkoSolar alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on JinkoSolar JinkoSolar Trading Down 4.3% NYSE:JKS opened at $25.64 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $25.16 and its 200-day simple moving average is $23.44. JinkoSolar has a fifty-two week low of $13.42 and a fifty-two week high of $31.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.32 billion, a PE ratio of -2.80 and a beta of 0.49. JinkoSolar (NYSE:JKS Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, November 17th. The semiconductor company reported ($2.30) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($2.56) by $0.26. JinkoSolar had a negative net margin of 4.98% and a negative return on equity of 8.96%. The firm had revenue of $2.27 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.72 billion. Sell-side analysts expect that JinkoSolar will post -0.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On JinkoSolar Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Greenwoods Asset Management Hong Kong Ltd. grew its position in shares of JinkoSolar by 37.0% in the first quarter. Greenwoods Asset Management Hong Kong Ltd. now owns 780,933 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $14,557,000 after purchasing an additional 211,000 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in JinkoSolar by 15.3% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,418,425 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $26,439,000 after purchasing an additional 187,930 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in JinkoSolar by 41.2% in the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 387,834 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $7,220,000 after buying an additional 113,187 shares in the last quarter. Progeny 3 Inc. bought a new position in JinkoSolar during the 3rd quarter worth $2,341,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of JinkoSolar during the first quarter worth $1,660,000. 35.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About JinkoSolar (Get Free Report) JinkoSolar Holding Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, production, and marketing of photovoltaic products. The company offers solar modules, silicon wafers, solar cells, recovered silicon materials, and silicon ingots. It also provides solar system integration services; solar power generation and solar system EPC services; and energy storage system, as well as undertakes solar power projects. See Also Receive News & Ratings for JinkoSolar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JinkoSolar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of John Wood Group PLC (OTCMKTS:WDGJF Get Free Report) traded down 6.1% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $0.2920 and last traded at $0.3013. 400 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 98% from the average session volume of 23,457 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.3208. John Wood Group Trading Up 19.7% The company has a 50 day moving average of $0.36 and a 200-day moving average of $0.36. About John Wood Group (Get Free Report) John Wood Group PLC, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of consulting, project management, and engineering solutions to energy and built environment worldwide. It operates through Projects, Operations, Consulting, and Investment Services segments. The Projects segment provides engineering design and project management services across energy and materials markets including oil and gas, chemicals, mining, minerals, and life sciences. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for John Wood Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Wood Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by Wells Fargo & Company from $212.00 to $230.00 in a research note issued on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The firm presently has an overweight rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective suggests a potential upside of 8.67% from the stocks current price. Several other research firms have also recently issued reports on JNJ. Argus set a $210.00 price target on Johnson & Johnson in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Daiwa America raised shares of Johnson & Johnson from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $172.00 to $193.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Raymond James Financial boosted their target price on Johnson & Johnson from $174.00 to $209.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $207.55. Get Johnson & Johnson alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson Trading Up 0.8% Shares of JNJ stock traded up $1.64 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $211.65. The companys stock had a trading volume of 6,919,148 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,422,986. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. Johnson & Johnson has a 12-month low of $140.68 and a 12-month high of $212.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $509.93 billion, a PE ratio of 20.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.36. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $196.09 and its 200-day simple moving average is $177.08. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 30th. The company reported $2.26 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $24.02 billion for the quarter. Johnson & Johnson had a return on equity of 32.73% and a net margin of 27.26%. On average, research analysts predict that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.58 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Johnson & Johnson Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Brighton Jones LLC increased its position in Johnson & Johnson by 13.9% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 51,876 shares of the companys stock worth $7,502,000 after buying an additional 6,332 shares during the period. United Bank boosted its position in Johnson & Johnson by 110.7% in the first quarter. United Bank now owns 9,279 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,539,000 after buying an additional 4,876 shares in the last quarter. Cookson Peirce & Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson in the first quarter valued at $208,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 10.5% during the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 19,646 shares of the companys stock worth $3,258,000 after purchasing an additional 1,863 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 37.6% in the 1st quarter. Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 58,656 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,728,000 after buying an additional 16,019 shares during the period. 69.55% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Johnson & Johnson Company Profile (Get Free Report) Johnson & Johnson is a holding company, which engages in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of products in the healthcare field. It operates through the Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments. The Innovative Medicine segment focuses on immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, oncology, cardiovascular and metabolism, and pulmonary hypertension. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Johnson & Johnson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Johnson & Johnson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lazard Asset Management LLC cut its holdings in Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:CX Free Report) by 32.4% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 26,183,191 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 12,552,892 shares during the quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLCs holdings in Cemex were worth $181,448,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Dodge & Cox boosted its holdings in Cemex by 35.1% in the 2nd quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 95,023,835 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $658,515,000 after purchasing an additional 24,703,035 shares during the period. Brandes Investment Partners LP raised its position in shares of Cemex by 7.7% in the second quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 32,648,163 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $226,252,000 after buying an additional 2,337,817 shares in the last quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Cemex by 115.6% in the first quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd now owns 13,831,102 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $77,592,000 after buying an additional 7,416,743 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Cemex by 58.8% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 7,187,143 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $40,320,000 after buying an additional 2,661,030 shares during the period. Finally, Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. grew its position in Cemex by 5.2% during the second quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 6,727,119 shares of the construction companys stock worth $46,619,000 after buying an additional 332,914 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.97% of the companys stock. Get Cemex alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades CX has been the subject of several analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on Cemex from $7.00 to $8.25 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Citigroup cut Cemex from a buy rating to a neutral rating and raised their price target for the stock from $9.00 to $10.00 in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Scotiabank cut shares of Cemex from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating and set a $11.10 price objective for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Cemex from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Cemex from $10.00 to $12.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $10.14. Cemex Stock Up 3.2% CX stock opened at $11.55 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $10.11 and a 200-day moving average price of $8.80. Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. has a 12 month low of $4.89 and a 12 month high of $11.57. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.61. Cemex (NYSE:CX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The construction company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.01 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $4.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $226.73 million. Cemex had a net margin of 8.62% and a return on equity of 6.85%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. will post 0.69 EPS for the current fiscal year. Cemex Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 23rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.0224 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.09 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Cemexs dividend payout ratio is 9.68%. About Cemex (Free Report) CEMEX, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, produces, markets, distributes, and sells cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, urbanization solutions, and other construction materials and services worldwide. The company offers gray ordinary portland, white portland, oil-well, and blended cement products; mortar; and standard ready-mix, architectural and decorative, rapid-setting, fiber-reinforced, fluid-fill, roller-compacted, self-consolidating, pervious, and antibacterial, and other concrete products. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:CX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Cemex Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cemex and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lazard Asset Management LLC cut its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 24.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 575,614 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 187,503 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC owned 0.19% of The Goldman Sachs Group worth $407,389,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 1,800.0% during the 2nd quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC now owns 38 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares during the period. Clearstead Trust LLC purchased a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Graney & King LLC grew its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 51.5% during the 2nd quarter. Graney & King LLC now owns 50 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 45.9% in the second quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC now owns 54 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares during the period. Finally, MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the second quarter worth $39,000. 71.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance GS opened at $887.90 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $266.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.04, a PEG ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.36. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $800.00 and a 200-day moving average price of $743.23. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $439.38 and a 12-month high of $919.10. The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $10.27 by $1.98. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 15.29% and a net margin of 13.18%.The company had revenue of $15.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.68 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $8.40 EPS. The Goldman Sachs Groups quarterly revenue was up 19.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be issued a dividend of $4.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 2nd. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.50%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on GS shares. Daiwa Capital Markets lifted their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $756.00 to $810.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Friday, October 3rd. They issued a market perform rating and a $785.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup lifted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $700.00 to $765.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Dbs Bank upped their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $800.00 to $890.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $725.00 to $790.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $787.06. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on GS About The Goldman Sachs Group (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT Get Free Report) had its price target dropped by analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $517.00 to $492.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage presently has a hold rating on the aerospace companys stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts price target would suggest a potential upside of 2.49% from the companys previous close. Several other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on LMT. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Lockheed Martin from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Lockheed Martin in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on shares of Lockheed Martin from $497.00 to $545.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on shares of Lockheed Martin in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. They set an outperform rating and a $550.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on Lockheed Martin from $440.00 to $525.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $508.72. Get Lockheed Martin alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin Trading Up 1.1% Shares of Lockheed Martin stock traded up $5.15 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $480.03. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,383,011 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,321,043. The company has a market capitalization of $111.08 billion, a PE ratio of 26.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.24. Lockheed Martin has a 12 month low of $410.11 and a 12 month high of $516.00. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $476.03 and a 200 day moving average of $465.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.32, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 0.97. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The aerospace company reported $6.95 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.33 by $0.62. Lockheed Martin had a return on equity of 111.84% and a net margin of 5.73%.The firm had revenue of $18.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.45 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $6.84 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. Lockheed Martin has set its FY 2025 guidance at 22.150-22.350 EPS. Analysts predict that Lockheed Martin will post 27.15 earnings per share for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Lockheed Martin news, COO John Frank A. St sold 7,792 shares of Lockheed Martin stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $491.04, for a total value of $3,826,183.68. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 1 shares in the company, valued at $491.04. The trade was a 99.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.14% of the stock is owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lockheed Martin Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Lockheed Martin by 1.0% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,697,527 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $10,048,993,000 after buying an additional 214,565 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 0.4% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,884,954 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,256,147,000 after purchasing an additional 19,459 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in Lockheed Martin by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,384,753 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,190,493,000 after acquiring an additional 79,491 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,287,495 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,021,846,000 after buying an additional 31,443 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in Lockheed Martin by 4.2% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,196,058 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,096,294,000 after purchasing an additional 87,663 shares during the last quarter. 74.19% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Lockheed Martin Company Profile (Get Free Report) Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. The company operates through Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Lockheed Martin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lockheed Martin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chicago, Illinois-based Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS) operates as a holding company, providing wealth management, asset servicing, asset management, and banking solutions for organizations, families, and individuals worldwide. With a market cap of $26 billion, the company operates through Asset Servicing and Wealth Management segments. Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally described as large-cap stocks. Northern Trust fits right into that category, with its market cap exceeding this threshold, reflecting its substantial size and influence in the asset management industry. More News from Barchart NTRS stock touched its all-time high of $140.18 in yesterdays trading session before slightly pulling back. Meanwhile, NTRS stock prices have gained 8.2% over the past three months, notably outpacing the S&P 500 Indexs ($SPX) 4.8% uptick during the same time frame. www.barchart.com Northern Trusts performance has remained impressive over the longer term as well. NTRS stock prices have soared 36.7% on a YTD basis and 33.2% over the past 52 weeks, compared to SPXs 17.3% gains in 2025 and 13.4% returns over the past year. Meanwhile, NTRS stock has traded consistently above its 200-day moving average since early May and above its 50-day moving average since late November, underscoring its bullish trend. www.barchart.com Northern Trusts stock prices dropped 2.4% in the trading session following the release of its mixed Q3 results on Oct. 22. The companys trust fees, capital markets revenues, and net interest income observed a significant surge compared to the year-ago quarter. However, its other non-interest income experienced a notable decline. Overall, the companys revenues for the quarter grew 2.8% year-over-year to slightly more than $2 billion, missing the Streets expectations by 76 bps. Meanwhile, driven by a 4.8% decline in the number of outstanding shares on a diluted basis, the companys EPS inched up 3.2% year-over-year to $2.29, beating the consensus estimates by 1.3%. Further, NTRS has notably outperformed its peer, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.s (TROW) 7.2% decline in 2025 and 13.8% plunge over the past 52 weeks. Among the 17 analysts covering the NTRS stock, the consensus rating is a Hold. As of writing, the stock is trading slightly above its mean price target of $136.21. On the date of publication, Aditya Sarawgi 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 London Co. of Virginia raised its stake in shares of Dominion Energy Inc. (NYSE:D Free Report) by 30.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,965,699 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 1,172,445 shares during the period. Dominion Energy makes up approximately 1.6% of London Co. of Virginias holdings, making the stock its 24th biggest position. London Co. of Virginia owned approximately 0.58% of Dominion Energy worth $280,662,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Benjamin Edwards Inc. lifted its position in Dominion Energy by 79.9% during the second quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 18,248 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,031,000 after purchasing an additional 8,102 shares during the period. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S lifted its holdings in shares of Dominion Energy by 30.6% during the 2nd quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S now owns 32,049 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,811,000 after buying an additional 7,502 shares during the period. Brevan Howard Capital Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Dominion Energy in the 2nd quarter worth $565,000. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. purchased a new position in shares of Dominion Energy in the 2nd quarter worth $1,052,000. Finally, California State Teachers Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of Dominion Energy by 1.5% in the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 1,017,453 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $57,506,000 after acquiring an additional 15,382 shares during the period. 73.04% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Dominion Energy alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have issued reports on D shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Dominion Energy in a research report on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of Dominion Energy in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. They issued an overweight rating and a $67.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $70.00 price objective on shares of Dominion Energy in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. BTIG Research started coverage on shares of Dominion Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. They set a neutral rating for the company. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on shares of Dominion Energy from $67.00 to $65.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Dominion Energy currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $64.63. Dominion Energy Stock Performance Shares of D opened at $59.23 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41. The firm has a market cap of $50.58 billion, a PE ratio of 20.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.70. Dominion Energy Inc. has a 12 month low of $48.07 and a 12 month high of $62.87. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $60.51 and a 200-day moving average price of $59.18. Dominion Energy (NYSE:D Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The utilities provider reported $1.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $4.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.71 billion. Dominion Energy had a return on equity of 9.60% and a net margin of 16.17%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 14.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.98 EPS. Dominion Energy has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.330-3.480 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Dominion Energy Inc. will post 3.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Dominion Energy Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, December 20th. Investors of record on Friday, December 5th will be given a $0.6675 dividend. This represents a $2.67 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 5th. Dominion Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 90.82%. Dominion Energy Profile (Free Report) Dominion Energy, Inc produces and distributes energy in the United States. It operates through three operating segments: Dominion Energy Virginia, Dominion Energy South Carolina, and Contracted Energy. The Dominion Energy Virginia segment generates, transmits, and distributes regulated electricity to approximately 2.8 million residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in Virginia and North Carolina. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding D? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dominion Energy Inc. (NYSE:D Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dominion Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dominion Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Metallus Inc. (NYSE:MTUS Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $18.52 and last traded at $18.3480, with a volume of 136310 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $17.90. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MTUS has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Metallus from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d) rating on shares of Metallus in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $24.00. Get Metallus alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on MTUS Metallus Trading Down 1.0% The stock has a market cap of $758.51 million, a P/E ratio of -95.85, a PEG ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 1.45. The companys 50 day moving average price is $16.98 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $16.18. Metallus (NYSE:MTUS Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.17 by $0.11. Metallus had a negative net margin of 0.73% and a positive return on equity of 2.94%. The company had revenue of $241.90 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $307.90 million. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Metallus Inc. will post 0.66 earnings per share for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Metallus Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. purchased a new position in shares of Metallus during the 2nd quarter valued at $319,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its holdings in Metallus by 68.1% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 1,937,438 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,885,000 after acquiring an additional 784,804 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in shares of Metallus by 4.2% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,501,577 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,139,000 after acquiring an additional 60,251 shares in the last quarter. Azarias Capital Management L.P. boosted its stake in shares of Metallus by 14.1% in the second quarter. Azarias Capital Management L.P. now owns 593,036 shares of the companys stock worth $9,139,000 after acquiring an additional 73,263 shares during the period. Finally, Voya Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Metallus by 47.1% in the first quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 78,811 shares of the companys stock worth $1,053,000 after acquiring an additional 25,223 shares during the period. 77.58% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Metallus (Get Free Report) Metallus Inc manufactures and sells alloy steel, and carbon and micro-alloy steel products in the United States and internationally. The company offers special bar quality (SBQ) bars, seamless mechanical tubes, precision steel components, and billets that are used in gears, hubs, axles, crankshafts and motor shafts, oil country drill pipes, bits and collars, bearing races and rolling elements, bushings, fuel injectors, wind energy shafts, anti-friction bearings, artillery and mortar bodies, and other applications. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Metallus Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Metallus and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nevada King Gold Corp. (CVE:NKG Get Free Report)s share price was up 25.9% on Thursday . The company traded as high as C$0.17 and last traded at C$0.17. Approximately 1,459,756 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 426% from the average daily volume of 277,655 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.14. Nevada King Gold Price Performance The stocks fifty day simple moving average is C$0.15 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$0.15. The company has a market capitalization of C$78.46 million, a P/E ratio of -6.17 and a beta of 0.42. Nevada King Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report) Nevada King Gold Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of resource properties in Nevada, the United States. The company explores for gold, silver, iron ore, vanadium, and other base metals. The company was formerly known as Victory Metals Inc and changed its name to Nevada King Gold Corp in April 2021. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Nevada King Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nevada King Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lazard Asset Management LLC reduced its stake in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (NYSE:PBR Free Report) by 12.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,139,752 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock after selling 2,737,100 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLCs holdings in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras were worth $239,438,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in PBR. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. lifted its position in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras by 150.6% during the 1st quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. now owns 40,514 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $581,000 after acquiring an additional 24,350 shares during the period. Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. raised its stake in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras by 14.8% in the first quarter. Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. now owns 23,812 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $341,000 after purchasing an additional 3,074 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras during the first quarter worth about $3,083,000. Venture Visionary Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras by 8.4% during the first quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC now owns 201,932 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $2,896,000 after purchasing an additional 15,583 shares during the period. Finally, Candriam S.C.A. purchased a new stake in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras in the first quarter valued at approximately $474,000. Get Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras in a report on Tuesday. Wall Street Zen upgraded Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras from $15.80 to $14.40 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $14.90. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras Price Performance Shares of NYSE PBR opened at $12.18 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.82. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $12.30 and a 200 day moving average of $12.40. The firm has a market cap of $78.49 billion, a PE ratio of 5.64, a PEG ratio of 0.17 and a beta of 0.53. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras has a one year low of $11.03 and a one year high of $14.98. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (NYSE:PBR Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.03. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras had a net margin of 16.15% and a return on equity of 23.32%. As a group, research analysts predict that Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras will post 2.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a special dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 27th. Investors of record on Friday, December 26th will be issued a $0.0658 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobrass payout ratio is presently 32.41%. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras Profile (Free Report) Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras explores, produces, and sells oil and gas in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Exploration and Production; Refining, Transportation and Marketing; and Gas and Power. The Exploration and Production segment explores, develops, and produces crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily for supplies to the domestic refineries. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PBR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (NYSE:PBR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Free Report) had its target price boosted by Royal Bank Of Canada from $843.00 to $900.00 in a report published on Friday morning,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage currently has a sector perform rating on the investment management companys stock. Several other research analysts also recently commented on GS. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. They set a market perform rating and a $785.00 target price for the company. BNP Paribas Exane lifted their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $685.00 to $775.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. HSBC upped their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $652.00 to $677.00 in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $854.00 to $828.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $787.06. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Get Our Latest Report on GS The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Down 2.5% The Goldman Sachs Group stock opened at $887.90 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $266.31 billion, a PE ratio of 18.04, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.36. The companys 50-day moving average is $800.00 and its 200-day moving average is $743.23. The Goldman Sachs Group has a fifty-two week low of $439.38 and a fifty-two week high of $919.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.65. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.27 by $1.98. The business had revenue of $15.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.68 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 13.18% and a return on equity of 15.29%. The Goldman Sachs Groups revenue was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $8.40 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current year. The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be given a $4.00 dividend. This represents a $16.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is presently 32.50%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On The Goldman Sachs Group Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC grew its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 617,504.5% during the 2nd quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 29,058,291 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $20,566,005,000 after purchasing an additional 29,053,586 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the second quarter worth about $2,138,031,000. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 110.8% during the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,780,620 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,417,997,000 after buying an additional 936,015 shares in the last quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd acquired a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the second quarter worth about $408,780,000. Finally, AGF Management Ltd. increased its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 2,429.6% in the 2nd quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 485,375 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $343,524,000 after buying an additional 466,187 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 71.21% of the companys stock. The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Skeena Resources (TSE:SKE Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by Royal Bank Of Canada from C$34.00 to C$53.00 in a research report report published on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. Several other research firms also recently commented on SKE. Desjardins raised Skeena Resources to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. CIBC raised their price target on shares of Skeena Resources from C$26.00 to C$36.00 in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. TD Securities lifted their price objective on shares of Skeena Resources from C$28.00 to C$35.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Raymond James Financial increased their target price on shares of Skeena Resources from C$21.00 to C$26.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of C$32.80. Get Skeena Resources alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on SKE Skeena Resources Trading Down 2.3% Skeena Resources Company Profile Shares of Skeena Resources stock opened at C$33.61 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 19.27, a current ratio of 1.87 and a quick ratio of 1.55. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of C$26.20 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$23.35. Skeena Resources has a 1 year low of C$12.15 and a 1 year high of C$35.73. The company has a market capitalization of C$4.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -34.30 and a beta of 1.98. (Get Free Report) Skeena Resources Ltd is a Canadian mining exploration company focused on developing prospective precious and base metal properties in the Golden Triangle of northwest British Columbia, Canada. The companys primary activity is the exploration and development of the past-producing Eskay Creek mine acquired from Barrick. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Skeena Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Skeena Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sudzucker AG (ETR:SZU Get Free Report) shares traded up 0.1% on Friday . The stock traded as high as 9.60 and last traded at 9.58. 96,791 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 76% from the average session volume of 410,903 shares. The stock had previously closed at 9.57. Sudzucker Trading Up 0.1% The company has a market capitalization of $1.97 billion, a PE ratio of 22.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 0.36. The businesss fifty day moving average is 9.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is 10.13. About Sudzucker (Get Free Report) Sudzucker AG produces and sells sugar products in Germany, rest of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through five segments: Sugar, Special Products, CropEnergies, Starch, and Fruit. The Sugar segment produces and sells sugar, sugar specialty products, glucose syrup, and animal feed to food industry, retailers, and agriculture markets, as well as offers by-products of sugar. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Sudzucker Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sudzucker and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of TELUS Corporation (NYSE:TU Get Free Report) (TSE:T) reached a new 52-week low on Thursday . The company traded as low as $12.74 and last traded at $12.8750, with a volume of 2447304 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $13.28. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth TU has been the topic of several analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of TELUS in a report on Monday. BMO Capital Markets downgraded shares of TELUS from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday. Natl Bk Canada raised shares of TELUS from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of TELUS from $15.00 to $14.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group upgraded TELUS from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, TELUS presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $18.17. Get TELUS alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on TU TELUS Stock Up 0.3% The firms 50-day moving average price is $14.27 and its 200-day moving average price is $15.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The company has a market cap of $19.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.66. TELUS (NYSE:TU Get Free Report) (TSE:T) last posted its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.17 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.19 by ($0.02). TELUS had a net margin of 5.71% and a return on equity of 8.76%. The business had revenue of $3.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.77 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.28 EPS. The businesss revenue was up .1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that TELUS Corporation will post 0.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. TELUS Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 11th will be given a $0.4184 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 11th. This is a positive change from TELUSs previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.67 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 13.1%. TELUSs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 216.36%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On TELUS Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of TU. Parvin Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in TELUS in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in TELUS by 35.0% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 2,926 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 759 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in TELUS by 26.1% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,227 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 667 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its position in shares of TELUS by 169.6% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,658 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $59,000 after acquiring an additional 2,301 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming bought a new stake in shares of TELUS in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $61,000. 49.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About TELUS (Get Free Report) TELUS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of telecommunications and information technology products and services in Canada. It operates through Technology Solutions and Digitally-Led Customer Experiences segments. The Technology Solutions segment offers a range of telecommunications products and services; network services; healthcare services; mobile technologies equipment; data services, such as internet protocol; television; hosting, managed information technology, and cloud-based services; software, data management, and data analytics-driven smart food-chain and consumer goods technologies; home and business security; healthcare software and technology solutions; and voice and other telecommunications services, as well as mobile and fixed voice and data telecommunications services and products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for TELUS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TELUS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Carvana Co. (NYSE:CVNA Get Free Report) insider Thomas Taira sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $475.00, for a total value of $4,750,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 69,880 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $33,193,000. The trade was a 12.52% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Thomas Taira also recently made the following trade(s): Get Carvana alerts: On Monday, December 8th, Thomas Taira sold 30,952 shares of Carvana stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $435.96, for a total value of $13,493,833.92. On Wednesday, December 3rd, Thomas Taira sold 25,000 shares of Carvana stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $400.00, for a total value of $10,000,000.00. On Friday, November 28th, Thomas Taira sold 10,000 shares of Carvana stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $375.01, for a total transaction of $3,750,100.00. On Monday, November 10th, Thomas Taira sold 952 shares of Carvana stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $325.00, for a total transaction of $309,400.00. Carvana Price Performance Carvana stock traded down $16.78 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $455.95. 6,195,099 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,844,552. The stock has a market capitalization of $99.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 104.10, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 3.51. The businesss 50-day moving average is $352.24 and its two-hundred day moving average is $349.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 2.55 and a current ratio of 4.05. Carvana Co. has a 12 month low of $148.25 and a 12 month high of $485.33. Analyst Ratings Changes Carvana ( NYSE:CVNA Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.29 by ($0.26). Carvana had a return on equity of 30.62% and a net margin of 3.44%.The business had revenue of $5.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.04 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.64 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 54.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Carvana Co. will post 2.85 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several analysts have recently commented on CVNA shares. Evercore ISI increased their target price on Carvana from $395.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a report on Tuesday. DA Davidson set a $360.00 price objective on shares of Carvana in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Zacks Research cut shares of Carvana from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Carvana in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Finally, Stephens reissued an overweight rating and issued a $440.00 price target on shares of Carvana in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Eighteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $438.76. View Our Latest Report on Carvana Hedge Funds Weigh In On Carvana Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in shares of Carvana by 13.9% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 14,950,011 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,125,749,000 after acquiring an additional 1,823,218 shares during the period. Viking Global Investors LP lifted its stake in Carvana by 94.9% in the 3rd quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 2,101,241 shares of the companys stock valued at $792,672,000 after purchasing an additional 1,023,265 shares during the last quarter. Sands Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Carvana by 1,374.3% in the 2nd quarter. Sands Capital Management LLC now owns 901,227 shares of the companys stock valued at $303,677,000 after purchasing an additional 840,096 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Carvana during the second quarter worth about $259,468,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. increased its position in Carvana by 96.8% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,445,018 shares of the companys stock worth $545,119,000 after buying an additional 710,582 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 56.71% of the companys stock. Carvana Company Profile (Get Free Report) Carvana Co, together with its subsidiaries, operates an e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars in the United States. Its platform allows customers to research and identify a vehicle; inspect it using company's 360-degree vehicle imaging technology; obtain financing and warranty coverage; purchase the vehicle; and schedule delivery or pick-up from their desktop or mobile devices. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Carvana Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Carvana and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Apollo Global Management (NYSE:APO Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reiterated by UBS Group in a report released on Thursday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have a $186.00 price target on the financial services providers stock. UBS Groups price target points to a potential upside of 25.63% from the stocks current price. Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $155.00 price objective on shares of Apollo Global Management in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. BMO Capital Markets set a $136.00 price objective on Apollo Global Management and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Apollo Global Management in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Morgan Stanley upgraded Apollo Global Management from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $151.00 to $180.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Evercore ISI raised their price target on shares of Apollo Global Management from $145.00 to $155.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $166.23. Get Apollo Global Management alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on APO Apollo Global Management Trading Down 1.5% Insider Activity Shares of NYSE APO opened at $148.06 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $85.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.61. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $129.64 and a 200 day moving average price of $135.98. Apollo Global Management has a 1-year low of $102.58 and a 1-year high of $179.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.49 and a quick ratio of 1.49. In related news, CFO Martin Kelly sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $131.41, for a total transaction of $788,460.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 325,604 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,787,621.64. This represents a 1.81% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 8.50% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Apollo Global Management Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of APO. Allworth Financial LP lifted its holdings in Apollo Global Management by 74.1% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 2,081 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $277,000 after buying an additional 886 shares in the last quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Apollo Global Management by 26.0% in the 3rd quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd now owns 48,201 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,424,000 after buying an additional 9,936 shares in the last quarter. Steadtrust LLC purchased a new position in shares of Apollo Global Management during the third quarter worth about $221,000. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC increased its position in Apollo Global Management by 40.7% during the third quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 3,178 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $424,000 after buying an additional 920 shares during the period. Finally, CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. purchased a new stake in Apollo Global Management in the 3rd quarter valued at $8,346,000. 77.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Apollo Global Management (Get Free Report) Apollo Global Management, Inc is a private equity firm specializing in investments in credit, private equity, infrastructure, secondaries and real estate markets. The firm prefers to invest in private and public markets. The firms private equity investments include traditional buyouts, recapitalization, distressed buyouts and debt investments in real estate, corporate partner buyouts, distressed asset, corporate carve-outs, middle market, growth, venture capital, turnaround, bridge, corporate restructuring, special situation, acquisition, and industry consolidation transactions. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Apollo Global Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Apollo Global Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nvidia's earnings reports continue to blow expectations out of the water. Despite massive comparable numbers on a year-over-year basis, Nvidia consistently outperforms. Revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2026 (ended Oct. 26, 2025) was up 62% from a year ago, hitting $57 billion. Most of that money came from data center sales, which were $51.2 billion and up 66% from a year ago. Nvidia has been at the center of this because it provides the lion's share of GPUs needed to train and run high-level AI programs. It's estimated to have as much as 90% of the data center GPU market. That's given Nvidia incredible growth in the last three years as its stock price is up more than 970%, and its revenue jumped by nearly 600%. AI is a generational breakthrough that's changing not only how companies operate but also how people invest. Top AI companies Nvidia, Alphabet, Microsoft , Apple , and Broadcom are among the biggest companies in the world right now, bringing in hundreds of billions of dollars a year. Their products are in high demand as businesses focus on using AI to modernize their operations, manage supply chain changes and inventory, and provide public-facing tools that differentiate them from competitors. Advanced Micro Devices has long been one of Nvidia's top competitors, but now there's renewed competition from some of Nvidia's biggest customers, such as Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), that are looking to earn revenue from selling their own custom semiconductors rather than pumping billions into Nvidia's coffers. Becoming No. 1 was great for the company and its shareholders. But it may be tougher in 2026 for Nvidia to maintain that advantage as its competitors -- some of whom are the biggest and most successful companies in the world -- roll out products to cut into Nvidia's market share. Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has made history in recent years by making the go-to product for training and running high-performance artificial intelligence (AI) applications. Its graphics processing units (GPUs) helped make Nvidia the biggest publicly traded company in the world, briefly achieving a market capitalization of more than $5 trillion. Alphabet and Amazon are two of the major companies that are taking aim at Nvidia's dominance. Story Continues CEO Jensen Huang has said demand for Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs remains strong, and next year the company will be rolling out the next-generation Rubin chips as demand continues for GPU-accelerated computing, generative AI, and agentic AI. "There's been a lot of talk about an AI bubble," he said. "From our vantage point, we see something very different." A look at the competition Undoubtedly, Nvidia's going to see some pressure in the next year. Blackwell chips cost more than $30,000, according to Huang, and data centers need to connect hundreds of them to operate AI-level programs. Major tech companies have been spending tens of billions on AI infrastructure this year, with estimates that spending will increase next year. One way major companies can reduce costs is by designing their own chips. Amazon has taken that route, having recently announced the Tranium3 chip, which it claims is four times faster and has four times the memory of its previous generation chip, while also being more energy efficient. And it's already working on a Tranium4 chip that will be able to work along with Nvidia GPUs while using Amazon's own versions that will be able to work with Nvidia chips. That means Amazon customers will be able to train on Nvidia GPUs and then scale up using Amazon Web Services (AWS) at a lower price point than Nvidia chips require. Then there's Alphabet, which has developed tensor processing units (TPUs) designed for machine learning workloads. TPUs have been utilized in Google Cloud infrastructure, but Alphabet is reportedly in talks with Meta Platforms to supply billions of dollars' worth of AI infrastructure, including its TPUs, for Meta's own data centers. That would be a big blow as Meta is a Nvidia customer. Is Nvidia still a buy? You would never confuse Nvidia for a cheap stock. However, it's not terribly expensive, considering its origin. The stock currently has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 45.8 and a forward P/E of 39.5. But when you consider that its three-year P/E mean is more than 80, the current ratio in the 40s isn't nearly as objectionable. It's also much lower than anything you would get out of pure-play chipmakers like AMD or Broadcom, both of which have a P/E over 100. And it compares favorably to Amazon and Alphabet, which are both working to get a piece of Nvidia's data center business. Nvidia may have a more challenging year in 2026, but it's still going to rake in huge numbers in revenue and profits, and its still a buy in my book. Investors should keep a close eye on the reception for the Rubin chips when they are rolled out, and they should also watch for any slippage in Nvidia's data center market share before making a decision. Should you buy stock in Nvidia right now? Before you buy stock in Nvidia, 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 Nvidia 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 $513,353!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,072,908!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 965% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 195% 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 Patrick Sanders has positions in Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is Nvidia's Valuation Justified as New Competitors Close the AI Gap? was originally published by The Motley Fool BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S cut its position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP Free Report) by 30.8% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 126,155 shares of the railroad operators stock after selling 56,139 shares during the quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A Ss holdings in Union Pacific were worth $29,026,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in Union Pacific by 1,400.0% in the 1st quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 120 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares during the period. Howard Hughes Medical Institute purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the second quarter valued at $30,000. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the second quarter valued at $31,000. Access Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, WPG Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the 1st quarter worth about $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the companys stock. Get Union Pacific alerts: Union Pacific Stock Up 1.6% Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $239.90 on Friday. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $204.66 and a twelve month high of $256.84. The stock has a market cap of $142.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a current ratio of 0.75, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $226.39 and a 200 day moving average price of $225.78. Union Pacific Dividend Announcement Union Pacific ( NYSE:UNP Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.08 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.99 by $0.09. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 42.23% and a net margin of 28.73%.The company had revenue of $6.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.24 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.75 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be given a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. Union Pacifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 46.90%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $258.00 to $257.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $245.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday. Loop Capital raised shares of Union Pacific from a sell rating to a hold rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $214.00 to $227.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. UBS Group set a $253.00 price objective on Union Pacific and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Susquehanna reiterated a positive rating and issued a $272.00 target price (up previously from $257.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, September 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $259.54. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Union Pacific Union Pacific Profile (Free Report) Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, renewable biofuel producers, and other agricultural users; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Union Pacific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Union Pacific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Whitecap Resources Inc. (TSE:WCP Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of Buy from the eight ratings firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and four have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$14.08. WCP has been the subject of several research analyst reports. TD Securities boosted their price target on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$13.00 to C$14.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Raymond James Financial boosted their target price on Whitecap Resources from C$14.00 to C$15.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Desjardins increased their price target on Whitecap Resources from C$13.00 to C$13.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. National Bankshares set a C$15.00 price objective on Whitecap Resources and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Scotiabank increased their target price on Whitecap Resources from C$12.00 to C$14.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Get Whitecap Resources alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Whitecap Resources Insider Buying and Selling at Whitecap Resources Whitecap Resources Stock Performance In related news, Director Bradley John Wall bought 2,800 shares of Whitecap Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of C$10.70 per share, with a total value of C$29,960.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 3,800 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$40,660. This trade represents a 280.00% increase in their ownership of the stock. Also, Director Grant Bradley Fagerheim bought 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, October 10th. The shares were purchased at an average price of C$10.60 per share, with a total value of C$159,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 3,220,745 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$34,139,897. This represents a 0.47% increase in their position. Insiders own 0.84% of the companys stock. Shares of TSE:WCP opened at C$11.73 on Wednesday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is C$11.01 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$10.30. Whitecap Resources has a fifty-two week low of C$6.87 and a fifty-two week high of C$12.02. The company has a market capitalization of C$14.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.38, a P/E/G ratio of -0.33 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 21.58, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.67. Whitecap Resources (TSE:WCP Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported C$0.17 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$1.55 billion during the quarter. Whitecap Resources had a net margin of 24.23% and a return on equity of 15.86%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Whitecap Resources will post 1.1226131 earnings per share for the current year. Whitecap Resources Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Investors of record on Monday, November 17th were issued a dividend of $0.0608 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 31st. Whitecap Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 64.57%. Whitecap Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) Whitecap Resources Inc is engaged in the business of acquiring, developing, and holding interests in petroleum and natural gas properties and assets. The company acquires assets with discovered petroleum initially in place and low current recovery factors. Light oil is the primary byproduct of Whitecaps Canadian assets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Whitecap Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Whitecap Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zalando SE (ETR:ZAL Get Free Report)s share price fell 0.7% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as 23.06 and last traded at 23.08. 1,049,233 shares were traded during mid-day trading, The stock had previously closed at 23.24. Zalando Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 69.31, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 1.33. The stocks 50 day moving average price is 24.42 and its 200 day moving average price is 25.96. The company has a market capitalization of $6.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 1.64. About Zalando (Get Free Report) Zalando SE operates an online platform for fashion and lifestyle products. The company operates through Fashion Store and Offprice segments. It provides shoes, apparel, accessories, and beauty products with free delivery and returns, as well as various payment options. The company also sells its products through Lounge by Zalando; and brick-and-mortar outlet stores. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Zalando Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Zalando and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (NYSE:ZETA Get Free Report) Director Jeanine Silberblatt sold 12,990 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.34, for a total value of $251,226.60. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 57,850 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,118,819. The trade was a 18.34% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Zeta Global Trading Down 4.8% NYSE ZETA opened at $18.57 on Friday. Zeta Global Holdings Corp. has a 12 month low of $10.69 and a 12 month high of $26.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 3.01 and a quick ratio of 3.01. The company has a 50-day moving average of $18.57 and a 200-day moving average of $17.47. The company has a market cap of $4.47 billion, a P/E ratio of -154.74 and a beta of 1.27. Get Zeta Global alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Zeta Global A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL grew its stake in shares of Zeta Global by 93.1% during the third quarter. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL now owns 1,407,047 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,958,000 after acquiring an additional 678,441 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP boosted its holdings in Zeta Global by 127.6% in the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 17,952 shares of the companys stock valued at $357,000 after purchasing an additional 10,063 shares during the last quarter. Penn Capital Management Company LLC acquired a new stake in Zeta Global during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $15,570,000. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. purchased a new stake in Zeta Global during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $395,000. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC purchased a new position in shares of Zeta Global during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $100,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.75% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded Zeta Global from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, December 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and issued a $23.00 price objective on shares of Zeta Global in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Zacks Research upgraded Zeta Global from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, August 27th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of Zeta Global in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Zeta Global from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Zeta Global presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $27.25. View Our Latest Research Report on Zeta Global About Zeta Global (Get Free Report) Zeta Global Holdings Corp. operates an omnichannel data-driven cloud platform that provides enterprises with consumer intelligence and marketing automation software in the United States and internationally. The companys Zeta Marketing Platform analyzes billions of structured and unstructured data points to predict consumer intent by leveraging sophisticated machine learning algorithms and the industrys opted-in data set for omnichannel marketing; and Consumer Data platform ingests, analyzes, and distills disparate data points to generate a single view of a consumer, encompassing identity, profile characteristics, behaviors, and purchase intent. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Zeta Global Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Zeta Global and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Leslie Smith is among millions of Americans scrambling to meet a fast-approaching deadline to lock in health insurance coverage for 2026. Smith, a 64-year-old Arizona resident with diabetes, faces the daunting prospect of juggling more-expensive Affordable Care Act premiums with everyday living expenses. Smith delayed selecting her plan for 2026 coverage as Congress debated whether to extend maintain COVID-era subsidies that made Obamacare health insurance cheaper for 22 million Americans. The Senate on Thursday rejected the Democrats proposal to maintain the subsidies. Because the Senate didn't extend the enhanced premium tax credits set to expire at the end of 2025, Smith and others face sharply higher costs for ACA insurance beginning Jan. 1, 2026. And House Republicans released a legislative proposal aimed at making healthcare more affordable but without extending premiums under Obamacare. A House vote could come in the next week. Obamacare enrollees must choose a plan by Monday, Dec. 15, to get coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Rising insurance bills force consumers to assess options ACA experts say many consumers are likely scrutinizing their monthly costs due to the expiration of the enhanced tax credits. Consumers must pay the higher costs or downgrade to a less expensive Obamacare plan. "People have to make these big financial and health decisions, and they are making them right now," said Sabrina Corlette, co-director of Georgetown University's Center on Health Insurance Reforms. About 1 in 3 Affordable Care Act enrollees would "very likely" shop for a new 2026 insurance plan if their costs more than double, according to a recent survey by health policy nonprofit KFF. "Many people are likely actively shopping and switching (plans) this year," said Cynthia Cox, a KFF vice president and director of the program on the ACA. Obamacare premium spikes scuttle Arizona woman's plan Since she was diagnosed with diabetes in her 20s, Smith has prioritized affordable and robust health insurance. It influenced decisions when switching jobs. And when the Maricopa County, Arizona, woman retired five years ago, she knew she could purchase Affordable Care Act health insurance. If Smith does nothing, she'll be reenrolled in a 2026 plan that will cost her $948 a month a monthly increase of $368. She's strongly considering downgrading her coverage to a less expensive plan until she's eligible for Medicare in mid-2026. If she chooses a plan with a lower monthly premium, she'll likely pay more for deductibles and other cost-sharing requirements that come with less robust insurance coverage. That means she might need to postpone plans for a costly knee-replacement operation. 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 RWA protocol, Ondo Finance teamed up with State Street Investment Management and Galaxy Asset Management to debut a tokenized private liquidity fund SWEEP. The product aims to use Galaxys tokenization infrastructure to bring traditional cash management onchain. According to Ondo, SWEEP will debut on Solana in early 2026. The projects flagship product OUSG will serve as the anchor investor, with a planned allocation of roughly $200 million. The partnership will also increase the reach of OUSGs 24/7 liquidity network. Galaxy will power SWEEP with its digital infrastructure for issuance and management of SWEEP tokens. It plans to add Chainlinks cross-chain protocol to expand interoperability to Stellar and Ethereum after the Solana rollout. A New Tokenized Liquidity Backbone The State Street Galaxy Onchain Liquidity Sweep Fund will allow investors to send cash balances into a digital vehicle. It supports round-the-clock access via PayPals stablecoin, PYUSD. State Street will hold treasury assets for the new fund through its banking division, State Street Bank and Trust Company. ONDO has already grown its portfolio that includes tokenized funds from BlackRock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, WisdomTree, and others. With SWEEP, Ondos flagship tokenized fund, OUSG will gain another high-quality reserve option under its broader expansion plans. OUSG is a $770 million product that offers investors with tokenized exposure to US treasuries. Regulatory Closure Brings Relief for Ondo This partnership announcement comes just days after the SEC closing its two-year investigation into Ondo Finance. The probe, which began under the Biden administration, was focused on whether Ondos approach to tokenization followed federal policies and if the ONDO token was a security. Despite the SECs probe, Ondo Finances OUSG has a multichain reach across Ethereum, Solana, Ripple , and Polygon . Market watchers suggest that the ongoing partnerships could increas the presence of Ondos native token, ONDO. The cryptocurrency saw a relief rally above the $0.50 level earlier this week. However, it is trading with a 5% daily loss on December 11. Read original story Ondo, State Street, Galaxy Digital to Debut SWEEP Liquidity Fund in 2026 by Parth Dubey at Coinspeaker.com OpenAI, under increasing competitive pressure from Google and Anthropic, has debuted a new AI model, GPT-5.2, that it says beats all existing models by a substantial margin across a wide range of tasks. The new model, which is being released less than a month after OpenAI debuted its predecessor, GPT-5.1, performed particularly well on a benchmark of complicated professional tasks across a range of knowledge workfrom law to accounting to financeas well as on evaluations involving coding and mathematical reasoning, according to data OpenAI released. Fidji Simo, the former Instacart CEO who now serves as OpenAIs CEO of applications, told reporters that the model should not be seen as a direct response to Googles Gemini 3 Pro AI model, which was released last month. That release prompted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to issue a code red, delaying the rollout of several initiatives in order to focus more staff and computing resources on improving its core product, ChatGPT. I would say that [the code red] helps with the release of this model, but thats not the reason it is coming out this week in particular; it has been in the works for a while, she said. She said the company had been building GPT-5.2 for many months. We dont turn around these models in just a week. Its the result of a lot of work, she said. The model had been known internally by the code name Garlic, according to a story in The Information. The day before the models release Altman teased its imminent rollout by posting to social media a video clip of him cooking a dish with a large amount of garlic. OpenAI executives said that the model had been in the hands of Alpha customers who help test its performance for several weeksa time period that would mean the model was completed prior to Altmans code red declaration. These testers included legal AI startup Harvey, note-taking app Notion, and file-management software company Box, as well as Shopify and Zoom. OpenAI said these customers found GPT-5.2 demonstrated a state of the art ability to use other software tools to complete tasks, as well as excelling at writing and debugging code. Coding has become one of the most competitive use cases for AI model deployment within companies. Although OpenAI had an early lead in the space, Anthropics Claude model has proved especially popular among enterprises, exceeding OpenAIs market share, according to some figures. OpenAI is no doubt hoping to persuade customers to turn back to its models for coding with GPT-5.2. Simo said the code red was helping OpenAI focus on improving ChatGPT. Code red is really a signal to the company that we want to marshal resources in one particular area, and thats a way to really define priorities and define things that can be deprioritized, she said. So we have had an increase in resources focused on ChatGPT in general. The company also said its new model is better than the companys earlier ones at providing safe completionswhich it defines as providing users with helpful answers while not saying things that might contribute to or worsen mental health crises. On the safety side, as you saw through the benchmarks, we are improving on pretty much every dimension of safety, whether thats self harm, whether thats different types of mental health, whether thats emotional reliance, Simo said. Were very proud of the work that were doing here. It is a top priority for us, and we only release models when were confident that the safety protocols have been followed, and we feel proud of our work. The release of the new model came on the same day a new lawsuit was filed against the company, alleging that ChatGPTs interactions with a psychologically troubled user had contributed to a murder-suicide in Connecticut. The company also faces several other lawsuits alleging ChatGPT contributed to peoples suicides. The company called the Connecticut murder-suicide incredibly heartbreaking and said it is continuing to improve ChatGPTs training to recognize and respond to signs of mental or emotional distress, de-escalate conversations, and guide people toward real-world support. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Key Points Oracle's debt is rising as cash flies out the door to fund AI data centers. The company already has a debt-heavy balance sheet, and it will need to borrow more to fund its AI infrastructure contracts. Investors have soured on the stock as debt concerns intensify. 10 stocks we like better than Oracle Tech giant Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) has racked up remaining performance obligations, which represent future revenue expected to be generated from signed contracts, totaling $523 billion. The company added $68 billion to the backlog in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 alone, signing new deals for AI infrastructure with Meta Platforms, Nvidia, and other customers. Oracle's deals to provide AI infrastructure require the company to build expensive data centers filled with powerful GPUs before any revenue is recognized. Oracle entered the AI boom with a debt-heavy balance sheet, and the situation is worsening as the company borrows to fuel its AI ambitions. Image source: Getty Images. Burning cash and piling up debt For the six-month period ending Nov. 30, Oracle generated $10.2 billion in operating cash flow and used $20.5 billion for capital expenditures. That works out to a negative free cash flow of $10.3 billion. Capital spending more than tripled year-over-year during the period as Oracle plowed ahead with its capital-intensive AI strategy. Oracle has spent years piling up debt to fund share buybacks, which raises the risk level of adding even more debt to the balance sheet. Thanks to heavy spending on AI infrastructure, Oracle ended the second quarter with about $108 billion in debt. That's up from $92.6 billion in May. The company completed an $18 billion bond sale in September. Oracle stock was tumbling on Thursday following the release of its second-quarter report. If the company can successfully convert its AI infrastructure backlog into revenue over the next few years, its revenue growth is expected to accelerate dramatically. However, the upfront cost is enormous. Additionally, there's a risk related to OpenAI, which reportedly has a $300 billion AI infrastructure contract with Oracle. If OpenAI struggles to raise sufficient funding or generate enough revenue as competition intensifies, Oracle could be left holding the bag. How high will Oracle's debt go? Analysts at KeyBanc Capital Markets estimated in September that Oracle may need to add $100 billion in debt over the next four years to fund its OpenAI contract. Oracle management addressed this concern during the earnings call, with co-CEO Clay Magouyrk saying that "based on what we see right now, we expect we will need less if not substantially less, you know, money raised than that amount." This December, Lalit Kala Akademi transforms Delhi into a realm of imagination -where tradition whispers to technology, surreal visions intertwine with symbolism, and a Russian master sketches India's soul with unstoppable fervour. Nikas Safronovs Dream Vision: India is not just an exhibition; its a full-blown cultural handshake across continents. And like any meaningful handshake, it lingers. Spread across the Akademis galleries, the show assembles nearly a hundred artworks, each pulling you into Safronovs hybrid aesthetic-part Renaissance disciples, part dream-logic, part tech-alchemy. Its the kind of visual universe where a calm Buddha might share wall space with a hyperreal portrait, and the two seem to be in the middle of a long, philosophical eye-contact session. At first glance, the exhibition feels deceptively glossy. But stay a little longer-Delhi teaches patience and the emotional undercurrent begins to reveal itself. Safronovs India is not a cliche of colours and chaos. It is a mood board of spiritual recall, mythic texture, and the quiet violence of nostalgia. His works blend traditional techniques with multimedia elements so subtly that you catch yourself leaning in, unsure if a glow is paint, projection, or your own imagination doing overtime. In 2025, when Indias cultural diplomacy is expanding and India-Russia relations are undergoing a careful recalibration amid shifting global power equations, an exhibition like Dream Vision: India at the Lalit Kala Akademi lands with unusual relevance. As India positions itself as a global cultural hub -hosting record numbers of international shows and collaborations-the Akademi's role as the countrys oldest national arts institution (founded in 1954) becomes even more crucial. Safronovs exhibition, supported by the Russian Cultural Centre, arrives at a moment when traditional diplomacy is strained, yet cultural exchange remains one of the few channels still capable of softening geopolitical noise. It reminds us that art is still one of the few arenas where nuance survives, where dialogue between nations can unfold without diplomats clearing their throats, and where technology and tradition can coexist without trying to cancel each other. At a moment when geopolitical tensions run high, attention spans run low, and identity is endlessly politicised, a show that invites viewers to slow down, think, feel, and cross borders-intellectually and emotionally becomes more than a cultural event; it becomes a quiet act of repair. In an era where the global art scene grapples with AI, questions of authenticity, and the push-and-pull between tradition and innovation, this exhibition-blending classical portraiture with multimedia and tech-driven works, actively engages with the conversations defining contemporary art. In today's polarised, attention-scarce, and algorithm-shaped world, a show that encourages viewers to pause, embrace complexity, and explore cross-cultural imagination feels less like a gallery visit and more like a societal imperative. Diplomacy, of course, is the exhibitions elegant subtext. Co-hosted at the Lalit Kala Akademi with participation from the Russian Cultural Centre, the show becomes a soft-power postcard. It is proof that cultural dialogue can still be more disarming than any press conference. Even Sonia Gandhi walked through the exhibition recently, studying canvases with the focus of someone decoding an encrypted message. And the viewers? A delight. Delhis gallery-goers oscillate between academic seriousness and phone-camera frenzy. You overhear everything-from This reminds me of Klimt to Bro, is this Al? And yet the art work remains steadfast amidst the citys signature intellectual whirlwind. The best part is the accessibility: entry is free, the doors stay open from 11 am to 7 pm, and the Akademi is a two-minute walk from Mandi House Metro, which means there are absolutely no excuses left to miss it. Nikas Safronov is one of Russias most celebrated contemporary paintersa Peoples Artist of the Russian Federation, Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts, and a professor whose work has been shown around the world. Born in Ulyanovsk in 1956, he trained at prestigious institutions including the Moscow Surikov State Academic Art Institute and went on to forge his own artistic language, Dream Vision, a fusion of classical technique, symbolism and surreal layering that blurs the line between reality and imagination. Over the last decade alone he has held over 320 exhibitions globally, drawing large audiences and high-profile recognition - from museum collections in the Hermitage and Tretyakov Gallery to his recent audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2025. His portraits of world figures and immersive multimedia work continue to spark conversation about arts role in making cultural connectionsmaking his presence in India's Lalit Kala Akademi a truly global cultural moment. The Akademi has long functioned as Indias most elegant cultural import machine minus the tariffs. With a mandate sharper than its marble floors, the Akademi routinely airlifts international artists, ideas, and avant-garde experiments into the Indian public sphere, turning its galleries into a crash course in global aesthetics. It doesnt just exhibit art; it cross-pollinates imaginations, ensuring that Delhi audiences can meet a Berlin installation artist or a Seoul minimalist without ever renewing their passports. The Akademi keeps India plugged into the worlds creative voltage-and does it with disarming, democratic flair. Over the decades, that voltage has been delivered through a surprisingly eclectic itinerary: from the Akademis early showcases of Canadian paintings, Chinese handicrafts and Hungarian folk art in the 1950s, to landmark exhibitions like Who Was Rembrandt, a Dutch-backed tour that carried the Old Masters legacy across Indian cities-and the sweeping Portrait of Mexico, which brought 3,000 years of Mexican visual culture to Indian audiences. Add to that a steady parade of Polish graphic art, Romanian architecture, Australian painting, and even Van Gogh photographic retrospectives, and the pattern becomes clear: Lalit Kala Akademi hasnt merely hosted international art, it has curated Indias window to the world, one meticulously chosen exhibition at a time. Dream Vision: India ultimately succeeds because it doesnt merely present art. It provokes you into seeing India, and maybe yourself, as something layered, unfinished, and beautifully contradictory. And for an institution founded in 1954 to safeguard and celebrate Indias artistic nerve, this is exactly the kind of dream worth hosting. 'Dream Vision: India' at Lalit Kala Akademi Where: Lalit Kala Akademi Galleries, Rabindra Bhavan, Ferozeshah Road, Mandi House, New Delhi, 110001. When: December 7 to 2, 2025 Timing: Typically late morning to early evening (galleries usually open around 11 am and close by 7 pm). Entry: Free for all visitors - no booking needed. How to get there: Metro: The closest station is Mandi House (Blue & Violet Lines) - a short walk from the venue. By Road: Well-connected by buses, cabs, and autos from across Delhi. Tip: Weekday mornings and early afternoons are usually quieter for a more reflective viewing experience. Chipmaking giant Nvidia is reportedly looking to ramp up production capacity for its H200 AI chips to China. A Reuters exclusive, citing two sources, stated that Nvidia was reevaluating its production given that orders exceeded its current levels of output. This came on the heels of US President Donald Trump telling Nvidia that it could export its H200 processors to China under the condition that it pays 25 per cent of its sales fee to the United States. The H200 processors are the chipmaker's second-fastest AI chips, according to reports. With growing demand from China, Nvidia is most probably looking to increase its capacity, Reuters reported. Nvidia, however, responded to the agency exclusive with: "We are managing our supply chain to ensure that licensed sales of the H200 to authorised customers in China will have no impact on our ability to supply customers in the United States." Earlier reports this week also claimed that Chinese giants like Alibaba and ByteDance reached out to the chipmaker to buy H200 chips in large quantities. H200 is only second to Nvidia's most advanced Blackwell chips. Its upcoming Rubin processors are also expected to outdo the H200. "President Xi responded positively" to Trump's decision on the H200, the POTUS stated on social media earlier this week, "This policy will support American Jobs, strengthen US Manufacturing, and benefit American Taxpayers." Trump also stated that the US Commerce Department was finalising the details for other US chipmakers such as AMD and Intel as well. Nvidia is the poster child of the US AI boom with a market cap of $4.5 billion. More than ten US senators on Friday (local time) challenged a Donald Trump administration rule that ends automatic renewals of work permits for "certain noncitizens", a policy change that could sharply affect Indiansespecially spouses of H-1B visa holders. This comes amid a 20-state lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's $100,000 H-1B visa fee for highly skilled foreign workers. Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California and a ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, joined ten other senators in bringing up a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to reverse an October 30 rule issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The @DHSgov published an interim final rule announcing the end of automatic extensions of employment authorization documents (EADs) for aliens who timely apply to renew their EAD in certain employment authorization categories. This change prioritizes the proper vetting and pic.twitter.com/PYjMlYK1wF USCIS (@USCIS) October 29, 2025 According to the USCIS interim final rule, automatic renewals of work permits were stopped for 18 different categories of noncitizens. This includes refugees, those granted asylum and temporary protected status, and spouses of certain categories of H-1B holders. The senators also said that the October 30 rule would also force certain noncitizens to stop working till the USCIS processed their renewed work permitseven if they submitted a renewal request on time. Before this USCIS rule, if people living legally in the US filed a work permit renewal request on time, they would automatically get a work permit extension to ensure they dont lose their authorisation amid the renewal process. "[This] is disrupting our entire national economy and devastating employers who rely on their contributions," Senator Padilla said, calling it a "self-defeating rule". "People who have already been screened and authorised to work should be able to keep working, plain and simple," he added. The 20-state challenge The 20-state lawsuit, led by California, challenges the Trump administration's $100,000 H-1B visa fee for highly skilled foreign workers who wish to enter and work in the US after September 21. The lawsuit, filed in a Boston federal court, stated that the visa fee hike was a violation of federal law, and that Trump lacked the power to impose it. Trumps unlawful new $100,000 H1-B visa fee could cause staffing shortages for teachers, physicians, researchers, nurses and other vital workers, endangering CAs ability to provide critical services. Were suing. The Trump Administration thinks it can wildly raise these fees pic.twitter.com/h4CYC8MYp9 Rob Bonta (@AGRobBonta) December 12, 2025 According to those federal laws, immigration authorities can only collect fees necessary to cover costs incurred during various stages of the visa process. Currently, employers typically pay $2,000-5,000 in visa fees. "Trumps unlawful new $100,000 H-1B visa fee could cause staffing shortages for teachers, physicians, researchers, nurses and other vital workers," declared California Attorney General Rob Bonta in an X post announcing the lawsuit. One of the UK's leading defence and security think tanks, Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), released a research paper recently, in which it highlighted the vulnerabilities in Russia's manufacturing of key air defence systems like Pantsir, S-400, and S-500. Amid speculations and a few media reports that India may be considering the procurement of S-500 air defence systems from Russia, Jack Watling, a specialist in land warfare at RUSI, observed that India needs to reassess the resilience of the weapon systems of Russia. For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India According to him, even as Russia may not be prepared to offer S-500s to India, New Delhi also needs to be aware of the issues with the defence system. "...for example, the critical radars in S-500 all rely on beryllium oxide ceramics, which are produced by one company called Kaz Ceramics, based in Kazakhstan. If anything happens to that factory, then Russias ability to produce new radar for the system will be critically compromised," The Hindu quoted Watling as saying. "Disruption of the supply of testing equipment through the sanctioning and enforcement against suppliers would have an impact on the ongoing improvement of Russias air defence systems," the research paper by RUSI stated. It further said the the dependence on foreign-made software by Russian militaryindustrial enterprises has long been recognised as a cyber vulnerability by the Russian state, which has been funding projects for the development of domestic analogues. ALSO READ: India not keen on procuring fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jets, submarines from Russia? Watling pointed out that such a disruption would mean that in case of India deciding to procure S-500 and relying on it for air defence, the country's ballistic missile defence capability would become quite vulnerable. The expert, however, noted that this is not an argument for why India needs to stop arms purchases from Russia, as New Delhi has enough people to use and maintain the Russian equipment. He further observed that using S-400 air defence systems against cheaper drones may not be a good idea, as this would mean India is using a very expensive, limited missile to shoot down a very cheap target. This shows why a layered air-defence system is needed, with different weapons for different threats, he said. According to him, the S-400 is truly valuable for certain tasks, such as stopping tactical ballistic missiles or high-altitude aircraft, but if India limits the S-400 to these roles and uses other systems for simpler targets, it will use far fewer missiles and reduce its vulnerability. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, on Saturday, outlined what he called the core of Indias future combat power JAI, a concept built on three pillars: Jointness, Atmanirbharta and Innovation. Addressing the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal near Hyderabad, General Chauhan said Indias military strength will increasingly depend on integrated structures, joint operations and the national pursuit of self-reliance in defence. He said these three elements together will shape how India fights and prevails in future conflicts. For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India Explaining the concept, the CDS said 'Jointness' signifies fighting as one nation and one force, 'Atmanirbharta' represents trusted platforms and systems made not only for India but for the world, and 'Innovation' reflects the need to think ahead and stay ahead of the curve. These three pillars will shape the future of Indias combat power, he said, adding that JAI also forms the first word of Jai Hind. "You (new officers) also join the Air Force at a moment when a new normal has firmly taken shape. An era defined by a high degree of operational preparedness, 24x7, 365 days. The intensity of operations may have ebbed, but Operation Sindoor continues," the CDS said. ALSO READ: India-US relations: Strategic partnership or transactional drift? Without naming Pakistan, he referred to developments around India that indicate institutional fragility and reactive adjustments, contrasting them with Indias robust institutions, democratic stability and the professionalism of its armed forces. He stressed that wars are not won by rhetoric but by purposeful action. Highlighting the changing character of warfare, the CDS said war and warfare are on the cusp of a major revolution. Traditional domains will remain contested and often brutal, he said, but future battles in new domains will be smart, swift and shaped by intellect, innovation and initiative. In air warfare in particular, technology is not just an enabler but a decisive factor, where even a single disruptive system can tilt the operational balance. He said the armed forces are relentlessly pursuing new concepts and capabilities, including artificial intelligence-driven data fusion, autonomous and unmanned systems, and operations in the cognitive domain, to remain ready and relevant. General Chauhan reviewed the Combined Graduation Parade of the 216 Course, marking the successful completion of pre-commissioning training of Flight Cadets from the flying and ground duty branches of the Indian Air Force. He conferred the Presidents Commission on the graduating cadets. A total of 244 Flight Cadets including 215 men and 29 women graduated during the ceremony. Officers from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and trainees from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam were also awarded wings or brevets on successful completion of their training. The parade featured a synchronised flypast by Pilatus PC-7, Hawk, Kiran and Chetak aircraft, along with displays by the Akash Ganga team and the Air Warrior Drill Team, and concluded with a special flypast led by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh. Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise once scrapped plans for a space movie because it involved him asking US President Donald Trump for a favour. Helmed by 'Edge of Tomorrow' fame Doug Liman, the action-adventure film was to be shot in actual outer space in 2020, in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX. However, these plans hit a roadblock when he was told that he would have to get Donald Trump to approve the idea, as it involved NASA coordination, an insider told Page Six. "Youd need permission from the federal government ... Tom didnt want to ask for political reasons," the insider said. A Trump-appointed NASA official named Jim Bridenstine had also openly showed support for the ambitious film at the time. NASA is excited to work with @TomCruise on a film aboard the @Space_Station! We need popular media to inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists to make @NASAs ambitious plans a reality, he had said in an X post that was later deleted. Yet, the 63-year-old actor is known for staying clear of politics, and the insider said that he did not want to start taking sides just for the film. In that regard, Cruise had even skipped the 48th Kennedy Center Honors ceremony earlier this month, hosted by Trump after he took over the arts centre at the start of his second term in 2025. The red carpet before the Kennedy Center Honors was a star-studded affair, with entertainers, celebrities, politicians, artists, and our Chairman and the evenings host, President Donald J. Trump, gathering at the nations performing arts center to celebrate the 48th class of pic.twitter.com/akAIbAQDmK The Kennedy Center (@kencen) December 8, 2025 He had cited scheduling conflicts as the reason for skipping the Trump-hosted ceremony (when he received an invitation in August), a Washington Post report said, citing unnamed sources at the Kennedy Center. Cruise's next collaboration with Limanan undersea thriller alongside Ana De Armas called Deeperis also facing trouble, but for different reasons. Apart from the film's budget issues, the news of which came out in July this year, it is also facing the possible departure of Liman, a ScreenRant report said, citing various sources. Today, I share the first photo taken last year during a rehearsal on the set of my new film with Alejandro G. Inarritu. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/3f9wgPh81T Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) November 18, 2025 Cruise will next be seen in Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's untitled action film, set to release in October 2026. CLAIM: Baby walkers are unsafe for infants as they increase the risk of injuries and interfere with natural walking development, and therefore should not be used. FACT: True. Using baby walkers is unsafe for infants and does not help them learn to walk faster. Multiple studies show that walkers increase the risk of serious injuries and may delay natural motor development. Experts recommend allowing infants to develop walking skills naturally through floor play and supported standing rather than using walkers. In a viral Instagram reel posted by Dr Imran Patel, a paediatrician with over 1 crore followers on the platform, the doctor strongly discourages the use of baby walkers, warning parents about the potential risks associated with them. According to his website, Dr Imran is one of the most influential medical educators and content creators of the digital era, known for simplifying medical concepts for parents and caregivers through social media. In the reel, Dr Imran is seen interacting with a mother (who is with her eight-month-old baby). Introducing the child, he says, Hello everybody, this is 8 months hero. He then shares that the mother approached him with a common question. Her mother has asked a question, he explains, before reenacting the conversation. The mother asks, Can we get a walker for the baby? To this, Dr Imran responds plainly, No. He goes on to acknowledge a frequent concern he hears from families. When I asked her earlier, she said my family members say doctors always says no to everything, he says, adding, But our work is to inform, as we treat every child as our own child and dont want them to get hurt. Explaining his reasoning, Dr Imran lists several hazards linked to baby walkers. He notes that when a child is learning to walk, their confidence level is generally low, and walkers can increase the chances of injury. He explains that walkers may twist or topple when babies move quickly, increasing the risk of falls. He also warns about toe-walking, saying that babies may learn to walk on their toes, which can interfere with proper walking posture later. Emphasising natural development, he explains that proper walking is learned when a child stands, takes a few steps, falls, and stands again. This is a natural way, he says, adding that it helps children build confidence and balance. Thats why using a baby walker is wrong, he concludes, urging families to trust medical advice. We have studied all these things. After so many years of experience, we are telling you, he appeals. The reel has garnered over 3 lakh views and 98,000 likes, and has been shared over 51,000 times, sparking widespread discussion among parents about the safety of baby walkers. Is using a baby walker safe for infants? According to Harvard Health Publishing, many parents purchase baby walkers believing they help infants learn to walk faster. However, the opposite is true. Harvard explains that walking is not simply about leg movement but about learning to pull to stand, balance, and take unsupported steps. When babies are plopped into walkers, they dont learn any of that, the publication notes. Instead, infants develop walking skills naturally through floor play and supported standing using furniture or caregivers. The publication also addresses why walkers remain popular - babies enjoy them. Starting at around 6 months, babies love to be upright and love to be mobile, it states. However, it warns that walkers may give caregivers a false sense of security, increasing the risk of accidents. Not only do babies need to learn mobility by themselves, they need constant supervision as they do, the article emphasises, recommending safer alternatives such as stationary activity centres. Injury risk remains significant despite safety standards Concerns about physical harm are supported by a large epidemiological study published in 2018, which analysed data from the US National Electronic Injury Surveillance System between 1990 and 2014. The study examined infant walker-related injuries among children younger than 15 months and assessed the impact of the 2010 federal mandatory safety standard introduced in the United States. The researchers estimated that over 2.3 lakh children under 15 months were treated in US emergency departments for walker-related injuries during the 25-year period. Most sustained head or neck injuries (90.6 per cent), and 74.1 pc were injured after falling down stairs while using a walker. Among children admitted to the hospital, 37.8 pc had skull fractures. While the study found that injuries declined after the 2010 safety standards with a 22.7 pc reduction in the four years following implementation the authors cautioned that the risk had not been eliminated. They concluded that despite the decline in injuries, infant walkers remain an important and preventable source of injury among young children, supporting the American Academy of Paediatrics call for a ban on their manufacture and sale. Importantly, falls are not the only danger. Infants in walkers can reach hazardous objects, pull heavy items onto themselves, get fingers trapped, or access hot liquids and sharp objects. Serious incidents, including drownings, have also been documented when infants moved into pools or spas using walkers. Despite strengthened US safety rules, including designs to prevent stair falls, tipping, and entrapment, as well as requirements for braking systems and safer wheels, injuries persist. As late as 2014, around 2,000 toddlers were treated in US emergency rooms for walker-related injuries. Impact on motor development Concerns extend beyond injuries to infant motor development. A 2020 clinical study examined trunk control and motor skills in typically developing infants who used baby walkers compared with those who did not. Using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale and Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control, researchers found that infants who used walkers had significantly lower motor development and trunk balance scores. The authors concluded that the use of baby walkers might adversely affect the motor development of infants, possibly due to impaired trunk control. Another 2023 survey-based study explored the association between baby walker use and motor milestones. Among 6,874 parents surveyed, infants who used walkers were three times more likely to skip crawling compared with those who did not. While gait disorders occurred at similar rates in both groups, the researchers noted that use of baby walkers may be associated with infant motor development, particularly by altering early mobility patterns. What doctors recommend Dr Amit Gupta, Senior Neonatologist and Paediatrician at Motherhood Hospitals, Noida, also advises against the use of baby walkers, citing both safety and developmental concerns. We do not recommend baby walkers for children anymore, he says, adding that despite pressure from elders at home, his advice remains unchanged. Many parents tell me that a grandmother has brought one and ask whether they should use it. My answer is clearly no. Explaining the risks, Dr Gupta says that falls are the most common and serious concern associated with baby walkers. According to him, walkers significantly increase the risk of injuries such as head and neck trauma. If a child is in a walker without constant supervision, even for a short while, anything can happen. The child may fall, cut their hands, injure themselves, or pull objects down, he explains. Dr Gupta also addresses the long-held belief that baby walkers help infants learn to walk faster. Earlier, it was thought that baby walkers improved walking, but many cohort studies now show that they may actually lead to a slight delay, he says. He emphasises that walking is a natural motor milestone that develops best through free movement. A childs motor development happens naturally when you allow them to move freely on the floor, he explains. He further warns that walker use may lead to toe-walking and reduced development of balance and core muscle strength. When walkers are used, children miss out on developing natural balance and core muscles. Several studies indicate that this can delay multiple developmental milestones, he adds, noting that Canada has banned baby walkers altogether due to safety concerns. Addressing alternatives, Dr Gupta distinguishes between traditional circular walkers and newer push-style walkers. While discouraging circular walkers, he says push walkers may be considered, but only at an appropriate developmental stage. Once a child is already standing and cruising naturally by holding on to furniture and moving around confidently, straight push walkers can be introduced, he explains. This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS. Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE:ORI) is included among the 11 Best Low Priced Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. Piper Sandler Sees Earnings Upside for Old Republic (ORI) as Housing Outlook Improves Image by Alexsander-777 from Pixabay On December 8, Piper Sandler analyst Paul Newsome increased the firms price target on Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE:ORI) to $51 from $46 with an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm noted that ORI is a reasonably priced property and casualty insurance company with a title business, which offers it room for much stronger earnings, depending on the recovery of the housing market. Earlier in October, Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE:ORI) announced that it had executed a definitive agreement to acquire Everett Cash Mutual Insurance Co. and affiliated companies. The deal will take place after ECM converts to a stock company through a sponsored demutualization. The leading insurer of small farmowners, ECM operates in 48 states and wrote $237 million of direct written premiums in 2024. The company also boasts a record of growth and profitability. Old Republic President & CEO, Craig R. Smiddy, made the following comment regarding the transaction: With ECMs narrow & deep expertise in the farmowners and commercial agricultural market and their commitment to underwriting excellence, there is a strong strategic and cultural fit with ORIs portfolio of specialty companies. We welcome Randy Shaw, his team, and his customers to Old Republic and look forward to sustained profitable growth. Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE:ORI) is an American insurance company that offers insurance coverage to businesses, government entities, and various institutions across the US. While we acknowledge the potential of ORI as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 15 Best Stocks to Buy for the Long Term and 11 Worst Performing Dividend Stocks Year-to-Date. Disclosure: None. A Bengaluru woman filed a gang-rape complaint against a cab driver and his friends last week, only to be revealed that she cooked up the story to mislead her boyfriend. Police learnt that she was actually having a consensual relationship with the driver after they found her statements contradictory. The woman, 22, who is a nursing student from Kerala, later confessed that she falsely claimed she was gang-raped to mislead her boyfriend about the scratch marks on her neck. In the complaint filed at the Madivala police station on December 6, she alleged that the cab driver and his friends gang-raped her near Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal in Bengaluru on December 2, according to The Times of India. The case was transferred to Banaswadi police station under whose limits the alleged crime took place. Police soon tracked down the cab driver, 33, who is a father of two children. He claimed he was innocent and that he was in a consensual relationship with the woman. Police also checked the WhatsApp chats of the woman and the cab driver as well as their previous locations. The CCTV footage recovered from various locations was also key to unravelling the case, said the report. The investigation revealed that both of them were at the railway station together from 11.30 pm on December 2 to 5.30 am the following morning. Police found out that the duo was already acquainted as they both hailed from Kerala and partied together. They also could not find any evidence on gang rape or the existence of the cabbie's accomplices. Dancer Kristina Sheikh has been deeply traumatised by the fire that occurred at the Goa nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane, according to her husband. Kirstina, a Kazakh performer, was entertaining the audience at the nightclub on December 6, when the fire broke out. Her husband, Mikhail Bukin, who spoke to NDTV, said that his wife has not slept for the past six days since the fire. He said that she does not step out of the house and has lost about 5 kilograms of weight due to emotional distress. "She is constantly crying. Her life is destroyed. Twenty-five people have lost their lives, but my wife has died alive," he said. He also added that the entire family was going through a hard time. Goa police had recorded about 60 statements so far, and the investigation is expected to widen. Multiple accused were brought before the court. Goa police also recorded Kristinas statement on December 12. Officials said earlier that she did not have a valid work visa to perform in India. She had applied for a business visa, but it is yet to be approved. Superintendent of Police (FRRO) Arshi Adil told PTI that they were still inquiring into whether Kristina had a business visa. The fire at Birch by Romeo Lane in Goas Arpora claimed the lives of 25 people and injured several. The fire started after the electric firecrackers, which were part of the performance, went off during Kristinas dance. She was dancing to the song Mehbooba Mehbooba when the fire started from the ceiling of the stage. Kristina had told the media earlier that a crew member asked her not to go indie the changing room after the fire started. She has a daughter. On Instagram, she has over 2.7 lakh followers. The Luthra brothers, Gaurav and Saurabh, have been detained in Thailand, and legal procedures to bring them back are underway. The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday detained around 200 suspected over-ground workers (OGWs) of terror outfits as part of a massive crackdown in the Valley. The J&K Police were supported by other security forces as they launched the operation against the OGW network in many areas of the Kashmir Valley. Several locations in and around Srinagar city were included in the raids, news agency PTI quoted the officials as saying. During these raids, around 200 suspected OGWs have been detained, the report added. According to security agencies, OGWs provide logistical support such as cash, shelter and other infrastructure to terrorists. The crackdown is a part of a sustained campaign to dismantle the terror network across the Valley, the officials added. Earlier, security forces arrested an alleged terrorist associated with the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Pulwama district and recovered a grenade from his possession. Jammu and Kashmir Police in Awantipora, along with security forces, arrested a terror associateidentified as Musaib Nazirinvolved in supporting terrorist activities, a police spokesman said. Acting on a credible input about the movement of a suspect at Naner Midoora area, security forces launched a search operation in the area, the spokesman said. During the search, Nazir, a resident of Ladhoo Khrew area in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, allegedly associated with JeM, was apprehended and a grenade was recovered from his possession, the spokesman added. The police department had constituted 97 new groups of village defence guards (VDGs) with 1,164 new members in Reasi district. An additional 1,902 members have been engaged across existing VDG groups to further strengthen village-level security. A Congress MLA on Saturday claimed that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will become Chief Minister on January 6. It was Ramanagara MLA H A Iqbal Hussain who made the claim before the media, saying that Siddaramaiah should vacate the office to give Shivakumar an opportunity. "There is a 99 per cent chance that he becomes Chief Minister on January 6," Hussain, who is a staunch supporter of Shivakumar, said. When asked what significance the date has, he said, "I don't know. It's just a random number. Everybody is saying this. It can either be January 6 or 9. These are the two dates." In November, a group of Congress legislators and a few ministers had visited Delhi to meet the Congress high command. The faction had reportedly reached the national capital to convince the Delhi high command to make Shivakumar the Chief Minister of the state, replacing Siddaramaiah. Hussain was part of this group which met Congress's top brass in the national capital. When the Congress was elected to power in the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections, there was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the Chief Minister's post. Though neither leader expressed their displeasure in public, after several rounds of discussion, senior Congress leaders managed to broker a formula, making Siddaramaiah the Chief Minister and Shivakumar Deputy CM. Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Railways and a BJP MP, V Somanna, said that he is supporting Home Minister G Parameshwara for the CM post. "Getting power is luck. I never dreamt that Parameshwara would remain just as the Home Minister. It is our wish to see him as CM. Not just me but the people of Tumakuru have this desire to see him as the CM," Somanna said at a programme in Tumakuru. When someone from the audience asked about D K Shivakumar, who is a strong contender for the post, Somanna said, "Leave it. That's secondary. What Shivakumar wants to become depends on his luck. Conduct is even bigger than luck." The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged vote theft in Aland constituency in the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections has filed a chargesheet against seven people, including a former BJP MLA and his son. The case relates to alleged attempts to delete as many as 5,994 names from the voters list ahead of the elections. The chargesheet, filed before the First Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Bengaluru, comprises over 22,000 pages explaining in detail the modus operandi of the accused, reports said. Subhash Guttedar, a four-time former MLA from Aland, his son Harshanand Guttedar, his personal secretary, Tipperudra, three Kalaburagi-based data centre operatorsAkram Pasha, Mukaram Pasha and Mohammed Ashfaqand Bapi Adya from West Bengal are the seven people named in the chargesheet. Guttedar, his son and Tipperudra have been granted anticipatory bail by a special court. Adya, the first person to be arrested in the case, is also out on bail. According to reports, Adya allegedly operated a website, OTPbazaar, which was linked to a US-based platform to provide an OTP bypass facility. Bengaluru, Karnataka: On the SIT filing a chargesheet in the Aland vote bank theft case, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar says, "It is a fact; there is nothing hidden there. They have conducted a serious investigation. We are taking up the matter. Our MLAs also want to raise this issue pic.twitter.com/VXXVJDufWM IANS (@ians_india) December 13, 2025 The Karnataka government formed an SIT after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that a significant number of voters were removed in the Aland segment during the 2023 elections and that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was protecting the vote chors. Aland MLA B.R. Patil had also lodged a police complaint stating that 6,670 voters across 256 polling stations were unlawfully removed from the electoral rolls. The Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has denied Gandhi's 'vote chori' charges and said it has been cooperating with the police investigation. Responding to the Congress's charges of alleged attempts to delete over 6,000 voters from the electoral roll in the constituency, the poll body said names of only 24 voters were deleted, that too, after carrying out necessary verifications. The BJP-led NDA achieved a historic breakthrough in Kerala by winning the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporationthe first time the NDA has come to power in a municipal corporation in the state. In addition to ending LDFs dominance, the victory is significant for the BJPs long-term plans in Kerala. Here are some of the key factors that contributed to it: Traditional stronghold: Over the past few years, the BJP has made steady gains in Thiruvananthapuram district, particularly within the corporation area. There were already indications that this urban, cosmopolitan demographicshaped by central and state government institutions, the IT sector, and diverse communitieswould be more receptive to the BJPs messaging. The party won its first assembly seat in Kerala from the Nemom constituency in 2016, which falls within the corporation limits. The BJP has also been the principal opposition in the corporation and has now emerged as an indisputable force in Keralas capital city. New-age campaign strategies: The BJP employed innovative tactics such as QR-coded polling slips and intensive ward-level outreach to overcome internal challenges and negative perceptions stemming from past incidents. Party leaders expressed confidence in carefully calibrated grassroots efforts focused on direct voter engagement. RSS cadres were also actively involved in ground-level campaigning. Ambitious development manifesto: The BJP promised to transform Thiruvananthapuram into one of Indias top three cities by 2030, establish an Olympic venue, ensure 100% benefit from Union government schemes, introduce doorstep services, and publish annual performance reports. These promises resonated with an urban electorate frustrated by local governance issues. Hindutva was kept in the background, while development, change, and the proximity of BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar to the central leadershipincluding Prime Minister Narendra Modiwere emphasised. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar with party workers and mediapersons in Thiruvananthapuram | Sreelakshmi Sivadas Candidate selection: Fielding prominent candidates such as retired IPS officer R. Sreelekha, who won convincingly from the Sasthamangalam ward, gave the BJP a significant boost. The party entered the campaign on the defensive, facing allegations linked to the suicides of two BJP-RSS leaders. A sitting BJP councillor from the Thirumala ward, K. Anil Kumar, was found hanging, and his suicide note cited financial distress in a cooperative society he headed, alleging that party leaders and workers had taken large loans without repayment. Political opponents portrayed the BJP as suffering from toxic internal dynamics, factionalism, corruption, and poor worker support. However, the party managed to overcome these allegations through better candidate selection and a well-grounded campaign, eventually retaining the Thirumala seat with a significant majority. Anti-incumbency: Perhaps, the most decisive factor behind the BJPs victory was the strong anti-incumbency sentiment against the LDF. While the broader state trend showed anti-incumbency largely favouring the UDF, in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation it shifted in favour of the BJP. The LDF, which had controlled the corporation for over 45 years and won a clear majority in 2020, faced dissatisfaction over local governance, development delays, and administrative issues. The triangular contest, with a weakened UDF (which improved marginally but remained third), further opened space for the BJP. Mayor Arya Rajendrans personal controversies: Arya Rajendran, the outgoing LDF mayor of Thiruvananthapuramelected in 2020 at the age of 21, making her Indias youngest mayorfaced multiple personal and administrative controversies during her tenure. These fed into broader anti-incumbency sentiment against the LDF and amplified voter dissatisfaction in the December 2025 local body elections. Allegations ranging from corruption and favouritism to her inexperience to arrogance and administrative overreach shaped adverse public narratives. Incidents such as Arya and her husband, MLA K.M. Sachin Dev, allegedly blocking a public bus reinforced perceptions of entitlement and abuse of power. Allegations that her office coordinated the removal of 24-year-old Congress candidate Vyshna Suresh from the Muttada ward voters list further damaged the incumbents image. There were also complaints about inaccessibility and a perceived failure to deliver innovative governance despite the initial hype surrounding her elevation. Notably, the CPI(M) chose not to field Arya Rajendran in the 2025 local body elections. Rajeev Chandrasekhars direct involvement: Chandrasekhar was directly involved in the corporation campaign. He pitched the vision of transforming Thiruvananthapuram into Vikasita Ananthapuri (a developed capital), promising clean and transparent governance, doorstep services, and full utilisation of central funds. During the campaign, Chandrasekhar announced that he would contest the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections from the Nemom constituencya symbolic seat for the BJP. He had secured a strong lead in Nemom during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The announcement served as a morale booster and a signal of long-term commitment and appears to have contributed to the BJPs victory. When the local body election results came out on Saturday, they jolted both the LDF and the UDFfor opposite reasons. The LDF was shaken by a dramatic collapse, while the UDF was surprised by the sheer scale of its over-performance. In 2020, Kerala had witnessed a red wave. Recovering from its rout in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the CPI(M)-led LDF swept 11 of the 14 district panchayats and five of the six corporations. It went on to capture more than 500 grama panchayats and over 100 block panchayats. The UDF, by contrast, was reduced to just one corporation, three district panchayats, fewer than 40 block panchayats, and under 350 grama panchayats. The BJP was a marginal presence, winning only 19 grama panchayats and two municipalities. Cut to 2025, and the picture is almost inverted. The UDF has delivered one of its strongest-ever performances in local body elections, winning over 500 grama panchayats, close to 80 block panchayats, seven district panchayats, and 54 municipalities. It has also captured four of the six corporations. Traditionally, results in district panchayats, municipalities, and corporations are read as trend indicators for Assembly elections held within months. If this strong anti-incumbency mood is sustained, the UDF would be well placed for a decisive victory in the upcoming Assembly polls. Yet the headline is not just the UDF surge. In urban centres, the BJP is rapidly expanding its footprint and has emergedalongside the UDFas a key beneficiary of anti-incumbency votes. The BJP has won 26 grama panchayats, two municipalities, and one corporation. It has secured around 1,500 grama panchayat wards, over 50 block panchayat wards, 324 municipal wards, and 91 corporation wards. The party is set to govern the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, along with the Palakkad and Tripunithura municipalities. In Palakkad, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 25 seats; in Tripunithura, it won 21. The party crossed into double digits in Kodungallur (18), Varkala (10), Shornur (12), and Ottapalam (12). Equally significant is the fact that the NDA finished second in several municipalities that were once impregnable fortresses of the two fronts. In Thodupuzha, the NDA overtook the LDF to become the main opposition with nine seats. In Attingal, it tied with the UDF at seven seats. In Varkala, the NDAs 10 seats pushed the UDF to third place. In Chengannur, the NDA finished second with six seats, relegating the LDFnow with just fiveto third. In Mavelikkara, the NDA emerged as the main opposition with eight seats, while the LDF slipped to third with four. The BJP also finished second in Ettumanoor with six seats and, in Ernakulam district, overtook the LDF to secure second place in Aluva, even as it gained control of Tripunithura. Similar second-place finishes were recorded in Kodungallur, Shornur, Ottapalam, Tarur, and Kasaragod. Underlying these shifts is a deeper churn within the LDFs social base. The pattern of Ezhava vote leakage from the CPI(M)-led Leftvisible in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as wellappears to have persisted and intensified in the 2025 local body polls. Internal CPI(M) assessments had flagged a steady rightward drift of traditional Ezhava votes, long a core Left constituency, towards the BJP-led NDA. This was attributed to perceptions of minority appeasement and the growing influence of SNDP Yogam leaders critical of the Left. In response, the CPI(M) attempted course corrections over the past yearreviving a sharper stance against minority communalism and drawing closer to outspoken SNDP leader Vellapally Nadesan, despite his controversial and often communally charged rhetoric. The local body election results, however, suggest these efforts have fallen short. Muslim minority consolidation against the CPI(M) appears to have intensified, even as leakage within the Ezhava vote base continues. In the current trend, a portion of this leaked vote appears to have gone towards the UDF, while the rest has flowed to the BJP. It is also notable that the BJP has improved its performance in areas with a significant Christian demographic. In Kottayam district, for instance, the BJP captured power in three panchayatsAymanam, Kidangoor, and Poonjar Thekkekaraand finished second in Chirakkadavu panchayat. In 2020, the party had just one panchayat in the district. Retaining these gains in the Assembly elections, however, will be challenging, as these remain fluid and non-aligned votes. The local body election results also suggest that, alongside strong anti-incumbency sentiments, the CPI(M) suffered a sharp backlash over the Sabarimala gold theft controversy. The episode triggered powerful feelings of desecration and betrayal among Ayyappa devotees, particularly in Hindu-majority areas dominated by Ezhava and Nair communities. Both the UDF and the BJP aggressively framed the issue as evidence of the LDFs dismissive attitude towards faith and governance failures. The LDF, meanwhile, attempted to shift the narrative by foregrounding sexual allegations against former Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil. However, the UDFs decision to oust Mamkootathildespite internal confusion within the Congressappears to have reinforced a perception of decisiveness and moral clarity, yielding electoral dividends in the crucial days leading up to the polls. It is clear that the UDF will seek to sustain this momentum and return to power, even though persistent infighting within the Congress could still undermine its prospects. The CPI(M), for its part, has announced a course correctionbut with barely three months in hand, the window for recovery is narrow. The BJP, meanwhile, will focus on engineering a comeback to the Kerala Legislative Assembly, though it must first consolidate and retain the gains it has made so far. Only around 1,500 Indian students are enrolled in Japan for higher studies currently and the number is even less for Japanese students who come to India for higher education. Indian and Japanese students prefer studying in the US and Europe than in each others' countries. These observations were made by Kaori Hayashi, Executive Vice-President for Global and Diversity Affairs at the University of Tokyo. She was speaking on the sidelines of a joint event organised with the OP Jindal Global University in Bengaluru recently. The reason for having very few Indian and Japanese students coming to each other nation for higher nation is due to the language. This is the reason we are now increasing the number of English medium courses at the undergraduate level in Japan. Once we do that, we hope to see more number of students coming to Japan for higher studies. Additionally, the tuition fee incurred in the University of Tokyo is $3,000, which is low when compared to other countries. The fee is the same for students from Japan and India. We treat foreign students equally, remarked Hayashi. She said that the University of Tokyo is one of the leading universities of the world that has a strong focus on the STEM education. The University of Tokyo has consistently been ranked in Asia among the top three or four varsities and has been ranked among the top 15 to 20 universities in the world, added Hayashi She said Japanese varsities such as the University of Tokyo are stellar examples of how science, technology, engineering and mathematics co-exist with a strong emphasis on liberal arts, humanities, social sciences, law, business, architecture, and other such elements. Interestingly that the University of Tokyo is on the verge of establishing a design school, which is expected to attract a lot of interest from Indian students. Hayashi informed that around 1/3rd of students at the University of Tokyo study engineering and the university has strong engineering and STEM education focus. The university has recently gone into a tie up with IIT Hyderabad. There are around 30 per cent foreign students at the University of Tokyo. Off late, Japanese students have shown interest in coming to India to not only learn Indian philosophy and literature but also for STEM courses and data sciences, said Hayashi. O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) has initiated a partnership with the University of Tokyo for student exchange and short-term study abroad programme. Then there are faculty-level exchanges, joint seminars and conferences. While most of the programmes are taught in English at the University of Tokyo, there are many UG and PG programmes too that are taught in English as well. The University of Tokyo has a significant international presence, with numerous foreign faculty, visiting professors, and researchers across its many faculties and graduate schools, particularly in fields like economics, science, humanities, engineering, and future initiatives, often engaging in global research and teaching within specialised centers, Professor Akhil Bhardwaj, Vice Dean and Director of International Relations and Global Initiatives, JGU, told THE WEEK. Ten BJP MLAs from Manipur, including former chief minister N Biren Singh and speaker Th Satyabrata Singh, on Saturday left for the national capital for a meeting with the party's central leadership. Some other BJP MLAs are also in the national capital for "personal reasons," a party leader said. Biren Singh told the press that he was hopeful that "some positive decision" would be taken at the meeting. "I am expecting positive things for a better Manipur. I hope a positive decision will be taken at the meeting. As far as the formation of the government is concerned, it will be known only after the meeting," he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. MLA Kh Joykishan Singh said the meeting is expected to be related to government formation. MLA RK Imo Singh said, "We have been called for a meeting tomorrow. Let's see what will happen. We don't have much detail." BJP has 37 MLAs in the 60-member Manipur assembly. The northeastern state has been under the President's Rule since February, after Singh resigned amid criticisms over his government's handling of the ethnic violence that broke out in May 2023. Ethnic clashes broke out between Meitei and Kuki groups in the state in May 2023. The Congress has been targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over violence in Manipur and has demanded that the Prime Minister should visit the state. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has visited Manipur multiple times since violence broke out. Close to 260 people have died and thousands have been rendered homeless in the clashes. President's rule was first imposed on February 13 in strife-torn Manipur following heightened clashes. Recent reports about American Special Forces intercepting a Chinese ship delivering dual-use equipment to Iran marks a major escalation in maritime enforcement. The operation, which took place last month in the Indian Ocean off the Sri Lankan coast, represents a clear departure from American restraint in relation to commercial shipping. It signals a more assertive posture by the Trump administration to deal with the Tehran-Beijing strategic partnership. Washingtons aggressive move should be seen against the backdrop of the June war between Iran and the US-Israel alliance, which saw more than 1,000 deaths and American stealth bombers striking Iranian nuclear facilities. While Washington believes the campaign significantly degraded Irans nuclear capabilities, Tehran has since shifted its focus towards rapidly rebuilding its conventional military strength. Analysts warn that another conflict may be inevitable. Iran is said to be operating round the clock to replenish stocks of drones and long-range missiles which could overwhelm Israeli air defences. In response, the US now seems to be directly targeting the supply chains that enable Irans rearmament, instead of simply monitoring sanctions compliance. The focus is on the so-called dual use technologies, such as microelectronics and software that are essential for precision-guided weapons. Their outright ban is impossible because of their widespread civilian applications. The boarding of the Chinese vessel also point to a key change in tactics. For instance, in the case of the Russia-Ukraine war, while the US tried to curb Chinese supply lines to Russia, it deliberately avoided military action against commercial shipping. The decision to board a vessel in international waters shows that the US now views the Iranian threat as sufficiently serious to justify the risks. The action also fits within a broader pattern of increasingly assertive maritime operations ordered by as it comes at a time the US is active in the Caribbean, targeting vessels, including oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela. The Indian Ocean operation shows that that Washington is prepared to enforce what it describes as its long arm jurisdiction, a concept strongly rejected by China. Beijings involvement further complicates an already fragile diplomatic environment. While the US confirmed that the cargo originated in China, it consisted of dual-use components, allowing Beijing to maintain plausible deniability. However, it point towards a more substantial flow of assistance. American lawmakers have recently drawn attention to shipments totalling 2,000 tonnes of sodium perchlorate, a key ingredient in ballistic missile propellant, sent from China to Iran since September in breach of UN sanctions. Although the ship boarded near Sri Lanka was permitted to continue its voyage after the sensitive materials were removed, the operation illustrates Washingtons determination to sever the logistical networks supporting Irans post war military recovery. American officials have concluded that economic sanctions alone have failed to stem the flow of critical components. As a result, policy has shifted from financial pressure to direct physical intervention. Azerbaijan and the United States (US) have discussed expanding energy-sector cooperation, focusing on current projects and future opportunities, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov's publication on X said, Azernews reports. "We had a fruitful meeting with Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, David L. Fogel, in Washington. We discussed potential cooperation with the US. Companies in implementing Azerbaijan's wide and diversified regional power supply plans and projects, including the potential fields," the post reads. The volume of trade between Azerbaijan and the U.S. from January through October of this year was $1.059 billion. This is $19.7 million, or 1.9%, more than during the same months of 2024. Over the reporting period, trade turnover with the U.S. accounted for 2.59% of Azerbaijan's total trade turnover. Thus, the U.S. ranked sixth among the countries with which Azerbaijan conducted the largest number of trade operations during the reporting period. From January through October of this year, Azerbaijani exports to the U.S. totaled $52.7 million. This is $65.8 million, or 2.2 times less than during the same period last year. At the same time, for the reporting period, Azerbaijan imported $1 billion worth of goods from the U.S., which is $85.5 million or 9.3% more than in the same period of 2024. Thus, during the reporting period, the U.S. ranked fourth among the countries from which Azerbaijan imports the largest amount of goods. Hardly a year after it began, the Bitcoin treasury model is falling apart. Just one Bitcoin treasury company managed to outperform the bellwether S&P 500 which returned investors 16% in 2025, according to a new report from BitcoinTreasuries.net. The Blockchain Group, a France-based treasury company, has soared roughly 164% since January 1. What about other Bitcoin treasuries? Every other major treasury has underperformed Strategy is down 12%, Metaplanet has lost nearly one-third of its stock price, and Nakamoto, the self-proclaimed treasury company for treasury companies that raised over $600 million to buy Bitcoin, has bled out over 98%. Additionally, 60% of these companies are now underwater on their Bitcoin investments. The premium era is over, said John Fakhoury, CEO of Stacking Sats, in the report published on Thursday. Were entering a phase where only disciplined structures and real business execution are going to survive. Buying has collapsed Between 2024 and early 2025, Bitcoin treasury companies raised billions by trading at massive premiums to their Bitcoin holdings, then ploughing that capital into buying more Bitcoin. The poster child for the movement, Michael Saylors Strategy, has raised over $20 billion since August 2020 by selling investors on the thesis that Bitcoin would outperform traditional assets and that the companys equity would trade at a persistent premium to its net asset value. Now there are 195 companies all betting on the same thing. But the trade, once profitable, is now breaking down, turning companies away from digital assets en masse. Only 28 companies picked up Bitcoin in November, down from 55 in October and 168 Bitcoin in July an 83% collapse from peak buying. Thats because, as the model of raising billions by selling equity and debt cratered, so too did the capital exchanging those funds for fresh Bitcoin. When equity trades at a premium to Bitcoin NAV, companies issue shares and use the proceeds to buy more Bitcoin without diluting shareholders. Equity trading at a discount implies that issuing shares destroys shareholder value. Treasury buying provided a structural bid to Bitcoin throughout 2024 and early 2025. As that bid disappeared, Bitcoin lost a major support pillar. Price drops premium drops The model depended on two things: rising Bitcoin prices and sustained equity premiums. These days, both have disappeared. Bitcoin fell 25% from its October highs above $120,000, dragging treasury stocks down with it. But the equity collapses were far worse than Bitcoins decline revealing that premium compressing, and not necessarily Bitcoins price, was destroying shareholder value. Following on the footsteps on UAE's G42 and Saudi Arabia's Humain, Qatar is setting up a new firm to develop not just artificial intelligence infrastructure in Qatar but across the world. Doha-based Qai, which will be a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority, stated that it will provide high-performance computing and a connect suite of tools. ALSO READ: What is Jais 2? How to access world's largest Arabic AI model launched by UAE Abdulla Al-Misnad, a former board director of Doha Venture Capital who will chair the new company, stated that Qai will develop trusted AI tools that individuals and companies require, reported Bloomberg. Were thinking one, two, three years down the line, Al-Misnad said. Thats where you get value out of AI. Can Qatar's Qai catch up with UAE's G42 and Saudi's Humain? To compete with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Qatar needs to get licences import AI chips from companies like Nvidia and AMD. G42 gets US boost Currently, the UAE is the only GCC nation to undertake AI initiatives complying with the US governance models, export controls and other regulations. Last month, the US approved AI semiconductor exports to UAE, giving a fillip to G42 projects like Stargate UAE, a 1-gigawatt AI computer cluster set up with support of Cisco, Nvidia, Oracle and SoftBank Group. ALSO READ: How UAE's largest AI-powered clinical diagnostic lab will revolutionise its healthcare sector The deployment of AI chips in the UAE should comply with the Regulated Technology Environment (RTE), approved under the guidelines of the US Department of Commerce and the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). G42 is also planning to collaborate with more hyperscalers and chipmakers such as Microsoft, AMD, Qualcomm and Cerebras. Humain sets ambitious goals Saudi Arabia is also pushing AI infrastructure with its Humain, which builds data centres, large language models, and cloud capabilities. Humain was unveiled by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in May ahead of president Donald Trump's visit. The investment vehicle, owned by Saudi's $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund, is aiming to make the kingdom the third largest AI market globally after the US and China. It is hoping building six gigawatts worth of data centre capability by 2034 in collaborations with Nvidia, Cisco, AMD, Qualcomm and Amazon Web Services. In late October, Humain announced a $3 billion deal with Blackstone to develop its data centre infrastructure. Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist Narges Mohammadi was arrested yesterday during a raid on a memorial service in the eastern city of Mashhad, in what supporters describe as a dramatic escalation in the states repression of dissent. Security forces stormed a mosque where mourners had gathered to commemorate Khosrow Alikordi, a prominent human rights lawyer recently found dead in his office. Mohammadi was detained alongside at least nine other well-known activists and civil society figures. The raid transformed a solemn memorial into a scene of violence and chaos. Police and intelligence agents surrounded the mosque, dispersed the crowd with tear gas and beat attendees as they attempted to flee. Witnesses said the intervention was sudden and forceful, suggesting that authorities viewed the gathering not as a religious event but as a potential flashpoint for political mobilisation. BREAKING NEWS: Narges Mohammadi Arrested at Memorial for Khosrow Alikordi 12 December 2025 According to verified reports, Narges Mohammadi was violently arrested earlier today by security forces during the seventh-day memorial ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer who was pic.twitter.com/zQ8DtLxDKY Narges Mohammadi | (@nargesfnd) December 12, 2025 Mohammadi, 53, is among the most recognisable figures associated with the Woman Life Freedom movement that erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022. She has spent much of the past two decades in and out of Tehrans Evin prison, which is notorious for holding political prisoners. She was on medical furlough, having been released from prison last December because of serious health concerns. However, she was under constant pressure and surveillance. Her return to public activism appears to have hardened the resolve of security agencies to silence her once again. The immediate trigger for the confrontation was the death of Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer known for defending political prisoners and activists. Mohammadi travelled from Tehran to Mashhad to attend his memorial as an act of solidarity. What began as a mourning ceremony quickly took on a political dimension. Outside the mosque, Mohammadi climbed onto a car and addressed the crowd. She appeared without the mandatory headscarf, an act of civil disobedience that has come to define her public defiance. She led mourners in chanting the name of Majidreza Rahnavard, a 23-year-old protester who was publicly executed during the 2022 protests, which clearly irked the authorities. Security forces responded almost immediately. According to eyewitness accounts, agents beat participants with batons, often striking their heads. Mohammadi was dragged by her hair, obviously to make the point that her head was not covered, and forced into a security vehicle. Taghi Rahmani, Mohammadis husband, said the arrests appeared to be an act of retaliation by an establishment under growing internal and external pressure. Local authorities offered a different explanation. Hasan Hosseini, the governor of Mashhad, said the detentions were preventive measures intended to protect the public from what he called norm-breaking slogans, a phrase commonly used to refer to chants such as death to the dictator. Beyond the violence of the arrest itself, Mohammadis detention has raised concerns about her physical survival. She has suffered multiple heart attacks in recent years and recently underwent surgery to remove a bone lesion. These conditions were cited as the reason for her medical release from prison, yet they appear to have been disregarded in the decision to detain her again. During her furlough, Mohammadi continued to campaign for the rights of political prisoners and for a peaceful transition towards electoral democracy. She took part in demonstrations outside Evin prison and spoke openly about threats she said she had received from security agents, including warnings of physical elimination if she did not cease her activism. Her re-arrest has lent new weight to those warnings. Mohammadis arrest is seen as part of a broader strategy of repression following a turbulent year for Iran, which included a brief but intense conflict involving Israel and the US in June. Tehran seems keen to silence not only individual figures but also the networks that promote dissent. Mohammadis family has said they are deeply anxious about her fate. Her children, Ali and Kiana, have stated that they do not know which security body currently holds her, whether the police or the Revolutionary Guards, heightening fears of mistreatment behind closed doors. The arrest has drawn swift international condemnation. The Norwegian Nobel Committee issued a statement expressing alarm at the reports from Mashhad and calling on Iranian authorities to act immediately. Norwegian Nobel Committee condemns the brutal arrest of Narges Mohammadi. The Norwegian Nobel Committee is deeply concerned by the brutal arrest of Narges Mohammadi alongside a number of other activists. The Committee calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately clarify pic.twitter.com/z5SYokDvXy The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) December 12, 2025 The Norwegian Nobel Committee calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately clarify Mohammadis whereabouts, ensure her safety and integrity, and to release her without conditions, the five-member body said in the statement issued by its chairman. The Committee stands in solidarity with Narges Mohammadi and all those in Iran who work peacefully for human rights, the rule of law, and freedom of expression. Three Democratic lawmakers have introduced a resolution in the US House of Representatives to end the 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports imposed by President Donald Trump. The resolution brought by Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthy, Deborah Ross and Marc Veasey termed the high tariff on Indian products as illegal and economically damaging. The resolution follows a bipartisan, Senate-passed measure to end tariffs imposed on Brazil and the Presidents use of emergency powers to raise import duties. Trump had invoked his powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs on India. President Trumps irresponsible tariff strategy toward India is a counterproductive approach that weakens a critical partnership, Krishnamoorthy said in a statement. "Instead of advancing American interests or security, these duties disrupt supply chains, harm American workers, and drive up costs for consumers. Ending these damaging tariffs will allow the United States to engage with India to advance our shared economic and security needs," he said. According to Ross, the impact of the tariff is being felt directly in states such as North Carolina, which has close commercial and community ties with India. "North Carolina's economy is deeply connected to India through trade, investment, and a vibrant Indian American community," she said. Ross pointed out that Indian companies have invested over a billion dollars in the state, creating thousands of jobs in sectors such as life sciences and technology, while North Carolina manufacturers export hundreds of millions of dollars in goods to India annually. Veasey, meanwhile, underscored the consumer impact of the tariffs. "India is an important cultural, economic, and strategic partner, and these illegal tariffs are a tax on everyday North Texans who are already struggling with rising costs," Veasey said. In October, a group of 19 Members of Congress, including Ross, Veasey, and Krishnamoorthi, had urged the President to reverse his tariff policies and repair strained bilateral ties with India. Shares of Empiric Student Property Plc (LON:ESP Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as GBX 72.60 and last traded at GBX 73.90, with a volume of 18709902 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 73. Empiric Student Property Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of 494.16 million, a PE ratio of 17.30, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.05. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 78.44 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 90.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 53.27, a current ratio of 1.45 and a quick ratio of 1.06. About Empiric Student Property (Get Free Report) Empiric Student Property plc is a leading provider and operator of modern, predominantly direct-let, premium student accommodation serving key UK universities. Investing in both operating and development assets, Empiric is a fully integrated operational student property business focused on premium studio-led accommodation managed through its Hello Student operating platform, that is attractive to affluent growing student segments. The Company, an internally managed real estate investment trust (REIT) incorporated in England and Wales, listed on the premium listing segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and was admitted to trading on the main market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange in June 2014. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Empiric Student Property Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Empiric Student Property and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Carvana Co. (NYSE:CVNA Get Free Report) insider Paul Breaux sold 1,527 shares of Carvana stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $475.00, for a total value of $725,325.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 69,289 shares of the companys stock, valued at $32,912,275. This trade represents a 2.16% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Carvana Stock Down 3.5% NYSE:CVNA traded down $16.78 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $455.95. 6,195,099 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,844,552. The company has a quick ratio of 2.55, a current ratio of 4.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63. The company has a market cap of $99.19 billion, a PE ratio of 104.10, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 3.51. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $352.24 and its 200-day simple moving average is $349.87. Carvana Co. has a one year low of $148.25 and a one year high of $485.33. Get Carvana alerts: Carvana (NYSE:CVNA Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by ($0.26). Carvana had a net margin of 3.44% and a return on equity of 30.62%. The firm had revenue of $5.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.04 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.64 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 54.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Carvana Co. will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current year. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have recently issued reports on CVNA. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Carvana in a report on Monday, December 1st. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Carvana from $475.00 to $550.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. BTIG Research restated a buy rating and set a $450.00 price target on shares of Carvana in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $460.00 price objective on shares of Carvana in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and issued a $500.00 target price on shares of Carvana in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Eighteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued 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 $438.76. Check Out Our Latest Report on Carvana Hedge Funds Weigh In On Carvana Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its position in shares of Carvana by 13.9% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 14,950,011 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,125,749,000 after purchasing an additional 1,823,218 shares during the period. Viking Global Investors LP boosted its holdings in Carvana by 94.9% in the 3rd quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 2,101,241 shares of the companys stock worth $792,672,000 after buying an additional 1,023,265 shares during the period. Sands Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Carvana by 1,374.3% in the 2nd quarter. Sands Capital Management LLC now owns 901,227 shares of the companys stock valued at $303,677,000 after buying an additional 840,096 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Carvana during the 2nd quarter valued at $259,468,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Carvana by 96.8% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,445,018 shares of the companys stock worth $545,119,000 after acquiring an additional 710,582 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 56.71% of the companys stock. Carvana Company Profile (Get Free Report) Carvana Co, together with its subsidiaries, operates an e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars in the United States. Its platform allows customers to research and identify a vehicle; inspect it using company's 360-degree vehicle imaging technology; obtain financing and warranty coverage; purchase the vehicle; and schedule delivery or pick-up from their desktop or mobile devices. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Carvana Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Carvana and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Invesco RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF (NYSEARCA:PXF Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $64.94 and last traded at $65.1450, with a volume of 28399 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $64.36. Invesco RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF Price Performance The firms fifty day moving average price is $62.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $60.17. The company has a market cap of $2.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.91 and a beta of 0.82. Get Invesco RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Crewe Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Invesco RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF by 10.3% during the second quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 1,841 shares of the companys stock valued at $106,000 after buying an additional 172 shares during the last quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Invesco RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF by 6.2% in the 2nd quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,456 shares of the companys stock worth $198,000 after buying an additional 201 shares in the last quarter. Red Tortoise LLC increased its position in Invesco RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Red Tortoise LLC now owns 39,839 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,437,000 after acquiring an additional 244 shares during the period. Bell Investment Advisors Inc raised its stake in Invesco RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF by 113.9% during the 2nd quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 492 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Comerica Bank raised its stake in Invesco RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 7,549 shares of the companys stock valued at $392,000 after acquiring an additional 273 shares in the last quarter. Invesco RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF Company Profile The Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF (PXF) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE RAFI Developed x US 1000 index. The fund tracks an index of 1,000 of the biggest companies in developed markets outside the US that are selected and weighted based on fundamental measures. PXF was launched on Jun 25, 2007 and is managed by Invesco. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Invesco RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $311.50 and last traded at $312.6630, with a volume of 7504172 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $303.41. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms recently commented on TSM. Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and issued a $360.00 price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, December 6th. Susquehanna increased their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $300.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $290.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Sunday. Finally, UBS Group set a $330.00 target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Sunday. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $355.00. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Trading Down 4.3% The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $293.66 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $255.65. The stock has a market cap of $1.51 trillion, a P/E ratio of 29.94, a PEG ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a quick ratio of 2.47, a current ratio of 2.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.59 by $0.33. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 34.34% and a net margin of 43.72%.The company had revenue of $32.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $951.89 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.94 EPS. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings revenue for the quarter was up 40.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 EPS for the current year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.9678 per share. This represents a $3.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. This is a positive change from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings payout ratio is presently 25.74%. Institutional Trading of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of TSM. Powers Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the second quarter worth approximately $240,000. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. grew its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 10.1% during the second quarter. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. now owns 236,503 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $53,566,000 after buying an additional 21,648 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP grew its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 452.2% during the first quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 47,425 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $7,873,000 after buying an additional 38,837 shares in the last quarter. RFG Holdings Inc. raised its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 66.1% in the 2nd quarter. RFG Holdings Inc. now owns 3,898 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $883,000 after buying an additional 1,551 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Duquesne Family Office LLC lifted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 456.9% during the 1st quarter. Duquesne Family Office LLC now owns 598,780 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $99,397,000 after acquiring an additional 491,265 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 16.51% of the companys stock. About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (Get Free Report) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Todd Combs is CEO of Geico, owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Todd Combs bid farewell to Geico employees in a Monday email obtained by Business Insider. Warren Buffett's deputy is leaving the Berkshire-owned insurer to join JPMorgan and advise Jamie Dimon. Scroll down to read Combs' goodbye message. Todd Combs thanked Geico employees, trumpeted the auto insurer's prospects, and championed his successor as CEO in a farewell email on Monday obtained by Business Insider. Combs one of Warren Buffett's two investment managers at Berkshire Hathaway for the past 15 years, and the CEO of Berkshire-owned Geico since 2020 struck a grateful tone in his goodbye message, saying it was a "privilege" and "honor" to lead the company. The departing boss said he was confident in Geico and its "ongoing transformation," and that it had "tremendous momentum and that momentum belongs to you." Read more of our reporting on the leadership transformation underway at Berkshire Hathaway: Combs hailed new CEO Nancy Pierce, an almost 40-year Geico veteran who was previously its operating chief, as the "right leader" for Geico and "uniquely qualified" to take it to the "next level." The former hedge fund manager is leaving Berkshire to head up JPMorgan's $10 billion Strategic Investment Group and serve as a special advisor to the bank's CEO, Jamie Dimon. Geico declined a request for comment from Business Insider. Read Combs' full letter below: GEICO Associates, As I reflect on today's news and my time with GEICO, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride. It has been my privilege to serve as your CEO since early 2020, and to work alongside the people who have made this company what it is today. I believe strongly in GEICO and in the vision that drives its ongoing transformation. As our company and our industry have continued to grow and evolve, you have brought your talent, dedication, and innovation to your work every day. Together, we've built an organization ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future with tremendous momentum - and that momentum belongs to you. What gives me the greatest confidence as I step into a new role at JPMorganChase is the strength of our leadership team - and especially the strength of your new CEO. Nancy Pierce is the right leader for this company, and she is uniquely qualified to lead GEICO to the next level and continue the gains that have been achieved. Thank you for your trust in our team and our strategic vision. Most of all, thank you for your energy and hard work on behalf of our customers and one another. It has been my honor to be part of this organization. With sincere appreciation, Todd John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:JHMM Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $66.56 and last traded at $66.7830, with a volume of 142135 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $65.59. John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF Trading Down 1.2% The stock has a market cap of $4.57 billion, a PE ratio of 19.18 and a beta of 1.04. The companys 50 day moving average is $64.67 and its 200-day moving average is $63.16. Get John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Benjamin Edwards Inc. raised its position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 38.8% in the 1st quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 16,800 shares of the companys stock valued at $963,000 after purchasing an additional 4,700 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 37.6% in the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 4,783 shares of the companys stock worth $274,000 after buying an additional 1,308 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. boosted its stake in John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 12.5% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 2,269,476 shares of the companys stock valued at $130,041,000 after acquiring an additional 251,914 shares during the last quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC bought a new position in John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $1,218,000. Finally, CW Advisors LLC acquired a new position in John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF during the 1st quarter worth $430,000. About John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF 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 Articles 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. iShares MSCI Canada ETF (NYSEARCA:EWC Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $53.50 and last traded at $53.65, with a volume of 867319 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $53.07. iShares MSCI Canada ETF Stock Down 0.4% The businesss fifty day moving average is $51.18 and its two-hundred day moving average is $48.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.61 billion, a PE ratio of 19.77 and a beta of 0.94. Get iShares MSCI Canada ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of iShares MSCI Canada ETF Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. American National Bank & Trust bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Canada ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Canada ETF during the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Huntington National Bank lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Canada ETF by 171,000.0% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 1,711 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $86,000 after purchasing an additional 1,710 shares during the last quarter. MAI Capital Management lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Canada ETF by 266.4% in the 1st quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 2,228 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $91,000 after purchasing an additional 1,620 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Canada ETF by 27.1% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,151 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $99,000 after purchasing an additional 459 shares during the period. 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). See Also 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. Orix Corp Ads (NYSE:IX Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $28.26 and last traded at $28.1670, with a volume of 83370 shares. The stock had previously closed at $27.79. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have commented on IX. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Orix Corp Ads in a research report on Monday. Wall Street Zen cut Orix Corp Ads from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold. Get Orix Corp Ads alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Orix Corp Ads Orix Corp Ads Stock Up 0.9% The company has a market capitalization of $32.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.04, a PEG ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 0.74. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $25.82 and its 200-day simple moving average is $24.55. The company has a current ratio of 1.81, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. Orix Corp Ads (NYSE:IX Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.42. The company had revenue of $5.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.87 billion. Orix Corp Ads had a return on equity of 10.30% and a net margin of 14.53%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Orix Corp Ads will post 11.31 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Orix Corp Ads by 422.6% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 145,592 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,041,000 after acquiring an additional 117,733 shares in the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its position in Orix Corp Ads by 1,020.0% during the first quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 56,000 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,170,000 after purchasing an additional 51,000 shares in the last quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC grew its holdings in Orix Corp Ads by 371.8% in the first quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 17,617 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $368,000 after purchasing an additional 13,883 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Orix Corp Ads by 335.1% in the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 42,512 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $888,000 after buying an additional 32,742 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Callan Family Office LLC raised its stake in shares of Orix Corp Ads by 248.6% during the 1st quarter. Callan Family Office LLC now owns 28,885 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $603,000 after buying an additional 20,598 shares during the last quarter. 1.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Orix Corp Ads Company Profile (Get Free Report) ORIX Corporation provides diversified financial services in Japan, the United States, Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East. The company's Corporate Financial Services and Maintenance Leasing segment is involved in the finance and fee; leasing and rental of automobiles, electronic measuring instruments, and ICT-related equipment businesses; and provision of life insurance and environment and energy-related products and services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Orix Corp Ads Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Orix Corp Ads and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Buenaventura Mining Company Inc. (NYSE:BVN Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday after Zacks Research upgraded the stock from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating. The stock traded as high as $27.04 and last traded at $26.8490, with a volume of 1141658 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $26.45. Several other analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Scotiabank dropped their price target on shares of Buenaventura Mining from $27.50 to $27.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Buenaventura Mining from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Buenaventura Mining in a report on Monday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $27.00. Get Buenaventura Mining alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Buenaventura Mining Institutional Investors Weigh In On Buenaventura Mining Buenaventura Mining Trading Up 1.3% A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Cetera Investment Advisers acquired a new position in shares of Buenaventura Mining in the first quarter valued at about $157,000. Deutsche Bank AG grew its position in shares of Buenaventura Mining by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 193,163 shares of the mining companys stock worth $3,019,000 after purchasing an additional 7,358 shares in the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Buenaventura Mining during the 1st quarter worth approximately $37,000. Citigroup Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Buenaventura Mining by 23.4% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 453,933 shares of the mining companys stock worth $7,095,000 after purchasing an additional 85,994 shares during the period. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Buenaventura Mining in the first quarter valued at approximately $5,104,000. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.55 and a beta of 0.37. The company has a quick ratio of 2.05, a current ratio of 2.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $24.09 and a 200-day moving average of $20.27. Buenaventura Mining (NYSE:BVN Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The mining company reported $0.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.41 by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $431.04 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $355.57 million. Buenaventura Mining had a return on equity of 11.76% and a net margin of 30.70%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Buenaventura Mining Company Inc. will post 1.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Buenaventura Mining Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a special dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 19th were given a dividend of $0.1446 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 19th. Buenaventura Minings dividend payout ratio is currently 24.71%. Buenaventura Mining Company Profile (Get Free Report) Compania de Minas Buenaventura SAA. engages in the exploration, development, construction, and operation of mineral processing business. The company explores for gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper metals. It operates operating mining units, including Tambomayo located in the Caylloma province, Orcopampa Unit located in the province of Castilla, Uchucchacua located in province of Oyon, Julcani located in province of Angaraes, Peru, as well as San Gabrie located in the province of General Sanchez Cerro, in the Moquegua region. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Buenaventura Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Buenaventura Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hawaiian Electric Industries (NYSE:HE Get Free Report) and ENGIE (OTCMKTS:ENGIY Get Free Report) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk and earnings. Profitability This table compares Hawaiian Electric Industries and ENGIEs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Hawaiian Electric Industries alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Hawaiian Electric Industries 0.56% 9.51% 1.66% ENGIE N/A N/A N/A Risk & Volatility Hawaiian Electric Industries has a beta of 0.64, indicating that its stock price is 36% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, ENGIE has a beta of 0.51, indicating that its stock price is 49% less volatile than the S&P 500. Earnings and Valuation Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Hawaiian Electric Industries $3.22 billion 0.62 -$1.42 billion $0.08 145.35 ENGIE $79.88 billion 0.78 $4.44 billion N/A N/A This table compares Hawaiian Electric Industries and ENGIEs revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. ENGIE has higher revenue and earnings than Hawaiian Electric Industries. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Hawaiian Electric Industries and ENGIE, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Hawaiian Electric Industries 1 3 1 0 2.00 ENGIE 0 1 5 0 2.83 Hawaiian Electric Industries presently has a consensus target price of $12.13, suggesting a potential upside of 4.27%. Given Hawaiian Electric Industries higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Hawaiian Electric Industries is more favorable than ENGIE. Insider & Institutional Ownership 59.9% of Hawaiian Electric Industries shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of Hawaiian Electric Industries shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Summary Hawaiian Electric Industries beats ENGIE on 7 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About Hawaiian Electric Industries (Get Free Report) Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the electric utility businesses in the United States. It operates in three segments: Electric Utility, Bank, and Other. The Electric Utility segment engages in the production, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. Its renewable energy sources and potential sources include wind, solar, photovoltaic, geothermal, wave, hydroelectric, municipal waste, and other biofuels. This segment serves suburban communities, resorts, the United States Armed Forces installations, and agricultural operations. The Bank segment operates a federally chartered savings bank that offers banking and other financial services to consumers and businesses, including savings and checking accounts; and loans comprising residential and commercial real estate, residential mortgage, construction and development, multifamily residential and commercial real estate, consumer, and commercial loans. The Other segment invests in non-regulated renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure in the State of Hawaii. Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii. About ENGIE (Get Free Report) ENGIE SA engages in the power, natural gas, and energy services businesses. It operates through Renewables, Networks, Energy Solutions, FlexGen, Retail, Nuclear, and Others segments. The Renewables segment comprises renewable energy generation activities, including financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of renewable energy facilities using various energy sources, such as hydroelectric, onshore wind, photovoltaic solar, offshore wind, and geothermal. The Networks segment comprises the electricity and gas infrastructure activities and projects, including the management and development of gas and electricity transportation networks and natural gas distribution networks in and outside of Europe, natural gas underground storage in Europe, and regasification infrastructure in France and Chile. The Energy Solutions encompasses the construction and management of decentralized energy networks to produce energy and related services. The FlexGen segment operates flexible thermal generation and electricity, pumping, and battery storage facilities; solutions for decarbonizing industry with low-carbon hydrogen; and financing, construction, and operation of desalination plants. The Retail segment engages in the sale of gas and electricity to professional, individual, and residential clients. The Nuclear segment engages in the nuclear power generation activities. The others segment sells energy to companies and offers energy management services and solutions. The company was formerly known as GDF SUEZ S.A. and changed its name to ENGIE SA in April 2015. The company was founded in 1880 and is headquartered in Courbevoie, France. Receive News & Ratings for Hawaiian Electric Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hawaiian Electric Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Global Crossing Airlines Group Inc. (CVE:JET Get Free Report)s share price traded down 4.9% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as C$1.36 and last traded at C$1.36. 10,010 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 11% from the average session volume of 11,289 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$1.43. Global Crossing Airlines Group Price Performance The company has a market capitalization of C$63.25 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.57. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 105.95. The companys 50 day simple moving average is C$1.36 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$1.36. About Global Crossing Airlines Group (Get Free Report) Global Crossing Airlines Group Inc operates in the airline business. It focuses to fly as an aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) and wet lease charter airline serving the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin American markets. The company is based in Miami, Florida. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Global Crossing Airlines Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Global Crossing Airlines Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sensata Technologies Holding N.V. (NYSE:ST Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Hold by the eleven brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have given a hold recommendation, three have assigned a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $35.80. A number of research firms have issued reports on ST. Barclays initiated coverage on Sensata Technologies in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. They issued an overweight rating and a $43.00 price objective for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Sensata Technologies from $40.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of Sensata Technologies in a research note on Monday. Evercore ISI set a $32.00 price objective on shares of Sensata Technologies in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Sensata Technologies from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Get Sensata Technologies alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on ST Insider Transactions at Sensata Technologies Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sensata Technologies In other news, Director Ali John Mirshekari sold 33,933 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.53, for a total transaction of $1,002,041.49. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, EVP Lynne J. Caljouw sold 3,207 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.45, for a total transaction of $104,067.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 66,536 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,159,093.20. The trade was a 4.60% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing . Over the last three months, insiders have sold 272,356 shares of company stock valued at $7,880,364. Insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock. A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ST. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Sensata Technologies by 659.7% in the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 904 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 785 shares during the last quarter. First Horizon Corp bought a new stake in shares of Sensata Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in shares of Sensata Technologies by 446.2% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 994 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 812 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Sensata Technologies by 61.4% during the first quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,036 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 394 shares in the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI purchased a new stake in shares of Sensata Technologies during the first quarter valued at $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.42% of the companys stock. Sensata Technologies Price Performance ST stock opened at $34.74 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 2.91 and a quick ratio of 2.10. Sensata Technologies has a 1 year low of $17.32 and a 1 year high of $36.25. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $31.67 and a 200 day moving average of $30.97. The company has a market cap of $5.06 billion, a P/E ratio of -173.69, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 1.17. Sensata Technologies (NYSE:ST Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $0.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.85 by $0.04. Sensata Technologies had a positive return on equity of 17.22% and a negative net margin of 0.71%.The firm had revenue of $931.98 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $918.83 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.86 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. Sensata Technologies has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.830-0.870 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Sensata Technologies will post 3.21 EPS for the current year. Sensata Technologies Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 12th were issued a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 12th. Sensata Technologiess payout ratio is -240.00%. Sensata Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Sensata Technologies Holding plc develops, manufactures, and sells sensors and sensor-rich solutions, electrical protection components and systems, and other products used in mission-critical systems and applications in the United States and internationally. It operates in two segments, Performance Sensing and Sensing Solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Sensata Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sensata Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers Corp. (NYSE:ECO Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the six analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $37.00. Several research firms recently weighed in on ECO. Clarkson Capital upgraded shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. UBS Group lowered Okeanis Eco Tankers from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers in a research report on Monday. Wall Street Zen upgraded Okeanis Eco Tankers from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 15th. Finally, Zacks Research raised Okeanis Eco Tankers from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Get Okeanis Eco Tankers alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on Okeanis Eco Tankers Institutional Investors Weigh In On Okeanis Eco Tankers Okeanis Eco Tankers Stock Down 1.4% Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ECO. BNP Paribas Financial Markets acquired a new position in Okeanis Eco Tankers in the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers during the third quarter worth about $29,000. State of Wyoming acquired a new position in shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers in the second quarter worth about $107,000. Verition Fund Management LLC purchased a new position in Okeanis Eco Tankers in the third quarter valued at about $211,000. Finally, S.E.E.D. Planning Group LLC purchased a new position in Okeanis Eco Tankers in the third quarter valued at about $234,000. Shares of NYSE:ECO opened at $35.75 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $34.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of $28.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.96 and a beta of -0.01. Okeanis Eco Tankers has a 1 year low of $17.91 and a 1 year high of $39.77. 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 (NYSE:ECO Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $51.29 million. Equities analysts forecast that Okeanis Eco Tankers will post 1.34 earnings per share for the current year. Okeanis Eco Tankers Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 11th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd were given a dividend of $0.75 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 2nd. This is an increase from Okeanis Eco Tankerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.70. This represents a $3.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.4%. Okeanis Eco Tankerss dividend payout ratio is presently 125.52%. 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. See Also 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. BLKBRD Asset Management LP acquired a new position in shares of iShares Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEV Free Report) during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor acquired 8,397 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $531,000. iShares Europe ETF accounts for 0.3% of BLKBRD Asset Management LPs portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest holding. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Aberdeen Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in iShares Europe ETF during the second quarter worth $25,000. Trust Co. of Vermont acquired a new position in shares of iShares Europe ETF in the second quarter worth about $58,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $70,000. Schroder Investment Management Group acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $96,000. Finally, Princeton Global Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $103,000. Get iShares Europe ETF alerts: iShares Europe ETF Trading Down 0.7% NYSEARCA IEV opened at $68.01 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.48 and a beta of 0.91. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $66.43 and a 200 day moving average of $64.68. iShares Europe ETF has a twelve month low of $51.30 and a twelve month high of $68.58. 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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IEV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEV Free Report). 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. BLKBRD Asset Management LP decreased its position in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:FXI Free Report) by 33.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 278,411 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 140,089 shares during the period. iShares China Large-Cap ETF accounts for 5.8% of BLKBRD Asset Management LPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 4th biggest holding. BLKBRD Asset Management LPs holdings in iShares China Large-Cap ETF were worth $10,234,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in FXI. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 22.2% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,650 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $59,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. Wedbush Securities Inc. grew its holdings in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 8,117 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $298,000 after buying an additional 369 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 8,402 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $301,000 after buying an additional 406 shares during the period. ORG Partners LLC increased its position in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 100.0% in the 2nd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the period. Finally, Capital Investment Counsel Inc lifted its holdings in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 1.7% during the second quarter. Capital Investment Counsel Inc now owns 30,156 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,109,000 after buying an additional 518 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares China Large-Cap ETF alerts: iShares China Large-Cap ETF Trading Down 0.3% FXI opened at $39.08 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $39.86 and a 200-day moving average of $38.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.78 and a beta of 0.28. iShares China Large-Cap ETF has a 1-year low of $28.41 and a 1-year high of $42.00. About iShares China Large-Cap ETF iShares China Large-Cap ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the FTSE China 25 Index (the Underlying Index). The Funds portfolio of sectors include Financials, Telecommunication, Oil & gas, Technology and Consumer goods. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FXI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:FXI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares China Large-Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares China Large-Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Key Points More investors are becoming concerned that a recession or bear market is on the horizon. It can be tempting to avoid investing right now, but history suggests the opposite. With the right strategy, you can not only survive a downturn, but thrive. 10 stocks we like better than S&P 500 Index As we head into the new year, it's time to start thinking about how your investing strategy might change in 2026. Some investors are concerned that a recession or bear market may be looming, with close to one-third of investors admitting they feel "bearish" about the market's next six months, according to a December survey from the American Association of Individual Investors. The future of the stock market will always be uncertain to a degree, but is it really safe to continue investing in 2026? History has promising news for investors. Image source: Getty Images. Should you invest now or wait? If a downturn is around the corner, it may seem safer to wait to buy until prices drop. After all, with many stocks at record highs, right now is a pricey time to invest. However, the unpredictability factor can make it nearly impossible to accurately time the market. If you hold off on investing now and stocks continue to surge, you'll miss out on those gains. The longer you wait, the more earnings you could potentially forego. But what if the market does take a turn for the worse in the coming months? The good news is that as long as you keep a long-term outlook, it doesn't necessarily matter whether you buy at the ideal moment. For example, back in December 2007, the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) was on the verge of plunging into the Great Recession. The index lost more than half of its value by 2009, and it took until 2012 for it to begin reaching new highs again. Those years were rough for investors, and if you'd invested in December 2007, it may have seemed like the worst possible moment to buy. After 10 years, though, the S&P 500 had earned total returns of more than 121%. By today, its total returns have surged to nearly 560%. In other words, if you'd invested $5,000 in an S&P 500 index fund in December 2007, you'd have around $33,000 by today -- despite experiencing one of the longest and most severe recessions in U.S. history in that time. This isn't to say that we're on track to see another Great Recession-level downturn in 2026. Nobody -- even the experts -- can say for certain where the market is headed in the short term. But over the long haul, it's incredibly likely stocks will thrive. History shows that even if you invest at a less-than-ideal time, staying in the market for at least a decade or so is one of the best ways to protect your portfolio. Bcwm LLC trimmed its position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 12.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 83,618 shares of the companys stock after selling 11,663 shares during the quarter. Altria Group accounts for 1.6% of Bcwm LLCs holdings, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Bcwm LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $4,903,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MO. Brighton Jones LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 64.7% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 17,702 shares of the companys stock valued at $926,000 after purchasing an additional 6,954 shares during the period. Prudential PLC bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the first quarter valued at approximately $328,000. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. increased its holdings in Altria Group by 100.4% during the first quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. now owns 85,006 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,102,000 after buying an additional 42,595 shares during the period. Azimuth Capital Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Altria Group by 10.8% in the first quarter. Azimuth Capital Investment Management LLC now owns 10,250 shares of the companys stock worth $615,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Horizon Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Altria Group by 3.7% during the first quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 30,695 shares of the companys stock worth $1,842,000 after buying an additional 1,085 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.41% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Altria Group Stock Up 0.1% Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $58.76 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $60.48 and a 200 day moving average price of $61.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $98.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.21, a PEG ratio of 3.33 and a beta of 0.48. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $50.08 and a 52 week high of $68.60. Altria Group Dividend Announcement Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $5.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.31 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 37.89% and a negative return on equity of 319.43%. Altria Groups revenue was down 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.38 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.370-5.45 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 9th. Investors of record on Friday, December 26th will be paid a $1.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.2%. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 80.92%. Altria Group announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Thursday, October 30th that permits the company to buyback $2.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to reacquire up to 1.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on MO. Stifel Nicolaus set a $72.00 price target on Altria Group in a report on Thursday, August 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 22nd. Finally, UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $61.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $62.33. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on MO Altria Group Company Profile (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp boosted its stake in Manulife Financial Corp (NYSE:MFC Free Report) (TSE:MFC) by 90.3% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,727,833 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 1,294,687 shares during the period. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp owned 0.16% of Manulife Financial worth $87,274,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Manulife Financial in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $632,238,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc increased its stake in shares of Manulife Financial by 814.3% during the second quarter. MUFG Securities EMEA plc now owns 6,399,999 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $204,544,000 after acquiring an additional 5,699,999 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in Manulife Financial by 134.3% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 8,444,479 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $263,046,000 after purchasing an additional 4,840,963 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Manulife Financial by 19.4% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 14,008,595 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $453,798,000 after purchasing an additional 2,276,251 shares during the period. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its position in Manulife Financial by 30.0% in the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 9,653,897 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $300,860,000 after purchasing an additional 2,226,152 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.56% of the companys stock. Get Manulife Financial alerts: Manulife Financial Stock Down 0.5% NYSE:MFC opened at $35.47 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $33.54 and a 200 day simple moving average of $31.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $59.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.76 and a beta of 0.83. Manulife Financial Corp has a 1-year low of $25.92 and a 1-year high of $35.88. Manulife Financial Increases Dividend Manulife Financial ( NYSE:MFC Get Free Report ) (TSE:MFC) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.84 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.10. Manulife Financial had a net margin of 9.81% and a return on equity of 16.11%. The company had revenue of $12.90 billion during the quarter. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.00 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Manulife Financial Corp will post 2.87 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 26th will be given a $0.44 dividend. This is a boost from Manulife Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 26th. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.0%. Manulife Financials payout ratio is currently 55.56%. Analyst Ratings Changes MFC has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on Manulife Financial from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, November 14th. UBS Group assumed coverage on Manulife Financial in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. They set a buy rating for the company. Morgan Stanley set a $47.00 price target on shares of Manulife Financial in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. BMO Capital Markets reissued an outperform rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a report on Friday, November 14th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $49.50. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on MFC About Manulife Financial (Free Report) Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in the United States, Canada, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; and Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment offers investment advice and solutions to retirement, retail, and institutional clients through multiple distribution channels, including agents and brokers affiliated with the company, independent securities brokerage firms and financial advisors pension plan consultants, and banks. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Manulife Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Manulife Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ Free Report) by 57.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,037,186 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 378,947 shares during the quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp owned 0.50% of iShares MSCI Japan ETF worth $77,758,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of EWJ. BTG Pactual Asset Management US LLC lifted its position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 0.6% during the second quarter. BTG Pactual Asset Management US LLC now owns 114,262 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $8,566,000 after purchasing an additional 651 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 44.9% during the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,261,058 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $94,540,000 after acquiring an additional 390,526 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 177,088 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $13,276,000 after acquiring an additional 1,820 shares during the period. Betterment LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 19.1% during the 2nd quarter. Betterment LLC now owns 63,362 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $4,750,000 after acquiring an additional 10,175 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quantinno Capital Management LP increased its stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 1.9% in the second quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 31,027 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,326,000 after acquiring an additional 565 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 64.60% of the companys stock. Get iShares MSCI Japan ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Japan ETF Price Performance NYSEARCA EWJ opened at $84.00 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $82.54 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $78.56. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a fifty-two week low of $59.84 and a fifty-two week high of $84.54. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.65 billion, a PE ratio of 14.63 and a beta of 0.68. About iShares MSCI Japan ETF iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index). Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp decreased its position in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI Free Report) by 2.3% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 125,913 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 2,937 shares during the quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp owned 0.20% of United Rentals worth $94,863,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of United Rentals by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,494,303 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $5,646,208,000 after buying an additional 72,267 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in United Rentals by 71.3% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,874,127 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,411,968,000 after purchasing an additional 780,322 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in shares of United Rentals by 6.1% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,231,108 shares of the construction companys stock worth $927,517,000 after purchasing an additional 70,870 shares in the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its stake in shares of United Rentals by 3.7% in the second quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,030,232 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $776,177,000 after purchasing an additional 36,991 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of United Rentals in the second quarter valued at approximately $776,102,000. 96.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get United Rentals alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have issued reports on URI. Baird R W upgraded shares of United Rentals from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. KeyCorp reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of United Rentals in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on United Rentals from $1,000.00 to $1,150.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. BNP Paribas Exane raised United Rentals from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $900.00 target price for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Finally, Evercore ISI restated an outperform rating on shares of United Rentals in a report on Tuesday, August 19th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, United Rentals currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $961.72. United Rentals Stock Performance NYSE:URI opened at $818.41 on Friday. United Rentals, Inc. has a 12 month low of $525.91 and a 12 month high of $1,021.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $52.08 billion, a PE ratio of 21.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 1.68. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $873.46 and its 200 day moving average price is $855.63. United Rentals (NYSE:URI Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The construction company reported $11.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $12.43 by ($0.73). United Rentals had a return on equity of 31.30% and a net margin of 15.83%.The business had revenue of $4.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.16 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $11.80 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that United Rentals, Inc. will post 44.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. United Rentals Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 12th were paid a $1.79 dividend. This represents a $7.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 12th. United Rentalss dividend payout ratio is currently 18.42%. United Rentals Profile (Free Report) United Rentals, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as an equipment rental company. It operates in two segments, General Rentals and Specialty. The General Rentals segment rents general construction and industrial equipment includes backhoes, skid-steer loaders, forklifts, earthmoving equipment, and material handling equipment; aerial work platforms, such as boom and scissor lifts; and general tools and light equipment comprising pressure washers, water pumps, and power tools for construction and industrial companies, manufacturers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners, and government entities. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding URI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for United Rentals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United Rentals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp raised its holdings in shares of Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A Free Report) by 29.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 467,657 shares of the medical research companys stock after acquiring an additional 105,638 shares during the quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp owned approximately 0.16% of Agilent Technologies worth $55,188,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ransom Advisory Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Agilent Technologies during the first quarter worth about $32,000. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division bought a new position in Agilent Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Agilent Technologies during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $64,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Agilent Technologies by 54.8% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 599 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $70,000 after buying an additional 212 shares during the last quarter. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Agilent Technologies by 3,405.3% in the second quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 666 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $79,000 after buying an additional 647 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.41% of the companys stock. Get Agilent Technologies alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A has been the subject of several research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Agilent Technologies in a research note on Tuesday. They set a buy rating and a $170.00 target price for the company. Barclays lifted their target price on Agilent Technologies from $145.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Agilent Technologies in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. They set an overweight rating for the company. Citigroup raised their price target on Agilent Technologies from $165.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Agilent Technologies in a report on Tuesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Agilent Technologies has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $161.77. Insider Transactions at Agilent Technologies In related news, CEO Padraig Mcdonnell sold 12,490 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total transaction of $1,873,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 33,448 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,017,200. This represents a 27.19% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Rodney Gonsalves sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.99, for a total transaction of $464,970.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 31,846 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,935,811.54. The trade was a 8.61% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 16,401 shares of company stock valued at $2,468,962. 0.26% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Agilent Technologies Trading Down 2.3% Shares of A stock opened at $139.56 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $39.57 billion, a PE ratio of 30.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.15 and a beta of 1.27. Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $96.43 and a 1 year high of $160.27. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $145.59 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $129.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 1.96 and a quick ratio of 1.52. Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, November 24th. The medical research company reported $1.59 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.58 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.86 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.83 billion. Agilent Technologies had a return on equity of 25.20% and a net margin of 18.75%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.46 EPS. Agilent Technologies has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.350-1.380 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 5.860-6.000 EPS. Research analysts predict that Agilent Technologies, Inc. will post 5.58 earnings per share for the current year. Agilent Technologies Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 6th will be issued a $0.255 dividend. This is a boost from Agilent Technologiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 6th. This represents a $1.02 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Agilent Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.32%. Agilent Technologies Company Profile (Free Report) Agilent Technologies, Inc provides application focused solutions to the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Life Sciences and Applied Markets, Diagnostics and Genomics, and Agilent CrossLab. The Life Sciences and Applied Markets segment offers liquid chromatography systems and components; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry systems; gas chromatography systems and components; gas chromatography mass spectrometry systems; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instruments; atomic absorption instruments; microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry instruments; inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry instruments; raman spectroscopy; cell analysis plate based assays; flow cytometer; real-time cell analyzer; cell imaging systems; microplate reader; laboratory software; information management and analytics; laboratory automation and robotic systems; dissolution testing; and vacuum pumps, and measurement technologies. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding A? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Agilent Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agilent Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eschler Asset Management LLP acquired a new position in Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM Free Report) (TSE:AEM) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 50,000 shares of the mining companys stock, valued at approximately $5,946,000. Agnico Eagle Mines accounts for 4.4% of Eschler Asset Management LLPs holdings, making the stock its 6th biggest position. Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in AEM. Benjamin Edwards Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 101.8% during the second quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 9,541 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $1,135,000 after acquiring an additional 4,814 shares in the last quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp increased its position in Agnico Eagle Mines by 32.5% during the 2nd quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 1,475,116 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $175,859,000 after purchasing an additional 361,634 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines by 5.1% in the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 140,496 shares of the mining companys stock worth $18,325,000 after purchasing an additional 6,798 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 102.2% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 40,086 shares of the mining companys stock worth $4,767,000 after purchasing an additional 20,257 shares during the period. Finally, Clough Capital Partners L P purchased a new stake in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in the 2nd quarter worth about $1,779,000. 68.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Agnico Eagle Mines alerts: Agnico Eagle Mines Price Performance Shares of AEM opened at $168.18 on Friday. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a fifty-two week low of $76.91 and a fifty-two week high of $187.50. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $166.79 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $145.29. The stock has a market cap of $84.38 billion, a PE ratio of 24.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 2.12. Analyst Ratings Changes Agnico Eagle Mines ( NYSE:AEM Get Free Report ) (TSE:AEM) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The mining company reported $2.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.40. The firm had revenue of $3.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.93 billion. Agnico Eagle Mines had a net margin of 32.62% and a return on equity of 15.64%. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.14 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 4.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. CIBC boosted their price target on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $165.00 to $231.00 and gave the company an outperformer rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $189.00 price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines in a research report on Sunday, December 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered Agnico Eagle Mines from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and increased their target price for the stock from $185.00 to $205.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Scotiabank restated an outperform rating on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on Agnico Eagle Mines from $140.00 to $198.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Agnico Eagle Mines currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $201.60. View Our Latest Research Report on Agnico Eagle Mines Agnico Eagle Mines Profile (Free Report) Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. It explores for gold. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AEM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM Free Report) (TSE:AEM). Receive News & Ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EJF Capital LLC lowered its position in First Horizon Corporation (NYSE:FHN Free Report) by 38.9% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 180,698 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 114,880 shares during the period. First Horizon accounts for approximately 3.0% of EJF Capital LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest holding. EJF Capital LLCs holdings in First Horizon were worth $3,831,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Eventide Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of First Horizon by 178.5% in the second quarter. Eventide Asset Management LLC now owns 30,840 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $649,000 after buying an additional 19,767 shares during the last quarter. Brevan Howard Capital Management LP grew its stake in First Horizon by 234.1% during the 2nd quarter. Brevan Howard Capital Management LP now owns 308,772 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,546,000 after acquiring an additional 216,356 shares in the last quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. acquired a new stake in First Horizon in the 2nd quarter valued at about $15,792,000. Mendon Capital Advisors Corp lifted its stake in First Horizon by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Mendon Capital Advisors Corp now owns 515,540 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $10,929,000 after purchasing an additional 7,770 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC lifted its stake in First Horizon by 28.6% in the 2nd quarter. Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC now owns 227,229 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,817,000 after purchasing an additional 50,596 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.28% of the companys stock. Get First Horizon alerts: Insider Activity In related news, CAO Jeff L. Fleming sold 7,619 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.74, for a total transaction of $165,637.06. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 128,626 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,796,329.24. This trade represents a 5.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP David T. Popwell sold 155,149 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.31, for a total value of $3,306,225.19. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 307,432 shares in the company, valued at $6,551,375.92. This trade represents a 33.54% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.87% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. First Horizon Stock Performance NYSE:FHN opened at $23.59 on Friday. First Horizon Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $15.19 and a fifty-two week high of $24.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 0.96. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $21.84 and a 200 day moving average price of $21.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.30, a PEG ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 0.62. First Horizon (NYSE:FHN Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $0.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.45 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $893.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $848.08 million. First Horizon had a net margin of 18.08% and a return on equity of 10.93%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.42 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that First Horizon Corporation will post 1.67 EPS for the current year. First Horizon announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback program on Monday, October 27th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.20 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to repurchase up to 11.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically an indication that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued. First Horizon Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 12th. First Horizons dividend payout ratio is presently 36.36%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on First Horizon from $25.00 to $23.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of First Horizon in a research note on Tuesday. Truist Financial lifted their price target on First Horizon from $23.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, September 24th. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of First Horizon from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on shares of First Horizon from $24.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $24.50. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on FHN About First Horizon (Free Report) First Horizon Corporation operates as the bank holding company for First Horizon Bank that provides various financial services. The company operates through Regional Banking and Specialty Banking segments. It offers general banking services for consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FHN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for First Horizon Corporation (NYSE:FHN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for First Horizon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Horizon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Grizzlyrock Capital LLC lessened its stake in Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. (NYSE:AMBP Free Report) by 87.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 224,162 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,538,497 shares during the period. Ardagh Metal Packaging accounts for approximately 0.7% of Grizzlyrock Capital LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position. Grizzlyrock Capital LLCs holdings in Ardagh Metal Packaging were worth $959,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in AMBP. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Ardagh Metal Packaging during the second quarter worth about $43,000. Capula Management Ltd acquired a new position in Ardagh Metal Packaging during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $45,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. purchased a new position in shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging during the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new position in shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $47,000. Finally, Signaturefd LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging by 237.4% in the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 11,382 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 8,009 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.93% of the companys stock. Get Ardagh Metal Packaging alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth AMBP has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Ardagh Metal Packaging from $4.50 to $4.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Raymond James Financial assumed coverage on shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. They set a market perform rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging from $3.75 to $4.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $4.28. Ardagh Metal Packaging Trading Up 1.2% NYSE:AMBP opened at $4.12 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $2.46 billion, a P/E ratio of -411.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 0.57. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $3.71 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $3.91. Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. has a twelve month low of $2.50 and a twelve month high of $4.78. Ardagh Metal Packaging (NYSE:AMBP Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The company reported $0.08 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.07 by $0.01. Ardagh Metal Packaging had a net margin of 0.30% and a negative return on equity of 58.16%. The business had revenue of $1.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.39 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.08 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. will post 0.16 earnings per share for the current year. Ardagh Metal Packaging Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 13th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.7%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 3rd. Ardagh Metal Packagings dividend payout ratio is -4,000.00%. About Ardagh Metal Packaging (Free Report) Ardagh Metal Packaging SA, together with its subsidiaries, supplies consumer metal beverage cans in Europe, the United States, and Brazil. Its products are used in various end-use categories, including beer, carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, hard seltzers, juices, pre-mixed cocktails, teas, sparkling waters, and wine. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Ardagh Metal Packaging Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ardagh Metal Packaging and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GMT Capital Corp increased its position in Ero Copper Corp. (NYSE:ERO Free Report) by 7.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,467,055 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 536,030 shares during the quarter. Ero Copper comprises approximately 5.3% of GMT Capital Corps holdings, making the stock its 6th largest position. GMT Capital Corp owned approximately 7.21% of Ero Copper worth $125,865,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Ero Copper by 82.0% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 275,598 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,340,000 after acquiring an additional 124,179 shares during the last quarter. Sprott Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Ero Copper by 64.3% in the 1st quarter. Sprott Inc. now owns 748,185 shares of the companys stock worth $9,068,000 after purchasing an additional 292,896 shares in the last quarter. Maverick Capital Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Ero Copper in the 1st quarter worth approximately $806,000. Decade Renewable Partners LP lifted its stake in Ero Copper by 61.6% during the first quarter. Decade Renewable Partners LP now owns 721,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,743,000 after purchasing an additional 275,100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in Ero Copper during the first quarter worth approximately $1,025,000. Institutional investors own 71.30% of the companys stock. Get Ero Copper alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth ERO has been the topic of several research reports. Jefferies Financial Group cut Ero Copper from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, December 7th. CIBC restated a neutral rating on shares of Ero Copper in a report on Friday, December 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Ero Copper from $18.50 to $25.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Ero Copper from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Stifel Canada cut Ero Copper from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $25.00. Ero Copper Stock Down 2.5% NYSE:ERO opened at $25.31 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $22.62 and its 200 day moving average price is $17.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.03 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. Ero Copper Corp. has a 1-year low of $9.30 and a 1-year high of $26.77. Ero Copper (NYSE:ERO Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.27 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.09). The business had revenue of $177.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $309.30 million. Ero Copper had a return on equity of 17.07% and a net margin of 23.44%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Ero Copper Corp. will post 0.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Ero Copper Profile (Free Report) Ero Copper Corp. engages in the exploration, development, and production of mining projects in Brazil. The company is involved in the production and sale of copper concentrate from the Caraiba operations located in the Curaca Valley, northeastern Bahia state, Brazil, as well as gold and silver by-products. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ERO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Ero Copper Corp. (NYSE:ERO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Ero Copper Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ero Copper and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Humankind Investments LLC grew its stake in shares of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE:ADM Free Report) by 90.9% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 99,376 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 47,314 shares during the period. Archer Daniels Midland makes up 1.3% of Humankind Investments LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. Humankind Investments LLCs holdings in Archer Daniels Midland were worth $5,245,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of ADM. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. purchased a new position in shares of Archer Daniels Midland during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH bought a new position in Archer Daniels Midland during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in Archer Daniels Midland during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC raised its stake in Archer Daniels Midland by 61.2% during the second quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 698 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 265 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Evelyn Partners Investment Management Services Ltd bought a new stake in Archer Daniels Midland in the second quarter worth $37,000. 78.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Archer Daniels Midland alerts: Archer Daniels Midland Price Performance NYSE ADM opened at $60.04 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $60.14 and its 200 day moving average is $57.73. Archer Daniels Midland Company has a fifty-two week low of $40.98 and a fifty-two week high of $65.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 1.37. The company has a market capitalization of $28.85 billion, a PE ratio of 24.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.08 and a beta of 0.70. Archer Daniels Midland Dividend Announcement Archer Daniels Midland ( NYSE:ADM Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.92 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.89 by $0.03. Archer Daniels Midland had a net margin of 1.43% and a return on equity of 8.01%. The company had revenue of $20.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.96 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.09 EPS. The firms revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Archer Daniels Midland has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.250-3.500 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Archer Daniels Midland Company will post 4.31 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 11th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 19th were paid a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 19th. Archer Daniels Midlands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 83.27%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades ADM has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Archer Daniels Midland in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an underweight rating and issued a $59.00 price objective (down from $61.00) on shares of Archer Daniels Midland in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered Archer Daniels Midland from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Archer Daniels Midland has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $55.25. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Archer Daniels Midland About Archer Daniels Midland (Free Report) Archer-Daniels-Midland Company engages in the procurement, transportation, storage, processing, and merchandising of agricultural commodities, ingredients, flavors, and solutions in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Archer Daniels Midland Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Archer Daniels Midland and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Investing.com -- South Korea is positioned for a firmer rebound next year, but ING warns that several key risks could still threaten the outlook. The firms senior economist for South Korea and Japan, Min Joo Kang, said in a note that they expect the economy to prove resilient in 2026, largely thanks to political stability and robust semiconductor demand, yet stresses that the same chip-led recovery may also harbour risks. Kang argues that Koreas growth is unusually dependent on the global semiconductor cycle, like two sides of the same coin. While strong pre-order demand, rising memory prices and a likely double-digit rise in global big tech companies capital expenditure should lift exports, the downside is clear, with the greater the concentration of growth on semiconductors, the more significant the negative repercussions will be when entering a downturn. The construction sector also poses potential headwinds. ING expects the sector to bottom out from the end of 2025, but warned that recent tight corporate bond liquidity could complicate ongoing PF restructuring, potentially delaying a recovery. Housing is seen as another pressure point. Over 26 million people live in the Seoul Metropolitan area, and ING highlights that Korean households hold about 46% of their assets in real estate, far higher than in many OECD countries. If property prices continue rising into local elections, the government may enforce tighter rules. But ING cautions that abrupt rule changes could potentially lead to liquidity issues, given high household debt and the illiquid nature of real estate. Despite these risks, ING still expects GDP growth of 2% in 2026, up from 1.2% in 2025, so long as policymakers avoid shocks and the chip cycle stays supportive. Related articles What risks could derail South Koreas recovery in 2026? 17 Undervalued Small-Cap Tech Stocks Primed to Outperform in Q4 Gold: $4K Breakout Faces First Real Test as Stocks and Sentiment Rise Together Fullerton Fund Management Co Ltd. reduced its stake in iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:INDA Free Report) by 94.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 18,315 shares of the companys stock after selling 317,536 shares during the period. Fullerton Fund Management Co Ltd.s holdings in iShares MSCI India ETF were worth $1,020,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Centricity Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI India ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. WealthShield Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF by 278.7% during the second quarter. WealthShield Partners LLC now owns 693 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 510 shares during the period. Briaud Financial Planning Inc bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF in the second quarter worth about $40,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF in the second quarter worth about $40,000. Finally, Bradley & Co. Private Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI India ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $53,000. Get iShares MSCI India ETF alerts: iShares MSCI India ETF Price Performance INDA opened at $53.11 on Friday. iShares MSCI India ETF has a one year low of $47.60 and a one year high of $59.49. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $54.02 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $53.85. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.22 billion, a price-to-earnings 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. Featured Articles 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. Hudson Way Capital Management LLC lowered its position in KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report) by 63.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 376,353 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 663,709 shares during the period. KBR comprises about 1.6% of Hudson Way Capital Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest position. Hudson Way Capital Management LLC owned about 0.29% of KBR worth $18,042,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Boston Partners grew its position in KBR by 25.6% in the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 5,506,603 shares of the construction companys stock worth $264,474,000 after purchasing an additional 1,122,076 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of KBR by 11.0% in the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 5,465,232 shares of the construction companys stock worth $262,003,000 after buying an additional 539,565 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in shares of KBR by 8.1% in the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 4,090,874 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $196,116,000 after acquiring an additional 308,268 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its position in shares of KBR by 17.8% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 3,419,468 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $163,929,000 after acquiring an additional 517,633 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in KBR by 11.2% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,427,015 shares of the construction companys stock worth $120,891,000 after acquiring an additional 244,094 shares during the period. 97.02% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get KBR alerts: KBR Price Performance NYSE KBR opened at $43.50 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. The company has a market cap of $5.52 billion, a PE ratio of 14.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.54. KBR, Inc. has a 52 week low of $39.61 and a 52 week high of $60.98. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $42.97 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $47.06. KBR Dividend Announcement KBR ( NYSE:KBR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The construction company reported $1.02 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.95 by $0.07. KBR had a net margin of 4.71% and a return on equity of 35.14%. The company had revenue of $1.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.99 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.84 EPS. KBRs revenue was down .3% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that KBR, Inc. will post 3.26 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.165 per share. This represents a $0.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. KBRs payout ratio is presently 22.68%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have issued reports on KBR. Citigroup reduced their price objective on KBR from $62.00 to $57.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Truist Financial set a $62.00 price target on shares of KBR in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Oppenheimer initiated coverage on shares of KBR in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. They issued an outperform rating and a $60.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of KBR in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $45.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of KBR in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, KBR has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $59.09. View Our Latest Stock Report on KBR KBR Profile (Free Report) KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KBR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for KBR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP purchased a new position in UiPath, Inc. (NYSE:PATH Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund purchased 8,012,400 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $102,559,000. UiPath comprises about 0.3% of Hudson Bay Capital Management LPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest holding. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP owned 1.50% of UiPath as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of PATH. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in UiPath in the second quarter worth about $28,000. AdvisorNet Financial Inc grew its holdings in shares of UiPath by 320.4% during the second quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 2,476 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 1,887 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of UiPath by 48.0% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,989 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 969 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc raised its holdings in UiPath by 508.0% in the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 3,283 shares of the companys stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 2,743 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group raised its holdings in UiPath by 314.3% in the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 4,508 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after acquiring an additional 3,420 shares during the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get UiPath alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, insider Brad Brubaker sold 27,580 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.55, for a total value of $511,609.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 635,359 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,785,909.45. This represents a 4.16% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Daniel Dines sold 45,000 shares of UiPath stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.61, for a total transaction of $837,450.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 29,063,585 shares in the company, valued at approximately $540,873,316.85. This trade represents a 0.15% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 2,391,582 shares of company stock worth $35,767,934. 23.19% of the stock is owned by company insiders. UiPath Stock Performance PATH stock opened at $17.42 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $9.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.46, a P/E/G ratio of 5.37 and a beta of 1.10. The businesss 50-day moving average is $15.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $13.28. UiPath, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $9.38 and a fifty-two week high of $19.84. UiPath (NYSE:PATH Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, December 3rd. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.02. UiPath had a net margin of 14.79% and a return on equity of 3.73%. The business had revenue of $411.11 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $392.46 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.11 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that UiPath, Inc. will post -0.17 earnings per share for the current year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have commented on PATH. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a hold rating on shares of UiPath in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. DA Davidson increased their price objective on UiPath from $12.00 to $15.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Zacks Research downgraded UiPath from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on UiPath from $15.00 to $19.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of UiPath in a report on Thursday, December 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, UiPath has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $16.00. Get Our Latest Stock Report on UiPath UiPath Company Profile (Free Report) UiPath Inc provides an end-to-end automation platform that offers a range of robotic process automation (RPA) solutions primarily in the United States, Romania, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company offers a suite of interrelated software to build, manage, run, engage, measure, and govern automation within the organization. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PATH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for UiPath, Inc. (NYSE:PATH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for UiPath Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UiPath and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP bought a new position in Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE:OHI Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 1,945,747 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $71,312,000. Omega Healthcare Investors comprises about 0.2% of Hudson Bay Capital Management LPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th largest holding. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP owned about 0.66% of Omega Healthcare Investors at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in OHI. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new position in Omega Healthcare Investors during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. CENTRAL TRUST Co raised its holdings in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors by 1,654.4% during the 2nd quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 1,000 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 943 shares in the last quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd lifted its stake in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors by 395.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 1,129 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 901 shares during the last quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors during the 2nd quarter worth about $41,000. Finally, Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors in the second quarter worth about $63,000. 65.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Omega Healthcare Investors alerts: Insider Activity at Omega Healthcare Investors In other news, CEO C Taylor Pickett bought 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was bought at an average price of $43.14 per share, for a total transaction of $862,800.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 20,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $862,800. The trade was a ? increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CIO Vikas Gupta purchased 11,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $42.97 per share, for a total transaction of $494,155.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive owned 13,773 shares in the company, valued at $591,825.81. The trade was a 505.94% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock. Omega Healthcare Investors Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:OHI opened at $44.05 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 7.11 and a quick ratio of 7.11. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $42.93 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $40.66. Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $35.04 and a fifty-two week high of $46.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 0.56. Omega Healthcare Investors (NYSE:OHI Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.02. Omega Healthcare Investors had a return on equity of 10.72% and a net margin of 46.83%.The company had revenue of $311.59 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $262.48 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.71 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. Omega Healthcare Investors has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.080-3.100 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. will post 2.86 EPS for the current fiscal year. Omega Healthcare Investors Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 3rd. Omega Healthcare Investorss dividend payout ratio is currently 149.72%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have commented on OHI shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Scotiabank boosted their target price on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors from $41.00 to $44.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. UBS Group began coverage on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued a buy rating and a $50.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, September 11th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $46.63. Read Our Latest Analysis on Omega Healthcare Investors About Omega Healthcare Investors (Free Report) Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc engages in the provision of financing and capital to the long-term healthcare industry with a particular focus on skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, independent living facilities, rehabilitation and acute care facilities, and medical office buildings. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OHI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE:OHI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Omega Healthcare Investors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Omega Healthcare Investors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP lifted its stake in Urban Edge Properties (NYSE:UE Free Report) by 47.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,949,069 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 624,645 shares during the quarter. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP owned about 1.55% of Urban Edge Properties worth $36,370,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UE. Intech Investment Management LLC increased its position in Urban Edge Properties by 41.3% during the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 101,897 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,936,000 after purchasing an additional 29,808 shares during the last quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC grew its position in Urban Edge Properties by 1,194.7% in the first quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 145,625 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,767,000 after acquiring an additional 134,377 shares during the period. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. acquired a new stake in Urban Edge Properties during the first quarter worth $1,900,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. purchased a new stake in Urban Edge Properties in the second quarter valued at $2,032,000. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Urban Edge Properties by 44.3% during the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 50,921 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $969,000 after purchasing an additional 15,621 shares during the period. 94.94% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Urban Edge Properties alerts: Urban Edge Properties Stock Up 1.2% Shares of NYSE UE opened at $19.67 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $2.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.10 and a beta of 1.04. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $19.37 and its 200-day simple moving average is $19.50. Urban Edge Properties has a 12-month low of $15.66 and a 12-month high of $22.84. The company has a current ratio of 2.61, a quick ratio of 2.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18. Urban Edge Properties Announces Dividend Urban Edge Properties ( NYSE:UE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.35 by $0.01. Urban Edge Properties had a return on equity of 8.10% and a net margin of 23.73%.The company had revenue of $120.13 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $117.85 million. Urban Edge Properties has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.420-1.440 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Urban Edge Properties will post 1.4 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a $0.19 dividend. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. Urban Edge Propertiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 85.39%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of Urban Edge Properties from $21.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research note on Monday, September 15th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Urban Edge Properties from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, September 24th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Urban Edge Properties in a report on Monday. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH started coverage on Urban Edge Properties in a research report on Tuesday, September 9th. They issued a neutral rating and a $23.00 target price on the stock. Finally, UBS Group assumed coverage on Urban Edge Properties in a research report on Friday, October 24th. They set a neutral rating and a $21.00 price target for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Urban Edge Properties currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $22.00. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on UE Urban Edge Properties Company Profile (Free Report) Urban Edge Properties is a NYSE listed real estate investment trust focused on owning, managing, acquiring, developing, and redeveloping retail real estate in urban communities, primarily in the Washington, DC to Boston corridor. Urban Edge owns 76 properties totaling 17.1 million square feet of gross leasable area. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Urban Edge Properties (NYSE:UE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Urban Edge Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Urban Edge Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Henry James International Management Inc. reduced its position in shares of Intercontinental Hotels Group (NYSE:IHG Free Report) by 6.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 107,511 shares of the companys stock after selling 7,708 shares during the quarter. Intercontinental Hotels Group comprises about 4.1% of Henry James International Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest position. Henry James International Management Inc.s holdings in Intercontinental Hotels Group were worth $12,400,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Intercontinental Hotels Group by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 22,347 shares of the companys stock worth $2,449,000 after buying an additional 676 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its position in Intercontinental Hotels Group by 3.5% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 14,101 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,545,000 after purchasing an additional 476 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Intercontinental Hotels Group by 23.3% in the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,738 shares of the companys stock valued at $191,000 after purchasing an additional 328 shares in the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Intercontinental Hotels Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $104,000. Finally, Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. bought a new position in shares of Intercontinental Hotels Group during the first quarter valued at approximately $693,000. 15.09% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Intercontinental Hotels Group alerts: Intercontinental Hotels Group Trading Up 1.5% Intercontinental Hotels Group stock opened at $138.33 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $127.62 and a two-hundred day moving average of $121.75. Intercontinental Hotels Group has a one year low of $94.78 and a one year high of $139.52. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts recently commented on IHG shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Intercontinental Hotels Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Intercontinental Hotels Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, September 26th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Intercontinental Hotels Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Intercontinental Hotels Group from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Intercontinental Hotels Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold. View Our Latest Research Report on Intercontinental Hotels Group Intercontinental Hotels Group Profile (Free Report) InterContinental Hotels Group PLC owns, manages, franchises, and leases hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Greater China. The company operates hotels under the Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, voco, HUALUXE, Crowne Plaza, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, EVEN, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, Garner, avid hotels, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and Candlewood Suites brand names. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IHG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Intercontinental Hotels Group (NYSE:IHG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Intercontinental Hotels Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Intercontinental Hotels Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Elevatus Welath Management raised its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 1,240.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 20,627 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after acquiring an additional 19,088 shares during the quarter. Elevatus Welath Managements holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $2,806,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 172,800,851 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $23,502,644,000 after purchasing an additional 2,977,715 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 0.9% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 78,354,270 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $10,656,964,000 after buying an additional 689,517 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 3.8% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 38,293,067 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $5,184,589,000 after buying an additional 1,390,554 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 12.8% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 29,763,415 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $3,948,117,000 after acquiring an additional 3,371,113 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 2nd quarter valued at $3,026,180,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.18% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Stock Up 1.8% Shares of NYSE:ABT opened at $125.47 on Friday. Abbott Laboratories has a 1 year low of $110.86 and a 1 year high of $141.23. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $127.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $130.49. 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 $218.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.72, a PEG ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.72. Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.30. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 31.88% and a return on equity of 17.60%. The company had revenue of $11.37 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.40 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.21 earnings per share. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 15th were paid 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 currently 29.57%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have recently commented on ABT. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Monday. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $147.00 price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. BTIG Research reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $145.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Benchmark began coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Friday, October 10th. They issued a buy rating and a $145.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $144.00 to $142.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Two investment 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 company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $147.00. Read Our Latest Stock Report on ABT Abbott Laboratories Company 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. Featured Stories 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. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP cut its holdings in shares of Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU Free Report) by 14.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,876,248 shares of the coal producers stock after selling 306,776 shares during the period. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP owned about 1.54% of Peabody Energy worth $25,179,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Peabody Energy by 57.7% during the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,229 shares of the coal producers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 816 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its position in shares of Peabody Energy by 48.5% during the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 2,353 shares of the coal producers stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 768 shares in the last quarter. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Peabody Energy in the second quarter worth $34,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in Peabody Energy by 65.2% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,886 shares of the coal producers stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 1,533 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Byrne Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Peabody Energy by 27.2% during the 2nd quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC now owns 4,129 shares of the coal producers stock valued at $55,000 after acquiring an additional 884 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.44% of the companys stock. Get Peabody Energy alerts: Peabody Energy Stock Performance Shares of NYSE BTU opened at $29.10 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $29.21 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $21.25. The firm has a market cap of $3.54 billion, a P/E ratio of -100.34 and a beta of 0.57. Peabody Energy Corporation has a 1 year low of $9.61 and a 1 year high of $35.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a current ratio of 1.99. Peabody Energy Announces Dividend Peabody Energy ( NYSE:BTU Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The coal producer reported ($0.58) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.19) by ($0.39). The business had revenue of $1.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $990.20 million. Peabody Energy had a negative net margin of 0.83% and a negative return on equity of 0.25%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.74 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Peabody Energy Corporation will post 2.61 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th were issued a $0.075 dividend. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 13th. Peabody Energys payout ratio is presently -103.45%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on BTU. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Peabody Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, November 22nd. B. Riley raised their target price on shares of Peabody Energy from $18.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 9th. Benchmark upped their target price on Peabody Energy from $23.00 to $32.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d+) rating on shares of Peabody Energy in a report on Monday. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded Peabody Energy from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $27.40. Check Out Our Latest Report on Peabody Energy About Peabody Energy (Free Report) Peabody Energy Corporation engages in coal mining business in the United States, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, India, Brazil, Belgium, Chile, France, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Germany, and internationally. The company operates through Seaborne Thermal, Seaborne Metallurgical, Powder River Basin, Other U.S. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BTU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Peabody Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Peabody Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fullerton Fund Management Co Ltd. grew its position in Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX Free Report) by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 706,039 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after buying an additional 27,188 shares during the period. Boston Scientific accounts for approximately 3.1% of Fullerton Fund Management Co Ltd.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th largest position. Fullerton Fund Management Co Ltd.s holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $75,836,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of Boston Scientific by 15.4% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 29,486 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $3,167,000 after purchasing an additional 3,932 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its stake in Boston Scientific by 1.1% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 65,191,864 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $7,002,258,000 after purchasing an additional 713,379 shares in the last quarter. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG boosted its position in shares of Boston Scientific by 75.3% during the second quarter. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG now owns 164,654 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $17,685,000 after buying an additional 70,753 shares during the period. MRA Advisory Group purchased a new position in shares of Boston Scientific during the second quarter worth $273,000. Finally, Bank of New Hampshire grew its stake in shares of Boston Scientific by 552.0% in the second quarter. Bank of New Hampshire now owns 19,724 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $2,119,000 after buying an additional 16,699 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.07% of the companys stock. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Boston Scientific Stock Up 0.9% BSX stock opened at $92.58 on Friday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $98.85 and its 200 day moving average price is $101.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $137.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.51, a PEG ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 0.67. Boston Scientific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $85.98 and a fifty-two week high of $109.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.51. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Boston Scientific ( NYSE:BSX Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The medical equipment provider reported $0.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.04. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 14.43% and a return on equity of 19.46%. The company had revenue of $5.07 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.97 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.63 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue 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. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Boston Scientific Corporation will post 2.85 EPS for the current fiscal year. BSX has been the topic of several research reports. Erste Group Bank lowered Boston Scientific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Evercore ISI reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Boston Scientific in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $124.00 price objective on shares of Boston Scientific in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $133.00 to $136.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Truist Financial increased their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $129.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Boston Scientific presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $124.43. Read Our Latest Analysis on BSX Insider Transactions at Boston Scientific In related news, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 178,342 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,739,678.74. The trade was a 21.90% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Arthur C. Butcher sold 17,313 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.55, for a total value of $1,758,135.15. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 23,600 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,396,580. This represents a 42.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders sold 143,095 shares of company stock valued at $14,228,950. Insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock. About Boston Scientific (Free Report) Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through two segments, MedSurg and Cardiovascular. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions, such as resolution clips, biliary stent systems, stents and electrocautery enhanced delivery systems, direct visualization systems, digital catheters, and single-use duodenoscopes; devices to treat urological conditions, including ureteral stents, catheters, baskets, guidewires, sheaths, balloons, single-use digital flexible ureteroscopes, holmium laser systems, artificial urinary sphincter, laser system, fiber, and hydrogel systems; and devices to treat neurological movement disorders and manage chronic pain, such as spinal cord stimulator system, proprietary programming software, radiofrequency generator, indirect decompression systems, practice optimization tools, and deep brain stimulation system. Read More 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. HRT Financial LP increased its position in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL Free Report) by 950.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 254,954 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 230,672 shares during the period. HRT Financial LPs holdings in Aflac were worth $26,887,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Aflac in the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Aflac in the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC raised its position in Aflac by 1,526.7% in the 2nd quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 244 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 229 shares during the last quarter. Hilltop National Bank acquired a new stake in Aflac during the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Finally, Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Aflac during the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.44% of the companys stock. Get Aflac alerts: Insider Transactions at Aflac In other news, Director Joseph L. Moskowitz sold 1,000 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.00, for a total transaction of $114,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 23,615 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,692,110. The trade was a 4.06% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Audrey B. Tillman sold 15,862 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.00, for a total transaction of $1,776,544.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 230,688 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,837,056. The trade was a 6.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 26,274 shares of company stock valued at $2,948,167. Company insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In AFL has been the subject of several recent research reports. Piper Sandler set a $125.00 target price on shares of Aflac and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on Aflac from $108.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Barclays reissued an underweight rating and issued a $104.00 target price (up previously from $102.00) on shares of Aflac in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Evercore ISI increased their price target on Aflac from $110.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Aflac from $107.00 to $109.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $111.00. Get Our Latest Analysis on Aflac Aflac Trading Up 1.1% NYSE:AFL opened at $110.10 on Friday. Aflac Incorporated has a 1 year low of $96.95 and a 1 year high of $115.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 0.11 and a current ratio of 0.11. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $110.02 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $106.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $57.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.37, a PEG ratio of 3.20 and a beta of 0.66. Aflac (NYSE:AFL Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.07 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $5.91 billion for the quarter. Aflac had a net margin of 23.55% and a return on equity of 14.97%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Aflac Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 18th will be issued a $0.61 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 18th. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. This is an increase from Aflacs previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. Aflacs payout ratio is currently 30.29%. Aflac Profile (Free Report) Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. The company operates through Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. segments. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AFL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Aflac Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aflac and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Once positioned to be a killer in the electric vehicle industry, Rivian (RIVN), has been lagging the likes of Tesla (TSLA) and Googles (GOOG) (GOOGL) Waymo both in terms of adoption and sales. Moreover, the companys stock is down more than 80% from its IPO levels in 2021. For context, Teslas stock has more than doubled in this period. But Tesla has its hands full in other domains like artificial intelligence, and it seems like Rivian is making a strategic bet to drive future growth from AI as well. More News from Barchart Autonomy and AI Day Rivian hosted its first Autonomy & AI Day on Dec. 11. The event was designed to showcase Rivians autonomous driving and artificial intelligence strategy, including its technology roadmap for future vehicle autonomy. At the event, Rivian showcased a major push into self-driving technology, unveiling a custom chip, an in-house vehicle computer, and new AI models built for its next-generation lineup. The company says these advances will lay the foundation for hands-free driving and eventually higher levels of autonomy. Beginning in early 2026, Rivian plans to offer an Autonomy+ package for its new vehicles, available either as a one-time fee or a monthly subscription. Executives say a coming software update will introduce Universal Hands-Free, allowing drivers to go hands-free across millions of miles of mapped roads in North America. Rivians autonomy roadmap also opens the door to future robotaxi services, expanding beyond personal vehicles once its technology matures. The companys new AI-powered voice assistant and its high-bandwidth chip, scheduled for release in 2026, are meant to bolster its reputation as an innovator at a time when U.S. EV demand has softened. Although shares are up more than 20% in the year to date, they are in the red for the past month, and are negative on Thursday despite the AI and autonomy announcements. www.barchart.com Rivians Financials in Review Rivian is yet to turn a profit, and that makes it an arduous task for it to compete with deep-pocketed players in the domestic and international EV arena. However, Q3 2025 showed some hope for improvement. The company reported a beat on both the top line and bottom line. Total revenues of $1.56 billion represented a substantial year-over-year growth of 78.3%. Automotive revenues grew almost 4x to $2.9 billion from just $776 million in the year-ago period, and revenues from the software and services segment saw a leap to $416 million from a mere $98 million in the prior year. VanEck Gold Miners ETF (NYSEARCA:GDX Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $85.50 and last traded at $86.0220, with a volume of 6044693 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $83.32. VanEck Gold Miners ETF Stock Performance The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $77.14 and a 200 day simple moving average of $65.04. The firm has a market cap of $25.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.70 and a beta of 0.55. Get VanEck Gold Miners ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of VanEck Gold Miners ETF Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of GDX. Ethos Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of VanEck Gold Miners ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $309,000. American National Bank & Trust purchased a new position in VanEck Gold Miners ETF in the second quarter valued at $68,000. Catalyst Funds Management Pty Ltd acquired a new position in shares of VanEck Gold Miners ETF in the second quarter worth about $10,277,000. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. boosted its stake in shares of VanEck Gold Miners ETF by 32.2% during the 2nd quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 158,387 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $8,246,000 after acquiring an additional 38,615 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Integrity Alliance LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of VanEck Gold Miners ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $254,000. VanEck Gold Miners ETF Company Profile 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. Read More 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. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk (NYSE:TLK Free Report) by 8.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 14,916,907 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,147,045 shares during the quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC owned about 1.51% of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk worth $252,690,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk during the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in shares of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk by 1,258.9% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 2,446 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 2,266 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP increased its stake in shares of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk by 1,032.4% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 2,412 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 2,199 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk by 146.2% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,656 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 1,577 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk by 136.0% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,511 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 2,023 shares during the period. Get PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Reduce. PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk Trading Down 0.6% Shares of TLK opened at $21.45 on Friday. PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk has a twelve month low of $13.15 and a twelve month high of $22.39. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.89, a PEG ratio of 3.36 and a beta of 0.39. The firms 50-day moving average is $20.40 and its two-hundred day moving average is $18.87. PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk (NYSE:TLK Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, December 1st. The utilities provider reported ($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of ($4,514.03) million for the quarter. PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk had a net margin of 14.78% and a return on equity of 13.86%. On average, research analysts predict that PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk will post 1.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk (Free Report) Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk provides information and communications technology, and telecommunications network services worldwide. The company operates through mobile, consumer, enterprise, Wholesale and International Business, and Other segments. The Mobile segment offers mobile voice, SMS, value added services, and mobile broadband services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL Free Report) by 10.5% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 129,618 shares of the enterprise software providers stock after purchasing an additional 12,353 shares during the period. EP Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Oracle were worth $28,338,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Swiss National Bank lifted its holdings in Oracle by 7.6% in the 2nd quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 5,093,200 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $1,113,526,000 after purchasing an additional 360,000 shares in the last quarter. Private Wealth Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Oracle by 9.2% in the second quarter. Private Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 3,817 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $835,000 after buying an additional 321 shares during the last quarter. Soltis Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Oracle by 4.8% in the second quarter. Soltis Investment Advisors LLC now owns 32,937 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $7,201,000 after buying an additional 1,515 shares in the last quarter. Cascade Investment Group Inc. acquired a new position in Oracle during the second quarter worth about $239,000. Finally, Lockerman Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Oracle during the 2nd quarter valued at about $328,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 42.44% of the companys stock. Get Oracle alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have recently weighed in on ORCL. Oppenheimer restated a market perform rating on shares of Oracle in a report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on Oracle from $270.00 to $230.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Oracle in a research note on Monday. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Oracle from $375.00 to $370.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Finally, KeyCorp reduced their price target on shares of Oracle from $350.00 to $300.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-six have given a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Oracle has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $301.57. Oracle Stock Performance NYSE:ORCL opened at $189.64 on Friday. Oracle Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $118.86 and a fifty-two week high of $345.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.28, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.91. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $245.58 and a 200 day moving average price of $240.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $540.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.65, a PEG ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 1.66. Oracle (NYSE:ORCL Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, December 10th. The enterprise software provider reported $2.26 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.64 by $0.62. Oracle had a return on equity of 70.60% and a net margin of 25.28%.The company had revenue of $16.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.19 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.47 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Oracle Corporation will post 5 EPS for the current year. Oracle Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, January 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 9th. Oracles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.59%. Insider Activity at Oracle In other news, EVP Maria Smith sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $280.62, for a total transaction of $1,403,100.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 47,083 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,212,431.46. This represents a 9.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Clayton M. Magouyrk sold 40,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $276.64, for a total transaction of $11,065,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 154,030 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,610,859.20. The trade was a 20.62% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders sold 171,513 shares of company stock valued at $50,397,893. 40.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Oracle Profile (Free Report) Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Cerner healthcare, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ORCL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Oracle Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oracle and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lazard Asset Management LLC trimmed its stake in shares of Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP Free Report) by 8.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 620,306 shares of the banks stock after selling 59,593 shares during the quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC owned 0.78% of Credicorp worth $138,650,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of BAP. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Credicorp in the 1st quarter valued at about $327,000. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in Credicorp by 9.3% in the first quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 18,013 shares of the banks stock valued at $3,358,000 after acquiring an additional 1,534 shares in the last quarter. National Pension Service lifted its stake in Credicorp by 0.7% in the first quarter. National Pension Service now owns 17,592 shares of the banks stock worth $3,275,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in Credicorp during the 1st quarter worth approximately $108,000. Finally, Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. grew its holdings in Credicorp by 94.2% during the 1st quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. now owns 5,494 shares of the banks stock worth $1,023,000 after acquiring an additional 2,665 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.81% of the companys stock. Get Credicorp alerts: Credicorp Trading Up 0.2% BAP opened at $282.17 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. Credicorp Ltd. has a 52 week low of $165.51 and a 52 week high of $285.50. The businesss 50 day moving average is $259.60 and its two-hundred day moving average is $246.42. The firm has a market cap of $22.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 0.90. Analyst Ratings Changes Credicorp ( NYSE:BAP Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 13th. The bank reported $6.17 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.05 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $1.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.71 billion. Credicorp had a return on equity of 19.50% and a net margin of 23.59%. On average, research analysts predict that Credicorp Ltd. will post 21.9 EPS for the current year. Several research firms have recently issued reports on BAP. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Credicorp from $257.00 to $318.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Zacks Research raised Credicorp from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, September 26th. HSBC cut Credicorp from a buy rating to a hold rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $225.00 to $255.00 in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Citigroup raised their target price on Credicorp from $255.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Credicorp from $242.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, November 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $265.17. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Credicorp About Credicorp (Free Report) Credicorp Ltd. provides various financial, insurance, and health services and products primarily in Peru and internationally. It operates through Universal Banking, Insurance and Pensions, Microfinance, and Investment Banking and Equity Management segments. The Universal Banking segment grants various credits and financial instruments to individuals and legal entities; and various deposits and current accounts. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Credicorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credicorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE:EMR Free Report) by 1.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 817,051 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 10,046 shares during the quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC owned about 0.15% of Emerson Electric worth $108,937,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in EMR. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Emerson Electric by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 54,129,898 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $7,217,139,000 after buying an additional 695,105 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Emerson Electric by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 27,053,019 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,606,979,000 after acquiring an additional 784,987 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in shares of Emerson Electric by 6.9% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 15,280,950 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,675,403,000 after acquiring an additional 980,652 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in Emerson Electric by 75.0% in the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 12,538,402 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,671,762,000 after purchasing an additional 5,371,585 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Emerson Electric by 0.7% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 12,143,357 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,610,958,000 after purchasing an additional 89,192 shares during the last quarter. 74.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Emerson Electric alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Emerson Electric In other news, CEO Surendralal Lanca Karsanbhai sold 7,263 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.00, for a total transaction of $965,979.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 196,292 shares in the company, valued at $26,106,836. This trade represents a 3.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.50% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Emerson Electric Stock Performance Emerson Electric stock opened at $136.60 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $76.81 billion, a PE ratio of 33.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 1.26. Emerson Electric Co. has a one year low of $90.06 and a one year high of $150.27. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $132.21 and its 200 day moving average price is $132.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 0.88. Emerson Electric (NYSE:EMR Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 6th. The industrial products company reported $0.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Emerson Electric had a net margin of 12.73% and a return on equity of 15.87%. The company had revenue of $3.16 billion for the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Emerson Electric Co. will post 5.96 EPS for the current fiscal year. Emerson Electric declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, November 5th that allows the company to repurchase $0.00 in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the industrial products company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued. Emerson Electric Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th were issued a $0.555 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $2.22 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.6%. This is an increase from Emerson Electrics previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. Emerson Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 54.95%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades EMR has been the subject of several research reports. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a hold rating and set a $145.00 price objective on shares of Emerson Electric in a research note on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Emerson Electric from $151.00 to $150.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Barclays raised their price objective on Emerson Electric from $127.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Daiwa Capital Markets boosted their target price on Emerson Electric from $150.00 to $153.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, September 24th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Emerson Electric in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $147.67. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Emerson Electric Emerson Electric Profile (Free Report) Emerson Electric Co, a technology and software company, provides various solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets in the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. It operates in six segments: Final Control, Control Systems & Software, Measurement & Analytical, AspenTech, Discrete Automation, and Safety & Productivity. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Emerson Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Emerson Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Xero Limited (ASX:XRO Get Free Report) insider Dale Murray purchased 1,286 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 11th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of A$115.30 per share, with a total value of A$148,274.51. Xero Stock Performance The company has a market cap of $31.28 billion, a PE ratio of 179.38, a PEG ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a quick ratio of 5.24, a current ratio of 6.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 87.88. Get Xero alerts: About Xero (Get Free Report) See Also Xero Limited, together with its subsidiaries, a software as a service company, provides online business solutions for small businesses and their advisors in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. It offers Xero, an open platform that connects small businesses to a range of solutions, which helps to manage their finances. Receive News & Ratings for Xero Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Xero and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. (NYSE:HVT Get Free Report) Director Rawson Haverty, Jr. sold 7,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.86, for a total transaction of $186,450.00. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Haverty Furniture Companies Trading Down 1.3% HVT opened at $24.70 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $22.21 and a 200 day moving average price of $21.84. Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $17.01 and a 1 year high of $25.20. The stock has a market cap of $401.84 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.67, a PEG ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.27. Get Haverty Furniture Companies alerts: Haverty Furniture Companies (NYSE:HVT Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.24 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $194.48 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $183.12 million. Haverty Furniture Companies had a return on equity of 6.34% and a net margin of 2.62%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. will post 0.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Haverty Furniture Companies Increases Dividend Institutional Trading of Haverty Furniture Companies The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 11th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 25th were paid a $0.33 dividend. This represents a $1.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.3%. This is a boost from Haverty Furniture Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 25th. Haverty Furniture Companiess dividend payout ratio is presently 115.79%. Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HVT. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in Haverty Furniture Companies by 1,929.3% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,522 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 1,447 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Haverty Furniture Companies in the second quarter worth $31,000. State of Wyoming bought a new position in Haverty Furniture Companies during the second quarter worth $58,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its position in Haverty Furniture Companies by 7.9% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 8,898 shares of the companys stock worth $175,000 after acquiring an additional 651 shares during the period. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in Haverty Furniture Companies by 146.3% during the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 9,201 shares of the companys stock valued at $187,000 after purchasing an additional 5,465 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.57% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have recently commented on HVT. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Haverty Furniture Companies from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Haverty Furniture Companies from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Sunday, November 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Haverty Furniture Companies in a report on Monday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Haverty Furniture Companies has a consensus rating of Hold. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Haverty Furniture Companies About Haverty Furniture Companies (Get Free Report) Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc operates as a specialty retailer of residential furniture and accessories in the United States. The company offers furniture merchandise under the Havertys brand name. It also provides custom upholstery products and eclectic looks; and mattress product lines under the Tempur-Pedic, Serta, Sealy, and Stearns and Foster names. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Haverty Furniture Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Haverty Furniture Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. London Co. of Virginia lowered its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJH Free Report) by 45.9% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 188,793 shares of the companys stock after selling 160,348 shares during the period. London Co. of Virginias holdings in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF were worth $11,709,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Next Level Private LLC raised its position in shares of iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF by 1.2% during the second quarter. Next Level Private LLC now owns 13,725 shares of the companys stock valued at $851,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Freestone Capital Holdings LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF by 1.1% during the second quarter. Freestone Capital Holdings LLC now owns 14,950 shares of the companys stock worth $927,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. grew its stake in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF by 2.9% during the second quarter. Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. now owns 5,890 shares of the companys stock valued at $365,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares in the last quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC now owns 21,544 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,373,000 after acquiring an additional 173 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mine & Arao Wealth Creation & Management LLC. increased its holdings in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Mine & Arao Wealth Creation & Management LLC. now owns 26,103 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,619,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. 14.60% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF Stock Down 1.3% IJH opened at $67.17 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $103.08 billion, a PE ratio of 19.00 and a beta of 1.07. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $65.20 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $64.03. iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF has a 52 week low of $50.15 and a 52 week high of $68.22. iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF Profile Ishares S&P Midcap 400 Index Fund, formerly The iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (the Fund), seeks investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the United States mid-cap stocks, as represented by the Standard & Poors MidCap 400 (the Underlying Index). See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IJH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. London Co. of Virginia increased its stake in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC Free Report) by 15.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,844,928 shares of the railroad operators stock after buying an additional 250,055 shares during the period. Norfolk Southern comprises about 2.7% of London Co. of Virginias investment portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest position. London Co. of Virginias holdings in Norfolk Southern were worth $472,254,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 20,561,273 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $5,263,069,000 after purchasing an additional 239,914 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in Norfolk Southern by 31.5% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 11,319,010 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $2,680,910,000 after purchasing an additional 2,710,930 shares in the last quarter. Dodge & Cox increased its holdings in Norfolk Southern by 1.8% in the second quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 10,859,121 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $2,779,609,000 after buying an additional 192,567 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Norfolk Southern by 0.8% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,822,075 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $1,228,064,000 after buying an additional 36,362 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. raised its stake in Norfolk Southern by 4.6% during the second quarter. EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. now owns 4,182,921 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $1,070,702,000 after buying an additional 184,586 shares in the last quarter. 75.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Norfolk Southern alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Norfolk Southern news, Director William Jr. Clyburn purchased 204 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 5th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $294.79 per share, with a total value of $60,137.16. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 405 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $119,389.95. This trade represents a 101.49% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Richard H. Anderson acquired 2,600 shares of Norfolk Southern stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 27th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $281.86 per share, with a total value of $732,836.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 7,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,973,020. This trade represents a 59.09% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders acquired 4,454 shares of company stock valued at $1,259,874. 0.06% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets NSC has been the subject of several research reports. Robert W. Baird set a $293.00 target price on Norfolk Southern in a research report on Friday, December 5th. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $321.00 to $320.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 24th. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $285.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $300.00 to $320.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Susquehanna increased their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $284.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Norfolk Southern currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $297.90. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on NSC Norfolk Southern Stock Performance Shares of NSC opened at $296.99 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $287.93 and a 200-day moving average of $277.01. The company has a market cap of $66.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a current ratio of 0.86. Norfolk Southern Corporation has a 1 year low of $201.63 and a 1 year high of $302.24. Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.30 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.31 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $3.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.11 billion. Norfolk Southern had a net margin of 24.22% and a return on equity of 18.93%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up .0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.25 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Norfolk Southern Corporation will post 13 earnings per share for the current year. Norfolk Southern Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th were given a dividend of $1.35 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Norfolk Southerns payout ratio is currently 41.19%. About Norfolk Southern (Free Report) Norfolk Southern Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods in the United States. The company transports agriculture, forest, and consumer products comprising soybeans, wheat, corn, fertilizers, livestock and poultry feed, food products, food oils, flour, sweeteners, ethanol, lumber and wood products, pulp board and paper products, wood fibers, wood pulp, beverages, and canned goods; chemicals consist of sulfur and related chemicals, petroleum products comprising crude oil, chlorine and bleaching compounds, plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, chemical wastes, sand, and natural gas liquids; metals and construction materials, such as steel, aluminum products, machinery, scrap metals, cement, aggregates, minerals, clay, transportation equipment, and military-related products; and automotive, including finished motor vehicles and automotive parts, as well as coal. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NSC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Norfolk Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Norfolk Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Suzano S.A. Sponsored ADR (NYSE:SUZ Get Free Report) declared a special dividend on Thursday, December 11th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 22nd will be given a dividend of 0.2036 per share on Wednesday, February 11th. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 22nd. Suzano has raised its dividend payment by an average of 0.2%annually over the last three years. Suzano has a dividend payout ratio of 18.1% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Get Suzano alerts: Suzano Stock Performance Shares of SUZ opened at $9.02 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $11.94 billion, a PE ratio of 9.39, a PEG ratio of 0.09 and a beta of 0.74. Suzano has a 52 week low of $8.41 and a 52 week high of $10.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.97, a quick ratio of 2.52 and a current ratio of 3.20. The companys 50 day moving average price is $9.03 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.30. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Suzano ( NYSE:SUZ Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.32 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $2.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.23 billion. Suzano had a return on equity of 16.39% and a net margin of 13.03%. Research analysts expect that Suzano will post 1.93 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SUZ. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC lifted its stake in shares of Suzano by 467.3% during the first quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 1,379,355 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,814,000 after acquiring an additional 1,136,226 shares during the period. Compass Rose Asset Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Suzano in the 3rd quarter valued at about $9,917,000. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Suzano during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $6,413,000. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in Suzano by 36.2% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,591,333 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,974,000 after purchasing an additional 422,897 shares during the period. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in Suzano by 274.1% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 371,468 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,492,000 after purchasing an additional 272,168 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.55% of the companys stock. Suzano Company Profile (Get Free Report) Suzano SA produces and sells eucalyptus pulp and paper products in Brazil and internationally. It operates through Pulp and Paper segments. The company offers coated and uncoated printing and writing papers, paperboards, tissue papers, and market and fluff pulps; and lignin. It also engages in the research, development, and production of biofuel; operation of port terminals; power generation and distribution business; commercialization of equipment and parts; industrialization, commercialization, and exporting of pulp and standing wood; road freight transport; biotechnology research and development; and commercialization of paper and computer materials. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Suzano Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Suzano and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Robinhood (HOOD) stock tanked about 9% today after the California-based financial technology giant reported a broad-based decline in monthly trading volume. In November, the company saw volumes decline by 37% across equities, 28% in options, and 12% in crypto as bubble concerns and macro uncertainty triggered a sharp selloff in risk assets. More News from Barchart Versus its year-to-date high in October, Robinhood stock is down some 20% at the time of writing. www.barchart.com Is It Worth Buying Robinhood Stock on the Pullback? Investors punished HOOD shares on Thursday mostly because transaction-based revenue currently makes up more than half of the companys overall revenue (57% in the third quarter of 2025). Still, Brett Knoblauch a senior Cantor Fitzgerald analyst recommends that long-term investors treat this pullback as a buying opportunity for two big reasons. First, the monthly decline in trading volume was somewhat expected; and second, the NYSE-listed firm is executing well on its international growth initiatives that are expanding its total addressable market (TAM). Earlier this week, the fintech acquired PT Buana Capital Sekuritas and Pedagang Kripto, marking its entry into the Indonesian market, home to roughly 36 million stock and crypto market investors. What Could Drive HOOD Shares Higher in 2026? Brett Knoblauch remains bullish on Robinhood shares also because of the firms recent entry into prediction markets. In an interview with CNBC last month, the online trading platform dubbed prediction markets its fastest growing segment ever. According to the Cantor Fitzgerald expert, continued momentum in that business could see HOOD rallying back to $152 next year, indicating potential upside of about 22% from current levels. Options traders seem to share his optimism on the fintech stock as well. According to Barchart, derivative data suggests Robinhood Markets will pull back above $150 per share in the first quarter of 2026. Robinhood Remains in Favor With Wall Street Analysts Other Wall Street analysts are just as bullish on Robinhood shares for the next 12 months. The consensus rating on HOOD stock currently sits at Moderate Buy with the mean price target of about $155 signaling potential upside of more than 25% from here. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating restated by equities research analysts at UBS Group in a report issued on Thursday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They currently have a $119.00 target price on the financial services providers stock. UBS Groups price target would suggest a potential upside of 23.15% from the stocks previous close. SCHW has been the topic of several other reports. Truist Financial upped their price target on Charles Schwab from $112.00 to $113.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Piper Sandler reissued a neutral rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $119.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $115.00 to $111.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Finally, Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Friday, October 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $108.37. Get Charles Schwab alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on SCHW Charles Schwab Stock Performance Shares of Charles Schwab stock opened at $96.63 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.58. Charles Schwab has a 1 year low of $65.88 and a 1 year high of $99.59. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $93.86 and its 200-day simple moving average is $93.48. The firm has a market cap of $171.71 billion, a PE ratio of 22.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.96. 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, 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 firm had revenue of $6.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.93 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.71 earnings per share. Charles Schwabs quarterly revenue was up 26.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Charles Schwab will post 4.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Transactions at Charles Schwab In other news, insider Paul V. Woolway sold 3,205 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.33, for a total value of $299,122.65. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 34,778 shares in the company, valued at $3,245,830.74. This trade represents a 8.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 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 value of $301,056.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 11,923 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,168,454. This trade represents a 20.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 6.30% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Charles Schwab A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in SCHW. Federated Hermes Inc. increased its stake in Charles Schwab by 2,112.7% during the second quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 181,793 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $16,587,000 after acquiring an additional 173,577 shares during the period. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC increased its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 26.8% during the second quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 190,538 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $17,387,000 after purchasing an additional 40,275 shares during the period. Bain Capital Public Equity Management II LLC acquired a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the first quarter valued at $79,605,000. Figure 8 Investment Strategies LLC bought a new position in Charles Schwab in the second quarter worth $924,000. Finally, PFG Investments LLC boosted its stake in Charles Schwab by 10.2% during the second quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 5,951 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $543,000 after buying an additional 550 shares in the last quarter. 84.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Charles Schwab (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. See Also 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. Investment analysts at Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of V2X (NYSE:VVX Get Free Report) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, MarketBeat.com reports. The brokerage set a neutral rating and a $62.00 price target on the stock. Citigroups price target indicates a potential upside of 13.37% from the stocks current price. Other analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of V2X in a research note on Monday. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on V2X from $63.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on V2X from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of V2X from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on shares of V2X from $54.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, V2X presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $62.44. Get V2X alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on VVX V2X Trading Down 0.6% Shares of VVX opened at $54.69 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.87, a PEG ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 0.12. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. The firms 50-day moving average price is $56.39 and its 200-day moving average price is $53.22. V2X has a 1-year low of $41.08 and a 1-year high of $63.74. V2X (NYSE:VVX Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $1.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.23 by $0.14. V2X had a return on equity of 15.22% and a net margin of 1.81%.The company had revenue of $1.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.13 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.29 earnings per share. V2Xs revenue was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. V2X has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.650-4.950 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that V2X will post 4.16 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity In related news, major shareholder American Industrial Partners C sold 2,250,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.00, for a total value of $123,750,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 5,750,001 shares of the companys stock, valued at $316,250,055. This trade represents a 28.12% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Dino M. Cusumano sold 2,250,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.00, for a total transaction of $123,750,000.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 5,750,001 shares in the company, valued at approximately $316,250,055. This represents a 28.12% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On V2X A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VVX. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in V2X by 21.7% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 172,685 shares of the companys stock worth $8,470,000 after buying an additional 30,800 shares during the period. Cornerstone Select Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in V2X during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $228,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of V2X by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 923,334 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,290,000 after acquiring an additional 25,222 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC boosted its holdings in shares of V2X by 29.6% in the 1st quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 22,516 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,104,000 after acquiring an additional 5,146 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of V2X in the first quarter worth $19,753,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.18% of the companys stock. V2X Company Profile (Get Free Report) V2X, Inc provides critical mission solutions and support services to defense clients worldwide. It offers a suite of integrated solutions across the operations and logistics, aerospace, training, and technology markets to national security, defense, civilian, and international clients. The company was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Mclean, Virginia. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for V2X Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for V2X and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HRT Financial LP purchased a new position in The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm purchased 176,458 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock, valued at approximately $21,790,000. Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Lavaca Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of TJX Companies in the second quarter worth $25,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in TJX Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute bought a new stake in shares of TJX Companies during the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of TJX Companies in the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC boosted its holdings in shares of TJX Companies by 121.1% in the 2nd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 272 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.09% of the companys stock. Get TJX Companies alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other TJX Companies news, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 24,363 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.31, for a total value of $3,686,365.53. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 510,780 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $77,286,121.80. This trade represents a 4.55% 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, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total transaction of $75,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 22,212 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,362,896.80. This trade represents a 2.20% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 54,863 shares of company stock valued at $8,226,366 over the last quarter. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders. TJX Companies Trading Up 0.3% TJX stock opened at $156.10 on Friday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $146.43 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $136.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $173.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.49 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. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $112.10 and a twelve month high of $157.72. TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $15.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.80 billion. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.68% and a return on equity of 58.30%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.14 earnings per share. TJX Companies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.330-1.360 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.630-4.660 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current year. TJX Companies Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 12th will be given a dividend of $0.425 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 12th. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio is presently 37.53%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on TJX. Barclays set a $172.00 price objective on TJX Companies and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. BTIG Research restated a buy rating and issued a $165.00 target price on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Wells Fargo & Company restated a market perform rating and set a $145.00 target price (up from $140.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday, November 20th. UBS Group restated a buy rating and issued a $181.00 price objective on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein increased their target price on TJX Companies from $152.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, TJX Companies currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $161.10. Get Our Latest Report on TJX Companies TJX Companies Company Profile (Free Report) The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TJX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for TJX Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TJX Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hilton Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock (NYSE:BLK Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 6,473 shares of the asset managers stock, valued at approximately $6,792,000. Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of BLK. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock in the second quarter valued at about $2,644,007,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in BlackRock by 105,267.4% in the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,705,899 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,789,915,000 after purchasing an additional 1,704,280 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in BlackRock by 72.5% in the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 2,005,358 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $2,104,122,000 after buying an additional 842,901 shares during the last quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main boosted its stake in shares of BlackRock by 1,962.0% in the 2nd quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 792,494 shares of the asset managers stock worth $831,524,000 after buying an additional 754,060 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada grew its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 73.2% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,313,350 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $1,243,059,000 after acquiring an additional 555,098 shares in the last quarter. 80.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get BlackRock alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, CFO Martin Small sold 1,258 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,043.38, for a total value of $1,312,572.04. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 6,209 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,478,346.42. This represents a 16.85% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Rachel Lord sold 12,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,165.04, for a total transaction of $13,980,480.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 7,205 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,394,113.20. This trade represents a 62.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 1.98% of the companys stock. BlackRock Price Performance BLK opened at $1,088.99 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $1,092.11 and a 200-day moving average price of $1,087.56. BlackRock has a twelve month low of $773.74 and a twelve month high of $1,219.94. The company has a quick ratio of 3.33, a current ratio of 3.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The company has a market capitalization of $168.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.00, a PEG ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.47. BlackRock (NYSE:BLK Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The asset manager reported $11.55 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $11.78 by ($0.23). BlackRock had a net margin of 26.64% and a return on equity of 14.80%. The business had revenue of $6.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.22 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $11.46 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 25.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that BlackRock will post 47.41 EPS for the current year. BlackRock Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be given a $5.21 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $20.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. BlackRocks payout ratio is 53.59%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on BlackRock from $1,196.00 to $1,325.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Loop Capital set a $1,255.00 target price on BlackRock in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Bank of America increased their price target on shares of BlackRock from $1,456.00 to $1,464.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $1,200.00 to $1,350.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on shares of BlackRock from $1,312.00 to $1,305.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Seventeen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $1,313.65. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on BLK BlackRock Company Profile (Free Report) BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BLK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock (NYSE:BLK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 71,787 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,643 shares during the quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $55,960,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Bare Financial Services Inc increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 263.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 40 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blume Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 46.7% during the 2nd quarter. Blume Capital Management Inc. now owns 44 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 14 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $1,027.68 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $971.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.24. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $623.78 and a 1 year high of $1,111.99. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $939.47 and a two-hundred day moving average of $818.98. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $0.60. The firm had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.09 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 30.99% and a return on equity of 109.52%. The companys revenue was up 53.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.18 earnings per share. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be given a dividend of $1.73 per share. This is a boost from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. 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%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 29.35%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts have commented on LLY shares. Leerink Partnrs raised shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. HSBC restated a hold rating and issued a $1,070.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,050.00 to $1,150.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,100.00 to $1,300.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Finally, Loop Capital set a $950.00 target price on Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Three 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,109.24. View Our Latest Analysis on Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Company Profile (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IHT Wealth Management LLC raised its position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM Free Report) by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 164,656 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 2,092 shares during the quarter. iShares Russell 2000 ETF accounts for about 1.0% of IHT Wealth Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 16th biggest holding. IHT Wealth Management LLC owned about 0.06% of iShares Russell 2000 ETF worth $35,531,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in IWM. Quaker Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 211.1% during the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 120 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the second quarter worth $28,000. Financial Network Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the first quarter worth $29,000. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the first quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Proathlete Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the second quarter valued at $30,000. Get iShares Russell 2000 ETF alerts: iShares Russell 2000 ETF Stock Down 1.5% Shares of NYSEARCA:IWM opened at $253.85 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $70.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.69 and a beta of 1.13. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a 12-month low of $171.73 and a 12-month high of $258.20. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $244.94 and a 200 day simple moving average of $231.85. About iShares Russell 2000 ETF iShares Russell 2000 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 2,000 smallest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 2000 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 2000 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. London Co. of Virginia decreased its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 17.4% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 2,228,823 shares of the companys stock after selling 468,265 shares during the quarter. Philip Morris International accounts for 2.3% of London Co. of Virginias portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest position. London Co. of Virginias holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $405,940,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in PM. Prudential Financial Inc. raised its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 88.9% during the 2nd quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 2,138,118 shares of the companys stock valued at $389,415,000 after buying an additional 1,006,014 shares in the last quarter. Trek Financial LLC raised its position in Philip Morris International by 732.3% during the second quarter. Trek Financial LLC now owns 42,829 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,801,000 after purchasing an additional 37,683 shares during the period. Klingman & Associates LLC raised its position in Philip Morris International by 44.5% during the second quarter. Klingman & Associates LLC now owns 6,615 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,205,000 after purchasing an additional 2,038 shares during the period. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 31.1% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 8,531 shares of the companys stock worth $1,027,000 after purchasing an additional 2,023 shares during the period. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 3,176,001 shares of the companys stock worth $578,445,000 after purchasing an additional 63,448 shares during the period. 78.63% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth PM has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus set a $180.00 price target on Philip Morris International in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $190.00 to $185.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $177.00 to $166.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $189.00. Philip Morris International Price Performance PM stock opened at $153.49 on Friday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12 month low of $116.12 and a 12 month high of $186.69. The firms 50-day moving average is $153.62 and its 200 day moving average is $165.35. The company has a market capitalization of $238.93 billion, a PE ratio of 27.81, a P/E/G ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.42. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $8.12 billion for the quarter. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.33% and a negative return on equity of 122.14%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. Philip Morris International Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be issued a dividend of $1.47 per share. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 106.52%. Philip Morris International Company Profile (Free Report) Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY Get Free Report) had its target price increased by research analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from $19.00 to $22.00 in a report released on Wednesday,MarketScreener reports. The firm presently has a hold rating on the financial services providers stock. Jefferies Financial Groups price objective would suggest a potential upside of 6.69% from the companys current price. Several other research firms also recently issued reports on KEY. Cowen upgraded KeyCorp from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on KeyCorp from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday. TD Cowen raised KeyCorp from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $24.00 price target for the company in a research note on Tuesday. Evercore ISI upped their price target on KeyCorp from $21.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Finally, DA Davidson raised their price target on KeyCorp from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $21.26. Get KeyCorp alerts: Get Our Latest Report on KeyCorp KeyCorp Price Performance KeyCorp stock traded down $0.07 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $20.62. 17,219,369 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 17,143,762. KeyCorp has a twelve month low of $12.73 and a twelve month high of $20.84. The company has a market cap of $22.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a current ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $18.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $17.97. KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by $0.03. KeyCorp had a net margin of 10.08% and a return on equity of 10.14%. The business had revenue of $1.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.87 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted ($0.47) EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 172.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that KeyCorp will post 1.5 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of KeyCorp by 2.7% during the third quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 21,255 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $397,000 after acquiring an additional 568 shares in the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management grew its holdings in shares of KeyCorp by 2.2% during the second quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 27,374 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $477,000 after buying an additional 586 shares in the last quarter. Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors LLC lifted its stake in KeyCorp by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors LLC now owns 13,363 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $233,000 after purchasing an additional 608 shares in the last quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC increased its stake in shares of KeyCorp by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 15,912 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $293,000 after acquiring an additional 627 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Investors Asset Management of Georgia Inc. GA ADV raised its stake in shares of KeyCorp by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. Investors Asset Management of Georgia Inc. GA ADV now owns 22,412 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $389,000 after acquiring an additional 639 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.69% of the companys stock. About KeyCorp (Get Free Report) KeyCorp operates as the holding company for KeyBank National Association that provides various retail and commercial banking products and services in the United States. It operates in two segments, Consumer Bank and Commercial Bank. The company offers various deposits, investment products and services; commercial leasing, investment management, consumer finance; and personal finance and financial wellness, student loan refinancing, mortgage and home equity, lending, credit card, treasury, business advisory, wealth management, asset management, cash management, portfolio management, and trust and related services to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for KeyCorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KeyCorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp decreased its position in Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM Free Report) by 18.9% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 681,438 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 159,098 shares during the quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corps holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $73,459,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Brevan Howard Capital Management LP increased its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 60.0% during the 2nd quarter. Brevan Howard Capital Management LP now owns 314,196 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $33,870,000 after purchasing an additional 117,814 shares during the last quarter. CTC Alternative Strategies Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 88.4% in the second quarter. CTC Alternative Strategies Ltd. now owns 11,680 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,259,000 after buying an additional 5,480 shares during the last quarter. Challenger Wealth Management grew its position in Exxon Mobil by 9.9% during the second quarter. Challenger Wealth Management now owns 31,503 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $3,396,000 after buying an additional 2,837 shares during the period. Florida Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 9.8% during the second quarter. Florida Financial Advisors LLC now owns 11,095 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,200,000 after buying an additional 990 shares during the last quarter. Finally, White Knight Strategic Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 138.3% during the second quarter. White Knight Strategic Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,991 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $538,000 after buying an additional 2,897 shares during the last quarter. 61.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Exxon Mobil alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have recently weighed in on XOM shares. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Exxon Mobil from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Scotiabank reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Melius began coverage on Exxon Mobil in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a hold rating and a $111.00 price target for the company. Melius Research initiated coverage on Exxon Mobil in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. They issued a hold rating and a $111.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane raised Exxon Mobil from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $114.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and thirteen have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $129.24. Exxon Mobil Stock Performance NYSE:XOM opened at $118.77 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $115.60 and a 200 day moving average price of $112.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $500.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.26, a P/E/G ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 0.38. Exxon Mobil Corporation has a 12-month low of $97.80 and a 12-month high of $120.81. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, June 17th. The oil and gas company reported $0.65 EPS for the quarter. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 11.22% and a net margin of 8.99%.The company had revenue of $57.55 billion for the quarter. Equities research analysts forecast that Exxon Mobil Corporation will post 7.43 EPS for the current fiscal year. Exxon Mobil Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th were given a dividend of $1.03 per share. This is a positive change from Exxon Mobils previous quarterly dividend of $0.99. This represents a $4.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 59.88%. Exxon Mobil Company Profile (Free Report) Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding XOM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Exxon Mobil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Exxon Mobil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BTG Pactual Asset Management US LLC trimmed its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Free Report) by 30.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 8,158 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 3,572 shares during the quarter. BTG Pactual Asset Management US LLCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $1,848,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of TSM. Powers Advisory Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $240,000. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. raised its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 10.1% during the second quarter. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. now owns 236,503 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $53,566,000 after purchasing an additional 21,648 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP lifted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 452.2% during the first quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 47,425 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $7,873,000 after purchasing an additional 38,837 shares during the last quarter. RFG Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 66.1% during the second quarter. RFG Holdings Inc. now owns 3,898 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $883,000 after purchasing an additional 1,551 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Duquesne Family Office LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 456.9% in the 1st quarter. Duquesne Family Office LLC now owns 598,780 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $99,397,000 after purchasing an additional 491,265 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 16.51% of the companys stock. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages recently weighed in on TSM. Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and set a $360.00 price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, December 6th. Itau BBA Securities assumed coverage on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. They issued an outperform rating for the company. UBS Group set a $330.00 price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Sunday, December 7th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $330.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $355.00. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Performance Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock opened at $291.87 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $293.64 and a 200-day moving average of $256.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 2.69 and a quick ratio of 2.47. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 1 year low of $134.25 and a 1 year high of $313.98. The company has a market capitalization of $1.51 trillion, a P/E ratio of 29.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.31. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.59 by $0.33. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 43.72% and a return on equity of 34.34%. The firm had revenue of $32.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $951.89 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.94 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 40.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be issued a $0.9678 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. This is a positive change from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. This represents a $3.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 25.85%. About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (Free Report) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Russias Central Bank has filed a lawsuit against Belgian financial institution Euroclear, the Brussels-based clearing house that holds most of Moscows frozen assets in Europe, the bank said Friday. It wasnt immediately clear what the lawsuit could achieve since it was filed in Moscow. The European Commission, the EUs executive branch, estimates that 210 billion euros ($247 billion) worth of frozen Russian assets are held in Europe. At the end of September, Euroclear held around 193 billion euros ($225 billion) of the money. Russias Central Bank said that the lawsuit, which was filed at Moscows Arbitration Court, would seek to recover damages it incurred when it was barred from managing and disposing of its Euroclear funds and securities. Euroclear declined to comment on the case. In a separate statement, Russia's Central Bank also condemned wider EU plans to use Russian assets to aid Ukraine as illegal, contrary to international law, arguing that they violated the principles of sovereign immunity of assets. It's the first time that the bank has publicly commented on the plans. The EU froze Russias assets based in the 27-nation bloc shortly after the start of Russias full-scale war in Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. These sanctions must be renewed every six months, and all EU members must approve them for that to happen. At a summit next week, EU leaders will decide whether to use tens of billions from these assets to fund Ukraines military and economic needs by using them as collateral for a huge loan for Kyiv. Ukraine needs funding to aid its war effort. But such a move has never been done before, and it comes with risks. The European Central Bank has warned that if Europeans appear willing to grab other countries money, it could undermine confidence in the euro currency. Some member nations are also concerned about inviting retaliation from Russia. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has refused to approve the plan, citing fears that Russia will move against against Belgium's interests. Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV Free Report) had its target price increased by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $40.00 to $48.00 in a report issued on Friday morning,MarketScreener reports. They currently have a buy rating on the airlines stock. A number of other equities analysts have also commented on the company. Susquehanna raised their price target on Southwest Airlines from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Evercore ISI raised their price target on Southwest Airlines from $34.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on Southwest Airlines from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Southwest Airlines from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets began coverage on shares of Southwest Airlines in a report on Tuesday. They issued a market perform rating and a $43.00 price objective for the company. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $37.29. Get Southwest Airlines alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines Stock Up 1.0% Shares of LUV traded up $0.41 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $41.15. The stock had a trading volume of 19,854,952 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,476,305. Southwest Airlines has a 12 month low of $23.82 and a 12 month high of $42.20. The company has a market capitalization of $21.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 63.31, a P/E/G ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.17. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $33.54 and a 200 day simple moving average of $32.95. The company has a current ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The airline reported ($0.38) EPS for the quarter. Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 1.38% and a return on equity of 6.39%. The company had revenue of $6.17 billion during the quarter. Equities research analysts predict that Southwest Airlines will post 1.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Investors of record on Friday, December 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.18 per share. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. Southwest Airliness dividend payout ratio is presently 110.77%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Southwest Airlines Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of LUV. Ameriflex Group Inc. grew its holdings in Southwest Airlines by 7.1% in the second quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 4,690 shares of the airlines stock worth $148,000 after purchasing an additional 310 shares during the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. raised its position in Southwest Airlines by 1.4% during the second quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 24,857 shares of the airlines stock valued at $806,000 after acquiring an additional 333 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in Southwest Airlines by 2.4% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 14,285 shares of the airlines stock valued at $456,000 after buying an additional 341 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in Southwest Airlines by 3.3% during the third quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 10,791 shares of the airlines stock worth $344,000 after purchasing an additional 343 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Zacks Investment Management raised its position in Southwest Airlines by 0.4% during the third quarter. Zacks Investment Management now owns 83,070 shares of the airlines stock worth $2,651,000 after acquiring an additional 348 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.82% of the companys stock. Southwest Airlines Company Profile (Get Free Report) Southwest Airlines Co operates as a passenger airline company that provides scheduled air transportation services in the United States and near-international markets. As of December 31, 2023, the company operated a total fleet of 817 Boeing 737 aircraft; and served 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as ten near-international countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Southwest Airlines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southwest Airlines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Extra Space Storage Inc (NYSE:EXR Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, November 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of 1.62 per share by the real estate investment trust on Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 4.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. Extra Space Storage has increased its dividend by an average of 0.1%annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 1 consecutive years. Extra Space Storage has a payout ratio of 135.8% indicating that the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Equities research analysts expect Extra Space Storage to earn $8.34 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $6.48 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 77.7%. Get Extra Space Storage alerts: Extra Space Storage Price Performance Shares of Extra Space Storage stock traded up $1.52 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $134.54. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,728,860 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,055,997. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 0.24 and a quick ratio of 0.24. Extra Space Storage has a one year low of $121.03 and a one year high of $162.77. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $137.30 and a 200-day moving average price of $142.37. The stock has a market cap of $28.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.03, a P/E/G ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 1.27. Analyst Ratings Changes Extra Space Storage ( NYSE:EXR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.08 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.06 by $0.02. Extra Space Storage had a return on equity of 6.56% and a net margin of 28.40%.The company had revenue of $858.46 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $736.26 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.07 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. Extra Space Storage has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.120-8.20 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Extra Space Storage will post 8.1 EPS for the current year. EXR has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and issued a $146.00 price target (down from $169.00) on shares of Extra Space Storage in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Extra Space Storage from $165.00 to $150.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 22nd. Scotiabank dropped their price target on shares of Extra Space Storage from $166.00 to $162.00 and set a sector outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 28th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Extra Space Storage from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $160.00 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. Finally, Mizuho decreased their price objective on shares of Extra Space Storage from $154.00 to $137.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $147.53. View Our Latest Analysis on Extra Space Storage About Extra Space Storage (Get 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. Further Reading 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. Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:DHY Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of 0.0155 per share by the real estate investment trust on Monday, December 22nd. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund Stock Performance Shares of DHY stock traded up $0.01 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $2.04. 369,838 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 426,608. Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund has a 52-week low of $1.82 and a 52-week high of $2.24. The stocks fifty day moving average is $2.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $2.09. Get Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund alerts: About Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund (Get Free Report) Further Reading Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It invests in the securities of companies across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in below-investment-grade corporate bonds with an average credit quality lower than BBB by Standard & Poor's and an average duration of 5.07 years. Receive News & Ratings for Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Paramount Group, Inc. (NYSE:PGRE Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 8,595,069 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 214% from the previous sessions volume of 2,740,484 shares.The stock last traded at $6.6150 and had previously closed at $6.61. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades PGRE has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Evercore ISI set a $6.60 price target on shares of Paramount Group and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Monday, September 22nd. Morgan Stanley set a $6.60 price target on Paramount Group and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. BTIG Research reissued a neutral rating on shares of Paramount Group in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d) rating on shares of Paramount Group in a research note on Monday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised Paramount Group from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and lifted their target price for the company from $4.20 to $6.60 in a research note on Thursday, September 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $6.45. Get Paramount Group alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on PGRE Paramount Group Stock Up 0.1% The company has a quick ratio of 4.91, a current ratio of 4.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.47 billion, a P/E ratio of -14.70 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $6.56 and a 200-day moving average price of $6.55. Paramount Group (NYSE:PGRE Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The financial services provider reported $0.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.12 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $172.96 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $167.65 million. Paramount Group had a negative return on equity of 2.39% and a negative net margin of 13.47%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Paramount Group, Inc. will post 0.78 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Paramount Group A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. raised its position in shares of Paramount Group by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 669,362 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,878,000 after buying an additional 31,978 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in Paramount Group during the first quarter valued at approximately $6,096,000. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Paramount Group by 10.2% in the 1st quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 80,150 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $341,000 after purchasing an additional 7,413 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Paramount Group by 222.1% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 49,749 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $214,000 after purchasing an additional 34,306 shares during the period. Finally, Long Pond Capital LP increased its position in shares of Paramount Group by 16.8% during the 1st quarter. Long Pond Capital LP now owns 11,737,433 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $50,471,000 after purchasing an additional 1,684,098 shares during the last quarter. 65.64% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Paramount Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Paramount Group, Inc (Paramount or the Company) is a fully-integrated real estate investment trust that owns, operates, manages, acquires and redevelops high-quality, Class A office properties located in select central business district submarkets of New York and San Francisco. Paramount is focused on maximizing the value of its portfolio by leveraging the sought-after locations of its assets and its proven property management capabilities to attract and retain high-quality tenants. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Paramount Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Paramount Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NMS Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of 0.0665 per share on Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund Stock Up 0.2% NYSE NMS traded up $0.03 on Friday, hitting $11.98. 32,248 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 15,888. Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund has a 1-year low of $11.07 and a 1-year high of $13.10. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $11.91 and a two-hundred day moving average of $11.60. Get Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund alerts: Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund Company Profile (Get Free Report) Read More Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. The fund primarily invests in investment grade municipal securities that are exempt from regular federal and Minnesota personal income taxes. Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE:TGB Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $5.49 and last traded at $5.4750, with a volume of 3977686 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.23. Taseko Mines Stock Down 0.2% The firms fifty day simple moving average is $4.55 and its 200-day simple moving average is $3.71. The company has a market cap of $1.96 billion, a PE ratio of -181.00 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48. Get Taseko Mines alerts: Institutional Trading of Taseko Mines Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Sowell Financial Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of Taseko Mines by 8.7% during the 2nd quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC now owns 62,331 shares of the companys stock worth $196,000 after buying an additional 5,000 shares during the last quarter. CenterBook Partners LP grew its position in Taseko Mines by 0.7% during the third quarter. CenterBook Partners LP now owns 774,437 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,276,000 after acquiring an additional 5,007 shares during the period. Carrera Capital Advisors grew its position in Taseko Mines by 0.8% during the third quarter. Carrera Capital Advisors now owns 706,110 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,987,000 after acquiring an additional 5,425 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI increased its stake in Taseko Mines by 12.2% during the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 58,640 shares of the companys stock worth $247,000 after acquiring an additional 6,399 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Focus Partners Wealth raised its holdings in shares of Taseko Mines by 19.9% in the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 60,200 shares of the companys stock worth $135,000 after purchasing an additional 10,000 shares during the period. 17.94% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Taseko Mines Taseko Mines Limited, a mining company, acquires, develops, and operates mineral properties. It explores for copper, molybdenum, gold, niobium, and silver deposits. The companys principal asset comprises 100% interest owned the Gibraltar mine located in British Columbia. It also holds interest in the Yellowhead copper project, the Aley niobium project, and the New Prosperity gold and copper project located in British Columbia; and the Florence copper project located in Arizona. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Taseko Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taseko Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America, Charles Schwab, Citigroup, Wells Fargo & Company, NU, and Truist Financial are the seven Bank stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Bank stocks are shares of publicly traded banking companiessuch as commercial, regional, and investment banksthat give investors partial ownership and a claim on the banks profits from lending, fees, and trading. They tend to be sensitive to interest-rate movements, credit cycles, and regulation, often providing dividends but carrying risks tied to loan defaults and economic conditions. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Bank stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a financial holding company, which engages in the provision of financial and investment banking services. It focuses on investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. It operates through the following segments: Consumer and Community Banking (CCB), Commercial and Investment Bank (CIB), Asset and Wealth Management (AWM), and Corporate. Bank of America (BAC) 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. Read Our Latest Research Report on BAC Charles Schwab (SCHW) 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. Read Our Latest Research Report on SCHW Citigroup (C) Citigroup Inc., a diversified financial service holding company, provides various financial product and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide. It operates through five segments: Services, Markets, Banking, U.S. Personal Banking, and Wealth. The Services segment includes Treasury and Trade Solutions, which provides cash management, trade, and working capital solutions to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and public sector organizations; and Securities Services, such as cross-border support for clients, local market expertise, post-trade technologies, data solutions, and various securities services solutions. Read Our Latest Research Report on C Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) 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. Read Our Latest Research Report on WFC NU (NU) Nu Holdings Ltd. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of digital banking services. The company was founded by David Velez Osorno, Cristina Helena Zingaretti Junqueira, and Adam Edward Wible on February 26, 2016 and is headquartered in George Town, Cayman Islands. Read Our Latest Research Report on NU Truist Financial (TFC) Truist Financial Corporation, a financial services company, provides banking and trust services in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. The company operates through three segments: Consumer Banking and Wealth, Corporate and Commercial Banking, and Insurance Holdings.Its deposit products include noninterest-bearing checking, interest-bearing checking, savings, and money market deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts. Read Our Latest Research Report on TFC Featured Articles Vestas Wind Systems AS (OTCMKTS:VWDRY Get Free Report) and Enersys (NYSE:ENS Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, dividends, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Vestas Wind Systems AS and Enersyss top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Vestas Wind Systems AS alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Vestas Wind Systems AS $18.72 billion 1.44 $539.97 million $0.34 26.15 Enersys $3.62 billion 1.50 $363.73 million $8.55 17.22 Insider & Institutional Ownership Vestas Wind Systems AS has higher revenue and earnings than Enersys. Enersys is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Vestas Wind Systems AS, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. 94.9% of Enersys shares are held by institutional investors. 0.9% of Enersys shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Vestas Wind Systems AS and Enersys, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Vestas Wind Systems AS 1 3 1 1 2.33 Enersys 0 0 4 1 3.20 Enersys has a consensus target price of $126.00, indicating a potential downside of 14.41%. Given Enersys stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Enersys is more favorable than Vestas Wind Systems AS. Dividends Vestas Wind Systems AS pays an annual dividend of $0.02 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.2%. Enersys pays an annual dividend of $1.05 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. Vestas Wind Systems AS pays out 5.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Enersys pays out 12.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Enersys has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years. Enersys is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Risk & Volatility Vestas Wind Systems AS has a beta of 1.21, suggesting that its stock price is 21% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Enersys has a beta of 1.1, suggesting that its stock price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability This table compares Vestas Wind Systems AS and Enersys net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Vestas Wind Systems AS 5.00% 27.61% 3.68% Enersys 9.05% 22.48% 10.42% Summary Enersys beats Vestas Wind Systems AS on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About Vestas Wind Systems AS (Get Free Report) Vestas Wind Systems A/S engages in the design, manufacture, installation, and services of wind turbines the United States, Denmark, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Power Solutions and Service. The Power Solutions segment offers onshore and offshore wind power plants, wind turbines, development sites, etc. The Service segment engages in the sale of service contracts, spare parts, and related activities. Vestas Wind Systems A/S was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Aarhus, Denmark. About Enersys (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. The Motive Power segment provides power solutions for electric industrial forklifts used in manufacturing, warehousing, and other material handling applications, as well as automated guided vehicles, mining equipment, and diesel locomotive starting and other rail equipment. The Specialty offers batteries for starting, lighting, and ignition applications in automotive and over-the-road trucks; and energy solutions for satellites, spacecraft, commercial aircraft, military land vehicles, aircraft, submarines, ships, and other tactical vehicles, as well as medical devices and equipment. The New Venture segment provides energy storage and management systems for demand charge reduction, utility back-up power, and dynamic fast charging for electric vehicles. The company also offers battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories, and outdoor cabinet enclosures, as well as related after-market and customer-support services for industrial batteries. It sells its products through a network of distributors, independent representatives, and internal sales forces. The company was formerly known as Yuasa, Inc. and changed its name to EnerSys in January 2001. EnerSys was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania. Receive News & Ratings for Vestas Wind Systems AS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vestas Wind Systems AS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Reporting roundup and tragedy today at EV battery factory in JoCo . . . Here's the word and all of what we know right now regarding a story that dominated headlines today . . . "The Johnson County, Kansas, Sheriffs Office confirmed Friday afternoon that deputies responded to the Panasonic plant at 103rd Street and Astra Parkway around 11 a.m. on reports of a stabbing. "When they arrived, they found one victim suffering from multiple stab wounds. "The victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition. "Deputies located the suspect and shot and killed them. The sheriffs office did not provide any other details about the circumstances of the shooting. " Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Stabbing victim critically hurt; suspect shot and killed by deputy at Panasonic One person is dead and another person is critically injured after a stabbing incident ended with Johnson County deputies shooting and killing a suspect. Suspect in stabbing at De Soto's Panasonic plant shot, killed by deputies Multiple members of law enforcement responded late Friday morning to a stabbing at the Panasonic battery plant in De Soto that led to the suspect being shot and killed by Johnson County deputies. Stabbing suspect at De Soto Panasonic battery plant shot, killed by law enforcement Law enforcement shot and killed a stabbing suspect Friday morning at the Panasonic battery plant in De Soto. Johnson County officers kill a stabbing suspect at Panasonic plant. Here's what we know The Panasonic plant in De Soto, Kansas shut down after officers shot a person suspected of stabbing another. The suspect is dead, and the stabbing victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Suspect dead following stabbing, shooting with deputies at Panasonic plant in De Soto A suspect is dead following a stabbing incident that ended in a shooting involving Johnson County sheriff deputies at the Panasonic plant in De Soto, Kansas. Developing . . . This morning author, fashionista, celeb and Insta hottie Emrata inspires one more peek at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Local Drama Debuts Want to explore Kansas City's theater scene? Don't miss these plays, musicals and more in 2026 After the holiday programs are over, Kansas City theaters will be bringing in national Broadway shows, putting on original dramatic works, and showcasing an array of kids programs and experimental new shows. We put together a guide to the must-see theater around the metro. Season Of Ick Soon To Start Flu cases expected to rise across Missouri, Kansas Flu season is off to a slow start in both Kansas and Missouri, yet there's indicators that it might pick up soon. Christmas Creeper Lurks Locally Rock Chock Fired Up De Soto expresses interest in nuclear power plant The City of De Soto is interested in a nuclear reactor facility going in its city limits. Season Of Boozing Starts Hallmark adds holiday spirits to its lineup, merrying brand with iconic Tom's Town tastes "We've always respected Hallmark and how their brand has been woven into Kansas City - as well as across the nation," said Steve Revare, co-founder of Tom's Town. "And with their relationship to Christmas, we thought, 'Well, great, let's do a holiday collaboration.'" Celebrity Assets Exposed Emily Ratajkowski flashes her butt in cheeky lace thong The star, who was recently seen on a date with Dua Lipa's ex, wore the sultry lingerie underneath a men's button-up shirt that she left undone. Spin, Dox & Scandal . . . As Epstein releases near, Americans think Trump knew about Epstein's alleged crimes | CNN Politics Friday featured yet another drop in the drip-drip-drip of new information from the Jeffrey Epstein files. This time: new pictures released by House Democrats that feature Donald Trump and other powerful people like Bill Clinton, Steve Bannon and Richard Branson, culled from tens of thousands of photos from Epstein's estate. Actually, We Can All Do Both . . . BROADCAST BIAS: Networks would rather slam Trump than report on massive Somali fraud ABC, NBC and CBS devoted only 31% of their Somali coverage to Minnesota fraud allegations, focusing instead on criticizing Trump's rally comments about immigration. Middle-East Movement Syria Registers Its First-Ever Jewish Organization Syria has approved the first Jewish organization to be officially recognized since Syria became an independent nation in the 1940s. Vlad Still Knocking Lights Out One million households without power in Ukraine after Russia attacks energy grid While Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure have been common throughout the war, Moscow has intensified strikes as the country heads into winter. Rocketman Offers Welcome Back Hugs North Korea's Kim Jong Un hails troops returning from Russia | CNN North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a welcoming ceremony for an army engineering unit that had returned home after carrying out duties in Russia, the North's KCNA news agency reported on Saturday. Count Your Blessings The number of times men need to have sex to 'slash risk of heart disease' MOST men likely don't need much extra motivation to get intimate with a partner. But a new study has found having regular sex can do more than keep them satisfied - it's good ... Kansas City Carb Check New West Plaza Bodega from Blackhole Bakery keeps iconic pastries, expands coffee and seating West Plaza Bodega and Blackhole Bakery owner Jason Provo // Photo by Jordan Baranowski As highlighted in my perfect day of eating, Blackhole Bakery is one of the top spots for pastries in Kansas City. Their combination of classic baking techniques with innovative, unapologetically bombastic flavors is tough to top. Maybe Slippery Saturday Freezing drizzle may create some icy spots Saturday Saturday will have high temperatures around 25 degrees; there is a small chance of light freezing rain Saturday, then wind chills may take Sunday into negative temperatures. Alok & SCRIPT - Substance (feat. FAANGS) is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Let's call this one a warning note to gas station retailers inside city limits . . . The Missouri Attorney General is expanding her statewide investigation into manufacturers and businesses selling kratom and synthetic 7-OH products. This comes after Attorney General Catherine Hanaway issued six Civil Investigative Demands (CID) to retailers at the end of November. Three Kansas City metro businesses are involved in the investigation targeting "troubling reports that consumers may be exposed to unapproved, unsafe and deceptively marketed opioid-like drugs." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . KSHB: Missouri Attorney General expands investigation into kratom, synthetic 7-OH businesses Developing . . . BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) has signed new procurement contracts with two foreign companies, Trend reports. The contracts involve the purchase of protective special clothing sets intended for mine clearance activities. ANAMA has signed a contract worth 150,000 manat ($88,000) with Israel's Cortex Engineering Ltd. for the purchase of full-body protective armored suits. At the same time, a contract worth 265,306 manat ($155,000) has been signed with Norway's Rofi a.s. for the delivery of individual armored protective clothing sets. As a result, a total of 415,306 manat ($243,000) will be spent on the purchase of these special protective clothing sets. The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action was founded in 1998. It mobilizes the requisite resources to address mine action in alignment with national needs and priorities, coordinates inter-agency efforts for the safe clearance of mines from de-occupied and war-affected regions, continues to conduct research, clears mines from territories, and transfers them to end users, while also communicating Azerbaijan's mine issue to the global community and enhancing mutually beneficial collaboration with international and donor organizations to combat the mine threat. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Once conceived as a tool of lobby-driven pressure on Azerbaijan, Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act has long since outlived its purpose. What began as a Cold Warera gesture toward Armenia has become a legislative relicone that no longer fits either the regional security landscape or Americas own strategic interests. Against the backdrop of Washingtons geopolitical realignment and a shifting balance of power in the South Caucasus, dismantling Section 907 is no longer a political gesture but an overdue act of foreign-policy modernization. How a Lobby Clause Became a Policy Fossil Adopted in October 1992, Section 907 was the only U.S. law ever aimed squarely at a single post-Soviet stateAzerbaijan. It prohibited any government assistance to Baku until the U.S. president could certify that Azerbaijan had ended both its blockade of Armenia and all offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. In other words, Washingtons legal code codified Armenia as a victim and Azerbaijan as an aggressora framing born not of geopolitical analysis but of a well-organized Armenian lobby operating in early-1990s Washington. For nearly a decade, the amendment barred Azerbaijan from all forms of direct U.S. government aid. The only assistance it received came through humanitarian or NGO channels, while Armenia enjoyed the full flow of American support. Everything changed after 9/11. In 2001, Congress authorized the president to suspend Section 907 each year through a waiver. Every administration sincefrom George W. Bush to Donald Trump and back againhas signed that waiver annually, citing counterterrorism cooperation, regional security, and the absence of any threat to peace between Baku and Yerevan. On paper, the ban remained. In practice, it was neutralized. A Rule Without a Reality By the late 2020s, the premises of Section 907 had collapsed. Azerbaijan had regained control of its territories, the Karabakh conflict had faded from the political map, and Western analysts increasingly described the amendment as anachronistic. Still, in 20232024, Armenian lobbying groups launched a campaign to tighten it, introducing the Armenian Protection Act (H.R. 7288) to bar the president from issuing waivers for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. That proposal would have rolled U.S. policy back to the hard-line logic of 1992. The White House pushed in the opposite direction. In August 2025, President Donald Trump again extended the annual waiver, explicitly citing the needs of counterterrorism, border security, and alliance readiness. Four months later, on December 10, 2025, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna filed H.R. 6534a bill to repeal the restrictions imposed by Section 907 altogether. The text has yet to be released, but its purpose is unmistakable: to erase the last vestige of a long-expired policy. When Policy Turns to Static The logic driving this shift is simple. The amendments original justificationpunishing Azerbaijan for offensive actions against Armeniahas no footing in todays security environment. Instead, the clause has become a source of friction, complicating U.S. engagement in a region thats increasingly vital to global connectivity and energy security. Azerbaijan today is not the isolated belligerent imagined in 1992; it is a keystone of the Middle Corridor linking Europe, the Caspian, and Central Asiaa critical energy supplier to Europe and a buffer in the containment of Iran. In this setting, Section 907 isnt just obsolete; its a regulatory defect that weakens the U.S. strategic position. The White Houses steady use of the waiver underscores that reality. Each annual suspension is an implicit acknowledgment that the law no longer aligns with U.S. interests. What Washington has been practicing for two decadesgoverning around its own outdated statuteis, in effect, a long, slow process of legislative euthanasia. Normative Shedding: Americas Strategic Housecleaning Trumps foreign-policy recalibrationfrom the moral theatrics of values interventionism to a hard-edged model of geopolitical managementhas accelerated this process. In that framework, eliminating Section 907 isnt a favor to Azerbaijan; its a functional necessity for the United States. Great powers, after all, shed obsolete norms to keep their foreign-policy machinery synchronized with the real world. Inside Congress, the conditions for repeal are ripening. The House Foreign Affairs Committee now works through the lens of high-level strategic recalibrationprioritizing national security, energy autonomy for allies, and the containment of Iran. The subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia provides the technical rationale: keeping Section 907 on the books weakens U.S. leverage in the region. Even the Senate Foreign Relations Committeelong the traditional brake on policy overhaulshas begun to shift. For Republicans, the amendment is bureaucratic noise obstructing energy diplomacy; for many Democrats, a legacy issue stripped of political meaning; and for the national-security establishment, a loophole that benefits Russia and Iran more than anyone else. From Symbol to Liability In the end, Section 907 has morphed from a symbolic instrument of pressure into a structural liability. Its legal shell remains, but its political content has evaporated. Whats left is a statute without a strategyan ideological echo from the post-bipolar 1990s haunting a very different century. Washingtons demolition of Section 907 will not mark an act of generosity toward Azerbaijan, but the completion of a broader process: the U.S. shedding the dead skin of its own outdated norms to realign power, policy, and pragmatism in a world defined by corridors, flows, and functional leverage. The Outer Circuit: How Bakus Diplomacy Outgrew Washingtons Old Maps Azerbaijans foreign policy today operates in a mode best described as networked multivector projectionan agile, layered diplomacy that connects regional and global players across energy, security, and logistics. Its partnerships stretch from multinational energy consortia to military alliances, but the most potent channel runs through pro-Israeli networks for whom Azerbaijans stability is a cornerstone of regional security. In Washingtons political ecosystem, that argument resonates instinctively: no one here needs a briefing to understand that an unstable South Caucasus strengthens Iran. A Law Without a System From a policy-analysis standpoint, the verdict is unambiguous: Section 907 no longer has a strategic, functional, or legal foundation. It isnt wired into todays geo-economic system, clashes with the operational logic of U.S. foreign policy, and is annually neutralized by presidential waivers. Within the machinery of power, its viewed less as law than as a parasitic norma leftover clause the system keeps alive out of textual inertia. The repeal of Section 907, then, isnt a political gesture or diplomatic concession. Its an institutional inevitability, dictated by the logic of a world order in which norms unsupported by actual political, economic, or coercive structures are destined for dismantlement. A Post-Normative Phantom Section 907 belongs to a category political theorists might call a post-normative remaindera fragment of legal text that has lost its material foundation yet persists in statute through sheer inertia. It exists somewhere between discourse and law, a trace in Derridas sense: the presence of something absent. The amendment functions only as an echo of a bygone discursive formation; its legitimizing reality has been dismantled by history itself. In the language of international-relations theory, its a normative phantoma regulatory ghost that no longer shapes behavior but continues to haunt the legal code. Such norms are textual afterimages: legally real, politically dead. Section 907 isnt a policy; its a symptoma relic preserved by bureaucratic sedimentation from an era that no longer exists. The Collapse of the Four Pillars Four structural pillars once sustained Section 907. All have now crumbled. First, the discourse that cast Azerbaijan as aggressor and Armenia as victim has dissolved. That binary was never analyticalit was a product of early post-Soviet confusion and lobbying pressure. The semiotic scaffolding that once held it up is gone, leaving the law without meaning. Second, the material base justifying the rule no longer exists. The conflict it addressed has vanished as an object of international law. In Alexander Wendts constructivist terms, the norm can no longer constitute identities because the environment that produced them has changed. Third, the epistemic community that once sustained the amendment has withered. The ethnopolitical lobbies of the 1990s have been displaced by experts in energy, logistics, and securitythe new cognitive elite shaping U.S. regional thinking. The epistemic regime, as Peter Haas would call it, has collapsed. Fourth, Section 907 now conflicts with the functional logic of U.S. foreign policy itself. The international system is defined not by ideologies but by flowsof energy, trade, and defense logistics. The U.S. now operates within what could be called a flow-based geopolitics, in which control of transit corridors and connective arcs is paramount. In that configuration, Azerbaijan is no longer an object of moral politics but a structural node in Eurasias connective infrastructure. Any legal artifact that restricts engagement with it becomes a strategic parasite. Together, these dynamics form what might be termed a metastructure of inevitability: a point at which repeal ceases to be a matter of political will and becomes a systemic necessity. The Semiotics of Dismantling Yet outdated norms rarely vanish on their own. Legal systems have what theorists call trace preservationan inertia that keeps dead text alive. Thats why Azerbaijani diplomacy operates not as classic lobbying but as institutional semiotics: targeting the congressional nodes that reproduce the text of the norm rather than its function. The House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) are the key nodes. When figures like Michael McCaul or Jim Risch stop seeing Section 907 as part of the foreign-policy landscape and start seeing it as a breach in functional coherence, the norm dies. Diplomacy, in this sense, doesnt persuadeit rewrites meaning. The pro-Israel lobby plays a parallel role, serving as a discursive node of legitimation. Through it, Section 907 loses its standing as a regional-policy clause and becomes a source of strategic loss. Congressional appropriations are the quiet instrument of legal entropyfunds are simply redirected until the clause ceases to function. Law as Ghost: From Heidegger to Agamben Seen through a phenomenological lens, Section 907 resembles what Heidegger might have called a thing that has lost its worldan object detached from its context of being. It persists in text but no longer participates in the worlds structure. Its a law without worldliness, a presence-outside-function. Niklas Luhmann would have described it as a structural shadow: a component that once belonged to an autopoietic political system but now exists outside the self-reproducing loop of meaning. The communicative networksmedia, lobbies, policymakersthat once kept it alive have disintegrated. And Giorgio Agamben would push the argument further. Section 907, he would say, exists in a state of suspended actiona legal exception that persists only through its own negation. The annual presidential waivers create precisely such a zone of exception, where the law remains on the books but functions through its inoperability. It is a norm that lives only by being undone. From Identity to Flow The deeper explanation lies in a shift of normative epistemefrom the identity-driven politics of the 1990s to a flow-driven global order. The world that produced Section 907 was territorial, post-imperial, moralistic. The world that replaces it is rhizomatic, transactional, defined by routes and capacities. In Deleuze and Guattaris vocabulary, Section 907 is an archaic terrificationan attempt to fix territory in a fluid, networked world. In such a system, static norms cannot survive; their logic contradicts the logic of reality itself. Bakus Strategic Epilogue For Azerbaijan, the task is not to argue Section 907 out of existence but to build a world in which it can no longer exist. Modern diplomacy, in this reading, is not persuasionits ontological engineering. By shaping new cognitive maps through security, energy, and logistics expertise, Baku participates in what might be called the regulatory transition to minimal entropy. The rest is a matter of time. The laws text will remain on the books until the system forgets how to reproduce it. Then, as all ghosts do, it will simply fade. The Ontology of Repeal: How Baku Can Finish What History Already Began Modern states no longer break norms; they erase the ground on which those norms can exist. The strategy isnt destructionits reconfiguration. For Azerbaijan, that means acting simultaneously on three fronts: the normative body (the law itself), the normative shadow (the discourse sustaining it), and the normative environment (the institutions reproducing it). The House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) is where the legal text can be reshaped; the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) is where the discourse can be reframed; and the appropriations committees are where the institutional fabric can be rewritten. When all three fields deform in sync, a law ceases to existnot just politically, but ontologically. Section 907 once had a worlda world of 907, complete with its discourses, anxieties, and moral binaries. That world has collapsed. A norm lives only inside the ecosystem that produces it, and the ecosystem that produced 907 is gone. The U.S. foreign-policy paradigm has shifted; Eurasias epistemic map has changed; the structure of threats and the logic of global flows have been rewritten. The task now is to complete the cycle: to move Section 907 from a legal phantom to normative nonexistence. The goal is not to kill the law, but to let it die of natural causes. 1. The House Foreign Affairs Committee: Operational Pressure Point HFAC is the gateway through which any repeal bill must pass. Bakus primary task is to secure preliminary jurisdictional clearanceensuring the bill isnt delayed or downgraded. Michael McCaul (RTX) Chair of HFAC and one of the main architects of Americas Iran-containment strategy. His worldview revolves around regional security interoperabilityseeing Azerbaijan as part of a MediterraneanCaspian security arc. Pressure point: deliver a concrete security impact assessment showing how keeping Section 907 open benefits Iran and undermines the U.S.-backed Middle Corridor. Pressure point: deliver a concrete security impact assessment showing how keeping Section 907 open benefits Iran and undermines the U.S.-backed Middle Corridor. Joe Wilson (RSC) Head of the MENA/CA subcommittee. Wilson thinks in the language of logistics-centric diplomacy and geo-economic competition. To him, Azerbaijan is critical infrastructure for Americas Eurasian presence. Pressure point: bring him into drafting an expert brief highlighting the vulnerability of Western transit routes if Section 907 remains as a symbolic barrier. Pressure point: bring him into drafting an expert brief highlighting the vulnerability of Western transit routes if Section 907 remains as a symbolic barrier. Gregory Meeks (DNY) A Democrat moderating his partys stance. Historically sympathetic to Armenian causes, he now operates in a logic of policy trade-offs. Pressure point: engage New Yorks financial and business networks; emphasize EUCaspian energy cooperation as a tool for reducing Europes dependence on Russian gasa framing that resonates far more with Meeks than any historical narrative. 2. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee: The Barrier and the Breakthrough SFRC is the heart of the processthe arena where symbolic laws either die or survive. Once a stronghold of Armenian lobbying, its now shaped by strategic cost-benefit logic rather than emotional allegiance. Jim Risch (RID) The Senates principal Republican strategist on foreign policy, fluent in the geopolitics of corridor control. Pressure point: share open-source intelligence analyses showing how the legal ambiguity created by Section 907 strengthens Russian and Iranian leverage in the Caspian zone. Pressure point: share open-source intelligence analyses showing how the legal ambiguity created by Section 907 strengthens Russian and Iranian leverage in the Caspian zone. Ted Cruz (RTX) The most crucial senator from an energy-policy standpoint. For him, the debate isnt about the Caucasus; its about Europes energy sovereignty, with Azerbaijan as a stabilizing pillar. Pressure point: deliver a Texas-origin energy resilience brief illustrating Azerbaijans role as a systemic buffer against Russias energy monopoly. Pressure point: deliver a Texas-origin energy resilience brief illustrating Azerbaijans role as a systemic buffer against Russias energy monopoly. Ben Cardin (DMD) A potential brake. Connected to Armenian networks but driven by a legalist, compliance-based worldview. Pressure point: targeted communication through think tanks demonstrating that Section 907 violates international-law coherenceit rests on factual assessments that no longer exist. Cardin backs what looks legally clean; the task is to show that 907 is legally dirty. 3. Appropriations Committees: The Quiet Kill Switch A law doesnt need to be repealed to dieit can be budgeted out of existence. If the appropriations committees in both chambers embed language diluting or bypassing Section 907s restrictions, the amendment will simply stop functioning. Pressure point: engage infrastructure and energy contractors invested in Azerbaijani-linked projects. Their influence on appropriations typically outweighs that of humanitarian advocacy groups. 4. The Lobby Ecosystem: Networks Over Narratives Azerbaijan must use a multi-actor network modela layered ecosystem extending from think tanks to industry groups. Pro-Israel organizations The single most effective non-bureaucratic lever in both chambers. Core argument: Azerbaijans stability is an essential buffer against Iran. Core argument: Azerbaijans stability is an essential buffer against Iran. Energy consortia Players who understand that normative instability equals market instability. Core argument: Section 907 is a regulatory virus that injects uncertainty into Europes supply chain. Core argument: Section 907 is a regulatory virus that injects uncertainty into Europes supply chain. Security and defense think tanks Institutions capable of providing the analytical backbone. Core argument: The persistence of Section 907 undercuts U.S. operational flexibility in Eurasia. 5. The Endgame: From Politics to Procedure The ultimate goal is to depoliticize repealto make the end of Section 907 appear not as a diplomatic concession but as a technical normalization procedure. The framing should be bureaucratic, not moral: this is about cleaning up the U.S. legal field to match the world as it actually exists. In the end, dismantling Section 907 isnt a campaign; its a closure. The world that once sustained the amendment has already folded. All that remains is to formalize its disappearancean act less of persuasion than of metaphysical housekeeping, where diplomacy simply confirms what reality has already decided. When Norms Outlive Their World: How Section 907 Became a Relic of a Vanished Era Congress has no appetite for expensive, emotionally charged fights over statutes no one can justify anymore. The key for Baku is to make Section 907 what it already is in practice: a bureaucratic fossil that obstructs the mechanics of U.S. foreign policy. Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act is a textbook example of what might be called post-bipolar normative inertiaa legal form that survives long after the material structures that once gave it life have disappeared. In the grammar of international legal theory, its a desynchronized regulatory frame: a text divorced from the realities of power, identity, and interest it once expressed. Born in the political discourse of the early 1990s, its interpretive matrix no longer aligns with the geopolitical order of the present. The Three Dimensions of Decay To grasp why repeal has become inevitable, Section 907 must be viewed through the metatheory of international regimes, where every norm operates across three dimensions: ontological, epistemic, and functional. All three have collapsed. Ontologically, the amendment once rested on a conflict narrative that gave it plausibility. That narrative is gone. The South Caucasus has undergone a structural transformationa shift in the regional security complex, in the language of IR theory. Azerbaijan has restored its territorial integrity, the conflict matrix has been dissolved as a legal subject, and the old aggressorvictim binary, artificially sustained by lobbying networks, no longer exists. The laws ontological ground has caved in. Epistemically, Section 907 no longer mirrors the knowledge systems that shape U.S. foreign policy. In the 1990s, the regions discourse was dominated by activist and ethnopolitical groups with privileged access to Washingtons policymaking ecosystem. Today, epistemic authority rests with communities of security, energy, and logistics experts, and with transatlantic think tanks. For them, Section 907 is cognitive noisea leftover signal from a dead frequency. Functionally, the amendment no longer facilitates predictability or efficiency; it does the opposite. It imposes annual bureaucratic costs through the presidential waiver process and inserts legal friction into Americas dealings with a country that is now a core node in Eurasias geo-economic connectivity. By Ernst Haass functionalist logic, such provisions are dysfunctional regime elementsnorms that must be shed to restore systemic coherence. A Strategy of Integration, Not Confrontation To accelerate repeal, Azerbaijan must act not as a petitioner but as a systemic integratorembedding itself into the multi-level decision-making centers of American governance. Modern theories of polyarchy (Robert Dahl) and polycentric governance (Elinor Ostrom) describe how influence travels not vertically but through networks of institutional nodes. The mission is to engage those nodes that determine the legitimacy trajectory of a norm. The House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) functions as the institutional filter of primary normative adaptationthe place where foreign-policy initiatives are aligned with strategic priorities. It operates within what sociologists call cognitive rationality models, guided by categories like strategic relevance and systemic risk. Arguments, therefore, must be framed in the idiom of security and geo-economics, not history. Dialogue with Chairman Michael McCaul should use the language of regional deterrence arcs and operational interoperability, illustrating how Section 907 disrupts the structural coherence of U.S. strategy across Eurasia. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) acts as a meta-normative arbiter, determining whether a given norm can be absorbed into the United States long-term strategic narrative. Its leading figures inhabit different rationalities: Jim Risch operates from a neorealist, great-power-competition framework. Ted Cruz views the issue through energy securitization. Ben Cardin thinks in terms of liberal-normative consistency. In each case, the argument must be elevated to the level of first principles: repeal is not an action but a consequenceof shifting regional structures, of a transformed balance of power, and of a normative logic in which fictive statutes fail the test of strategic rationality. The appropriations committees in both chambers represent another, quieter vector. These are the technocratic engines of normative neutralization. By embedding language in budget bills that declares the restrictions of Section 907 incompatible with security programs, Congress can effectively nullify the law without repealing itwhat comparative lawyers call legal zeroing through functional insolvency. The Network Logic of Persuasion In parallel, Azerbaijan must activate its lobbying networksnot to pressure but to reshape cognition. The most effective vector is the pro-Israel lobby, whose worldview is rooted not in symbolism or memory but in models of stability and threat management. When repeal is reframed within their analytical vocabularyas a contribution to regional resilience against IranSection 907 begins to look like a strategic liability. Energy consortia and logistics firms can reinforce that perception, framing the amendment as a source of market uncertainty. Security think tanks can seal the argument with data: a law that restricts cooperation with Azerbaijan undermines U.S. operational flexibility. The key is to synchronize these signals so the policy conversation redefines the amendment as an obstacle rather than a legacy. From Politics to Self-Regulation The final stage, at the meta-theoretical level, is to move the issue into a state of normative self-sufficiencywhere repeal becomes not a political act but a manifestation of the legal systems internal logic. In the theory of international norms, this is known as the post-conventional phase: the point at which a system autonomously eliminates dysfunctional elements. Section 907 has reached that point. Its dismantling is not a product of external pressure but the natural outcome of systemic evolution. When a regions structure changes, norms that no longer reflect it inevitably dissolve. Azerbaijans role is not to fight the norm, but to escort itto guide it toward the silence of its own obsolescence, through the institutional, cognitive, and lobbying channels that define Washingtons operating reality. Key Points Chevron is an integrated energy company with an impressive yield and an impressive dividend history. Bristol Myers has a high yield, but the drugmaker is out of favor. History suggests it will rise again. 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What's exciting about Bristol Myers Squibb today is that investors are punishing it for what are, essentially, normal business dynamics. Their primary concern appears to be the patent expirations the company is facing in the next few years. Patent protections are, by design, time-limited, so expirations are a very common occurrence. The problem is that these so-called patent cliffs result in dramatic declines in revenue and profit from important drugs. But Bristol Myers' long history of success is clear evidence that it knows how to manage these situations and continue to thrive over the long term. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. The National Library of Belarus in Minsk was lit up in the colors of the Azerbaijani national flag to commemorate the memory of Azerbaijans National Leader, Heydar Aliyev. Trend presents frames of the illuminated library building. December 12th is the annual Memorial Day for Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader and founder of modern independent Azerbaijan, marking the anniversary of his death in 2003, a day where Azerbaijanis honor his pivotal role in establishing the nation's statehood, stability, and development through ceremonies, tributes, and laying flowers at his memorial in Baku's Alley of Honors. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. A meeting was held at the International Military Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Defense with representatives of the Military Attache Offices of foreign states accredited in the Republic of Azerbaijan to review the outcomes of the current year, the ministry said in a statement, Trend reports. A total of 41 representatives from 28 countries participated in the meeting. In his speech, Chief of the International Military Cooperation Department, Colonel Elchin Abdullayev, spoke about the Victory achieved in the 44-day Patriotic War, stating that through this triumph, the Republic of Azerbaijan not only restored its sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also contributed to international peace and restored historical justice. It was additionally emphasized that Azerbaijans Victory in the Patriotic War serves peace not only for the nations of Azerbaijan and Armenia, but also for the international community as a whole. During the meeting, discussions were held on the activities carried out within the framework of military cooperation in Azerbaijan throughout 2025. This included detailed information once again on the Military Parade dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War, held on November 8, 2025 at Azadlq Square in Baku with the participation of foreign military attaches, as well as on visits organized to various regions of the country, including the territories liberated from occupation, to familiarize participants with the restoration, reconstruction, and development efforts underway. A comprehensive exchange of views was also conducted on activities to be implemented in the coming year and on prospective plans, and questions of interest to the military attaches were answered. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. Elchin Amirbayov, the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, paid a working visit to Poland, Trend reports. As a part of the visit, Amirbayov held meetings with the Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Polish Prime Minister's Office Malgorzata Latkiewicz-Pawlak, Advisor to the President of Poland Radoslaw Gruk, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Grzegorz Schetyna, Deputy Director of the Security Affairs Department of the Presidential Office, Brigadier General Andrzej Kowalski, and Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki. The meetings discussed the current state and development prospects of Azerbaijan-Poland relations, which are characterized by a strategic partnership. The parties emphasized that high-level mutual visits and regular political dialogue are one of the main directions of the bilateral agenda, and noted the importance of their continuation in the near future. Amirbayov said that Azerbaijan considers Poland to be one of its reliable partners within the European Union and NATO. The parties, who agreed that economic relations between the countries lag behind their existing potential, are interested in deepening economic relations in traditional areas as well as diversifying them in new directions. In this regard, the parties noted that there are favorable opportunities for establishing cooperation in the fields of green transition and renewable energy, logistics, transport connections, and defense. Informing their counterparts about the latest steps taken towards the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the Azerbaijani official drew attention to the need to formalize this peace from a legal perspective, despite the fact that the two countries are in a de facto state of peace. Regional security issues and new opportunities for practical cooperation between the two countries against the background of new realities in the region that pave the way for peace were in the spotlight. During the meetings, the parties noted that interparliamentary cooperation is an important component of Azerbaijan-Poland relations. Amirbayov noted that the intensification of mutual contacts through parliamentary channels serves to deepen the atmosphere of trust between the countries, recalled the official invitation addressed to the chairman of the Polish Senate and expressed hope that high-level contacts in this area will take place next year. The discussions emphasized that the document entitled "Strategic Agenda for the European Union-Armenia Partnership" doesn't reflect the current realities in the region, nor contributes to advancing both EU-Azerbaijani relations and the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process. During the meetings, the Polish side was informed about the consequences of Armenia's occupation policy, including the damage caused to Azerbaijan's cultural heritage and the large-scale mine problem. Noting that eliminating the mine problem is a priority for Azerbaijan, Amirbayov, noting that the scale of international assistance in combating the aforementioned humanitarian problem is seriously limited compared to Azerbaijan's own efforts, invited the Polish side to practical cooperation and demonstrate solidarity in this area. He further called on Polish companies to participate in post-conflict rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in the liberated territories. During the visit, Amirbayov spoke at a roundtable with representatives of leading Polish think tanks about geopolitical processes in the South Caucasus, the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor, and the Zangezur corridor. Amirbayov also gave interviews to influential media outlets such as Poland's main public television channel, TVP World, and the Polish News Agency. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. On December 12, a commemorative event dedicated to the 22nd anniversary of the passing of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the U.S. (Mexico), Trend reports via the Azerbaijani embassy in Mexico (U.S.). The event commenced with a minute of silence in memory of the National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, followed by the laying of a wreath at his bust. The event highlighted the exceptional role played by the national leader in the history of the Azerbaijani people and state, his invaluable contribution to the formation and strengthening of modern Azerbaijan, as well as his rich and wise state legacy. As part of the event, a video report was screened about the official visit of the National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, to Mexico in 1982 at the head of a delegation. It was emphasized that the materials shown are rare archival footage belonging to the Golden Fund of Azerbaijani Television. The importance of this visit in the history of Azerbaijani-Mexican relations was noted. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. As part of the 16th NATO Days, a delegation led by Deputy Chief of Staff for the Partnerships Directorate at NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Rear Admiral Yusuf Karagulle, paid an official visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports via the Ministry of Defense. The purpose of the visit was to further develop the current Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation, fulfill commitments under partnership programs, and enhance mutual experience exchange. During the visit, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev, as well as the military units of the Land Forces and Naval Forces that include subunits declared under NATOs Operational Capability Concept (OCC) hosted the meetings with the delegation. At the events, it was noted that within the Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation, Azerbaijan actively contributed to international security. The participation of the Azerbaijan Armys personnel in peacekeeping missions was highlighted as a valuable contribution to global security. Azerbaijans active involvement in NATOs Partnership for Peace programme, as well as the achievements gained under the OCC programme, were also highlighted. The meetings underscored the importance of cooperation in the military training and educational field. It was noted that the participation of Azerbaijani officers in NATO trainings and headquarters is beneficial in enhancing their operational, command, and military-scientific knowledge. Various briefings and roundtable discussions were organized for the delegation. At the end of the meetings held as part of the 16th NATO Days, the sides exchanged gifts, and photos were taken. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. By the end of 2024, the volume of cargo transportation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan exceeded 100,000 tons, which is 5% more than in 2023, a source at the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan told Trend. According to the source, this dynamic reflects the growth of mutual trade and the expansion of industrial cooperation between the two countries. "At the same time, the transit traffic of Uzbek cargo through the territory of Azerbaijan is already measured in millions of tons. In 2024, more than 1 million tons of cargo from Uzbekistan were transported through the Port of Baku within the framework of the Middle Corridor, which is 26% more than a year earlier," the ministry noted. Speaking about the structure of mutual supplies, the ministry emphasized that the basis of trade is formed by several major commodity groups. Uzbekistan primarily exports agricultural products, processed food products, paper- and cardboard-based packaging materials, vehicles and components, as well as mineral fertilizers to Azerbaijan. "In turn, imports from Azerbaijan are mainly represented by metals and metal products, food products (including sugar and products of its processing, grain and flour-milling products, fruits), as well as polymer raw materials and plastic materials, which are widely used in various sectors of Uzbekistans industry," the ministry added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. On 12 December 2025, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbaeva received the delegation of TURKPA led by Secretary General Ambassador Ramil Hasan, Trend reports via TURKPA. Narbaeva warmly congratulated Ambassador Ramil Hasan on his election as Secretary General of TURKPA. Highlighting the shared values, culture, and traditions of the Turkic states, she underscored that these commonalities form a natural foundation for deeper cooperation across all areas and reaffirmed Uzbekistans strong commitment to strengthening unity within the Turkic world family. She also stressed that the Turkic world must remain united, as lasting success is impossible without solidarity. While stressing the importance of the activity of TURKPA both on international platforms and in the harmonization of legislative frameworks, Ramil Hasan expressed strong confidence and hope that Uzbekistan would become a full member during the Plenary Session of TURKPA to be held in Kyrgyzstan in 2026. Secretary General highlighted the coordination meeting held in the frame of the 23rd Autumn Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. He conveyed sincere appreciation for the participation of the members of National Delegation of Uzbekistan to the OSCE PA noting their great contribution to the success of the meeting. Secretary General also presented the Roadmap and Report on the results of the coordination meeting and Working Plan for 2026 prepared by International Secretariat, which outline steps for protecting the national interests of member parliaments, strengthening parliamentary diplomacy, and ensuring coordinated action on common priorities. He highlighted past initiatives, including observation of the extraordinary parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan on 30 November 2025 by TURKPA International Election Observation Mission. Secretary General also briefed the Chairperson on his initiative to convene annual informal meetings of speakers of parliament, following the successful practice of informal summits of Heads of State, expressing that the first informal meeting of TURKPA Speakers is scheduled for April 2026 on the margins of the 152nd Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union to be held in Istanbul. Tanzila Narbaeva also expressed her support for the initiative of the Secretary General regarding the TURKPA+ format. She emphasized the importance of further developing the cooperation of TURKPA platforms with the European Union, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, and other relevant institutions, noting in this context that parliamentary diplomacy, as well as the role and significance of TURKPA, would come to the forefront. Following the discussions, an agreement was reached to further strengthen cooperation between the parliaments of the Turkic states, as well as to ensure active participation in the events held within the framework of TURKPA. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. The cargo turnover of the Lachin tanker has exceeded 225,000 tons in the latest reports, Trend reports via the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO). Six years have passed since the commissioning of Azerbaijan's first national tanker, Lachin The tanker, which was constructed at the Baku Shipyard at the request of ASCO, was officially launched on December 13, 2019, in a ceremony attended by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. Over the course of these six years, Lachin has completed 94 voyages to various ports, transporting a total of 464,093 tons of crude oil and petroleum products. In the past year alone, the vessel delivered 48,958,323 tons of cargo to its designated destinations. The Lachin is equipped with six cargo tanks, providing a total capacity of 9,190 cubic meters. The tanker has a deadweight of 7,884 tons when at sea and 5,455 tons in river conditions. With a length of 141 meters and a width of 16.9 meters, the vessel operates at a speed of 10 nautical miles per hour. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. Irans Ardabil Province aims to boost product exports by deepening and expanding its cooperation with Azerbaijan, the governor of the province, Masoud Emami-Yeganeh, said in an interview with Trend. According to Emami-Yeganeh, during the first eight months of the current Iranian year (from March 21 through November 21, 2025), Ardabil exported $270 million worth of products to Azerbaijan through the customs-border checkpoint. The governor emphasized that following mutual visits, it is crucial to maintain a continuous focus on strengthening collaboration between specialists from both sides. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. Amid growing cooperation among Central Asian countries, Kyrgyzstan is prioritizing the implementation of key regional projects, particularly in the areas of transport and energy. For a landlocked nation, enhancing regional connectivity is seen as essential for economic growth, lowering logistics costs, and fostering deeper integration into both regional and international markets. This strategic agenda was underscored at the international forum titled Peace and Trust: Unity of Goals for a Sustainable Future, held in Ashgabat to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistans permanent neutrality. While the forum primarily focused on themes of peace, trust, and stability, it also addressed the practical aspects of cooperation among the countries of the region. In his address at the forum, President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan emphasized the countrys commitment to expanding practical collaboration with Ashgabat, particularly in the fields of energy, transport, and logistics. The head of state emphasized that Turkmenistan today plays an important role in the development of regional transport links through the modernization of Caspian infrastructure, the expansion of port capacities, and participation in international logistics initiatives. Turkmenistan is gradually becoming a key transport hub connecting North and South, East and West. Kyrgyzstan is ready to become an active part of these processes, Japarov noted. In this context, he underscored the particular importance of implementing the ChinaKyrgyzstanUzbekistan railway project, as well as the construction of the Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant in the energy sector. For Kyrgyzstan, a landlocked country, transport and logistics have for decades remained one of the key structural constraints on economic growth. A limited railway network and a high dependence on transit through neighboring states have led to elevated costs, longer delivery times, and reduced economic competitiveness. Kamila Irgebaeva, head of the Center for Public Projects Research at the National Institute for Strategic Studies of Kyrgyzstan, told Trend that for a long time, the country's railway infrastructure had only been connected to neighboring states in a fragmented way. Most freight transportation was carried out by road or in small volumes via existing railway lines, which objectively limited the growth potential of foreign trade. According to her, the construction of the ChinaKyrgyzstanUzbekistan railway could fundamentally change this situation. The new route will enable cargo flows from China to pass through Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan and further to other Central Asian countries, the Caucasus, and Europe. This would help lift the country out of transport isolation and shape a new role for it in regional logistics. Shortening transport distances and reducing delivery times by 7-10 days makes the route economically attractive, especially for perishable goods and products with high added value. This creates additional incentives for the development of industry, agriculture, and processing sectors. The regional importance of the project is also emphasized by Kyrgyzstans partners. As Hikmatulla Rakhmetov, First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Uzbekistan Railways, told Trend on the sidelines of the 83rd meeting of the CIS Council for Railway Transport in Baku, the ChinaKyrgyzstanUzbekistan railway will become an important factor in the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. According to him, initial cargo volumes could reach 3-4 million tons per year, with a subsequent increase to 15 million tons, with the main freight flow directed toward Europe. The economic effect for Kyrgyzstan extends far beyond the transport sector. Lower logistics costs directly affect production costs, enhance the competitiveness of domestic enterprises, and make the country more attractive to investors. Even with moderate utilization, revenues from transit and logistics services could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars per year, representing a significant contribution to the economy and the state budget. In addition to enhancing transport infrastructure, Kyrgyzstan is also advancing energy projects as the second strategic pillar of regional cooperation. With the rising electricity demand, the challenges posed by climate change, and seasonal imbalances in Central Asias energy systems, ensuring a reliable and predictable energy supply has become increasingly critical. In this regard, the construction of the Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant holds particular significance. Bishkek views the project not only as a national priority but also as a regional energy initiative. During his address at the forum, President Japarov emphasized the importance of the Kambarata-1 HPP, highlighting that such projects create new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation among Central Asian nations. With a capacity of 1,860 MW and a reservoir volume of 5.4 billion cubic meters, the Kambarata-1 HPP is expected to play a pivotal role in regulating the flow of the Naryn River and stabilizing the regions energy grid. The project is seen as crucial for enhancing the reliability of electricity supply during the winter months and improving water resource management during the growing season, benefits that extend beyond Kyrgyzstan to the downstream countries. The implementation of the Kambarata-1 HPP will allow Kyrgyzstan to strengthen its energy security, reduce electricity shortages, and create additional opportunities for exports within the unified energy system of Central Asia. In the long term, the project will also help reduce dependence on energy imports and form a sustainable foundation for the countrys industrial development. The transport and energy projects promoted by Kyrgyzstan form a complementary basis for economic development. The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway expands the countrys logistics capabilities and transit potential, while the Kambarata-1 HPP enhances energy resilience and creates conditions for stable growth. In a broader regional context, these initiatives reflect Central Asian countries shift from declarative dialogue toward the implementation of concrete projects that foster long-term interdependence. The Peace and Trust forum in Ashgabat served as a political framework to reaffirm this course, while the practical content of the regional agenda is increasingly shaped by infrastructure and energy solutions. For Kyrgyzstan, participation in such projects is not an alternative but a necessity. In the absence of access to the sea and amid high transit dependence, the development of transport and energy sectors is precisely what enables the country to strengthen its position in Central Asia and gradually integrate into broader Eurasian economic processes. By Joey Roulette and Gursimran Mehar Dec 13 (Reuters) - SpaceX is preparing to go public next year and has opened a secondary share sale that would value the company at $800 billion, according to a letter to shareholders sent by the company's CFO Bret Johnsen and reviewed by Reuters. The Elon Musk-led company's move towards a public listing, which could rank among the largest global initial public offerings, has been largely driven by the rapid expansion of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet business, including plans for direct-to-mobile service and progress in its Starship rocket program for missions to the moon and Mars. In the letter dated December 12, Johnsen said SpaceX has approved an arrangement where new and existing investors and the company will buy up to $2.56 billion of shares from eligible shareholders at $421 a share. "We are preparing the company for a possible IPO in 2026. Whether it actually happens, when it happens, and at what valuation are still highly uncertain, but the thinking is that if we execute brilliantly and the markets cooperate, a public offering could raise a significant amount of capital," Johnsen said. SpaceX aims to use the capital to ramp Starship's flight rate, deploy artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in space, build Moonbase Alpha and send uncrewed and crewed missions to Mars, Johnsen said. SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Bloomberg News and The New York Times reported the share sale on Friday. Musk hinted at a possible SpaceX IPO in a post on social media platform X earlier this week. Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing a source familiar with the matter, the rocket and satellite company is looking to raise over $25 billion in an IPO that could come as early as June. Investors have welcomed reports that SpaceX was mulling a potential IPO that would fund Musk's Mars ambitions and value the rocket and satellite company at more than $1 trillion. SpaceX ranks as the world's second-most valuable private startup after ChatGPT maker OpenAI, according to data from Crunchbase. Talks over a listing plan are unfolding against the backdrop of a resurgence in the IPO market in 2025 after a three-year dry spell. (Reporting by Joey Roulette and Gursimran Kaur; Editing by Chris Reese, Himani Sarkar and Christian Schmollinger) BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. The International Forum on Peace and Trust, held on December 12 in Turkmenistan, became an important platform not only for discussing global stability but also for concrete economic and energy projects. On the sidelines of the forum, the focus was on the Russia-Turkiye dialogue. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and one of the key topics was the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant the largest joint energy project between the two countries. Akkuyu represents Turkiyes first nuclear power plant and stands as the largest bilateral investment project between Moscow and Ankara. Located in Mersin province, the plant will feature four VVER Generation III+ reactors. Each unit is designed to have a gross capacity of 1,200 MW and a net capacity of 1,114 MW, culminating in a total installed capacity of 4,800 MW. The plants annual electricity production is projected to reach approximately 35 billion kWh, fulfilling up to 10 percent of Turkiye's electricity demand. The project has a long and detailed history. Preparatory steps began in January 2010, with a joint statement between Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin and Turkiyes Energy Minister Taner Yildiz, marking the beginning of nuclear cooperation. In May 2010, an intergovernmental agreement was formalized, and by December of the same year, the project company, Akkuyu Nuclear JSC, was officially registered in Turkiye. Full-scale engineering surveys and land allocation commenced in 2011, alongside a specialized training program for Turkish professionals in Russian universities. The first cohort of graduates from MEPhI and Rosatoms technical centers completed their studies in 2018 and will join the plants operational staff. Despite a strong start, the project faced multiple challenges that repeatedly delayed the timeline. In 2015, amid strained Russia-Turkiye relations, there were concerns that the project might be frozen. Only in 2016 did the presidents of both countries reaffirm their commitment to continue construction. In 2017, Turkiyes Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) and the Energy Market Regulatory Authority issued key licenses, but private Turkish companies soon withdrew over commercial disagreements, causing further delays. External factors also affected the schedule. Sanctions against Russia complicated equipment deliveries, including Siemens products, requiring alternative suppliers from China. The project also encountered financial and legal disputes, including a $56.1 million lawsuit over currency differences from an advance payment made in 2013. Construction has proceeded in stages. The first unit received a construction license in April 2018, and building officially began on April 3, 2018. By 2023, major milestones were completed: Russian nuclear fuel was delivered, the internal containment dome was concreted, and the turbine installation was finished. Commissioning of the first unit started in the summer of 2025. The second unit has been under construction since April 2020, the third since March 2021, and the fourth since July 2022. Full operation of all units is planned by 2028. Akkuyu holds strategic significance for Turkiye. The plant is set to provide up to 4,800 MW of stable baseload power, reducing Turkiyes reliance on imported gas and oil, and offering potential savings of up to $1.5 billion annually. Furthermore, the project presents Turkiye with a unique opportunity to establish a domestic nuclear industry, train skilled personnel, and expand its industrial infrastructure. However, the project has faced criticism. Russian experts have raised concerns about the financial burden on Moscow, the fixed electricity price, and the absence of full Turkish investment participation. In Turkiye, the electricity buy-back price, approximately $0.12 per kWh, has also sparked debate due to its perceived high cost. A comparison with Rosatoms other international project, the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in India, underscores similar challenges. Like Akkuyu, the Kudankulam project encountered delays and significant public opposition, primarily due to safety concerns following the Fukushima disaster, environmental risks, and evacuation issues. Despite these hurdles, the project progressed: the first two units began operations in 2014 and 2017, while construction of four additional units is ongoing. This experience demonstrates that, despite public opposition and technical challenges, large-scale nuclear projects can ultimately be completed successfully. The discussions on Akkuyu at the presidential level in Turkmenistan could have practical consequences. High-level political support may speed up approvals, reduce administrative barriers, and assist in resolving infrastructure and financing issues. Adjustments to financial and commercial terms are also possible, reducing risks and strengthening project resilience. Akkuyu stands as a testament to the strategic partnership between Russia and Turkiye, exemplifying how large-scale infrastructure projects can be successfully completed despite delays, criticism, and external challenges. For Turkiye, the plant offers the promise of energy independence and technological progress, while for Russia, it solidifies its presence in a crucial regional market. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. In recent years, Iran has made it a priority to strengthen its ties with neighboring countries, a strategy it now seeks to expand further. Deepening relations with Central Asian nations has become a central element of Tehrans regional policy, with particularly notable progress in its relations with Turkmenistan. A significant milestone in this ongoing effort was the visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Ashgabat on December 12, following an invitation from Turkmenistans Peoples Council Chairman Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. This visit marked a key step in advancing bilateral ties. The discussions during the visit centered on regional peace, mutual trust, and practical cooperation, with both parties emphasizing the importance of continuing engagement through reciprocal visits. President Pezeshkian expressed his appreciation for the "Peace and Trust" summit, highlighting that such initiatives play a crucial role in fostering regional relations and encouraging countries to take active steps toward peace and confidence. Meanwhile, Berdimuhamedov described the Iran-Turkmenistan relationship as constructive, encompassing trade, culture, and humanitarian sectors, and expressed optimism about the potential for further expanding this collaboration. A major part of the visit included talks between President Pezeshkian and Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The leaders emphasized the development of sincere, peaceful, and sustainable relations based on mutual trust, reviewing agreements on gas, freight transport, transit corridors, and economic and trade cooperation, while addressing existing challenges to advance shared interests. Energy cooperation is a cornerstone of trade relations between the two countries. Turkmenistan's natural gas serves as a dependable alternative for Iran, particularly in the northern and northeastern regions during the winter months. Additionally, electricity imports from Turkmenistan play a vital role in meeting Iran's peak summer energy demand. Transport and transit also hold strategic significance, with Turkmenistan acting as a crucial gateway for Irans connectivity to Central Asia. Both nations are prioritizing the expansion of freight and transit capacities, including the development of the eastern route of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) through Iran. Trade prospects between the two countries are considerable. Iran has the opportunity to export agricultural products, fruits, vegetables, farming machinery, construction materials, metal goods, and mining equipment to Turkmenistan. In return, Turkmenistan can supply textiles and petroleum products to Iran. Between March and October 2025, Iran exported 945,000 tons of goods worth $379 million to Turkmenistan, while imports from Turkmenistan totaled approximately 3,300 tons, valued at $6 million. Overall, with strong political will, growing interdependence in energy and transit, and increasing interest in regional projects, Iran-Turkmenistan relations are expected to deepen further in the coming years, supporting bilateral cooperation and regional economic and transport integration. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 12. Chinas technology company Huawei plans to open a regional branch in Uzbekistans Namangan region and launch a number of digital initiatives, including smart city projects and an artificial intelligence laboratory, Trend reports via the Namangan Regional Administration. The plans were outlined during a meeting between Shavkatjon Abdurazzoqov, Governor of Namangan Region, and a Huawei delegation led by Dilimulati Maimati, the companys manager for Chinas eastern region. The discussions centered on large-scale IT initiatives, the progress made in digitalization, and the efforts being undertaken in the region to foster the development of a robust digital economy. As part of the collaboration, the parties agreed to establish an Artificial Intelligence laboratory at Namangan State Technical University and introduce smart classrooms in general education schools. These initiatives aim to digitalize the learning environment, broaden the application of interactive educational tools, and enhance students' IT skills. Furthermore, the Smart City concept will be implemented in Namangan in stages, incorporating advanced digital solutions in key areas such as public safety, utilities management, transport administration, and environmental monitoring. A significant outcome of the meeting was the decision to establish a Huawei branch in the region. This new office will focus on training IT specialists for international markets and providing export-oriented digital services. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. The International Forum held in Ashgabat yesterday, marking the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistans permanent neutrality, underscored the ongoing need for a platform where nations with divergent strategic interests can engage in candid dialogue and, crucially, collaborate on tangible measures toward global stability. The event brought together leaders from Asia, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Europe, along with high-level representatives from international organizations, all gathered under the banner of Turkmenistan. The timing of the forum coincided with three significant milestones: the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality recognition, the International Day of Neutrality, and the UN-declared 2025 International Year of Peace and Trust, an acknowledgment that highlights Ashgabats enduring diplomatic efforts at the United Nations. While the official rhetoric surrounding global ideals of peace might seem predictable, a more intriguing geopolitical subtext emerged during the discussions. In 2025, amidst a backdrop of multipolar conflicts and regional security challenges, the forum convened leaders from countries with differing positions in the international system, reflecting the complexity and evolving dynamics of global diplomacy. The forum brought together an impressive array of global leaders, including heads of state and government from various nations. Among the distinguished participants were Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and the leaders of Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Also in attendance were Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan. In addition, the forum featured the participation of prime ministers from Myanmar and Eswatini, further broadening its international scope. The presence of senior representatives from prominent international organizationssuch as the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO)served to underscore the forum's importance on the global stage. The forum commenced with a ceremonial tone, as Turkmenistan's President Serdar Berdimuhamedov extended a warm welcome to the participants, underscoring that neutrality is not merely a historical achievement but a dynamic international strategy. He emphasized that for Ashgabat, neutrality entails more than passive observation; it represents active engagement in global dialogue, grounded in principles of equality, respect, and mutual trust. In his address, President Berdimuhamedov proposed the creation of a University of Peace and Neutrality, in partnership with the United Nations, as a further step in fostering international collaboration. Bringing together leaders from a broad array of nations, the Ashgabat forum served as both a venue for strategic discussions and a demonstration of the collective commitment to constructive cooperation. The topics covered in plenary sessions and informal gatherings ranged from fostering global dialogue and building trust to advancing economic and infrastructural initiatives. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in his remarks, stressed the importance of global dialogue as a means to navigate the prevailing uncertainty and geopolitical tensions. His speech highlighted Turkiye's role not only as a key regional player but also as a vital bridge between East and West, reinforcing the strategic importance of the forum for Ankara. Erdogan also commended Turkmenistans remarkable economic progress, noting that the country has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. "Today, Turkmenistan stands as a model of modernity with its thriving cities, factories, schools, and hospitals," he affirmed. Bilateral consultations formed an important part of the forums agenda. Russian President Vladimir Putin held meetings with the presidents of Turkmenistan and Iran to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation, reflecting Moscows interest in strengthening strategic ties in the region, particularly in the energy and transport sectors. In this context, Turkmenistans role is clearly highlighted. Annual trade between Russia and Turkmenistan exceeds $1.6 billion. In 2025, growth dynamics are evident: in the first quarter alone, bilateral trade increased by 21.4%, and in the first half of the year, trade volume grew more than 30% year-on-year. According to yesterdays statement by the Russian president, trade figures for the first ten months have already reached a 35% increase. This upward trajectory is underpinned by tangible actions. A notable example was the participation of Rustam Minnikhanov, the head of Russias Republic of Tatarstan, which maintains significant economic interests and strong ties with Turkmenistan. The speeches delivered by Central Asian leaders also focused on practical and actionable issues. Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the region's ongoing water resource challenges and proposed the establishment of an international platform to address these critical concerns. ''Currently, within the UN system, there is no specialized body dedicated exclusively to water issues. Therefore, Kazakhstan suggests the creation of an International Water Organization that would consolidate the existing mandates of various UN agencies. An optimal solution could involve transforming the UN-Water inter-agency mechanism into a fully-fledged specialized UN agency or organization, the president remarked. As part of its upcoming tenure as chair of the Non-Aligned Movement for the 2027-2029 period, Uzbekistan intends to designate 2027 as the Year of Preventive Diplomacy, according to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Kyrgyzstan, in turn, aims to deepen practical cooperation with Ashgabat in energy, transport, and logistics. President Sadyr Japarov emphasized that Turkmenistan now plays a key role in regional transport networks thanks to the modernization of Caspian infrastructure, the expansion of port capacities, and participation in international logistics initiatives. Tajikistans President Emomali Rahmon highlighted the importance of strengthening trust at the global level as a key factor for sustainable development. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. A decision has been made to establish a joint consortium for the Caspian Sea between Iran and Russia within the next two months, Iran's Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Chairman of the Ports and Maritime Organization Saeed Rasouli said at a press conference in Tehran today, Trend reports. According to him, this idea was put forward at a meeting of the joint economic commission between the two countries. The establishment of this consortium with the participation of the private sectors of the two countries is in the focus of attention. Moreover, Rasouli said that discussions were also held with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, as well as Persian Gulf countries and Oman. The Caspian Sea in the north of Iran should not be considered separately from the Gulf in the south. Thus, if railways and roads are developed, developments that will largely benefit the country can be achieved, he noted. The consortium aims to transport cargo from ports in southern Iran to the Caspian Sea by trucks and rail, and from the sea by ships and vice versa, enabling the country to activate the Caspian Sea route of the International North-South Transport Corridor passing through the country. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. Azerbaijan and the United States (US) have discussed expanding energy-sector cooperation, focusing on current projects and future opportunities, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov's publication on X said, Trend reports. "We had a fruitful meeting with Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, David L. Fogel, in Washington. We discussed potential cooperation with the US. Companies in implementing Azerbaijan's wide and diversified regional power supply plans and projects, including the potential fields," the post reads. The volume of trade between Azerbaijan and the U.S. from January through October of this year was $1.059 billion. This is $19.7 million, or 1.9%, more than during the same months of 2024. Over the reporting period, trade turnover with the U.S. accounted for 2.59% of Azerbaijan's total trade turnover. Thus, the U.S. ranked sixth among the countries with which Azerbaijan conducted the largest number of trade operations during the reporting period. From January through October of this year, Azerbaijani exports to the U.S. totaled $52.7 million. This is $65.8 million, or 2.2 times less than during the same period last year. At the same time, for the reporting period, Azerbaijan imported $1 billion worth of goods from the U.S., which is $85.5 million or 9.3% more than in the same period of 2024. Thus, during the reporting period, the U.S. ranked fourth among the countries from which Azerbaijan imports the largest amount of goods. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. Deliveries of Azerbaijani natural gas to private and industrial consumers in North Macedonia began on December 1, 2025, marking a crucial milestone in strengthening Azerbaijan's position in the European energy market. Thanks to productive cooperation between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), M-Gaz and CNG Systems, a pilot virtual gasification project, similar to a project successfully operating in Bulgaria since 2024, has been implemented. The new initiative not only expands the geography of Azerbaijani gas exports, but also contributes to the diversification of energy sources for countries in the region and strengthening their energy security. The project in North Macedonia is implemented with deliveries of compressed natural gas (CNG) to industrial and private consumers not connected to a gas pipeline or distribution network. SOCAR, through M-Gaz, provides the required volumes of natural gas to CNG Systems, which then supplies industrial and private customers in Strumica where the relevant gas distribution network has been built. Within the project, Azerbaijani natural gas now provides heating and hot water to six kindergartens, eight schools, one hospital, several municipal administrative buildings in Strumica, more than 400 households, and several industrial consumers. Azerbaijan's expansion in the European market continues with other initiatives. On December 10, SOCAR and the Hungarian company MVM ONEnergy signed an agreement to supply 800 million cubic meters of natural gas to Hungary, which will take effect on January 1, 2026. SOCAR also began supplying gas to the German company SEFE under a new 10-year contract, with the annual volume gradually increasing to 15 terawatt-hours (TWh). As President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev delivering press statements with President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini, in Bratislava on December 8, noted, Azerbaijan's rich gas fields have enabled it to export natural gas to many countries of the world today. "The number of countries that purchase Azerbaijani gas has already reached 14. We hold first place as an exporter of gas through pipelines. As new gas fields are developed, we will obtain additional resources, and it will naturally become possible to supply Azerbaijani gas to both Slovakia and its neighboring countries in even larger volumes. Currently, our total gas exports amount to 25 billion cubic meters, half of which is supplied to European countries. Today, eight European Union member states help ensure their energy security by purchasing Azerbaijani gas," the head of state said. A key element of the European supply diversification strategy is the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which is part of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC). As noted by a representative of the European Commission, TAP has provided a reliable strategic route for delivering Azerbaijani gas over the past five years, reducing the EU's dependence on traditional routes exposed to political and economic risks. Since the pipeline's launch at the end of 2020, around 52.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas have been transported through it by November 2025. Long-term plans foresee an increase in TAP's capacity by 1.2 billion cubic meters per year starting in 2026, with 1.04 billion cubic meters allocated to Italy and 0.16 billion cubic meters to Albania. In the long term, maintaining and expanding Azerbaijan's gas export volumes will be supported by new upstream projects, including the development of the Absheron field, the exploitation of 'deep' gas at Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli, and the Umid-Babek field. All of these initiatives lay the foundation for a sustainable increase in gas supplies to European countries and further strengthen Azerbaijan's role as a reliable and strategically important supplier. The start of Azerbaijani gas deliveries to North Macedonia is a clear example of the successful expansion of the country's export geography and the strengthening of Europe's energy security. Azerbaijan continues to diversify its routes and partners, ensuring stable supplies to key EU countries and demonstrating the strategic reliability of its resources. The implementation of such projects confirms Azerbaijan's leadership in the European energy market and creates the preconditions for further growth in the country's export potential. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. Azerbaijan and Meta have discussed potential avenues for cooperation, with a focus on advancing digital governance and innovative solutions, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov's publication on X said, Trend reports. We held a meeting in the United States with Metas Director of Public Policy, Molly Montgomery. During the meeting, we exchanged views on opportunities for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Meta in the field of digital governance and the implementation of innovative solutions, as well as on joint projects aimed at developing the regional digital ecosystem, the post noted. Meanwhile, during his visit to the U.S., Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev held discussions in the ICT sector with representatives of the government and a number of companies. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. The International Forum in Ashgabat, dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, served as an important platform for discussing key regional and global issues. The participation of Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev provided an opportunity for Kazakhstan to draw attention to vital issues affecting the region. In his speech, the President addressed a wide range of topics, from the crisis of trust in international relations to the specific challenges faced by the region. Particular attention was given to water issues, including the situation surrounding the Aral Sea and the Caspian Sea. Tokayev emphasized the importance of improving the work of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and proposed involving Russia as an observer to enhance the funds effectiveness. The President directly addressed the issue of the Caspian Sea's shrinking, identifying it as one of the most pressing threats to the region. He warned that if the current rate of decline persists, the process may soon become irreversible. This concern extends beyond the state of the ecosystem. The Caspian Sea's shrinking affects port operations, maritime logistics, coastal economies, and local employment. The falling water levels are already disrupting transportation operations and imposing additional costs on businesses. Kazakhstan has taken the lead in developing a dedicated intergovernmental program aimed at preventing further ecological degradation and halting the continued shrinkage of the Caspian Sea. We call on the global community to support our efforts to safeguard this invaluable body of water, Tokayev stated. The President also pointed out that there is no specialized UN structure focused solely on water-related issues. He proposed the creation of an International Water Organization that could consolidate all existing mandates of various UN bodies. Tokayev also discussed plans to launch international consultations on establishing a global water organization at the Regional Environmental Summit, which will be held in April 2026 in Astana. The Caspian Sea issue holds exceptional importance for Kazakhstan, as it is directly linked to the development of transit routes. Kazakhstan views the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route as one of the key elements of regional logistics for transporting goods between Asia and Europe. Cargo traffic along this route is steadily increasing, and it is forecasted that by 2027, the capacity of the Middle Corridor may reach 10 million tons per year. To further develop the route, investments are needed in ports, railway infrastructure, and logistics services. In this context, the water level in the Caspian Sea plays a critical role, as it directly impacts the effectiveness and development of transit routes. At the same time, Tokayev noted that despite the global economic slowdown amid geopolitical tensions, sanctions, and the disruption of trade chains, Central Asian countries are demonstrating steady growth. According to him, Kazakhstans economic growth this year will exceed 6%, with GDP surpassing $300 billion, and GDP per capita exceeding $15,000. The President underscored that, despite some progress in conflict resolution, the global situation remains broadly tense. The world is grappling with a profound deficit in trust and a lack of understanding regarding the crucial role of cooperation in achieving sustainable development. He expressed concern over the erosion of international law, the diminishing influence of multilateral institutions, and the weakening authority of the United Nations. Unless we restore strategic balance and establish a just world order, international stability and security will remain mere phrases or optimistic intentions in negotiations and resolutions of multilateral forums. Therefore, Kazakhstan advocates for the reform of the United Nations, which includes expanding the Security Council and enhancing the role of the General Assembly, Tokayev stated. In his address at the Ashgabat Forum, the President reaffirmed Kazakhstan's commitment to a consistent approach to regional development. He identified ecology, water resources, transport, and the economy as interconnected areas that require joint solutions and dialogue among states. Within this context, Kazakhstan views the Caspian Sea as a critical factor for sustainable growth. The initiatives outlined stress the importance of practical cooperation between Caspian states and international partners to ensure stable development and safeguard the regions economic potential. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 13. Kyrgyzstans Minister of Economy and Commerce, Bakyt Sydykov, held a meeting with the Ambassador of Japan to Kyrgyzstan, Ryuichi Hirano, and discussed strengthening trade and economic cooperation, Trend reports citing the ministry. Furthermore, the parties discussed the current state of trade and economic cooperation and highlighted the importance of measures aimed at creating favorable conditions for investors and the business community, including the development of a legal and contractual framework for economic interaction and the establishment of a bilateral cooperation mechanism. Minister Sydykov welcomed Ambassador Hirano and congratulated him on his appointment, emphasizing that Japan is one of Kyrgyzstans key partners, with whom the country maintains friendly and trusting relations. The sides also reviewed the implementation of the "One Village, One Product" project, carried out by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan with the support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as well as its future directions for development and expansion. Earlier, 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. 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. Azerbaijan and the United States (U.S.) have exchanged views on energy interconnectors linking Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Central Asia, and Europe, as well as on the establishment of data centers and energy supply. Azernews reports that this was announced by Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov in a post on his X account. We met with Jarrod Agen, Executive Director of the National Energy Dominance Council at the White House. We exchanged views on the strategic importance of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) in ensuring interregional energy connectivity, as well as on energy interconnectors between Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Central Asia, and Europe, the creation of data centers, and energy supply, the post said. It should be noted that in JanuaryOctober of this year, the volume of trade operations between Azerbaijan and the United States amounted to $1.059 billion. According to the data, this is $19.7 million, or 1.9%, higher than in the same period of 2024. During the reporting period, trade turnover with the United States accounted for 2.59% of Azerbaijans total foreign trade turnover. As a result, the U.S. ranked sixth among Azerbaijans largest trading partners during the period. In JanuaryOctober of the current year, Azerbaijan exported $52.7 million worth of goods to the United States, which is $65.8 million, or 2.2 times, less than in the same period last year. At the same time, imports from the United States to Azerbaijan totaled $1 billion during the reporting period, representing an increase of $85.5 million, or 9.3%, compared to the same period in 2024. As a result, the United States ranked fourth among Azerbaijans largest sources of imports during the reporting period. Multiple airlines are preparing to step in and help stranded passengers, as reports indicate that a major competitor is on the verge of shutting down and suspending its flights. This worrisome news comes from a report by The Air Current, which sounded the alarm on December 12, 2025. The impending shutdown could potentially force a major U.S. Airline to discontinue operations as soon as December 13, 2025, which would leave many travelers with flights that are unexpectedly canceled during a prime travel season. Spirit Airlines has been operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.Image source: Shutterstock Image source: Shutterstock Spirit Airlines allegedly nears collapse According to The Air Current, the airline that is at imminent risk of shutting down is Spirit Airlines. Spirit Airlines is currently in the midst of its second bankruptcy, and The Air Current indicates that there is a December 13, 2025, deadline that could affect its ability to draw $100 million from its financing. If Spirit Airlines isnt able to access the funding, The Air Current reports that it could lead to an abrupt and immediate end to its operations. Thousands of flights could be affected if the airline stops operating If Spirit Airlines must shut down abruptly, it could have an immediate and devastating impact on passengers. Spirit Airlines has 428 flights scheduled on December 13, 2025, according to data from Cirium Diio. If the airline doesnt receive the necessary capital injection, the Air Current says it may not be able to move forward with those flights. Related: Southwest Airlines permanently cancels some daily flights Spirit Airlines also has another 3,138 flights scheduled through December 20, 2025. If the airline shuts down at any point during this period, this would mean all of those travelers are displaced as they try to get home for the holidays. Competitors get ready to step in as Spirit Airlines faces a potential shutdown At least two major U.S. airlines are planning for a possible demise of the struggling low-cost carrier as early as Saturday, according to The Air Current. The Air Current said it was told that these airlines were putting together a rescue plan for the flyers who would be affected. Each is accelerating plans to provide a schedule to backfill what would be Spirits cancelled flights, along with rescue fares for Spirit customers who would be stranded by an abrupt end to its flying heading into one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Spirit Airlines has denied that it is near collapse While The Air Current is projecting the end of Spirit Airlines flights as early as December 13, the airline itself denies that this outcome is on the table. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. The Ardabil-Parsabad railway in northwestern Irans Ardabil Province is poised to strengthen rail links and supercharge cargo transport between the province and Azerbaijan, the governor of the province, Masoud Emami-Yeganeh, said in an interview with Trend. Emami-Yeganeh emphasized that the second segment of the Ardabil-Mianeh railway route, which links to the Ardabil-Parsabad section, holds significant potential to enhance bilateral freight traffic between the two countries. He further revealed that a portion of the feasibility study for the approximately 270-kilometer Ardabil-Parsabad railway has already been completed. ''Discussions are ongoing with Irans Planning and Budget Organization (PBO) to secure the necessary technical license for construction,'' he added. The governor also highlighted the planned establishment of a railway terminal in Parsabad County, specifically in the village of Tazeh Kand, which lies opposite Azerbaijans Imishli district. This terminal would foster closer coordination between the two nations. Additionally, prior agreements between Iran and Azerbaijan provide a solid foundation for the development of this corridor, which could offer enhanced access from Ardabil province to the South Caucasus, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and Eastern European markets. The official noted that the construction of this railway line is expected to be less challenging than the Mianeh-Ardabil segment, as the latter traverses predominantly mountainous terrain. The railway is scheduled for completion and operational use by the end of the current Iranian year, March 20, 2026. According to him, the current Iranian government (in power since August 2024) and President Masoud Pezezkian prioritize expanding cross-border relations in border provinces with neighboring countries. With a shared 370 km border, Ardabil is well-positioned to benefit from border diplomacy. The governor outlined broader economic prospects for Ardabil province, including trade, industry, and investment. The Ardabil Free Trade and Industrial Zone, recently inaugurated, can serve as a hub for joint trade and industrial projects with Azerbaijan. Investors from various sectors, including agriculture, mining, tourism, and manufacturing, are being invited to explore opportunities in Ardabil. This zone offers a promising platform for a joint trade and industrial initiative between the two nations, and talks are already underway to develop this opportunity into a concrete collaboration, he said. Emami-Yeganeh highlighted that Ardabil and other northwestern provinces of Iran maintain deep economic ties with Azerbaijan, and the province is actively working to expand its trade volume. Business leaders and investors across multiple sectors, including investment, have been invited to explore opportunities in the region. ''Ardabil province, home to Iran's largest agricultural park, presents substantial opportunities for trade and investment. The region's extensive network of greenhouses plays a pivotal role in the production of agricultural goods, while its advanced processing facilities offer strong export potential, particularly to countries within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The province's diverse climate further enhances its attractiveness, positioning tourism as a growing sector, with numerous hotel projects underway and increasing interest from investors. In addition to agriculture and tourism, Ardabil boasts promising opportunities in various industries, including construction, cement, tire production, polyethylene pipes, textiles, electronics, automotive parts, and mining. These sectors offer abundant avenues for Azerbaijani investors to engage in Ardabils economy, as well as for Iranian investors to expand their footprint in Azerbaijan, fostering a mutually beneficial trade environment that encourages the flow of products in both directions,'' Emami-Yeganeh stressed. The governor further emphasized that boosting product exports is a top priority for the province, with ambitious plans to at least double current export volumes. This presents a significant opportunity for Ardabil to strengthen its economic ties with Azerbaijan across multiple sectors, including agriculture, industry, mining, and tourism, an initiative that enjoys strong support from both provincial authorities and the Iranian government. During the first eight months of 2025 (from March 21 through November 21, 2025), Ardabil exported products worth $270 million to Azerbaijan through its customs checkpoint. Expanding collaboration remains central to this goal, the governor noted, stressing the importance of sustaining strong ties between specialists on both sides to ensure long-term growth. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A wrinkle beneath the icy face of Alaska Graphic courtesy of the Alaska Earthquake Center In this diagram, red dots represent the Dec. 6, 2025, Hubbard Glacier earthquake and its many aftershocks. The dotted line connecting the Totschunda and Fairweather fault systems represents a possible connector fault, about which scientists have theorized for years. A few days ago, the forces beneath Alaska rattled people within a 500-mile radius: A magnitude 7 earthquake ripped under Hubbard Glacier. The earthquakes main shock and aftershocks have revealed something else a possible slash across the face of Alaska long buried by glacial ice, a feature that professionals speculated upon decades ago. Before getting to that, heres a review from State Seismologist Michael West on the significance of an earthquake this big: We get so numb to magnitude scale in this state, he said at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he works for the Geophysical Institute. A magnitude 7 is one hell of an earthquake. Put that in Afghanistan, it would kill 10,000 people. So far, there are no reports of injuries in the restless corner of Alaska near the fishing town of Yakutat. Nor in the bordering high country of the western Yukon or British Columbia. But some glaciers now wear a new coat of fallen rock. This is violent, West said. It shook loose landslides all across the region. The earthquake and its more than 2,000 aftershocks have caught the attention of scientists who have over the years connected the dots between massive fault systems separated by some of the greatest icefields on Earth. All those individual shocks are the science version of pointillism. That painting technique, developed by two French artists in the late 1800s, features the singular application of dots to a canvas that in time reveals a larger picture. Image by UAF Geophysical Institute A star on the map of Alaska indicates the epicenter of the Hubbard Glacier earthquake. The Hubbard Glacier earthquake of Dec. 6, 2025, has painted a coarse line beneath the ice. Some researchers think it may trace a connector fault between established cuts in the thick planetary crust. Those slices in the Earth are visible in some cases. The Denali Fault, for example, frowns across middle Alaska as a linear, sometimes ice-filled trench between mountains. And the Fairweather Fault, a northern extension of the San Andreas that slashes through the back of Lituya Bay. The Fairweather was responsible for an earthquake that shook a mountaintop into that bay in 1958, causing a 1,700-foot splash wave still the highest ever recorded. Looking at the records of shakes large and small from the Dec. 6 earthquake, scientists see a pattern that has intrigued them. Photo by Ned Rozell A 1958 earthquake on the Fairweather Fault that passes through Lituya Bay shook a mountaintop into the water and produced a wave that reached 1,740 feet on the hillside in the background, shearing off rainforest spruce trees. That jaggedy feature, I would call it the Connector Fault, said Peter Haeussler, a recently retired U.S. Geological Survey scientist emeritus. Haeussler was so excited about the development that he answered an inquiry while sailing aboard his 45-foot sailboat upon Mexicos Sea of Cortez. He spoke about noted geologists, including Don Richter and George Plafker, who speculated many years ago that two of Alaskas major fault systems had to be invisibly connected beneath the great icefields where Southeast Alaska hooks on to the rest of the state. They had a niggling but couldnt get up there to check. Theres all this territory between the Totschunda (a mapped offshoot of the Denali Fault that ruptured in November 2002) and the Fairweather Fault. But its under the ice, its at high elevation, and its dangerous, Haeussler said. Julie Elliott, a research professor from Michigan State University, was a graduate student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2011 when she studied the creeping movement of the region using many high-precision GPS observations. In a paper she wrote as part of her Ph.D, Elliott included a modeled Connector Fault beneath the ice, following the straight lines of glaciers that scientists had speculated would be the likely pathway of a hidden fault. Ive seen some preliminary relocations of the aftershocks and they line up quite well with the location of my model fault, Elliott said. The geologists idea that a fault could lie beneath the ice fields was a good one. As more aftershocks paint the Alaska map one point at a time, West is hesitant to yet declare the recent earthquake the smoking gun that has revealed the Connector Fault. He as well as the other scientists interviewed described that part of Alaska as a geologic train wreck. There, the Yakutat microplate, a thick chunk of Earths crust, slides along and collides with Alaska. Photo by Ned Rozell Born of tectonic forces beneath the restless corner of Alaska near Hubbard Glacier, 18,008-foot Mount St. Elias rises from near sea level. This causes earthquakes along strike-slip faults (ones with energy flowing both ways, like trucks zooming past each other on a two-lane highway) like the Fairweather. Over the years, the tectonic action has shoved up some of the greatest coastal mountains on the planet, among them 18,008-foot Mount St. Elias and 15,300-foot Mount Fairweather. This area really should be super-complicated, West said. West thinks the Hubbard Glacier earthquake has indeed revealed the southern end of a connector fault, but the scatter of the earthquake signals toward the northwest has his gut telling him there is another, smaller fault involved. This may be a little dirtier than a 50-kilometer fault ripping cleanly, he said. Geologists would love nothing better than to get their boots to the site of the Hubbard Glacier earthquake right now. Once there in that quiet, cold country, they would look for the same tears along the ice-and-rock surface that showed for 200 miles after the 2002 Denali Fault earthquake. A few complications exist: The Hubbard Glacier earthquake happened in the fleeting light of December beneath a crevassed ice field that is 67 miles away from the nearest fishing town. I am a bit disappointed that the earthquake happened during the winter, Elliott said. Since the late 1970s, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute has provided this column free in cooperation with the UAF research community. Ned Rozell is a science writer for the Geophysical Institute. By Nicole Lyons, December 12, 2025 Counseling graduate student Lauryn Paulus will graduate with her master's degree during Fall 2025 Commencement. Countdown to Commencement The University of Central Missouri offers a community of support, allowing students to redefine whats possible as they forge a path to their future. With help from faculty and staff, UCM students are empowered to be the heroes of their own stories and as we prepare for Fall 2025 Commencement, the News Bureau is shining a spotlight on some of those stories. After gaining impactful experiences through internships and faculty support at the University of Central Missouri (UCM), Counseling graduate student Lauryn Paulus is ready for the next chapter. Before starting her masters in Counseling with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health at UCM, the Lees Summit, Missouri, native earned a bachelors degree in Biology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2020 and a bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Kansas in 2022. Paulus said mental health has always been important to her as she navigated her own challenges and struggles. When she graduated during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she kept hearing about the need for counselors and the difficulties of accessing affordable mental health care. That was a really low point, I think, for so many, and so whenever I started coming back around to the idea of going back to school and kind of changing my career, that is what I fell into, Paulus recalled. I was really curious about social psychology and just kind of how individuals work together and knowing people's minds and being able to support them in some of their hardest moments. While her career path evolved into counseling, her passion for working with children always remained strong. Paulus said she has a calling to work with kids, so it made sense when she found a connection with the Intro to Play Therapy course at UCM, which focuses on child-centered play therapy (CCPT). The concept recognizes that children have the innate potential to grow and express their feelings using toys and creative activities, allowing the child to lead rather than the counselor. One of the most famous quotes of CCPT is toys are the words and play is the language, Paulus explained. So we're always constantly watching, observing and being with that child. We're showing them that they're seen, they're heard, they're validated, they're understood, they're delighted in, to foster this self-esteem, confidence, emotion regulation and empathy within them. And that really stuck with me. Paulus gained clinical experience while working for several years as a behavioral health technician at Crittenton Children's Center, a residential and inpatient psychiatric hospital for kids ages 4 to 18. Her responsibilities included facilitating groups and supporting the childrens mental health journeys. Shes now an intern in the private practice sector at Beyond the Storm Behavioral Health, where she uses her play therapy skills. Paulus is a member of Chi Sigma Iota, Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International, serving as treasurer and later as vice president. She and fellow graduate students host banquets each semester, offer walk-in clinics, and share information with UCM students about mental health services. She also maintained an impressive 4.0 GPA during her masters program. However, some of Paulus favorite memories at UCM are the small, everyday moments. At the end of night class, the students would gather in the parking lot and debrief, offering check-ins for one another. Although it was never officially planned, the impromptu meetings became a weekly tradition. The students would share the highs and lows of life, whether personal or school-related. Paulus said those connections were meaningful for everyone. It's just been a really big privilege being able to get to know other students in the program and being able to foster those connections, Paulus said. I think that in itself and growing that is an accomplishment. I think grad school can feel really lonely if you're not intentional in building those friendships. That's something I'll carry with me. Nancy Forth, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Counseling and Educational Leadership, said Paulus was engaged, reflective and consistently committed to developing her professional skills. Lauryn's growth has been remarkable. Over the course of the program, she became increasingly confident in her clinical skills and more grounded in her professional judgment, Forth said. Personally, she demonstrated resilience, self-awareness and a strong dedication to serving others. Lauryn evolved from a promising new student into a thoughtful, capable, emerging counselor who is well-prepared to make a meaningful impact in the field. Her development has been a true reflection of her hard work, openness to feedback and passion for the counseling profession. After graduation, Paulus will continue working at Beyond the Storm as she completes her supervision as a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor. Shell continue to build her caseload of adolescent clients and plans to work toward her Registered Play Therapist credential. As Paulus walks across the commencement stage on Saturday, Dec. 13, it will be the culmination of almost a decade of pursuing her education. She said the Counseling program has given her more than words could ever describe. Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) is one of the 15 best AI stocks to watch in December 2025. Strong Momentum in Block (XYZ)'s Square and Cash App Segments Drives UBS' Bullish Stance On December 3, 2025, UBS analyst Timothy Chiodo reiterated his Buy rating on Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) with a $90 price target. The analysts bullish stance reflects sustained momentum across both the Square and Cash App ecosystems. Despite seasonal trends pointing to some Gross Payment Volume (GPV) deceleration, Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) reiterated its Q4 2025 outlook, which translates into strong gross profit and adjusted operating income growth. Within the Square ecosystem, the analyst sees further domestic and international scaling potential as expanded investments in telesales and field sales continue to generate strong returns. Moving on to the Cash App ecosystem, the analyst sees it as a key growth driver, with management further bolstering his optimism by projecting a mid-teen gross profit CAGR over the next three years. Moreover, rising active users and deeper monetization across bitcoin offerings and pre-purchase BNPL features continue to drive growth expectations. The analyst also highlighted Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ)s ability to enhance consumer spending flexibility and apply internal data to strengthen underwriting. Meanwhile, Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) shared its longer-term guidance for key business performance metrics on November 19, 2025. Projecting mid-teens annual gross profit growth through 2028, the company projects it will reach $15.8 billion. At the same time, it projected an approximately 30% annual growth in adjusted operating income and adjusted EPS. Furthermore, management believes the company will achieve the Rule of 40 in 2026. By 2028, non-GAAP cash flow is expected to reach 25% of gross profit, or more than $4.0 billion on a non-GAAP cash flow basis. Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) also boosted its share repurchase program by $5 billion, which reflects leaderships confidence in the companys financial trajectory. Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop technology that broadens economic access through Square, Cash App, Afterpay, Bitkey, and Proto. It supports global commerce, financial services, digital payments, and bitcoin innovation. While we acknowledge the potential of XYZ 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 Small-Cap Biotech Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 11 Overlooked Tech Stocks to Invest In. Disclosure: None. The Black Sea should not be seen as an arena of confrontation and must remain safe for navigation. Achieving peace is realistic, and efforts should stay focused in that direction. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the remarks to journalists while traveling after the International Peace and Security Forum in Turkmenistan, on the sidelines of which he met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Ukrinform reports, citing TRT Haber. The Black Sea should not be seen as an arena for settling scores. Such a situation would only harm Russia and Ukraine, and would not benefit them in any way. Everyone needs safe navigation in the Black Sea. This must be ensured, Erdogan said. The Turkish president also shared details of his meeting with Putin. We exchanged views with Mr. Putin on our bilateral relations, the war in Ukraine, and regional issues. We noted that we view the dialogue initiated by Mr. Trump positively, and discussed with him the contributions our country could make to peace efforts, the Turkish leader said. According to Erdogan, Putin promised to visit Turkey in the near future. Peace is not far away; we see that. All we need to do is turn our course towards where peace lies, Erdogan said. As previously reported by Ukrinform, during yesterdays meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Turkmenistan, the feasibility of introducing a ceasefire on energy facilities and ports was discussed. Photo: AA A passenger train traveling from Bucharest to Kyiv was stopped while leaving Moldova at the Valcinet border crossing after a report of a suspected bomb. This was reported by NewsMaker, citing the press service of the border police, according to Ukrinform. According to preliminary information, at around 12:50, the train running on the Bucharest-Kyiv route was stopped at the Valcinet checkpoint on the Moldovan-Ukrainian border as it was exiting Moldova. Ukrzaliznytsia had earlier informed the train manager about a call to a hotline in which an unidentified man reported a supposed bomb on board. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene. On October 12, law enforcement officers in the Ivano-Frankivsk region received a report about a bomb threat on a train. After an inspection, police found no explosives. Photo: Ukrzaliznytsia High Tech and High Growth at the UM BioPark Maryland Commerce Secretary Harry Coker Jr. visited the University of Maryland (UM) BioPark to learn how the Department of Commerce can continue to strengthen Marylands burgeoning life sciences industry. During his visit, leadership from the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Roger J. Ward, EdD, JD, MSL, MPA, provost and executive vice president; James L. Hughes, MBA, chief enterprise and economic development officer and senior vice president; Jane Shaab, MBA, executive director, UM BioPark; and Mary Morris, director, Baltimore Fund led Coker on a tour of 4MLK, the UM BioParks newest facility, which opened in January 2025, and facilitated a discussion with leaders from BioPark companies. (l-r) Mark VanderZyl, Director of Connect Labs Baltimore, and Harry Coker Jr. Showing off Connect Labs as well as the new Edward and Jennifer St. John Center for Translational Engineering and Medicine (CTEM), both located in 4MLK, the UMB team drove home the importance of not just innovation space, but integrated resources to support companies. Connect Labs Baltimore, a 35,000-square-foot scale-in-place lab and innovation infrastructure for companies in the life sciences, computational, engineering, and energy industries, provides flexible, move-in-ready space alongside shared amenities and tailored programming. By co-locating a wide range of companies from university startups to growth-stage, for-profit companies to entrepreneurial support organizations to investment funds it creates a robust environment and serves as an asset for retaining early-stage companies in Baltimore. A lot of early-stage companies do find that being here in Connect Labs and the BioPark in general is vital. Theyre running into people that have experience, were running programming, they receive support from our staff as well as from other people and entities, Morris said. And its not only vital to early success, Shaab added. Part of this type of environment is capturing those new companies so they dont leave the state of Maryland. Many of the companies in Connect Labs have formed partnerships with UMB or, in the case of Irazu Oncology, are working to commercialize UMB intellectual property. CTEM, fueled by a $10 million donation from Edward and Jennifer St. John and the Edward St. John Foundation, along with a $12.75 million grant from the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State, is a collaboration between the University of Maryland School of Medicine at UMB and the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. CTEM fosters face-to-face collaboration among clinicians and engineers as they develop next-generation medical solutions. A few of the entrepreneurial faculty members have spun out companies and located them in Connect Labs, which is just one floor below the CTEM facilities. After getting a sense of what 4MLK offers, Coker sat down with leaders from BioPark companies: David Block, MD, MBA, CEO of Gliknik; Paul Boyce, MS, senior director of Americas commercial enablement, service and support, at Illumina; Carey Connelly, PhD, senior director of process development at Catalent Cell & Gene Therapy; and Jeff Strovel, PhD, CEO of Irazu Oncology. Were partners with you. What do we need to do to make it even better? What can the state do? Coker asked. The bottom line for the state is, we want to develop a more robust, equitable, and competitive economy. Regardless of how challenging the economic environment is, growth wont happen without the investment. And too often, in the past, governments have looked towards growth by raising taxes and raising fees. Thats not what were going to do. Were going to grow the tax base as opposed to raising taxes and raising fees. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Maharashtra: Vacancies in Colleges, Universities to be filled soon The Maharashtra government said the vacant posts, including that of Lecturers and Assistant Professors, will be filled soon Nagpur: The Maharashtra government said the vacant posts, including that of Lecturers and Assistant Professors, will be filled soon. As per the governments own data, a large number of Lecturer and Assistant Professor posts are lying vacant across the state. This was highlighted by Congress MLA Pragya Sata during the Maharashtra Assembly Winter Session currently underway in Nagpur Saturday. Highlighting the issue, Pragya Sata said the higher education in universities and colleges have been affected because of the insufficient teaching staff. Vacancies in Maharashtra Universities, Colleges Replying to Pragya Sata, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakantdada Patil said steps are being taken to fill the vacant posts and appoint the necessary academic staff. Giving more details, Patil said that a government order of October 3, 2018 sanctioned filling up of 40 per cent (3,580) posts of Assistant Professors in aided colleges. Of these, 3,086 posts were filled and 494 remained vacant. The process is underway for more recruitment, he said. Patil also said that a total of 12,918 posts of Assistant Professors were vacant in aided, non-government colleges as per the student strength as on October 1, 2017. The State Finance Ministry has granted approval to appoint 5,012 Assistant Professor posts that had fallen vacant between the years 2018 and 2024,Patil said. Similarly, sanction was granted for filling up 80 per cent of vacancies in the public universities by an order dated August 7, 2019. The Finance Department has also been asked to sanction appointments of 85 per cent of academic vacancies, Patil said in the State Assembly. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Key Points TJX stock has outperformed the S&P 500 over the past five years. This retail business excels at sourcing unsold inventory from other brands and reselling it at discounts. The company continues to expand in new international markets, indicating a long runway of growth. 10 stocks we like better than TJX Companies TJX (NYSE: TJX) has been one of the best retail stocks to hold over the last few decades, and it continues to perform well for investors. The stock has increased by 154% over the past five years, when including reinvestment of dividends to purchase additional shares. TJX shares significantly outperformed the S&P 500's 102% return. TJX has outperformed the S&P 500 over the last three- and one-year period as well. A $10,000 investment made in December 2005 would be worth roughly $357,670 today, assuming dividends were reinvested in additional shares. These returns reflect a resilient retail business that consistently delivers solid financial performance, regardless of the economic environment. Here's more behind TJX's unique business strategy and why it remains a solid long-term investment. Image source: Getty Images. An unstoppable business model TJX has mastered the off-price retail model across its store brands, including TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Sierra, and HomeGoods. It sources unsold inventory from other manufacturers, as well as closeout sales from other brands, which it then resells to its customers at attractive discounts. There has been weak sales growth across other apparel brands in the past few years, but not at TJX. Its quarterly revenue growth is still consistent with its historical trend. The last quarter saw its revenue increase by 7.5% year over year, with positive comparable sales growth across all three brands. TJX is well-positioned to gain market share as other apparel stores struggle. It has been very opportunistic in its inventory acquisitions recently, which has driven higher availability of quality merchandise for its customers. Analysts expect full-year revenue to increase by approximately 6%, with earnings per share projected to rise by almost 10%. What's next for TJX stock The impressive returns investors could have realized over the last 20 years illustrate how patient investing can build tremendous wealth. TJX demonstrates that you can achieve this by investing in unexciting companies that excel in one area better than anyone else. It's unclear whether the stock can replicate its past performance over the next 20 years. The stock is more expensive than it was a few years ago, trading at a forward price-to-earnings multiple of 32. This is relatively high for a business that analysts expect to grow earnings by around 9% annually over the next several years. WASHINGTON (AP) U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is proposing to overhaul a regulatory panel that monitors the nation's financial stability, by advocating for looser regulations. The Financial Stability Oversight Council, a U.S. body created in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, monitors risks to the financial system and coordinates regulators' approaches to overseeing the U.S. financial system. In a letter released by Bessent Thursday, he said too often in the past, efforts to safeguard the financial system have resulted in burdensome and often duplicative regulations." Our administration is changing that approach," said Bessent, who chairs the committee, which is meeting on Thursday. Bessent said the council will begin to "consider where aspects of the U.S. financial regulatory framework impose undue burdens and where they harm economic growth, thereby undermining financial stability. Voting members of the FSOC committee include the head of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; the Comptroller of the Currency; the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and several other agency heads. It was established in 2010 by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, a sweeping U.S. financial reform law created to prevent future economic meltdowns. A critic of the Trump administration, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., panned the idea of loosening financial regulations, saying taking this hands-off approach to financial stability would leave our financial system and economy at greater risk in any economic environment. Going down this path just as cracks are emerging in the financial system and yellow lights are flashing across our economy is especially reckless," she said in a statement, citing the recent bankruptcies of subprime auto lender Tricolor Holdings, auto parts company First Brands, and home remodeling platform Renovo Home Partners. Cambodia shut its border crossings with Thailand on Saturday, after Bangkok denied US President Donald Trump's claim that a truce had been agreed to end days of deadly fighting. Violence between the Southeast Asian neighbours, which stems from a long-running dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of their 800-kilometre (500-mile) border, has displaced around half a million people on both sides. At least 25 people have died this week, including four Thai soldiers the defence ministry said were killed in the border area on Saturday. The latest fatalities were followed by Phnom Penh announcing it would immediately "suspend all entry and exit movements at all Cambodia-Thailand border crossings", the interior ministry said. Each side blamed the other for reigniting the conflict, before Trump said a truce had been agreed. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Trump "didn't mention whether we should make a ceasefire" during their Friday phone call. The two leaders "didn't discuss" the issue, Anutin told journalists on Saturday. Trump had hailed his "very good conversation" with Anutin and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Friday. "They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord" agreed in July, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. The United States, China and Malaysia, as chair of the regional bloc ASEAN, brokered a ceasefire in July after an initial five-day spate of violence. In October, Trump backed a follow-on joint declaration between Thailand and Cambodia, touting new trade deals after they agreed to prolong their truce. But Thailand suspended the agreement the following month after Thai soldiers were wounded by landmines at the border. In Thailand, evacuee Kanyapat Saopria said she doesn't "trust Cambodia anymore". "The last round of peace efforts didn't work out... I don't know if this one will either," the 39-year-old told AFP. Across the border, a Cambodian evacuee said she was "sad" the fighting hadn't stopped despite Trump's intervention. "I am not happy with brutal acts," said Vy Rina, 43. - Trading blame over civilians - Bangkok and Phnom Penh have traded accusations of attacks against civilians, with the Thai army reporting six wounded on Saturday by Cambodian rockets. Cambodia's information minister, Neth Pheaktra, meanwhile said Thai forces had "expanded their attacks to include civilian infrastructure and Cambodian civilians". A Thai navy spokesman said the air force "successfully destroyed" two Cambodian bridges used to transport weapons to the conflict zone. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday urged both sides to "cease all forms of hostilities and refrain from any further military actions". Thailand has reported 14 soldiers killed and seven civilian deaths, while Cambodia said four civilians were killed earlier this week. At a camp in Thailand's Buriram, AFP journalists saw displaced residents calling relatives near the border who reported that fighting was ongoing. Thailand's prime minister has vowed to "continue to perform military actions until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people". After the call with Trump, Anutin said "the one who violated the agreement needs to fix (the situation)". Cambodia's Hun Manet, meanwhile, said his country "has always been adhering to peaceful means for dispute resolutions". burs-sjc/rsc Advertisement NationalPolitical leadership Opinion Our underachiever nations lost 25 years Nick Bryant Journalist and author December 13, 2025 2:00am December 13, 2025 2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Is there a country on the planet that made a more sure-footed start to the 21st century than Australia? Is there a nation that ushered in the new millennium with such panache? The Sydney Olympics, the superlative summer games, offered a near-perfect start. And already in 2000, the economy had sailed through the dot.com global downturn, offering more proof of what was dubbed the Australian economic miracle. No wonder the country experienced a flowering of face-paint patriotism, and newfound pride in the green and gold. Before we wallow for too long in the sunroom of sentimentalism, lets ask ourselves a more awkward question. In the 25 years since fireworks illuminated the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, those 20th century monuments of Australian self-realisation, what have been the landmarks of 21st century success? Illustration by Jozsef Benke That near recession-proof wonder Down Under economy has been the most conspicuous marker of achievement. Only once, in COVID-blighted 2019-2020, did we experience a year of negative growth. Even then, it was only a 0.3 per cent contraction. Yet, the robustness of the Australian economy in the 21st century still owes enormously to the Australian model created in the late 20th century under the Hawke/Keating/Howard governments. But wealth has been accrued unevenly. By 2020, among 34 OECD nations, Australia had the 17th-highest level of income inequality. The introduction in July 2000 of the GST is commonly cited as this centurys most significant economic reform. But the legislation, A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act, was enacted in 1999. The carbon tax introduced in 2012 by the Gillard government was repealed by the Abbott government in 2014. That leaves the National Disability Insurance Scheme as the most notable durable structural reform. Here, though, ballooning costs, rising at 22 per cent per annum by 2022, have made reform of the NDIS an urgent fiscal necessity. Ironically, Bill Shorten, who lost the 2019 election partly because his manifesto as Labor leader was considered too bold, was the prime architect of arguably the boldest legislative change. Advertisement The National Broadband Network was touted as a landmark of the digital age, but Australia now ranks 48th on the international league table of fixed broadband speed, according to the Speedtest Global Index. That is below Albania. That is below Ecuador and Costa Rica. Cathy Freeman on her victory lap at the 2000 Olympic Games, flourishing both the national and Aboriginal flags. AP The Snowy 2.0 renewable energy scheme, Malcolm Turnbulls signature project, recalls ambitious nation-building infrastructure projects of yesteryear. Yet because of delays and cost blowouts from $2 billion to a projected $20 billion on some estimates it will not be operational until at least 2028, four years late and outside the 25-year time frame. Australia weathered COVID better than most other nations, demonstrating that adversity often brings to the fore valuable national traits, namely the ability to deal pragmatically rather than ideologically with a crisis. But the vaccine stroll-out was needlessly sluggish, while Fortress Australia restrictions often felt punitive and overbearing. After early advances, such as Cathy Freemans Olympian 400 metres of reconciliation and Kevin Rudds national apology to members of the stolen generations, reconciliation with First Nations people has gone backwards. The failure of the Voice referendum was a giant retrograde step. Data released this week revealed the highest level of Indigenous deaths in custody since records began in 1979. Advertisement Now a more consequential country in a more consequential region, Australia has continued to institutionalise its diplomatic influence through organisations, such as APEC and the G20, which it was instrumental in creating. Advocates of AUKUS, by far the most monumental strategic shift of the past 25 years, would claim the delivery of nuclear submarines will safeguard Australias security well into the 21st century. Yet we cannot say for sure when, or if, those subs will reach these shores. Nor what will be the diplomatic and commercial fallout with our biggest trading partner, China. Related Article Refugees Libs consider slashing refugee intake in Coalition migration policy As we were reminded only this week, when the world-first social media ban on under-16s came into effect, countries now regard Australia as a laboratory of reform. This is especially so with the fissile issue of unauthorised immigration. Australia succeeded in stopping the boats, disrupting the business model of people smugglers and policing its borders more strictly than the United States and European nations. However, the Pacific Solution, centred on the indefinite offshore detention of asylum seekers, came at a high moral cost and brought an acid shower of criticism from the United Nations. For most of the century, federal politics has been in a recessionary slump, with eight different prime ministerships at one stage in the space of 11 years. John Howard has been the only incumbent this century to serve more than four years. But he was less productive in the early noughties than the late 90s. Aside from his ill-fated push for WorkChoices, Howardism was starting to peter out. In 2006, on Howards 10th anniversary in power, then-foreign affairs minister Alexander Downer observed the government did not have a big reform idea, to which Howard evidently responded: Well, weve done all the things that we really wanted to do. Thrusting reformers, such as Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull, struggled to command loyalty from their party rooms, partly because they were seen as overly and ruthlessly ambitious. The climate and culture wars have taken up too much bandwidth. Three-year terms have embedded short-termism in policymaking and made politics a ceaseless campaign. The constructive bipartisanship evident at the height of the reform era, when Paul Keating often looked upon Howard as a useful, if unlikely, ally, is not so evident today. Gaining power, rather than contemplating what to do with it, has become a recurring motif, leading to the primacy of politics over policy. Advertisement Coup capital Canberra not only experienced killing seasons but a killing era. Party and personal politics became relentlessly oppositional. Much of John Howards efforts were devoted to pushing back against Keatings attempt to redefine national identity. Because Howardism became synonymous with anti-Keatingism, it seemed he was serving both as prime minister and opposition leader. Related Article Opinion Letters Where is Bob Menzies when we need him? Kevin Rudd, after losing the Labor leadership, spent too much time undercutting the woman who ousted him. The Liberal years between 2013 and 2022 are remembered more for internecine combat than nation-building. Coup capital Canberra not only experienced killing seasons but a killing era. On both sides of politics, the orthodoxy took hold that leaders offering bold reform agendas would get punished by voters. Its an ugly legacy of 1993, when the then opposition leader, John Hewson, lost an unlosable election because of campaigning on Fightback!, a 650-page policy package brimming with policy. Big ideas create big targets. Among political professionals whose proliferation has contributed to the problem of over-politicisation it has become an article of faith that you are losing when you are explaining. Advertisement Just imagine if Keating had accepted that brainless dogma before introducing superannuation, or Howard in proposing the GST. Meaningful change requires patient, and often passionate, elucidation. Related Article Exclusive Resolve Political Monitor Coalition vote crashes to record low, One Nation surges amid housing anger: poll Preserving the status quo has proven a more powerful force than effecting change. Maybe one way of thinking about politics this century is that John Howard proved a doughty defender of Menziesism and slayer of cultural Keatingism, while Labor leaders were not prepared to advance Keatingism and too timid to rebuff Howardism. In that formulation, you will note a glaring omission: the name of a single prime minister who came to office this century. After Howards defeat in 2007, no prime minister has come close to having the word era attached to his or her name. Anthony Albanese has that opportunity, but there is a danger he could become a touch-the-earth-lightly prime minister. For sure, Australia has fared better than most Western nations. It remains the lifestyle superpower. The capital cities have become staples on those lists of the worlds most liveable domains. But the Aussie way of life has become unaffordable for too many Australians and an Australian Dream centred on home ownership has become a chimera for too many young people. At least 25 years in the making, the housing crisis is symptomatic of a broader malaise. But mea culpa. Property owners have been complicit by refusing to back policies, such as changes to negative gearing and planning laws enabling higher urban density, that risk depressing sale prices. As John Howard famously remarked back in 2003: I dont get people stopping me in the street and saying, John, youre outrageous. Under your government the value of my house has increased. Housing is a case where voters get the policy and politics we deserve. Advertisement Sometimes we refer to lost decades in national life. Yet as we approach the end of 2025, we should reflect on 25 years of national underachievement and speak instead of Australias lost quarter-century. Nick Bryant is the author of The Rise and Fall of Australia: How A Great Nation Lost its Way. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion 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: Political leadership Opinion Nick Bryant is a former BBC correspondent and the author of The Forever War, Americas Unending Conflict With Itself. Advertisement Travel newsQueensland New hotel helps address room shortage at one of our best beach spots Julietta Jameson December 13, 2025 2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A South-east Queenslands beach hotspots can be summed up as a tale of two sisters. The Gold Coast to the south of Brisbane is the showy, glamorous sibling, while the Sunshine Coast to the north is the more understated, au naturel one. While both have undergone significant population growth and residential development, particularly since the pandemic, the serene Sunshine Coast has avoided the intense tourism build-up of the glitzy Goldie, thanks to planning rules that restrict building heights, aiming to preserve natural assets and a laid-back lifestyle. This is despite the more than 3000-square-kilometre region on land traditionally owned by the Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi and Jinibara peoples having more than 60 kilometres of open shoreline and more than 70 kilometres of estuary, as well as glorious mountains and rainforest. Avani Mooloolabas lobby bar. The hotel is part of the Sunshine Coasts tourism reset. Artists impression An artists impression of a standard room at the Avani Mooloolaba. Advertisement But with both regions named co-hosts for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, the Sunshine Coast is undergoing a tourism reset. Next year will provide a glimpse of that with the opening of Avani Mooloolaba on the foreshore of the eponymous beachside town. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. Built by Queensland-based KPAT, which won the tender for half of a former ground-level bitumen car park owned by Sunshine Coast Council (the remaining half was converted into a multi-storey car park), the Avani occupies a prominent corner, offering hospitality at street level and full hotel facilities above. Lobby rear entry at Avani Mooloolaba. The exterior of Avani Mooloolaba. Artists impression KPAT managing director Kenneth Wagner says the hotel is desperately needed. South-east Queensland faces a hotel room shortage and estimates suggest 30,000 to 40,000 new rooms will be required by the time the Olympics arrive. Wagner argues this shortage is the legacy of two decades of inaction and poor planning, rather than the fault of current governments. Advertisement In Mooloolaba, 50 kilometres south of Noosa, supply is tight. Youve got whats been listed as one of the top 10 beaches in the world, and theres nowhere to stay, Wagner says. The place is full of managed-apartment letting, much of it owned by individuals who dont place their units in the letting pool. Many sit empty all year round. What the region desperately needs is a range of fully serviced, two-to-four-night-stay hotels. The Avani is a start. The hotel is a collaboration between Minor Hotels, owners of the Avani brand, and KPAT, which has overseen everything from design (architects Cottee Parker were involved initially) through to construction, and will manage the property under Minors exacting brand guidelines when it opens in April 2026. The reception area at the Avani. Artists impression The lobby at Avani Mooloolaba. Artists impression Advertisement For guests, this means sweeping ocean views from the rooftop pool and bar, an AvaniFit gym, an AvaniSpa and 180 rooms across 12 levels. It is the first Avani hotel in Australia (there is an apartment-style Avani in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast). Wagner describes Avani properties as lifestyle hotels that are energetic, punchy, loud loud referring to style, not noise. Related Article Queensland The Sunshine Coasts new caravan park isnt like others Interior designer Taryn Raso, who is overseeing the fit-out, says the aim is to make people feel welcome straight off the beach while still honouring an upmarket feel. She highlights custom rugs, blue-and-white striped bedheads and bespoke artworks as favourite touches. The whole design is about capturing the spirit of the Sunshine Coast dynamic and playful, she says. Advertisement Meanwhile, just outside the hotel, Sunshine Coast Council continues its extensive Mooloolaba foreshore revitalisation, and further afield, Sunshine Coast Airport is pressing ahead with its $170 million upgrade. With just a few years until the cauldron is lit for Brisbanes 2032 Olympics, theres plenty more to come. See Avanihotels.com The revenue coming in from President Trump's tariffs dipped in November, but the president's oft-made promises for what he will do with the money have continued apace. His latest pitch came on Wednesday night, when he used an address to the nation to announce new "warrior dividend" checks of $1,776 headed to 1.45 million military service members. "The checks are already on the way," Trump said Wednesday, adding that the approximately $2.5 billion price tag was made possible in large part because "we made a lot more money than anybody thought because of tariffs." It was just the latest use of tariff money, which is coming in at a much lower rate than he likes to suggest. According to Yahoo Finance's count, the president has floated at least 10 different ideas for how tariff money could be used, stretching back to the 2024 campaign. The promises range from sending all Americans $2,000 tariff dividend checks to paying for the tax cuts that Republicans instituted this summer. President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington on December 17. (Doug MILLS / POOL / AFP via Getty Images) DOUG MILLS via Getty Images Trump reminded the crowd at a rally in Pennsylvania this past week how he feels about tariffs, saying of the word, "I love it more than any other word in the dictionary." He only demoted it behind other words like religion and family, he said, at the behest of the "fake news." Yet the tariff revenue picture has gotten considerably more cloudy in recent weeks after the president bowed to Americans' affordability concerns and lifted some tariffs on items like coffee, oranges, and cocoa that had seen price increases. That led to a downward tick in monthly tariff revenues in November to $30.76 billion, from $31.35 billion received in October, the first decrease since Trump began implementing his historic second-term duties. And Trumps promises, of course, also come as a Supreme Court decision looms that could not only invalidate the lion's share of new tariffs, but also even potentially force him to issue refunds to the tune of up to $100 billion. An ever-growing spending list for tariff money It was just last week that the administration announced a $12 billion bailout fund for farmers. That money "would not be possible without tariffs," the president said. Scott Lincicome, an economist at the Cato Institute, quickly pointed out four additional things that Trump has promised his tariffs would pay for. In addition to farm bailouts, dividend checks, and tax cuts, Lincicome noted Trump's promise to pay down the national debt with tariffs and his occasional suggestion that tariffs could lead to an elimination of income taxes. This story was originally published on Payments Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Payments Dive newsletter. Tyler Technologies, which provides software and payments services mainly to state and municipal governments, is gearing up for payments modernization moves by its clients next year. For this year, the Plano, Texas-based company projects as much as $2.36 billion in annual revenue, according to its website. The company has been building its business since 1966, and now has about 7,600 employees, and clients in about 15,000 locations. Among its biggest customers is the County of Los Angeles, and on the smaller side is Loving County, Texas. Morgan Jines, the companys vice president of payments, described in an interview last week what trends Tyler expects next year in its work with government clients. While Tyler does minimal work for the federal government, Jines noted the ripple effect of President Donald Trumps March payments modernization executive order banishing paper checks and the impact its having on state and local governments. Aside from payments modernization trends, she foresees more client work on security systems to mitigate fraud; more focus on embedded payments that tap real-time payments; and more use of payments orchestration to reduce costs. Editors note: The following interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. PAYMENTS DIVE: How has your company responded to the president's payments modernization order? MORGAN JINES: We do have some down-market government entities that relied exclusively on either checks or ACH. We have a very turnkey response, with them already being in the cloud, to turn on other payment channels, whether that be digital wallets, whether that be buy now, pay later. It primarily affected lower-market towns and villages and some smaller cities. I would say most populations with a threshold above 75,000, no issue. They still offered ACH and checks, but they had a full system of paying, whether through card or digital wallets or even buy now, pay later. And so for them, the impact was they noticed a shift in the adoption of cards. They noticed an impact, if they were absorbing those fees. In what other ways has that federal government modernization tone affected your business? In the past 12 to 18 months I have seen more [requests for proposals] around payment modernization and system modernization than Ive ever seen. What other benefits does payments modernization have? These RFPs focused on modernizing our systems are ensuring not just industry adherence, but also future, go-forward plans to prevent and mitigate fraud for systems that are able to evolve with the industry. Dec 12 (Reuters) - U.S. investors bought equity funds for the first time in three weeks in the week through December 10 in anticipation of a policy rate cut by the Federal Reserve on Wednesday. They purchased a net $3.3 billion worth of U.S. equity funds during the week, closely reversing a net $3.52 billion outflow the prior week, LSEG Lipper data showed. Investors, however, remained concerned over a slower pace of profitability for artificial intelligence companies as earnings guidance from Oracle missed market expectations on Wednesday. U.S. equity sectoral funds received a net $2.81 billion, the largest weekly inflow since a $4.03 billion net purchase in the week to October 22. Metals and mining, industrials and healthcare funds saw weekly inflows to the tune of $672 million, $548 million and $527 million, respectively. U.S. bond funds witnessed $3.49 billion weekly net purchase, significantly higher than the previous week's $291 million net inflows. Investors pumped $2.61 billion into short-to-intermediate investment-grade funds, the largest amount in seven weeks. They, however, shed general domestic taxable fixed income funds of $902 million. Money market funds, meanwhile, had a net $4.58 billion weekly outflow following a robust $105.03 billion weekly net purchase the prior week. (Reporting by Gaurav Dogra) Claire Henry A chef who was caught with over half a million euros in cannabis has been sentenced to three years in prison. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Lin Yan (40) of Kennelsforth Road Lower, Palmerstown, Dublin 20, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on March 7th, 2025. He has no previous convictions. Detective Garda Joe Murphy told Pieter Le Vert BL, prosecuting, that gardai received information from customs and excise that a drugs detection dog had made a positive reaction to a pallet that had come into the country. The pallet was x-rayed, and the gardai planned a controlled, undercover delivery of the pallet. The court heard that the pallet was delivered to an address in the Palmerstown area, but there was no one there to receive the pallet. A phone number attached to the delivery paperwork was called, and Yan answered the call, telling the gardai that he would be there in 15 minutes. Det Gda Murphy told the court that Yan arrived, signed for the delivery, and that all but one of the undercover gardai left the area. The one remaining garda kept both Yan and the pallet under unimpeded surveillance. The pallet contained Chinese takeaway supplies and suspected cannabis. Yan began to unpack the pallet and began pacing up and down when he came across the boxes of suspected cannabis herb. Gardai then approached Yan and arrested him. He was detained and interviewed, and the drugs were sent for analysis. Cannabis, with a total value of 571k, was found. Yan has been in custody since his arrest and is originally from China. He was employed as a chef in Ireland and has very little English. Det Gda Murphy agreed with Marc Thompson SC, defending, that his client was co-operative with gardai and that he was on the lowest rung on the drug ladder. The garda agreed that Yan was supplied with employment and accommodation and was under pressure at the time. Mr Thompson told the court his client has been in Ireland for 10 years, has no previous convictions, and has no addiction issues. He said there was a very positive governor's report before the court. He said that upon Yans release from custody, he wishes to remain in Ireland. Counsel asked the court to take into account that his client was a man who was taken advantage of and accepts that he was caught red-handed, and asked that the mandatory minimum of 10 years not be imposed. Sentencing the defendant on Friday, Judge Orla Crowe said she has been asked not to impose the mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, which can only be done in exceptional circumstances. She said it was the court's view that these exceptional circumstances were present in the form of the signed guilty pleas, the fact that Yan was on the lowest rung on the drug dealing ladder, that he had been taken advantage of, and had no addiction issues. Judge Crowe said the amount of drugs seized was an aggravating factor. She set a headline sentence for six years. After considering all mitigating factors, she sentenced Yan to three years in prison, which she backdated to when he went into custody on this matter. Eimear Dodd A convicted killer who was driving at high speed on his motorbike struck a Ukrainian grandmother three years ago, leaving her with serious injuries. Derek Moore (AKA Hutch) of Champions Avenue, Dublin 1 pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious harm to Valentyna Linck on May 27th, 2022 at Amiens Street. Moore (42) pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving and a count of driving under the influence of an intoxicant on the same date. Further counts of dangerous driving are to be taken into consideration by the court. Moore has 44 previous convictions including manslaughter, assault causing serious harm, attempted robbery and possession of drugs. His previous convictions also include eight for dangerous driving and one for endangerment. He was disqualified from driving for five years at the time of this offence, the court was told. The motorbike was insured and in good working order, but the tyre tread depth on the back wheel was below the legal limit. Moore was seen speeding and doing wheelies on the motorbike in Dublin's north inner city before the collision, which occurred around lunchtime on a Friday afternoon. His speed shortly before he struck the injured party was assessed at between 150km/hr and 158km/hr. Lisa Dempsey BL, prosecuting, told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Friday that the State's case is that there was a sequence of dangerous driving incidents by Moore before he struck the victim. She told the court that Ms Linck is a Ukrainian citizen and grandmother who came to Ireland after the start of the war. She was crossing Amiens Street with her daughter and a friend near the railway bridge when Moore struck her. Ms Linck suffered significant facial and head injuries, as well as leg and arm fractures. She had a stroke and a brain bleed as a consequence of the collision. She spent one month in a coma and required several surgeries. The injured party required significant rehabilitative treatment following the collision. She is in constant pain, sustained facial scarring, is no longer able to work and is not as independent as she used to be, the court was told. Moore was also taken to hospital following the collision. Luigi Rea BL, defending, said his client suffered back injuries. Blood sample A blood sample taken from Moore tested positive for cannabis, with 19.2ng almost four times the legal limit of 5ng/ml - identified. He told gardai he had been smoking between two and four joints of cannabis a night since his release from prison 10 months earlier, but denied smoking cannabis on the day. CCTV footage was played to the court showing Moore's driving in the Summerhill area in the 50 minutes before the collision occurred. Judge Pauline Codd said Moore's driving was completely outrageous and created a high level of danger to the public. She agreed to a defence application to order a probation report and adjourned the case for finalisation on March 23rd next year. The judge remanded Moore on continuing bail and directed weekly urinalysis. Detective Sergeant Shane Noone gave evidence that Moore was seen driving his motorbike with one wheel in the air for 71 metres at a speed of 99km/hr in a 50km/hr zone prior to the incident. He did a U-turn at the junction of Summerhill and Gardiner Street, with Det Sgt Noone saying it is believed that Moore did this using the pedestrian crossing. Moore did several more wheelies, including one for 71m at a speed of 106km/hr. He also undertook a bus, weaved through traffic and went through a red light. Shortly before the collision occurred, Moore undertook another bus and stopped briefly to engage with two male pedestrians. High speed He did another U-turn at the Five Lamps junction, then accelerated back along Amiens Street at high speed. Moore's speed at one point on Amiens Street was calculated at 151km/hr in a 50km/hr zone. He then drove through a red light on the street at speeds of 150km/hr to 158km/hr before the collision. The motorbike remained upright and continued until it collided with two other vehicles stopped on the opposite side of the road at a red light at the Talbot Street-Amiens Road junction. Emergency services deemed the injured party's injuries to be life-threatening at the scene and she was rushed to the Mater Hospital. Ms Linck is no longer living in Ireland. Det Sgt Noone said she estimates medical costs of 140,000 and a loss of income of around 110,000. CCTV A victim impact statement was handed to the court, but not read aloud. The court heard Amiens Street was shut for a period of time while a forensic examination was carried out. Moore's home was later searched by gardai, with CCTV, motorbike boots and other items seized. He was voluntarily interviewed by gardai in August 2022, during which he spoke about being paranoid and feeling there was a threat to his life. He told gardai he was having issues with the throttle of his bike. An examination of the bike's throttle identified it was working normally. Moore told gardai he was getting a vibe from two men he met moments before the collision. He said he couldn't hear what they were saying and that made him paranoid. He identified himself on CCTV and said the driving shown was stupidity and embarrassing. He apologised to the woman, gardai and anyone offended by his behaviour on the day. Moore has been on bail and has not come to garda attention except for one public order matter, the court was told. Det Gda Noone agreed with Mr Rea that his client was apologetic when interviewed and expressed his hope that the injured party would make a full recovery. It was further accepted that there was no connection between the parties before this incident. The garda agreed that several of Moore's family members have died in horrible circumstances including his older brother Gary, who died aged 34. Moore has two children and is in a relationship. He has some work history in construction, Mr Rea told the court. A letter of apology, a letter from his GP and other documents were handed to the court. Close ups of the Declaration of Independence quarter and the Constitution Quarter - U.S. Mint On Wednesday, December 11, 2025, the United States Mint revealed designs for the upcoming release of the Semiquincentennial Circulating Coin Program. These coins will only be available for one year, and seeing as investing in collectible coins can yield big rewards, they could retain serious value in the future. Intended to commemorate the 250th year of ongoing American liberty, each unique design is meant to reflect the history of America's founding and the country's move toward creating an ideal union. Although these coins won't be like the rarest U.S. coin that's now worth a fortune any time soon, collecting them could still be a good investment for the future. During the unveiling of the new coin designs at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, acting Mint Director Kristie McNally said, per the U.S. Mint, "We hope to offer each American the opportunity to hold our nation's storied 250 years of history in the palms of their hands as we connect America through coins." The coin designs were created by the Mint's Medallic Artists and Artistic Infusion Program designers and approved by the Secretary of the Treasury. You'll see these new designs on circulating nickels, dimes, and quarters, while the collectible half dollar and penny will also have new designs for 2026. Appearing on each coin will be images that depict aspects of American history meant to reconnect citizens with the nation's origins. Read more: Valuable Coins You Might Have Lying Around What the new U.S. Mint's nickel and dime will look like Closeups of the 1776 - 2026 Nickel and the Emerging Liberty Dime - U.S. Mint Expect to see new images on the front and back of circulating U.S. nickels and dimes in 2026. On the nickel, you'll see an image of Thomas Jefferson's bust with the words "In God We Trust" along the coin's perimeter. Next to Jefferson's image, "2026," "1776," and "Liberty" are inscribed. The reverse side of the coin will display Monticello, Jefferson's well-known Virginia estate, with the words "Monticello," "Five Cents," and "United States of America" below the image. "E Pluribus Unum" Latin for "Out of many, one" is written above the image around the edge of the coin. Fairly similar to other nickels, it could easily become one of the valuable coins you have just lying around if you don't keep track of it. The Mint's new circulating dime will display an image of Lady Liberty's head looking left with her hair blowing from under a bonnet crowned with stars. Surrounding her image to the left will be the dates "1776" and "2026," with "Liberty" written across the opposite border. The front of the coin will also have the words "In God We Trust" next to her image. The reverse side features a bald eagle in the center with its wings spread and a bunch of arrows in one of its talons. Above the eagle are the words "United States of America" around the border, with "E Pluribus Unum" below it. Under the eagle, it reads "One Dime," with "Liberty Over Tyranny" displayed along the bottom edge. Ann O'Loughlin School teacher Enoch Burke has failed to stop a hearing into his dismissal from going ahead. The Court of Appeal (CoA) has refused to grant Mr Burke a stay of the hearing of his appeal against his dismissal from Wilsons Hospital School going ahead on Saturday. Mr Burke, who is currently incarcerated over his contempt of court orders, on Friday appeared before a three-judge CoA panel to move his application seeking to temporarily halt the Disciplinary Appeals Panel hearing in Athlone. Mr Justice Mary Faherty, Mr Justice Donald Binchy and Ms Justice Nuala Butler refused Mr Burkes application, stating that they were satisfied that he would suffer no prejudice from the hearing going ahead. Mr Burke sought a stay in circumstances where he wants to appeal to the Supreme Court over two separate CoA judgments that he says make opposed findings of fact relating to the basis of the Co Westmeath schools disciplinary action against him. He said the disciplinary panel hearing going ahead would cause him irreparable harm. Mr Burke was a teacher at the school until his suspension three years ago, arising from his behaviour in reaction to a direction from the then-principal to address a transitioning student with they/them pronouns. He was later dismissed. Restraining order Soon after Mr Burkes suspension, the school obtained an order restraining his attendance at the school premises. Mr Burke has continually breached this order, resulting in his spending over 500 days in jail for contempt of court. Mr Burke has claimed his jailing is over his standing up for his Christian beliefs under the Constitution, and his opposition to what he calls transgenderism. On Friday, Mr Burke said that a CoA judgment delivered by Ms Justice Faherty in July 2025 made errors by refusing to acknowledge that it departed from findings of fact in an earlier CoA judgment delivered by Mr Justice John Edwards. Appeal refused Refusing Mr Burkes appeal to the granting of an interim injunction restraining his attendance at Wilsons Hospital School, Mr Justice Edwards in March 2023 wrote that there was no evidence Mr Burke was suspended because of his views, or his objection to the schools inclusive policy. This statement is diametrically opposed to the CoAs observation in Ms Justice Fahertys judgment, Mr Burke said, which stated that the principals instruction relating to the pupils pronouns was a kernel of the case. Ms Justice Fahertys judgment related to Mr Burkes successful appeal over the composition of a previous disciplinary panel set up to hear his appeal against his dismissal. Even though the judgments came to opposing conclusions on the issue, Mr Burke submitted, Ms Justice Fahertys judgment refused to acknowledge that Mr Justice Edwards was in error. Board management Wilsons Hospital Schools board of management are forcibly relying on Mr Justice Edwards judgment in the pending disciplinary hearing, Mr Burke submitted. He claimed that the judgment was ringing with authority and absolutism when it addressed the basis of the disciplinary action, and will be ringing in the ears of the disciplinary panel. He said that the existence of two judgments with opposing findings of fact has prejudicial consequences for the proper administration for the disciplinary panel. In those circumstances, he said was seeking a stay pending the outcome of his Supreme Court appeal relating to the perceived opposition between the two judgments. Padraic Lyons SC, appearing for the Disciplinary Appeals Panel with barrister Hugh McDowell, opposed the application. Mr Lyons said there was no reason why the perceived tension between the remarks in the judgments should mean that Mr Burke will not get a fair trial before the panel. Ruling Delivering the courts ruling, Ms Justice Faherty said they were satisfied that Mr Burke would suffer no prejudice from the hearing going ahead. The judge said the court was satisfied that nothing has been determined by either CoA judgment that falls to be determined by the Disciplinary Appeals Panel. She noted Mr Justice Binchys suggestion that it would be helpful if it were acknowledged that no finding of fact can arise from judgment in applications for interlocutory relief, and that the panel should not rely on either CoA judgment in its decision. The judge said it was helpful that counsel for the panel said that this was a point well made and that the suggestion could be conveyed to the panel. The court made an order for costs against Mr Burke. The Renault 5 is the 2026 Irish Car of the Year in association with Continental Tyres, writes Trish Whelan. The award was made at a gala awards ceremony held last month in the Conrad Hotel in Dublin. Members of the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI), the grouping that brings together some 29 of Irelands most experienced motoring journalists, hosted the awards events attended by Irelands leading car brands, importers and distributors. The awards are voted on by the members of the MMAI individually who then access each new car model launched in Ireland each year. Mark Noble, Chairman of the MMAI, said: Congratulations to Renault on the success of the Renault 5, what an achievement, coming as it does on the back of last years win for the Scenic E-Tech Electric. The new Renault 5 really impressed our jurors with its blend of retro-inspired design, modern driving dynamics and practical electric range. Its a stylish, accessible EV that brings innovation and character to the market, and a very worth winner of the Irish Car of the Year title. Tom Dennigan of awards sponsor, Continental Tyres, added: We are proud to again support the Irish Car of the Year awards, which continue to highlight, year by year, the very best cars available to Irish motorists. With its distinctive design and the benefits of zero-emissions driving, the win for the Renault 5 is a fantastic boost for the brand as it heads into the busy January sales period. The field of eligible cars for this years awards was broken down into nine categories, with the overall winner selected from the category champions. The Irish Car of the Year awards, the oldest and most reputable automotive award title in Ireland, remains the benchmark for excellence in the industry, guiding Irish motorists towards the best new models each year. The Irish Car of the Year 2026 category winners: Irish Small Car of the Year: Hyundai Inster. Irish Compact Car of the Year: Renault 5. Irish Medium Car / Crossover of the Year: Kia EV3. Irish Medium SUV of the Year: Dacia Bigster. Irish 7 Seater of the Year: Hyundai Ioniq 9. Irish Premium Car of the Year: Volvo EX90. Irish Performance Compact Car of the Year: MG Cyberster. Irish Performance Car of the Year: BMW M5. The 2026 overall Irish Van of the Year title was awarded to the Volkswagen Transporter at the same event. A few times lately, I met people who had seen a red squirrel in their locality. It appears that this endearing little fellow has made a bit of a comeback in and around the Ox Mountains and its presence seems to be giving the people who encounter it a lot of pleasure. The red squirrel is a native species that is thought to have been present in Ireland since before the last Ice Age. It is dependent on a woodland habitat and has suffered several population declines, including almost complete extinction in the 17th century due to widespread deforestation. The current population mainly derives from reintroductions that took place in several locations during the 19th century. In general, the red squirrel has one of the broadest natural ranges of any squirrel species, spanning from Ireland to Japan across Europe and Asia. Here in Ireland, the red squirrel population is indeed in recovery. According to the All-Ireland Squirrel and Pine Marten Survey Report of 2019, the species is now recorded in every county, and during the survey the number of sightings increased compared to previous surveys conducted in 2007 and 2012. The West of Ireland remains a stronghold for the red squirrel but it is most frequently seen in counties Cork and Wicklow. Unnatural enemy The grey squirrel was introduced to Ireland from North America in 1911, when a small number escaped from a wildlife collection in County Longford. This single introduction gave rise to many negative complications. The species quickly spread across the country, causing significant damage to trees and contributing to the decline of the native red squirrel population. Frank McNally, writing in The Irish Times (2006), in his column, An Irishman's Diary, gives us more detail on the relationship between these two species of squirrel and the effect they have upon each other. There is no evidence anywhere that the grey actively persecutes the red. The two can cohabit peacefully in the same woodland for up to 20 years. But the American species is bigger, more aggressive, and a lot less fussy about what it eats. Also, it spreads a virus - parapox - that appears to be fatal only to the red. With so many advantages, the invader inevitably prevails sooner or later. It's not just red-fanciers who have it in for the greys. Foresters hate them because they wreak havoc on young trees. Sycamores are a particular favourite. The greys strip bark to get at the sap (a habit apparently picked up this side of the Atlantic - in their native grounds of the Eastern US they tend to be less destructive). Unlikely ally In both Ireland and Britain, grey squirrels are classified as vermin. In fact, our National Parks and Wildlife Service actively encourage control of their numbers. This operation is often undertaken by experts but a more natural method of depopulating the grey squirrel has also presented itself. Dr. Emma Sheehy, writing for the Irish Research Council, explains how the native pine marten recovery has reversed the decline of the red squirrel by suppressing grey squirrel populations. Sheehy found that the impact of exposure to predation is highly asymmetrical. Simply put, the grey squirrel population is impacted by exposure to pine martens. Conversely, having fewer grey squirrels about is increasing red squirrel numbers. How, you might ask, does the presence of the pine marten restore balance among squirrels? While the two species have coexisted for thousands of years, red squirrels have evolved an instinctive defensive ploy when dealing with the pine marten. When pursued by a hungry pine marten, a threatened red squirrel is light enough to escape to the outer-most tip of a tree branch. If the much heavier marten follows, he will simply fall to the ground. In contrast, the non-native grey squirrel, does not possess this safety strategy. Being heavier than the red, he cannot escape to the outer reaches of tree branches and so is easier prey for the pine marten. The grey squirrel is classified as vermin in Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service actively encourages control of their numbers. Funny facts The red squirrel is a rodent. Like other rodents, it has ever-growing incisors that it uses to gnaw and eat. One piece of lore attributed to squirrels is that, like ourselves, they store food. They then return to their stash periodically to feed throughout the winter. Another squirrel snippet suggests that they frequently forget where their food is hidden. Both suggestions contain more than a grain of truth but both make little difference as to how and why a squirrel might survive a harsh winter. It seems the red squirrel has a very keen sense of smell and can easily detect a stash of nuts. So, even if they cannot find their own nuts, they will find those of a fellow nutter and vice versa. In this way, such stores are seldom lost and every squirrel gets enough. The red squirrel builds a nest called a drey, typically made of twigs and lined with moss and fur, to stay warm. In winter, their coat gets thicker, and they grow more prominent ear tufts. Red squirrels do not hibernate. Instead, they reduce their energy needs by staying inside their drey for several days at a time when the weather is very cold. They only come out to eat when they need to. Researchers have also discovered that squirrels are ambidextrous either right-handed or left-handed. This was detected when discarded pine cones that squirrels had fed on were examined. The angle of attack on each cone pointed out to researchers which of the squirrels paws was dominant. A ciotog squirrel who would have thought it? Place in our hearts Galway Community Heritage, in a piece on the red squirrel, share the following information with regards to its place in Irish folklore. The group suggests that the red squirrel has a nature-centred place in our folklore. In Irish folklore, the red squirrel appears more subtly than giants or fairies, yet it holds intriguing symbolic meaning. Frequently seen as a trickster figure, its clever antics and graceful leaps connect it to stories of wit and resourcefulness, core traits in Celtic myth. In Celtic traditions, squirrels were sometimes linked to natural forces: for instance, they were thought to bring rain, water, or snow, weaving them into the rhythms of the seasons. There are also connections drawn between squirrels and the warrior-goddess Maeve, suggesting a powerful, protective energy symbolised by the creature. Though these tales are scarce in mainstream collections, they hint at a meaningful, nature-centred place for the red squirrel in Irelands folklore tapestry. As winter approaches, let us toast the red squirrel; may his numbers continue to grow and may he always find his store of food. The sight, the deft movements, and the secretive behaviour of our little russet friend, seems to endear him to everyone. Little wonder we are so excited by his re-emergence in the woodlands of the Ox Mountains. UK regulator the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has launched an investigation into Ernst & Young (EY) regarding the unauthorised issuance of auditors reports to clients. The purpose of the investigation is to assess the circumstances leading to these unauthorised signoffs and determine if auditing standards were compromised. The decision to begin this inquiry was taken by the FRCs Conduct Committee on 22 July 2025. Two employees of EY are included in this examination, though they have not been named publicly. EY reported that it had identified and informed all impacted clients, corrected the relevant audit files, and found no revisions necessary for the associated financial statements or audit opinions. The FRC underlined that starting an investigation should not be interpreted as confirmation of wrongdoing. Updates will be issued if developments occur as examinations continue. The FRC was told by the EY, No adjustments to the related financial statements or audit opinions were required. A spokesperson from EY was quoted by The Times as saying: We self-reported this matter to the FRC and will continue to fully co-operate with the investigation. Both EY and FRC declined to discuss any further specifics about the ongoing case, reported The Times. The new review adds to four other active investigations involving EY currently being conducted by the FRC. Ongoing reviews include assessments of EYs work for entities such as the Post Office, Made.com, NMC Health (formerly part of the FTSE 100), and another company classified as being of public interest. The FRC is also examining audits for oil and gas company Shell after it became clear that a partner led those audits beyond timeframes set by independence regulations. So far in 2025, EY has already paid more than 5m in fines related to audits for Thomas Cook and Stirling Water Seafield Finance, which is affiliated with Veolia in the UK. "UKs FRC probes EY for unauthorised audit report issuance " was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. North Korea has held a welcoming ceremony for engineer troops who returned home from Russia's western Kursk region after conducting a mine clearance mission, with its leader Kim Jong-un recognizing the sacrifices of nine personnel who were killed there, Azernews reports, citing Yonhap. The ceremony took place in Pyongyang on Friday, welcoming the return of the troops from the 528th Regiment of Engineers, who left for Kursk in early August, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Saturday. Pyongyang sent around 1,000 engineer troops to Kursk to join Russian forces' work to remove mines that were planted by Ukraine soldiers. Earlier, the North deployed around 15,000 combat troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. During the ceremony, Kim expressed his appreciation to the troops for their safe return while noting that there was "heartrending loss of nine lives." "You could work a miracle of turning a vast area of danger zone into a safe and secure one in a matter of less than three months, the task which was believed to be impossible to be carried out even in several years," Kim said. He stressed that "the armed villains of the West, armed with whatever latest military hardware they are, cannot match this revolutionary army with an unfathomable spiritual depth." The North's leader conferred the order of freedom and independence on the regiment and awarded the title of "DPRK Hero" and the first-class orders to the deceased troops, according to the KCNA. DPRK is short for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Earlier this year, the North Korean leader awarded commendations to the North's troops deployed for the Russia-Ukraine war, praising them as "great heroes and patriots." The North also built a memorial hall in Pyongyang to honor its troops who were killed during combat. North Korea and Russia have been deepening military cooperation since they signed a mutual defense treaty in June last year. Capital A, the operator behind AirAsia, and Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia signed a letter of intent to launch a ringgit-backed stablecoin. The plan, announced on December 12, will be carried out through a digital asset innovation hub supervised by Bank Negara Malaysia. According to the announcement, Standard Chartered Malaysia would create, test, and issue the stablecoin. Capital A is expected to test real world wholesale use cases for the token. Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes said the partnership with Standard Chartered supports the groups plan to become a broad tech driven ecosystem. Notably, this is his companys first move into the crypto market. The deal follows a similar move by a Malaysian royal who recently introduced a separate ringgit-backed stablecoin to modernize payments nationwide. Both high-profile moves have drawn wide attention in the countrys growing crypto community. The Malaysian government has also shown steady support for clearer crypto rules. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has encouraged cooperation between the Securities agency and the central bank to build a framework for asset tokenization and explore stablecoin infrastructure. Standard Chartered Expands Partnership with Coinbase Standard Chartered also revealed on Dec. 12 that it has widened its partnership with Coinbase for institutional clients. The two firms plan to explore trading, prime services, custody, staking, and lending. This builds on their existing deal in Singapore, where Standard Chartered provides banking links that allow real time SGD transfers for Coinbase users. UK Faces Rising Tension While Standard Chartered moves forward in Asia, its home country is facing uncertainty around stablecoin rules. On December 11, a cross party group of UK lawmakers urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to block recent proposals from the Bank of England. The plan by BOE would place temporary caps on stablecoin holdings at 20,000 for individuals and 10 million for companies. It would also require issuers of pound tied tokens to keep 40% of reserves as unpaid deposits at the central bank. Experts called the proposal too strict, and said the UK is falling behind countries like the US, where President Donald Trump has already implemented stablecoin rules. Banks and fintech firms continue to show interest in stablecoins as a new form of payment. The global stablecoin market cap is about $317.7 billion as of writing. Read original story UK's Standard Chartered Partners with AirAsia Founder over Stablecoin Plans by Parth Dubey at Coinspeaker.com We recently published 13 Best ADR Stocks to Invest In. Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) is one of the best ADR stocks. Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) is one of the biggest consumer goods companies in the world. The start of the year has been quite busy for the firm as it completes its divestment of the ice cream brand Magnum and its CEO announces an allocation of 1.5 billion for mergers and acquisitions. On December 9th, Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) CEO Fernando Fernandez explained that the firm will focus on the US through this mergers strategy, according to a Reuters report. On December 6th, the firm had completed its Magnum demerger, with Magnums shares now listed in Amsterdam. Emilio100 / Shutterstock.com Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)s fiscal third quarter earnings results saw the firm report an underlying sales growth of 3.9% and and a 1.5% volume growth. For the full year 2025, the firm expects to grow its underlying sales by 3% to 5%. The quarter was a good one for Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) when it came to the firms business in emerging markets. It saw growth in Indonesia and China, and overall, only the ice cream business performance remained worrisome. On November 5th, Jefferies raised its share price target for Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) to 4,000 GBp from an earlier 3,800 GPp, The Fly reported. Keeping an Underperform rating on the shares, it remained slightly skeptical about a 2.5% volume growth. While we acknowledge the potential of UL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. A landslide in Ramboda, Sri Lanka that damaged a Buddhist temple following Cyclone Ditwah On December 6, World Socialist Web Site reporters visited the Talawakele area in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lankas central plantation district located more than 140 km from Colombo, to speak with plantation workers affected by Cyclone Ditwah. Nuwara Eliya District is predominantly inhabited by Tamil-speaking tea plantation workers earning poverty-level wages. It is among the regions most affected by heavy rainfall, flooding, landslides and stone slides triggered by the cyclone. With 89 confirmed deaths, it ranks third after Kandy and Badulla. Another 37 people remain missingthe third highest figure after Kandy and Kegalleand 63,121 people have been displaced into 211 temporary shelters, the second highest after Kandy District, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). Reporters visited Elgin Estate, 17 km from Talawakele, where 280 families have been displaced. One worker said: We lived in a very dangerous area where landslides could occur at any moment. Now we have no intention of returning to our houses. We are demanding safe and decent housing for our families and a secure environment for our childrens future. A female worker from the upper division of Elgin Estate stated: Our houses are unfit for living. Eight years ago, even government land survey officers reported that our land was unsafe for habitation, but no one paid attention. Now, we are facing severe difficulties. Our childrens education has been completely disruptedthere are no facilities for higher education here, and they must travel to schools in Talawakele or Kotagala. Transportation in our estate has nearly collapsed. We must walk five kilometers to catch a bus or pay 500 rupees for a three-wheeler. Above all, we are demanding decent and safe housing for our families. Elgin estate workers sheltering in a church at the Tangakelle estate following Cyclone Ditwah Another female worker, 38-year-old Louise Merry from Elgin Lower Division, said: In 2019, a hydro-power station was built near our estate. During construction, they used explosives to break large rocks, which caused cracks in several areas of the mountain. We filed a case through a human rights organization, demanding a safe environment and proper housing. But the authorities completely ignored us. Amirtha Vasaha Merry, a 70-year-old retired worker, explained: When our houses were flooded, we took shelter in the church located above our homes. The Grama Niladhari [village-level administrative official] came and told us not to return, warning that if we did, wed be on our own. But later, he forced us to return and stopped providing food. Although the river has receded, we are still at risk of landslides, as the hills surrounding our homes remain unstable. She added that the gates of the Ambewela Reservoir Dam were opened on November 27 without any prior warning. We could have saved our cattle and poultry, if wed been told in advance, she said. Sahaya Merry, a 66-year-old retired worker, described the situation: After three days, the Grama Niladhari of 476/L Division, Samali, told us to return home and come back to the church if the water rose again. But how can we know when the water is rising, especially when were asleep? It appears suddenly, and we cant do anything. Neither the government nor the estate management seems to be taking this seriously. Anthonidas Sironmany, 46, a female worker, said: Our house was flooded with river water, which destroyed valuable items, including the TV and other electronics. We cant afford to replace them on our daily wages, which barely cover food. Were required to meet a daily target of 18 kilograms of tea leavesif we dont, our wages are cut. Our house is very close to the river and its extremely dangerous. We stayed at the church for three days, but now weve been told to return home. Although government officers and trade union leaders visited and promised help, were back in the same situation. Elgin estate workers sheltering in a school at the Tangakelle estate following Cyclone Ditwah Another worker, Rajeswary Rangan, said her house was completely destroyed by the flood. Currently, only 26 families identified by the government as the most affected are still staying in the church. But all 280 displaced families are demanding relief, as well as land and proper housing, she added. Many workers who spoke with WSWS reporters accused the government, estate companies and plantation trade unions of completely ignoring their plight. The government provided food for only the first three days. After that, workers had to rely on support from local residents, churches and other community organizations. No basic facilities were availableonly limited toiletsand both children and the elderly were forced to sleep on the floor without mattresses or other essentials. Latrines for plantation workers at Elgin estate in Sri Lanka Displaced families from both the upper and lower divisions of Elgin Estate have been staying at shelters at Tangakelle Tamil School and Sahaya Matha Church since November 27. At one point, there were 930 people from 280 families. Elgin Estate is now merged with Ouvahkella Estate and managed by Hatton Plantation PLC. It was previously part of Lippkella Estate. The estate is surrounded by hills and the Ambewela Reservoir Dam. The Elginoya, a branch of the Mahaweli River, flows near the workers homes. The road from Maraya Town to Elgin, Ouvahkella, and Tangakelle Estates has been severely damaged by flooding. Currently, buses run only as far as Maraya Town, forcing workers to walk over five kilometers to reach their homes. Other towns in Nuwara Eliya District have also been severely impacted, including Ramboda, Kotmale, Ragala, Pudaluoya and Talawakele. In Ramboda, three people were killed when a massive boulder fell onto their home near the Thawalanthenna junction. The landslide caused extensive damage and destroyed part of the KandyNuwara Eliya main road. Three villagesGrandi Ella, Rambodagama and Ampaththalawawere washed away, with about 70 families swept into the Kotmale Reservoir Dam. Thirteen bodies were recovered, and many remain missing. Transportation and electricity were cut off in the area for 11 days. A part of land slide in Kotmale Nawanagara, Sri Lanka, following Cyclone Ditwah At High Forest Tea Estate in Ragala, a landslide killed 35 people. Eight bodies have been recovered, while 27 remain missing. Some homes were completely destroyed; others were partially damaged. Eton Estate and Choisy Estate in Pudaluoya are currently under red alert for potential landslides. As a result, 105 people have been displaced and are seeking safety elsewhere. In Talawakele, 70 families at Oxford Estate were also displaced due to the same danger. The longstanding negligence of successive governments and plantation companies is evident in the fact that most plantation workers still live in barrack-like line roomsjust 10 by 12 feet in sizeconstructed over a century ago during British colonial rule. These dwellings lack basic infrastructure, including healthcare and educational facilities. Many of those affected told reporters they have yet to receive any meaningful assistance and have no confidence in the government, which continues to claim that the lives of cyclone victims will be restored. Lula meeting with Trump in Malaysia [Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/PR] On December 2, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva contacted Donald Trump by telephone to request further tariff reductions for Brazilian exports and to discuss a security agreement with the US government, which was publicized at the end of the call. In an official statement, the Brazilian government declared that the 40-minute call resulted in a very productive conversation about topics on the trade, economic, and fight-against-organized-crime agenda. The statement added: Lula indicated that the United States decision to remove the additional 40 percent tariff imposed on some Brazilian products, such as meat, coffee, and fruit, was very positive, but emphasized that there are still other tariffed products that need to be discussed. This friendly conversation between the supposedly left-wing Brazilian president and the aspiring US Fuhrer took place as the Trump administration moves ever closer to the brink of full-scale war against Venezuela. The second official topic on the calls agenda was the Brazil-US cooperation on the fight against international organized crime. On this point, Lula highlighted the recent operations carried out in Brazil by the federal government aimed at financially suffocating organized crime and identified branches that operate from abroad. The statement concluded that President Trump underscored his full willingness to work together with Brazil and that he will provide full support for joint initiatives between the two countries to confront these criminal organizations. It is precisely on the pretext of combating narco-terrorism that US imperialism under Trump is launching its unprecedented military and political intervention not only against Venezuela but Latin America as a whole. Since September, Trump and his War Secretary, Pete Hegseth, have conducted a murderous campaign in the Caribbean and Pacific, targeting dozens of civilian vessels with missile strikes that have killed at least 87 people. These absolutely criminal state executions are defended by Trumps administration as a central piece of its war against narco-terrorism, fraudulently presenting its targets as drug-traffickers without any evidence. At the same time, the US military has stationed 15,000 troops in the Caribbean Sea, a few hundred kilometers off the Venezuelan coast, and sent multiple ships, including the US Navys largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford. On November 29, just three days before Lulas call with Trump, the American president announced the complete closure of the airspace above and around Venezuela. On December 10, a week after the call, the US military seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in a brazen act of piracy. Reuters is reporting that the administration is preparing to seize other Venezuelan tankers in what is clearly emerging as a blockade of the country, a direct act of war. Lula is fully aware that attacks on defenseless fishing boats and Trumps offensive against Nicolas Maduros government and otherssuch as Colombias Gustavo Petro, who Trump recently declared is nexthave nothing to do with combatting narco-terrorism. On December 9, in an interview with the Guardian, Celso Amorimone of Lulas closest advisers and a former foreign ministerdescribed the closure of Venezuelan airspace as an act of war. He stated that it would not be just a war between the US and Venezuela. It would end up having global involvement and that would really be regrettable. Amorim concluded: If an invasion occurred, a real invasion I think, without doubt, you would see something similar to Vietnamon what scale, its impossible to say. In this context, while seeking concessions from Trump on his nationalist ambitions, Lula advances the idea that common ground between the aims of US imperialisms naked campaign of aggression and the interests of Latin America can be reached at the negotiating table. On December 2, after the Lula-Trump call, a Planalto Palace source who asked not to be identified told BBC Brasil that the situation of manufactured goods, especially, worries the government. The same source added that the call was not aimed at pressuring the US government, but at keeping the issue on the agenda and moving forward to reduce the tariff hike as much as possible. In the weeks leading up to the call, Lula made indirect denunciations of the attacks in the Caribbean Sea and, at the same time, tied any solution to direct negotiations with Trump. On November 23, during the G20 summit in Johannesburg, Lula stated: I am very concerned about the military apparatus the US has put in the Caribbean Sea and I intend to speak with President Trump about this. It is important that we try to find a solution before it begins. Lula is criminally promoting Trumps pretext for his military offensive while simultaneously expanding the repressive forces of the state within Brazil. The Workers Party (PT) government recently approved a specific budget for military investment outside of its fiscal austerity framework that cripples social services, and has promoted a series of initiatives to unify municipal and state police agencies under the so-called Public Security PEC. Two days after Lulas call with Trump, Brazilian Finance Minister, Fernando Haddad, met with US officials in Brasilia. Without mentioning Washingtons intervention in Venezuela, he promoted an agreement to fight international crime and declared: Of 100 percent of Brazils exports to the US, were already talking about only 22 percent that are being affected at this moment by the tariffs, and I believe that this here [security agreement] is so much more important, so much more effective, that I believe that this issue of Magnitsky, of the tariffs, ends up being resolved little by little were overcoming this misunderstanding because it benefited no one, it only harmed some businesspeople. Accepting the American fascists tariff blackmail as part of legitimate negotiations is not merely an expression of Lulas impotence in the face of imperialist aggression. In light of his adviser Amorims warning of a potential Latin American Vietnam, the Lula governments actions expose its role as an auxiliary of imperialism in Latin America. Lula remained silent in response to a recent appeal by Maduro, saying: People of Brazil, take to the streets to support Venezuela in its struggle for peace and sovereignty. As a representative of the interests of the Brazilian bourgeoisie and foreign capital, Lula is preparing to suffocate all mass opposition to the imminent US imperialist wars against Latin America. Refusing to make any direct condemnation of the most recent criminal attacks by US imperialism against Venezuela, Lula declared on December 11 in his usual Aesopian language: I told Trump, We dont want war in Latin America, we are a zone of peace. The working class cannot harbor any illusion that Lula or his counterparts in the regions other bourgeois nationalist Pink Tide governments will fight imperialism and stop a catastrophic war. These dangers can only be overcome through a struggle to unify the working class in Latin America with its brothers and sisters in the United States in a fight to overthrow capitalism and establish international socialism. The US banking industry has mounted a coordinated challenge to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys (OCC) approach. The pushback targets the regulators efforts to integrate cryptocurrency firms into the federal banking system. On December 12, OCC issued conditional approval of national trust charters for five digital asset firms, including Ripple, Fidelity, Paxos, First National Digital Currency Bank, and BitGo. The bank regulator stressed that the crypto applicants underwent the same "rigorous review" as any national bank charter applicant. US Banking Industry Challenges OCC's Move However, the American Bankers Association (ABA) and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) argue that the OCCs actions create a two-tier banking system. Their central claim is that fintech and crypto firms are being granted prestigious national charters without carrying Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) coverage or meeting traditional capital and liquidity standards required of full-service banks. The groups contend that this structure encourages what they describe as regulatory arbitrage at the federal level. By securing a national charter, the crypto firms can benefit from federal preemption of state money transmitter laws. At the same time, they avoid many of the compliance obligations that apply to insured depository institutions. ABA President Rob Nichols said the approvals blur the lines of what constitutes a bank. He further argues that this erosion of definitions risks weakening the integrity of the charter itself. In his view, expanding trust powers to firms that do not perform traditional fiduciary duties creates a class of institutions that resemble banks in name and scope but lack comparable oversight. Meanwhile, their concern extends beyond competition. Banking groups warn that consumers may struggle to distinguish between insured banks and national trust institutions holding large volumes of uninsured crypto assets. They argue that the OCC has not adequately explained how it would manage the failure of such an entity, particularly if it were holding billions of dollars in digital assets outside the traditional safety net. The Kurdish nationalist Peoples Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) held its International Peace and Democratic Society Conference in Istanbul on December 6-7. The conference, taking place amid ongoing negotiations between the Turkish state and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) led by imprisoned political prisoner Abdullah Ocalan, was attended by politicians, academics, and journalists from across the world. The conferences final declaration, published Thursday, leaves no doubt that this is an attempt to legitimize the imperialist-capitalist system with democratic rhetoric. It states, The successful conclusion of this process toward lasting peace in Turkiyeamid rising conflicts across the worldhas the potential to guide not only Kurds and the peoples of Turkiye but also the Middle East and the world. However, it conceals the imperialist and bourgeois class origins of the rise in global conflicts. The audience at the International Peace and Democratic Society Conference. [Photo: X/DEMGenelMerkezi] The claim that there can be peaceful imperialism is perpetuated by the call for the European Union (EU)one of the main supporters of the Zionist genocide that has even according to official numbers killed more than 70,000 Palestinians in Gazato act as guarantor of this process: When necessaryand if accepted by the partieswe remind that the EU could contribute to the peace process as a mediator or guarantor. This orientation, which demonstrates the bankruptcy of the nationalist perspective, attempts to conceal the fact that the European powers are not only the main defenders of imperialist war and genocide, but also wage war on the working class and democratic rights at home. One of the main functions of the conference was to spread the illusion that these negotiations, supported by US and European imperialism, can bring about democratization and peace, and to endorse Ocalans role and the anti-Marxist postmodern perspective he has developed. Ocalan had been calling for cooperation with the Turkish state since his capture in a CIA operation in 1999 and subsequent handover to Ankara. The negotiation process, which had been attempted without success several times before, was revived in 2024 as part of the deepening war in the Middle East. Ocalan called for the PKK to lay down its arms and dissolve itself, and the organization took a congress decision in this direction. Arguing that the Kurdish question has been largely resolved, he presented integration with the state as the way forward. A similar path was proposed for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the PKKs sister organization in Syria and the main proxy force of the US in the country. As the World Socialist Web Site stated from the outset, what is at stake in the negotiations is an attempt by the Turkish and Kurdish bourgeoisies to reach agreement and forge an alliance in line with the US imperialisms goal of a new Middle East under its hegemony. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ocalan have proposed a reactionary Turkish, Kurdish, Arab alliance against Israels growing influence in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and the Middle East in general. Washington is also trying to unite Ankara, Tel Aviv, and other allies, including the Kurdish movement, on an anti-Iran axis. Therefore, neither the genocide in Gaza nor the imperialist attack against Iran was condemned in the final declaration of this international peace conference. In fact, both the negotiations and the conference itself confirm the continued complicity of the Turkish and Kurdish bourgeois nationalists in the destruction of the Middle East by US and European imperialism over the past 35 years. The opening speech was delivered by DEM Party Co-Chairs Tulay Hatimogullar and Tuncer Bakrhan. Bakrhan said, At the root of the Kurdish issue lies the exclusion of a people from the law for a century. Kurds have not been recognized as a people for a century. For a century, they have been struggling to prove their existence and to have their laws and rights accepted. Bakrhan did not explain how the Turkish bourgeoisie that has denied the existence of the Kurds for decades is now capable of resolving this issue. The truth is that, as Leon Trotsky explained and foresaw in his Theory of Permanent Revolution, the 100-year history of the Turkish bourgeoisie, like that of other countries of belated capitalist development, proves that it is inherently incapable of permanently resolving these issues. In his speech, Bakrhan claimed that while chaos reigns in the world and violence spreads in the Middle East, a peace process is underway here, arguing that the Turkish and Kurdish ruling elites are advancing independently of these imperialist-driven trends, even in the opposite direction. Ocalans democratic socialism Hatimogullar, former co-chair of the pseudo-left Socialist Refoundation Party (SYKP), an ally of the DEM Party, said, We are on the eve of World War III. Unfortunately, what we call World War III will make World Wars I and II seem merciful. She then presented Ocalans call as an initiative that would reverse the course toward world war, saying it was profoundly historic and valuable, especially at a time when war and conflict dominate global and regional agendas and exploitation deepens. Hatimogullar concluded her remarks by saying, We must further develop our internationalist struggle against the unjust order of the capitalist imperialist system. Hatimogullars anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist rhetoric draws from the anti-Marxist democratic socialism approach that Ocalan has particularly emphasized and developed this year. This concept, which has been rapidly embraced by the Kurdish movement, aims to subordinate the growing interest in socialism among the working class and youth to a pro-imperialist and pro-capitalist politics under the guise of peace and democratization. DEM Party Co-Chair Tulay Hatimogullar speaks at the opening of the International Peace and Democratic Society Conference. [Photo: X/DEMGenelMerkezi] Ocalans message, read at the opening of the conference, mentioned the words socialism/socialist more than 20 times, capitalism/capitalist 8 times, Marxism and Marx many times, and Lenin once. However, Ocalan uses these concepts to distort Marxism and socialism for current political purposes. He claims to be advancing toward democratic socialism through negotiations with Islamist President Erdogan, who established an authoritarian regime in Turkey; Ahmed al-Sharaa, who began his rule by massacring the Alawite minority in Syria and has roots in al-Qaeda; and President Donald Trump, who is establishing a fascistic regime in the US and abolishing the constitution. Any reformist perspective that legitimizes imperialism, capitalism and the existing bourgeois states, and suggests that this system can be improved through negotiations, is hostile to socialism. Ocalans fundamental argument that Marxism failed and came to deadlock because it advocated nation-state socialism is neither new nor correct. Its roots lie in anarchism, based on the petty bourgeois rejection of the concept of proletarian dictatorship or a workers state. Marxism scientifically explained the historical necessity of the workers state during the transition from capitalism to socialism. When Ocalan speaks of nation-state socialism, he is referring to Stalinism, which broke away from Marxism with its anti-Marxist theory of socialism in one country, but he deliberately avoids naming it. If he did, he would have had to acknowledge that an alternative existed in the USSR in the form of the Left Opposition led by Trotsky from 1923 onwards, and that classical Marxism and the perspective of international socialism had been defended since 1938 by the Fourth International founded by Trotsky. Instead, like all anti-communists, Ocalan equates Stalinism with Marxism and socialism, completely obscuring the historical struggle and legitimacy of Trotskyism. Trotsky warned and fought against the danger of capitalist restoration and the end of the USSR, which movements and bourgeois ideologues of Stalinist origin internationally, including the PKK, could not even imagine. He wrote in 1938: either the bureaucracy, becoming ever more the organ of the world bourgeoisie in the workers state, will overthrow the new forms of property and plunge the country back to capitalism; or the working class will crush the bureaucracy and open the way to socialism. Ocalan states that the nation-state is an obstacle to the resolution of the Kurdish issue and other problems, but he argues that the problem can be solved by arbitrarily transforming it into a democratic state. This perspective, a concrete example of the failure of philosophical idealism, is powerless in the face of Marxisms scientific explanation of the laws of capitalism and society. PKK's imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan (middle) and DEM Party delegation on Imral Island, Thursday, February 27, 2025. [Photo: DEMGenelMerkezi on X/Twitter] Like private property in the means of production, nation states also form the foundations of the capitalist system. The contradictions between these outdated foundations and the socialization of production and the development of a global economy lead, on the one hand, to imperialist war, political oppression, and social inequality, while at the same time on the other paving the way for the socialist revolution of the international working class. The abolition of the nation-state will only be possible through the working class seizing power through revolution and eliminating capitalism worldwide. In Ocalans democratic socialism perspective, social inequality and how to eliminate it are completely overlooked. More accurately, it has no goal of achieving social equality, which requires transferring power from the bourgeoisie to the working class. As the WSWS pointed out in its Thursday perspective on a recent report from the World Inequality Lab: Under the capitalist system, some 56,000 billionaires and centi-millionaires control the fate of the 8 billion human beings who inhabit this planet. In Turkey, one of Europes most unequal countries, according to the report, the top one percent of the population controls 35.1 percent of total wealth, while the richest 10 percent controls 68.4 percent. The preservation of the wealth and power of this capitalist oligarchy is incompatible with democracy and peace anywhere. The bankrupt reformist perspective of democratic socialism is not only hostile to Marxism, it also compromises and collaborates with the most reactionary forces in the Middle East and the United States. As a democratic socialist, Zohran Mamdani was elected Mayor of New York by exploiting social opposition to the Trump administration and growing interest in socialism. Mamdanis embrace of Trump and Ocalans cooperation with Trumps proxies in the Middle East complement each other. Democratic socialism, as in the US, represents the interests of the well-off middle class in the Middle East and elsewhere, serving to prevent the development of a genuinely socialist and anti-imperialist movement within the working class. Ocalans democratic socialism is nothing more than a bourgeois democratic utopia advanced amid imperialist war, genocide, the return of fascism, and massive social inequality. By advocating for a democratic republic instead of the state, Ocalan obscures the fact that this is a type of bourgeois state. He puts forward three fundamental principles for democratic integration law, in which legal norms are reconstructed in favor of society through individual and universal norms along with collective rights: A law of the free citizen, a law of peace and democratic society and laws of freedom. Subsequent sessions of the conference continued with international examples of this type of democratic integration. presented as solutions, they also fail to stand up to Marxist-Trotskyist criticism. South African experience Mohamed Bhabha, former senator and chairman of the Parliamentary Constitutional Committee from South Africa, claimed that they had built a democratic state from the apartheid regime. However, the initiation of negotiations in 1985 with Nelson Mandela, leader of the African National Congress (ANC), and the eventual end of the apartheid regime in 1994 were the product of the ruling classs fear of social revolution. Mohamed Bhabha, March 2023 [Photo: YouTube/The City Club of Cleveland] As the World Socialist Web Site wrote in 1998: The ANC, under the tutelage of the Stalinists of the South African Communist Party, utilised socialist phraseology to win support in the working class. But it represented the interests of a layer of the black and coloured middle class denied social advancement under the apartheid system. The reconciliation its leaders agreed to was a pledge to defend the profit system and thwart the social and political strivings of the workers and peasants. In the 1994 elections, the ANC came to power by winning 62 percent of the vote. The International Committee of the Fourth Internationals 1994 statement, In whose interests will the ANC rule? was extremely prescient: The capitalist class had been forced to alter the form but not the substance of their rule in South Africa, in order to stave off the threat of social revolution.... The ANC has taken on the task of overseeing the economic exploitation and political repression of the South African masses, in whose name it claims to speak. It is following a well-worn path, taken by movements all over the world which once proclaimed national liberation as their missionfrom the PLO to the Sandinistas. In many other African countries, bourgeois nationalist movements that came to power preserved the same colonial state apparatus and class structure that they claimed to have overthrown, and the borders drawn by imperialists. The economies of these formally independent countries remained dependent on the demands of foreign capital through debt, trade, and the plundering of raw materials. Governments such as the ANC served as instruments for integrating the new indigenous or black African bourgeoisie into the political establishment and suppressing the revolutionary movement of the working class. The decades-long escalation of austerity policies and political repression by these reactionary regimes has recently led to a wave of Gen Z protests. The fact that South Africa is today the most unequal country in the world constitutes an indictment of the entire bourgeois nationalist perspective. The South African experience of democratic integration that Bhabha boasts about exemplifies the transformation of former nationalist movements into direct instruments of imperialist domination. Northern Ireland Sinn Fein National Chairman and Northern Ireland MP Declan Kearney said in his speech on the first day of the conference: The Good Friday Agreement was between Ireland and Britain and it still holds. We havent finished our work in 27 years. The British Parliaments control over Irish territory has been removed. Declan Kearney, Sinn Fein MLA, at the Fringe Event on Citizens' Assembly on Irish Unity [Photo by Sinn Fein - https://www.flickr.com/photos/sinnfeinireland/52478316222/ / CC BY 2.0 The Good Friday Agreement, signed in April 1998, provided for some symbolic reforms, such as changes to the name of the police force and certain practices, limited inclusivity of then minority Catholics in institutional representation, and intergovernmental coordination mechanisms. However, these were not reforms that guaranteed the fundamental rights of the working class or eliminated paramilitary and state repression. The World Socialist Web Site Editorial Board stated in its assessment on April 25, 1998, that the peace agreement did not reflect the interests of the working class on either side of the divided Irish border, whether Catholic or Protestant. Far from laying the groundwork for ending the sectarian conflicts that British imperialism has nurtured for centuries, the agreement upholds the conception that the fundamental divisions in Ireland are those of religion and national identity. WSWS explained the class interests that laid the groundwork for similar agreements in Ireland and elsewhere as follows: To understand the significance of the agreement one must examine the economic and social driving forces that have brought the parties together and shaped the character of their deliberations. The increasingly global nature of economic lifethe rise of transnational corporations operating on a world scale, the international mobility of capital and the dominance of world markets over even the largest national economieshas, from the standpoint of international capital, rendered many of the political relationships that prevailed in the post-World War Two period obsolete. The divergence between old political relationships and the need for corporate and financial interests to gain access to wider markets, new sources of raw materials and labour, and, in general terms, the global economy, underlay the dismantling of legal apartheid in South Africa and the attempt to incorporate the PLO into a new political set-up in the Middle East. Broadly speaking, the same forces have been at work in the attempts to overcome the old barriers to capital investment and profit making in northern Ireland. The main beneficiaries of this process were British imperialism and the Northern Irish bourgeoisie. A political restructuring was needed to deepen the wage exploitation of the working class, open the region up to international capital, and regulate conflicts of interest between Britain and rival imperialist powers. This fundamental objective revealed the main purpose of the post-1998 reforms: to calm internal conflict, class struggles, and social discontent, thereby making the Norths cheap, skilled labor force more attractive for global investment. The evolution of British imperialist democracy demolishes claims that such integrations will bring democratization. Since the agreement was signed, British imperialism has been a key actor in turning the Middle East into a bloodbath, from the Iraq War to Israels genocide in Gaza. Within Britain, attacks on the social rights of the working class are accompanied by the elimination of democratic rights. The persecution of opponents of the Gaza genocide and the banning of the protest group Palestine Action are concrete examples of how the rule of the capitalist oligarchy is incompatible with democracy. Socialist perspective The speeches at the conference on the Catalonia and Basque issues and the Zapatista movement in Mexico did little more than demonstrate that they represent a failed pro-imperialist, middle-class perspective. The experiences presented as solutions throughout the conference exemplified the bankruptcy of nationalist movements and their integration into the capitalist system. Wherever these movements came to power, they established administrations that were compatible with international corporations and imperialist policies. Underlying this pro-imperialist evolution of national liberation movements is, essentially, the globalization of the economy. This process has undermined not only these movements but also all kinds of nationalist and reformist projects, including Stalinism, social democracy, and syndicalism. The PKK, established as a Stalinist petty-bourgeois nationalist movement opposing the united socialist struggle of Turkish and Kurdish workers, and its leader Ocalan, have reacted to these objective developments in a manner no different from their counterparts around the world: to move towards integration with imperialism and the capitalist state under democratic, even socialist rhetoric, and to prevent the masses from turning towards socialist revolution. As explained in the Historical and International Foundations of Sosyalist Esitlik Partisi Dorduncu Enternasyonal: Despite its leftist and anti-imperialist rhetoric, the PKK had a bourgeois nationalist strategy of manoeuvring between the great powers and regional states and ultimately reaching an agreement with Ankara. The 1991 Gulf War and the capitalist restorations in the Stalinist regimes led the PKK to take off the mask of Marxism-Leninism and abandon its demand for an independent state. With its military strategy failing, the PKK sought new allies, especially among the European imperialist powers, while the change in the partys line went hand in hand with violent internal purges and the incessant glorification of Ocalan. From the outset, the WSWS has addressed the Ankara-PKK agreement in the context of the USs efforts to reshape the Middle East under its domination. The agreement between Turkish and Kurdish nationalists, who are accomplices of US imperialism, is not a peace agreement but a war preparation agreement. This stems not only from the fact that the Middle East has been the scene of uninterrupted imperialist interventions, regime change wars, and civil wars for 35 years, but also from the nature of imperialism itself. As Lenin explained in his The Peace Program written in March 1916, in the midst of the imperialist war: Whoever promises the nations a democratic peace without at the same time preaching the socialist revolution, or while repudiating the struggle for itthe struggle which must be carried on now, during the waris deceiving the proletariat. Lenin at his desk, 1918 Just as no agreement between Ankara and the PKK will bring peace to the Middle East, so too the oppression of the Kurdish people and other oppressed peoples will not end, nor will their democratic rights be guaranteed. National oppression is not the subjective choice of this or that politician or government, but a product of the imperialist-capitalist system. As Trotsky explained, the full and genuine solution to democratic tasks lies in the working class establishing its own power by leading the oppressed masses in the struggle against imperialism and its capitalist agents. One of the most telling concrete examples of the continued oppression of the Kurdish people and those who defend their democratic rights is the state intervention targeting the program of the Sosyalist Esitlik Partisi itself. In September, the Supreme Court of Appeals Prosecutors Offices demanded that legitimate democratic demands such as education in ones mother tongue and Kurdish becoming an official language with constitutional guarantees, be changed or removed in the program. This unacceptable intervention was rejected with a comprehensive response. With the exception of one party, this state intervention was completely ignored by the DEM Party, and its leftist allies, which claim to defend democratic rights. The Sosyalist Esitlik Partisi, which is fighting for an immediate end to state repression against the Kurdish people and politicians, and for the recognition of fundamental democratic rights, rejects all so-called solutions that divide the working class and subordinate it to the capitalist system, and declares that the only way forward is through an international, revolutionary program based on the Theory of Permanent Revolution. The Sosyalist Esitlik Partisi insists that the only way to secure the lasting peace and democratic rights that working people long for is the unification of workers of all nationalities in the Middle East and in the imperialist countries in the fight for global socialism and against war and neo-colonial oppression. It means fighting for the Socialist Federation of the Middle East, as part of a world socialist federation. At meetings in Washington last week, the Trump administration and representatives of the UK and Australia declared that they would proceed at full steam with their AUKUS pact that is militarising the Indo-Pacific in preparation for war against China. Australia's Deputy Prime Minster and Defence Minister Richard Marles, center, speaks as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, left, and Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey, right, listen on the sidelines of the AUKUS Defense Ministers' Ministerial meeting at the Pentagon, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein] The meetings were held just days after the Trump administration finalised a review into AUKUS. The review, which had been scheduled for 30 days, dragged on for several months. In that period, the Trump administration publicly demanded massive increases to military spending by the Australian government, while it leaked doubts to the media about the viability of AUKUS. The review has been provided to the Australian and UK governments, but not to the media so the outcome of the protracted backroom wrangling is entirely opaque. But the governments have declared their confidence in AUKUS and determination to proceed with it, including the plan for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the US at the beginning of the next decade. While in Washington, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong hailed the outcome. They touted the deepening of US-Australian military ties, including Washingtons ever greater military footprint on the Australian continent. That was the thrust of Marles remarks at the press conference of the first meeting, an AustraliaUnited States Ministerial Consultation (AUSMIN), on Monday. The meeting, he stated, had continued the theme of previous consultations, which had focussed on the growth of American Force Posture in Australia. Marles rattled off various projects. That includes the transformation of Perth into a naval hub that will service and host Americas own fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. In September, Labor announced an initial $12 billion for the development of a naval facility at Henderson, south of Perth, which will be integrated with the citys Stirling naval base. Some 1,000 US military forces will be stationed in Perth, while regular rotations of US nuclear-submarines are scheduled to begin in 2027. That is a US base in all but name, adjacent to the strategically-crucial Indian Ocean. Marles emphasised that even before the formal establishment of the rotation, it has effectively begun. In the last six weeks, weve had the USS Vermont undertake the most extensive maintenance on a United States nuclear-powered submarine outside of the United States ever, he boasted. While Western Australia is being transformed into a launching point for US nuclear-powered submarines, the north of the continent is becoming a central stationing ground for American imperialisms aerial forces. Marles bragged that his government is carrying out infrastructure investments at RAAF base Darwin, RAAF Base Tindal and RAAF Base Amberley, which will support increased rotations of American military aircraft, that includes fighter planes, bombers and intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. The US bombers to be stationed in the north include B-52s, which can carry nuclear weapons. Notably, both Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth also spoke in specific detail about the naval and aerial deployments, emphasising their central role in US operations throughout the Indo-Pacific. The two other issues raised were the importance of the US-Australian critical minerals framework, signed by Trump and Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last month. The deal, providing for accelerated mining of Australias vast deposits of critical minerals that are crucial to modern technologies including for the military, is aimed at countering Chinas domination of the sector. References were also made to a plan for joint missile production over the next two years, including the construction of hypersonic missiles. On Wednesday, Marles and Hegseth were joined by UK Defence Secretary John Healey for an AUKUS meeting. In brief remarks, the three trotted out the full steam ahead line. At the press conferences following both the AUSMIN and AUKUS meetings, references were made to increased geopolitical competition. The AUSMIN statement, in addition to outlining increased US basing in Australia and joint weapons production, called for a deepening of the various US-led anti-China alliances, of which Australia is a part. Though China is not mentioned, the usual litany of US denunciations of Beijing are there, including bogus claims that it is engaged in coercion and aggression against regional states. For all of the declarations of full steam ahead, the meetings raised a host of questions for which no answers were provided. Less than a week before the gatherings, prior to the finalisation of the review, there was a prospect of the Trump administration terminating AUKUS, or elements of it. Despite that, the statement from the AUKUS meeting is perfunctory and contains virtually no details as to how it will proceed. According to accounts provided to the press, the review emphasises the need for deadlines to be met if AUKUS is to continue as a viable project. However, it is openly acknowledged by some senior US figures that America does not have the shipbuilding capacity to sustain demands for the expansion of its own fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, let alone to sell subs to Australia within several years. There have reportedly also been concerns raised by the Pentagon that Australia does not have the workforce or military personnel required to crew and maintain its own fleet. As the review was dragged on, two issues were raised by the Trump administration. The first was a demand, made publicly by Hegseth and other US leaders, that Australia immediately increase its defence spending from a little over 2 percent of gross domestic product, to 3.5 percent and eventually 5 percent. That would boost annual military spending from the current record of $59 billion, to over $100 billion. The other was an insistence, also leaked to the press, that Australia commit in advance to deploying the nuclear-powered subs and other military assets to a war against China if it were to break out. In Washington, Marles was repeatedly asked by the press if demands had been raised for increased Australian military spending. He dodged the question. The ongoing concerns over US shipbuilding capacity also raise the issue of whether further subsidies to the sector are being requested from Australia. Already, Labor has committed to providing $4.5 billion in handouts, half of which has been transferred. The questions are compounded by the Trump administrations National Security Strategy, also released days before the meetings in Washington. The document, based upon the America First nationalism and militarism of the Trump regime, places emphasis on geopolitical and economic confrontation in the Indo-Pacific, i.e., against China. It demands greater military spending from allies in the region. A comment by Dr Lavina Lee, a hawkish Australian academic at the Washington-funded US Studies Centre in Sydney, was bluntly headlined Trumps new security strategy demands Australia step up or step aside. Lee wrote: AUKUS will be used to increase the pressure on Australia to do and spend more rather than allow us to breathe a sigh of relief or rest on our laurels. Under conditions where the Labor government is already completing Australias transformation into a frontline state for war with China and has committed to spending $368 billion on AUKUS over the lifetime of the agreement, far more is being demanded. In that context, the AUSMIN and AUKUS meetings had the character of a conspiracy against the population. While they publicly touted their commitment to militarism, there is little doubt that far-reaching proposals, including for an even greater diversion of public resources to the war machine, were discussed behind closed doors. The ever accelerating military build-up underscores the reality that amid a breakdown of capitalism, the major powers, including Australia, are preparing for a war that would dwarf even the horrors of the 20th century. President Donald Trump dances next to a fighter jet before speaking to members of the military aboard the USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier docked at a U.S. naval base, in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. [AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein] The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to pass the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), authorizing $901 billion in military spendingthe largest Pentagon spending bill in US history. The legislation, which is expected to pass the Senate next week, received overwhelming bipartisan support, with Democratic Party leaders voting in favor, as President Donald Trump threatens to launch a major new war in Latin America. The vote was 312-112, with 115 Democrats joining 197 Republicans to pass the act. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Minority Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California all cast Yea votes. Combined with the $156 billion in supplemental military funding included in the reconciliation bill signed in July, the NDAA pushes total military spending for fiscal year 2026 to over $1 trilliona new record in absolute terms and a level relative to GDP unseen since World War II. To put this figure in perspective: The 2015 NDAA authorized approximately $600 billion in military spending. The $901 billion authorized Wednesday is $8 billion more than Trump himself requested in May. The massive military spending bill comes as the Trump administration has deployed more than 15,000 troops, a dozen warships and scores of aircraft to the Caribbean and Pacific in preparation for military action against Venezuela. This week, the Vermont Air National Guard confirmed that F-35 stealth fighters are being deployed to the Caribbean for Operation Southern Spear. EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets, typically used to suppress enemy air defenses before airstrikes, have also arrived at Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico. The deployment is the largest US military mobilization in the Caribbean since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. In an interview Tuesday, Trump declared that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros days are numbered and refused to rule out sending ground troops. US forces have already killed at least 87 people in drone and missile strikes against boats in the region. Yet the Democratic Party voted to hand Trump the resources for what threatens to become a major war of aggressionwith no serious opposition. The bill massively expands US nuclear weapons programs, shipbuilding and aircraft procurement in preparation for what the Pentagon openly describes as great-power conflict with China. According to the House Armed Services Committee summary, the United States is now operating in the most dangerous threat environment since World War II and faces an axis of aggressors comprised of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The NDAA allocates $34 billion for nuclear weapons programs, continuing a sweeping nuclear buildup that began under the Obama administration and has accelerated under every subsequent president. In 2016, Obama announced a plan to spend $1 trillion over 30 years to replace all three legs of the nuclear triadland-based missiles, submarine-launched missiles and strategic bombers. That figure has since ballooned to an estimated $1.5 trillion. The first Trump administration withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019, freeing the US to develop a new generation of nuclear-capable missiles. The Biden administration continued this trajectory, and the current Trump administration is now accelerating it further. This years NDAA funds development of the Sentinel ICBM to replace Minuteman III, a new nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile and a third Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine. The legislation also prohibits the Pentagon from reducing the nations ICBM fleet below 400 missilesmandating that the US maintain launch-ready nuclear weapons capable of destroying human civilization multiple times over. Another $13 billion goes to the Golden Dome missile defense system, with $2.6 billion more for hypersonic weapons capable of striking targets at over five times the speed of sound. The bill authorizes $26 billion for shipbuilding, focused on expanding the nuclear submarine fleet. A single Columbia-class submarine costs approximately $9 billion; Virginia-class attack submarines cost over $3 billion each. The NDAA also funds expansion of private nuclear shipyard capacity, signaling a long-term commitment to naval buildup. Aircraft procurement receives over $38 billion. The bill funds 69 F-35 stealth fighters at a cost of roughly $123 million per plane, totaling $8.5 billion. Billions more go toward next-generation sixth-generation fighters, the B-21 Raider strategic bomber and aerial refueling tankers to project US power globally. A New York Times editorial published this week declared that the US must not be overmatched by adversaries and supported a major expansion of military capabilities. Citing a classified Pentagon assessment called the Overmatch brief, the Times reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last November that in war games against China, we lose every time. The picture it paints is consistent and disturbing, the Times wrote. It added that in the short term, the transformation of the American military may require additional spending, primarily to rebuild our industrial base. In other words, the newspaper of record aligned with the Democratic Party is openly advocating for even greater military spending than the record $1 trillion now authorized, framing it as necessary to prepare for war with China. The trillion-dollar military expenditure comes amid deepening economic strain on American households. According to a Politico poll conducted last month, nearly half of Americans find groceries, utility bills, healthcare, housing and transportation difficult to afford. More than a quarter27 percentsaid they have skipped a medical check-up because of costs within the last two years, and 23 percent said they have skipped a prescription dose for the same reason. While working people are forced to choose between food and medicine, Congress has voted to hand over $1 trillion for global wars and the defense contractors who profit on them. Elmhurst Hospital Center, at Broadway and 78th Street in Elmhurst, Queens, New York. [Photo by Tdorante10 / CC BY-SA 4.0 Nurses at six private hospitals in New York City are participating in strike authorization votes, and similar votes will soon be held at six other hospitals in the city. Safe staffing, wages and retaliatory disciplinary measures are major issues for the nurses, whose contracts expire on December 31. Meanwhile, in Long Island, New York, nurses at Northwell/Huntington Hospital, Northwell/Plainview Hospital and Northwell/Syosset Hospital have been under contract talks for months. These workers and those in New York City all belong to the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA). Nurses at Northwell/Long Island Jewish Hospital are preparing to vote on whether to join the union. The situation creates the possibility for a powerful, united struggle of thousands of nurses, but NYSNA has not raised this prospect. In fact, the union bureaucrats have a history of dividing and weakening its members. In New York, as across the country, healthcare workers face an ongoing crisis of understaffing driven by continuing austerity, mass layoffs and increasing burnout among workers. Despite the states safe staffing law, patient-to-staff ratios remain untenable, threatening patient outcomes and nurses safety. Nurses also are under attack at the federal level: The U.S. Department of Education is revoking the status of nursing as a professional degree, a move that will increase the financial burden of nursing school and discourage students from pursuing nursing careers. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is eviscerating public health as part of his ongoing efforts to establish a dictatorship. Reporters from the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) recently spoke to healthcare workers in New York about these issues. We need more staff, period, said a tech at one of the hospitals voting to strike. We are always short-staffed. Today I am by myself. The tech is responsible for 30 patients but has little support. Its demanding. I have a nurses assistant helping me, and she only does vitals. I have to do all the finger-sticks. I have to make sure I clean the patients with the nurses. I cant get to 30 patients quickly, you know, I have to prioritize. We have had no incidents. I think the nurses on my floor work pretty well together, but were exhausted, burnt out. When asked about the possibility of a strike, she replied, A strike would be unfortunate, but something has to give. I think the unions are not fighting, just tiptoeing. Here [at New York-Presbyterian], I am a member of 1199SEIU, but I support the NYSNA nurses. Asked about the designation of nursing as a nonprofessional degree, she said, It is very disappointing. The nurses are the ones who save your life. I am going to school to be a nurse. It is disheartening. I dont even know if I want to continue. I am finishing my bachelors degree in psychology, and I then was going to go to an accelerated nursing program. I love this job, but it takes its toll. It just feels like this is what I was supposed to be doing. Im so passionate about it, and people dont realize how nurses do love what they do. But the study involved in becoming a nurse imposes a financial burden. I have debt already from the schooling, and Trump [taking away professional status] will make it worse for many. Nevertheless, students will try to persevere. The government is making cuts, but I think it is worth the investment, said the tech. The nurses are the ones who are with the patient 24/7. They are the ones that even the doctors ask, What do you think I should do with this patient? because theyre the ones who know what to do. Trump is affecting patient care, period. I mean, imagine a nurse trying to juggle eight patients on an intensive care unit floor. It is almost impossible. Asked about the roles of Trump and the Democrats, she said, Trump wants to be a dictator. It is scary. I would be in favor of a general strike. The Democrats dont do enough. The Republicans control the government, but the Democrats should fight harder. The tech said, I have thought of socialism as an alternative. I feel like we pay enough to the billionaire class, where they should be giving back. I know that the CEO of New York-Presbyterian is making $14 million. Of course, we talk about it amongst ourselves. Why is he making so much money? When the idea of expropriating the billionaires was proposed, the tech agreed, Every time I see a young individual running for politics, and their ideas are different, I am totally on board. Im a little in the middle but I do support helping people just have a productive life. People are struggling, and they [i.e., the billionaires] are up there living their best life. A physician told the WSWS, Doctors also have a [staffing] shortage. The need is for more access to patient care. We need more doctors and nurses, although I am conflicted about a strike. A research worker at New York-Presbyterian commented on the designation of nursing as a nonprofessional degree, Making nurses not professional will only create more lack of personnel. The healthcare profession will not have a workforce and be able to help all who come to us. There is already a shortage for healthcare. Closing the doors against more people to come, the healthcare system will be crushed. Laws are made for a reason and need to be respected. It is bad for society to cut research and keep people able to find the best treatment. Another researcher said, I think pay is the most important demand. Colleges are affected by Trumps cuts. I am for socialism. As a December cold wave continued to grip much of the US Midwest, residents of Leland House in downtown Detroit were forced to evacuate after the building lost power. Meanwhile, tenants at Alden Towers on the Detroit riverfront have been without heat for one month. The Leland House apartments with DTE headquarters in background Tenants at Leland House had been threatened with eviction the day after Thanksgiving when utility monopoly DTE Energy threatened to cut off electricity over an unpaid bill owed by the apartment owners. A last minute financing arrangement allowed the bill to be paid, but then on Wednesday fire officials forced residents to evacuate due to a power outage caused by a malfunction in the buildings electrical equipment. The outage knocked out lights and elevator service in the historic 22-story building that was in disrepair after years of neglect. At Alden Towers, residents in one wing lost power November 4. Tenants in the A Tower report that while the landlord is stalling on repairs they have been forced to rely on unsafe, costly space heaters for warmth. Temperatures fell into the single digits earlier this week. The City of Detroits Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department finally issued an emergency correction order on November 24, but the most recent report says the building still lacks heat. Tenants say building management, Friedman Real Estate, delayed turning on the heat until November 1 and it went out three days later. Alden Towers, built in 1922, was once considered one of the premier residences on Detroits riverfront. Decades of neglect has taken its toll. According to a report in the Detroit Metro Times, residents complain of broken elevators, mold, flooding, overflowing trash, roach infestations, unsafe hallways, and a management company that tenants say is indifferent and punitive. At Leland House fire officials forced evacuation of the building Wednesday night. The city building department said it is helping tenants with alternate housing and claimed DTE Energy is paying for rent, although the Detroit Free Press said it could not get confirmation of that from company officials. The long dilapidated interior of the Leland House Leland House owners told the Free Press that water from melting snow on a city sidewalk leaked into the basement of the building, shorting out a transformer. The basement extends under the sidewalk. On Thursday a property manager at Leland House confirmed those facts to a World Socialist Web Site reporter. He could not confirm that tenants would be allowed to return to the building. The Leland House is located in a prime downtown location in a major commercial corridor. The building was built in 1927 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. In all likelihood investors will snap up the now vacant property at fire sale prices and repurpose for upscale development. DTE Energy is demanding that the building owners replace the costly transformer. It said that workers cannot safely access the transformer due to structural hazards. The building owners claim they do not have money for repairs. Leland House resident Anthony Howard told WXYZ television: I went and sat on the edge of the bed and I was watching television and then all of the sudden, the electricity went off. Howard said he has lived at the Leland House for 15 years. Another resident, William Clark, said, Im trying to get as much as I can, that I need. But, I wont be able to get it all. He told WXYZ he had to climb 19 flights of stairs with the power out and elevators non operational. Elsewhere in the city, 1,140 workers at GMs Factory Zero on the Detroit-Hamtramck border face imminent layoffs as a result of managements decision to pull back on electric vehicle production. GM recently re-categorized those layoffs as permanent. The cuts are part of cuts across the global industry due to Wall Street demands for cost cutting and restructuring. They also follow more than a year of steady downsizing at Detroit-area auto plants, imposing extreme hardship on thousands of working class families. Outgoing Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and mayor-elect Mary Sheffield, both Democrats, have said nothing about the layoffs or the hardship facing working class residents. Duggan, a multi-millionaire former hospital executive, took office in 2014 six months after Detroit filed for bankruptcy. He acted as a front man for the corporate interests that profited off the bankruptcy, which slashed pensions for retirees and handed over tax breaks and prize city assets to the rich. Sheffield, current Detroit City Council president, was hand-picked by Duggan to succeed him. During her tenure Sheffield voted for Duggans tax handouts while seeking to deflect opposition with token gestures such as tenant protections. Under Duggans tenure the city handed out massive tax breaks to the likes of Ford and billionaire Quicken loans CEO Dan Gilbert, while starving funding for vital city services for working class residents. Gilbert and other billionaires snapped up prime real estate on the cheap and converted it into stadiums, high class lofts and other amenities for the corporate elite and upper middle class. Dan Gilbert [Photo by Cleveland Cavaliers / CC BY 4.0 The revaluation of downtown neighborhoods in the aftermath of the bankruptcy produced evictions of longterm residents, including elderly tenants in from the Griswold Building in downtown Detroit in March 2014 to make way for The Albert luxury apartments. The process has continued. Rising downtown property values due to gentrification have put pressure on low income renters as property values and rents rise, forcing renters out of areas that were once relatively affordable. While the city has touted the construction of affordable housing units, the reality is that most of the rents are out of the price range for working class families in a city where the median household income is about $35,000. The housing crisis in Detroit was highlighted by the horrific deaths of 9-year-old Darnell Currie Jr. and his 2-year-old sister, Amillah in February 2025. Their mother, Tateona Williams, had been unable to get housing assistance from public agencies. She parked her van inside the Greektown Casino parking structure near downtown hoping to shield her family from the cold; her children died of carbon monoxide poisoning. The fight against tenant evictions, affordable housing and rising layoffs are part of the same fight against a ruling class intent on self-enrichment of the backs of the working class while funneling ever greater resources in the military and police intelligence apparatus. As Cyclone Ditwah caused floods and landslides ravaging Sri Lanka, intensifying its economic and social crisis, the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has presented proposals to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna/National Peoples Power (JVP/NPP) government on how to avert disastrous political consequences. FSP members posing with their banner Humanity Amidst Disaster with flood victims at Anuradhapura [Photo: Facebook/Wasantha Mudalige] Anger is growing among the masses as heavy flooding and landslides have killed 639 people, with another 203 missing. More than two million have been affectedmostly poor villagers and workerswho face the current ruination on top of the social devastation caused by the ruling JVP/NPPs continuing IMF-dictated austerity program. Previously, the FSP had made limited public criticisms of the government, claiming these were aimed at bringing it to the correct path. But since the cyclone hit on November 28, all criticism has been halted. Instead, the FSP has mobilised its cadres for relief work among flood victims under the theme Humanism amid Disaster. This campaign was aimed at showing solidarity with the government while exploiting rising mass anger. People began asking: Wasnt there a way to avert these recurring disasters? Why didnt the government warn on time? Cyclone Ditwah was not an isolated disaster; it followed similar disasters in Southeast Asian countries. Even after two weeks, most people have not received basic relief and are uncertain about the future, despite the government announcing various relief packages. The fake-left FSP has stepped in to offer political support to President Anura Kumara Dissanayakes government, covering up its responsibility for the disaster and the capitalist system that produced it. FSP leaders have previously falsely characterised the right-wing, pro-US JVP/NPP government as an expression of the peoples expectations. The ruling JVP, mired in Sinhala chauvinism since its inception in the late 1960s, has over the last three decades thoroughly integrated itself into the Colombo political establishment. It came to power last year with its electoral front, the NPP, by exploiting mass opposition against the traditional elite parties. Formed in 2012 by a faction that split from the JVP, the FSP postures as socialist but, in fact, it has not broken from the JVPs communal and pro-capitalist politics. It has nothing to do with socialism. On Monday, FSP education secretary Pubudu Jayagoda, at a press conference, announced the partys short-term proposals to the crisis. He added that the party would prepare long-term proposals in the future in consultation with experts. In passing, Jayagoda stated that there had been discussion on global warming causing such disasters. Rich countries bear responsibility for carbon-dioxide emissions, with the US accounting for 25 percent, causing global warming, he said. However, in line with the partys pragmatic and nationalist outlook, Jayagoda delivered proposals on how to patch up the situation in Sri Lanka. He blamed economic development policies of past governments for damaging the ecological system, including unplanned activities such as river sand mining and the filling of low-lying lands that took place. He noted that the Disaster Management Institute was virtually scrapped by President Gotabhaya Rajapakse in 2019. Jayagoda also questioned why Dissanayake had continued these same policies and IMF-dictated austerity, contributing to the current crisis. Indeed, successive governments have followed such capitalist policies, contributing immensely to recurring disasters, including the present calamity. However, for the FSP education secretary, these are merely the result of wrong policies. If they had followed correct policies, such disasters could supposedly have been averted. Thus, the responsibility of Sri Lankan and global capitalism is covered up. Jayagodas short-term proposals included: removal of VAT on essentials; suspension of the price-increasing mechanisms for electricity, oil and gas; a one-time super-gain tax on companies with high turnover; increased state investments; and scrapping the electricity and petroleum acts that proposed to transform state-owned Ceylon Electricity Board and Petroleum Corporation into companies. These are not proposals to mobilise the working class and the poor masses to defend their social and living conditions, but to sow illusions that the government can be pressured to take these measures. Nor are these proposals compatible with the governments commitment to implementing IMF austerity. On December 5, just a week after Ditwah hit the country, Dissanayake categorically assured parliament that his government would not withdraw from the IMF program but work according to its parametersthat is, continue austerity, the restructure of state institutions, cut fiscal spending and repay foreign debts. He added that the government would seek $US200 million more through the IMFs Rapid Disbursement Program. Dissanayake has announced various relief packagesmany scheduled for release in the futureand it remains to be seen whether they will materialise. The past experience has been promises made to dissipate popular anger, but people were left alone to scramble to rebuild their lives. When the 2004 Asian tsunami killed more than 40,000 people in Sri Lanka, the majority of those affected did not receive adequate or any relief. People wade through a submerged area of Colombo, Sri Lanka, following flooding on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. [AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena] The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) insists that the working class and rural poor cannot find solutions for such disasters caused cyclones within the capitalist system and national framework. As WSWS wrote, The combined impact of climate changedriven primarily by global warmingand the systematic dismantling of scientific and disaster-prevention infrastructure by successive governments produce such disasters. The current disaster has sharply brought home the fact that workers and youth need an internationalist and socialist solution for the disaster as well as to defend their democratic and social rights. Jayagoda appealed to the government to dissolve its Disaster Management Committee, filled with state bureaucrats and the countrys richest CEOs. He proposed committees of peoples participation with trade union bureaucrats, civil-society figures and small and medium-scale businessmen. Such pro-IMF and pro-capitalist elements will not represent the people but will only assist the government in implementing its policies. The FSPs intervention is revealing. It acknowledges the obvious fact that the government is continuing former president Ranil Wickremesinghes IMF policies even better than him. Yet the FSP continues to brand the JVP/NPP rule a peoples government. Speaking on a YouTube channel on November 7, FSP leader Kumar Gunaratnam declared: This is a peoples government we should not allow the old corrupt politicians again. This is a naked defense of the JVP/NPP government while offering flimsy criticisms to assist it in derailing mass opposition. The FSPs service to capitalist rule is not limited to defending the ruling JVP/NPP. Whatever the political crisis for the ruling class, the FSP offered its services. As the crisis of the Gotabhaya Rajapakse government intensified in 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, FSP leader Gunaratnam wrote to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse on March 24, 2020. He promised support for the governments efforts in fighting COVID-19, despite their shortcomings. During the AprilJuly 2022 mass uprising, the FSP, teaming up with trade union bureaucracy and capitalist parties, played its part to defend capitalist rule. It insisted: The realistic solution [to the political crisis] is that all opposition parties in parliament establish an interim administration to work with the protest groups outside parliament until an election be held soon. The FSP was prominent among these protest groups outside parliament. The meaning was plain: the FSP was preparing to be a partner with discredited capitalist parties in an interim regime. The JVP/NPP and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya also made the same proposal. This manipulationassisted by the FSPallowed the discredited parliament to elect the notorious pro-IMF, pro-US figure Ranil Wickremesinghe as president, a figure with no popular support. In his comments this week, Jayagoda also proposed using the cyclone crisis to renegotiate the existing debt-restructuring agreements with international creditors. He said the government failed to bargain hard with the IMF. The FSP has said for the time being it is keeping its Exit IMF program aside. This program proposes avoiding the IMF by negotiating directly with creditors. It insists that no illegitimate loans be paid, and proposes to plead for a fair haircut and extended repayment timelines. The core purpose of this program is to assure international finance capital that debts will be repaid. The FSP proposals reveal its pro-imperialist and pro-capitalist stance. In contrast to the FSPs craven policies, the SEP opposes the repayment of all foreign loans, both legitimate and illegitimate. Workers and the poor are not responsible for the massive debts, taken over decades for the benefit of the capitalist elite and the 26-year anti-Tamil communal war. We oppose the JVP/NPPs policy of slashing living conditions to continue repayments and IMF austerity. In the wake of the cyclone disaster, the billions of dollars saved by refusing to pay back foreign debts should be used to rebuild the lives of the affected masses and expand social welfare. The SEP calls on workers and youth to reject the FSPs pro-capitalist program and join our struggle to mobilise the working class independent of all capitalist parties. A major step towards the independent mobilisation of workers is to form action committees in every workplace independent from trade union bureaucracies and parties of political establishment. We have proposed that the rural masses build their own action committees in their respective areas. The cyclone disaster has shown the significance of action committees in mobilising workers and poor in common efforts to save lives, defend living standards and go beyond. We have also called for the building of a Democratic and Socialist Congress of Workers and Rural Poor based on these action committees, uniting across ethnic lines, as a centre of struggle to fight for democratic and social rights based on international socialist policies and for a workers and peasants government. Only an international socialist reorganisation of society can marshal the technological, scientific and material resources required to address global warming and protect human lives. During a National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) branch meeting at Western Sydney University on Thursday, professional staff members spoke about the extra workloads and other onerous conditions being imposed on them as a result of the managements Reset restructuring. Western Sydney University On top of nearly 200 redundancies, about 720 jobs are being disestablished at the largely working-class university. Many of those being displacedalmost a quarter of the workforceare being shunted into lower-paid positions, face higher workloads or are yet to be allocated alternative positions. The comments made at the meeting provide a glimpse of what university workers and students are confronting, not just at WSU but across Australia, where some 4,000 jobs are being eliminated and courses are being cut, particularly in arts and humanities. This is part of the federal Labor governments reshaping of the entire tertiary education sector to cut costs and satisfy the teaching and research needs of the corporate elite, the AUKUS military pact and other preparations for war. One participant reported that her team had been smashed by a half, with workloads more than doubled because of the abolished positions. In addition, she said, the managements promised reskilling of workers to take new roles flew in the face of a similar cut to the professional development team. Now contractors had been brought in to do the skills gap training. This provoked further comments, such as that contractors are coming out of the weeds and that people were being told to absorb the workloads of unfilled roles. Other members spoke of being only offered jobs in distant campuses or on lower pay. Some staff were being told that the university had run out of roles for them, yet the management was advertising externally to fill positions. At WSU, this offensive is only possible because the NTEU struck a deal to accept and assist the restructuring, despite two overwhelming votes by its members for industrial action. On October 2, WSU vice-chancellor George Williams sent an all-staff email thanking both the NTEU and the other main campus trade union, the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), for their goodwill and constructive engagement in calling off a dispute over the restructuring. This means that our change process will now proceed and is back on track, he wrote. Last week, Williams went further in another all-staff email, boasting that as a result, the management had achieved its goal of slashing almost $80 million from its annual budget in a little over six months. Despite the destruction of jobs and conditions, the WSU NTEU branch president David Burchell told Thursdays meeting that he was more excited by the prospect of finalising a new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) with the management than in any previous EBA round. Burchell began the meeting by saying it had been a catastrophic year. But later he declared, we got through it in one piece and this was what trade unions are for. These comments not only displayed indifference to the fate of hundreds of staff members. Unwittingly, they underscored the essential role of the union apparatuses today in smothering the resistance of workers. Burchell insisted that the NTEU had achieved a victory by getting a commitment from the management that all displaced staff members would be found suitable jobs. That claim flew in the face of the reality reported by members. He said the union was close to an agreement on a new EBA, including on change clauses that would provide for consultation before further restructuring was conducted. Yet any new EBA will be just as useless in opposing the destruction of jobs and conditions as the current supposedly strong one, pushed through by the NTEU in 2022. Burchell said he hoped the EBA would be finalised once negotiations resumed on January 20. That is a warning of preparations for another sellout deal, like the one struck on October 2. WSU Rank-and-File Committee member Michael Head objected, speaking about the elephant in the roomthat similar destructions of jobs and restructurings were taking place throughout the universities nationally. He said the NTEU opposed any unified fight. Instead, it isolated struggles at individual universities and even falsely claimed victories, like at WSU, Sydney University Technology and the Australian National University, after the managements secured their job-cutting targets by driving people out via supposed voluntary redundancies. Before Burchell bureaucratically cut him off, Head said these attacks were all driven by the Albanese Labor governments agenda of austerity and war preparations. The truth is that the NTEU and other unions support this agenda. The NTEU leadership has not voiced a word of objection to the Labor governments allocation of hundreds of billions of dollars to the AUKUS program and other military plans. Nor has there been any opposition to the cutting of international student enrolments, the continued underfunding of universities, and the subordination of education to national priorities, echoing those of the fascistic Trump administration. From 2026, each universitys funding will be tied to a mission-based compact with the governments new Australian Tertiary Education Commission to contribute to the national priorities such as AUKUS and critical minerals, which the Labor government has agreed to supply to the Trump administration. The Labor government is also continuing the previous Liberal-National governments Job-ready Graduates scheme that hiked the cost of three-year humanities degrees to more than $50,000, while cutting the funding to universities for delivering them. The role of the NTEU reflects the transformation of the trade unions internationally from defensive organisations of the working class, always within the framework of wage labour, into industrial policing agencies. In Australia, the anti-strike enterprise bargaining system was imposed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Hawke-Keating Labor governments in the 1980s and 1990s. Just quitting the unions in disgust, as many have done, is not an answer. Staff and students must take matters into their own hands. For that, new democratic forms of organisation, independent rank-and-file committees (RFCs), must be built. The WSU and Macquarie University RFCs are calling for a unified campaign throughout the working class against Labors pro-corporate, pro-military reshaping of tertiary education. This is part of a broader necessary struggle against capitalism itself and its program of ever-greater corporate wealth and turn to war and Trump-style dictatorial rule. It means a fight to reorganise society along genuinely democratic and egalitarian, that is socialist, lines in the interests of humanity, not the corporate ruling class. To discuss, contact the WSU Rank-and-File Committee at rfc.wsu@gmail.com or the Committee for Public Education (CFPE), the rank-and-file educators network: Contact the CFPE: Email: cfpe.aus@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/commforpubliceducation Twitter: CFPE_Australia Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem testified Thursday before a semi-annual oversight hearing of the House Homeland Security Committee, flatly denying that ICE and Border Patrol agents have violated the rights of immigrants and American citizens alike. In a final display of contempt for Congress, she left the hearing early, claiming a meeting at the White House, which had in fact been cancelled. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, left, and Michael Glasheen, operations director of the National Security Branch of the FBI, appear before the House Committee on Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. [AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein] The nearly three-hour hearing demonstrated two fundamental political facts: The Republican Party and the Trump administration have embraced a fascistic policy towards immigrants; and the Democratic Party is content to do nothing about it, substituting handwringing or political theatrics, depending on the political requirements of each member. Noem is one of the most corrupt members of the Trump cabinet, as well as one of the most slavish in her adulation of the president. In virtually every response to questions, both friendly and hostile, she combined fawning praise for Trump and denunciations of his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, as an alleged advocate of open borders (although he continued most of the repressive policies of Trumps first term, deporting millions of immigrants and asylum seekers). Two other officials, Joe Kent, head of the National Counter Terrorism Center, and Michael Glasheen, who oversees the FBIs National Security Division, testified alongside Noem. Glasheen is a career official who was sent instead of FBI Director Kash Patel, in a calculated display of defiance of congressional oversight. Ranking Democrat Benny Thompson of Mississippi took note of the slight, but the Republican majority said nothing. The presentation by Noem and Kenta Special Forces veteran with 11 tours of duty in the Iraq war, twice defeated as a far-right Republican candidate for Congresswas taken apparently word for word from the new National Security Strategy document issued by the Pentagon last week. They declared the supposedly uncontrolled immigration during the Biden administration to be the greatest national security threat to the United States. Kent said, I would say what keeps me up at night is that we don't necessarily know all of the people that are in this country, who they are and what their intentions are. We think up to 15 million to 20 million people came in under the Biden administration over the southern border. They were not vetted. They were allowed to pour in. Our asylum programs, or visa programs were all exploited and the integrity was demolished under Joe Biden and the leadership of the Department of Homeland Security. Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, speaks during the House Committee on Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. [AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein] Noem and Kent repeatedly denied that ICE agents had ever engaged in misconduct, that any US citizens had been wrongly deported, and that the immigration sweeps were rounding up thousands of ordinary workers, not the worst of the worst as Trump incessantly claims. They made no attempt to disguise the blatantly racist and Islamophobic basis of Trumps immigration policies. This was particularly apparent when two members of the fascist House Freedom Caucus, Eli Crane of Arizona and Andy Ogles of Tennessee, had their five minutes of questioning. Crane said he was particularly concerned that we continue to let people into this country that dont want to assimilate to our culture and want to harm Americans. He then showed a series of video clips of young men in Muslim attire being asked on the street whether sharia law or the US Constitution should be supreme. All of them responded sharia, based on the Koran. Christian fundamentalists would give similar answers if they were asked about the Bible and the Constitution, but Crane portrayed the Muslims as an ominous threat to America. Kent replied, I think we did not have control of our borders, however, we have had 2.7 million individuals from Muslim regions who came in under the Biden administration who went through minimal to no vetting, who probably share values like the folks you saw on the screen. Crane then asked, What do you believe the long-term consequences will be if the United States continues admitting individuals who either openly reject assimilation into American civic culture, or who falsely swear an oath to uphold the Constitution despite having no intention of honoring it? Kent replied, We simply wont have a country anymore as we know it. We can look to Europe and the U.K. to see where this leads. This directly echoes the assessment made in the National Security Strategy document that Europe faces civilizational destruction due to Muslim immigration. When it was Ogles turn, he spent most of his time citing bogus figures blaming all US social problems on a half century of immigration from third world countries. He claimed that 60 million migrants have come to the US since the passage of the Hart-Celler Act in 1965, when ended the quota system that openly privileged immigration from Europe. He went on to claim that Muslims were overwhelmingly responsible for violent crimes committed in London, Paris, and Rome, as well US cities like Minneapolis, Nashville and Dearborn, Michigan. He concluded with the following fascist diatribe: Ive had enough. Ive said it once and I will say it again. Deport them all. This is our country. We get to decide who comes in. And we get to decide who has to leave. I say deport them all. 90 percent that have come into this country are from third world countries. Most of which are sucking resources from American citizens, burdening our cities. They do not belong here. Kent replied blandly that critics of the Trump administration also say this is strictly a race issue. That is a disgusting accusation, then confirming that charge, saying, We had 2.7 million folks from Muslim countries and regions who have come into the country with minimum to no vetting. The Democratic response consisted largely of political stunts, confronting Noem and Kent with cases of illegal and anti-democratic actions of immigration agents that flagrantly contradicted their own claims during the hearing. The cases are indeed horrific: the much-publicized beating, arrest and deportation of Narciso Barranco, father of three serving US Marines, from Santa Ana, California; Donna Brown, a legal immigrant from Ireland, married for 46 years to a US Gulf War veteran, arrested and held in ICE detention since July because she wrote an $80 bad check ten years ago; Sae Joon Park, a decorated veteran, wounded twice in the 1989 invasion of Panama, forced to leave the country to avoid deportation over a minor drug offense linked to PTSD; and on and on. Barrancos son and Browns husband attended the hearing and stood up and were recognized. Park appeared by Zoom from South Korea. Noem acknowledged that she had the authority to provide compassionate waivers in all these cases, but had not done so. After the last such episode, Noem abruptly left the hearing, leaving Kent and Glasheen to continue for another hour. In the course of that time, the following exchange took place between ranking Democrat Thompson and the FBIs Glasheen; Thompson: Mr. Glasheen, will you tell me organizations on the domestic side that are the number one and number two threat? Glasheen: I would say the first one, President Trump just announced an executive order for Antifa. That is our primary concern right now. Thompson: Where is Antifa headquartered? Glasheen: What we are doing right now Thompson: Where in the United States does Antifa exist? If it is a terrorist organization and you have identified as number one Glasheen: We are building out the infrastructure right now. Thompson: So, what does that mean? We are trying to get the information. You say Antifa is a terrorist organization. Tell us as a committee, how did you come to that? Whether it exists, how many members do they have in the United States as of right now? Glasheen: That is very fluid. It is ongoing for us to understand that. No different than Al Qaeda and ISIS. Thompson: I asked one question, sir. I just want you to tell us. If you said Antifa is the number one domestic terrorist organization operating in the United States, I just need to know where they are, how many people? I dont want a name, I dont want anything like that. Just how many people have you identified with the FBI that Antifa is made of? Glasheen: The investigations are active. Thompson: Sir, you wouldnt come to this committee to say something you cant prove. I know you wouldnt do that. But you did. This exchange certainly demonstrates the entirely concocted character of the administrations claims that left-wing terrorism is the principal domestic threat. But none of the Democrats went further than calling for Noem to resign or be impeached. None sought to draw any wider political lessons from Trumps illegal and unconstitutional attacks on migrants. And most importantly, none sought to alert the working class that these attacks are aimed at setting a precedent for the establishment of police-state rule directed against all workers, whatever country they were born in. Overhead line work at Deutsche Bahn [Photo by Deutsche Bahn AG] At the beginning of December, there were two more serious and fatal workplace accidents at Deutsche Bahn (DBGermanys national railway company). On December 6, two workers were killed at the CologneEifeltor freight yard after falling from a lifting platform. The two had been working at a height of almost 20 metres to repair a container loading bridge when, around midday, a third worker set another container loading bridge in motion. This second mobile bridge collided with the lifting platform on which the two men were standing in the work basket and caused it to tip over. The two men plunged to the ground, where they were crushed by the overturning lifting platform. One of the two, an 83-year-old (!) worker, was killed instantly. The other, aged 64, died later the same day in hospital from his severe injuries. The CologneEifeltor freight yard, one of the largest container transshipment yards, is operated by Deutsche Umschlaggesellschaft Schiene-Strae (DUSS), a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn. DUSS management had hired the workers via a subcontractor and thus exposed the 83-year-old and his colleague to this deadly danger. Only two days before the tragic double fatality in Cologne, another serious workplace accident occurred at Deutsche Bahn at the ICE (InterCity ExpressDBs high-speed flagship service) depot in Munich on Landsbergerstrae. A technician (56) suffered a severe electric shock while carrying out repair work on an overhead line. The line had been switched off, but there was a voltage flashover from a live overhead line on the adjacent track. The technician was thrown to the ground from his work platform. Thanks to his colleagues, who lowered the platform using the emergency release, he was quickly rescued and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. When searching for the causes, the verdict that is usually delivered quickly is human error. This or that worker is said to have made a mistake. However, the alarming accumulation of accidents points very clearly to a systemic failure: the railways, which should be a public-interest-oriented infrastructure, are increasingly being geared towards profit, and workplace safety is being sacrificed as a result. This year alone, there have already been at least twelve fatal workplace accidents at DB, including four fatal accidents within just four weeks in the spring. At least nine other workers were seriously injured. These accidents starkly illustrate what the rank-and-file Railway Action Committee has been explaining for years: in order to expose the causes of the accidents and prevent them in future, workers themselves must become active and organise in independent action committees. Below is the long, presumably incomplete list of accidents this year: On March 4, 2025, two workers at the Munich ICE depot suffered dangerous electric shocks while carrying out maintenance work on the overhead line. One of them sustained third-degree injuries. On Easter Monday, April 21, a 52-year-old railway worker died in Kehl (Baden-Wurttemberg) in the harbour district on the Rhine River. During shunting operations, he was caught between the buffers while coupling two cars, crushed and fatally injured. On April 27, a railway worker was killed in an accident at the Neuseddin marshalling yard (Brandenburg) after also getting caught between two cars and being literally crushed. On April 29, a 58-year-old member of a construction crew in Hamburg was struck by an ICE train. He survived but sustained severe injuries. On May 9, a 50-year-old worker was once again crushed between two shunting freight cars while accompanying a slowly rolling car at the railway maintenance facility in Oberhausen (Upper Bavaria). He fell into the track between the trains and was killed. On May 14, a worker at the Wittenberge railway maintenance depot (Brandenburg) who had been carrying out sandblasting work was found dead. On May 23, two railway workers in Boblingen (Baden-Wurttemberg) suffered severe burns from electric shock. Here too, there was a voltage flashover from an overhead line. On June 24, a 35-year-old railway worker was killed while shunting in Kronach (Upper Franconia). The worker was riding on the last car to assist the driver when reversing a train but overlooked a track barrier. The railcar derailed, and the man fell into the track bed and was run over by the car. On July 3, a railway worker (30) in Dusseldorf-Rath was seriously injured during track work when a rail excavator ran over his leg and severed his foot. On July 30, during a serious railway accident in Riedlingen, the 32-year-old train driver and another railway employee (36) were killed. A female passenger was also killed. On August 19, a railway worker (49) died at the Horka freight yard (Saxony) when he was struck by an approaching train. On August 26, in Baar-Ebenhausen (Bavaria), a very young worker (21) was struck and killed by a regional train during track construction work. On September 17, a track worker (44) in Geislingen (Baden-Wurttemberg) was struck by a passing regional train and seriously injured. On September 25, a worker (30) north of Hamburg was seriously injured when he was struck on the head by a train during track construction work in Wrist (Schleswig-Holstein). On September 30, another 21-year-old railway employee was killed after being struck by a regional train in Ebelsbach (Lower Franconia). These are in addition to the two incidents that occurred in early December. This accumulation of serious and even fatal workplace accidents at Deutsche Bahn is breathtaking and shows recurring patterns. This alone refutes the focus on the alleged human error of individual workers. One fatal pattern is evident. For example, in accidents at marshalling and freight yards, where train drivers and railway workers shunt and couple long trains, often in reverse, and often while standing outside the cab, on the last car or alongside the train. This sort of procedure has repeatedly resulted in serious and fatal accidents. Today, these dangers could be entirely avoided through modern technology such as fully integrated cameras, remote control and automated processes and safety systems. The problem, of course, is not confined to Germany. On December 3, 46-year-old train driver Steve Crowe was killed in a collision during such a shunting manoeuvre in Ontario, California. He was directing his train while reversing, a particularly dangerous situation. As the World Socialist Web Site reports, of the 20 train driver fatalities reported to the US rail authority since January 2020, 14 occurred during such shunting manoeuvres. Another major danger arises when track construction work is carried out on double-track sections while train traffic continues. Only one track is closed, and the work is noisy, meaning warning signals are not always heard. Often, the signalling control centre that is supposed to warn the drivers of passing trains about the construction site is not adequately informed. In recent times, several workers have been struck on the head by passing ICE or regional trains. This was also how Ali Ceyhan (33) was killed on September 11, 2023 in Cologne-Kalk. Overhead lines, which usually carry 15,000 volts, also pose a major danger. Repeatedly, they cause life-threatening injuries and third-degree burns. Thus, at the same Munich ICE depot, severe burns from electric shock occurred both on March 4 and on December 4. In Baden-Wurttemberg as well, two young workers, aged just 20 and 26, were seriously injured by electric shocks. It is always asserted the line was switched off and grounded, yet repeatedly voltage arcs occur from neighbouring overhead lines. Three years ago, Frank S., a member of the Rail Action Committee, suffered a severe electric shock in Frankfurt am Main during such an incident. I could have been dead, Frank said at the time. His accident showed the newly founded Rail Action Committee how quickly the public adopts the version of events put forward by DB, the police, the employers liability insurance associations or the trade unions, blaming human error. It also led the committee to begin intensively investigating railway accidents. None of these cases is an isolated misfortune. Rather, they are the result of a system that places profit above the lives and well-being of workers and is also rapidly gearing itself for war. As a result, workplace safety is not a priority for any of those responsible: not for new DB executive board member Evelyn Palla, not for the federal government as owner of Deutsche Bahn, not for the supervisory authorities and not for the rail trade unions EVG and GDL. DB must become faster, leaner and more economical, as Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (Christian Democratic Union, CDU) declared. Characteristically, no authority in Germany systematically lists all railway accidents. As a rule, the public only learns about them through brief, terse sentences in police reports. Nor is there reporting on the train drivers who recognise a dangerous situation and initiate an emergency braking manoeuvre but are unable to prevent the accident. They are usually severely shocked and traumatised. Recently, several relatives of railway workers killed in rail accidents have made serious accusations in public because they have received no information or clarification regarding the deaths of their loved ones. Among these courageous individuals who refuse to give up are Katharina Duarte, partner of the points mechanic Ali Ceyhan who was killed in Cologne-Kalk, as well as Silke Hedemann and Steffen Rach, who lost their son and railway apprentice Simon Hedemann. They have also presented these cases to members of parliament from all parties and demanded answers from the DB corporationso far without any visible result. The only way to meaningfully respond to the appalling series of workplace accidents on the railways is the building of independent action committees, that is, a political reorientation of the working class toward its own class strength. The World Socialist Web Site and the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) propose the establishment of independent, democratically run action committees led by workers themselves to investigate the accidents, draw conclusions from them and enforce these conclusions. These accidents are a global phenomenon: the IWA-RFC has already taken up similar cases in the United States, Australia, Germany, Turkey and Sri Lanka. What is necessary is international cooperation by the working class to wage the struggle together across national borders, exchange information and defend one another. The World Socialist Web Site and the IWA-RFC offer advice and contact with like-minded individuals, with guaranteed protection for whistle-blowers. USAR stocks chart over the past year is full of sharp turns and unlikely comebacks. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock rose 47.94%, powered by the markets growing hunger for rare-earth minerals that feed electric vehicle (EV) motors, wind turbines, and defense systems. Yet over the past month, shares bumped up only 2.81% likely due to the companys Q3 numbers affecting sentiment. USAR stands further from its October high of $43.98, leaving the stock 57% below its peak. Its Round Top deposit in West Texas packs 15 of the 17 rare earth elements that power high-tech and green energy industries. The Stillwater facility is set up for commercial-scale magnet production and will collaborate with local research hubs to push magnet technology and industrial know-how. USAR has a market capitalization of $2.2 billion and is steadily carving its place in the U.S. rare earth scene. Headquartered in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA Rare Earth is building a fully integrated U.S. supply chain for rare earths and critical minerals. Since 2019, it has been digging, processing, and supplying neodymium, dysprosium, terbium, gallium, beryllium, lithium, and more. Despite being sliced in half since its October peak, USAR stock has clawed back by a sharp double-digit rebound over the past three months, gaining recently on an accelerated commercial production timeline news. Should investors be buying USAR stock right now? This is the reason its latest announcement grabbed so much attention. USAR just fast-tracked the commercialization timeline for its Round Top heavy rare earth deposit in Texas, moving production up to late 2028 a full two years ahead of schedule. Round Top is considered the richest-known U.S. deposit of heavy rare earths, gallium, and beryllium, and it anchors USARs mine-to-magnet strategy alongside its massive magnet plant in Oklahoma and its processing lab in Colorado. USA Rare Earth (USAR) is more than a mining company, aiming to rebuild an entire U.S. supply chain from the ground up. The companys mission is to create a fully integrated pipeline for rare earth elements and neodymium magnets that can feed Americas defense, automotive, and tech industries. And with demand for rare earth magnets soaring while geopolitical tremors make foreign dependence increasingly perilous, boosting domestic production is crucial. Story Continues But beneath that slide lies a stunning rebound story. From its March lows of $5.56, USAR has roared back almost 190%, proving that investor confidence in Americas rare-earth reboot has not evaporated. December added fresh fuel with the news that its newly acquired Less Common Metals unit will supply high-quality rare-earth materials to Solvay and Arnold Magnetic Technologies. The details were scarce, no volumes, no revenue specifics, but the market loved the signal USAR is already putting its $100 million acquisition to work. Technically, the tone is shifting toward strength. The 14-day RSI has climbed to roughly 57.8, a mellow but meaningful uptick from last months oversold mood. The MACD oscillator is even more encouraging the yellow MACD line has crossed above the blue signal line, and the histogram has flipped positive, hinting at recovering momentum and the possibility of a steady bullish phase building underneath. www.barchart.com A Quick Look at USARs Third-Quarter Update USA Rare Earths third-quarter report for fiscal 2025, released on Nov. 6, was less like a routine update and more like a company steadily strengthening the foundations of its long-term plan. The quarters highlight was the operational progress around Round Top USAR finally locked in a flow sheet for the development process, paving the way for its pre-feasibility study slated for completion in the back half of next year. Meanwhile, its Stillwater magnet facility continues to move steadily toward first-quarter 2026 commissioning, reinforcing the companys broader mine-to-magnet vision. Strategic partnerships also took center stage. USAR signed an MOU with Enduro Pipeline Services to deliver U.S.-made neodymium magnets by early 2026, while a joint development agreement with ePropelled set the foundation for a long-term supply-and-purchase relationship for sintered neo magnets. But the financial picture remains early-stage and heavy on investment. With no revenue yet, costs surged. Selling, general, and administrative expenses rose to $11.4 million from just $0.8 million a year earlier, driven by legal fees, consulting, expanded headcount, and onboarding costs. Research and development expenses rose to $4.45 million from $1.16 million for similar reasons. These elevated costs, only partially offset by higher interest income, widened the quarterly loss to $0.25 per share, far deeper than both last years $0.03 loss and Wall Street's expected $0.06 loss. Operational cash burn rose 135.5% year-over-year (YOY) to $2.85 million. Yet USAR ended the quarter with a robust $257.6 million in cash, no significant debt, and an added $125 million equity investment lined up, a sizable war chest to fuel the next chapter of its rare earth ambitions. Wall Streets crystal ball is not offering any quick miracles for USAR. Analysts foresee the per-share loss doubling to -$0.06 in Q4, and widening by 100.1% annually to -$0.65 in fiscal 2025. But all is not gloomy, as forecasts suggest that the company could trim the losses by 36.9% annually to -$0.41 per share, signaling an early glow of stabilization. What Do Analysts Expect for USAR Stock? Wall Street analysts are bullish on USAR stock, and it has a consensus Strong Buy rating. Of the six covering the stock, a majority of five analysts recommend a Strong Buy, and only one is playing it safe with a Hold rating. The consensus price target of $22.75 represents a 21% upside from current price levels. Moreover, the Street-high price target of $28 indicates a 49% upside. www.barchart.com www.barchart.com Final Thoughts on USAR USARs story is taking shape, and the opportunities ahead are unusually well aligned with the moment. The company is ahead of schedule, accelerating its commercial timeline by two years, and building a full mine-to-magnet chain that the U.S. urgently needs. With Round Tops heavy rare earth potential, a near-launch magnet plant, and growing strategic alliances, USAR is positioning itself at the crossroads of national security, clean-tech expansion, and geopolitical urgency. The long-term blueprint feels purposeful, not accidental. Meanwhile, rare earths power the modern battlefield and economy, including EV motors, wind turbines, drones, and missile systems. Yet the West still leans on China, which dominates both mining and processing. That imbalance has pushed U.S. policymakers to champion domestic supply chains, and in that reshoring race, USA Rare Earth stands out as a timely, mission-aligned contender. But investors must also weigh the shadows no revenues, widening losses, and a stock prone to sharp swings. Execution quality is improving, momentum is returning, yet the bet remains early-stage. USAR could become a pivotal U.S. rare-earth player, or a volatile ride for only the patient. On the date of publication, Sristi Suman Jayaswal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is included among the 11 Best Low Priced Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. Verizon (VZ) Edges Lower in Morgan Stanleys Target Reset Amid Competitive Priorities Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash On December 10, Morgan Stanley analyst Benjamin Swinburne reduced the firms price target on Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) to $47 from $48 and kept an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The analyst, in his research note, highlighted that the US wireless market is highly concentrated, which supports a healthy growth environment for other companies in the sector as well. However, the firm is dialing back its estimates for VZ as the carrier enters 2026 with a strategy centered on defending market share. In the third quarter of 2025, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) grew its wireless revenue by 2.1% to $21 billion, an industry-leading figure. Its total revenues were even better, coming in at $33.8 billion, up 1.47% from the same period last year. The companys broadband connections also grew by 11.1% to 13.2 million in Q3. That said, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) has been struggling over the years due to high debt levels and competition from its peers. Though the company has decreased its total unsecured debt at the end of Q3 from $126.4 billion to $119.7 billion, it has affected its dividend growth over the years, which has averaged nearly 2%. In the first nine months, Verizons operating cash flow was $28 billion, and its free cash flow came in at $15.8 billion, which showed growth from the previous year. On December 4, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.69 per share, which was in line with its previous dividend. Overall, it has been rewarding investors with growing dividends for the past 19 consecutive years. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is an American telecommunications company that specializes in wireless networks. While we acknowledge the potential of VZ as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 15 Best Stocks to Buy for the Long Term and 11 Worst Performing Dividend Stocks Year-to-Date. Disclosure: None. Warren Buffett hired Todd Combs to eventually succeed him as Berkshire Hathaway's stock picker. Combs, one of Buffett's two investment managers and Geico's CEO, has quit to join JPMorgan. After years of praising Combs, Buffett's farewell announcement for him was muted. Warren Buffett hired Todd Combs in 2010 to help, and ultimately succeed, him and Charlie Munger in managing Berkshire Hathaway's vast investment portfolio. But their handpicked heir to the stockpickers' throne has quit to join JPMorgan. The announcement comes just as Buffett is preparing to step down as CEO after six decades in charge. Lawrence Cunningham, the director of the University of Delaware's Weinberg Center and the author of several books about Berkshire, told Business Insider that Combs' exit was "certainly striking." "My impression is that this was not an easy decision for anyone concerned," Cunningham added. Here's more of our reporting on the leadership transformation underway at Berkshire Hathaway: Business Insider spoke to longtime Berkshire watchers for their read on Combs' unexpected departure. We also dug through more than 10 years of Berkshire annual letters to see how Buffett's descriptions of Combs have changed over the years. Combs and Berkshire did not respond to Business Insider's requests for comment. 'We hit the jackpot' Buffett has heaped praise on Combs and his other investment manager, Ted Weschler, since hiring the two hedge fund managers around 15 years ago. Combs and Weschler had "proved to be smart, models of integrity, helpful to Berkshire in many ways beyond portfolio management, and a perfect cultural fit," Buffett wrote in his 2012 shareholder letter, two years after hiring Combs. "We hit the jackpot with these two." "Their contributions are just beginning: Both men have Berkshire blood in their veins," he wrote the following year. In his 2015 letter, Buffett gave a "personal thank you" to Combs for bringing Precision Castparts to his attention, paving the way for Berkshire to acquire the manufacturing giant for more than $30 billion. Buffett also entrusted Combs and Weschler with a bigger piece of Berkshire's portfolio over time. They started off managing about $2 billion of assets each, but were jointly overseeing $34 billion by the end of 2021. Buffett hasn't provided an update on the size of their portfolios since then. This home is a swift step from stardom. Just down the road from Taylor Swifts famously guarded Watch Hill retreat, a Rhode Island estate is stepping into the spotlight. For the first time in roughly nine decades, the 105-year-old property has come to market asking $12.2 million, according to Realtor.com. It delivers many perks, but the very best is counting the global superstar as a neighbor. A 105-year-old estate in Watch Hill, Rhode Island located less than 0.2 miles from Taylor Swifts oceanfront home has hit the market for the first time in roughly 90 years, asking $12.2 million. Mott & Chace SIR Taylor Swifts home in Rhode Island. Richard Beetham / SplashNews.com The property is set on 2.6 acres. Mott & Chace SIR Set on 2.6 acres in one of the states most discreet seaside enclaves, the estate sits only a short stroll from Swifts oceanfront compound, a proximity that has drawn renewed attention as the pop stars Rhode Island ties intensify. Advertisement Advertisement The proximity to Taylor Swifts house is actually just across and down the street. Closer than 0.2 miles! Donna Krueger-Simmons of Mott & Chace Sothebys International Realty, who holds the listing, told The Post. The homes reemergence coincides with a moment of heightened interest in Swift herself, following the recent release of a new 6-episode docuseries The End of an Era, that revisits her career and evolving relationship. The former site of the 19th-century Atlantic House hotel includes two houses. Mott & Chace SIR The second house. Mott & Chace SIR The estate boasts a detached garage with guest quarters. Mott & Chace SIR Within both homes, the property offers 4,645 square feet of interiors. Mott & Chace SIR Advertisement Advertisement Originally built on the former site of the Atlantic House, a 19th-century seaside hotel, the property is described as a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Imagine a property so private that few people actually know that it exists yet it is in the heart of the charming seaside village of Watch Hill RI, has commanding ocean views of Fishers Island, NY, the borough of Stonington, Connecticut, and RIs own Napatree Point! the listing reads. Spanning 4,645 square feet, the estate includes two separate houses and a detached garage with guest quarters, all being sold as is. The property is being offered as is, according to the listing. Mott & Chace SIR The property boasts sweeping ocean views of Fishers Island, Stonington and Napatree Point, along with rare privacy in the heart of the village, with a hidden path leading to shops, dining and the nearby Ocean House resort. Mott & Chace SIR A sun deck. Mott & Chace SIR Taylor Swift and friends in old Instagrams at her Rhode Island house. gigihadid/Instagram Advertisement Advertisement The eight-bedroom, six-bathroom layout unfolds across rolling, tree-filled grounds that have remained largely untouched for decades. While the property does not come with private beach frontage, it compensates with sweeping vistas and a lovely sense of seclusion. A hallway. Mott & Chace SIR One of two kitchens. Mott & Chace SIR One of eight bedrooms. Mott & Chace SIR A second bedroom. Mott & Chace SIR Advertisement Advertisement One of six bathrooms. Mott & Chace SIR A living space with a fireplace. Mott & Chace SIR The lucky buyer will have a front row seat to every stunning sunset! the listing says. From the deck, owners can watch sailboats cut across the harbor, take in Fourth of July fireworks, or wander over to the nearby Ocean House resort. A hidden footpath connects the grounds directly to Watch Hills village center, adding that there are two homes on the property that allow buyers to settle in immediately while considering longer-term plans, like a renovation overhaul or new development altogether. And those possibilities are expansive. Zoned as two parcels within a 1-acre designation, the land allows for the creation of what the listing describes as a secluded family compound, all within sight lines of one of the most closely watched celebrity homes in the country. Conor McGregor and longtime partner Dee Devlin got married on Friday in Vatican City. The couple and parents of four children exchanged vows in a private ceremony at the Church of Santo Stefano degli Abissini, a historic chapel within the Vaticans walls, TMZ reported. According to the outlet, the two had an intimate ceremony that included dancers and fireworks before holding a reception at a castle. Advertisement Advertisement McGregor, 37, and Devlin, 38, got engaged in 2020 after meeting 12 years prior. In the past, hes spoken highly of Devlins role in his life. Dee Devlin and Conor McGregor attends Charity Day 2025 Hosted by the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund at Cantor on September 11, 2025 in New York City. Getty Images for Cantor Fitzgerald Dee is a lifesaver for me, he said in 2013. I wouldnt be doing this if it wasnt for her, and thats for sure. Im doing all of this for her. Its been a turbulent year-plus for the former UFC Champion, who caps off 2025 on a positive note. After announcing in March that hed run for President of Ireland, McGregor suspended his campaign in September. Dee Devlin and Conor McGregor attend the screening of Elvis during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 25, 2022 in Cannes, France. Getty Images This was not an easy decision, but it is the right one at this moment in time, McGregor said. In July, while he was still campaigning, rapper Azealia Banks alleged in a since-removed post on X that McGregor previously sent her unsolicited nude photos. Advertisement Advertisement Amid the fallout of Banks accusations, he wrote: Dont let them distract you with my [giant c] while they rob our country blind! in an apparent response to Banks on the social media platform. Additionally, McGregor was in a legal battle over a sexual assault charge in Ireland. In November 2024, a Dublin civil jury found him liable for sexual assault and rape against a woman Nikita Hand who had accused him of an incident in 2018, ordering him to pay nearly 250,000 euros in damages. McGregor denied the accusation, saying the encounter was consensual, and lodged an appeal. In July 2025, Irelands Court of Appeal rejected his appeal on all grounds, upholding the original judgment. Conor McGregor hasnt competed in the UFC since July 10, 2021. Zuffa LLC Another bid to further appeal the case was rejected earlier in December. Originally appeared on E! Online Kanye Ye West and Bianca Censori haven't run away. The pair has simply set off to South Korea for her latest project. In a rare photo of the couple posted to Bianca's Instagram Story Dec. 12, Kanye showed off his serious side in an all-black suit and sunglasses, while his wife of three years wore a nude latex bodysuit and nude pumps while carrying a statement piece of cascading cream fringe. Biancaan architect at his Yeezy brandwore her dark hair straight with bangs for the Seoul outing. Advertisement Advertisement Her look matched those of the models in her BIO POP project, a work of performance art that featured a woman in a maroon latex bodysuit preparing a cake in a kitchen before walking over to another room with five womenmeant to be doubles of herselfin nude bodysuits with their bodies contorted into the shapes of furniture. The 30-year-old described the piece on her website by sharing, "Domesticity is the mother of all revolutions, because all others trace back to it." "A self-portrait in constraint: born in the domestic, the home moulds the body, the spirit and its roles," the description continued. "Positions learned in private are worn in public. It is the first reliquary, holding rituals and heirlooms, inscribing both body and spirit with its codes. The domestic, turned uncanny, becomes the womb of the system - the site where intimacy, confinement, and identity are first inscribed." According to her website, it is the first of seven projects that will continue through 2032. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement "A self-portrait in constraint: born in the domestic, the home moulds the body, the spirit and its roles," the description continued. "Positions learned in private are worn in public. It is the first reliquary, holding rituals and heirlooms, inscribing both body and spirit with its codes. The domestic, turned uncanny, becomes the womb of the systemthe site where intimacy, confinement, and identity are first inscribed." According to her website, it is the first of seven projects that will continue through 2032. Bianca Censori / Instagram While Biancas latest look was far less revealing, her nude ensemble mimics the skin-like look of the nearly transparent NSFW outfit she wore to the Grammys in February. Despite the backlash she received, Kanyewho shares kids North, 12, Saint, 10, Chicago, 7, and Psalm, 6, with ex Kim Kardashianstepped up to support his wife. Advertisement Advertisement "My wife's first red carpet opened a whole new world," Kanye wrote on X at the time. "I keep staring at this photo like I was staring in admiration that night Thinking wow I am so lucky to have a wife that is so smart talented brave and hot." For a look back at Kanye and Bianca's romance, read on. 2022: Wedding Bells Kanye West and Bianca Censori tied the knot in a private ceremony in Palo Alto, Calif., in December 2022, less than a year after his breakup with Julia Fox. Early 2023: Part of the Family In the months following their wedding, Censoria former Yeezy employeewas photographed alongside West spending time with his daughter North West, who is the eldest of the rapper's four kids with ex Kim Kardashian. The trio stepped out at dinner in Los Angeles that January and went to Universal Studios in March. February 2024: Fashion Week Over a year after tying the knot, the pair made their first big appearance at Marnis Milan Fashion Week show. March 2024: Meeting the Ex At a Vultures 2 San Francisco listening party, Censori and Kardashianwho shares North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm with Westinteracted for the first time. An insider told E! News at the time that the SKIMS founder had attended the event to support her oldest daughter, who was performing alongside West, and was friendly with Censori. Advertisement Advertisement Fall 2024: Setting the Record Straight Amid breakup rumors following comments West allegedly made about Censoris motherper a legal filing by a former assistantthe couple stepped out for a shopping trip in Tokyo. West and Censori appeared happy as can be, with both of them smiling and engaging in subtle PDA as they made their way around a mall in the Japanese city. February 2025: Returning to the Red Carpet with Bang The couple made a rare public appearance together at the 67th Grammys. On the red carpet, Censori dropped the gigantic coat she wore, revealing a nearly-nude look in a transparent dress. After their photo moment, the duo left the venue, opting not to stay for the ceremony itself. Following the Grammys, West shared several posts as a tribute to Censori and their night out together. FOR CLARITY, West wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post. MY WIFE IS THE MOST GOOGLED PERSON ON THE PLANET CALLED EARTH. April 2025: Breakup? West hinted at a rough patch in his marriage to the model in the song "BIANCA," rapping, "My baby she ran away / But first she tried to get me committed / Not going to the hospital cause I am not sick / I just do not get it." But weeks after the song hit was released, he sparked reconciliation rumors when he posted photos of himself and Censori online. August 2025: Denny's Date Despite speculation earlier in the year that the pair was heading for divorce, they offered multiple pieces of proof throughout the summer that they were still going strong, including a date at popular breakfast food chain Denny's. Advertisement Advertisement For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Little House on the Prairie star Karen Grassle is following her heart. Grassle, who played Caroline "Ma" Ingalls on the hit series from 1974-1982, said her story started with a trip to Monaco last summer. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the show, the 83-year-old actress attended Monte Carlo Television Festival alongside her former co-stars. "A few of us were invited to go to Monaco to celebrate the 50th," she told People in an article published Friday, Dec. 11. I looked at a map and I saw that Carrara [Italy] was just down the coast, and I thought, gosh, well, maybe I could go and visit [him] after all this time." Advertisement Advertisement The man she's referring to? "[A man] I was in love with when I was young, she explained. RELATED: Little House on the Prairies Dean Butler Says This 1 Episode Determined the Shows Fate Grassle then revealed her partner's identity as sculptor Robert Gove. According to his website, Gove is an "ascetic, sculpting in Carrara, Italy for over 40 years" and "a student and devoted practitioner of Zen Buddhism." Im very proud of the work that he does," she said. When I first met him, I was only 19 years old and I was just starting my life in the theater. Everything was new and exciting!" However, the pair eventually lost touch as Grassle focused on finishing her degree at the University of California, Berkeley, and performing in theaters across the country including on Broadway. But when she visited Monte Carlo last year, she decided to give the relationship another shot. Advertisement Advertisement I was able to get an email, which wasn't easy at first. I said,How would you like a visitor? And he was enthusiastic. she said. It was quite a surprise to find how close we felt when we saw each other. We met up again and we fell back in love, she added, before noting, This morning I did the final signing for a nice little apartment here in Carrara. Currently, Grassle plans to live in the apartment part-time and split time between the United States and Italy. Prior to her rekindled romance with Gove, Grassle was married and divorced three times. She has one son named Zach. The actress also said she was looking forward to seeing her Little Houseon the Prairie co-stars again for a cast reunion from Dec. 12-14 in Simi Valley, Calif. Advertisement Advertisement Everybody who loves Little House is going to love it. People will have an opportunity to ask stuff that they've always wondered, she concluded. SIGN UP for Parades Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 12, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Nicki Minajs recent foray into politics on behalf of a controversial Trump foreign policy position seems to have led the rapper to go full MAGA. Minajs social media has been dominated by posts, reshares and memes celebrating the Trump administration and even trading shots with President Donald Trumps adversary Gov. Gavin Newsom. Even the vice president has jumped in, commenting on Minajs long-time rap beef in the process. Minaj shares posts about Nigeria, pro-Trump memes Ever since Nicki Minaj endorsed Trumps incomplete and misleading claims about Christian persecution in Nigeria, many people have speculated about Minajs political affiliations. Now, she seems to be putting any doubts to rest, explicitly celebrating the MAGA movement on social media. Throughout December, Minaj has shared social media posts by several conservative figures praising her for endorsing the narrative of religious persecution in Africas most populous nation. Minaj has also reshared other posts and memes on X from explicitly pro-Trump accounts like Donaldo Trumpo and Trump War Room. Celebrating Trump, Melania and Vance Among Minajs reposts was a long post celebrating the president and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump. "On May 7, 2018, Melania Trump made history by becoming the first First Lady in modern American history to undergo a serious medical procedurea benign kidney embolization at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centerwhile her husband Donald sat alone in a private waiting room pic.twitter.com/kuVrT1QNZ6 Michelle Maxwell (@MichelleMaxwell) December 10, 2025 Minaj has also exchanged posts with Vice President JD Vance. In a now deleted post on X, Minaj posted a GIF of Chucky, the main character of the Childs Play horror franchise, with the caption Vance > Rants. The vice president himself responded to the post, weighing in on Minajs years-long rap beef by posting Nicki>Cardi. Advertisement Advertisement Minaj praised Vance in another post, again using a picture of Chucky to illustrate her point. Nothing brings me joy like the Vance memes & knowing he leaned into it like a boss, she wrote, adding, But make no mistake, Vance is an assassin. Dont debate him. On anything. Quick as a computer. Maybe quicker. Nothing brings me joy like the Vance memes & knowing he leaned into it like a boss Top Tier Comedy Character = 100 But make no mistake, Vance is an assassin. Dont debate him. On anything. Quick as a computer. Maybe quicker. Hes the best blend Ive ever seen of us&them pic.twitter.com/6dpSKljsNT Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) December 11, 2025 Attempted feud with Newsom Minaj has also taken several shots at California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a vocal critic of Trump and the MAGA movement. Minaj mocked Newsom for recent comments he made about supporting trans people, including children. Imagine being the guy running on wanting to see trans kids. Haha, Minaj wrote in one post. Not even a trans ADULT would run on that. Normal adults wake up & think they want to see HEALTHY, SAFE, HAPPY kids, she continued, followed by various plays on Newsoms name, such as the Gav Nots. Imagine being the guy running on wanting to see trans kids. Haha. Not even a trans ADULT would run on that. Normal adults wake up & think they want to see HEALTHY, SAFE, HAPPY kids. Not Gav The Gav Nots GavOUT Send in the next guy, Im bored. pic.twitter.com/627bIhbD1j Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) December 12, 2025 For anyone wondering if Minajs cosigning of Trumps Nigeria stance was an issue-specific endorsement or part of a larger show of support for the presidents agenda, the last few weeks have seemingly answered that question. Minajs embrace of Trumps international agenda has earned her the attention of high-ranking officials like the president and the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and even has led to Minaj speaking at a UN event. Minajs stance has also earned her controversy, with critics and even followers questioning her apparent decision to embrace MAGA. So far, though, Minaj seems to be welcoming the spotlight. The post Nicki Minaj Dives Further Into MAGA Support With Trump And Vance Co-Sign, Beef With Newsom appeared first on Blavity. The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys Steven McBee Jr. is opening up in a huge way about his fathers time in federal prison. As the son recently said of Steve McBee Sr. on the Dec. 10 episode of the familys Meet the McBees podcast, Its so strange to think that my dad has been humbled down to the point where his identity is his inmate number. The eldest of the McBee brothers left no stone unturned in detailing how the two maintain contact as his father serves his two-year sentence after pleading guilty in 2024 to a multi-million-dollar crop insurance fraud. Advertisement Advertisement As far as communication with my dad goes, again, I never thought that Id have this experience, but I have an app on my phone now called CorrLinks, where you get to communicate with inmates, Steven Jr. said. Generally, its just one email every single night. He tells me what hes been doing, and I get to respond back to him, give him a little update on how things are going out here. Given Steve Sr.s knack for compartmentalizing and staying busy, he apparently didnt give much forethought to prison life, according to his son. As Steve Jr. put it, We havent really had the time to process or even think too much about what it would be like to have my dad gone. Steve McBee Jr. and Steve McBee Sr. smile together in coordinating bandanas on Instagram. Steven McBee Jr. describes dropping his dad off at prison As widely reported, the family patriarch and founder of McBee Farm & Cattle Co. surrendered to the FPC (Federal Prison Camp) in Yankton, South Dakota, on Dec. 1. Steven and company were there to see him off, some 300 miles northwest of their Gallatin, Missouri, home. We all drove up to South Dakota together," Steven explained. "And, I can tell you personally, that was one of the hardest days of my life. Id put it up there with losing my grandpa as a senior in high school unexpectedly. Advertisement Advertisement Related: Steven McBee Jr. Reveal Familys Holiday Plans and Big Goals for 2026 (EXCLUSIVE) Steven Jr. cited his father as the leader of the McBee family, which includes his younger brothers, Jesse McBee, Cole McBee, and Brayden McBee, as well as their extended families. He noted how Steve Sr. had been stripped down of everything upon entry. Cowboy hat, necklace, wallet, cell phone, and walking into a prison camp with nothing but the shirt on his back. All in all, a humbling experience. Ill just say, 2025 is full of one-off experiences that I will never, ever, ever go through again. Related: Steven Teases Crazy McBee Dynasty Season 3 Amid Dads Legal Woes (EXCLUSIVE) Steven McBee Jr. reveals how his dad is adjusting to prison life Of course, being stripped of ones personal belongings would be quite the adjustment for anyone, but according to Steven Jr., there was an even bigger adjustment waiting for his father. Advertisement Advertisement The food aspect, I think, was the biggest shell shock, according to the junior. And also what being away from family is like. All part of the highs and lows Steven Jr. said fans can expect in an upcoming third season. During a recent interview with The Daily Dish over the BravoCon 2025 weekend in Las Vegas, Steven teased an entirely new challenge on top of his fathers criminal case. We put it all out there, he said. Their focus would be creating a life for the next generation of McBees, including Cole and Kacie Adkison's daughter, Blair Collins McBee, and Jesse and Alli McBee's daughter, Summer Leigh McBee. Really, its just gonna be us uniting and trying to make sure we can save the farm for the next generation, Steven Jr. said. Get more with Bravo Insider Sign up for Bravo Insider and read behind-the-scenes features including: Advertisement Advertisement Cynthia Bailey Unpacks the Differences Between Filming RHOA and RHOBH: "Night and Day" Receipts, Proof, Timeline, Screenshots: A Complete Guide According to Bravolebs Brittany Cartwright Reveals the Real Reason She Wore That Tiny Romper to a Job Interview: "Backfired" Angela Oakley on the RHOA Beef She Squashed "Too Soon" & What You Didnt See at the Reunion Confessional Interviews 101: What Bravolebs Eat, How They Prepare & More Behind-the-Scenes Secrets Dont miss Steve Sr.s parting words just before he surrendered himself to federal authorities. A Swedish princess is insisting she never visited Jeffrey Epsteins Pedophile Island after newly-released emails show she was once invited. Epstein reportedly offered Sofia Hellqvist, then a lingerie model, a free visit to his private Caribbean island in 2005 after a mutual associate emailed the sex offender a photo of Hellqvist and two other women on his 55th birthday. Princess Sofia, 41, and Prince Carl Philip, 46, in 2024. The couple wedded in 2015. / Michael Campanella / Michael Campanella/Getty Images Now known as Princess Sofia, the Swedish Royal Court dismissed any notion that the former model had a substantive relationship with Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement No one can be expected to remember every person they have encountered throughout their life, the family said. However, Princess Sofia recalls meeting Epstein on a few occasions about 20 years ago. We wish to clarify that these meetings took place in social settings, such as at a restaurant and a movie premiere. Princess Sofia of Sweden has four children with Prince Carl Philip, with their youngest born in February. / Patrick van Katwijk / Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images Sofia, 41, was introduced to Epstein by the Swedish businesswoman Barbro Ehnbom when she was 21. This is Sofia, an aspiring actress who just arrived in New York. Ehnbom wrote, attaching a photo of the princess smiling with her and two others. Shes 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 wrote back that he was in the Caribbean and offered to send Hellqvist a ticket to visit him. Advertisement Advertisement Does she want to come for a couple of days? Epstein reportedly responded. Ill send a ticket. Jeffrey Epstein's former home on the island of Little St. James in the U.S. Virgin Islands. / Miami Herald / TNS The palace says Sofia did not take up Epsteins offer. It also denied rumors that Epstein paid for acting classes for the future princess. Reports that the Princess received help from Epstein with acting lessons or with a visa to the United States are incorrect, a statement said. The Princess has never been dependent on him in any way, nor has she had any contact with him for the past 20 years. Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of salute the crowd on their wedding day in 2015. / Ragnar Singsaas / Getty Images Sofia has been married to Prince Carl Philip, 46, since 2015. The couple shares four children together, with their latest being born in February. They were introduced to each other at a Swedish nightclub in 2009. Many in Sweden were critical of their relationship because of her past as a model, which included her posing topless with a boa constrictor for the Swedish magazine Slitz. 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. In fact, many of the channel's holiday films are set right here in Massachusetts, from real locations like Cape Cod to fictional towns like Grandon Falls. Ready to cozy up with a feel-good movie featuring wintry Massachusetts? Here are six Hallmark Christmas movies set in Massachusetts that are available to watch this season, in order of worst to best rankings from IMDb. Rafael de la Fuente (left) and Katie Leclerc feel the magic of Christmas at Bedlam Book Cafe, 138 Green St., Worcester in a scene from Hallmark Channels Letters to Santa. Filmed in Worcester and set in the Boston area, "Letters to Santa" tells the story of two young siblings who receive a magic wish-granting pen from Santa and use it to request that their separated parents get back together. Advertisement Advertisement IMDb rating: 5.9 Where to watch: Prime Video with add-on, Hallmark+ In this movie based on Nancy Thayer's book "Let it Snow," Christina learns a developer is trying to tear down the wharf where her toy store is located during the town's Seaside Noel celebration. IMDb rating: 6.0 Where to watch: Prime Video with add-on, Hallmark+, PLEX Christmas movies 2025: Here's where you can watch or stream all the classics In "Believe in Christmas," Beatrice reluctantly travels with her best friend Emilia to the fictional town of Christmasland, Massachusetts, where she takes part in the town's festive traditions, meets a charming man named Ethan and rediscovers hope. Advertisement Advertisement IMDb rating: 6.1 Where to watch: Prime Video with add-on, Hallmark+, 11/30 at 6 p.m. on The Hallmark Channel "Christmas Bells are Ringing" follows Sam, a freelance photographer, as she returns to her family's vacation home on Cape Cod for her father's Christmas Eve wedding. While there, Sam reunited with her old friend Mike, and old feelings start to come back. IMDb rating: 6.4 Where to watch: Tubi, Pluto TV, Prime Video with add-on, Hallmark+, 12/9 at 8 a.m. on the Hallmark Channel After reluctantly accepting a marriage proposal from her boyfriend, Paula spends the holidays with her aunt Jane on Martha's Vineyard, where she develops feelings for inn owner Gery. Advertisement Advertisement IMDb rating: 6.6 Where to watch: Prime Video with add-on, Hallmark+, 12/8 at 8 p.m. on the Hallmark Channel Made in MA: 50 movies that were made in Massachusetts Credit: David Dolsen / Crown Media A still from the Hallmark film "Christmas Town," starring Candace Cameron Bure and Tim Rozon. Here, Bure wears a maroon coat and white scarf for a subtle Christmas styling. Taking the highest ranking for Hallmark Christmas movies set in Massachusetts is "Christmas Town," which follows Lauren, played by Candace Cameron Bure of "Full House," as she moves from Boston to Springfield. When her train has a delay in the fictional town of Grandon Falls, nicknamed "Christmas Town," she meets a handsome man and decides to stay for the holidays. IMDb rating: 6.7 Where to watch: Prime Video with add-on, Hallmark+, 12/18 at 8 a.m. on the Hallmark Channel This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Best Hallmark Christmas movie? Ranking 6 set in Massachusetts Fans of Grammy-nominated musician Roderick Rory Macleod have been sending prayers to his family and former band after the disturbing details of his death have emerged. According to reports, Macleod, who is best known for his time with the group Roomful of Blues, was hit and killed on Dec. 6 in Rhode Island while walking his dog. 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Fans were quick to respond with love. A tragic loss, and something that shouldnt have happened, Debbie Sptiznagel commented on the post. My condolences to sandol, his family and many friends. My heart breaks for the Macleod family, who must be devastated, Sharon Kenler Kinnane replied. He was a gentle soul and talented musician who will be missed by many. Sending hugs and prayers to all who mourn him. Advertisement Advertisement Very sad news, Mary Pilkington OConnell wrote. Deepest condolences to all that knew and loved Rory. Such a loss so talented. There were plenty more comments like that and you can see them all as well as Roomful of Blues post here. It was Macleods work as the bassist for the group in the 1980s helped him earn a Grammy nomination. Read the original article on pennlive.com. Italys creative scene is overflowing with talent, but every so often, someone rises who not only participates in culture but also redirects it. Mattia Leo, known to many as El Flaco, is doing exactly that. His influence isnt loud or manufactured. Instead, it grows naturally from authenticity, intuition, and a deep understanding of what resonates with young people across Italy. The Creative Voice Shaping Mattia Leos Momentum What immediately sets Leo apart is his refusal to chase attention. Advertisement Advertisement Speaking exclusively to The Blast, he explained, I never wanted to be the loudest person in the room. I just wanted to be the most real. People feel that. Real energy attracts real people. That quiet honesty forms the backbone of his appeal. His musical identity, shaped by childhood admiration for rock icon Vasco Rossi and the raw narrative edge of Italian rap, gives him a sound and perspective that bridge two powerful emotional worlds. I take pieces of everything I grew up with, he said. Rock taught me emotion. Rap taught me truth. My sound is somewhere in the middle. This hybrid sense of artistry places him in a rare creative space. He is nostalgic without being stuck in the past, and modern without abandoning depth. For many young Italians searching for something real, he feels like the voice that finally speaks their language. How Mattia Leo Built Influence Without Trying While many rising influencers rely on strategy and branding, Leos social presence feels more like a living journal. Advertisement Advertisement His Instagram showcases fragments of daily life, including studio sessions, nightlife snapshots, streetwear looks and personal reflections that reflect not a persona, but a lifestyle. Followers connect because he lives inside the culture he highlights. His support for emerging musicians, his promotion of underground releases and his openness about the evolution of Italys creative communities make him feel more like a cultural ambassador than a content creator. Style also plays a central role in how he communicates. Fashion is my second language, he said. I dress the way I feel. If someone relates to that, then we are speaking the same vibe. For Leo, clothing isnt an outfit but an emotional broadcast. A New Cultural Connector Emerges What ultimately makes Leo a true tastemaker is his commitment to community. Rather than seeking individual stardom, he actively creates opportunities for others. Advertisement Advertisement He collaborates generously, spotlights new creatives, and fosters unity among Italys rising generation of artists. As he told The Blast, My goal is simple. I want to push the culture forward. If I win alone, it means nothing. If we win together, that is legacy. In a landscape hungry for authenticity, connection, and fresh vision, Leo isnt just participating in Italian culture but redefining it quietly, organically, and with an instinct that feels impossible to teach. Leo Confronts The Noise In Italys Rap Landscape As Leo continues shaping his identity as El Flaco, he has become increasingly candid about what he sees in Italys rap scene. To him, the genre is overflowing with volume but lacking sincerity, a space where polish often outweighs purpose. Instead of blending in, he pushes back with clarity and intention. Advertisement Advertisement His artistic foundation began in the emotional world of Vasco Rossi. As a teen, Leo absorbed Rossis rebellious vulnerability until it became part of how he understood life itself. He once wrote a tribute to Rossi on Instagram, A life with your music, with your energy You taught me to live and to respect the most. I love you like a father. Rossi represented freedom, truth, and the courage to feel loudly in a world that discourages it. Rap entered Leos life later, offering a familiar rawness. While the scene can feel inflated or performative, he found authenticity in artists like Sfera Ebbasta, Gue and Capo Plaza. Their street-born storytelling resonated deeply, reminding him of the emotional charge Rossi carried. Advertisement Advertisement Milan became Leos creative laboratory. In crowded clubs, improvised studios and late-night sessions, he worked to merge Rossis introspective heat with the urgent grit of rap, a fusion that now defines El Flaco. Mattia Leo's Sound Becomes A Movement Of Intention Leos tracks are rooted in lived experience rather than spectacle. They examine ambition, frustration and identity without filters or theatrics. He avoids the temptation to manipulate trends or chase clout. His rising credibility among seasoned rappers comes from that very discipline: he is building something real, not something temporary. What ultimately makes Leo compelling is the long arc of his evolution. El Flaco isnt an overnight sensation or a viral flash. He is a deliberate creation, one who merges classic Italian emotional storytelling with the rugged urgency of modern rap. His path is slow, steady and intentional, and that is precisely what makes the shift hes creating so powerful. Waymo has achieved impressive expansion this year. As of July 2025, Waymo One is available 24/7 to customers in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Waymo partners with Uber in Austin and Atlanta. The company recently announced plans to expand into other cities such as Boston and Seattle. In July, the company celebrated driving 96 million fully autonomous miles. Waymo had reported traveling 71 million miles autonomously in March after reaching 50 million at the end of 2024. This week, Jeff Dean, chief scientist for Google DeepMind and Google Research, bragged about Waymos three-pronged navigation sensor model that features cameras, LIDAR, and Radar, calling it the most advanced, large-scale application of embodied AI today. But it hasn't been all good news for Waymo this year, and a new viral video shows there are still some kinks to be worked out. A San Francisco man's first ride in a Waymo robotaxi didn't go so well.Photo by UCG on Getty Images Photo by UCG on Getty Images New customer swears off Waymo after rough ride Waymo has been available in the San Francisco Bay Area since June 2024 and had tested in the area for years before that. Waymo has approximately 800 autonomous vehicles operating in the San Francisco Bay Area, according to data the company shared with the San Francisco Examiner in August. In April, Waymo said it was delivering over 250,000 paid rides per week in the U.S., a big jump from the 200,000 it reported in February. Related: Waymo pumps the brakes as dangerous issue comes to light It's safe to say that citizens of the city are quite familiar with the vehicles and their capabilities. This week, a San Francisco man decided to satisfy his curiosity and take his first ride with Waymo. In a video circulating online, seconds after the man starts his trip, the autonomous vehicle attempts to pull away from the curb, nearly hitting the vehicle that was about to pass to its left. The man in the vehicle screams as the car behind him honks furiously. According to the news report of the incident, the man said he will never take a Waymo ride again following the traumatic incident. Waymo's safety data show that its vehicles are significantly safer than human drivers. And like the airline industry, Waymo receives little attention when things go right. When things go wrong, however, the results can be dramatic. Can autonomous vehicles convince the public they are safe? Waymo says its vehicles represent a 91% reduction in serious injury or worse crashes, a 79% decrease in airbag deployment crashes and an 80% decrease in injury-causing crashes. Waymo is also safer for non-drivers, with 92% fewer pedestrian crashes resulting in injuries, 78% fewer cyclist crashes resulting in injuries, and 89% fewer motorcycle crashes resulting in injuries. I live in Southern California, where Christmas rarely dips below 65 degrees and snow usually means a drive to the mountainsor a mall snowfall that happens on the hour, every hour. So yes, Im endlessly jealous of the picture-perfect winter wonderlands on TV: untouched snowbanks glistening in the morning sun, maybe a red cardinal perched on a fence nearby. Sure, all that snow comes with frozen pipes and frozen toesbut let a girl dream. In UPtvs latest holiday movie, Christmas in Big Sky Country, I get my fill of Currier-and-Ives-worthy scenery wrapped in a cozy seasonal romance. Read on for more about Christmas in Big Sky Country and don't forget to check out the Parade exclusive sneak peek! SIGN UP for Parades Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox What is Christmas in Big Sky Country about? Becca Collins (Rebecca Dalton) collaborates with Logan Johnston (Olivier Renaud), the oil companys new PR agent, to ensure her brother-in-law returns home safely for the holidays after an incident on an oil rig. Can Becca trust Logans intentions? How do I watch Christmas in Big Sky Country? Christmas in Big Sky Country premieres on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. ET on UPtv. Meet the cast of Christmas in Big Sky Country Rebecca Dalton as Becca Dalton stars in another holiday film this weekend. Over on Lifetime, she stars in Rodeo Christmas Romance opposite Corey Sevier. Dalton previously starred in The Dog Lovers Guide to Dating and Christmas By Design! She has also appeared in Spun Out, Good Witch and Christmas Wedding Planner. She recently starred in Head Over Heels and Christmas By Design. Related: Danica McKellar Stars in Great American Familys Have We Met This Christmas? Watch the Sneak Peek Now! (Exclusive) Olivier Renaud as Logan Back in the early 2000s, if you had looked up from your seat at Cirque du Soleil, theres a very good chance you were watching the stunning aerial acrobatics of Olivier Renaud. Before landing on the ground to take up acting, Renaud learned clowning in Paris under French master Philippe Gaulier and toured with Cirque du Soleils show, Saltimbanco, and performed in the resident Las Vegas show, The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil. Using the skills he learned at Ecole Philippe Gaulier and as a performer, Renaud also leads corporate workshops in conflict management. He has starred in Romance with a Twist, Christmas on 5th Avenue, and Planes, Trains and Christmas Trees. He already starred in Great American Family's A Very Curious Christmas this holiday season. Related: Great American Familys A Very Curious Christmas Brings Mystery and Romance as a Cop and Reporter Hunt a Holiday Thief Does Parade have a sneak peek of Christmas in Big Sky Country? Yes! Check out this Parade exclusive sneak peek from Big Sky Country below. Check out images from Christmas in Big Sky Country Take a look at some select images from Christmas in Big Sky Country in the gallery below and be sure to tune in on Dec. 14 for the premiere! Next: Rival Writers Get Snowed In and Find Unexpected Love in Lifetimes Christmas in Alaska Christmas in Big Sky Country UPtv Christmas in Big Sky Country / UPtv Christmas in Big Sky Country / UPtv Advertisement Advertisement Christmas in Big Sky Country / UPtv Christmas in Big Sky Country / UPtv Christmas in Big Sky Country / UPtvUPg (UPg) Related: Candace Cameron Bure and Cameron Mathison Return for 'Another Sweet Christmas' Coming to Great American Family - Find Out When! This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the TV section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here. As Netflix adds the HBO Max limited series The Staircase to its lineup this month, were updating some of our coverage from the time of the shows premiere for the larger audience sure to come from the worlds largest streaming platform. (When searching for the show, keep in mind theres also a documentary series on the case there, also called The Staircase.) The 2022 series dramatizes the saga surrounding the 2001 killing of Kathleen Peterson in the home she shared with her husband Michael Peterson, and the subsequent murder trial of Michael. It starred Colin Firth (as Michael) and Toni Collette (as Kathleen). Other big names on the cast include Parker Posey as Durham assistant DA Freda Black and Patrick Schwarzenegger as Todd Peterson. Michael Peterson was convicted of murder in 2003 but was granted a new trial in 2011 and released from prison. In 2017 he entered an Alford plea to the reduced charge of manslaughter and was sentenced to time served and set free. He lived in Durham for a number of years after that and recently moved to Nevada. Advertisement Advertisement One of the biggest players in the story full of colorful characters is the Durham home where Kathleen died. The 10,000-square-foot home has been through a lot of changes over the years. Heres a breakdown of what we know about the house and whats going on there now. Michael Petersons former house on Cedar Street in Durham NC, where Kathleen died, is the setting for the Netflix documentary The Staircase. Peterson was convicted of murder, but granted a new trial. (File photo) Where is Michael Petersons house located in Durham? The front of the house at 1810 Cedar St. in Durham is visible from the street (particularly the back of the property, on Kent Street), but the 3.4-acre property is gated. According to Google satellite images, the swimming pool where Michael Peterson said he was sitting alone the night Kathleen died has been torn out and replaced. Who owns Petersons house now? The home is currently on its third post-Peterson owner. Advertisement Advertisement Jason Balius, the owner right after Peterson, put barbed wire on top of the back gate, along with No Trespassing signs. The house was then purchased by clairvoyant and medium Biond Fury, who paid $1.3 million for it in 2008. In 2020, the house was again listed for sale at $1.9 million, which was in line with the tax value of the home, listed then by the Durham County Tax Administration at $1,937,733. The home sold in August 2020 for $1.6 million and the new owner is still listed as AZAD III LLC. The company official for AZAD III LLC listed with the NC Secretary of State Office is Ramsey Shehadeh. The tax value in December 2025 is $3.1 million. A 2023 photo of 1810 Cedar St. in Durham, former home of Michael Peterson, showing extensive renovations to the home and property. (Durham County Tax Office) Whats the house like now? The house has undergone significant remodeling from the time Peterson and his family lived there, as reflected by the real estate listing photos posted in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement More recently, permits filed with Durham Countys tax office indicate even more renovations have taken place, including a big facelift of the front of the home. Also, a new pool house was built. The old pool, where Peterson said he sat by himself the night of Kathleens death, has been torn out and a new pool built in its place. Durham Police officers search for evidence in the front yard of Michael Petersons home. Petersons wife, Kathleen Hill Peterson, was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in the home on December 10, 2001. Peterson called 911 and said that he believed his wife fell down the stairs after coming inside from the couples backyard. (News & Observer Staff File Photo/The News & Observer) The history of the Peterson house The home in the heart of Durhams Forest Hills neighborhood had an interesting history even before the Peterson saga. Built in 1940: The home, built by John Adams Buchanan, was designed by Durham architect George Watts Carr Sr., who also designed buildings at N.C. Central University, N.C. State University and UNC-Chapel Hill. Another famous resident: Around 1990, the house was owned by nationally recognized scholar and author Henry Louis Skip Gates Jr., who lived there while teaching at Duke University. Gates is the host of Finding Your Roots on PBS. Advertisement Advertisement Used in filming The Handmaids Tale: The home was a location for the 1990 movie The Handmaids Tale, which was filmed in Durham and Raleigh and starred Robert Duvall, Faye Dunaway and Natasha Richardson. (Not to be confused with the popular Hulu TV series The Handmaids Tale, which was filmed in Georgia and not connected to the Peterson house.) The property was used as the Commanders home and was featured prominently in the film. Among the scenes recognizable from The Handmaids Tale and the original Netflix documentary series: Exterior shots of the home and grounds The wood-paneled study The back staircase where Kathleen Peterson died Where is The Staircases Michael Peterson now? An update as Netflix adds series Advertisement Advertisement Staircase on Netflix: What happened to the people & Petersons Durham house Creators of Netflixs Stranger Things share memories of growing up in Durham Is Hawkins in Stranger Things based on Durham? What the Duffer Brothers say If you're a Taylor Swift fan, the holidays are coming early for you. This weekend, Dec. 13-14, the pop star is not only giving fans a behind-the-scenes look into what it took to put on the record-breaking Eras Tour, but also bringing the concert to your couch. Not a Swiftie? No problem, a variety of streaming platforms have fun binge-worthy options to watch, including the return of a beloved fantasy book-to-show adaptation and the third installment of a fan-favorite mystery franchise. Advertisement Advertisement And there's more! Here's a list of the eight best new movies and shows to watch this weekend and where to stream them. Taylor Swift: The End of an Era Swift is nothing if not a content machine and this time she's delivering a double whammy to mark the one-year anniversary of her iconic Eras Tour ending. In addition to a full concert film, she's giving her die-hard fans an inside look into what it took to put on the over three-hour-long show every night. Watch the first two episodes of Taylor Swift: The End of an Era on Disney+. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Sharpen your detective skills because Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) and his unplaceable accent are back on another case! Advertisement Advertisement The campy investigator is taking his talents to the church after a monsignor is killed. The suspects may seem pious, but which of them committed the ultimate sin of murder? In Knives Out's darkest chapter yet, Blanc is put to the test. Watch Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery on Netflix. Ella McCay Ella McCay (whose name is not to be confused with the actress who plays her, Emma Mackey) is a young woman trying to balance it all: a demanding new position as governor, a fraught relationship with her father, who just reentered her life, and a husband (period). That would be a lot for anyone, but thankfully, the ambitious politician has her aunt Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis) to scream with. Advertisement Advertisement Ella McCay releases in theaters on Dec. 12. Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 It's been two years since the first season of the new adaptation of Rick Riordan's wildly successful books of the same name hit the small screen, and, OK, the formerly child actors may have gone through puberty and are now teens, but they're still the same monster-fighting trio we've loved for 20 years! Percy (Walker Scobell) is back at Camp Half-Blood, but he finds its protective border is under attack and his best friend Grover (Aryan Simhadri) is missing. With the help of his crush Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries) and his newfound cyclops brother Tyson (Daniel Diemer), can Percy survive the Sea of Monsters and save his new beloved home? Watch the first two episodes of Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 on Disney+. Merv There's nothing a parent wouldn't do for their dog, and for recently broken-up couple Anna (Zooey Deschanel) and Russ (Charlie Cox), apparently, that means going on a trip with their ex just to appease their beloved pet. Advertisement Advertisement When the exes find out that their dog, Merv, is having a depressive bout thanks to their relationship ending, they decide to spend more time together (on vacation, no less!) to raise his spirits. Only along the way, they find that they miss each other more than they imagined ... Watch Merv on Prime Video. Little Disasters The people love a show with "little" in the title about struggling moms with questionable behavior (read: Big Little Lies, Little Fires Everywhere, just to name a few), and this new series starring Diane Kruger as a mom at the end of her rope is no different. When Jess (Kruger) rushes her baby to the hospital, she's treated by her close friend Liz (Jo Joyner), but her trust is broken when Liz calls social services after witnessing alarming behavior from Jess. A chain of events explodes from there as Jess' mothering comes into question. Advertisement Advertisement Watch Little Disasters on Paramount+. Simon Cowell: The Next Act Simon Cowell is known for being a reality competition show judge, from American Idol to America's Got Talent. But perhaps his greatest career accomplishment was creating One Direction. Now, he's hungry for more. The iconic TV personality is back in a new show, scouting for talent to form the new global boy band sensation. Thankfully, there are plenty of adorable and talented teens and young adults desperate to make it in the music industry. Watch Simon Cowell: The Next Act on Netflix. Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House Chip and Joanna Gaines are taking their talents outside of Texas for the first time as they venture into the mountains of Colorado. Advertisement Advertisement There, they find their next project: what Joanna called a "zero-bedroom house." With a lot of work to be done, the two get cracking on fixing up the family retreat of their dreams. Watch Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House on HBO Max. Read the original article on People We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Millennials have always been a highly scrutinized demographic, with much said in the media about their particular shopping habits. While it's normal for brands and the media to pay attention to what people are buying, with Millennials, there was also considerable concern about what they weren't putting in their carts. As Millennial shoppers grew into adulthood and matured, they were frequently blamed for declining sales of certain products. It's important to remember that Millennials, who are recognized as adults born between 1981 and 1996, are the last group of adults to have honestly remembered what life was like before the rise of the internet and smartphones. This demographic has likewise experienced multiple severe financial crises throughout their lives. Advertisement Advertisement These things not only shaped the point of view of Millennial-aged Americans, but also impacted how they shop and why. Because of this, it's not too surprising that items that seemed like mainstays to older generations no longer have the same hold on Millennials. Here are 10 items that Millennials famously refuse to buy. Read more: Here's How Much It Costs To Make Every Major US Coin Breakfast cereal Woman pours milk into a bowl of cereal - ORION PRODUCTION/Shutterstock Breakfast cereal sales have been in decline for decades, a trend that followed the emergence of Millennials into adulthood. Powerhouses like Kellogg's and General Mills are feeling the impact of the ongoing drop in cereal sales. The Associated Press reports that Kellogg's itself is in the midst of a potential acquisition by Ferrero Group. Meanwhile, plans were made to convert a former Cheerios flour plant into a $16 million office complex. Although Millennials were likely the last generation to enjoy their sugary breakfast cereal during Saturday morning cartoons, it did not translate into a desire to keep adding boxes of once-beloved brands to their shopping carts. As for why this became the case, there are different theories. CBC News and the New York Times took a more hostile approach in 2016, accusing Millennials of being too lazy to take the effort to make a traditional breakfast or clean up afterward. These claims put off actual Millennials, who via Reddit pointed out that the CBC News article was based on a Mintel survey showing that 40% of Millennial-age respondents found cereal inconvenient to consume, with no further explanation offered. As such, many felt it was unfair to jump to such negative conclusions about an entire generation based on so little information. Advertisement Advertisement Preferences aside, pricing combined with shrinkflation could be a factor. For instance, a person shared in the Subreddit community r/shrinkflation that they encountered boxes of Reese's Puffs for sale in 2024 that were both smaller and more expensive than what they had bought nearly 10 years earlier. Being asked to pay more for breakfast cereal than their parents while getting less might not make their decision to refuse to buy these grocery items all that strange. Single-use plastics A pile of rectangular plastic food containers - Matveev Aleksandr/Shutterstock It's true that Millennials are opting out of single-use plastic products at a notable rate, with some citing a decisive concern about their environmental impact. A Deloitte survey found that 63% of Millennials are willing to pay more for products and services that are environmentally sustainable. While the Millennial generation is often linked with Gen-Z in terms of environmental-friendly shopping, other research suggests that Millennials may be more inclined to follow through with refusing to buy one-time use plastics or plastic packaging. That's due to their tendency to perform extensive research on products and brands before purchases as well as a need to shop strategically due to feelings of financial wariness and instability unique to their generational experiences. For many Millennials, plastic straws aren't only a form of pollution but also make less economic sense than glass or steel straws from Amazon, which can be purchased once and used over and over. They will likewise trade single-use plastic cups for reusable drink containers by Hydro Flask, Stanley, and Owala. While some older Americans might grumble about an anti-plastic point of view, for Millennials, the decision to avoid single-use plastics isn't just about environmental sustainability, it's also about doing what makes financial sense as a shopper. Landline phones Old fashion corded landline phone - H. Armstrong Roberts/classicstock/Getty Images Though Millennials are old enough to remember what a dial tone is, they are also the age demographic many blame for the downfall of traditional landline technology. In 2001, as many Millennials were finishing high school, data shows that 1 in 10 people worldwide owned cellphones. Within 10 years, that number jumped to 6 in 10 people. This was before smartphones as we know them today became widely prevalent. Advertisement Advertisement For Millennials, landline phones are just far less convenient than more modern alternatives. This age group wanted communication technology that they could take practically anywhere. While smartphones are often the devices, there are other digital options, such as FaceTime and Google Voice, that can even make traditional phone service unnecessary at times. Landline service can also be more expensive, with long-distance connections costing more than cellular or digital alternatives. Millennials also may not be fans of the limited features for landline usage, as well as being vulnerable to power outages that make communication impossible. It doesn't make sense for Millennials to continue to spend money on landline phones as this technology becomes increasingly obsolete. Stock Stock market graph showing rising and dropping price - zignal_88/Shutterstock Millennials were said to be the key to the Occupy Wall Street protests of the early 2000s, so it's no surprise that this generation isn't necessarily as keen to buy stock as generations past. Some frame Millennial opposition to Wall Street as a matter of personal values and as a reflection of massive wealth inequality among Americans. However, it might also be due to having lived through multiple recessions and viewing stock investing as a risk not worth taking. In her 2021 Syracuse University paper titled "Why Millennials Fear the Stock Market," Kathryn Elliot argued that Millennials were likely risk-averse when it came to buying stock because they saw the consequences of both the dot-com bubble burst and two economic recessions firsthand. While it's true that this group accounts for around 30% of consumer debt, having witnessed the devastation that can be caused when stock investments are wiped out, Elliot argues that Millennials lack confidence that investing will translate into long-term financial stability. Another interesting point Elliot noted is that Millennials overall lack the financial knowledge of older generations; this could mean that their distrust of buying stock could change if they were more informed. For now, many Millennials are refusing to purchase any stock. Cigarettes Hand holding a lit cigarette surrounded by smoke - Sophonnawit Inkaew/Getty Images Millennials were perhaps the first generation to show a strong, conscientious, and health-based aversion to cigarette smoking. This was likely due to greater exposure to the severe and harmful effects of first- and secondhand smoke. There were dozens of successful landmark lawsuits and key FDA regulations that forced cigarette companies to be more transparent about ingredients, such as the addictive nature of nicotine and how excessive smoking had been linked to forms of cancer. Advertisement Advertisement These changes helped to lay the groundwork for a shift in public perception of cigarettes as Millennials came of age, one that removed any expectation or social pressure to develop smoking as a lifelong habit. Yet some will point to the truth campaign as a significant influence, thanks to its decision to spend money advertising at the national and local levels, reaching millions of Millennial Americans during their formative years and directly increasing their knowledge of the harmful side effects of cigarettes. As a result of efforts on multiple fronts, a sharp decline in American smokers began during the early 2000s and continues today, as only 11% of U.S. adults admit to smoking recently, according to a Gallup poll. By comparison, about 45% of Americans smoked in the 1950s. Although Millennials may refuse traditional cigarettes, some research suggests they are more inclined to vape, potentially due to a misconception that it's a safer means of tobacco consumption. Cruises Cruise ship sailing away from island - Just dance/Shutterstock Millennials may refuse to spend money on a cruise package for a few reasons, but one of the biggest reasons this group pay pass on this travel option is how long it takes to get to their preferred destination. Being on a boat for several days may not be appealing to those who would prefer instead to spend between a few hours and a little over a day on an airplane. Because so many Americans can rarely afford to take time off of work, every minute of free time counts when traveling. Because cruises represent a slow pace and meandering leisure, many see it as a preferred vacation option for retirees, people who no longer have to worry about hustle and bustle and are free to relax for much longer than your average working Millennial. As such, some Millennials have come to see cruises as for seniors rather than vacationers their own age. Advertisement Advertisement While Boomers had "The Love Boat" and the romance of the open sea, Millennials might not feel the same way. The 2020 COVID cruise ship quarantines and revealing documentaries about cruise disasters have also done little to convince Americans in this age group that a cruise is worth enduring potential health risks. Fabric softener Downy fabric softeners in boxes - PJ McDonnell/Shutterstock While fabric softeners have been around for decades, these products experienced a notable sales decline during the 2010s. It was so noticeable that the Wall Street Journal released an article pinning the downward trend on Millennials specifically. Conglomerate Procter & Gamble's communication director, Damon Jones, expressed the company's concern to FoxBusiness.com, stating that Millennials "didn't grow up spending lots of time doing household chores or possibly didn't see the product used at home with the frequency which prior generations experienced." P&G's President of Global Fabric Care, Shailesh Jejurikar, likewise told investors that Millennial shoppers do not know the product or understand what it is for. If Procter & Gamble and others in the laundry detergent space were hoping that these observations would somehow get Millennial customers on board with buying fabric softener, they greatly miscalculated. The opinions went viral on Tumblr, where outraged users instead chose to share recipes for making one's own fabric softener. While P&G leadership assumed Millennials didn't use their product due to ignorance, at least one person refused to add the substance to their wash because they claimed it made it harder, not easier, to clean their clothes; they claimed to see an immediate improvement when they stopped using softener. It's also possible that Millennials have come to prefer to buy products that combine laundry detergent and fabric softener. These types of detergent, which go for as low as $9.98 on Amazon, ultimately saves both time and money. Cars Man with long sleeve shirt placing car keys into open palm of another man with car in background - Eyeem Mobile Gmbh/Getty Images The average price of new cars in America reached $50,000, a historic first. While one might immediately pivot towards buying used cars as alternatives, even these vehicles have gotten noticeably more expensive in recent years, with some reportedly going for more than $30,000. Overall, the price of car ownership is reaching a point where Millennials may be less likely to own a car than previous generations. Advertisement Advertisement Though it's possible to make the case that cars are essential transportation for many Americans, you can also argue that Millennials exist at a time when there are other methods of getting around that make outright vehicle ownership unnecessary. For instance, Uber and Lyft serve millions of Americans every month, with the former even expanding into dozens of countries. Aside from using ride services to get from one place to the other, Americans use delivery services like Grubhub and DoorDash to get fast food and groceries delivered right to their doorstep. Meanwhile, Walmart allows customers to order groceries for home delivery directly through its app or website. As for work, nearly half of all Millennials prefer to work remotely, more than any other age group. Because fewer Millennials solely rely on cars to get to work, it would make sense that this generation isn't interested in making a major purchase of this kind, especially as some automobiles can depreciate in value relatively quickly. Soap bars A stack of three bars of soap in asymmetrical brown bowl next to rose - Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock Millennials were directly blamed for the drop in soap bar sales following a Mintel study, which found that this form of soap suffers from negative perceptions that deter some customers from buying it. Millennial-age shoppers allegedly find soap bars gross and unsanitary, with some reportedly worried that the bars could harbor germs, a fear that seemed to stem from fears that it would be an inadequate way to protect against COVID-19. Some have gone on the defensive for bars of soap, writing articles that attempt to assure Millennials that they are effective at getting rid of germs and helping you get clean. That said, there are other reasons for Millennials to refuse to buy them. Soap bars can be famously hard to hold onto during a bath, slipping out of your hand, and depending on where you're standing in the shower, it may even be possible to experience an injury. Such issues may be why Millennials increasingly prefer liquid soaps, with a variety of specialized options meant to clean the face, hands, and body. At the very least, it doesn't seem to be a pricing issue. For instance, You can find soap bars and liquid soap starting at around $1.50 and $1.25 respectively at Walmart. It might just be that Millennials are far more interested in what's efficient and convenient, and for whatever reason, soap bars are not seen in this light. Diamonds (traditonally mined) A diamond shining with a variety of colors reflecting against dark surface - Iuliia Tarabanova/Getty Images Although diamonds were once said to be a girl's best friend, Millennials have become increasingly estranged with the shiny gem, though there's no known specific reason for this. Some theorize that because marriage rates are lower among Millennials than previous generations, they are less likely to fixate on diamond engagement ring purchases. Even if Millennials push forward with getting their own diamond ring, they are inclined to steer clear of purchasing blood diamonds, whose unethical cultivation and trade have contributed to war and economic instability across portions of Africa. Likewise, some take issue with the value of many diamonds being driven by false scarcity. Advertisement Advertisement It may also be that Millennials are still very much interested in buying diamonds, however, they refuse to buy traditionally mined gems. Instead, many are turning to lab-grown diamonds. Some claim that Millennials are at the forefront of making lab-grown diamonds socially acceptable, as these gemstones are ethically produced and very affordable. As these things have proven to be very important to this age demographic, it's likely they'll continue to focus on sensible and sustainable jewelry options and leave traditional diamonds alone. Unlock your financial potential. Add Money Digest to your preferred sources for smart money insights! Read the original article on Money Digest. More than six decades ago, the United States launched its first satellite into Earth orbit, turning the dream of spaceflight into reality. Space tourism may be inching closer, but until off-planet travel is within reach for everyone, the best way to dive into all things intergalactic is to visit a space museum. In addition to being a fun way to spend an afternoon, these institutions can help inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers. From coast to coast, here are the best space museums in the United States. 01 of 13 Rose Center for Earth and Space, New York City Alvaro Keding/ AMNH Scales of the Universe featuring Jupiter and Saturn in the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Scales of the Universe featuring Jupiter and Saturn in the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Inside the American Museum of Natural History's glass cube, the Frederick Phineas and Sandra Priest Rose Center for Earth and Space has some of the city's best astronomy programming. The hall ticket is included with general admission ($30 per person), and if you're a New York resident, you can pay what you wish to get in. Advertisement Advertisement Walk the Scales of the Universe to grasp the size and distance of the cosmos using the 87-foot Hayden Sphere as your guide. The Cosmic Pathway compresses 13 billion years of history into a single 360-foot-long ramp. You can touch a 4.5-billion-year-old chunk of the Willamette Meteorite, while the Big Bang Theater recreates the universe's first explosive moments in a multisensory experience narrated by actor Liam Neeson. If you have extra time, check the daily schedule for talks and telescope activities that supplement what youve seen inside the galleries. 02 of 13 Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island, Florida Kennedy Space Center The Gemini 9A spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center. The Gemini 9A spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center. Located on Florida's Space Coast, where NASA launches actually happen, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex puts you right in the heart of America's space program. General admission runs around $77 for adults and $67 for children (ages three to 11), with various add-on experiences available, like the Chat With an Astronaut add-on that lets you sit down, eat, and chat with a real astronaut. The complex sits on the grounds of a working spaceport, so if you time your visit during a launch, you can watch rockets lift off from dedicated viewing areas. The retired space shuttle Atlantis steals the show here and is displayed at a 43.21-degree angle with payload bay doors open, so you can walk around. The Behind the Gates bus tour takes you to the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where a 363-foot Saturn V rocket hangs horizontally overhead. For an upgraded experience, the Fly With an Astronaut program pairs small groups with a veteran NASA astronaut for behind-the-gates touring and a catered lunch. Advertisement Advertisement 03 of 13 Space Center Houston Randy/Adobe Stock Falcon 9 booster B1035 displayed at Space Center in Houston. Falcon 9 booster B1035 displayed at Space Center in Houston. As NASA Johnson Space Center's official visitor complex, Space Center Houston offers behind-the-scenes access to where astronauts actually train and to Mission Control as it operates today. General admission starts at $29.95 for adults and $24.95 for children (ages four to 11), and includes a tram tour that takes you into working NASA facilities. You'll also get to visit the Astronaut Training Facility, where astronauts prepare for missions in the same buildings they've used since the Gemini program, as well as Rocket Park, where a massive Saturn V rocket is on display. For an additional fee, you can book the Historic Mission Control tour to visit the actual Apollo-era control room where flight controllers guided every moon landing. 04 of 13 California Science Center, Los Angeles The California Science Center An exhibit inside the California Science Center. An exhibit inside the California Science Center. The California Science Center is one of the largest science centers in the U.S., and general admission is always free, though there's an extra fee for special exhibitions. The big draw here, though, is the space shuttle Endeavour, which is off display until the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center opensconstruction has been completed and exhibits are being installed, so sign up for the Science Center's newsletter for updates. In the meantime, visitors can watch an interactive interior tour of Endeavour and a time-lapse film of the shuttle being assembled or "stacked" over a period of six months. Advertisement Advertisement At the Science Center, youll also be able to see the Mercury-Redstone 2 capsule that carried Ham the chimpanzee into space in 1961, the Gemini 11 capsule, and the Apollo-Soyuz Command Module from 1975. When the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center opens, it will be the only place in the world to see a complete space shuttle system with a flown orbiter mounted vertically in an authentic "ready-to-launch configuration." 05 of 13 U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama U.S. Space & Rocket Center The Apollo 16 Command Module inside the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. The Apollo 16 Command Module inside the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Although places like Houston and Cape Canaveral, Florida, often steal the limelight when it comes to U.S. aerospace history, Huntsville, Alabama, has also played a big role in the nation's rocketry and spaceflight development and is now known as "Rocket City." While you're here, plan at least a half-day to explore the U.S. Space & Rocket Centergeneral admission starts at $30 per person. Take some time to walk beneath the National Historic Landmark Saturn V Moon Rocket in the Davidson Center for Space Exploration. Outside in Shuttle Park, Pathfinder is one of only two full-stack space shuttle displays in the world, and it stands vertically in launch configuration. Daily programming includes shows at the Intuitive Planetarium, with its stunning 67-foot dome theater, and STEM on Stage presentations, which help bring the magic of science to life. Advertisement Advertisement But science can be fun, too. On-site, you'll also find Moon Shoot, a ride that simulates what a rocket launch feels like by lifting riders 140 feet up in the air in 2.5 seconds, as well as the G-Force Accelerator, which lets you experience 3 Gs of force pushing on your body. The center is also home to Space Camp, which inspired the 1986 movie of the same nameit was actually filmed on-site. Since 1982, over 1 million campers have trained here, including alumni who became NASA and ESA astronauts. Space Camp runs year-round. 06 of 13 Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, Kansas Stockphotoman/Adobe Stock The exterior of the Cosmosphere. The exterior of the Cosmosphere. The Cosmosphere, located in Hutchinson, Kansas, houses over 13,000 artifacts, and its collection is so large that it's only rivaled by the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. It also has the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside of Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement There are five different venues here, but the main exhibit is the Hall of Space Museum, which focuses on the space race between the U.S.S.R. and the United States, with actual historic artifacts from around the world. The collection spans from World War II's V-1 flying bomb missile and V-2 rocket, which laid the groundwork for space travel, to Cold War spacecraft such as the Gemini 10, Liberty Bell 7, and a Soviet Vostok capsule. The Moonshot Gallery showcases one of the three Apollo White Rooms used for actual launches, flown Apollo spacesuits, the Apollo 13 Command Module Odyssey, and a moon rock. In the Grand Lobby, you can stand beneath a full-scale replica of the space shuttle Endeavour alongside a flown SR-71 Blackbird spy plane and a towering 109-foot-tall Titan rocket. 07 of 13 Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, Virginia Mark Avino/Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum An X-Wing displayed at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. An X-Wing displayed at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. This annex of the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum is made up of two hangars filled with thousands of space and air objects. One of the main draws of the museum is the space shuttle Discovery, and visitors can watch active spacecraft restorations at the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar. There are also free guided tours available. Sensory bags are available with fidget toys, noise-reduction headphones, and other items to help improve museum accessibility. Advertisement Advertisement 08 of 13 Aerospace Museum of California, McClellan, California J.smith/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0 The Aerospace Museum of California The Aerospace Museum of California Just outside of Sacramento, California, on the grounds of the former McClellan Air Force Base, the Aerospace Museum of California is home to a 40,000-square-foot exhibit hall and a four-acre outdoor Air Park. The private museum also has a replica of Sputnik 1, Project Apollo displays, and an Engine Evolution area that lets visitors get a close-up view of rocket engines and jet turbines. Fostering a love of STEM is a core part of the museums mission, and while here, visitors can engage with interactive stations that explore the mechanics of flight and space travel. 09 of 13 New Mexico Museum of Space History, Alamogordo, New Mexico New Mexico Museum of Space History The New Mexico Museum of Space History. The New Mexico Museum of Space History. The New Mexico Museum of Space History tells the story of spaceflight through a distinctly New Mexican lens. Admission is $8 per person and gets you access to the International Space Hall of Fame and the New Horizons Dome Theater & Planetarium, which runs shows and live presentations every day but Tuesday. Exhibits here cover everything from what its like living and working in space to deep dives into the history of rocketry. Outside, the John P. Stapp Air & Space Park has Little Joe II, the Apollo-era test rocket used to prove the launch escape system, and the gravesite of Ham the Astrochimp, who flew a 1961 suborbital mission that helped people understand the effects of space travel on primates. Advertisement Advertisement 10 of 13 Columbia Memorial Space Center, Downey, California Columbia Memorial Space Center Inside of the Columbia Memorial Space Center. Inside of the Columbia Memorial Space Center. This space museum was built in the former industrial site where all of the Apollo Command/Service Modules were built; the space shuttle was also designed here. It's intended to be both a living memorial to the space shuttle Columbia, which was lost in 2003, and a testament to Downey's little-known aerospace history. While here, visitors can explore hands-on robotics labs and space science exhibits while learning about the city's impact on American spaceflight. 11 of 13 The Charles Simonyi Space Gallery, Seattle Ted Huetter/The Museum of Flight The Space Shuttle Training exhibit inside the Charles Simonyi Space Gallery. The Space Shuttle Training exhibit inside the Charles Simonyi Space Gallery. The Charles Simonyi Space Gallery is located within Seattle's Museum of Flight, and the showstopper here is the NASA Full Fuselage Trainera full-size trainer mock-up once used to prepare every shuttle astronaut for the rigors of space travel. Visitors can walk around the trainer and explore exhibits that cover the history of shuttle-era spaceflight. A separate Space Shuttle Trainer Crew Compartment Experience allows small groups inside the trainer's flight deck and mid-deck for a deep dive into astronaut life. Advertisement Advertisement 12 of 13 Adler Planetarium, Chicago Adler Planetarium Inside the Adler Planetarium. Inside the Adler Planetarium. The Adler Planetarium opened in 1930 as the first planetarium in the U.S. and is still a leading center for public space science education. Its galleries trace the history of astronomy and human space exploration, while its dome theaters host immersive shows about the cosmos. At the Doane Observatory, which houses a research-grade telescope open to the public, visitors can observe celestial objects just steps from the lakefront. The planetarium also partners with NASA and operates high-altitude balloon launches and citizen science programs through Adler's Zooniverse, the worlds largest and most popular platform for people-powered research. 13 of 13 Moonshot Museum, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Moonshot Museum opened in 2022 and was Pennsylvania's first space museum as well as the first in the world to focus on inspiring young people to pursue a career in the modern space industry. The museum is located within the headquarters of Astrobotic, a company that builds lunar landers for NASA and commercial clients. Through a floor-to-ceiling glass wall, visitors get an unobstructed view into a real spacecraft clean room, where lander models like Peregrine and Griffin (which will one day land on the moon) took shape. Interactive exhibits simulate the arc of a modern moon missionfrom design to surface landingwhile highlighting real-world career paths in aerospace. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure A household salary of $80,000 might be enough to live comfortably in only nine of the nations 50 largest cities. Even a $90,000 salary delivers a comfortable lifestyle in only 17 of the biggest U.S. cities, according to a September analysis from the personal finance site GoBankingRates. The good news: If youre looking to relocate, those 17 cities are relatively affordable. Advertisement Advertisement The analysis tallies the annual cost of housing, transportation and other necessities for each of the 50 largest cities by population, drawing from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Federal Reserve and other sources. Then, it multiplies that figure by two to determine the salary youd need to live in comfort. That formula follows the 50/30/20 rule, which says you shouldnt spend more than half of your after-tax income on needs. Of the remainder, 30% is supposed to go to wants, 20% to savings. To live comfortably in San Francisco, the analysis found, requires a household income of $251,398 -- after taxes. Los Angeles requires a $194,920 salary; New York, $184,420. Soaring living costs in big cities are largely driven by the spiraling prices of urban homes. Advertisement Advertisement Home sale prices rose by about two-fifths between 2020 and 2022, federal data shows. Prices have zigzagged since, but property values in many large cities remain markedly higher. The GoBankingRates study relies on mortgage costs rather than rents. Housing costs are driving this, said Rudri Patel, a senior financial expert at GOBankingRates. High demand and limited supply are still plaguing a lot of places where its expensive to live. The 10 most expensive big cities in America Here are the 10 most expensive big cities in America, ranked by the salary youd need to live comfortably. Spoiler alert: Several sit in California. The San Francisco skyline. San Jose, California. Comfortable salary: $264,946 San Francisco. Comfortable salary: $251,398 San Diego. Comfortable salary: $206,353 Los Angeles. Comfortable salary: $194,920 New York. Comfortable salary: $184,420 Long Beach, California. Comfortable salary: $179,359 Seattle. Comfortable salary: $178,520 Boston. Comfortable salary: $169,155 Oakland, California. Comfortable salary: $163,559 Washington, D.C. Comfortable salary: $157,960 Advertisement Advertisement But some of the nations fastest-growing large cities are far more affordable than L.A. or Boston. Consider San Antonio. The Texas city gained 23,945 residents between July 2023 and July 2024, according to the U.S. Census, one of the largest numeric gains in the nation. A comfortable life in San Antonio would require only $81,413 in after-tax salary, according to GoBankingRates, making it one of the 10 most affordable large cities. San Antonio, Texas, ranks among the most affordable large cities in America. Neighboring Fort Worth gained 23,442 residents between 2023 and 2024. A salary of $91,438 would bring a comfortable lifestyle in Fort Worth, making it one of the 20 most affordable big cities. Here are some of the most affordable big cities If youre looking for affordability, here are the 17 large cities that require a salary under $90,000 for comfortable living. Under $70,000: Detroit. Comfortable salary: $65,733 Memphis, Tennessee. Comfortable salary: $66,177 Under $80,000: Sunset in Baltimore, one of the more affordable U.S. cities. Wichita, Kansas. Comfortable salary: $74,307 Baltimore. Comfortable salary: $76,200 Oklahoma City. Comfortable salary: $76,350 Tulsa, Oklahoma. Comfortable salary: $76,783 El Paso, Texas. Comfortable salary: $77,115 Indianapolis. Comfortable salary: $78,317 Milwaukee. Comfortable salary: $78,392 Under $90,000: San Antonio, Texas. Comfortable salary: $81,413 Kansas City, Missouri. Comfortable salary: $81,637 Louisville, Kentucky. Comfortable salary: $82,816 Columbus, Ohio. Comfortable salary: $83,269 Philadelphia. Comfortable salary: $86,763 Houston. Comfortable salary: $87,359 Omaha, Nebraska. Comfortable salary: $88,336 Jacksonville, Florida. Comfortable salary: $89,876 This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Here are the most affordable big cities in America Love them, grumble about the extra traffic or count yourself among them, snowbirds are a constant in Florida this time of year and even seasonal residents need affordable places to relax. Vacation rental website HomeToGo crunched home price data and determined the most budget-friendly destinations in the U.S., with the top spot located in Florida. "Dreaming of tropical temperatures and Caribbean climates? The coldest season has arrived in much of North America, and snowbirds across the U.S. are swapping snow shovels for sunnier shores but where can they find warm weather without burning through their wallets?" HomeToGo writes. What is the most affordable town for snowbirds to spend the winter in Florida? The top spot goes to Englewood, a census-designated community along the Gulf of America, the renamed Gulf of Mexico, in Charlotte and Sarasota counties. Its average high temperature in the winter is a cool 75 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement "When winter bites, Englewood offers a sun-soaked escape with temperatures that can reach the low 70s. The Gulf Coasts calm, clear waters and soft beaches make it a perfect retreat from the cold." Its median nightly vacation-home price is $64 per person, allowing snowbirds to enjoy Florida's weather and culture without breaking the bank. As for activities, the travel magazine Travel + Leisure notes that Englewood is home to Cedar Point Environmental Park along Lemon Bay, where pine flatwoods cover most of the park, and to Oyster Creek Regional Park, where a boardwalk snakes through tidal mangroves, allowing visitors to enjoy bird-watching. The biggest draw, though, is the beaches, along with the restaurants and shopping clustered along Dearborn Street. See where Florida's Englewood is on the map Florida takes up four of the top 10 affordable towns for snowbirds Another Florida town grabbed the second-place spot Wauchula, in Hardee County. Just a short drive from Tampa and Sarasota, the Central Florida town has an average winter high of 77 degrees and a median nightly vacation-home price of $76. Advertisement Advertisement "Wander landscapes characterized by oak trees and orange groves, or hunt for fossils along the Peace River. With vast blue skies, tranquil waters teeming with wildlife, and winter average highs in the 70s, Wauchula is a sunlit haven where the beauty of Floridas heartland takes center stage." Top 10 list of affordable towns for snowbirds Englewood, Florida Wauchula, Florida Northwest Corpus Christi, Texas Silver Sands Beach, Florida Honokaa, Hawaii Needles, California Yuma, Arizona Crescent Beach, Florida Lakeway, Texas Foley, Alabama Looking to go international? See the top 10 most affordable destinations Campeche, Mexico Santa Catalina, Panama Santa Marta, Colombia Ko Lanta Yai, Thailand Maragogi, Brazil Taghazout, Morocco Mayaguez, Puerto Rico Santa Teresa, Costa Rica Mazunte, Mexico Isla de la Palma, Spain Support local journalism by subscribing. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Beach town near Sarasota named 'most affordable' for snowbirds in U.S. Does it feel like tequila has been everywhere recently for you, too? I swear Im seeing articles every week claiming its better for you. But then again, I am definitely feeding into that news, whether its Big Tequilas propaganda or not. With my newfound love for the spirit, Ive been looking for fun new ways to enjoy it. Sure, a spicy marg or sweet paloma is sometimes exactly what you need, but Ive been keeping my eyes peeled and ears open for something a little different. And I just learned about a surprising combo that, according to Master Tequila blender Oscar Vasquez Camarena, everyone in Mexico drinks. I recently chatted with Camarena who told me that growing up in Jalisco, Mexico, everyone paired tequila with mineral water and a splash of Coca-Cola. So obviously, I had to try. How to Make the 3-Ingredient Tequila Cocktail This recipe doesnt require any hard measurements, so its perfect for anyone who likes to experiment with their own ratios of sweetness and strength. His exact instructions: Ice, a good amount of mineral water, and just a dash of Coca-Cola!! Credit: Celia Funderburk He said you only want to add a splash of Coke to just slightly darken the color. If youre feeling fancy, then you can even add a lime wedge to the glass. My Honest Review of the 3-Ingredient Tequila Cocktail As much as I am getting into tequila right now, the flavor is still a little too much for me sometimes. To be honest, I still dont quite enjoy sipping tequila neat. However, this flavor combination perfectly cuts through that burning sensation. Advertisement Advertisement The sweetness of the Coke helps balance out the liquor taste in a way that I didnt expect. One little ingredient really made all the difference! You get a light tequila flavor as well as a touch of Coke, without feeling like youre just drinking a well tequila drink at a bar. Also, this cocktail is perfect for anyone who loves a crisp, carbonated Coke. The mineral water made things even more bubbly, which helped cut through the liquor. If you try out this Jalisco-loved cocktail and enjoy it (just like me), Vasquez Camarena also recommended trying batanga. Its just Coca-Cola, salt, and lime! Sign up for The Kitchn's Daily newsletter to receive our best recipes, posts, and shopping tips in your inbox. Vancouver, the largest city in British Columbia, is known for its waterside location on Canada's west coast and its scenic beauty. Vancouver was recently named as the most livable city in North America, and there's plenty to discover beyond Granville Island and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, a scenic wonderland of lights in winter. This fall, Time Out released its annual list of the world's coolest streets a ranking informed by a global survey of local experts, who identified thoroughfares that best reflect the character and daily life of their cities. After vetting nominations against criteria like "food, drink, culture, fun and community spirit," the publication's travel team compiled the final list and one Vancouver route stood out as Canada's top entry: Cambie Street. Cambie Street is a major northsouth corridor running through central Vancouver, connecting the historic Gastown area with the elevated grounds of Queen Elizabeth Park. It's a highly walkable area Walk Score gave Cambie Street a rating of 93 out of 100. One-of-a-kind shops and gourmet restaurants and cafes line the street, particularly in the Cambie Village area, and you can marvel at the art deco masterpiece of Vancouver City Hall. Read more: This Wildly Scenic US Train Ride Is A Coast-To-Coast Journey From Skyscrapers To Bayous The best places to shop and eat on Cambie Street Pedestrians crossing the road on Cambie Street in Vancouver - Jewhyte/Getty Images Go Van City recommends visiting the south end of Cambie Street for small boutiques, and there are a number of retro shops to browse. Video Cat, an independent video rental store, is an old-school throwback that's been in business since 1996. Kaboodles Toy Store is an independent, locally owned toy store that's been providing toys and games for kids since 1980. Walrus Design Inc. focuses on one-of-a-kind, well-crafted gifts and Canadian design, with products ranging from accessories and jewelry to kitchenware and stationery. Advertisement Advertisement There are plenty of top-rated places to eat along Cambie Street, so it's best to come hungry. iDen & Quanjude Beijing Duck House is a Michelin-starred restaurant mixing traditional Asian cuisine with modern fusion; visitors note that the famous Beijing roast duck is a must. For trendy Italian eats, head to Osteria Elio Volpe. This vibrant restaurant is an ode to southern Italy with pizza and pasta alongside options like pork chops and tuna. For a unique Mexican-Japanese street food twist, visit Miso Taco the venue has a 4.5-star rating on Google and offers fusion dishes like teriyaki tacos and ramen wraps. Don't miss Vij's, an Indian restaurant that was awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand award three years in a row; they also offer cooking classes with Chef Vikram Vij. Cambie Street is well-connected with public transport, so it's easy to get here the Canada Line SkyTrain and the 99 B-Line are convenient options. The Canada Line SkyTrain connects the city with Vancouver International Airport, which was named the best in North America; it runs directly along Cambie Street. Get off at King Edward or Olympic Village stations for access to Cambie Village it takes less than 20 minutes to reach the area from the airport. 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. Once upon a time, it was more than enough to own a supercar to prove your wealth. But what if your guests are in your apartment and can't see what's in your garage? In 2018, a Pagani Zonda R was used as wall art, and in 2023, a McLaren Senna GTR owner went viral for lifting his supercar 57 stories so it could be displayed in his apartment, and since then, there have been several others who have gone to similar lengths to display their love of exceptional cars. In some cases, luxury manufacturers themselves make it possible to display automotive art within arm's reach of one's living room with car lifts. But not all instances of mixing cars and architecture are caused by a need to preen, and not all such instances are acceptable to local authorities, as one man in Austria recently discovered. Parking Dispute Leads to Ferrari Relocation, but Only Temporarily According to German publication Bild, 28-year-old Amar Dezic, who owns and runs an auto parts and aftermarket tuning business in Vienna, Austria, was disappointed to be told by apartment management that they would not release a parking space for his Ferrari 296 GTB. The man reportedly owns several vehicles, including a Porsche Panamera, a BMW M2, and a Range Rover Sport, and he wanted one more garage space to safely store his supercar in for the winter. When his request was denied, he came up with another solution: crane the 819-horsepower supercar onto the terrace of his apartment. He also intended to house the 296 in an illuminated glass box "as a showcase for a work of art." Unfortunately, the solution lasted all of one week: building inspectors ordered the Ferrari removed from his balcony, citing fire hazards as their main concern. Getting it up there cost him "in the four-figure range," and he'll presumably have spent a similar amount to undo the Ferrari's placement. The Ferrari's Fate is a Dull but Sensible One Dezic will now store the hybrid supercar in his company's warehouse over the winter, but he's frustrated, saying "only here" is housing a car in your apartment a problem. He's referring, of course, to Dubai apartments that allow such extravagance, and perhaps, too, to the Melbourne-based Senna GTR owner we mentioned at the outset. The story is bound to divide opinion. On the one hand, it may seem like a harmless display of wealth, and a fire in the apartment building is probably unlikely, but on the other, it's worth noting that the 296 GTB has been the subject of two recalls due to a fire risk, and even if it weren't, anything can happen. What are your thoughts? Did authorities overreact, or are people like Dezic taking unnecessary risks to flaunt their wealth? Let us know in the comments below. This story was originally published by Autoblog on Dec 12, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Forterra (LON:FORT) has had a rough three months with its share price down 6.8%. Given that stock prices are usually driven by a companys fundamentals over the long term, which in this case look pretty weak, we decided to study the company's key financial indicators. Specifically, we decided to study Forterra's ROE in this article. Return on equity or ROE is an important factor to be considered by a shareholder because it tells them how effectively their capital is being reinvested. In short, ROE shows the profit each dollar generates with respect to its shareholder investments. This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. How To Calculate Return On Equity? The formula for return on equity is: Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) Shareholders' Equity So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Forterra is: 6.8% = UK16m UK229m (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2025). The 'return' is the yearly profit. Another way to think of that is that for every 1 worth of equity, the company was able to earn 0.07 in profit. Check out our latest analysis for Forterra What Has ROE Got To Do With Earnings Growth? We have already established that ROE serves as an efficient profit-generating gauge for a company's future earnings. Depending on how much of these profits the company reinvests or "retains", and how effectively it does so, we are then able to assess a companys earnings growth potential. Assuming everything else remains unchanged, the higher the ROE and profit retention, the higher the growth rate of a company compared to companies that don't necessarily bear these characteristics. A Side By Side comparison of Forterra's Earnings Growth And 6.8% ROE On the face of it, Forterra's ROE is not much to talk about. However, its ROE is similar to the industry average of 6.0%, so we won't completely dismiss the company. Still, Forterra has seen a flat net income growth over the past five years. Bear in mind, the company's ROE is not very high. Hence, this provides some context to the flat earnings growth seen by the company. Next, on comparing with the industry net income growth, we found that the industry grew its earnings by 3.6% over the last few years. LSE:FORT Past Earnings Growth December 13th 2025 Earnings growth is an important metric to consider when valuing a stock. Its important for an investor to know whether the market has priced in the company's expected earnings growth (or decline). This then helps them determine if the stock is placed for a bright or bleak future. Has the market priced in the future outlook for FORT? You can find out in our latest intrinsic value infographic research report. About 40 miles south of Glacier National Park, which is known as the Crown of the Continent, lies a charming town in the shadow of the Swan Mountains that has earned the moniker of "Montana's Christmas Village." Bigfork, a tranquil year-round resort town on pretty Flathead Lake, is renowned for its abundant Christmas spirit, revealed in elaborate decorations and a packed calendar of holiday events. For over 40 years, a squadron of dedicated volunteers, who call themselves the Bigfork Elves, festoon the quaint town and its environs with thousands of lights, wreaths, Christmas trees, and more on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Even after Christmas Day, the festive atmosphere remains, with the decorations staying up until the last Saturday of January. Bigfork's illuminated downtown is lined with gift shops, delicious restaurants, and cozy cottages for a memorable holiday getaway. The town also hosts a full calendar of events, including Christmas parades, holiday performances, caroling excursions, craft fairs, and visits from Santa. Throughout December, young and old alike will be enthralled by the enchanting Christmas festivities taking place in Bigfork. While Bigfork beckons year-round with its stunning natural beauty and small-town charm, December is a truly special time to visit. The town is about a 35-minute drive from Glacier Park International Airport, which receives non-stop flights from many major U.S. cities, including Seattle, San Francisco, and Chicago. Pack warmly as December is Bigfork's snowiest month, and average December temperatures hover around 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Rick Steves Says To Always Do These Things Before Traveling Experiencing the Christmas spirit in Bigfork, Montan View of bridge decorated for Christmas in Bigfork, Montana - Kelly Addy / Bigfork Chamber of Commerce Arriving in Bigfork in December is akin to stepping inside a Christmas snow globe. To get a lay of the land, stroll down Bigfork's main street of Electric Avenue, which is lined with Old West-style buildings that house adorable shops, galleries, and restaurants. The quaint street is adorned with Christmas trees, garlands, and twinkling lights, and often adrift with a magical blanketing of snow. On this charming street, you can stock up on all the necessary Christmas gifts. Start at aptly named Electric Avenue Gifts for a well-curated selection of homewares, artwork, and souvenirs native to Montana, as well as plenty of Christmas-themed goodies. Across the street, browse the unique artisanal crafts and jewelry at Mountain Vibes Gallery & Gifts. Also nearby is Eva Gates Homemade Preserves, where delicious preserves and syrups have been sold since 1949 (don't miss the Montana wild huckleberry!). A short walk away will bring you to Bigfork's historic steel Bridge Street Bridge, which was recently restored and is always beautifully lit with colorful Christmas lights. Throughout December, Bigfork hosts plenty of cheerful Christmas events. The month kicks off with the Parade of Lights, where decorated floats pass through downtown Bigfork with Santa in tow. Bigfork also abounds with performances such The Christmas Cantata, when Bigfork's community choir sings beloved Christmas hymns and songs, and the Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theater's annual Christmas show, which is How the Grinch Stole Christmas for 2025. Another exciting event is Bigfork's Holiday Craft Fair, where you can browse locally-made treasures, such as candles, jewelry, and more, while enjoying live music and food vendors. Other delightful events include visits with Santa, the Toys for Tots toy drive, and Christmas caroling. Where to stay and eat in Bigfork, Montana Exterior of a Bigfork cabin decorated with holiday lights - Airbnb For a true Montana experience, rent one of the Bigfork MT Cabins, which are available on Airbnb. These private one- and two-bedroom log cabins are set on a private property just north of downtown Bigfork and decorated with rustic-chic decor. Especially beautiful when snow-covered, these cabins promise a peaceful escape in the woods, while still just a short drive from all the festive celebrations in Bigfork. If you prefer to be within walking distance of town, the top-rated place to stay in Bigfork is the Bridge Street Cottages, a collective of 13 one- and two-bedroom cottages near the Swan River and amidst a canopy of towering trees. Here you'll find warm touches like fireplaces, kitchens, leather furnishings, and riverfront decks. Advertisement Advertisement A cozy place to start the day in Bigfork is Pocketstone Cafe for hearty portions of homemade breakfast and lunch classics. Also, don't miss the nearby Lake Baked bakery, which offers a special Christmas menu with treats such as huckleberry rolls, cherry crisp pie, and old-fashioned Christmas cookies. Perched above Flathead Lake is Flathead Brewing Co., where you can sample 16 beers on tap at the Pubhouse while enjoying scenic water views. Farther south along the lake is Montana Bonfire, which serves up flavorful and locally-sourced dinner fare such as bison tenderloin, poached lake trout, and fried whitefish. Inside and out, Montana Bonfire is cheerfully decorated with sparkling lights, festive wreaths, and hanging garlands. The shores of Flathead Lake are also home to Montana's up-and-coming wine region, and you can sample a range of both local and international varietals at nearby Woods Bay Wine, an intimate wine bar and cellar for tastings. 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. Looking for a one-of-a-kind destination that doesn't break the bank? Consider Kansas, a state filled with smaller cities that pack the flavor and character often missing from better-known hubs. And Pittsburg might just be the perfect example of that. This charming and often overlooked city is not only an affordable gem with a vibrant ethnic heritage and culture, but also home to the famous and delicious fried chicken "wars." Don't be fooled: Budget-friendly travel doesn't mean subpar quality here, so pack your bags and hit the road. The city sits within a well-connected road network, with K-126 running straight through it, so you won't have any trouble getting here by car. For fliers, the nearest regional airport is Joplin Regional Airport in Missouri, only about 30 minutes away from downtown Pittsburg. Since public transportation is limited, your options are to take a taxi or rent a car to cover the distance. There is, however, a great bus line that takes you around Pittsburg, and the city itself is surprisingly walkable, so you don't have to spend extra on a rental unless you're planning on exploring the rest of the region, too. This is, after all, a budget-friendly destination. The cost of living is below both the national and state averages, and those savings often extend to travel-related expenses. The historic rivalry between Chicken Annie's Original and Chicken Mary's (also featured on "Food Wars") is also a major draw, and visitors are famously encouraged to pick a side. But that's just a cherry on top. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The Best Vacation Destinations Where The US Dollar Goes Furthest What makes Pittsburg such an affordable Kansas gem Hotel receptionist giving key to guest during check-in, hotel desk lobby - Lee Charlie/Shutterstock A budget-friendly getaway always starts with good-value accommodation, which shouldn't be too difficult to find in Pittsburg, considering almost all of your best options cost under $100 a night. Regency Inn, for example, offers simple, but clean and comfortable rooms, with free Wi-Fi, free parking, air-conditioned spaces, and decent breakfast options at just over $80 a night. The furniture also appears updated and well taken care for, and the motel is pet-friendly (though pet fees apply). For travelers willing to forgo amenities such as a pool, fitness center, or airport shuttle, it's a solid bargain. Just less than a mile from the hotel, you'll find an Aldi where you can get all your affordable grocery shopping done. While you might eat out in town a few times, having a grocery store nearby gives you the flexibility to save money on meals. Because Pittsburg is compact and walkable Walk Score gave it a 79 out of 100 you'll save a lot on transportation. If you do have a car and want to go on a day trip, though, Parsons would be a great spot for that. It's one of Kansas' most overlooked cities with nature trails and local farmer's markets, and a refreshing escape just over 35 miles away. You can also venture beyond state lines and visit Joplin instead. Southern Missouri's sparkling city boasts camping, fishing, and hiking, and you can get there in less than 40 minutes. Chicken Annie's Original vs. Chicken Mary's: Pittsburg's ultimate food war Chicken Annie's Original, famous chicken restaurant, Pittsburg, Kansas - BUI LE MANH HUNG/Shutterstock If there's one thing people travel afar to Pittsburg for, it's the unbeatable fried chicken scene, best represented by two iconic joints: Chicken Annie's Original and Chicken Mary's. The two have been at the heart of a friendly rivalry for over four generations, splitting locals and travelers alike on the age-old question: Whose chicken is the best? The "war" dates back to the late 1930s and early 1940s, when both these women-owned gems opened within 300 feet of one another. For visitors of Pittsburg, deciding whether you're on "Team Annie's" or "Team Mary's" is practically a rite of passage. Advertisement Advertisement Chicken Annie's Original first opened its doors in 1934, when founder Ann Pichler began cooking to support her family after her husband was injured in a work accident. Today, you'll still get hearty dinners along with mixed drinks, in what customers describe as a fun, throwback atmosphere. Must-try items (besides, of course, the chicken) include the onion rings, potato salad, German coleslaw, and green beans. The restaurant is open every day but Monday, and this being Pittsburg, their food is very reasonably-priced, too: The average meal costs between $10 and $20. Chicken Mary's followed a few years later, in the early 1940s, when Mary Zerngast and her husband Joe opened a small home-based operation that eventually led to the restaurant. Today, the restaurant still brands itself as an unpretentious kitchen serving traditional American fare, and though the chicken is the star item, there's plenty of variety for customers to choose from. The potato salad, mashed potatoes, gizzards, and livers all come highly recommended. The price range at Mary's is similar to Annie's, which helps explain the enduring rivalry. 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. When it comes to knowing the best places to visit in Germany, leave it to travel legend Rick Steves to provide valuable suggestions. Known for its historic destinations, fairytale towns and villages, and lively beer halls populated by patrons filling their glasses endlessly with golden pilsner, Germany checks all the boxes when it comes to the ultimate European country to visit. For travelers looking to experience the magic of Germany, Steves mentions that the town of Bacharach is known for its wine and "time-capsule quaintness" that's sure to charm visitors. Steves has noted how much he loves a Rhine River riverboat tour, because the journey along with the stunning scenery never gets old. While a relaxing boat ride is always nice, the best way to explore the scenic beauty of Germany and the romantic Rhine's gems is by experiencing the cute little villages and towns along its banks. The town of Bacharach feels as though you've entered the pages of a history book, and in one of Steves' blog posts, he refers to it as "an inviting place to linger." Located just a 30-minute train ride away from the city of Mainz, or an hour-long train ride away from Frankfurt, which also hosts an international airport, the Medieval town of Bacharach can easily be reached as a day-trip, or for a relaxing weekend getaway along the Rhine. Better yet, take a scenic riverboat cruise like Steves to truly appreciate the Rhine's majestic beauty, and disembark as it docks in Bacharach. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Rick Steves Recommends Cinque Terre's Only Resort Town For A Vibrant Italian Getaway Sip on fine wine and enjoy festival festivities in Bacharach Church on top of a vineyard hill in Bacharach, Germany - Leamus/Getty Images To most, Germany is known for its beer, however, Bacharach has put Germany's wines on the map, drawing tourists to taste its grape harvest in liquid form. Famous for its crisp and fruity Riesling, wine connoisseurs from across the world will enjoy sipping a glass surrounded by the vineyards the grapes are harvested from while visiting Bacharach. Red wine lovers looking for something with depth and full of robust flavors can enjoy a glass of Pinot Noir, also known as Spatburgunder, which Bacharach proudly produces from its grape terraces and ages in oak barrels for months. In one of Steves' blog posts, he mentions the deep-rooted history and culture behind Bacharach's wine culture and production. "The town and its wine date from Celtic and Roman times. Local vintners brag that the medieval Pope Pius II preferred Bacharach's wine, and had it shipped to Rome by the cartload. Today, tourists drink it on the spot." Located high among the terraces above Bacharach, you can find a winery that's been harvesting grapes for generations. Bastian Winery invites guests for wine-tastings and relaxed walks through the vineyard just a short stroll away from Bacharach's picturesque old town, all while savoring a glass in the midst of stunning views. Held the first weekend of October to clear the wine barrels for harvest, (a tough job, but someone has to drink it), Bacharach Wine Festival Summer Night is a beloved event that's a hit with locals. The town even appoints an honorary party mayor, granting them the prestigious title of Bacchus in honor of the ancient Roman wine God. Put down the map and wander aimlessly in Bacharach's quaint streets Old Town street with half-timbered buildings in Bacharach, Germany - travelview/Shutterstock It may sound cliche, but the best way to explore Bacharach is by putting down the map and getting lost in its streets. In another blog post, Steves mentions that Bacharach's "time-capsule quaintness" is why so many tourists are drawn there. The streets are filled with old, yet well-preserved half-timbered buildings that look as though they could be from the pages of the gingerbread-themed fairytale, "Hansel and Gretel." Advertisement Advertisement Towering over the Medieval cobblestone streets of Bacharach, the 12th-century Stahleck Castle stands tall and is home to a laid-back hostel, Jugendherberge Stahleck. It offers free breakfast to guests of all ages, and was where Steves stayed the first time he visited the Rhineland. A local friend of Steves recalls that "as a kid in the '70s, he and his friends scaled the castle walls to hang out with girls staying in the hostel." Just a short walk away, high in the vineyards between St. Peter's Church and Stahleck Castle, the Gothic Werner Chapel is a must-visit to appreciate the restored historic landmark that boasts incredible views of Bacharach and the Rhine below. Back in town, head to the Altes Haus, one of Bacharach's most historical and beautiful buildings, with a red and white half-timbered facade. Noted as the oldest building in town, dating as far back as 1368, the building houses a traditional German restaurant with a cozy wooden interior serving up classics like pork schnitzel. Eating a meal here while sipping a cold glass of Riesling will make you feel as though you've stepped back in time. 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. PANAMA CITY It's that time of year when some impressive light displays are set up across the county. Can't wait to drive by with the family and check them out? Here's a list of places you can go to enjoy the holiday spirit: Grace Presbyterian Church Christmas Light Display Located at 1415 Airport Road in Panama City, the lights run from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weeknights and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. They're slated to have nightly treats and events, according to a Facebook post by organizer Scott Fester. Santa is even expected to visit between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Oaks by the Bay Park Each winter, this park under the canopy of the oaks decks the halls with countless illuminated displays. Oaks by the Bay is located at 2715 West 10th Street in Panama City. Advertisement Advertisement The trees are draped in strings of lights and many families can be seen here taking Christmas photos. Officials flipped the light switch on Nov. 28, and they're slated to stay on until Dec. 31. The lights at Oaks By The Bay Park in St. Andrews are a colorful attraction drawing crowds of people. Panama City Center for the Arts At the heart of downtown Panama City, what's typically an art museum turned into a winter bonanza with their 2025 light display. Organizers went all out, with repeating light shows featuring animations, talking trees, and "Leroy the Redneck Reindeer." The lawn of the Panama City Center for the Arts has been completely covered by lights this year. The display is accompanied by Panama City's towering Christmas tree. Advertisement Advertisement The arts center is located at 19 E. Fourth St. Downtown Panama City If you've already made your way to the Panama City Center for the Arts and managed to find a parking spot, why not take a stroll down Harrison Avenue? City staff strung lights around trees and lamp posts throughout the downtown corridor. Many local businesses and restaurants also got on the holiday bandwagon painting their windows. Some could say the area looks similar to the set of a Hallmark Movie. McKenzie Park, just off of Harrison, is also lit up with some red and green holiday lights. There is ample construction around the park though, so it might just be worth a look. Aaron Bessant Park A News Herald reporter phoned up Jayna Leach, chief marketing officer of Panama City Beach CVB, who said Aaron Bessant Park is the place to go for a decent holiday photo shoot. Advertisement Advertisement She said that many of the trees and benches are lit up for the holidays, and that some of the decor made it a perfect setting to get some festive photos of her dogs. Leach also said that many of the businesses in Pier Park are taking part in the holiday cheer, and that it might be worth a stroll for visitors who are already in the area. The marketing officer pointed out that Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show at 16061 Panama City Beach Parkway has a huge ornament out front along with some other decor that could make for a solid Christmas photo. If you think your home holiday display can compete in the big leagues, submit your information to the following link to have your hard work be displayed in the News Herald: https://gannett-nxuao.formstack.com/forms/holiday_lights_submissions_panama_city_news_herald This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County's best spots for Christmas lights, holiday displays: Vacation planning can be almost as fun as taking the trip itself, but listening to travel advice from a pro like Rick Steves can help you with everything from booking cheap flights to Europe to knowing how and when to scoop up a deal on accommodations. In fact, Rick Steves warns travelers that booking a hotel for just one night can actually cost you in more ways than one. On his travel advice website, Rick Steves says that "Even the speediest itinerary should be a series of two-night stands." By staying at least two full nights, you can have an entire day that's uninterrupted by transportation from one place to the next, so you have time to explore. Not only will you get more time to see an area when you stay more than one night, but you can also save money on travel costs. While using public transportation in Europe seems convenient and easy, it can still take a lot of time away from seeing the sights. The costs for taking a train, bus, or even getting an Uber or Lyft ride start to add up as well. Avoiding the temptation to pack in as many cities and sights as you can during your trip will enhance your enjoyment and keep more money in your wallet. A series of one-night stands in hotels makes for a lot of time spent moving around, which can be exhausting, costly, and detrimental to the overall enjoyment of your trip. Read more: You've Been Warned: Buying A House In These Florida Cities Will Cost You Tips for creating the perfect travel itinerary A happy couple sitting on a couch using a laptop with suitcases in front of them. - Studio Romantic/Shutterstock Whether you're traveling across the state, the country, or the world, you'll save money by booking more than one night at a hotel. Choosing a single location as a home base and taking daily excursions from there "can be more time-efficient than changing locations and hotels" every day of your trip, according to Rick Steves. Hotels and vacation rentals often provide better rates for longer stays, with the best deals being for month-long trips. Of course, even staying a week can benefit your budget. This isn't just because you can get a better deal on a hotel room; you'll also see savings from not paying for flights, train rides, or other transportation fees every day of your trip. Advertisement Advertisement Seeing everything an area has to offer is impossible anyway, so focus on your must-see destinations because, Rick Steves says, "If you worry about things that are just out of reach, you won't appreciate what's in your hand." Don't treat it like a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Instead, keep it in your mind that you'll return to see more next time. This lets you take enjoyment from the experiences you have when you're there, while giving you something to look forward to in your future. Consider Rick Steves' strategy for booking hotels in Europe, which is to opt for two-star locations. This is a cheaper way to stay, and if you're out exploring all day, you won't be in your room much, so it doesn't have to be anything but a place to sleep. Unlock your financial potential. Add Money Digest to your preferred sources for smart money insights! Read the original article on Money Digest. As a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the number of uninsured Americans will increase by 10 million by 2034. A key reason for this is the OBBBAs call for around a $1 trillion reduction in federal spending for Health Insurance Marketplaces and state-administered Medicaid. So, how will this affect the American people? And how much will losing their health insurance cost them? Heres what you need to know. Watch Out: New Law Could Make Electricity Bills Skyrocket in These 4 States Read Next: 6 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 Health Insurance Premiums Will Rise Since 2014, the premium tax credit (PTC) has helped offset the cost of premiums for qualified health plans found through health insurance exchanges. The PTC has since been expanded and enhanced, allowing more people to become eligible for greater subsidies until the end of 2025. Advertisement Advertisement With these subsidies set to expire, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) predicts the following: Fewer people will enroll in subsidized exchange coverage (which will lower federal expenditure) More people will become uninsured Not only that but not extending these premium tax credits throughout 2026 could lead to health insurance companies increasing gross benchmark premiums by an average of 4.3% for the year. If the PTC is never extended again, these premiums could increase by an average of 7.9% every year from 2026 to 2034. The Urban Institute estimates the average annual premium for those with a subsidized Marketplace plan is $460 in 2025. Without the enhanced tax credit, that price would have been $1,087 a 136% increase. Advertisement Advertisement With a 4.3% increase expected next year, that $1,087 would be $1,134. Learn More: 9 Downsizing Tips for the Middle Class To Save on Monthly Expenses Out-of-Pocket Costs Could Skyrocket According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), more than 24 million people are enrolled in a Marketplace plan. An estimated 92% of enrollees receive an advance premium tax credit (APTC). Losing this credit wont just affect premiums. For low- and moderate-income people, especially those who decide to forego health insurance due to unaffordable premiums, a surprise visit to the hospital or even a routine checkup could mean substantially more out of pocket. Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the Milliman Medical Index found that the average employee spends more than $1,100 annually on out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. This is beyond their typical health insurance costs. Without insurance, out-of-pocket costs could be hundreds or even thousands of dollars. According to Advent Health, a simple visit to a primary care doctor can range from $150 to $300. An X-ray can easily exceed $1,000. Major procedures can be much higher than that. Medical Bankruptcies Could Cost Americans Thousands The KFF reports that nearly half of U.S. adults wouldnt be able to pay even a $500 medical bill out of pocket. This isnt limited to lower-income households, though the percentage increases in the lower-income tiers. Unpaid medical bills often end up in collections. A study on medical debt and collections in the United States found that 36% of U.S. households have medical debt. Just over a fifth of consumers have a past-due medical bill. The mean total medical debt in collections ranges from $2,456 and $7,931. Advertisement Advertisement Debt in collections often goes unpaid and, in some cases, leads to bankruptcy filings. If people go without health insurance, not only will they not be getting the healthcare that is needed but there is an increased risk of bankruptcy likely from a financial standpoint if they have unpaid medical bills, said Ryan Brown, the CEO and founder of Essential Benefit Administrators. Another study from a few years ago found that nearly 67% of people who filed for bankruptcy did so in large part because of medical bills. Bankruptcy itself is a costly process. According to Upsolve, it typically ranges from $400 to $3,000. This isnt to say that every uninsured American will end up facing such financial struggle. However, the lack of health insurance could and often has led to major budgetary strain. Advertisement Advertisement If you or someone you know loses healthcare coverage due to policy changes, there are options. If someone cannot afford healthcare, there are many less expensive high-value options for employers to provide their employees such as offering minimum essential coverage/minimum value (MEC/MV) plans, said Brown. According to Brown, these options may range from under $100 to under $700 with major national networks like First Health and Cigna. Speak with your employer or health insurance broker to find out more. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Million Americans Will Lose Health Insurance by 2034 Heres What Itll Cost Them Pittsburgh Mayor-elect Corey OConnor said Friday that he still has complete confidence in his Police Chief nominee, Jason Lando, despite a criminal investigation that ultimately cleared Lando of any wrongdoing in Maryland earlier this month. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh police chief nominee was under criminal investigation in Maryland 11 Investigates learned that the investigation began back in August when a retired officer from where Lando had served as police chief started receiving anonymous text messages and called the Sheriffs Office to file a complaint. Advertisement Advertisement According to a report from the Frederick County Sheriffs Office in Maryland, Frederick City Police Chief Jason Landos phone was linked to the anonymous and disparaging text messages sent to a retired corporal from his department. Below are excerpts of some of the text messages contained in the investigative report. So whats it like being such an (expletive) loser that you cant just go enjoy retirement? We all know how much you hate Lando. Its sad you turned into this whacko Facebook troll. The report said Lando used a burner app to conceal his identity. Investigators obtained a search warrant and a court order to get the data. Advertisement Advertisement No charges were ever filed and Lando was cleared by the State Prosecutor in Maryland. Lando provided 11 Investigates with the letter he received from the Prosecutors office that stated, Our office has found no violations of criminal law. Jason Lando Letter.12.2.25 by WPXI Staff The Maryland Prosecutors office also said the case will be closed. Lando claims hes been the target of relentless harassment on social media after holding the former officer accountable for two excessive force cases. Law enforcement leaders are frequently criticized for failing to hold bad cops accountable. Unfortunately, doing the right thing is rarely the easy thing, and sometimes comes with negative consequences. To that end, over the past two years, I have been the target of relentless harassment by retired Frederick Police (--), after I held him accountable for two incidents where he was found to have used excessive force on Frederick citizens. Rather than accepting responsibility for violating his oath as a police officer, (--)instead elected to launch a smear campaign, in an attempt to ruin my reputation. It is important to note that the allegations lodged by (--) were investigated by Marylands Office of the State Prosecutor and were deemed to be unfounded, said Lando. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to 11 Investigates, the retired officer said he was never disciplined for excessive force, and never found to have used excessive force. He called Landos comments false and defamatory. Mayor-elect Corey OConnor, meanwhile, said hes standing by his pick for chief. He sent a statement to 11 Investigates. Chief Lando has a record as a longtime advocate for police, justice, and community relations, and he is widely respected by both officers and the community. I think that his reputation and his accomplishments with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police speaks for itself, said OConnor. Pittsburgh Council member Bob Charland was just learning about the allegations, when Earle spoke with him Friday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Earle: Does this derail his nomination? Charland: I cant say that yet. My interactions with Chief Lando, this did not seem like something that would be his character or something he would have done without more history around it, so I really dont have much comment on that yet. Lando spent most of his career in Pittsburgh before leaving five years ago to take the job in Frederick, Maryland. He must still go before the city council for a confirmation hearing. That will happen next month. Earle said council members will likely question him about all of this. The Mayor of Frederick, Maryland, also released a statement. Advertisement Advertisement As a matter of policy, the criminal investigation, even though he was cleared, would lead us to conduct our own internal investigation to determine if any city policies or procedures had been violated. Because Jason is no longer employed with the City, what we knew as of Wednesday will be written up and placed in his personnel file and the matter will be administratively closed. That is the extent of it, said Frederick Mayor Michael OConnor, who is not related to Pittsburgh Mayor-elect Corey OConnor. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Police in DeKalb County said one person was killed and one person was seriously hurt in a shooting at an apartment complex. Officers responded to Wood Bend Drive at around 7:44 p.m. and found two people shot, both with serious injuries. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] I was in the house sleep, but when I woke up, they said there was a shooting out here. When I came outside, there was a whole bunch of police out here, they pulling out someone from that building, neighbor Travis Morton told Channel 2s Audrey Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Police say one of the victims died and the other is expected to survive. Investigators have not commented on what led up to the shooting. The victims identities have not been released. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Chabad of Tidewater will host its 44th annual Mount Trashmore Menorah Lighting featuring the lighting of the 30-foot tall menorah at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at 310 Edwin Drive, in the parking lot between the mountain and YMCA, Virginia Beach. The event will also feature festive music, holiday favorites and family-friendly activities including bouncy castles, an interactive Hanukkah Wonderland, a 50-foot traditional gelt drop and more. The event is free, but reservations are being requested. Advertisement Advertisement For more information, including reservations, visit chabadoftidewater.com/light. The Chabad will also host a Grand Menorah Car Parade on Dec. 16 at 5:30 p.m. The parade, which will feature more than 30 cars, will start at the Chabad House, 1920 Colley Ave., Norfolk. For more information, visit chabadoftidewater.com/menorahparade. Update: Police said Sunday that a person of interest in the shooting was detained overnight, but that person was later released after questioning. Read more here. Our earlier coverage is below. At least two people were killed and nine more wounded in a shooting Saturday afternoon in a building on the campus of Brown University in Rhode Island, authorities said. The suspect has not been identified and is still at large. Authorities said that the shooting was reported in the Barus & Holley engineering building a little after 4 p.m. local time. The shooting occurred in a first-floor classroom, Providence Deputy Police Chief Tim O'Hara told reporters. The school said final exams were taking place in the building at the time of the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said in a news conference that eight of the wounded were taken to Rhode Island Hospital in critical condition. The hospital later said in a statement that six of those patients were in "critical but stable condition," one was in critical condition, and another was in stable condition. Security video that authorities believe shows the suspect fleeing the scene of the deadly shooting that occurred in a building on the campus of Brown University on Dec. 13, 2025. / Credit: Providence Police Department In a follow-up news conference late Saturday night, Smiley said that a ninth victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries when they "learned that they had received fragments from a shooting that had occurred near them." That victim did not sustain a gunshot wound and is expected to make a full recovery, Smiley said. Brown University President Christina H. Paxson told reporters in the second briefing that all the victims, those killed and wounded, were students. Smiley said that no arrests had been made, and a shelter-in-place was in place for the Brown University area. No weapons have been recovered, O'Hara said. A university alert told students to lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice. Police officers remain on the scene of a shooting that killed at least two people and wounded eight more at Brown University on Dec. 13, 2025, in Providence, Rhode Island. / Credit: Libby O'Neill / Getty Images (Aleksei Urussov / gorodenkoff / Getty Images) O'Hara told reporters the male suspect escaped from the engineering building following the shooting. It was unclear how he had entered the building, officials said, but Smiley noted that the outer doors of Barus & Holley were unlocked because the exams were taking place. Advertisement Advertisement "In a building like that on a weekend, there are a lot of things going on," Brown Provost Francis Doyle said. "Study sessions, student groups meeting, there are research labs in that building. So we don't have detailed knowledge of exactly what was happening, but we're working with law enforcement." Providence police, late Saturday night, released security video of a person believed to be the suspect leaving Barus & Holley. Smiley said that investigators do not yet know if the gunman was a student. In the video, the suspect was wearing dark gray or black clothing and his face was not visible, O'Hara said during the second news conference. The video does not show a firearm. No weapon has been recovered. Video of person of interest in Brown shooting: pic.twitter.com/fjufQ3MTdC Providence Police (@ProvidenceRIPD) December 14, 2025 "Some of the witnesses also told us that he may have been wearing a camouflage gray mask," O'Hara said, adding that investigators are unsure if there is video showing the suspect inside Barus & Holley. Advertisement Advertisement School public safety had initially reported that a suspect had been taken into custody before retracting that statement. "There was an individual who was preliminary thought to be involved, but was later determined to have no involvement," Smiley said. Over 400 local and federal law enforcement officers were in the area assisting in the investigation, Smiley said. Police officers and first responders gather at Waterman Street and Thayer in response to a shooting in the area of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Dec. 13, 2025. / Credit: Jen McDermott / AP President Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that he had been briefed on the shooting. "God bless the victims and the families of the victims!" Mr. Trump said. The president also initially wrote that a suspect was in custody, but in a follow-up post, wrote, "The Brown University Police reversed their previous statement The suspect is NOT in custody." Advertisement Advertisement "The unthinkable has happened," Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said in the earlier news conference. McKee later told reporters he had spoken by phone to Mr. Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel. The FBI confirmed in a statement to CBS News that it was assisting "our law enforcement partners in Rhode Island with any and all available resources." The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also posted on X that it was sending agents. Person of interest identified in deadly Brown University shooting What to expect from Trump's address to the nation New surveillance video shows Nick Reiner before his arrest Investing.com -- Artificial intelligence will reshape how business software is built and used, but it will not replace applications themselves, according to Bank of America after hosting SAP executive Muhammad Alam at its recent tech field trip. BofA says Alam dismissed the notion that agentic AI will displace applications, arguing instead that AI will reimagine business processes across five patterns, including classic apps, agent enhanced apps, autonomous execution, app-less experiences and autonomous workflows. Alam reiterated SAPs strategy around what he called the applicationdataAI flywheel, which underpins the companys product vision. By harmonizing applications and data and embedding AI at scale, SAP aims to differentiate versus best-of-breed rivals. BofA explained that partnerships with Databricks, Snowflake and hyperscalers remain central, enabling seamless data integration and helping SAP monetize AI across its installed base. AI adoption, Alam said, is unfolding in three phases. He reportedly highlighted productivity gains through assistants like Joule, a shift toward autonomous execution as trust builds, and ultimately deep research capabilities using large datasets. This evolution, he added, supports a shift from user-based licensing toward outcome-based models, which SAP believes better align with customer value. BofA highlighted SAPs accelerating Business AI traction, with over 34,000 cloud customers using AI and more than 400 embedded AI use cases. With cloud migration still a major growth driver and Business Data Cloud among SAPs fastest-growing offerings, BofA reiterated its Buy rating and 302 price target on the stock. Related articles Why AI will transform, not displace, applications Silver's Bullish Pattern Points Higher Keep an Eye on $52 Resistance Zone Loading Up HEAVY on These 3 Stocks by End of 2025 (+ 1 New ETF) Dec. 12A man accused of kidnapping people at gunpoint during two separate carjackings in Dayton and Harrison Twp. on Tuesday was charged in federal court. Colby Smith, 32, is facing kidnapping, carjacking and using a firearm during a violent crime charges in the U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio. The carjackings took place at the Speedway gas station at 3901 N. Dixie Drive in Harrison Twp. and in the 2900 block of Home Avenue in Dayton. Advertisement Advertisement The Home Avenue carjacking involved a city of Dayton worker who was on leaf collection, according to court records. Harrison Twp. carjacking Around 9 a.m., Montgomery County sheriff's deputies responded to the 1800 block of Union Airpark Boulevard for a man who was robbed and kidnapped at the gas station. He told investigators he stopped at the Speedway to put air in his tire while on the way to work, according to the sheriff's office. Smith reportedly approached the man while he was kneeling on the ground and pulled a gun on him. Smith told the man he needed the vehicle and ordered him inside the vehicle at gunpoint, according to court records. He was wearing a ski mask at the time. Advertisement Advertisement "As they drove from the gas station, the masked gunman told (the man) not to do anything stupid or he would be killed," the complaint read. The man tried to reason with Smith and asked to be let go. Smith let the man out near North Dixie Drive and National Road, according to the sheriff's office. The man walked to work and called 911. Dayton carjacking As the sheriff's office investigated the gas station carjacking, Dayton police responded to a Dayton fire station at 1234 S. Broadway St. and meet with the city of Dayton worker whose work truck was stolen. He was on Home Avenue waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive when a man, later identified as Smith, got into the passenger side of the truck and pointed a gun at him, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Smith reportedly had the man drive to a Fifth Third Bank to get money from his account. The ATM limit only allowed the man to withdraw $400, so Smith made the man wait until the drive-thru opened so he could withdraw another $1,000, according to court records. Then they returned to the area where the carjacking happened and Smith made the man exit the truck, leaving his wallet and cellphone inside. Smith reportedly abandoned the stolen city of Dayton truck and returned to the vehicle stolen at the Speedway. Suspect arrested, vehicles found As the investigations continued into both incidents, officers found the vehicle stolen at the Speedway parked at a tire shop near West Third Street and Gettysburg Avenue in Dayton. Advertisement Advertisement Smith fled the vehicle on foot and was arrested behind a shopping center. Deputies found the key from the city of Dayton truck on the ground while retracing Smith's steps. Smith had $1,443 on him and matched the suspect description provided by both victims, according to court records. Investigators found the stolen work truck at Groveland and Grandview avenues. A backpack in the passenger seat had a revolver in it. Crews also found two cellphones in the truck, including one belonging to the victim of the Speedway carjacking. Smith made his initial appearance in federal court on Thursday and has a detention hearing on Tuesday. MS NOWs Ari Melber played a clip Saturday of Steve Bannon confronting Jeffrey Epstein on tape over his sexual depravity, allegedly in an attempt to rehabilitate Epsteins reputation. The video was shot some time in 2019 before Epsteins arrest on federal sex trafficking charges that led to his suicide in a Manhattan jail cell. According to Melber, the video adds important context to Fridays photo dump from the Epstein estate that shows the two men together. Here, Bannon is aware of how much trouble Epstein is in and how much criticism there is of his past conduct, and he wants to help him, Melber said. Advertisement Advertisement Epstein took a plea deal on state charges in Florida in 2008 to avoid a looming federal indictment for sex trafficking. He served just 13 months. Melber showed a 2019 email exchange in which Epstein wrote, The Christians I met with feel, the media portraying me as beyond redemption is deeply troubling and offensive. Bannon wrote back, we must counter rapist who traffics in female children to be raped by the worlds most powerful, richest men that cant be redeemed. Cant redeem unredeemable you are a lot of things which we will show but you are NOT that. The emails led Melber to ask, Why is one of Trumps top aidestelling Epstein in no uncertain all caps terms, Youre NOT that guy? Accusers and a lot of evidence certainly suggests otherwise. Advertisement Advertisement Melber continued, And I want you to note here how Bannon speaks of them on a team, that theyre going to do this together and show Epsteins, quote, better side, if you will. Melber explained that Bannon recorded 15 hours of video of Epstein for a documentary. No movie has come out, Melber said, adding that there was a trailer released in 2021. Now we see behind the scenes how Bannon was not just making a movie or an interview, but wanted to help [Epstein] redeem himself from what all these accusers and survivors and evidence has shown him to be, Melber said. The video clip showed Epstein and Bannon sitting across from one another. EPSTEIN: The future is for the way women think. BANNON: The way women think. EPSTEIN: Thats correct. BANNON: Is that not a SOP because of of all the depravity youve done against young women and your new SOP is that womens thinking is the future? EPSTEIN: No. Ive been Ive always believed that women would be, in fact, be able to take over. Im a firm believer and supporter of Times Up. Hes a supporter of Times Up! Melber exclaimed, referring to the womens movement aimed at combatting sexual harassment in the workplace. Watch the clip above via MS NOW. The post Ari Melber Resurfaces Footage of Bannon Confronting Epstein Over Depravity Against Young Women After Latest Photo Dump first appeared on Mediaite. Detectives have made some progress in a murder mystery after the body of a missing taxi driver was found in Putnam County. An arrest has been made after Aurelio Zhunio-Orbez was discovered by a fisherman in the Croton Falls Reservoir last weekend. A smiling Santos Vazquez-Ramirez walked out of the Putnam County Sherrif's Office with little to say, but according to authorities, he did not hold back, detailing the murder of the 56-yearpold taxi driver. Advertisement Advertisement "He admitted to killing Mr. Orbez over a dispute over a taxi fare. He further stated that after the killing, he dragged him into the woods, into the reservoir off the Magnetic Mud road," said Putnam County Sheriff Brian Hess. Police arrested and charged the 27-year-old suspect with murder and robbery after tracking him with video surveillance to his home in Pawling on Friday night. A fisherman discovered Orbez's body in the Croton Falls Reservoir last Sunday. The victim's manager reported him missing December 1 after he did not return to the taxi base. The Brewster train station was among his final stops. Advertisement Advertisement The suspect allegedly claimed he recognized Orbez and that a prior taxi ride was the reason for the fare dispute. Police discovered Orbez's missing taxi at Purdys Train Station in Westchester a few days later. The announcement of the arrest comes as loved ones buried Orbez on Saturday. Originally from Ecuador, those who knew him say Orbez was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Authorities say Vazquez Ramirez has a criminal past. His defense attorneys offered little after his arraignment. "We did accept representation, and that is all we can say," said Elizabeth Costello of Putnam County Legal Aid. Advertisement Advertisement The suspect is due back in court on December 18. For now, he is behind bars at the Putnam County Correctional Facility. ---------- * More Northern Suburbs 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. The Astorian staff SUMAS, Wash. On Wednesday Dec. 10, Coast Guard aircrews from Astoria and Port Angeles rescued four people from a flooded home in Sumas, Washington after first responders could not reach them by land. According to a Coast Guard press release, the Coast Guard was called in to assist after U.S. Border Patrol and local firefighters were unable to rescue the four occupants of the house. The survivors were forced into the attic by the rising flood waters which were up to 10 feet deep. Advertisement Advertisement Two helicopters from air stations in Port Angeles and Astoria were dispatched and able to rescue the four occupants. Once on the scene, the Port Angeles aircrew lowered a rescue swimmer to assist two occupants into hoists. The Astoria-based helicopter then arrived to rescue the remaining two occupants and recover the rescue swimmer. The helicopters ferried the survivors to a nearby landing zone where they were handed off to local emergency medical services. The occupants were assessed and reported no injuries. When human lives are at risk, our crews stand ready to respond with skill and precision, said Scott Giard, the Coast Guards northwest district search and rescue program manager. Little girls shouldnt have to wonder what the point of life is if it only ends in violence, but Casey Christiansons daughter has seen death up close. Hiding behind a door in a Pierce County trailer, she watched as a mans life was extinguished by her fathers hands. Christianson was in Superior Court on Friday to be sentenced for the murder of his roommate, 37-year-old Richard Cooley, but the traumatic effect Cooleys death by strangulation had on Christiansons then 6-year-old daughter became a focus of the proceeding. It was also why Judge Karena Kirkendoll extended Christiansons prison sentence by five years beyond the standard range, giving him an exceptional sentence of 29 years, seven months. Advertisement Advertisement At trial in September, jurors who found the defendant guilty of intentional and felony second-degree murder made special findings that the crime had a destructive and foreseeable impact on Christiansons daughter, an aggravating factor that allowed an exceptional sentence to be imposed. Cynthia Lamb, the great-aunt and guardian of Christiansons daughter, told the court that when the girl came into her custody in November 2023, she was broken, thin and pale, with a smile that masked terror with forced cheerfulness. She talked about death constantly, Lamb said, and even her happy drawings had scars, depicting animals with missing eyes or limbs. Lamb said she grieved for the little girl who deserved laughter and love, and she stood in court to make clear the depths of the damage her father inflicted. No child should ever see such brutality, let alone from the man meant to protect her, Lamb said. That moment helped destroy her trust in adults and carved permanent fears on her soul. Advertisement Advertisement In her own letter to the court, Christiansons daughter said she hid in a closet with her dog after she saw her father kill Cooley, and she feared her father would kill her, too. The letter was read aloud by deputy prosecuting attorney Sarah Park. The girl described having nightmares and struggling not to think about the murder. She said she would never forget what her father did. I want him to stay in jail at least to the point where I dont remember him. And thats pretty much never, the girls victim-impact letter stated. Christianson, 49, sat in court in orange and pink jail clothes. When it was his turn to speak at the end of the hearing, he said he suspected that his daughter had been manipulated into writing the letter or to even have those thoughts. I never wanted her to go through all this, but I maintain my innocence, Christianson said. Advertisement Advertisement She didnt see me do anything because it didnt happen, he added. Casey Vincent Christianson, 49, (second from right) was sentenced to 29 years, seven months in prison Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, after he was convicted of intentional and felony second-degree murder for the October 2023 death of 37-year-old Richard Cooley in Parkland. (Peter Talbot/The News Tribune) Victim found dead days after defendants assault arrest Christiansons father found Cooley dead Oct. 25, 2023, in a trailer on the fathers property in Parkland, two days after Sheriffs Office deputies arrested Christianson for allegedly assaulting his father in front of them. Deputies were there for a welfare check after concerns were raised about Christiansons daughter not being enrolled in school, according to court documents, and possible lewd conduct between Christianson and his daughter. Christiansons father, who also lived on the property, also had been locked out for several days. Christiansons father tried to enter with deputies standing by, but Christianson reportedly shoved him away and tried to close the door on deputies, who pushed through while advising he was under arrest. Deputies arrested him, then spoke with his daughter, who had a black eye. She said her father had been strangling people the last few days and had strangled Richard. Advertisement Advertisement At the time, deputies did not know who Richard was and didnt know anyone lived in the trailer on the property. Two days later, Christiansons father found Cooley and called the authorities. Christianson faces additional charges in a separate case for the alleged assault on his father and the alleged sexual assault of his daughter. Prosecutors have charged him with first-degree rape of a child, two counts of second-degree assault of a child, two counts of fourth-degree assault, third-degree assault and felony harassment with threats to kill. Prosecutors ask for 40-year sentence In court Friday, deputy prosecuting attorney Kara Sanchez recounted the medical examiners testimony about Cooleys death. She said evidence showed Cooley fought to live. His fingernails were broken, and he had abrasions on his neck from struggling against being strangled. Because Mr. Cooleys death took that long, much longer than the fraction of a second that it takes to pull a trigger and fire a gun, as I argued in closing, Mr. Christianson really had to mean it, Sanchez said. He really had to want Mr. Cooley to die. Advertisement Advertisement Sanchez said those circumstances alone justified a high-end sentence, but it was the effect this crime had on Christiansons daughter that made it warrant a punishment beyond the standard range. Prosecutors asked for a 40-year sentence. Christiansons attorney from the Department of Assigned Counsel, Gaurav Sharma, asked Kirkendoll to impose a sentence of 12 years, 6 months, below the standard range. Sharma said he had documentation of Christiansons mental health issues and had witnessed his erratic behavior throughout the trial and an inability to regulate emotion. Sharma said all of these things had substantially impaired Christiansons judgment at the time of the offense. The defense attorney also disputed the egregiousness of what Christiansons daughter witnessed and argued it did not justify the sentence prosecutors were seeking. Advertisement Advertisement Forty years sentence, just based on a 6-year-old observing Mr. Christianson from some distance without anything else out there does not seem proportionate, Sharma said. What the court has seen and evaluations have shown through this case, based on what evidence came out, that this was more impulsive behavior and mental deterioration, not planning or malice. Christiansons mother, father and a woman who dated him for five years also addressed the court during the hearing. They each described him as a compassionate and kind person who had faced significant challenges with his mental health and substance use. At the end of the hearing, Kirkendoll said there was goodness in everyone, including Christianson, but everyone was here today because he had been convicted of second-degree murder. Kirkendoll said prosecutors recommendation was in effect a life sentence, and in her opinion it was excessive. However, Kirkendoll said it was deplorable that Christianson did not at all address the trauma his daughter has gone through when he allocuted. Instead, he pooh-poohs it, Kirkendoll said. He denies it. He disavows it. A drone attack has hit a United Nations facility in war-torn Sudan, killing six peacekeepers, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. The attack on Saturday hit the peacekeeping logistics base in the city of Kadugli, in the central region of Kordofan, Guterres said in a statement. Eight other peacekeepers were wounded in the strike. All the victims are Bangladeshi nationals, serving in the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Advertisement Advertisement I strongly condemn the horrific drone attacks that targeted the United Nations peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, Guterres said in a statement. Attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law, he added. Attacks as the one today in South Kordofan against peacekeepers are unjustifiable. There will need to be accountability. The Sudanese army blamed the attack on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group. The army and the RSF have been engaged in a civil war for more than two years. There was no immediate comment from the RSF. Advertisement Advertisement The attack clearly reveals the subversive approach of the rebel militia and those behind it, the Sudanese army said in a statement. The military posted a video on social media showing plumes of dense black smoke over what it said was the UN facility. Bangladeshs interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, in a statement, said he was deeply saddened by the attack, and put the toll at six dead and eight wounded. He asked the UN to ensure that his countrys personnel were offered any necessary emergency support. The government of Bangladesh will stand by the families in this difficult moment, Yunus added. The oil-rich Abyei is a disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan. The UN mission has been deployed there since 2011, when South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan. Advertisement Advertisement Guterres also called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan to allow a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process to settle the conflict. Sudan was plunged into chaos in April 2023, when a power struggle between the military and the RSF exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere in the country. The conflict has killed more than 40,000 people, though rights groups consider the figure a significant undercount. The fighting has recently centred on Kodrofan, particularly since the RSF took control of el-Fasher, the militarys last stronghold in the western region of Darfur. The war has wrecked urban areas and has been marked by atrocities, including mass rape and ethnically motivated killings, which the UN and rights groups have said amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, especially in Darfur. Advertisement Advertisement The war has also created the worlds worst humanitarian crisis and pushed parts of the country into famine. The attack comes just a month after the UN Security Council voted to renew the UNISFA peacekeeping mission for another year. Bangladesh is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, and its troops have long been deployed in Abyei. UNISFAs 4,000 police and soldiers are tasked with protecting civilians in the region, which has been plagued by frequent armed clashes. Erika Kirk, the widow of assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk, sat down with CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss as the outlets first guest in a new town hall series. The pre-recorded event aired Saturday night on CBS. Ahead of the airing, clips of the one-hour interview showcased topics discussed surrounding political violence, conspiracy theories and bringing up children in the age of social media all issues Kirk has been heavily put in the spotlight for, given the tragic nature of her husbands death and the reactions that followed. Ahead of the release, Weiss sat down with "CBS Mornings" to discuss why she chose Kirk as her first guest, especially someone who is considered so polarizing. But thats a key reason Weiss said she chose her, labeling TPUSA as the most important conservative organization in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Agree with it. Disagree with it, but Turning Point USA is a powerhouse of an organization, and it will have so much to say and influence over the direction of the right, especially after Trump, she said. But the other reason Weiss wanted her was because of what Kirk became on Sept. 10 a victim of political violence. Erika Kirk is a victim of what could be a very, very disturbing version of America, Weiss said. Her husband was speaking on a college campus, whether you agreed with him or not, he was practicing the most fundamental of American rights. He was trying to persuade people with words, and then he got a bullet to his neck as he was speaking to someone that disagreed with him. What turned the tragedy into further disturbance in Weisss eyes is the reactions justifying the murder, not just by random fanatics online, but by prominent figures. Justifying Kirks death with the idea that words are violence rather than violence being violence, I think, signifies something quite alarming, she said. Advertisement Advertisement In one of the clips, Kirk speaks to this concern of the town hall, Weiss asked Kirk what she would say to those people who celebrated her husbands death and praised the alleged killer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. Kirks response was simple: Youre sick. You want to watch in high res(olution) the video of my husband being murdered, and laugh and say he deserves it, she said with tears in her eyes, Theres something very sick in your soul, and I pray that God saves you. She said that kind of behavior is the result of the internet and its ability to dehumanize us. Since his death three months ago, Weiss told CBS Mornings that her other great concern is how social media has become an endless feed of conspiracies that have ensued. Advertisement Advertisement You talk to many seemingly sane people (and) they do not believe that the 22-year-old named Tyler Robinson, that has been arrested and charged with his murder is the actual murderer, Weiss said. They believe any number of theories. They believe that Erika Kirk was his Mossad handler and that he was killed by a foreign government. They believe that she was tracked by Egyptian planes. They believe that the rings on her hand are signs of Illuminati. The theories themselves are absurd. Weiss said Kirk speaks to this concern in the full interview. Brain rot that social media is allowing to spread, Kirk said, the way that it is detaching us from humanity, from our ability to talk to one another, and our ability to discern the truth from just out and out lies is something that is incredibly important. Its the responsibility of everyone, she said, to de-escalate the political tension, and specifically for parents, to protect their children. I will never agree with political violence. My husband is a victim of it. Im a victim of it, but what Im trying to say here is that we can blame everyone else, she said. Instead, We have to look in the mirror. When you become a father, when you become a mother, how are you raising your kids? Are you taking responsibility, or are you giving them a device and saying, Go down that rabbit hole. ... Do you want your kid to be a thought leader or an assassin? Thats where were at. The Utah Legislature took the rare step on Tuesday of reversing course on a controversial new law that galvanized the states public unions and their national interest groups. The surprise move came after a record-setting referendum campaign forced legislative leadership to reconsider the policy, and its messaging, according to interviews with the bill sponsors. Internal polling showed that while Utah voters approved of specific provisions, they held negative views toward the bill as a whole, Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore, R-Draper, told the Deseret News. Advertisement Advertisement We had to look deep inside ourselves and figure out, OK, what does this mean? Cullimore said. We dont want it to look like its the Legislature versus public employees. Thats not the case. And so better to just repeal it and move on. To refocus resources on other policy challenges, Cullimore said he would have supported repealing the bill much earlier something union groups had lobbied for during the Legislatures October special session over redistricting. Discussions with Cullimore, and the bills primary sponsor, House Rules Chair Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, revealed that top lawmakers saw the repeal as necessary to work toward consensus in the spirit of the Utah Way. Protect Utah Workers, the public interest committee managing the referendum on behalf of two dozen unions, had pushed for a repeal all along as the only condition for backing off of the referendum. Advertisement Advertisement Both groups agreed the process leading up to Tuesdays bipartisan vote repealing HB267 demonstrated that GOP lawmakers are serious about countering the perception that they are out of touch with Utah voters. What is HB267? In February, after weeks of negotiations with public labor associations, Republican lawmakers passed a prohibition on taxpayer-funded union activities and public sector collective bargaining that cut out non-union members. This would have prevented public employers from engaging exclusively with union representatives, who sometimes do not represent a majority of employees, and would have cut off union leaders from the Utah Retirement System. During the first weeks of the legislative session, thousands of teachers, firefighters and police officers many of whom were not directly impacted by the bill swarmed the Capitol to protest what they said was an attack on their rights. Union members attend a rally at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. The protest comes just one day after the Senate voted to pass HB267, which bans public labor unions from participating in collective bargaining. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News Opponents of the legislation said it would make it harder for public employees to put pressure on government officials for wage increases, policy changes and worker safety improvements that are necessary to fulfill their jobs. Advertisement Advertisement After the bills sponsors failed to find consensus with labor groups on several compromise proposals, they moved forward with the original text of the bill, which passed narrowly in both the state House and Senate. Just over a month after the 2025 legislative session, Protect Utah Workers submitted over 320,000 signatures in a record-breaking referendum campaign to repeal the new law by placing it before voters on the November 2026 ballot. This became the primary bargaining chip in negotiations between unions and legislators, which began immediately following the end of the session, according to Jack Tidrow, the president of Professional Firefighters of Utah. House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, and House Majority Leader Casey Snider, R-Paradise, worked to find a third way between a repeal and a referendum that would allow for future policy negotiations, Tidrow told the Deseret News. Advertisement Advertisement I will give credit where credits due, Tidrow said. House leadership did not want to hurt public labor unions. They wanted to find a solution. There may have also been some political considerations in this decision, Tidrow acknowledged. Messaging on the HB267 referendum may have hurt some reelection prospects, and distracted from Republicans own initiative efforts. Whats next? As the lawmaker who spearheaded the bill and took the heat for its divisiveness Teuscher said he was disappointed the same groups that formed Protect Utah Workers were unwilling to find compromise during the session. What the bill did was not accurately communicated by union bosses to members, according to Teuscher, nor during the referendum effort bankrolled by more than $4 million in donations from NEA the largest labor union in America. Advertisement Advertisement GOP lawmakers were willing and prepared to fund a similar effort, Teuscher told the Deseret News, but he said they decided the healthiest way to debate the actual underlying policies would be to remove HB267 from the table. The Utah Way is listening to people, trying to find consensus and moving forward, Teuscher said. As outside money has poured into our state, in campaigns or initiatives, referendums, you start to see that type of negative Washington-style campaigning. Teuscher expects Utah will become the target of more national special interests hoping to shift policy in the state, especially since the Utah Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that lawmakers cannot amend or repeal certain ballot initiatives. Beyond redistricting and referendums, conservative elected officials worry the new status quo could bring in new groups seeking a liberalization of alcohol sales, gambling venues and recreational marijuana, according to Teuscher. Advertisement Advertisement This is the threat to a representative form of government that is in the back of everybodys mind, Cullimore said. Regardless of the issue it appears that outside money, with its focus on billboards and 30-second sound bites could be gaining greater sway over Beehive State politics. The reason why we have a representative form of government is because good policy usually requires debate, Cullimore said. It usually requires some nuance and some compromise and stakeholder input. And you just dont get that through an initiative process or anything like that. A Bellingham officer is being praised for her quick actions after she noticed a fire while patrolling the area overnight. At around 2:58 a.m. on Saturday, Officer Thamiris Ribeiro was patrolling in the area when she observed fire conditions on the second floor of a residence on Patrick Street. Officer Ribeiro promptly requested the response of the Bellingham Fire Department and took immediate action to alert and assist the sole resident, who was not aware that the home was on fire. Advertisement Advertisement The resident was safely evacuated, and the fire department was able to control the blaze within 45 minutes. The residence sustained significant damage, and the American Red Cross was contacted to assist the displaced resident. Officer Ribeiro graduated from the police academy in July of 2024 and has already proven to be a valuable asset, according to the Bellingham Police Department. The cause of the fire appears to be accidental and remains under investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Wild Waves Theme Park, a Pacific Northwest summer staple for nearly 50 years, will close its gates for good after the 2026 season. The Federal Way attraction announced that next yearrunning from May 23 to November 1will mark its final season of operation, ending an era for generations of families who grew up riding Timberhawk, floating the lazy river or celebrating Halloween at Fright Fest. In a statement, Kieran Burke, President and Owner of Premier Parks, said the decision comes down to finances that never fully recovered in the years following the pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, the rising cost of ongoing operations since reopening after the COVID shutdown has generated millions in losses, which forces us to discontinue operations at the end of our 2026 season, Burke shared. He also expressed gratitude to the millions of guests and hundreds of employees who have kept the park running since it first opened in 1977. Wild WavesWashingtons largest combined theme and water parkemploys about 35 full-time staff and roughly 800 seasonal workers each year. Related: Universal is In Talks to Bring DC Superhero Characters to Its Parks The park confirmed that all 2026 season passes, group events and ticket packages will be honored, and that the final season will still feature the full lineup guests expect: summertime water attractions, classic thrill rides and its popular Fright Fest celebration each October. Advertisement Advertisement Despite the closure, park leaders say they intend to make 2026 a celebration. In its final year of operation, the park will celebrate the memories, nostalgia and family fun with themed events and special promotions, Burke said. Property owner Jeff Stock echoed that sentiment, thanking visitors and employees while hinting at the future of the 70-acre site. We recognize the deep history and emotional connection many residents have with the park, and we are committed to ensuring a respectful transition while planning a project that will bring meaningful, lasting benefits to the area, Stock noted. Plans for redevelopment are underway, though details remain in early stages. Advertisement Advertisement For locals whove long considered Wild Waves part of their summer tradition, 2026 will be a last chance to splash, scream and soak up the nostalgia before the gates close for the final time. Related: Six Flags to Close Two Iconic RidesOne Dating Back 70 Years This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Each of the four military units created under the name International Legions within the Ground Forces of the Ukrainian army will be disbanded by the end of 2025, Azernews reports, citing international media. According to a plan by Ukraines General Staff, personnel from the legions slated for disbandment including foreign fighters will continue their military service within the ranks of regular assault units. The command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine says the reform represents an evolutionary process, noting that the legions have already fulfilled their role. However, the Ukrainian service of the BBC reports that the decision has been met with dissatisfaction among some legion members. In particular, several fighters are reluctant to serve in assault units alongside so-called penal battalion soldiers troops made up of former prisoners. Key Points Planet Labs sales growth figures continued accelerating in the third quarter, with revenue rising 33% compared to last year. The company landed numerous new and expanded deals during the quarter as well. Now collaborating with Nvidia and Alphabet on different ideas, Planet Labs' future has never looked brighter. 10 stocks we like better than Planet Labs PBC Shares of Earth observation leader Planet Labs (NYSE: PL) rocketed 38% higher this week as of 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence. The data and insights provider delivered accelerating sales growth of 33% in its third-quarter earnings report on Wednesday while delivering a third-straight quarter of positive free cash flow. Thanks to the company's faster growth, continued FCF generation, an array of new contracts, and a backlog that more than tripled from last year, the stock soared higher this week. Planet Labs: Artificial intelligence -- in space Despite the government shutdown weighing on Planet Labs' civil government business unit -- which only grew sales by 1% -- the company's defense and intelligence unit saw revenue spike by 70%. During Q3, Planet Labs secured a: $12.8 million award from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency $13.2 million renewal from the National Reconnaissance Office $13.5 million order from NASA $7.5 million renewal from the U.S. Navy seven-figure expansion from NATO This is a boatload of incoming deals, especially compared to the total revenue of $81.3 million during Q3. Image source: Getty Images. Planet Labs also successfully launched more of its next-generation satellites into space, with two Pelicans and 36 SuperDoves joining orbit. Now with five in orbit, these Pelican satellites are particularly exciting in my opinion, as they are equipped with Nvidia's Jetson AI platform. Since Planet Labs can utilize this AI to scan for the most valuable insights and only send what is immediately relevant, the company can save immense amounts of time and money. But its next-gen ambitions don't end there. Planet Labs also announced a partnership with Alphabet's Google to deploy prototype satellites in 2027, equipped with the latter's Tensor Processing Units. While the feasibility of data centers in space is a hotly debated topic, it nevertheless highlights Planet Labs' growing importance after being selected by Google as a partner. Planet Labs appears to be a promising growth stock, but at 20 times sales, interested investors should consider buying in small batches over time. Should you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC right now? Before you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC, consider this: Fewer tourists have visited Berlin this year than last, meaning an important milestone will not be reached in 2025, the head of the city's tourist company said. "We will end up just below 30 million (overnight stays), Burkhard Kieker, head of Visit Berlin, told the Tagesspiegel newspaper for a story published online on Friday. In 2024, 30.6 million overnight stays were recorded in the capital. Advertisement Advertisement By the end of October, the Berlin-Brandenburg Statistics Office had recorded 24.8 million overnight stays 4.1% less than in the same period last year. Asked why the number of visits is not steadily increasing to reach the pre-coronavirus days of 2019, Kieker said, this "is primarily due to consumer sentiment in Germany and Europe and the failure of the economy to pick up." He also referred to the figures for Berlin-Brandenburg Airport, which "is still 30% below pre-coronavirus levels, and in tourism we are about 9% below that." LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) A Bolivian court on Friday ordered the country's former President Luis Arce to remain detained for five months while he awaits trial on corruption charges, the latest development in a case that threatens to exacerbate Bolivia's political tensions. Arce, 62, a leader from Bolivias Movement Toward Socialism party, was elected in 2020 and left office a month ago following the election of Bolivia's first right-wing leader in nearly two decades. He strongly denies the charges of breach of duty and financial misconduct. He faces up to six years in prison if convicted. Two days after Arce's sudden arrest on the streets of Bolivia's capital of La Paz, a judge ordered his detention in a virtual hearing Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Arce was transferred to one of Bolivia's largest prisons in La Paz at night. No trial date was announced. The accusations concern the alleged diversion of millions of dollars from a state fund into private accounts and date back to when Arce served as economy minister under former President Evo Morales from 2006 until 2017. Although the scandal first broke in 2017, investigations into the alleged graft stalled during Morales' presidency as Bolivia's courts proved submissive to the political power of the day. The case was reopened when conservative President Rodrigo Paztook office last month, ending almost two decades of dominance by the Movement Toward Socialism, or MAS, party. Paz campaigned on a promise to clean up the government and seek justice for corruption as he rode to power on a wave of outrage over Bolivia's worst economic crisis in four decades. Advertisement Advertisement Arce criticized the charges as political persecution. Im a scapegoat, he told the judge, insisting that he had no personal involvement in the government fund under scrutiny, which supported the Indigenous people and peasant farmers who formed the backbone of MAS support. The accusations are politically motivated. Officials involved in the previous iteration of the investigation say Arce is accused of siphoning off money from rural development projects to secure loyalty from MAS-allied union and Indigenous leaders during election campaigns. Morales was elected to three consecutive terms, but was ousted in 2019 when his reelection to an unprecedented fourth term sparked accusations of fraud and mass protests. Advertisement Advertisement Arce's lawyers asked the judge to grant his release pending trial, citing the ex-president's battle with kidney cancer several years ago. But Judge Elmer Laura denied the appeal, and even exceeded the prosecutions request of three months in a juvenile detention center by ordering five months in a state prison. These are crimes that directly affect state assets and resources that were allocated to vulnerable sectors," Laura said. ___ Isabel DeBre in Santiago, Chile, contributed to this report. Border Patrol agents shot and killed an alleged smuggler in Starr County. When Border Patrol agents were involved in a struggle along the Rio Grande on Thursday, they shot a suspect, according to the Starr County Sheriffs Office. The suspect who later died was an alleged cartel smuggler, per Fox News. The cartel smuggler allegedly assaulted a Border Patrol agent who fired back in self-defense, according to Fox. The agent is reportedly okay. Advertisement Advertisement The shooting took place in Midway, near the riverbank, according to the sheriffs office. Officials asked residents to avoid the area while investigators cleared the scene. Border Patrol agents were involved in a struggle prior to the shooting, the sheriffs office posted on Facebook. Starr County Deputies are securing the scene, while the Texas Rangers lead the investigation. Texas Department of Public Safety Lt. Chris Olivarez confirmed Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting. During the incident, one suspect was shot and later pronounced deceased, he posted on X. This remains an active and ongoing investigation. OFFICIAL STATEMENT The Texas Department of Public Safety can confirm that the Texas Rangers are investigating an officer-involved shooting involving the U.S. Border Patrol in Starr County. During the incident, one suspect was shot and later pronounced deceased at Starr County Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) December 12, 2025 The suspect died near the border, at Starr County Memorial Hospital, according to Olivarez, adding, No further details are available at this time. The Dallas Express reached out to Customs and Border Protection, but officials did not respond in time for publication. A fight erupted in the baked goods section of a Whole Foods Market in downtown Los Angeles, and the violent scene was caught on video. The brawl happened Wednesday, according to TMZ, which shared video originally posted by Instagram user not_jayo. The footage shows two men wrestling near the refrigerated drinks before one man slams the other into a tower of baked treats. Both then tumble onto the floor. Advertisement Advertisement Southern California city issues warning over trash bin violations Security quickly intervened and separated the men. Neither appeared to be seriously injured. Its unclear what sparked the altercation. Instagram user @not_jayo recorded video of the fight involving two men inside the downtown Los Angeles Whole Foods on Dec. 10, 2025. TMZ reports that Los Angeles police responded to the scene, but both men had left before officers arrived. No investigation is currently underway. 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 KTLA. A Burger King employee was stabbed Friday on Chicago's Northwest Side after telling an "unruly" customer to leave the restaurant, sources told ABC7. The stabbing happened around 8:30 a.m. in the 6400 block of West Irving Park Road, Chicago police said. A 24-year-old man was inside a building when he "tried to de-escalate an altercation," and he was stabbed multiple times, police said. Advertisement Advertisement The victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition. A suspect was taken into custody, CPD said. Sources told ABC7 the Burger King employee who was stabbed has since been released from the hospital. "We are saddened to learn of the incident that occurred at the Burger King restaurant located at 6400 W. Irving Park," a statement from a Burger King spokesperson read. "The Franchisee of this location is cooperating with local law enforcement in their ongoing investigation, and is actively providing support to all those impacted." No further information was available as Chicago police continue to investigate. INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood A metro Atlanta woman said she was racially profiled at her local bank. Alexis Vaughn said when she tried to get a new debit card the day before Thanksgiving, a bank teller at the Ameris Bank in Alpharetta froze her account. Ive never had this happen, she told Channel 2s Audrey Washington. That was unconscious bias mixed with racism. Vaughn, a prominent businesswoman with four accounts at the bank, said she knew something was wrong when the teller made her wait for nearly an hour, called a supervisor, checked and rechecked her account. She says they even checked her business on the Secretary of State website. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] She talks about my balance and my account, and Im like, Maam, what is happening? explained Vaughn. Advertisement Advertisement Vaughn said she finally received a new debit card, but when she tried to use it, she learned someone put an SOS freeze on her account. Vaughn said another teller at the Ameris Bank in Acworth told her what was notated on her account. Literally says do not allow this person to get another debit card, Vaughn said. Vaughn and her attorney believe racial profiling was at the root of the account freeze. I think she absolutely did not believe that any of that money was legitimate that was in my account, and that she did not believe that it was me, even though the business was my name which makes zero sense, Vaughn said. Advertisement Advertisement So, its those hybrid of factors; the delay, the inconsistency, scrutiny, you have a policy, she being denied normal financial transactions, explained Vaughns attorney James L. Walker. During the interview, Walker played a voicemail the bank president left for Vaughn. Things that you mentioned, racial profilingnot acceptable with us. We dont do that at Ameris Bank. I am sincerely sorry and apologetic. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement An Ameris Bank spokesperson sent Channel 2 Action News a statement that read: Although privacy laws prevent us from discussing the details of any customers account, we note that Ms. Vaughns description of her situation includes multiple inaccuracies, including her exaggeration of the time spent in the branch, which was less than half an hour. Moreover, at no time was Ms. Vaughns account frozen. Her complaints relate to standard security protocols and fraud prevention, and do not reflect any racial profiling whatsoever. We are engaging with Ms. Vaughns legal representatives to discuss her accounts. We are fully committed to providing fair and excellent service to all our customers. Vaughn said the bank finally unfroze her account on Thursday. Now she said she wants the teller held accountable. Training needs to be put in place so things like unconscious bias doesnt happen on a regular basis, Vaughn said. Ameris Bank promised a full investigation into the matter. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Prior to being arrested this week and accused of passing sensitive or classified information to a foreign entity, a Canadian military intelligence member was embroiled in a secret, long-running internal dispute with his superiors, CBC News has learned. Master Warrant Officer Matthew Robar was the subject of a disciplinary investigation by his unit within the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command starting in October 2024. The probe resulted in a reprimand what the military calls a remedial measure and a recorded warning delivered last spring, according to internal documents. He works in the counter-intelligence branch of the military at its headquarters in Ottawa. Advertisement Advertisement Robar was arrested Wednesday and charged with eight offences under the National Defence Act, the most serious of which is communicating "special operational information" to a foreign entity. He's being held in military police custody at Garrison Petawawa. It was actually the second time Robar was arrested. Military police took him into custody without charge for 24 hours on Oct. 24, 2025, but released him on conditions. Secrets and more secrets Robar's re-arrest was made public in a statement by the military's provost marshal. Under the separate and distinct military justice system, he must appear before a military judge within 24 hours, or by Monday at the latest. Advertisement Advertisement The Department of National Defence has refused to answer a number of specific questions about the case, including which country or organization might be the foreign entity. It's not just the public being kept in the dark. Robar himself was told very little about the specific allegations against him, other than it involved "disobedience of a lawful command" and that he had "engaged in unauthorized work-related activities" that he knew or ought to have known were not approved by his chain of command. The reprimand cited alleged actions Robar took from May 11 to 20 and Sept. 9 to 21, 2024, but provided no detail. Advertisement Advertisement "He got no disclosure with this," Rory Fowler, a retired lieutenant-colonel and military lawyer, who was hired by Robar over the reprimand. On the charges under the National Defence Act he's being represented by a military defence counsel. "He was quite literally told by his chain of command: 'You know what you did,'" said Fowler, who added the response was: "No, actually you have to spell it out. That's your obligation. And that's what we're dealing with here." Master Warrant Officer Matthew Robar is being held in military police custody at Garrison Petawawa. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press) In the spring of 2025, Robar's security clearance was not renewed. He filed an internal grievance, a copy of which has been obtained by CBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Robar's lawyer says his commanding officer initially refused to accept the complaint until forced to back down when faced with a legal notice. Fowler said Robar's treatment was patently unfair and unreasonable because they didn't disclose exactly what the misconduct was. "How is he supposed to correct the conduct deficiency if they're not actually disclosing what the real conduct deficiency was, other than vague reference to you didn't do your job properly?" he said. Fowler said he can only assume the arrest of Robar and charges are connected or overlap with the allegations at the heart of the disciplinary case. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to CBC News, a Department of National Defence spokesperson said Robar has been a regular member of the Canadian Armed Forces since 2001. "Since the investigation began in 2024, MWO Robar has been assigned to administrative duties at Canadian Forces Intelligence Command," Andree-Anne Poulin said. "No further information regarding MWO Robar will be released at this time in order to respect the integrity of the judicial process that is currently underway and to protect safeguarded information and programs that may relate to the particulars of these charges." Case would be tried before court martial It is not uncommon for a unit's disciplinary investigation to be handed over to military police by the commanding officer for further review and possible charges. Advertisement Advertisement But Fowler said in this case it was handled at first through administrative means, and only escalated into a criminal case when Robar challenged the way he was treated. "My client takes the position that whatever they're referring to, the work that he did, it was actually authorized by his commanding officer." That's where it gets even more complicated. The case against Robar unfolded on the cusp of a leadership change within the military counter-intelligence branch. In its statement Thursday announcing the charges against Robar, the Defence Department said if the case was going to be tried it would happen before a military court martial. Retired colonel Michel Drapeau, a military law expert, said it's clear the department wanted to keep the matter in-house where it will receive less public scrutiny than in an open court. The alleged Charlie Kirk shooter, Tyler Robinson, appeared calm during his first in-person court hearing. However, lip-reading suggests he reflected darkly on the shooting and even referenced Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk. The 22-year-old is said to have described his mental struggles behind bars, saying that he thinks about the shooting "every day." Tyler Robinson faces multiple severe charges, including aggravated murder. He surrendered after a search and allegedly confessed to the shooting of Charlie Kirk in messages to his roommate. Lip Readers Reveal Tyler Robinson's Chilling Off-Mic Remarks During First In-Person Court Appearance Facebook | Amber Robinson Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, appeared in court Thursday and was caught in an unsettling off-mic exchange in which he seemingly reflected on the fatal shooting. Advertisement Advertisement During his first in-person court appearance in Provo, Utah, Robinson appeared calm, even sharing brief laughs and smiles with his attorney. But, according to a lip-reading analysis by Lip Reader Limited, his private comments were far darker. "I think about the shooting daily," Robinson appeared to tell his lawyer before the hearing began. "Every morning all the time." According to the lip reader, he then seemed to reference Erika Kirk, who is now raising the couple's two young children alone. "So, he had a wife," the suspected shooter said at the moment. Robinson also allegedly talked about his mental state behind bars, saying he has been "smoking a lot" and struggling with sleepless nights. Advertisement Advertisement "It's driving me mental," he appeared to add, per the New York Post. "I'm not good for anything." The Alleged Charlie Kirk Killer Appeared Calm In Court; Hearing On Cameras, Transcript Postponed BREAKING: Accused Killer of Charile Kirk appears in person for the FIRST TIME since turning himself in. It's absolutely infuriating. You can see him SMILING with his Attorney... We need SWIFT and ABSOULTE PUNISHMENT! pic.twitter.com/1Mqw66zEOd The Patriot Oasis (@ThePatriotOasis) December 11, 2025 Despite those comments, Robinson remained composed in a blue shirt and argyle tie as he stood before Judge Tony Graf. He is accused of fatally shooting the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder on September 10 during a speech at Utah Valley University attended by thousands. The court session centered on two issues: whether cameras would be allowed in future proceedings, which Robinson's team opposes, and whether portions of a prior phone-hearing transcript should be made public. After more than two hours of private arguments, Judge Graf postponed his decision on both matters and scheduled a follow-up hearing for December 29. Advertisement Advertisement Robinson faces a series of severe charges, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, felony firearm discharge causing serious injury, witness tampering, and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child. He has not yet entered a plea and could face the death penalty if convicted. Early Transparency In Tyler Robinson Case Raises Questions As Authorities Limit Public Access Facebook | Amber Robinson The shift in transparency surrounding the case has raised eyebrows. California-based trial attorney and legal analyst Roger Bonakdar said authorities were unusually open early in the investigation, releasing details prosecutors typically keep confidential, including references to audio recordings, a purported confession, and surveillance footage. Advertisement Advertisement "When they first arrested Tyler Robinson, the information tap was at full blast," Bonakdar said, per Fox News. "They told us that they had audio recordings from Tyler Robinson and a purported confession. They told us that there was video footage from a local fast-food restaurant. They were very, very almost oversharing in the beginning." He added: "Now they've shut that tap off, and they're saying you can't even come to court and hear about what we're doing when most of it's probably procedural." Tyler Robinson Surrendered After A Manhunt ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Robinson surrendered to authorities after a statewide search. According to court documents, his parents recognized him from surveillance images released by police and convinced him to turn himself in. The next day, Robinson, his parents, and a family friend arrived at the Washington County Sheriff's Office, where he was taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say Robinson also confessed in messages to his roommate and romantic partner, described in documents as "a biological male who was transitioning genders." As reported by The Blast, in those texts, he allegedly wrote, "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out," hinting at what many believe was his motive. Robinson's mother told detectives her son had grown "more political" and increasingly "pro-gay and trans-rights oriented" over the past year. The Charlie Kirk Alleged Shooter's Partner Has Been MIA Facebook | Amy Twiggs As for Robinson's roommate and alleged trans partner, Lance Twiggs, their whereabouts are currently unknown. Twiggs faced heavy scrutiny in the wake of the killing of the right-wing influencer after it was reported that Robinson had messaged him about his actions and motive. Advertisement Advertisement According to the New York Post, the 22-year-old has initially cooperated with authorities; however, it's unclear if that still remains the case given his current AWOL status. Twiggs has also not publicly said a word about the murder of Kirk and has not addressed the media since the shooting incident rocked the world. The Chinese government on Thursday criticized Mexico's decision to impose import tariffs of up to 50% on around 1,500 goods from China and other countries. Beijing will closely monitor Mexico's next steps, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said. The new tariffs are set to come into force in January after parliament approved them at the suggestion of President Claudia Sheinbaum. Her government plans to use the import duties to protect the Latin American country's industry, partly because of the impact of US trade policy on Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement US President Donald Trump has accused the neighbouring country of being a gateway for Chinese products into the United States. Trade between the US, Mexico and Canada is largely duty-free under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which came into effect in 2020. The new tariffs affect 8.6% of Mexico's total imports, worth $52 billion. Levies are planned on goods such as cars, car parts, steel and aluminium from countries with which Mexico has no free trade agreements. The US and the European Union are not affected. China has always opposed unilateral tariffs and hopes that Mexico will correct its "wrong practice" of unilateralism and protectionism, the ministry in Beijing said. It also cited an ongoing investigation that it launched into Mexico's trade and investment barriers in September. Clark Intermediate's mascot was expected to see a permanent change on Friday due to Assembly Bill 3074, also known as the California Racial Mascot Act. "I have to say I've been very appreciative that this process has come, and that this law was passed because it really did help us engage in deeper conversations with our Native American community," Clovis Unified Superintendent Dr. Corrine Folmer said. Clovis Unified was working to change the mascot by July 2026. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Clark Intermediate is changing its mascot after 50+ years The bill, which was passed in September of 2024, prohibits schools from using any derogatory Native American terms to represent a student body in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Folmer invited vice chair Fred Beihn from the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians to speak at the board meeting. Doctor Folmer says the tribe reached out when they heard of the possible mascot name change. Ultimately, the Native American tribe showed support to Clovis Unified and Clark Intermediate. "I'm here today on behalf of our tribe, as a federally recognized tribe, to support keeping the name Chieftain," Beihn said. North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians, which is the largest local tribe represented by Clovis Unified students of Native American descent, offered the school district a written statement in favor of keeping the name. Advertisement Advertisement Beihn added there are generations from the tribe who attended Clark Intermediate. "We recognize Chieftain to be a prideful term. And Chieftains are noble leaders. And it's a great day to be a Chieftain," Beihn said. District leaders say support from the federally recognized tribe eliminates the need to change the name of Clark Intermediate's mascot per AB 3074. The board was considering Cougars for the school's name change, which would've aligned with its feeder school, Clovis High. For news updates, follow Vince Ybarra on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Alabama colleges arent just competing in academics this year, theyre battling it out in the dining halls. Niches 2026 Best College Food rankings highlight which campuses give students the best mix of taste, variety and value. The rankings are based on two main factors: first, student ratings of the quality and variety of on-campus dining options collected through user surveys; second, the affordability of meal plans based on published costs. Schools with high student satisfaction and reasonably priced meal plans score higher overall. Here are the best college foods in Alabama for 2026. Jacksonville State University Jacksonville State University offers all resident meal plans at $2,101 per semester, with options from 21 weekly meals to a 100-swipe plan with $800 flex. Commuters can choose from several low-cost plans. Advertisement Advertisement The all-you-can-eat dining hall offers made-to-order entrees, allergen-friendly options, salads, and deli selections. Favorites like Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Masons BBQ, Mein Bow and WOW American Eats make campus dining a standout at JSU. Auburn University Auburn University features Orange Plan meal options, from unlimited dining to low-swipe packages, each with several hundred Dining Dollars per semester. Plans work at campus dining halls and eateries, including Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Panera, local spots like Foy on the Fly and Tiger Zone pizza. The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa The University of Alabama offers students a wide range of dining options, led by its All-Access plan, which provides unlimited access to campus dining halls and a daily VIP meal at select locations. Students who prefer a lighter option can choose the Silver 150 or a mix of commuter-friendly plans, ranging from 90 swipes to budget-conscious 55-meal packages. Advertisement Advertisement Across campus, dozens of dining optionsfrom halls to cafes to national chainslet students eat on their schedule. What are the top 10 colleges in Alabama that have the best college food? Heres how the top 10 colleges in Alabama stack up in the 2026 food rankings: Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville Auburn University, Auburn The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Troy University, Troy University of North Alabama, Florence The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville Huntingdon College, Montgomery University of South Alabama, Mobile The University of West Alabama, Livingston Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery The best college food in the U.S. Heres a look at the colleges topping Niches 2026 list for the best college food: Advertisement Advertisement University of California, Los Angeles Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts California Baptist University, Riverside, California St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin St. John Fisher University, Rochester, New York Bates College, Lewiston, Maine James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia Florida International University, Miami, Florida University of San Diego, San Diego, California Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Which colleges in AL have the best dining? Here's Niche's 2026 ranking Former Gov. Martha Layne Collins died last month at 88. She did a lot of good for Kentucky from 1983 to 1987, when she was a governor. But she did not like me. Not even a little bit. Its my own fault really. Unemployment was rising in Daviess County to levels not seen since the Great Depression. And I kept writing about how other parts of the state were doing better than Owensboro. When was Frankfort going to do something for us? Advertisement Advertisement Well, Collins got tired of it. And when she was in Owensboro one day, she came to see John Hager, the editor and publisher back then. I heard that she suggested that the Messenger-Inquirer would be better without me. In other words, get rid of that guy. Now, John had already fired me once back in 1975. He said I wasnt cut out to be a reporter. But he had since changed his mind. And he didnt like politicians telling him how to run his newspaper. So, Im still here. But despite that, I admired Collins. Ive never let what people think of me affect my reporting. The job is to report the news as close to correctly as I could get. Advertisement Advertisement Not to let feelings get in the way. Besides, I really did admire her. After all, Collins was our first and so far only female governor. And that was a big accomplishment in Kentucky. Especially, since after 40 years, shes still the only woman to be elected governor here. On the strength of that, Walter Mondale, who was on his way to being the Democratic nominee for president in 1984, interviewed her as a possible running mate. But Geraldine Ferraro got the nod. And Ronald Reagan won a second term, so... Collins made major strides in upgrading Kentuckys education system. And she got a lot more money for higher education. Advertisement Advertisement Probably her greatest accomplishment was landing the $800 million Toyota Assembly Plant in Georgetown. But here in Daviess County, most of the things accomplished by her administration, like landing Owensboro Community & Technical College, were really because of Don Blandford, a Philpot Democrat, who was speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives during her administration. Changes are happening all around in north Salisbury now, with one of the biggest being the permanent closure of the city's only Moe's Southwest Grill location. The news was shared with Delmarva Now by SVN | Miller associate advisor Dylan Mezick, who said the property was put on the market in mid-November and negotiations are ongoing for "something new that the Salisbury market hasn't had before." But what will we get there instead? No one knows yet, but Mezick has asked the Salisbury community for its input about what they'd like to see come to the property at 109-B Hampshire Road. Advertisement Advertisement Share your thoughts with Mezick by emailing him at dylan.mezick@svn.com and then read on for more information about big business news in north Salisbury. The Moe's restaurant in north Salisbury, Maryland, located at 109-B Hampshire Road, has closed temporarily for a "change of management." Taco Bell in works for north Salisbury Taco Bell is coming soon to Route 13 southbound, across from The Centre at Salisbury mall in north Salisbury. The fast food location is now hiring. To apply online, visit https://jobs.tacobell.com/. According to ScrapeHero, there are more than 8,149 Taco Bell locations across the United States. The fast food restaurant, founded in 1962, currently operates two locations in Salisbury. BIG BUSINESS NEWS ALL AROUND: Zaxbys is open, Crumbl, Chick-fil-A coming soon | What's Going There Crumbl Cookies opening date coming soon in north Salisbury Crumbl Cookies is set to open at The Commons, a shopping center located at 2717 North Salisbury Blvd. Suite D in Salisbury, on Dec. 18 2025. This is the brand's first location on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Advertisement Advertisement Crumbl Cookies, founded in 2017 in Logan, Utah, will operate inside a 2,300-square-foot shell space. Crumbl's grand opening date was publicly announced through signage on the bakery's front door. SALISBURY ZOO'S FUN NEW RESIDENT: Spectacled owl Salisbury Zoo's new resident. Meet him at these events This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: What could come to Moe's site in Salisbury? SVN | Miller seeks input A federal judge ordered the Justice Department on Friday to return data it seized and obtained in 2017 from a longtime friend of former FBI Director James Comey, concluding that prosecutors had violated law professor Daniel Richmans constitutional rights and misused his material in their quest to indict Comey. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled that the material from Richman an image of his hard drive and files from his iCloud and Columbia University email accounts was handled with callous disregard for Richmans rights. Prosecutors rummaged through the materials without a warrant as they pursued a slapdash case against Comey, the judge found, calling it a remarkable breach of protocol. However, in a significant concession to prosecutors, Kollar-Kotelly ordered that a copy of all the data the government obtained be deposited with a federal court in Virginia. That provision, the judge said, would ensure that prosecutors could seek to regain access to the materials if they can persuade the court there to do so. Advertisement Advertisement This Court concludes that although Petitioner Richman is entitled to the return of the improperly seized and searched materials at issue here, the Clinton-appointed judge wrote, he is not entitled to an order preventing the Government from using or relying on those materials in a separate investigation or proceeding, as long as they are obtained through a valid warrant and judicial order. An attorney for Richman did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the judges order. A Justice Department spokesperson and an attorney for Comey, Patrick Fitzgerald, declined to comment. Kollar-Kotelly temporarily blocked prosecutors access to Richmans data and emails last week after his lawyers filed an emergency motion with the federal court in Washington, D.C., arguing that the governments continued possession of his information was unconstitutional. Details about prosecutors handling of Richmans records emerged after Comey was indicted in September on felony charges of making a false statement to Congress in 2020 and obstructing a Senate committee. A federal judge dismissed the charges last month , ruling that the prosecutor handpicked by President Donald Trump to pursue the case Lindsey Halligan was illegally appointed. Advertisement Advertisement Kollar-Kotellys ruling represents an additional hurdle in a daunting series of obstacles already facing prosecutors seeking to revive the case against Comey. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department would file an immediate appeal but none has yet been filed. Defense attorneys have also made clear they would challenge any new charges against Comey as violations of a five-year statute of limitations. That period expired just after Comey was indicted in September, but prosecutors contend it has been automatically extended by the dismissal order. Prosecutors argued to Kollar-Kotelly that Richman was simply trying to protect his friend from renewed charges, but the judge rejected that. The Government overlooks Petitioner Richmans own compelling interest in controlling access to this material for his own private and professional purposes, including preserving his own privacy and his professional confidences, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department first obtained Richmans materials in 2017, when it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the fallout of Trumps decision to fire Comey as FBI director. Comey later told Congress that he had given Richman memos he drafted about his interactions with Trump and instructed Richman to share them with a reporter. During the ensuing investigation, Richman permitted the FBI to image his hard drive. Prosecutors later obtained search warrants for that data and Richmans email accounts, but that investigation concluded without any charges being filed. Dramatic 911 audio captures the last moments of a 20-year-old gunmans life as he pleaded for help, saying he was crazy before three police officers shot him dead as he fired at them on the Upper East Side, the NYPD says. I have a gun in the store, Elijah Brown is heard telling a 911 dispatcher the night of Nov. 13 as he held a Madison Ave. deli clerk at gunpoint after forcing him to call for help, then grabbed the phone away from him. Im in trouble, Brown said. Im trying to get away. As the worker ran off, Brown implored him to no avail to stay, promising he wouldnt shoot him, then turned his attention back to the dispatcher, telling her he was heading to Mount Sinai Hospital as he described his plight. Please please can you help me please Advertisement Advertisement Im crazy, he said. I have a gun. Someone was trying to kill me and I got away because Im crazy. When Brown ended the call, police said, he left the deli, near E. 107th St., headed to the nearby hospital, first hiding his silver handgun outside in a flowerbed, then scuffling inside the hospital with an NYPD lieutenant working a second job there as a security guard. The lieutenant forced Brown to leave, police said. Then Brown retrieved his gun and pointed it at the lieutenant and several passersby, prompting a 911 call that sent three three uniformed cops rushing to the scene. The officers body-worn camera footage posted Thursday on the NYPDs YouTube page, along with other camera footage and the 911 audio shows Sgt. Daniel Cody and officers Grady OHalleran and Irene Prentzas jumping out of their patrol car on Madison Ave. near E. 96th St. and chasing Brown, yelling, Drop it! Advertisement Advertisement Brown instead turned and fired his weapon at least once, which was captured on closed-circuit TV footage, and the officers opened fire, police said. Cody fired 10 times, OHalleran nine times and Prentzas twice, police said. Brown immediately crumpled to the ground. He was rushed to Mt. Sinai but could not be saved. Police said that before the deli confrontation, Brown pulled a gun on a man in an apartment building elevator one block south. God saved me, because this guy was abnormal, said that man, a cab driver who asked to be identified by his first name only, Mohammed. (Im thinking) anytime hes gonna shoot hes gonna shoot me anytime. Just luck. Advertisement Advertisement Browns family lived in that building, a cousin said, and he had likely been there to visit relatives. My cousin wasnt just another young kid or troublemaker, the cousin, 25, told the Daily News a day after the shooting. He was going through something. Everybody goes through things. The family is still trying to figure everything out right now, and were just trying to stay strong. The NYPDs Force Investigation Division is still reviewing the shooting and will determine if the officers followed proper procedure in firing their guns. Dec. 12The U.S. Senate will debate and possibly vote on the the national 2026 defense budget this week, after the House approved last week a record $901 billion in annual military spending. The bill typically regarded as a "must-pass" measure featured a 3.8% pay increase for all members of the military. Expected investments for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base include $45 million for a new Human Performance Wing Laboratory and provisions to support long-term infrastructure improvements at the Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton, located at Wright-Patterson. Advertisement Advertisement With some 38,000 employees before the Trump administration, the base is widely seen as the largest single-site employer in the state of Ohio. "These NDAA wins are a testament to our commitment to improving the lives of our service-members and strengthening our national defense," said U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton. The new Human Performance Wing Laboratory "will consolidate and modernize critical functions, directly benefiting our warfighters," he said, adding that he expects work at NAMRU-Dayton to support "the health and well-being of our service-members." The bill also increases the military's Family Separation Allowance, funds for deployed service members, according to Turner's office. Advertisement Advertisement Also slated for Wright-Patterson is $20 million authorized for research and testing on reusable hypersonic aircraft at Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Budgeted as well is $2.5 million to fund a project at AFRL to make metals lighter, stronger, and more affordable for military applications. The bill also sought to ensure Space Force participation among the Air Force Institute of Technology's cadre of instructors, Turner's office said. AFIT is located at Wright-Patterson. The NDAA also supports the procurement of 69 F-35 aircraft a year and also aimed to improve weapons acquisition, creating an "accelerated requirements process designed to rapidly seek innovative solutions from industry rather than prescribing exquisite systems to be built," according to Turner's office. Advertisement Advertisement "This is a strong bipartisan bill that delivers for our warfighters and deters our adversaries," said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chair of the House Armed Services Committee. "It will fundamentally reform the defense acquisition enterprise. It will continue historic improvements in the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families." Turner is a senior member of the Armed Services Committee. Turner's office said the bill also invests in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, which is overseen by teams at Wright-Patterson, while supporting the development of auto-calibrating, self-leveling LiDAR (light detection and ranging) laser scanners for the Air Force. Further, the bill directs $120 million to the Strategic Capabilities Office's Pele mobile micro nuclear reactor pilot program. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.) on Friday said some of the photos found in the home of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein depict people engaged in sexual acts. The Virginia Democrat made the confirmation when asked on The Arena with Kasie Hunt on CNN. When Hunt asked if there were men other than Epstein engaged in these acts, Subramanyam said lawmakers were going through that. The last time when there was a big production [of photos], what we tried to do was release all the files eventually, he said. Were trying to be selective about what we release now. And so in this case, were not really quite sure yet who is who. Advertisement Advertisement Certainly, there is a lot of people involved in some of these acts, Subramanyam added. Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released a batch of 19 photos out of 95,000 from Epsteins estate. Women seen in the photos had their faces covered with black boxes to prevent their identification. The photos show Epstein with several prominent figures, including President Trump, former President Clinton, attorney Alan Dershowitz, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Virgin founder Richard Branson, filmmaker Woody Allen, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew. Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell appears with Epstein in the photo with Clinton. Advertisement Advertisement One of the photos show a stack of condoms with a cartoon image of Trump on each package. Below Trumps image are the words Im HUUUUGE! Trump has denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and has accused Democrats of leading a witch hunt by selectively releasing photos by promoting his ties to the disgraced financier. Once again, House Democrats are selectively releasing cherry-picked photos with random redactions to try and create a false narrative, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement previously sent to NewsNation. Heres the reality: Democrats like [Virgin Islands Del.] Stacey Plaskett and [House Minority Leader] Hakeem Jeffries were soliciting money and meetings from Epstein AFTER he was a convicted sex offender. Jeffries has denied any interactions with Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Epstein knew each other while in New York, where they were known to socialize with each other. Trump has since said Epstein tried to steal employees from his Florida resort Mar-a-Lago and had Epstein banned. The release of the photo cache comes days before the Department of Justices deadline to release all of its files and information on Epstein. Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act last month, which Trump signed into law despite urging Republicans to not engage with any material related on Epstein. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. New details have been revealed about the criminal history the woman who allegedly stabbed a tourist from California in a Macy's bathroom as the victim was changing her 10-month-old daughter. Kerri Aherne, 43, was ordered to be held without bail after appearing in court Friday night. Authorities say the suspect was discharged from a Manhattan psychiatric ward the morning of the attack, where she had been for over a year. Advertisement Advertisement The incident happened Thursday afternoon, just before 3 p.m. at the flagship store during the heart of the holiday shopping season. Prosecutors said Aherne entered the Macy's bathroom on the 7th floor and stabbed the victim, causing the baby to fall from the changing table to the floor. The baby was not injured. The victim managed to subdue Aherne, with the help of the baby's father, before she was held by store security. The 38-year-old victim, who was visiting from California, was stabbed in the back and slashed in the arm and was taken to the hospital, where she was said to be stable. The victim's partner told Eyewitness News on Friday night that she is resting and getting better. Advertisement Advertisement The victim and the child's father work for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Aherne told authorities that voices in her head told her to kill someone or she would be killed, so she purchased a knife from Macy's and stabbed the mother while she was changing her baby's diaper. Prosecutors said Aherne had been arrested in 2018 in Massachusetts for posting on Facebook that she wanted to kill Sen. Elizabeth Warren. She left Massachusetts in an Uber in 2024 while out of the hospital on temporary leave and allegedly said she could not tolerate hospitals any longer and would rather be in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Aherne is charged with attempted murder in connection with the seemingly unprovoked attack. She told a judge who ordered her behind bars without bail that she "doesn't want to go to another hospital because they did not help me." A Macy's spokesperson released a statement saying, "We are deeply saddened about the incident that took place today as the safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority. We kindly defer any further questions to the local authorities." Aherne's next court date is December 17. If convicted of the top charge of attempted murder, she faces up to 25 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement ---------- * 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. Diamond Aircraft has officially delivered the first newly produced European-built DA20i Katana since restarting production of the line earlier this year. The aircraft was handed over to Aviation Academy Austria (AAA) during a ceremony at Diamond's headquarters in Wiener Neustadt on November 28. This delivery marks a significant step for the Austrian manufacturer, which announced in October that it was resuming European production of the two-seat trainer after a hiatus of more than a decade. While the DA20-C1 has remained in continuous production at Diamond's Canadian facility for the North American market, the European return was driven by renewed demand from flight schools and private owners across the continent seeking a modern, fuel-efficient primary trainer. The newly delivered aircraft is the first of two DA20i Katanas AAA ordered, with the second scheduled to arrive in early 2026. The academy, a longtime operator of Diamond aircraft, already maintains a fleet that includes seven older DA20i models, four DA40 NGs, and two DA42 NG-VI twins. Advertisement Advertisement "We are thrilled to welcome the new DA20i Katana into our fleet," said Oliver Karall, CEO of Aviation Academy Austria. "This aircraft perfectly aligns with our mission to provide state-of-the-art training solutions. Its combination of proven design and cutting-edge technology will allow our students to experience the very best in modern flight training." The revitalized European DA20i distinguishes itself from its predecessors through significant avionics and powerplant upgrades. The new model is powered by the Rotax 912 iSc3 Sport engine, a shift from the Continental IO-240-B32B found in its Canadian-built C1 counterpart. Inside, the cockpit has been modernized with a Garmin G500 TXi glass flight deck, replacing legacy instrumentation to offer students a touchscreen interface that better prepares them for advanced avionics platforms. "Relaunching production of the DA20i Katana-and now delivering the first unit in Europe-marks another exciting chapter for Diamond Aircraft and our customers," said Jane Wang, director of sales and marketing at Diamond Aircraft Austria. "The DA20i blends tradition with innovation, making it an ideal choice for flight schools like AAA that are committed to shaping the next generation of pilots." The post Diamond Aircraft Hands Over First European-Built DA20 Since Restarting Production appeared first on Plane & Pilot. The smart glasses market is booming, but travelers sailing with MSC Cruises might want to think twice before bringing a pair onboard. The cruise line implemented a ban on items capable of covertly or discreetly recording or transmitting data (e.g. smart glasses) in its ships public areas, according to its website. MSC told USA TODAY the policy took effect in July. The cruise line said such technology is only permitted in cabins, ashore, and other non-public spaces, though guests are still allowed to bring smart glasses onboard. Advertisement Advertisement Smart glasses and similar devices are listed among prohibited items to ensure our security teams can intervene and confiscate the device if misuse occurs, MSC said in an emailed statement. This measure is in place solely to protect the privacy and safety of all guests and crew. Other companies popular with travelers take varied approaches. An audience member watches the Meta Connect Developer Conference keynote while wearing Ray-Ban Meta 2nd generation smart glasses at Meta's headquarters in Menlo Park, California on Sept. 27, 2023. Carnival Cruise Line, for its part, states that Google-type glasses are permitted on board in public areas, but cannot be worn at any gangway operation, according to its website. Delta Air Lines also prohibits employees from wearing or using smart eyewear while working, the company confirmed. Disney, meanwhile, is embracing smart glasses as a way to enhance guest experiences through extended reality. "We can begin to overlay magical things that would be very difficult to do otherwise, Walt Disney Imagineering President and CEO Bruce Vaughn previously told USA TODAY. He also appreciates their ability to deliver practical information without distracting guests from their surroundings, like a phone may. "I never forget that you're around me. I never forget that I'm in Disneyland or in whatever world I'm in." Advertisement Advertisement Contributing: Eve Chen and Zach Wichter, USA TODAY Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: This cruise line banned smart glasses in common areas Dec. 13Jellybean, a malamute-mix puppy, arrived in Anchorage last month after an approximately 10-day ordeal in a Kipnuk home pushed several miles upriver when the remnants of Typhoon Halong flooded swaths of Western Alaska in October. Jellybean's owner, 19-year-old Sam Paul, was forced to leave the dog behind like many pet owners among the hundreds displaced from their Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta communities after the powerful storm in the home she shared with family members when they evacuated to Anchorage after flood waters floated the home off its foundation. As a major airlift effort that didn't allow most evacuees to bring pets wound down, volunteers and rescue organizations rushed to rescue dogs left behind amid pleas for help from dog owners, who sometimes left the pets leashed to buildings or left to wander villages in the hope that they'd be cared for. Advertisement Advertisement "I cried," Paul said of how she felt after leaving Jellybean behind with a bag of food. "She's pretty big now, but she's still a puppy." Despite concerns that Jellybean wouldn't survive such a long period without access to food or water, "she was totally fine" when a rescuer was finally able to check in on the dog, said Aubrey Morrison, who has been fostering Jellybean. Since Jellybean arrived in Anchorage, she has lived with Morrison and her Australian cattle dog, Nels, near the Eagle River Nature Center. Paul, who is among 678 evacuees officials said were living in non-congregate shelters in Anchorage as of Wednesday, is hoping to retrieve her dog once she can move to a long-term shelter appropriate for a large puppy or have Jellybean taken in by family friends. Advertisement Advertisement Jellybean's time in Anchorage has included puppy training classes with Paul and Morrison where the young canine has stood out because Paul had already taught the dog many of the commands, Morrison said. "She's kind of been the star of puppy class," she said. Jellybean is among nearly 220 dogs that have been rescued by the operation, which is now being coordinated by the Office of the State Veterinarian. While officials said about 125 dogs have been reunited with their families or claimed by them and placed with a foster, nearly 20 remained unclaimed as of Wednesday afternoon. Now, a Dec. 15 deadline looms for owners to claim them. Advertisement Advertisement Unclaimed dogs after that date will be spayed or neutered and made available for adoption, according to a state Division of Environmental Health statement. "Those are ones that have had nobody call about them. Nobody knows anything about them. Nobody said, 'Hey, that might be my sister's dog,'" said Dr. Sarah Coburn, state veterinarian. "Those are the ones that we'd like to get moving and get into a permanent home." Owners have already surrendered 35 dogs, with nine having been adopted as of last week, according to the Typhoon Halong Dog Rescue site. Rescued dogs that haven't been reunited with their owners or placed in foster care have been housed at shelters and with rescue organizations in Anchorage, Mat-Su and Bethel. Most rescued dogs, Coburn said, have come from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, the villages that suffered the most extensive storm damage. Advertisement Advertisement Evacuees who have claimed their dogs and asked fosters to care for them until they can return home or secure longer-term temporary housing must also check in by Monday to verify contact information and confirm whether they still intend to keep their pets, according to state officials. Disaster response officials have said that evacuees who haven't returned home should expect to remain in shelter housing through at least the winter. A few dogs whose ownership status is unclear remain in villages like Kipnuk or Kwigillingok, Coburn said, though efforts to capture them are ongoing. The rescue effort will now also work with families and owners to find long-term shelter housing that will accept their dogs, she said. It's been rewarding to reunite or locate dogs for families that had to leave them behind, Coburn said, adding that it's been comforting for owners amid "such a tumultuous time" to "have a little piece of home when they get to be reunited with their dog." Advertisement Advertisement But now that officials have centralized information about rescued dogs and given owners a little more than 60 days to come forward, they are making unclaimed dogs available for adoption, she said. It's important to find permanent homes for the dogs and provide fosters and organizations caring for the animals with more certainty as well, Coburn said. "If you extend it out further, it just is more impact on the fosters and more impact on the animals," Coburn said. For Morrison, who usually has a foster dog in her home, taking on another dog wasn't an issue. It was an easy way to help those affected by the storm, she said. Advertisement Advertisement "After the flood, I think everybody wanted to help and wanted to do something," Morrison said. "It can be just something little like, 'Hey, I'm going to take on an extra dog for a few months.' I'm used to having a foster dog, so for me, it wasn't extra work." Paul brought Jellybean to Kipnuk from Pilot Station this summer with two of her littermates, she said. Paul had even started turning Jellybean into a "house dog" since she loved people, kids and other dogs, she said. "She's very social and she's very friendly when she knows you're friendly," Paul said. "If she growls at you and you talk to her in a baby voice, she'll start wagging her tail immediately and start jumping on you." Morrison said she had been in contact with Paul, 19, on social media in the days after the storm as Jellybean's owner searched for information about her dog and asked if somebody could check in on the canine. Paul asked her to foster Jellybean when she was rescued, Morrison said. Advertisement Advertisement Visits can be difficult to arrange since Morrison lives so far from the hotel Paul is staying, Morrison said. But the two have attended Jellybean's puppy training classes together and Morrison has sent Paul pictures of Jellybean nearly every day, she added. Jellybean was even recently brought on a field trip to visit Paul's family at their Anchorage hotel rooms, Paul said. Visits like that have been comforting, she said. "She does remind me of home," Paul said. "I'm really glad to have her." The funny, smart puppy will continue to stay with Morrison and Nels for as long as needed, Morrison said. Jellybean is slated to graduate from training class next week, according to Morris and Paul. Advertisement Advertisement Paul said family friends are planning to take Jellybean until she and her family can be moved into longer-term housing, such as an apartment, and rejoin them. Until that happens, Jellybean will continue to go on daily walks near the nature center, where her watchful eye comes in handy. "She always lets me know if there's a moose. She's very alert," Morrison said. "My dog's pretty oblivious." For more information or to claim a dog, visit the Typhoon Halong Dog Rescue site or call the Pet Help Hotline at 907-615-8904. A pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle on Silver Star Road, followed by a hit-and-run involving a second vehicle on December 8th. The incident occurred when a 2003 Honda Accord traveling eastbound on Silver Star Road struck a pedestrian who was not in a marked crosswalk. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at ORMC. After the initial collision, the driver of the Honda Accord exited the vehicle to assist the pedestrian. However, a second vehicle, described as a Chevy Malibu, also traveling eastbound, failed to stop and struck both the pedestrian and the Honda driver. Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses reported that the driver of the Chevy Malibu briefly exited the vehicle to check the damage before fleeing the scene eastbound. On December 9th, the driver of the Chevy Malibu contacted law enforcement, stating she may have run over something the night before on Silver Star Road. Investigators found damage consistent with the collision on the 2024 Chevy Malibu, which has been taken into evidence. The crash remains an active investigation, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Florida Highway Patrol or Crimeline. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. MEMPHIS, Tenn. The director of the West Tennessee Drug Task Force says agents seized one pound of the deadly drug, fluorofentanyl, and eight pounds of methamphetamine during an interdiction operation Tuesday. Director Johnie Carter said on December 9th, agents with the West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Forces Criminal Interdiction Unit were working a special assignment at an undisclosed location in Memphis, where they seized the illicit substances. Courtesy: West Tennessee Drug Task Force Fluorofentanyl is a synthetic compound of fentanyl and is created through the addition of another atom to the chemical structure. Advertisement Advertisement It is approximately 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine and much more potent than regular fentanyl because fluorofentanyl breaks down in the body to yet another chemical that is dissolved much easier in the bodys fat, allowing it to cross the blood-brain barrier much quicker and at greater quantities than regular fentanyl can, said Director Carter. Courtesy: West Tennessee Drug Task Force Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy commended the efforts of the West Tennessee Drug Force agents. Fentanyl is poison. It leads to more overdoses than any other drug, and is often mixed in with other drugs, so people dont even know theyre taking it, said DA Mulroy. And fluorofentanyls even more deadly. This is yet another success by our DTF agents, who are working in Memphis highest crime areas, under our VCIF grant from the State, to keep people safe. Director Carter said that while naloxone is effective in reversing an overdose of fentanyl, it usually requires many more doses than regular fentanyl requires to reverse the effects, and is one of the top contributors to overdose deaths. Advertisement Advertisement The investigation was funded in part by Govenor Lees Violent Crime Initiative Fund (VCIF) grant. No other details are being released at this time. 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. Attorney General Gentner Drummond has withdrawn from a lawsuit over the misspending of about $1.7 million in federal education funds from a COVID-19 stimulus program, but not without taking a proverbial shot at his political rival, Gov. Kevin Stitt, blaming the governor for a lack of oversight. Stitt responded hours later on Friday, Dec. 12, saying Drummonds motion to withdraw from the case, known as Office of Management and Enterprise Services v. Kleo, is the first good faith attempt hes made to act on behalf of Oklahoma taxpayers. U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton quickly accepted Drummonds motion to withdraw which was filed Thursday and canceled a hearing set for Monday on a previous motion made by the state to dismiss Drummond from the lawsuit. Drummond is now running for the Republican bid to succeed Stitt as governor. Stitt, also a Republican, is term-limited and will leave office in January 2027. Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit centers on Stitt's allegations that Florida-based ClassWallet failed to prevent the misspending of the pandemic-era funds. Attorney General Gentner Drummond has withdrawn from a lawsuit filed over the misspending of federal pandemic-era relief funds. Former Attorney General John OConnor filed the original lawsuit against ClassWallet, which came after a U.S. Department of Education audit accused the state of failing to follow federal regulations. The audit noted that now-former state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters who worked in Stitts administration before being elected as superintendent had approved the purchases. After Drummond succeeded OConnor in January 2023, Drummond said he believed "state actors" should be blamed for the misspending of the federal pandemic relief funds, not ClassWallet. He announced the state would drop the lawsuit against ClassWallet's parent company, Kleo Inc., the vendor Stitt hired to help disburse $31 million in federal funds. But in January 2024, OMES refiled the lawsuit. Less than two weeks later, Drummond seized control of the case and had it dismissed with prejudice, meaning it could not be refiled. That action drew a sharp critique from Stitt, who said then that Drummond has chosen to continue operating a political office in pursuit of personal aspirations as opposed to representing the states interests. Advertisement Advertisement Through a series of legal maneuvers, the case has remained open and has played out as Stitt and Drummond have argued over who has the power to represent the state's interests in legal battles. In early October, OMES, at the behest of Stitt, had the lawsuit moved from state to federal court in Oklahoma City. On Oct. 24, Kleo filed a motion to dismiss the case, which Drummond believes will be granted. "This lawsuit was baseless from the outset," Drummond said. "ClassWallet has been incorrectly blamed for the failures of the Stitt administration, whose irresponsible appointments and lack of oversight led to questionable expenditures and processes surrounding $31 million in funds intended to help families with their educational expenses during the pandemic. Every credible review of this matter has made that clear. The only question now is why hardworking Oklahomans should have to continue funding these pointless and expensive lawsuits tax dollars that could instead be invested in our schools and infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Drummond suggested if Stitt was truly concerned about recovering misspent money, he should start with his own office and with Walters, who resigned as superintendent on Sept. 30 to enter private business following a political falling-out with Stitt. "Instead, he insists on spending excessive amounts of state dollars on lawsuits he has already been told he cannot win, Drummond said. Stitt responded by saying Drummond had no business inserting himself into the lawsuit, saying Drummond did so to advocate for his political donors while claiming to advocate on behalf of taxpayers. Stitt said Drummond tried to use the case as a political soundbite for use in Drummonds campaign to become governor. Stitt said he would continue to hold vendors accountable. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Drummond takes shot at Stitt while withdrawing from ClassWallet suit NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) Eritrea on Friday withdrew from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, accusing the East African regional bloc of nations of acting against the country's interests. At the same time, the United Nations expressed concern over renewed tensions between Eritrea and neighboring Ethiopia, which signed a peace agreement 25 years ago. Eritreas foreign ministry said in a statement Friday it was withdrawing from an organization that has forfeited its legal mandate and authority; offering no discernible strategic benefit to all its constituencies and failing to contribute substantively to the stability of the region. Advertisement Advertisement Eritrea quit IGAD in 2003 and rejoined two years ago, but said Friday that the bloc had failed to contribute to regional stability. IGAD responded by saying Eritrea had not participated in regional activities since it rejoined. In addition to Eritrea and Ethiopia, IGAD includes Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda. The organization works on regional policies concerning trade, customs, transport, communications, agriculture, natural resources and the environment, according to its website. Eritrea and Ethiopia have in recent months accused each other of interference, sparking concerns over the possibility of a return to hostilities. Ethiopia said it wants to peacefully gain Red Sea access through Eritrea, which it relied on heavily for trade before the secession. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said in September it was a mistake to lose access to the sea when Eritrea gained independence in 1993 by seceding from Ethiopia to form a separate nation. Abiys rhetoric has been seen as provocative by Eritrea. Advertisement Advertisement The office of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged the two countries to recommit to the vision of lasting peace and the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. The U.N. cited the Algiers Agreement signed in 2000, which ended nearly three decades of border war between Eritrea and Ethiopia. The U.N. called for a recommitment to the agreement, which it described as a crucial framework for peace. Eritrea accused Ethiopia in June of having a long-brewing war agenda aimed at seizing its Red Sea ports. Ethiopia recently claimed Eritrea was actively preparing to wage war against it, as well as supporting Ethiopian rebel groups. Commissioner Murray Sagsveen, right, of the North Dakota Ethics Commission, speaks during a commission meeting at the Capitol next to Cynthia Lindquist, chair of the commission, on Nov. 19, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) North Dakota Ethics Commission member Murray Sagsveen has withdrawn his application for another term after a selection committee deadlocked over his reappointment. Sagsveen withdrew in a Thursday letter to Gov. Kelly Armstrong, obtained by the North Dakota Monitor. However, Sagsveen says hell continue serving until his seat is filled. Advertisement Advertisement Armstrong, part of a three-person Ethics Commission Selection Committee, had refused to reappoint Sagsveen. The other two committee members, the Senate majority and minority leaders, want Sagsveen to remain on the commission. The positions are required to be filled by a unanimous consensus, leading to a stalemate. It has dragged on for several months and its in the best interest of the Ethics Commission that a person be appointed for a full four-year term, Sagsveen said in an interview Friday. It was obvious to me that it was an impasse. The governor sent Sagsveen a letter on Nov. 19 that did not directly ask Sagsveen to resign, but said his service is no longer necessary because the Ethics Commission now has enough members to operate without him. Armstrong told Sagsveen he no longer has consensus to continue serving past your expired term. Sagsveens term ended Aug. 31 but he has continued to serve while the commission had three vacancies. Advertisement Advertisement Sagsveen requested an opinion from the Ethics Commissions general counsel, Logan Carpenter, on whether it was legal to continue serving until he is reappointed or a successor was named. Carpenter concluded it was. I was following the guidance of the Ethics Commissions general counsel, Sagsveen said. However, after September, October, November and into December, with no resolution and it appeared there would not be a resolution, thats when I decided to withdraw my application. He said he is hopeful ongoing conflicts between the Ethics Commission and the executive branch can be solved through better communication between the various stakeholders. There should be continuing dialogue among everyone, Sagsveen said. The legislative branch, executive branch, the governor, the attorney general. Advertisement Advertisement Armstrong has said the Ethics Commission needs a general reset. Armstrong said he strongly disagrees with a response Sagsveen gave during the selection process in which Sagsveen said the North Dakota Legislature has passed laws to limit the commissions authority, in violation of the state constitution. The governor also has said a recent Ethics Commission advisory opinion encroached on the authority of the legislative and executive branches. Sagsveen, a Bismarck attorney with extensive government experience, notes in his letter that his public service to North Dakota began in January 1973. He was appointed to the Ethics Commission in September 2024 to fill the remainder of a term for a member who retired. The legislative leaders supported Sagsveen to promote continuity on the commission, with Senate Majority Leader David Hogue identifying Sagsveen as his top pick. The Ethics Commission Selection Committee has one vacancy left to fill and is set to meet Tuesday afternoon. The next meeting of the Ethics Commission is Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement The committee also recently appointed former Office of Management and Budget Director Pam Sharp and Fargo attorney Mark Western to positions on the Ethics Commission. North Dakota Monitor reporter Jacob Orledge can be reached at jorledge@northdakotamonitor.com. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX European Union members have observed an uptick in China's support for Russia, multiple sources said, as Moscow's invasion of Ukraine prepares to drag into its fourth year. Officials are parsing evidence of an increase in battlefield weapons being shipped from China to Russia, to add to the well-documented flow of goods with dual civilian and military uses between the two states. "We note that 80 per cent of critical dual-use goods come to Russia either through or from China. They claim to be neutral and to provide no weapons - this is only partly true," said one senior European official. 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. China claims not to have taken sides in the conflict and insists on its right to conduct regular trade with Russia. But in much of Europe, it is widely seen as having sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a factor that has led to a sharp deterioration in Beijing's relations with the EU. A diplomatic source said that the bloc "sees Chinese support increasing", despite intensified diplomacy between EU member states and China, during which national leaders and ministers have urged Beijing to wind down its support for Russia. Advertisement Advertisement "It is increasing despite the fact that we are trying to talk to Beijing about this and to make the point that if you are a responsible P5 member, you cannot support such a war of aggression, violating the UN Charter," the diplomat said, referring to China's permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he noted "that China is taking steps to intensify cooperation with Russia, including in the military-industrial sector. Partner intelligence services have similar information". "I instructed the Foreign Intelligence Service to monitor cooperation between Moscow and Beijing more substantively - in all aspects related to Ukraine's national interests, as well as in all aspects related to the interests of our partners in Europe and the United States," Zelensky wrote on X. China-Russia ties will form the crux of top-secret talks between ministers from the EU's 27 members on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Over lunch and without the presence of phones or even aides, they will discuss what officials and diplomats say is mounting evidence of Beijing's increasingly pro-Russian stance, said several sources involved in the planning. "We will exchange information about what is supplied and in what form, and we will take action as needed," a third senior EU source said. Ukrainian recruits rest as they complete basic military training. Photo: 65th Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces via AP alt=Ukrainian recruits rest as they complete basic military training. Photo: 65th Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces via AP> The China discussion - sandwiched between meaty debates on reparations loans for Ukraine and the Middle East - will also include geoeconomics, namely export controls on rare earths and the Nexperia crisis, both of which left EU industry critically short on vital inputs. Advertisement Advertisement On the security front, it will monitor developments in the South and East China Seas and the Taiwan Strait. Ministers from France and Germany will debrief the others on recent visits to Beijing, during which they hammered home the point on Ukraine. But after almost four years of trying, there is a growing recognition that Europe's pleas to China are being ignored. Nonetheless, capitals are determined to keep trying. "They say they don't have a problem with Europe unless you do something on trade or Taiwan, but we have to explain to them time and again that we have a big problem with their position on Russia," said the first source. Advertisement Advertisement In July, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi shocked the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, by stating that Beijing did not want to see a Russian loss in Ukraine because it feared the United States would then shift its whole focus to Beijing. However, Wang rejected the accusation that China was materially supporting Russia's war effort, financially or militarily, insisting that if it were, the conflict would have ended long ago. In July, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that Beijing did not want to see a Russian loss in Ukraine, but denied that China was materially supporting Russia's war effort. Photo: AP alt=In July, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that Beijing did not want to see a Russian loss in Ukraine, but denied that China was materially supporting Russia's war effort. Photo: AP> Despite warning throughout the conflict that providing weaponry to Russia is a "red line", the EU has moved slowly in its efforts to punish China when it is perceived to have crossed that threshold. Advertisement Advertisement While dozens of Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong firms have been added to sanctions packages for their alleged support for Moscow, including drone makers, oil refiners and two small banks, no major scalps have been targeted. Late last year, EU members were convinced of intelligence showing that a factory in China's Xinjiang region was making drones for the Russian military. When Kallas and the European Council President, Antonio Costa - both of whom had just assumed their roles - went to Kyiv, however, Zelensky told them to stop discussing the drones. At the time, it was thought that he saw utility in not alienating the world's second-biggest economy. 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. Vahid Razavi, a member of the Vadi family, told the dissident media site that Rouzbeh Vadi was detained a year and a half ago after a dispute at work. Executed Iranian nuclear scientist Rouzbeh Vadi only confessed to spying for Israel after torture and after the regime threatened his mother, a relative told Iran International in an article published Friday. Vahid Razavi, a member of the Vadi family, told the dissident media site that Vadi was detained a year and a half ago after a dispute at work. Advertisement Advertisement Rouzbeh was tortured intensely, to the point that bones in his leg and two ribs were broken, and then his mother was arrested and jailed, Razavi said. Interrogators, he claimed, photographed Vadis mother in custody and showed the images to him to extract a forced confession, Razavi claimed. The judiciary claimed Vadi was convicted after he transferred classified information about one of the scientists killed in the June attacks to Mossad. An Iranian man looks at a newspaper after the news of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, in Tehran, Iran, January 16, 2025 (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS) Iranian nuclear scientists confesses to espionage for Israel Interrogators forced Vadi to confess and deliver his confession in a televised address by threatening to torture his mother. "Key facilities were Fordow and Natanz (uranium enrichment plants), for which I sent information. I told them I knew this and that about Fordow, they (Mossad agent) told me to send everything," Vadi said in what IRIB described as a confession video it ran on the air. Advertisement Advertisement "The entry and exit of nuclear material into the Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) and Fuel Manufacturing Plant (FMP) were very important to them," Vadi, who held a PhD in nuclear engineering from Amir Kabir University of Technology, added. A voiceover in the video said that Vadi met five times with Mossad agents while in Vienna and was asked to open a cryptocurrency account to receive payment for his services. The defendant said in the video that Mossad had promised him a foreign passport should he complete a long-term collaboration. NEW YORK (PIX11) The five boroughs were placed under a weather alert for the weekend by the Office of Emergency Management on Saturday. It comes as the National Weather Service warns of hazardous weather from a fast-moving snowstorm expected to hit the city beginning Saturday around 10 p.m. and lasting until early Sunday. More Local News New York City is projected to see anywhere from 2 to 3.5 inches of snow, with the heaviest accumulation in areas like Staten Island, southern Brooklyn, and southeastern Queens. Advertisement Advertisement While we are not expecting a major storm, were expecting snow will stick to roads and sidewalks, said NYCEM Commissioner Zach Iscol. That first accumulating snowfall can catch people off guard and quickly create slippery conditions. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State The Department of Sanitation has already begun pre-treating roads with brine and has more than 700 salt spreaders ready to deploy when the storm begins. All New York City agencies are prepared for this system, and we continue to monitor conditions closely, said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. New Yorkers should all prepare too avoid driving and give yourself extra travel time with public transit if you do need to travel. Advertisement Advertisement MTA workers were deployed to salt and clear surfaces throughout the system in anticipation of the storm. The transit agency also assured that theyre prepared to send out debris and deicer trains to ensure service continues with few weather-related interruptions. Bus service will be adjusted based on road conditions around the city, while subway trains, the Long Island Rail Road and MetroNorth are expected to run according to schedule. We urge everyone to use caution when traveling, check on neighbors who may need assistance, and stay informed by signing up for Notify NYC, said Iscol. Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here. 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 PIX11. What do Maine's chefs and fishermen have in common? An enemy which they are combating through cuisine. As reported by Noema, the Casco Bay and other parts of Maine's coast are suffering from the invasive green crab population boom in the warming waters. Over the last decade, these crabs have chewed through eelgrass beds, destabilized shellfish industries, and disrupted the marine food web. These crabs arrive in lobster traps, fill up oyster cages, and lurk beneath the rocks where harvesters used to look for clams. Advertisement Advertisement "They love bivalves. They love soft-shell clams. They'll beat up on small lobsters, they beat up on native species, they mow down eel grass," Jason Goldstein, the research director at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, told Noema. "So there really aren't too many good things we can say about them, right?" Chefs in Maine have responded by building menus around green crab broths, sauces, and stocks, leveraging the crab's strong flavor even though they don't offer much meat in a traditional shell. The business is still young, but growing. This shift is more than a culinary trend. It's a smart ecological strategy. By harvesting invasive crabs for food, communities can reduce their population pressure in local ecosystems and give native species a better shot at recovery. At the same time, creating a green crab fishery supports local economies: crabbers, harvesters, chefs, and restaurants all benefit from the turn. Advertisement Advertisement People are pushing harder to scale this movement. A handful of Maine crabbers now trap green crabs, harvest them at the right molting stage, and deliver them to restaurants. Scientists are working to monitor populations, and chefs say green crab stock can make flavorful broth a lower-cost alternative to lobster. It's a delicate balance. Harvest too little, and the crabs keep wreaking havoc; harvest too opportunistically, and the market might not support long-term ecological goals. This approach mirrors other successful efforts nationwide. For example, residents across the Pacific Northwest have learned to safely forage invasive Himalayan blackberries; Midwestern communities are fishing Asian carp to keep waterways clear; and Maryland encourages anglers to haul in as many invasive blue catfish as they can. Advertisement Advertisement It seems turning invasive species into cuisine is a great strategy to combat them. With support from chefs and researchers, this green crab fishery could become a meaningful part of restoring balance along Maine's coast. 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. Has Tina Peters been "fully pardoned" by Donald Trump, wiping out her prison sentence for giving unauthorized access to Mesa County, Colorado, voting machines in 2021, when she was county clerk? No, that's not true: Trump's "pardon" of Peters is only symbolic, not official. The U.S. Constitution grants the President power to pardon only those criminals facing federal charges. Peters, who sought to prove the election was stolen from Trump, was convicted of state crimes by a local district court jury and sentenced to nine years in a state penitentiary. The claim appeared in a Dec. 11, 2025 X post (archived here). It read: TINA PETERS HAS BEEN FULLY PARDONED! Thank you, President Trump! Today I am granting Tina a full Pardon for her attempts to expose Voter Fraud in the Rigged 2020 Presidential Election! Trump, who continues to claim without judicially accepted evidence that the 2020 election was stolen from him, posted the social media item, but no such pardon or official White House statement about one was found on the White House website. Advertisement Advertisement Using the search term "pardon" turned up (archived here) this list of actions: Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of search at www.whitehouse.gov/?s=pardon. The White House website search function reported no pardon documents or statements (archived here) in response to the search term "Tina Peters". Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of search results at www.whitehouse.gov/?s=%22Tina+Peters%22. As a secondary check, Lead Stories searched the list of executive orders, finding (archived here) no Tina Peters pardon order: Trump cannot pardon Peters. The constitution grants to presidents " ... Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States ..." But the Library of Congress section (archived here) on Article II, Section II of the Constitution spells out the limits of presidential pardon power as follows: Despite the breadth of the President's authority under the Pardon Clause, the Constitution's text provides for at least two limits on the power: first, clemency may only be granted for Offenses against the United States, meaning that state criminal offenses and federal or state civil claims are not covered. Peters was sentenced to nine years in prison for permitting unauthorized access to Mesa County voting machines. The family of a Kissimmee man who was fatally injured in September while riding the Stardust Racers coaster at Epic Universe has reached an amicable resolution with Universal Orlando Resort, their attorney announced Saturday. A news release from Ben Crump, a civil rights and personal injury attorney, said terms of the agreement between the family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, and Universal, which opened Epic in May, are confidential. The one-paragraph statement did not say if Universal would pay Zavalas family or, if so, how much. The family is grateful for the communitys support and asks for privacy at this time, Crumps statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Zavala had a spinal condition since birth and used a wheelchair, his family said. On Sept. 17, while riding Stardust Racers a fast-paced rollercoaster that reaches speeds of 62 mph and rises up to 133 feet Zavala was flung forward, his head slamming into the seat in front of him repeatedly, according to the Orange County Sheriffs Office, which ruled his death an accident. When the ride ended, Zavala was unconscious, covered with blood and one of his legs was broken, the sheriffs office report released Thursday said. He was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Crump and his legal team, tapped by the family soon after Zavalas death, initially raised questions about the safety of Stardust Racers, which uses only lap belts to hold riders in place. We believe there is something wrong with the design of this ride, he said on Sept. 30. The companys internal review found that ride systems functioned as intended, equipment remained intact, and park employees correctly followed procedures, according to a memo Universal Orlando Resort President Karen Irwin sent to staff in the wake of Zavalas death. Advertisement Advertisement The ride was shut down for a time after Zavalas death. As part of reopening Stardust Racers at Epic Universe on Oct. 4, Universal updated its procedures and signs to reinforce existing warnings for physical eligibility requirements of riders. Guests using mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, must be able to walk independently. However, the park will continue to use transfer devices to assist visitors into the ride. The sheriffs office report did not explain what led to the accident, although his girlfriend said she feared the lap belt was too low on his body. Universal did not respond to a request for comment on the sheriffs offices findings. Zavala was a theme park and roller coaster enthusiast, his family said. He and he and his girlfriend had ridden on two other Epic coasters that day before his fatal trip on Stardust Racers, the sheriffs office noted, and video showed he seemed engaged and well when the ride launched. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Virginia Beach City Public Schools has deferred the suspension of Salem Middle School student Dariel Trinidad after his family challenged the initial drug-related disciplinary action, his family told 10 On Your Side. After an appeal hearing held Monday, Trinidad will be allowed to return to classes. The decision also removes the incident from his permanent record. The issue began in October when two students told school staff they suspected Trinidad was high. Advertisement Advertisement Mother claims Virginia Beach school failed autistic son after false drug accusation I said, Its because I dont sleep well and I get tired easily, and they said they thought I smoked weed and were going to report you, Dariel Trinidad recalled saying to staff at the time. Trinidad missed more than seven weeks of school. His mother said she is relieved by the decision, but noted the emotional cost of the ordeal. Im happy that this is going to be erased from my sons record. Thats what I want, Dariana Trinidad said. Im happy that its going to be undone. Its what I wanted. But the emotional damage they created in my son, my family, my whole family, that cannot be undone. Advertisement Advertisement According to his family, Trinidad has autism. They told 10 On Your Side this may have contributed to him failing a field sobriety test they say staff at Salem Middle School administered. The Trinidads stated that, despite not finding any evidence of drugs during a search, the school suspended him for alleged drug use and ordered him to go through a substance abuse intervention program. Dariana Trinidad said that very day, she took her son for a medical test and it showed no drugs in his system. The Trinidads and their attorney, Tim Anderson, feel this is a victory; however, they had hoped for an apology. Advertisement Advertisement There was not an apology; there was not any sympathy, she said. There was nothing for us and for my son for what they did to my son, what they made my son go through. I will keep being his voice. I will keep advocating for him she added. In a social media post, Anderson wrote: This is a major victory for special-needs children in Virginia Beach. No family should ever have to fight this hard to prove a child is innocent, especially when the evidence was clear from day one. We will continue holding school systems accountable when they get it wrong. A spokesperson for Virginia Beach City Public Schools said they could not comment on disciplinary matters when asked whether the middle schooler still had to attend the substance abuse program. Advertisement Advertisement Dariana Trinidad believes 10 On Your Sides coverage helped their situation. I wanted to say thank you to WAVY 10 for taking our story. I feel like you guys taking our story help us a lot, she said. I want to say thank you to the community for all the support, all the comments we saw. Trinidad said the family is hoping her son can now attend homebound school due to the anxiety created by the ordeal. They ultimately hope he can get caught up on his work and eventually transfer to an out-of-zone 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 WAVY.com. MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WFRV) The Federal Bureau of Investigation in Wisconsin is seeking information leading to the arrest of suspect(s) involved in a fatal June shooting. Wisconsin man indicted for alleged child exploitation from international undercover operation According to the FBIs website, officials are offering up to $10,000 for information regarding the fatal shooting death of a 12-year-old girl in Milwaukee on June 13, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement The girl, identified as Marvayah Darby, was sleeping at home in the 5000 block of North 73rd Street in Milwaukee when she was fatally shot in the head around 1:20 a.m. 69-year-old Sturgeon Bay man facing three child sex crime charges set for two-day jury trial According to the release, the home was hit by multiple rounds fired from an unknown vehicle with unknown suspect(s). Officials say that a silver or gray SUV may have been involved. Anybody with information is urged to contact the FBIs Milwaukee Field Office at (414) 276-4684 or the Milwaukee Police Department at (414) 935-7360. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. A fire in one unit of an assisted living facility occurred on Milwaukee's north side on Dec. 12. The fire took place at an assisted living facility at North 46th Street and West Hampton Avenue in one unit of the building around 5 p.m. First responders took one person to the hospital due to smoke inhalation and another for a separate medical need. The fire was contained by the building's sprinkler system and responding firefighters, said Milwaukee Fire Department Deputy Chief Travis Jones. Advertisement Advertisement "If it werent for the sprinkler system, it probably wouldnt have turned out the way it did," Jones said. Firefighters were able to force the door open to the unit with the fire and rescue the one occupant, he said. The fire department received its first call for the fire at 5:05 p.m. and an initial unit arrived four minutes later, he said. By 6:03 p.m. the department completed its initial response to the fire. Department fire investigators and the Milwaukee Police Department were called to the scene to determine the fire's cause and the extent of the damages remains under investigation, Jones said. Advertisement Advertisement The department called on the Red Cross for assistance for at least one resident, Jones said. A spokesperson for the Red Cross did not immediately respond to comment on the extent of the organization's work. In a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said "all other occupants able to return." He credited the building's sprinklers and firefighters for the outcome. "Fantastic outcomes," his post said. Sprinklers in Milwaukee's residences have taken on increased focus in the last year, after one of the worst fires in the city's history took place and killed five in May. That fire occurred in an old apartment building that did not have sprinklers, which is allowed due to its age. Advertisement Advertisement Nearly 70% of Milwaukee's high-rise buildings were constructed before sprinklers were required by state law, city officials said previously. Lipski has pressed for changes to state law that would require sprinklers in these buildings. However, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a Republican from Rochester who owns rental properties in Whitewater, said it's unlikely lawmakers would mandate sprinklers after that fire. State Sen. LaTonya Johnson introduced a package of bills in November that would allow the city to mandate them and offer landlords grant funds to help pay. Those bills have been referred to assembly committees, but it remains to be seen if they move any further. David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Fire at Milwaukee assisted living center contained quickly FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. Floridas final elections of 2025 delivered a resounding rebuke to Republicans, with Democratic candidates outperforming President Donald Trumps 2024 margins by double digits. The swing gives Democrats a glimmer of hope for next year, a sharp contrast to the despair many felt a year ago in the aftermath of Trumps win. This has big implications, said Democratic strategist Eric Johnson, whos managed federal, statewide and local campaigns in Florida. Florida is tracking with the nation. And if youre any Republican officeholder, youve got to be very nervous looking to November (2026), he said. After years of poor performance by her party in Florida, Nikki Fried, the chair of the Florida Democratic Party, was determined to spread the message that the pendulum is swinging toward Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement In a 20-minute video news conference Wednesday about the results, she used the word pendulum 10 times, declaring that Were thrilled that the pendulum is swinging in our favor, very excited about the pendulum shifting and a pendulum only swings when theres a force behind it. The Florida Democrats communications director, Nora Vinas, called the day after Election Day victory Wednesday, adding that its a beautiful day to be a Democrat. State and county-level Republicans were publicly undisturbed by the results. They downplayed any implications for 2026, and spread the message that election results in 2025 dont portend trouble for their party next year. What happened on Tuesday is not representative of whats going to happen in 2026, said Carl Cascio, chair of the Palm Beach County Republican Party. Advertisement Advertisement Next years race for governor is going to draw the Republican vote out heavily. So youre going to see a truer representative sample of Republican voter turnout, of Republican voters en masse, we hope. Evan Power, chair of the Florida Republican Party, pointing to the enormous Republican advantage over Democrats in registered voters, scoffed at the notion expressed by Fried and other Democrats that the December results have implications for November 2026. A Florida Dem and Nikki Fried tradition unlike any other take a lean D district win and try to use it to manufacture momentum. Everyday Floridians are rejecting the radical Democrats pushing us to now a 1.4 million voter advantage, Power said via text message. The Democrats remain on the verge of extinction. While no single race in 2025 reliably predicts what will happen in 2026, said Sean Foreman, a political scientist at Barry University, There is a trend. There is a pattern. Advertisement Advertisement Weve seen over the past several weeks that election results are trending toward electing Democrats or more favorable results than they had in the past cycle. Will it continue into 2026? Thats the big unknown, Foreman said. Races and results In contests for mayor of Miami, a state representative and a state Senate seat, the Democratic candidates received significantly higher percentages of the vote than Trump got in 2024. Miami mayor: The marquee contest the one that generated national headlines was the runoff for Miami mayor. Eileen Higgins, the citys first female mayor, is the first Democrat elected to the job in almost three decades. The losing Republican mayoral candidate had endorsements from Trump and the states top Republicans, Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. Advertisement Advertisement Higgins won by 19 percentage points. A year ago, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris finished ahead of Trump in the city of Miami by less than 1 percentage point. State House: In Palm Beach County, Democrat Rob Long was elected to fill the District 90 vacancy in the Florida House of Representatives. Democrats previously held the seat won by Long, so it wasnt a pickup. But the countys Republicans had gone all in for the nominee, a Trump-supporting MAGA adherent who wanted to eliminate vaccine mandates, end property taxes and doubted Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election. Long, for example, defeated Republican Maria Zack by 27 percentage points and an enormous swing from 2024. Advertisement Advertisement A year ago in the same territory, Longs Democratic predecessor won the district by 12 points and Harris finished 10 points ahead of Trump, according to figures compiled by Democratic data analyst Matthew Isbell. The Higgins and Long results are especially heartening for Democrats because for decades they enjoyed a huge advantage in South Florida, a dominance thats been eroding for the last decade, especially in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, which have been turning more red. State Senate: Democrats didnt win but improved their performance in the 11th state Senate District vacated when Republican Blaise Ingoglia resigned after DeSantis appointed him state chief financial officer. The district includes all or parts of Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Sumter counties, including the traditional Republican stronghold of The Villages, the Central Florida retirement megalopolis. Republican Ralph Massullo, a former four-term state representative finished 18 points ahead of his Democratic challenger on Tuesday. But his win was far smaller than last year, when Ingoglia finished 39 points ahead of his Democratic challenger and Trump finished 40 points ahead of Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Fried said the overall Republican-to-Democratic shift is significant, noting that Democrats improved their performance in politically different parts of the state, from heavily Hispanic Miami to Democratic Palm Beach County to the Republican state Senate district. Richard DeNapoli, the elected state Republican committeeman from Broward County and a former county Republican party chair, said people shouldnt read too much into the results from December special or runoff elections. I dont see any trend lines being formed, he said. National trend The decisions by Florida voters came five weeks after high-profile, off-year major elections in New York City, New Jersey and Virginia produced victories for Democrats and defeats for Trump-endorsed Republicans. As with the big shift in Tuesdays races in Florida that produced much higher percentages for Democratic candidates and much lower percentages for Republicans the governors races in New Jersey and Virginia saw the same phenomenon. Advertisement Advertisement There was also a shift earlier in the year. In April, the Republican winners in two Florida congressional special elections each won by smaller margins than Trump received in their districts in November 2025. Johnson, the Democratic strategist, said the national picture reinforces what has been happening in Florida. Since November 2025, he said 25 seats have flipped across the country all from Republican to Democratic and none from Democratic to Republican. As the year ends, Johnson said its not hard to figure out whats on voters minds 13 months after Trump won with a promise to improve the economy and bring down prices. Its Trump. Its all about Trump, he said. You cant keep telling people, The economy is good and dont believe your lying grocery store bill. Advertisement Advertisement Johnson said Trump, by asserting people are doing well economically, is repeating the mistake former President Joe Biden made as public disconnect soared along with prices. Johnson said the reaction from voters to Republican candidates in Florida and elsewhere looks like the mirror image of voters reactions to Democratic candidates in the year after President Barack Obama was elected. In 2010, when Democrats took a shellacking with the tea party wave, there were a bunch of special elections preceding it that were the canary in the coal mine, he said. The excuses Republicans are using (today) sound a whole lot like the excuses that Democrats were using back then. Fried also said many voters are recoiling against the Trump administrations immigration enforcement crackdown. Hispanic citizens, and others in the U.S. legally are walking around scared and not knowing what will happen by the end of the day. Advertisement Advertisement Johnson, who consulted for state House winner Longs campaign, said the results showed discontent with the Republican brand. He said about 50% of the voters who turned out for the special election were Democrats, and about 16% were no party affiliation voters. Long received 63% of the vote. Unless Long received eight out of 10 NPA voters, something Johnson said was highly unlikely, that suggests there was Republican support for the Democrat. It means that Republicans actually went and turned out in a special election turned out and voted for a Democrat. They didnt stay home because theyre disgruntled. Some chunk of them turned out and voted for the Democrat. Republican take Republican leaders sought to downplay the results. Cascio said many Republicans werent aware of the special election in Palm Beach County. If the Democrats want to feel that theres a swing in the political temperature because they won (state House District 90) in a special election, thats fine. Thats up to them. I can tell you that our base will be energized and they will come out in 2026. Not only will HD 90 be a different race but all of the races will be well represented by our Republican base, he said. At a news conference in West Palm Beach the day after the voting, the governor was asked if the voters rejection of the Miami mayoral candidate he endorsed signified a rejection of his policies. DeSantis distanced himself from the Republican candidate and the outcome. I have no idea, he said. I wasnt involved in the runoff. I did an endorsement in the original scrum, and then once it advanced to the runoff, it just wasnt something I was involved in. So I dont know what the issues were or any of that. Signs for 2026 The 2025 results arent a guarantee of future results, but they are a signal. Republicans have formidable advantages heading into 2026. They are far ahead of Democrats in the number of registered voters. And they have significantly more financial resources for their candidates and their organizing than the Democrats. Foreman said Democratic prospects rest largely on whether national Democratic organizations and donors decide its worth investing significant money in Florida to aid the partys gubernatorial and U.S. Senate nominees, or decide theres more payoff to spending their resources in places where they see better chances for victory. Support for the top of the ticket would help candidates lower on the ballot, Foreman said. Will they come to the aid of the Democratic nominee for governor and senator? Or will they just pay lip service to it? he said. And were the Miami results a one-off with local concerns driving the outcome, or a sign of something bigger? Since Tuesdays voting, the Democratic Party organization that focuses on congressional races added a Tampa Bay area district to its target list and the national Democratic Party committee that works on state legislative races added Florida to its target map for 2026. Midterm elections two years after a presidential election are often difficult for a presidents party. Theres just a yin and a yang with some of this stuff. But Republicans are going to have to contend with that, said DeSantis. He wont be on the ballot because term limits prevent the governor from seeking a third term. Cascio acknowledged that the midterm after a presidential election usually isnt good for the presidents party. Voters in the presidents party tend to rest on our laurels. We cant do that this time. Weve got to come out. We cant leave undone the work that still needs to be done. Power took to social media with a similar message. If we are going to defy history as the party in power and win the midterms. Ignore the people who want to run from our President. We must fight with President Trump to deliver on the promises that were made. Lets go! "I went to work as a security guard at a party and look what happened to me - my life was ruined," he said. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with former hostage Rom Braslavski in Rome at Chigi Palace, Italy's Presidency of the Council of Ministers announced on its website on Friday. Braslavski was held in Gaza for 738 days after he was kidnapped on October 7. Photographs of the meeting show the Italian leader hugging the former hostage. Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Braslavski was a guest at the Atreju conference at Castel Sant'Angelo, which is hosted annually by Meloni's right-wing party, Brothers of Italy. He was greeted with applause at the conference, hosted by Ester Mieli, a senator from the Brothers of Italy party and a granddaughter of Holocaust survivors. Braslavski was also interviewed by Italian Jewish journalist and former editor-in-chief of La Repubblica, Maurizio Molinari, at the conference. Released Israeli hostage, Rom Braslavski, during an interview for Channel 13. (credit: Channel 13) Speaking at Brothers in Italy conference At the conference, the former hostage spoke about the hostage ribbon pin he wore, Ynet reported. He recalled meeting with an Italian citizen outside who didn't know what the pin represented. "It's very unfortunate that people in the world don't know what this pin means," Braslavski said, as quoted by Ynet. "It's a symbol of unity, equality, but also a symbol for the blood, murder, pain, and trauma of October 7. Advertisement Advertisement "I went to work as a security guard at a party and look what happened to me - my life was ruined," he added. "The massacre on October 7 was without just cause. Such a massacre is inhumane. "Until two months ago, I was inside Gaza, 40 meters underground. My clothes were torn after I hadn't showered for at least a month, hadn't eaten for days, and look how I'm dressed today - the wheel has turned, and it's a divine miracle." James Genn contributed to this report. Geoffrey Radbill, a prominent Manhattan philanthropist whose generosity included major donations to his alma mater, was killed when a car driver rear-ended the bicycle he was riding along Riverside Drive, police said Friday. Radbill, 78, who has a building named for him at Bowling Green State University, was pedaling near W. 158th St. on Sunday morning when he was struck from behind by a Toyota sedan and suffered severe injuries, according to cops. Radbill was rushed to Harlem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement The driver remained on the scene and was not charged with a crime. An investigation is ongoing, officials said. Radbill, a longtime Upper West Side resident, was a successful financier and generous supporter of his alma mater, Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where in 2023, a renovated portion of the Mathematical Sciences Building was named in his honor. The lights of the Geoffrey H. Radbill Center for College and Life Design were dimmed Sunday night in tribute to the bike-riding philanthropist. Because of Geoffs support and belief in the power of a Bowling Green experience, thousands of students have gained life-changing opportunities through Life Design, university president Rodney Rogers wrote in a social media post. Advertisement Advertisement On a personal level, Geoff was a friend, and I will miss his counsel, advice and ideas. He was always up for a call to dream big. Radbill built his career at AXA-Equitable, a financial services firm, where he was senior vice president and chief operating officer. A Bowling Green bio said Radbill retired from AXA-Equitable in 2004 after 36 years with the firm. His philanthropic work included the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. It is said that America is a nation of immigrants, and for a truism, thats pretty accurate. But its also true that the United States hasnt always been a nation of immigrants or at least not all at the same time and not in all the same places. These days, the debate over immigration still revolves around age-old issues whether immigrants can assimilate, whether they must assimilate, whether the nation is augmented by newcomers or harmed by them. We see this debate playing out in public when President Donald Trump claims immigrants destroyed our country, when Vice President JD Vance talks of heritage Americans and when pop stars and other public figures push back. The reality is that from its founding the United States has been divided over how we define our nation and who can belong to it. And that divide has been geographic, built on massive differences in ideas about freedom, identity and belonging that go back to rivalries between this continents competing colonial projects that date back three and four centuries. Advertisement Advertisement Those colonial projects had different experiences with immigrants and immigration. That was particularly the case during the massive influx of foreign-born residents between 1880 and 1924 that is known as the Great Wave. Ive been studying these geographical differences for many years, and my research has found that our current debate over immigration still reflects ideas and migration patterns that are more than a century old. On one side are ethnonationalists who assert that only the people with the right lineage and faith can belong to America. On the other is the civic nationalist tradition where anyone who shares the universal ideas about human freedom in the Declaration of Independence is a potential American. Both of these ideologies arise from patterns of colonial settlement clashing with various influxes of immigrants over the centuries that followed the American founding. To resolve our current conflicts over immigration and national identity, it will help to understand the nature of the problem, its historical and present-day geography and the battle were now in for the soul of the country. As I have previously written in articles on gun violenceand life expectancy disparities, when it comes to defining U.S. geography its best to forget Census Bureau divisions, which arbitrarily divide the country into a Northeast, Midwest, South and West, using often meaningless state boundaries and a depressing ignorance of history. The reason the U.S. has strong regional differences is because our swath of the North American continent was settled by rival colonial projects that had very little in common, often despised one another and spread without regard for todays state (or international) boundaries. Advertisement Advertisement Those colonial projects Puritan-controlled New England; the Dutch-settled area around what is now New York City; the Quaker-founded Delaware Valley; the Scots-Irish-dominated upland backcountry of the Appalachians; the West Indies-style slave society in the Deep South; the Spanish project in the southwest and so on had different religious, economic and ideological characteristics. They settled much of the eastern half and southwestern third of what is now the United States in mutually exclusive settlement bands before significant in-migration from ethnic and religious groups not already represented in the colonies picked up steam in the 1840s. As I described in my 2011 book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America and expanded on in a new book, Nations Apart: How Clashing Regional Cultures Shattered America these rival colonization projects laid down the institutions, cultural norms and ideas about freedom, social responsibility and the provision of public goods that later arrivals would encounter and, by and large, assimilate into. Some states lie entirely or almost entirely within one of these regional cultures (Mississippi, Vermont, Minnesota and Montana, for instance). Other states are split between the regions, propelling constant and profound internal disagreements on politics and policy alike in places like Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio or California. At Nationhood Lab, a project I founded at Salve Regina Universitys Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, we use this regional framework to analyze all manner of phenomena in American society. Weve looked at everything from gun violence and social mobility to Covid-19 vaccination and mortality rates, life expectancy, the prevalence of diabetes, obesity, and authoritarian mindsets to the geography of the 2024 presidential vote, the 2022 midterms, and this years key elections in Virginia and New Jersey. You might wonder how the divides between rival colonization streams could possibly have survived a century and a half of mass immigration from completely different parts of the world. The amazing thing is that instead of homogenizing the American experience, mass immigration actually increased the distinctions between the regions. Distinct regional ideas about identity and belonging, economics and land ownership, tolerance and assimilation led immigrants to move to some regions and avoid others altogether. And the result is that ideas about the benefits and costs of immigration diverged and hardened. Advertisement Advertisement Consider the most consequential immigration period, the Great Wave, which ended in 1924 when white supremacists passed a law imposing strict ethnoracial quotas that aimed to restore the Anglo-Saxon character of the country. To see where those immigrants settled, we parsed the 1900 census, the best data source because, unlike in 1910 and 1920, the Census Bureau didnt exclude foreign-born people of color from their tabulations. The 1900 map shows the proportion of foreign-born in each county and American Nations region. Notice almost nobody from this wave emigrated to the regions we call Deep South, Tidewater and Greater Appalachia: Only about 1 percent were foreign born in the two lowland regions and just 3.5 percent in Appalachia (and most were concentrated in Pennsylvania and Illinois counties adjacent to well-populated urban centers like Pittsburgh and St. Louis). By contrast, immigrants were a substantial share of the population of Yankeedom, the Left Coast and New Netherland, regions where they comprised 24, 25 and 31 percent of residents respectively. El Norte and the Far West also had significant foreign influxes, accounting for 18 percent of their overall populations. This uneven regional distribution of Great Wave immigrants with a more than a 20-fold difference between some of the largest of the American Nations had massive and lasting effects on intra-regional politics, most immediately in terms of self-conception. Scholars have long recognized that the Great Wave profoundly changed ideas about American identity, forcing legacy Protestant America to accept that Catholics, Orthodox Christians and Jews at least would be regarded as full-fledged Americans. For two generations thereafter, Great Wave immigrants fought their way into American life, forcing the countrys northern and western regional cultures to accept them into the circle of belonging. Yankees and Left Coasters still had largely Anglo-Protestant elites in the mid-1960s, but it was impossible for them to think of their regions as being primarily Anglo or Protestant anymore. The Midlands, New Netherland, Far West and El Norte were also less Anglo-Protestant than ever. By mid-century, most of the country had accepted that they werent and would never be ethnoracially or religiously homogenous, and shouldnt try. But none of this happened in the Deep South, Tidewater and Greater Appalachia because the Great Wave immigrants werent present to force the issue. Compared with the other nations, these regions became homogenous cultures (albeit racially sorted between Black and white) where preexisting power structures, family hierarchies and received ways of life had few challengers. Advertisement Advertisement The long defensive fight against alien-infested Yankeedom had vastly intensified in Southerners generally a feeling that they represented a uniquely pure and superior race, W. J. Cash wrote of post-1924 whites in his 1941 book The Mind of the South. They were extraordinarily solicitous for its preservation, extraordinarily on the alert to ward off the possibility that at some future date it might be contaminated by the introduction of other blood- streams than those of the old original stocks. The impact of the Great Wave and its regional disparities is perhaps best illustrated by how it influenced the dispersion of religion. Because the new immigrants avoided the South, the Great Wave left the three Dixie regions more religiously homogenous than the rest of the country, the only parts of the continent where (racially segregated) white evangelical Protestant denominations dominated church life. These regions became the Bible Belt and remain so today, as you can see from the map below, which depicts the dominant religion in each county today based on a 2020 census by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Catholics, far and away the largest cohort of the Great Wave immigrants, are still the largest denomination across the regions where they settled. Southern Baptists, the biggest white evangelical grouping, remain the largest force in religious life in the Deep South, Tidewater and Greater Appalachia, which are also the stronghold of nondenominational Christian churches, the vast majority of which are independent Baptist fundamentalist congregations. The distribution of the Great Wave immigrants is the primary force behind todays religious geography. One consequence of all this is political. These are the only regions where white Christian Nationalism the belief that the United States is a country founded by and for white Christian evangelical Protestants is sufficiently widespread to influence politics and policy. In all the other regions, white Protestants, whether evangelical or not, havent been a plurality of the population for decades or even centuries, but in the southern nations, evangelicals have been in the drivers seat since the early 19th century. A majority of white evangelical Christians hold Christian Nationalist views compared to a third of white mainline Protestants and just 30 percent of white Catholics, according to a 2023 survey by the Public Religion Research Institute. Among white Christian Nationalist adherents, 81 percent believe immigrants are invading our country and replacing our cultural and ethnic background and 87 percent believe that God intended the U.S. to be a promised land for European Christians. (By comparison, Americans overall rejected the latter assertion by more than two to one, the former by more than three to one.) Advertisement Advertisement The survey also found that white Christian Nationalists as a group express hostility to immigrants, people of color and members of other religions. There is a presumption in contemporary American Christian nationalism that many or most immigrants are not Christian or not the right kind of Christian, the sociologists Darren Sherkat and Derek Lehman concluded after a statistical analysis of data from the federally funded General Social Survey. This variant of white Christian nationalism seems inherently racialized in its view of non-white immigrants as a cultural threat to the dominance of white Christianity. So what does this mean for immigration attitudes today? The 1965 Immigration Act lifted the ethnoracial quotas that had all but snuffed out immigration for two generations, driving the foreign-born proportion of the U.S. population from a paltry 5 percent in 1970 to 14 percent in 2020, just a point short of the Great Waves peak. The 2020 map shows where they went: In four destination regions, the share of immigrants is roughly the same now as it was in 1900. New Netherland, Left Coast, El Norte and Spanish Caribbean remain nations of immigrants in a literal sense. Meanwhile, four other regions that received large numbers of foreigners during the Great Wave are significantly less foreign now, with the immigrant portion of the population falling by a fifth in the Far West, by about a quarter in the Midlands, more than half in Yankeedom and by two-thirds in the Hawaiian Islands (Greater Polynesia). These are the former destination regions, places where mass immigration is part of their heritage, but less of a present reality. Meanwhile, the three southern regions have seen a substantial increase in the foreign-born population: roughly tenfold in the case of Tidewater and the Deep South, and a more than doubling in Appalachia. Now these regions have a higher proportion of foreign-born people than either Yankeedom or the Midlands, and Greater Appalachia isnt far behind. Advertisement Advertisement To be clear, its not that those regions have a higher share of immigrants than some other parts of the country. Rather, it's that the share of the foreign-born population has grown dramatically in places where, historically, there were few immigrants to begin with and very little experience with living with them. Almost all of the immigrant growth in these regions has happened since the late 1990s, the result of the collapse of Yankee-Midland manufacturing and the transfer of factory jobs to the souths low-wage, low-regulation, low-tax jurisdictions. Around 2001, Latino children began to enter southern schools in noticeable numbers and Latino families began to buy homes in rural Alabama and Arkansas, Jamie Winders, a geographer at Syracuse Universitys Maxwell School who studied the issue, concluded in 2007. In the wake of this collision between the Souths emergence as an immigrant-receiving region and the nations post9/11 eruption into border hysteria, southern states have scrambled to contain the social, political and cultural challenges that Latino migrants bring to southern communities from an even deeper south. Much of the scholarly research suggests that people in regions that have always been prominent immigrant destinations and continue to be so now tend to have positive feelings about immigrants, but people in regions that have recently become destinations after having few if any foreign-born residents are more likely to see them as invaders. (Regions that were once major immigrant destinations but no longer are today are in the middle.) This can be seen playing a role in current immigration policy debates. For instance, in 2020-21, majorities in Left Coast, New Netherland and El Norte rejected Trumps efforts to build the wall, even as a plurality in Greater Appalachia supported it, and Deep Southerners were split. Non-Hispanic residents in Deep South and Greater Appalachia who have unfavorable views of undocumented immigrants outnumber those with favorable views by wide margins, while immigrants are seen favorably by such residents in New Netherland or Left Coast. This analysis also tracks for the behavior of early-21st-century political leaders across the country, who pass varied laws and policies in regards to immigrants, state- and local-level cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and the dispatch of National Guard units to other states to back up the Trump administrations mass deportation efforts. Advertisement Advertisement The American Nations have always had distinct stances about immigration, identity and belonging, and those attitudes had an enormous influence on where immigrants did and didnt go, where they were embraced, and where they were not. I talk about this comprehensively in Nations Apart, but the regional backstories most consequential for understanding todays immigration politics are the following. Yankeedom. Yankeedoms Puritan founders had strict religious and moral requirements for citizenship, with the effect that 17th and 18th century Yankeedom was overwhelmingly English and Calvinist. After the Civil War, however, it welcomed immigrants, but with a requirement that they assimilate into Yankee norms, a melting pot model. The regions sophisticated network of public schools were tasked with making good Protestant Yankees of immigrant children while adults were expected to learn Yankee ways and leave their own identities behind. Hector St. Jean de Crevecoeur, a French mapmaker and writer who lived in the Yankee upstate of New York from 1759 to 1779, recognized this even then: Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men. In Yankee Michigan two centuries later, Henry Ford set up special schools for his immigrant workers to learn American conduct, dress and customs; at their graduation ceremonies they strolled onto a stage behind a giant melting pot wearing their Hungarian, Slovak, or Italian folk dress and emerged changed into identical American suits. Newcomers were meant to melt into the existing culture. Deep South and Tidewater. By contrast, the Deep South and Tidewater were ruled by slaveholding oligarchs and aristocrats who saw no need for immigrants and created an economic and social environment that offered few reasons for any to come. During the Antebellum period they argued that the United States was a collection of ethnostates belonging to the superior Anglo-Saxon people, and that others were not entitled to full citizenship or in the case of African Americans humanity. In the Civil War the in-group was redefined as the aristocratic Anglo-Norman race (which conveniently embraced the French Huguenot elite) who imagined they were fighting a reprise of the Norman Invasion in 1066 against the swamp-dwelling Anglo-Saxons of the northern regions. These regions were tightly bound to narrow ethnoracial and religious criteria for belonging and remained so right into living memory, though the Tidewater has rapidly transformed in recent decades because of the massive federal presence around the District of Columbia and Hampton Roads, site of the worlds largest naval base. Midlands and New Netherland. Meanwhile, the Midlands and New Netherland each embraced different strains of pluralism and multiculturalism from their 17th century foundations onward. In both regions, immigrants were not only welcomed but encouraged to retain their cultural practices, identities, and languages. With the creation of the U.S., Midlander intellectuals would argue individuals could only achieve liberty and the pursuit of happiness within the context of their own value systems and, thus, their cultural distinctiveness had to be respected and even nurtured. The process of Americanizationis not one of assimilation or conformation to any particularly ethnic type, argued Marion Dexter Learned, a Delaware-born Midlander who headed the Germanic department at the University of Pennsylvania in the early 20th century. He said Americans should be a composite people composed of overlapping but still distinct ethnic cultures. America, in this tradition, is a mosaic not a melting pot. Advertisement Advertisement Greater Appalachia. Greater Appalachias mythic narrative was developed in response to the Great Wave whose decidedly un-Protestant character panicked many old stock Anglo Protestants. In the midst of this invasion, the intellectual elite of Appalachia many of them transplants from Yankeedom or natives whod been educated there asserted their region was a repository of unadulterated Anglo-Saxon Protestant settlers, a time capsule where millions of people were living, speaking and worshiping just as their pioneering 18th century ancestors had, uncorrupted by unsavory aliens and degenerate cosmopolitans. In these isolated communities we find the purest Anglo-Saxon stock in all the United States, asserted Ellen Churchill Semple, Louisville native and president of the Association of American Geographers, in 1901. The stock has been kept free from the tide of foreign immigrants which has been pouring in recent years into the States. Thus was born the notion that there were real Americans who were members of an American ethnicity that was British, Evangelical Protestant, English-speaking and white and to whom the country was supposed to belong. If you look at the Census Bureaus 2000 county level map of the largest self-reported ethnicity in each county, youll see a conspicuous belt across Greater Appalachia where people claim not to be Scots-Irish, German, or English, but ethnically American. Those conflicting, centuries-old stances assimilative, pluralistic, oligarchic and ethnonationalist are why immigration and immigration policy has always been so regionally polarized. These concepts of who belongs in America echo in current public opinion, which is regionally divided, though not to the degree you might expect. Powering a county-level, nationwide model like ours requires a massively large and punishingly expensive polling effort, but thankfully theres the Democracy Fund + UCLA-Nationscape poll, which from late 2019 to early 2021 asked a half million Americans about their stance on a wide range of social, political and economic questions, including immigration and border security. The only regions where pluralities support deporting all undocumented immigrants some 11 million people were Greater Appalachia (40-39 in favor) and New France (where the margin was 41-38). The policy was rejected by huge margins in New Netherland (30-51), El Norte (28-53), Left Coast (19-54) and Floridas Spanish Caribbean section (30-50.) The pattern was similar for support in charging people who enter the country illegally with a federal crime, but with Deep Southerners (42-37) and Midlanders (41-38) joining in support. Advertisement Advertisement Encouragingly, the Nationscape data reveals Americans in every region actually agreed on a number of key issues: large majorities everywhere disapproved of the first Trump administrations policy of separating children from their migrant parents (so as to deter would-be asylum seekers); they opposed the building of the border wall and Trumps effort to bar Muslims from entering the country; they wanted the Dreamers undocumented people brought to the U.S. as small children to be allowed to become citizens; and they thought there should be a path to citizenship for law-abiding migrants who entered illegally. They also thought the immigration system needs a fundamental overhaul. A majority also rejects the ethnonationalist agenda that powers Trumps anti-immigrant drive. In our polling last year, 63 percent of Americans preferred the statement that Americans are united by our shared commitment to a set of American founding ideals: that we all have inherent and equal rights to live, to not be tyrannized, and to pursue happiness as we each understand it. Just 33 percent of respondents said Americans are united by intrinsic or acquired characteristics: shared history, traditions and values and by our fortitude and character as Americans, a people who value hard work, individual responsibility and national loyalty. That 63 percent included double-digit majorities in every region, by margins ranging from 13 points in the Deep South to 33 points in the Far West. So while the regional divide helped get us to this divisive debate, were not fated to abandon the universalist principles laid down in the Declaration, which served to unify different colonial projects in the 18th century to create an American identity. On the whole, Americans are still more universalist than ethnonationalist, in every part of the country. The best way to keep that unifying identity in the 21st century is to stick by those civic principles, and toss the ethnonationalist ones on the scrap heap of our history where they belong. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Scientists aren't sure how or why the giant layer of rock formed, but it may relate to volcanic activity that ceased in the region around 31 million years ago. . | Credit: mtcurado/Getty Images Move aside, Bermuda Triangle: The newest North Atlantic mystery lies beneath this enigmatic archipelago. Scientists have discovered a strange, 12.4-mile-thick (20 kilometers) rock layer below the oceanic crust under Bermuda. This level of thickness has never been seen in any other similar layer worldwide. "Typically, you have the bottom of the oceanic crust and then it would be expected to be the mantle," said study lead author William Frazer , a seismologist at Carnegie Science in Washington D.C. "But in Bermuda, there is this other layer that is emplaced beneath the crust, within the tectonic plate that Bermuda sits on." Advertisement Advertisement While the origin of this layer is not entirely clear, it may explain an ongoing mystery about Bermuda, Frazer told Live Science. The island sits on an oceanic swell, where the ocean crust is higher than its surroundings. But there is no evidence of any ongoing volcanic activity creating that swell the island's last known volcanic eruption was 31 million years ago. The discovery of the new giant "structure" suggests the last eruption may have injected mantle rock into the crust, where it froze in place, creating something like a raft that raises the ocean floor by about 1,640 feet (500 meters). Bermuda has long had a reputation for mystery, largely because of the Bermuda Triangle, an area between the archipelago, Florida and Puerto Rico where a supposedly unusual number of ships and aircraft have gone missing. (This reputation, however, has been largely exaggerated .) The real mystery, though, is why the Bermuda oceanic swell exists. Island chains such as Hawaii are thought to exist because of mantle hotspots, which are places in the mantle where hot material rises, creating volcanic activity. At the point where the hotspot meets the crust, the ocean floor often buoys up. But when tectonic movement slides the crust away from that hotspot, the oceanic swell typically subsides. Advertisement Advertisement Bermuda's swell hasn't subsided, despite 31 million years of volcanic inactivity there, Frazer said. There is some debate over what's happening in the mantle beneath the island, but there are no eruptions happening at the surface. Frazer and study co-author Jeffrey Park , a professor of Earth and planetary sciences at Yale University, used recordings from a seismic station on Bermuda of distant large earthquakes around the world to get an image of Earth down to about 31 miles (50 km) below Bermuda. They examined places where the seismic waves from these quakes suddenly changed. This revealed the unusually thick layer of rock, which is less dense than the other rock around it. Their findings were published Nov. 28 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters . "There is still this material that is left over from the days of active volcanism under Bermuda that is helping to potentially hold it up as this area of high relief in the Atlantic Ocean," Sarah Mazza , a geologist at Smith College in Massachusetts who was not involved in the work, told Live Science. Advertisement Advertisement Mazza's own research into Bermuda's volcanic history found that the types of lavas there are low in the mineral silica, which is a sign that they come from rock high in carbon. Mazza's examination of variations in zinc molecules in samples from Bermuda, published in September in the journal Geology , found that this carbon comes from deep in the mantle. It was likely first pushed there when the supercontinent Pangea formed between 900 million and 300 million years ago, Mazza said. This is different from what is seen at hotspot-formed islands in the Pacific or Indian oceans, she added. This difference may be because the Atlantic, which opened up when Pangea split apart, is a young ocean compared to the Pacific or Indian oceans, which were at Pangea's edges. RELATED STORIES Scientists find hidden 'hotspot' that helped create the Great Lakes before North America even existed Mysterious 'blobs' in Earth's mantle are not what we thought, study claims Advertisement Advertisement Extreme 'paradise' volcano in Costa Rica is like a piece of ancient Mars on our doorstep "The fact that we are in an area that was previously the heart of the last supercontinent is, I think, part of the story of why this is unique," she said. Frazer is now examining other islands around the world to find out if there are any similar layers to the one found under Bermuda, or whether the archipelago is truly one of a kind. "Understanding a place like Bermuda, which is an extreme location, is important to understand places that are less extreme," Frazer said, "and gives us a sense of what are the more normal processes that happen on Earth and what are the more extreme processes that happen." By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Alphabet's Google will build three subsea cables in Papua New Guinea, which the largest Pacific Island nation said was funded by Australia under a mutual defence treaty, in a key upgrade to its digital backbone. Australian and U.S. military strategists view resource-rich but largely under-developed Papua New Guinea as having a prized location north of Australia at a time when China is boosting its influence in the region. Advertisement Advertisement The $120-million effort will link northern and southern Papua New Guinea and the Bougainville autonomous region with high-capacity cables, Peter Tsiamalili, PNG's acting minister for information and communications technology, said on Friday. PNG SAYS PROJECT FUNDED BY PUKPUK TREATY "The entire investment (is) funded through Australia's commitments under the Pukpuk Treaty," he said in a statement, referring to a mutual defence pact signed in October. The project reflected both nations' shared commitment to advance digital security, regional stability, and national development, he added. Advertisement Advertisement The subsea cables will be built by Google, the statement said, adding that Tsiamalili met Australian and U.S. diplomats to discuss the project at Google's Australian office this week. A Google Australia spokeswoman declined to comment on the PNG project. Australia's foreign affairs department said on Saturday the cables will lower internet prices for consumers, support economic growth and increase education opportunities. The cables will position PNG to attract investment from hyper-scalers and global digital enterprises, said Tsiamalili, who is also police minister. The Pukpuk Treaty gives Australian defence personnel access to PNG communications systems, including satellite stations and cables. The United States is also strengthening military ties with PNG, signing a defence cooperation pact in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement AUSTRALIA, U.S. SEEK TO COUNTER CHINA'S INFLUENCE Australia and the United States have funded various subsea cables across the Pacific Islands in recent years to block a push by China to build the vital communication links, viewed by Canberra as a security risk. PNG's domestic submarine cable was built by China's Huawei in 2018 and financed by a loan from China's EXIM bank. "Australia has committed over A$450 million ($300 million) to support undersea cable connectivity across the Pacific and Timor-Leste, including the Coral Sea Cable between Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Australia," an Australian foreign affairs official said in a statement to Reuters on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Australia is expected to also finance a new international cable to PNG. Google said last month it planned to build a data hub on Australia's Indian Ocean outpost of Christmas Island, another strategic defence location, with new cables linking the island with Australian cities hosting key defence bases also used by the U.S. military. Two more cable systems will extend westwards to Africa and Asia, to "deepen the resilience" of Indian Ocean internet infrastructure, Google said. ($1 = 1.5033 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and William Mallard) WASHINGTON (AP) As President Donald Trumps top law enforcement officials were firing and forcing out waves of Justice Department veterans, Sen. Chuck Grassley denounced a political infection that had poisoned FBI leadership. The Iowa Republican was not criticizing FBI Director Kash Patel or Attorney General Pam Bondi. In a July statement, he directed his ire at the FBIs extreme lack of effort in investigating Democrat Hillary Clintons use of a private email server as secretary of state a decade ago. Trump loyalists have roiled the Justice Department, shattering norms and leading to a mass exodus of veteran officials, but the 92-year-old chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee has remained focused on the past. Advertisement Advertisement Critics say Grassley's reluctance to challenge the Trump administration has even extended to a defining issue: His support for whistleblowers making claims of fraud, waste and abuse. In an interview, Grassley insisted he has not abandoned his oversight role. He said he has felt compelled to investigate issues under earlier presidents to avoid a repeat of what he described as politically motivated prosecutions carried out against Trump and his allies. Political weaponization is being brought to the surface and being made more transparent because this administration is the most cooperative of any administration Republican or Democrat, Grassley said. Grassley has acknowledged that Congress has ceded a great deal of power to the current administration, a concession he says makes his own oversight more crucial. Advertisement Advertisement Its going to enhance the necessity for it, he said. Grassley is known for his focus on oversight Grassley, upon entering Congress in 1975, quickly developed a reputation for exposing corruption and waste. He once drove to the Pentagon in his orange Chevy Chevette to demand answers from officials about their purchase of $450 hammers and $7,600 coffee pots. He was among the chief proponents in Congress of laws to shield employees who revealed such waste and sponsored the landmark 1989 Whistleblower Protection Act. He also has played a key role in empowering inspectors general, internal watchdogs tasked with rooting out misconduct. Advertisement Advertisement He has been the conscience of the Senate on whistleblower protection rights for decades, said Tom Devine, legal director for the Government Accountability Project. In the current Congress, he has co-sponsored legislation boosting protections for whistleblowers in the FBI and CIA. No one is close to having his impact, Devine said. That hardly means that we always agree with his judgment calls about policy. Criticized for not taking on Trump administration Trump and Grassley are not always in alignment. This past week, for example, they tussled over the pace of confirmation of administration nominees. Advertisement Advertisement Even so, Democrats and good government advocates say Grassley has been conspicuously silent as the administration has investigated Trump's perceived enemies, fired agents who worked on politically sensitive cases and upended the Justice Department's longstanding post-Watergate independence. Some whistleblowers have been loath to trust him with revelations that might harm the administration, according to interviews with more than a dozen current and former U.S. officials, or their attorneys, several of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because they feared retaliation. There are a lot of people concerned hes not the same old Chuck Grassley, said Eric Woolson, author of a 1995 biography of Grassley who once served as a Grassley campaign spokesman. Grassley rejected that criticism, saying whistleblowers call him regardless of who is in the White House. His office's online portal has received more than 5,300 complaints in 2025, about the same level as past years, staffers reported. Advertisement Advertisement His entire career, hes the guy people will trust, said Jason Foster, a former chief investigative counsel to Grassley who founded Empower Oversight, a group that has advocated on behalf of FBI agents disciplined under the Biden administration. Staunch Trump ally Many of Grassleys recent actions, however, suggest he has evolved from being a fiercely independent moderate eager to sniff out fraud to being a stalwart Trump ally, according to Democrats and whistleblower advocates. Some were particularly alarmed at Grassleys dismissal of witnesses who raised concerns about the June nomination of Emil Bove, a high-ranking Justice Department official and former Trump lawyer, to a lifetime federal appeals court seat. Advertisement Advertisement Among several officials who came forward was Justice Department lawyer Erez Reuveni, who said he was fired for refusing to go along with Boves plans to defy court orders and withhold information from judges to advance the administrations aggressive deportation goals. Grassley said his staff tried to investigate some of the claims but that lawyers for one whistleblower would not give his staff all the materials they requested in time. Instead of delaying the hearing to dig further, Grassley circled the wagons behind Trumps nominee. The vicious rhetoric, unfair accusations and abuse directed at Mr. Bove, Grassley said in a speech, have crossed the line. Stacey Young, a former Justice Department lawyer who founded Justice Connection, a network of department alumni mobilized to uphold the departments traditionally apolitical workforce, said she was disappointed Grassley has not used his influence to condemn firings at the department. Advertisement Advertisement How is the congressional majority not screaming bloody murder? We are watching the near decimation of DOJ in real-time, and Congress is sitting by doing nothing, she said. Does Sen. Grassley think its OK that people get fired for doing their jobs? At a September oversight hearing, Grassley passed up a chance to grill Patel on a series of terminations of line agents and high-level supervisors, including five whose abrupt and still-unexplained dismissals had generated headlines weeks earlier. When Democrats pressed Patel about his use of the bureaus plane for personal reasons, Grassley chided Senate colleagues for their disinterest in the travel practices of previous directors. Grassley has also been an eager conduit for an FBI leadership seeking to expose what it insists was misconduct and overreach in an investigation during the Biden administration into Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Advertisement Advertisement He has released batches of sensitive documents from that investigation, known as Arctic Frost, that he says have been furnished by FBI whistleblowers or that have been labeled as Produced by FBI Director Kash Patel. The records are not the type of documents federal law enforcement would typically make public on its own. Advocates dismayed over Grassley response to IG firings Whistleblower advocates said they were dismayed when Grassley failed to take a robust stance when Trump, within days of taking office, fired without cause some inspectors general. Even some Republican-appointed inspectors general accused Trump of violating a law requiring the White House to provide 30-day notice and rationale to Congress. If any Republican were going to stand up for them, some of the fired inspectors general said, they expected it to be Grassley. Advertisement Advertisement He has been uncharacteristically silent, said Mark Greenblatt, a Trump appointee at the Interior Department who was among those fired. It is unimaginable that the Grassley of a few years ago, the man who held nominees and fired off blistering threats at the smallest provocation to protect inspectors general, would be so silent in the face of these assaults. Grassley responded to the purge by sending Trump a letter requesting officials immediately spell out their case-by-case specific reasons for the dismissals. It took the White House eight months to respond. In a two-page letter, it reasserted presidential authority to fire inspectors general at will and made no attempt to explain its rationale other than to cite changed priorities. ___ Associated Press writer Ryan J. Foley in Iowa City, Iowa, contributed to this report. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) shredded the Trump administration on Friday after it withdrew its nominee for deputy director of the National Security Agency. President Donald Trump nominated Joe Francescon to the position in August, prompting conspiracist theorist and informal White House adviser Laura Loomer to condemn the nominee. Loomer cited Federal Election Commission records showing that Francescon, who served on the National Security Council in the first Trump administration, donated $500 to Democratic Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement FEC records reveal that Francescon donated to an anti-Trump Democrat Congressman named @RepJasonCrow, she tweeted in August. During his first term in Congress, Crow was an impeachment manager for President Donald Trumps first impeachment trial. Fast-forward to Friday morning, and the White House pulled Francescons nomination. Bacon took to X, where he laid into the administration for its gross negligence in failing to fill top national security positions, as well as Loomers unofficial role: The White House is withdrawing @JoeFrancescon as its nominee to be the National Security Agencys (NSA) Deputy Director, meanwhile the acting Deputy Director will retire at the end of the month. This means the top two positions at NSA and the four-star commander at Cyber Command will remain vacant for 8 months and counting. All because of infighting in the White House and the involvement of whacky Laura Loomer in hiring. We are at Cyber War everyday and the inability to get leaders in place is gross negligence. Loomber replied to Bacon and took credit. SCALP, she wrote. What makes someone think they can be the Deputy NSA @NSAGov Director when they donated to Democrats who oversaw the impeachment of President Trump? Why would we want a Deputy NSA Director who donated to one of the Seditious 6? Advertisement Advertisement Fox Chief National Security correspondent Jennifer Griffin also replied to Bacons post, calling the withdrawal shocking. In July, Loomer boasted about her success in torpedoing several Trump nominees, including a top nominee at Customs and Border Patrol and another nominee at the NSA. The post Gross Negligence: GOP Congressman Shreds White House for Letting Whacky Laura Loomer Advise on NatSec Hires first appeared on Mediaite. Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Two members of the U.S. Army and a civilian interpreter were killed, with three other Americans and two Syrians injured, in a shooting by a lone gunman Saturday in Syria. The gunman, believed to have been a member of ISIS, was "engaged and killed," halting the ambush, U.S. Central Command confirmed in a post on X. Central Command said the gunman was killed and the identities of the two soldiers and interpreter will not be released until 24 hours after their respective next of kin have been notified of their deaths, The Hill reported. Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump said the three wounded U.S. soldiers "are doing well" and promised to retaliate against ISIS. "We mourn the loss of three great American patriots in Syria," Trump said in a Truth Social post. "This was an ISIS attack against the U.S. and Syria in a very dangerous part of Syria that is not fully controlled by them," the president said. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa "is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack," Trump added. "There will be very serious retaliation." He did not say whether Syrian or U.S. forces, or both, would carry out the retaliation. Advertisement Advertisement "The attack occurred as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement," chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said separately in a post on X. "Their mission was in support of ongoing counter-ISIS/counter-terrorism operations in the region," Parnell said. "This attack is currently under active investigation." Today in Palmyra, Syria, two United States Army soldiers and one civilian U.S. interpreter were killed, and three were wounded. The attack occurred as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement. Their mission was in support of on-going counter-ISIS / counter-terrorism... Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) December 13, 2025 U.S. and Syrian forces in the central Syrian city of Palmyra came under fire from the gunman, killing two Army soldiers and an American interpreter, in addition to five others -- three Americans and two Syrians -- being shot. U.S. helicopters were dispatched to evacuate the five injured to the al-Tanf base for treatment after the shooting, Syria's official news agency reported. Advertisement Advertisement "The savage who perpetrated this attack was killed by partner forces," Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in a post on X. "Let it be known, if you target Americans -- anywhere in the world -- you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you and ruthlessly kill you." The American deaths are the first since former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad was dispatched from power last year, the New York Times reported, noting that the United States has been reducing its forces there since his departure. ISIS captured Palmyra in 2015, holding it for about 10 months, but by 2018, the group was left with no territory, but has continued to carry out attacks, according to Al-Jazeera. Eitan Mor described how he was starved, beaten, and electrocuted during his captivity. Former hostage Eitan Mor said that he encountered Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the current leader of Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, during captivity in Gaza in a Friday interview with the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon. Mor recalled the Hamas leader telling him in the early days of his captivity that he would be released within two weeks. However, he was released after two years in October 2025. Eitan Mor's kidnapping on October 7 Mor was working as a security guard at the Nova Music Festival when Hamas invaded. He explained how "the terrorists had taken over all the main roads, but to the right of the square, there was a dirt road through which it was still possible to escape." Advertisement Advertisement "On the way, we had already seen many bodies. We hid, and I called my uncle and asked him to call the army. Helicopters flew over us; we tried to wave them towards us, but they continued on," he added. Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the commander of the northern Gaza brigade, and alleged replacement for Hamas military leader Mohammed Sinwar. (credit: SCREENSHOT/X/VIA SECTION 27A OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT) Mor described how he told Nova attendees not to head back to the scene of the party. Despite the emergency situation, Mor explained how he and his friends hid the murdered bodies of young women, fearful of what the terrorists would do to them. "Some (of the murdered women) were already half-dressed, and I don't know what else they would do with them," he explained. Together with fellow former hostage Rom Braslavski, he hid the body of the late 23-year-old Shira Eylon. Her body was later discovered in a forest near the festival. Advertisement Advertisement "Then we came to take another person, who had been severely abused, but we didn't have time," he continued. Five terrorists grabbed Braslavski, and two grabbed Mor, though he was able to briefly escape their clutches after punching one of them. Despite his efforts to escape, he was apprehended by a group of Palestinians, some of them still children, who joined the invasion. They had knives, saws, hammers. And all of them were beating me up, with everything they had. They held a knife to me, and I was sure I was going to die now, he recounted. Then the biggest one of them said to me in English, 'Either you die now or come with us to Gaza.' I said, 'To Gaza.' After robbing him of his phone and necklace and stripping him of his shirt, the group of Palestinians hailed down a vehicle being driven by Hamas and told the terrorists to take him to Gaza. In the car, they forced him to take photos as they chanted Allahu Akhbar and beat him. Eitan Mor's time in Gaza captivity "They beat me up, but I was still on adrenaline from all the hours before, so I didn't feel the pain, Mor said. Advertisement Advertisement People wrote on Facebook in the comments to this photo that it didn't make sense. How is he so calm? Maybe this was a staged kidnapping. But the truth is, right in those moments, I got it into my head that this is the situation now, and I'm probably going to die, or they'll cut off my hands, or I don't know what Hamas will do to me there. I prepared myself for the worst. So I took a few deep breaths to calm down, and just waited to see how much s*** I was going to eat. After entering Gaza, Mor described the crowds of Gazans eagerly making way for the terrorists transporting him. After being taken to an office in the direction of Beit Hanoun, Mor described how he asked a terrorist for a cigarette, despite having given up smoking years earlier, as he believed he was going to die anyway. While smoking the cigarette, the mother of the terrorist who handed him the tobacco arrived and began yelling at him, You took our land, all the Jews took our land. You expelled us from our places. Advertisement Advertisement Answering the woman, Listen, I didn't take anyone's land. What do you want from me? he described how taken aback he was when she then offered him coffee. They dressed me like a Gazan, put a hat on me. After about an hour, a gray jeep arrived and took me to a place near the Indonesian hospital, he recounted. Two Hamas members get into the car, one of them curses at me, and I don't understand what he wants. And I dry off in the car, and it's hot. I didn't understand Arabic at the time I remember seeing some papers in the car. I asked him in English if I could take some. He looked at me strangely and said, Yes. I made a frog out of folded paper. It calmed me down a bit to be busy with something with my hands. All I could think was that all my friends must have died. I thought then that I was the only one kidnapped. Haddad arrived near the hospital an hour later. "He was wearing a hat and started talking to me in Hebrew. He said, 'Don't worry, you'll be out of here in two weeks.' He took details from me, my name, my father's name, an ID card, my phone number, my father's," Mor recounted. Advertisement Advertisement That was the first of several encounters Mor would share with the senior terrorist. After the brief encounter, Mor was transported to a warehouse where he was left with his hands tied behind his back for a week. They looked at us like monkeys there. They're not used to seeing a Jew, or anyone outside of Gaza in general, Mor explained. There were three difficult days with my hands behind my back. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't lie down, nothing, he said. After three days, there was someone with a little more compassion. I told him I couldn't do it like that, and he made a hole in the wall and tied me there with one hand. That way I could lie down properly. Advertisement Advertisement Despite meeting a slightly more compassionate terrorist on his third day, Mor described the brutality he experienced in the days that followed. Another terrorist arrived and stole his expensive shoes before using electrocution to torture him, Mor explained. Days later, the terrorists eventually gave him cheaper shoes, many sizes too large. The situation became more frightening once Israel began its military response to the massacre, Mor said. Still, he described the mixed feelings he had at hearing the Israeli bombing throughout the night. "The truth is, I was happy because the bombings at the beginning of the war were very intense. Five brigades came to Gaza City. Massive military pressure. It's very scary.For example, when you sit at night, and the army is taking down buildings around you, you're just waiting to die," he said. The Hamas members are also dying of fear, but they're less afraid of death. From their perspective, sitting with hostages is a great job. They get food and a place to be." A month into captivity, Mor was moved underground, where he would later meet Ziv Berman, another hostage taken from southern Israel. Advertisement Advertisement With little else to do, Mor also took up learning Arabic from his captors and became fluent after a year. They liked to explain how well they, as Muslims, treat prisoners, compared to [National Security Minister Itamar] Ben-Gvir, who treats prisoners badly, he shared. I tried to explain to them once that we have murderers in prison. I said it once and stopped, because it wasn't wise to say it in front of them. I learned their manners, what greetings you give when someone sneezes, what you say to someone who serves you food or a cup of tea. Once I spoke Arabic quite fluently, with an accent, and knew the vernacular words, I saw that they connected more. It helped me a lot, he later added. The terrorists told him to clean and cook, though the food he was provided was infested with worms, he said. He was unable to shower for weeks at a time, and the hygiene conditions in the tunnel were poor. Advertisement Advertisement Being there is essentially coming to terms with death, Mor described. I've tried to compare myself sometimes to a soldier who goes to fight. All our soldiers are heroes. But it's not the same thing. A soldier has the ability to defend himself. Ziv and I talked about it, that we're just sitting there, can't escape, and we're helpless." Despite fantasizing about escape, Mor said he knew it was ultimately futile. Even if you take a weapon, shoot someone, and go out, the whole neighborhood will be on you. They'll kill you in your slippers," he said. The food rations given to them slowly decreased in the tunnels, Mor said. On some days, he had only a plate of rice to share among five people, and on others, only a kiddush cup- size portion of beans. After Operation Arnon, conditions became harsher, but again, Haddad met with the hostages. Advertisement Advertisement At some point, Haddad also arrived there. The truth is that he is a smart man, an intellectual. He studied the enemy, us, properly. He talked to us, among other things, about how they planned October 7, and showed a very broad knowledge of everything related to the army, Mor described. I admit that he knows better than I do, and I think more than most IDF soldiers, about the army. They are obsessed with us. They know a lot. I wish our security establishment would be as obsessed with them from now on as they are with us." Mors fathers role in the Tikva Forum was also widely discussed among the terrorists, though they didnt let Mor watch his fathers interviews. I salute my father. I admire him. Wow, my father is a strong guy. He tells the truth to his face in a respectful manner. He thinks about the country before he thinks about himself. And I want to thank him for being strong for the whole family and for me, Mor shared. HONOLULU (KHON2) A simple name change, with statewide and national impact. At its Dec. 10 meeting, the Hawaii Board on Geographic Names voted to change the official name of the Island of Hawaii to simply Hawaii, bringing it in line with every other island in the state. Big Island officials look to protect nesting nene The decision follows over a year of discussion and public concern. When the proposal was first put forward, many people didnt even know the board existed. Advertisement Advertisement The change was made to be consistent with other islands and also be more culturally respectful. I think we all know Hawaii is the state and also the name of an island, and theres no distinction between the two, and we want to honor the history of the island itself and give it its proper name, Marques Marzan, HBGN chair, said back in April. Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda raised no objections to the name change. I know it always has, historically, as kind of named after Hawaii Loa the Navigator. So, Hawaii makes sense. It could be confusing, because the state of Hawaii. But hey, Ill take it. I mean, Hawaii, that sounds good to me, said the Mayor. Advertisement Advertisement The change would standardize Hawaii across federal and state maps, documents and signage. Man, 24, trying to free entangled shark bit: Police Locals and visitors could still refer to it as the Island of Hawaii or the Big Island. It now heads to the federal board for review, a process expected to take about a year. 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 KHON2. Health Minister Marjorie Michel says she worries about how recent actions by U.S. public health agencies, like removing a universal hepatitis B vaccine recommendation for American infants, could hurt Canadians health. "Its a big worry for me," Michel said in an interview on CBCs The House that airs Saturday morning. "The U.S. is our closest neighbour. And its a big neighbour." "Its absolutely crucial to work with provinces and territories to be all on the same page, for example, on vaccination," Michel told host Catherine Cullen. Advertisement Advertisement Last week, a panel of advisers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) voted to remove the long-standing recommendation to universally vaccinate American infants against hepatitis B. The vote did not change the guidance to vaccinate babies born to mothers who are positive for hepatitis B. U.S. President Donald Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long publicly doubted the safety and efficacy of several vaccines. (Alex Brandon/The Associated Press) Members of the panel were hand-selected by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who himself has promoted debunked theories linking vaccines to autism. Kennedy has also recently walked back his claims linking Tylenol and autism. When asked what kind of damage Kennedy could be causing that could affect Canadians, Michel said that damage can only come to Canada "if we are buying what they are saying" and that "some" Canadians are indeed buying in. Advertisement Advertisement Michel also said that for decades, the United States was a close, integrated neighbour of Canada but "right now, it's not the case." "Its a change in culture, I would say, for the Canadian public. And we have to build trust in science." Canada loses measles elimination status Last month, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) announced Canada was notified it no longer holds measles elimination status as cases continue to rise across the country. According to federal data, a total of 5,298 measles cases have been reported by provinces and territories in 2025. Ontario accounts for about 45 per cent of those cases, followed by Alberta with about 37 per cent. Advertisement Advertisement Michel said PHAC is pushing to educate the Canadian public on the issue, and she herself is working with organizations on the ground to tackle the ongoing outbreak. "I dont want to politicize something that is really talking about the health of Canadians," Michel said. "And this is how I am also working with my critics. Because we are talking about health and we know we have [the] data and my role is to protect Canadians." In its announcement, PHAC said Canada can re-establish its measles elimination status "once transmission of the measles strain associated with the current outbreak is interrupted for at least 12 months." Provinces push to expand private health care Michel was also asked about the federal governments stance on Albertas push to expand private health care. The provincial government tabled a bill last month that paves the way for doctors to work in both the public and private systems. Advertisement Advertisement The health minister said her team is still examining whether Albertas move complies with the Canada Health Act, which sets out conditions for the countrys universal, publicly funded system. "The provinces are making changes," Michel said. "But we are trying to keep everybody under the Canada health tent." If a province or territory is going outside the Canada Health Act, Michel said there "will be penalties" until the region complies with the legislation. Under Albertas plan, patients could pay for health care, including surgeries such as hip and knee replacements, in the province. The government argues this will relieve pressure on the public system, potentially decreasing wait times. Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Ontario announced its plan to spend $125 million over two years to add up to 20,000 orthopedic surgeries at community clinics. The Ontario government has already expanded the private delivery of public health-care services for cataract procedures, as well as MRI and CT scans, and said that has involved 40,000 eye surgeries in the past year and tens of thousands of MRI and CT operating hours. Deputies are calling an 18-year-old high school student a sexual predator who raped several girls. They believe there are more victims. Investigators say someone tipped off a school resource officer, saying a student was being victimized. Investigators believe this behavior has been happening for some time now, dating back to 2020. Rafael OReilly Lerner is accused of raping, choking, slapping, and spitting on a teenage girl and recording the incident. Investigators say, he then threatened to post the video online and show her parents if she told anyone or tried to leave him. Advertisement Advertisement The prosecutor told the judge, The alleged victim is 17-years-old. The arrest report states it happened several times, at his home off Pine Shade Court in Dr Phillips, and even his car. Neighbors like Ruben Ramos were stunned. I saw him getting cuffed and the dad came out. About an hour later the tow truck company came and towed the vehicle. Neighbor Justina Reyes was shocked, Its very upsetting, thank God we dont have no girls in the house. Investigators also say he sexually assaulted a 19-year-old and forced a 16-year-old to send explicit pictures, saying he was part of a gang and knew where she lived. During his first appearance the Judge told the court, I dont want him on the internet or being able to photograph or send images to the alleged victims given the allegations. Ramos says, Its sad. Such a young kid and already in trouble. We tried talking to OReilly Lerners parents, but no one answered the door at their house. Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say OReilly Lerners tactics are emotionally and physically brutal. He coerces them into sex, becomes extremely violent, and videotapes them. Then threatens to expose them. The judge ordered OReilly Lerner to be held in jail on no bond. If you know of anyone whos been victimized, call the OCSO non-emergency line at 407-836-HELP. A detective will get back to you. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. 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: 9 Things Eye Doctors Would Never, Ever Ignore 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: If You Struggle To Fall Asleep, You Might Want To Try This Absurdly Simple Hack 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. Related: 7 Undeniable Benefits Of Listening To Music 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 Dentists Would Never, Ever Do To Their Teeth 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: Norovirus Cases Are Surging. These Are The Most Common Symptoms Doctors Are Seeing Right Now. 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 Angela Engram, a home care worker in Pittsburgh, takes her client Linda Stokes out for her daily walk. | Photo by Jeff Ricker This story originally was published by Capital & Main For more than two decades, Denise Lugo has worked as a home care worker in Fayetteville, North Carolina, caring for elderly clients in their homes. Workers like Lugo provide intimate care for seniors and people with disabilities who cannot care for themselves. For whats often grueling work, Lugo makes $15 an hour caring for two clients, juggling everything from light housekeeping to household errands to bathing, dressing and exercising. Advertisement Advertisement But Lugos livelihood and that of 3 million home care workers across the country is now in peril under a proposal by the Trump administration to end their rights to federal minimum wage and overtime. Without my income from caregiving, I would be in the streets, Lugo, who organizes with the National Domestic Workers Alliances We Dream in Black North Carolina chapter, wrote to the Department of Labor in an official comment on the proposed rule. What would you do if one of your family members needed a home health aid and you cant get one because you are not paying us enough? she asked. Workers like Lugo have been mobilizing against the Trump administration proposal, which reopens a loophole allowing employers to broadly classify care workers as companions who can be paid less than minimum wage and are not eligible for overtime pay. The fight has also energized workers efforts to push state and federal lawmakers to strengthen their rights even as federal ones are taken away. Today, home care work is ubiquitous, with at least 9.8 million older adults and people with disabilities relying on care workers in order to stay out of institutional care. Indeed, home health and personal care work is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country, projected to add nearly 740,000 workers between 2024 and 2034 a jump of 17%. But without a federally mandated right to minimum wage and overtime, workers wages and how easily employers can cut them will vary depending on which state they are in. Advertisement Advertisement [T]his is going to create a patchwork of [state] laws, said Anamaria Segura, an attorney at Getman, Sweeney & Dunn, a Kingston, New York-based firm that fights wage theft on behalf of workers nationwide, including home care aides. At least one-quarter of all home care workers will lose their right to minimum wage and overtime under the Trump administration proposal because they live in states that have no additional wage protections for home care workers. Rights for the rest vary widely. In Pennsylvania, for example, state law guarantees minimum wage and overtime for the 94% of home care workers employed by agencies, but not the 6% directly employed by their client. Meanwhile, home care workers in New York have been entitled to minimum wage since 2010, when the state passed the first state-level Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. If Lugos agency decides to classify her as a companion, it could legally pay her even less than the state minimum wage, which matches the federal rate of $7.25 an hour. Shell be left with two options: take the lower wage or quit. The change, part of a suite of 63 deregulatory actions by the U.S. Department of Labor, is already effectively being implemented, said Mimi Whittaker, a legal fellow at the National Employment Law Project. Rulemaking is still in process, but leadership at the Department of Labors Wage and Hour Division instructed staff in July to immediately refrain from investigating home care agencies that had been charged with misclassifying workers as companions, and to drop any cases currently being considered. Advertisement Advertisement The agency is currently reviewing and considering the more than 5,500 comments received in the departments proposal, a Labor Department official said in an email. Home care worker Angela Engram tends to her client Linda Stokes bedside medical equipment. | Photo by Jeff Ricker Home care employers, particularly for-profit agencies, often exploited a companionship loophole that existed from 1974 to 2015, said Eileen Appelbaum, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research. In 1974, the Labor Department extended wage and overtime protections to care workers unless they were companions. In 2013, regulators restricted the companionship definition and closed the loophole as of 2015. Prior to the 1974 change, care workers had no rights to minimum wage or overtime pay, because Congress had excluded jobs primarily held by Black workers from the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Today, the field is 84% female and 67% nonwhite. The move to reopen the companionship loophole was a handout to big corporations, the home care agencies, [which are a] powerful industry [with] a lot of private equity investment, said Whittaker. The majority of home care agencies are for-profit, and an increasing share of them are run by private equity groups. Advertisement Advertisement The Home Care Association of America, an industry group, lobbied DOL extensively for the rule change, according to an August newsletter for the roughly 3,500 home care agencies in its membership. The association also provided members with a comment template that said the 2013 rule extending labor protections to home care workers limited access to affordable home care by increasing costs and administrative burdens for home care agencies. The Home Care Association of America did not respond to requests for comment. Home care industry experts expect the rule to be finalized soon. In September, before the government shutdown, attorney Angelo Spinola with the Polsinelli Law Firm told home care and hospice agencies that his best guess was that the rule would become effective in January. Advertisement Advertisement Home care workers have pushed back against the proposed rule, the latest battle in a long fight to improve working conditions. As soon as public comments opened for the July proposal, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, a worker advocacy group, coordinated 2,206 public comments from members and allies. The group also pushed to extend the comment period. On Aug. 25, the agency declined that request. The comment period closed on Sept. 2, with more than 5,500 comments submitted. In a Sept. 2 letter to the labor secretary, Rep. Pramila Jayapal and more than 100 other Democratic representatives argued that the proposal would jeopardize our nations care economy [and] destabilize an already underpaid workforce. Labor officials and attorneys general in Democratic-controlled states have also weighed in with comments, arguing that the proposal would put a greater burden on states to police wage theft. Advertisement Advertisement The proposal has also energized existing fights for stronger federal and state protections. At the federal level, 114 Democratic representatives have co-sponsored a National Domestic Worker Bill of Rights introduced by Rep. Jayapal in June. The legislation would guarantee care workers minimum wage, overtime and anti-discrimination protections through amendments to the Fair Labor Standards Act, which governs wages and overtime, and the Civil Rights Act. Every House Republican and 98 Democrats have so far declined to co-sponsor. Even if the bill doesnt advance, said Whittaker, the effort can help build momentum in campaigns to expand state labor protections. That effort is further along in some states than others. Currently, about half of U.S. states have protections that at least partially close the loophole, although details vary widely. In September, after a lobbying push by Californias United Domestic Workers and other caregivers, California passed a bill codifying home care workers overtime protections into state law. (Disclosure: UDW is a financial supporter of Capital & Main.) Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, existing home care workers fights have taken on new urgency, whether with unions or worker centers. In Washington State, home care workers with Service Employees International Union 775 advocated for a successful ballot resolution this election that backers say will increase funding for long-term care and, therefore, job security for care workers. (Disclosure: SEIU is a financial supporter of Capital & Main.) In Illinois, home care workers with SEIU Healthcare Illinois have demanded progressive taxation to fund senior home care threatened by Medicaid cuts in the Republican-backed federal tax law. In Michigan, 32,000 home care workers unionized with SEIU Healthcare Michigan this past October. And in Pennsylvania, home care workers with SEIU helped push the state legislature to pass a 2026 budget in November that includes $21 million to raise wages for care workers hired directly by their clients the same workers left without protections thanks to the federal loophole. And in Georgia, workers with that states We Dream in Black chapter have advocated for a bill requiring Medicaid-funded home care agencies to share data on wages, benefits, vacancies, and workforce demographics. Engram massages Stokes leg to increase blood circulation before their daily walk. | Photo by Jeff Ricker Angela Engram, a home care worker in Pittsburgh, worries the change could put an end to overtime pay she needs. Advertisement Advertisement Engram works more than 60 hours per week caring for an elderly client who hires her directly. For doing everything for the woman she cares for, Engram said grocery shopping, housekeeping, helping her get dressed, coordinating doctor visits and showing up at night if something is wrong she makes $13.53 per hour. Thanks to overtime protections, she usually earns around $20.30 for every hour above 40 each week. I basically live off my overtime pay, she said. But if shes classified as a companion rather than a worker, she could lose it. I wouldnt be able to eat without it, pay my bills without it, Engram said. Her husband is disabled and unable to work. She gets health insurance through a subsidized plan on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. In October, she started requesting 90-day prescriptions, expecting that they will become unaffordable if Congress allows the subsidies to expire. Without the overtime, my goodness, theres no way I can live off of $13.53 an hour, Engram said. Im barely doing it now. Copyright 2025 Capital & Main. WASHINGTON House Republicans have released a legislative proposal aimed at making health care more affordable but without extending premiums under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, which Democrats advocated. Lawmakers are scrambling to assemble a health care program that could win approval in the narrowly divided Congress because Obamacare subsidies are set to expire Dec. 31. Without an extension, premiums are projected to double on average for 24 million Americans. A House vote could come in the next week. But lawmakers remain sharply divided over health care, after a Democratic demand to extend Obamacare led to the longest government shutdown in history. Republicans oppose Obamacare while Democrats are urging a three-year extension of subsidies. The Senate on Dec. 11 rejected proposals from both parties as the clock ticks down on the year. Advertisement Advertisement The House Rules Committee is set to meet Dec. 16 to decide whether to allow amendments such as a proposal to extend Obamacare subsidies. A full House vote could come later in the week. But even if House Republicans unite behind the proposal, its chances are dimmer in the Senate. The bill would need the support of 60 senators in a chamber with 53 Republicans and 47 lawmakers who caucus with Democrats. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, and Sen Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, talk between votes after the Senate failed to advance proposals that would reduce healthcare costs, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 11, 2025. The House GOP proposal aims to lower costs and improve options for workers. On the cost side, the legislation would require pharmacy benefit managers to provide employers with detained information about prescription drug spending, rebates and formulary decisions about which drugs are available. The bill also pledges to provide funding in 2027 to reduce premiums, particularly for low-income enrollees. Advertisement Advertisement To provide more options, the legislation would expand association health plans by allowing employers to join together across industries to buy affordable coverage. The bill aims to protect small and mid-sized employers from catastrophic claims by clarifying that stop-loss insurance isnt health insurance. And the bill would codify 2019 rules allow employees to buy their own insurance and pay for premiums with before-tax income. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, speaks to the media in Statuary Hall after the House voted 222-209 to pass the Senate's funding deal on Nov. 12, 2025. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, said in announcing the GOP proposal that Obamacare broke the American health care system with skyrocketing premiums. Since its inception, premium costs have skyrocketed, networks have shrunk, and the system has become bloated, inefficient, and riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse, Johnson said. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York looks down during a news conference following Senate votes on competing healthcare plans, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 11, 2025. But House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, told MSNOW that the GOP bill is likely to be a disaster and actually not enhance the health care of the American people. Contributing: Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: House GOP proposes health care bill with votes possible next week This article was originally published in EdSource. This has been an especially challenging year for Rosalba Ortegas family. Its been a cold, soggy winter in Bakersfield, and Ortega said her two granddaughters, ages 4 and 7, dont have warm coats for their walk to school. Rent and food prices have been climbing, and as a farmworker, shes struggled to find work in the fields. Last months delays to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) known in California as CalFresh hit her grandkids at a time when her family is already struggling to put food on the table. Advertisement Advertisement Theres not much food for them, said Ortega, in Spanish. We have to look for low prices to buy for them. Sometimes the shelters give us food and that helps us a lot. Ortega said her family never had to rely on shelters and churches for food in the past, but this year has been different. She isnt alone. Disruptions to SNAP amid the government shutdown last month came at a time when California families say they are increasingly struggling to meet basic needs, including putting food on the table. Three in 10 Californians and half of lower-income residents say they or someone in their household has reduced meals or cut back on food to save money, according to a survey conducted in October by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California. Advertisement Advertisement Experts say that hunger and economic distress can affect students academic performance and determine whether they decide to attend or finish college. Whats happening out of school can have a huge impact on their ability to learn while theyre in school, said Natalie Wheatfall-Lum, director of TK-12 policy for EdTrust-West, a nonprofit that advocates for justice in education. Research shows children struggle to pay attention at school when SNAP benefits run out mid-month, and families turn to ultra-processed foods, according to Martin Caraher, a food policy expert at City University London who has worked with the World Health Organization. You see it in behavior and performance at school, Caraher said. Federal cuts reduce food aid President Donald Trumps budget and tax bill, passed by Congress in July, made cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, called Medi-Cal in California. Californias low-income students and their families will likely see federally funded food support and health care shrink or vanish under the law. Advertisement Advertisement This is coming at the same time that the Trump administration says it wants to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education to break up the federal education bureaucracy and return education to the states, a move that conservatives have long advocated since the creation of the Cabinet-level department in 1979. Wheatfall-Lum said that the federal government has been making cuts and laying off staff at programs aimed at those who are already hardest hit by hunger and economic distress, such as migrant students, multilingual students, homeless students, and students of color. In its upcoming budget cycle, California should address the needs of families both in and outside of education, she said. What the state can do is make sure not to back away from programming in place to support these same students, Wheatfall-Lum said. Advertisement Advertisement EdTrust-West is advocating for the state to continue its commitment to a school funding formula that offers extra support to schools to help low-income and vulnerable students. Continuing to fund the community schools model is especially important, she said, because it is more responsive to families needs. Families with young children hit hard The number of struggling California parents with young children is especially alarming, researchers say. Nearly 3 in 4 families in California with children under age 6 report struggling with one or more basic needs, such as utilities, housing, food, health care and child care, according to the RAPID California Voices survey conducted in July. The project, conducted by Stanford University, has been surveying parents and caregivers with young children since November 2022. During that time, more than half of families surveyed said they struggled with basic needs, but over the last year, struggles with health care, food and utilities reached 73% one of the highest levels since the survey began. Its pretty stark data, said Philip Fisher, director of the Stanford Center on Early Childhood. Our research shows consistently that economic hardship translates subsequently into parent stress and distress, which then gets passed along to child distress. So if you want to know how kids are doing, these are not great trends. Advertisement Advertisement Fisher noted that supports rolled out during the pandemic, such as the expanded Child Tax Credit, increased SNAP and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) benefits, and stimulus checks, resulted in fewer parents of young children experiencing material hardship and emotional distress. As those benefits expired, that trend reversed, he said. Researchers at Stanford asked caregivers to explain the biggest current challenges for their family in their own words. They shared those anonymized answers with EdSource. Were working hard, but its not enough anymore, wrote one caregiver in San Joaquin County. We need our leaders to understand that even full-time workers cant afford rent, health care, and food in this state. Wages havent kept up. One caregiver in San Bernardino County said they are worried about how the cuts from Trumps budget will affect their Medi-Cal and CalFresh benefits. Advertisement Advertisement They might get cut because the [Big Beautiful Bill] passed, the caregiver wrote. College students struggle with basic needs College students are also struggling and unlike K-12 students who receive breakfast and lunch at school, they dont have guaranteed meals. Typically, students come into Long Beach States Basic Needs center because of a specific crisis, such as losing their job, said the centers director, Danielle Munoz-Channel. But now, students tend to come in just because theyre getting squeezed all around by rent, utilities and food prices. They cant pinpoint any one factor, she said. We ask what changed, and they say, Nothing, I just cant afford it anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Munoz-Channel said shes monitoring whether federal cuts to CalFresh and Medi-Cal benefits, such as tightened work requirements, could affect students and the future workforce. She said students need to have their basic needs met so that they can focus on school otherwise they risk not graduating on time or not finishing their degree at all. Im worried about how it will affect our most needy students who use college to break generational cycles of poverty, she said. Deputies from the Ada County Sheriffs Office arrested a 35-year-old man on several felony charges after he allegedly attacked a person he knew and refused to cooperate with law enforcement. Just after 6:30 p.m. Thursday, deputies were called to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise after a patient asked to speak with law enforcement, according to a news release from the sheriffs office. There, deputies learned that Christian Wood had physically attacked the patient at a Boise home, fired a gun inside the home and then pointed the gun at the victim, according to the release. Deputies responded to a home on West Fox Ridge Drive, where Wood was located, and attempted to remove him from the house, the sheriffs office said. He refused to leave and told deputies that hed challenge them and implied that the deputies would have to use lethal force, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement After the Ada County SWAT Team was called in, Wood agreed to exit the house, but he didnt follow the deputies instructions. Instead, he exited though a sliding glass window and jumped into a neighboring yard where several deputies were waiting, the release said. Wood was taken into custody without incident, the release said. He was armed with an AR-15, a handgun and ammunition, according to the sheriffs office. Hes facing two felony counts of aggravated assault, felony unlawful discharge of a weapon in a house and an enhancement for the use of a deadly weapon in commission of a felony, according to online court records. Hes being held at the Ada County Jail on a $500,000 bond, court records showed. You've been waiting for one final delivery to complete that perfect holiday gift for your sweet Aunt Joan. The delivery - however - landed on someone else's front porch. With the holiday shopping season in full swing, parcels are zipping around the country as postal workers and other delivery carriers set them on your doorstep or mailbox. But what do you do when a package for someone else arrives at your front door or you much-anticipated parcel lands in a stranger's mailbox? An estimated 2.3 billion packages will be shipped in the 2025 holiday season, according to ShipMatrix. Mistakes happen though, so its important to know what to do in case a misdirected package ends up in your hands? Advertisement Advertisement The law is crystal clear in some situations and questionable in others. It can depend on who delivered the package, what is inside and whether you tried to get it to the intended recipient. Is keeping a package meant for someone else a crime? Purposely keeping or damaging a misdelivered package could land you in legal trouble and is punishable by the federal government, according to the Unites States Postal Service. Keeping a package addressed to someone else is considered mail theft, according to the USPS, and is punishable by up to $250,000 in fines or up to five years in prison, according to legalclarity.org. What do I do if I receive a misdelivered package? To be safe, send it back. The USPS offers these tips Advertisement Advertisement Do not open the package, it could be considered tampering Check the address to see if the intended recipient lives nearby, you could hand-deliver the package yourself. Contact the sender or carrier and notify them of misdelivery, ask them to pick it up. Write "Delivered to wrong address" or "return to sender" of you turn the package back over to a postal service employee. What happens if I cant return the package? If you make a reasonable effort to return the package, you might be able to keep it. The U.S. Postal Service will return or forward packages misdelivered by its carriers. Private freight companies typically do as well, but online platforms such as Amazon using delivery contractors don't always collect the misdelivered item, especially if it is inexpensive. Similarly, misdelivered food or perishable items will not be picked up because of the risk of contamination while it out of the couriers possession. Can I keep a package addressed to me that I did not order? Yes, but be careful. Advertisement Advertisement If you receive a package in your name containing items you did not order you have the right to keep it without paying for it. The Federal Trade Commission says when a company sends you something you didnt order that is addressed to you, they cant later demand you return the item or pay for it. Recipients are under no obligation to pay for unsolicited merchandise and can consider it a gift, according to New York's Division of Consumer Protection. If you dont want the item, donate it or dispose of it if you opt not to return it. However if the unsolicited package contains food, seeds or plants - do not use it. My package never arrived. Now what? If you didn't receive a notice that your package was delivered to someone else's property, its time to look around the area of the delivery location - I once found a delivery in a nearby snowbank. It's possible someone stole your parcel since porch theft is rather common - 104 million packages were stolen in the U.S. in the past 12 months, according to a SafeWise study. New York City ranked as the second worst metro cities for package theft in 2025, behind Chicago, according to the report. New York was also the second worst state for package theft in that same timeframe, behind California. In all more than 7.8 million package theft incidents were reported in the Empire state in that same year-long stretch. Advertisement Advertisement If still not found after a search of the area, contact the carrier - USPS requires you to file a missing mail search request. Similar procedures are in place for FedEx and UPS. For misdelivered Amazon orders shipped by the company, contact Amazon's customer service. Parcels shipped by a third-party seller should be contacted directly. Includes reporting by the USA Today network This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Is it illegal to keep a misdelivered package in NY? What to know Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) said Thursday he would help President Trump primary Republican state lawmakers who voted against a redistricting measure backed by the leader. I am very disappointed that a small group of misguided State Senators have partnered with Democrats to reject this opportunity to protect Hoosiers with fair maps and to reject the leadership of President Trump. Ultimately, decisions like this carry political consequences, Braun wrote in a post on the social platform X. I will be working with the President to challenge these people who do not represent the best interests of Hoosiers, he added. Advertisement Advertisement The would-be new map failed in a 19-31 vote in the Indiana Senate, with 21 Republicans joining 10 Democrats in voting against it. Well be launching primary challenges against every last traitor who voted no, effective immediately! Pack your bags, your time is up! Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz wrote on the social platform X, responding to the vote. Republicans lawmakers in the Hoosier State who opposed the effort have defended their decision to buck Trump. Make no mistake, I, like many of those who will join me in voting no today, are constitutional fiscal and religious conservatives. What that means to me is that I believe in conserving the values, the culture and the institutions that created American exceptionalism, said Indiana state Sen. Spencer Deery (R), who voted against the map. Advertisement Advertisement My point is that my opposition to mid-cycle gerrymandering is not in contrast with my conservative principles, he said. My opposition is driven by them. Trump has threatened to primary all GOP lawmakers that defied his mid-decade redistricting push in the state. They found some Republican SUCKERS, and they couldnt be happier that they did! Guys like Failed Senate Candidate Mitch Daniels, who I opposed in his Race against Senator Jim Banks, and Cam Savage, whoever that is, are fighting against the Republican Party, all the way, Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post ahead of Thursdays vote. He specifically slammed Indiana State Senate Leader Rodric Bray (R). Advertisement Advertisement Bray and his friends are the favorite Republicans of [House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries], Crazy Nancy Pelosi, and Cryin Chuck Schumer. Anybody that votes against Redistricting, and the SUCCESS of the Republican Party in D.C., will be, I am sure, met with a MAGA Primary in the Spring, he wrote. 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. Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith (R) said Thursday the Trump administration threatened to withhold federal funding if state lawmakers rejected a new GOP-favored congressional map. The Trump admin was VERY clear about this, Beckwith wrote in a now-deleted post on the social platform X. They told many lawmakers, Cabinet members and [Gov. Mike Braun] and I that this would happen, he continued. The Indiana Senate made it clear to the Trump Admin today that they do not want to be partners with the WH. The WH made it clear to them that theyd oblige. Advertisement Advertisement His post followed a warning from the conservative advocacy group Heritage Action, a sister organization of the conservative Heritage Foundation. President Trump has made it clear to Indiana leaders: if the Indiana Senate fails to pass the map, all federal funding will be stripped from the state, the organization wrote earlier Thursday in a post on X, ahead of the state Senates vote on a measure to approve new congressional lines. Roads will not be paved. Guard bases will close. Major projects will stop, the group continued. These are the stakes and every NO vote will be to blame. Despite the statement, the vote in the Hoosier States upper chamber failed 19-31, with 21 Republicans voting with Democrats to block the map from advancing. The upset came a week after the lower chamber passed the measure, days after the updated districts were officially proposed. Advertisement Advertisement Trump and his allies, along with Heritage Action, have vowed to support primary challenges against the Republicans who bucked the effort. If Indiana Republicans side with these Never Trumpers to do the dirty work of Democrats, Ill be spending a lot of time in Indiana next year campaigning against every single one of them, Donald Trump Jr., the presidents eldest son, wrote on X ahead of the vote. He added, PS: These RINO consultants sabotaging MAGA need to be rooted out of the GOP!!! Vice President Vance also weighed in on the failed measure, blaming Indiana Senate GOP Leader Rodric Bray for the misalignment with the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Rod Bray, the Senate leader in Indiana, has consistently told us he wouldnt fight redistricting while simultaneously whipping his members against it, Vance wrote on social media. That level of dishonesty cannot be rewarded, and the Indiana GOP needs to choose a side. 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 Indiana Senate on Thursday failed to pass a new House map, dealing a blow to President Donald Trumps plan to see Republicans win additional seats in next years midterms by redistricting in red states. Indiana state senators voted against the new map in a 31-19 vote, with 21 Republicans joining 10 Democrats to reject it. The new congressional map would have added two more likely-Republican seats and comes as many states reconsider their maps in a mid-decade redistricting frenzy. The Indiana effort came after closed-door meetings, public pressure from Trump, and Vice President JD Vances travel to the state. However, the vote Thursday showed how resistant the Republican lawmakers were to the pressure campaign from top GOP officials. Advertisement Advertisement Trump, speaking from the Oval Office Thursday evening, bashed the state lawmakers and pointed to the successful redistricting efforts in other states. He noted that in previous elections he won in Indiana and wasnt working on it very hard. Would have been nice. I think we would have picked up two seats, Trump said. The failed measure has worried some of Trumps allies. Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon said on his podcast that the vote in Indiana was a blowout and a huge defeat for the president of the United States. Ahead of the vote, conservative think tank Heritage Action suggested that if the measure failed, federal funding would be cut off to Indiana. Advertisement Advertisement Roads will not be paved. Guard bases will close. Major projects will stop, the group said online. These are the stakes and every NO vote will be to blame. Protesters are seen through a window in the Senate Chamber during dissuasion before a vote to redistrict the state's congressional map, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. | Michael Conroy, Associated Press Redistricting nationwide Earlier this year, Trump told Texas Republican congressional delegation that the state should look to add five new seats that the GOP could win through redistricting. Trumps efforts in Texas kick-started an ongoing push by other states to redistrict, as well as legal challenges. In Texas, where Republicans are hoping to gain five more House seats following the 2026 election, legal challenges hoped to stop the state from implementing the new map. Texas state Rep. Jolanda "Jo" Jones flips through maps during a public hearing on congressional redistricting in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. | Eric Gay The Supreme Court, however, issued a brief, unsigned opinion that allowed Texas to move forward with the map. The court said Texas was likely going to succeed in its claim that the district court committed errors when it sought to block the new map from being used in upcoming races. Advertisement Advertisement Other states joined the fray, including California. Californians voted in early November on Proposition 50, which overrode a state law that made the redistricting process less partisan. It paved the way for a new map to be used in the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections and to draw five likely-Democratic seats to counteract the move in Texas. Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia all moved forward with redistricting plans of their own. Other states, including New York, Maryland, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas, have all also signaled willingness to join the battle. Trump wading into the Texas redistricting plan was the first sign that he did not want a repeat from his first presidency, when Democrats flipped the House majority just two years into his term. Historically, the party that controls the White House usually loses ground in the House during midterm elections. Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has enjoyed the support of a slim Republican majority in both the House and the Senate. During his first term, Republicans lost 40 seats in the House during midterms. Advertisement Advertisement Trump shared ahead of Indianas vote that the state had a chance to make a difference in Washington, D.C. Every other State has done Redistricting, willingly, openly, and easily, he said online. There was never a question in their mind that contributing to a WIN in the Midterms for the Republicans was a great thing to do for our Party, and for America itself. Anybody that votes against Redistricting, and the SUCCESS of the Republican Party in D.C., will be, I am sure, met with a MAGA Primary in the Spring, he later added. As it stands, the nationwide redistricting efforts are still in the early stages. With the GOPs slim majority in the House, they are looking to gain upward of 15 new seats through redistricting that could blunt Democratic efforts to retake the House. Still, current polling shows Democrats have a slight leg up on Republicans about a year out from the elections. Iran said those detained in the ongoing investigation include the tanker's captain. The vessel's identity and the crew members' nationalities were not disclosed. Iranian authorities detained 18 crew members of a foreign tanker seized in the Gulf of Oman on Friday, which they said was carrying 6 million liters of smuggled fuel, Iranian media reported on Saturday, citing the Hormozgan province judiciary. It said those detained in the ongoing investigation include the tanker's captain. The identity of the vessel and the nationalities of the crew members were not disclosed. Warships sail during the joint Navy exercise of Iran, China and Russia in the Gulf of Oman, Iran, March 12, 2025. (credit: IRANIAN ARMY/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY)/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS) Iran detains fuel tanker as economy plummets The authorities said the tanker had committed multiple violations, including "ignoring stop orders, attempting to flee, (and) lacking navigation and cargo documentation." Iran, which has some of the world's lowest fuel prices due to heavy subsidies and the plunge in the value of its national currency, has been fighting rampant fuel smuggling by land to neighboring countries and by sea to Gulf Arab states. Goli Koukhan paid the family of her dead abusive husband 10bn tomans in a diyah (blood money) payment to avoid being put to death by the Islamic regime. Goli Koukhan, a child bride and victim of domestic violence, was spared the death penalty in Iran after she was able to raise sufficient diyah (blood money) to compensate the family of her dead husband, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mai Sato, confirmed on Friday. The blood money has been provided, but while we cherish the saving of one person's life, we cannot overlook the institutional and structural injustices that brought Goli Kokhen to the brink of death, Sato wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Kouhken was sold intomarriage at 12 years old and suffered years of abuse at the hands of her cousin, whom she married. Kouhkan had called for help from a relative when she witnessed herhusband beating her five-year-old son, which led to a fight and his death. Women, life, freedom mural in Tel Aviv, June 12, 2024. (credit: Courtesy) Held on death row in Gorgan central prison for the last seven years, since her husbands death when she was only 18, the case has been widely condemned by human rights groups. After her marriage became both physically and emotionally abusive, Koukhan escaped to her familys house to ask for help but was reportedly told by her father, I gave my daughter away in a white dress, the only way you can return [is wrapped in a shroud], according to Ziba Baktyari, a member of the womens advocacy organization Brashm. Advertisement Advertisement In a letter dated December 1, Sato and several other UN officials urged the courts take into consideration the domestic suffering Koukhan experienced in her 13 year marriage. In the cases of women who kill in the context of domestic violence courts should fully take into account mitigating factors relating to the sexual and gender based violence that women and girls have experienced, including by addressing the gender bias facing women and girls that are sentenced to death, the letter read. Iran denies reports surrounding death sentence of child bride victim In response to the letter, the regime denied claims that she was a member of the ethnic group Baluch, claiming instead that she is an Afghan immigrant, and denied evidence that she was a victim of child marriage. The regime also denied reports that it had been her cousin who killed her husband accidentally while responding to an incident of domestic violence carried out against Khoukans son. Khoukan brutally murdered her husband with multiple stab wounds and beheading after administering anesthetic, which has hurt public sentiment in the area where they live, the regime claimed. In part of her statement in court, she stated that "after [the stabbings] I was afraid that he might get up and hurt me, so I took the kitchen knife (the yellow knife) and cut throat." Advertisement Advertisement The regime also claimed to have examined thousands of messages between Khoukan and her accomplice, which allegedly led authorities to believe that the motive in the killing was related to their emotional relationship. Despite the finality of the judgment (with all stages of legal proceedings completed and with access to legal counsel), its execution has been suspended due to ongoing reconciliation sessions, and efforts to obtain the consent of the victim's family continue, the regime asserted, despite earlier comments. In disregard of Irans statements on her ethnic background, Sato wrote that the Koukhan case reflects a broader pattern of discrimination against women throughout Iran's judicial system. Between 2010 and 2024, at least 241 women have been executed in Iran. Notably, in 114 of these cases, the women who were convicted and executed for murder had killed their husband or partner. Many of these women were victims of domestic violence or child marriage, or were acting in self-defense. It was previously reported that, even if Kouhkan paid her husbands family, she would be expelled from her city and would be unlikely to be granted custody or contact with her 11-year-old son. The # (#SaviGoli) campaign was launched to help her raise the necessary funds to avoid being murdered by the state. She had until December to pay 10bn tomans (approximately NIS 342,000) in blood money to her husbands family. In addition to the names of terrorists, Israel reportedly handed over a map with locations relevant to the search for Gvilis remains. Israel handed over a list of names of Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists with the knowledge of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvilis location to mediators, N12 News reported on Friday. In addition, Israel reportedly handed over a map with locations relevant to the search for Gvilis remains. Advertisement Advertisement Israel has received several leads about Gvilis burial site over recent weeks, sources familiar with the details told Maariv. Gvili, who was murdered on October 7 and whose body was taken to the Gaza Strip, is the final hostage remaining there. Hamas and PIJ know where Gvilis remains are located, and have the ability to find them. The problem is they are not motivated to do so, a security source told Maariv. We believe they can put in more effort. A billboard in Times Square calls for the release of Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage in Gaza. (Screenshot) (credit: SCREENSHOT/JTA) If Islamic Jihad really wants it, Ran Gvili will be home in a short time, an Israeli source told N12. Hamas blames Israel for its failure to return final Gaza hostage Jerusalem is reportedly confident that the information will help locate Gvilis remains faster once the weather from Storm Byron fully clears. However, Hamas officials claimed that Israel had already killed the terrorists with knowledge of Gvilis location, sources in the terror group told Asharq Al-Awsat. Advertisement Advertisement The sources claimed that his remains were likely buried in one of three or four places in the neighborhoods of Shejaia or Zeitoun, east of Gaza City, where searches have already taken place. Hamas official Khaled Mashal accused the international community of a double standard in a Telegram announcement on Friday, while complaining of delays in enacting the second phase of the US truce agreement. There is a double standard in the international community. They are waiting to see how many Israeli bodies remain, while ignoring the large number of Palestinian victims and missing persons. Furthermore, Israel is concealing the fate of the prisoners it holds. Itzik Gvili, the father of Gvili, said at a rally in Tel Aviv on Friday night that this weeks Torah portion is about Jacob, who refused to be comforted because Joseph was alive. I feel the same way. I am Jacob, and for me, Ran is still alive. It is hard for me to accept people saying of blessed memory. For me, until I get him back, he is alive. Even though they announced his death, I do not accept it. Advertisement Advertisement He continued that just as Ran went to save the people and went to save the country, today the country and the people need to save him, not give up, and keep him in our minds. We, the Gvili family, embrace each and every one of you. All officers were sent a letter on the matter, which stated that anyone working for the police caught driving under the influence could likely be fired. Israel Police leadership is concerned about the rising issue of officers caught driving under the influence, N12 reported on Saturday. All officers were sent a letter on the matter, the report added, stating that anyone employed by the police caught driving under the influence would likely be fired. Advertisement Advertisement "The offense of drunk driving is a serious offense, which carries many significant risks for road users, and sometimes even carries tragic consequences," wrote Alona Shoshan, head of the police's human resources department, in the letter. "As police officers, we are required to be extremely careful about the observance and implementation of the provisions of the law. "The police have zero tolerance towards police officers who drive under the influence of alcohol. A police officer who is caught driving drunk is required to immediately report to his commanders," the letter continued. Additional breach of protocol by Israeli officers Earlier this week, Israel Police's Lahav 433 Commander, Asst.-Ch. Meni Binyamin was questioned for a suspected conflict of interest during an investigation into the Bakri crime organization. The letter sent to police officers on warnings of DUI obtained by N12. (credit: Canva, SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT) The Police Investigation Department (PID) imposed restrictions on him, including a ban on contacting other parties involved in the case. Advertisement Advertisement His questioning followed an incident in which the PID detained him at the beginning of this month. His attorney, Uri Korb, said that the PID "chose to violate the law, to detain and then even unlawfully arrest Binyamin. Fraidy Moser and Maariv Online contributed to this report. The Israeli military says it has killed senior Hamas commander Raed Saad in an attack near Gaza City. The attack on Saturday killed five people and wounded at least 25, according to Gaza health authorities. Hamas issued a statement but did not confirm the death of Raed Saad. It said a civilian vehicle had been struck outside Gaza City and asserted it was a violation of the ceasefire that took effect in October. Advertisement Advertisement In a post on Telegram, the army alleged that Saad had been operating to re-establish Hamass capabilities, which have been severely depleted by more than two years of Israels genocidal war on Gaza. It described him as one of the architects of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. If Saad was killed, it would be the highest-profile assassination of a senior Hamas figure since a fragile ceasefire deal came into effect in October. An Israeli defence official told the Reuters news agency that Saad had been targeted in the attack, describing him as the head of Hamass weapons manufacturing force. Hamas sources have also described him as the second-in-command of the groups armed wing, after Izz al-Din al-Haddad. Advertisement Advertisement Saad used to head Hamass Gaza City battalion, one of the groups largest and best-equipped, those sources said. The Wafa news agency reported that an Israeli drone hit a vehicle at the Nabulsi junction in the west of Gaza City, resulting in casualties. The agency did not report on specific numbers, and it was not clear if the attack was the one that allegedly killed the Hamas member. Since the ceasefire started in October, Israel has continued to attack Gaza daily reaching nearly 800 times and killing at least 386 people in a clear breach of the agreement, according to authorities in Gaza. Israel also continues to block the majority of aid trucks from entering the enclave. The United Nations General Assembly on Friday overwhelmingly backed a resolution demanding that Israel open unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, stop attacking UN facilities, and comply with international law, in line with its obligations as an occupying power. The Israeli military said on Saturday that it killed a high-ranking Hamas commander in the Gaza Strip who had been working to restore the Palestinian militia's capabilities and weapons production. The announcement, made in a statement, did not name the person killed. Israeli media outlets the Times of Israel and ynet reported that Raad Saad was the top commander of the Palestinian militant organization who was targeted in an airstrike and killed in Gaza City. Saad is said to have been the chief planner of the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, in southern Israel, in which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 others were abducted to the Gaza Strip. Discussions by the delegation in Aden, the base of the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized Yemeni government, will address measures to rectify recent unilateral actions. A joint Saudi-Emirati military delegation arrived in Aden to discuss measures aimed at defusing tensions in southern Yemen, days after the countrys main southern separatist group claimed broad control across the south, a government source told Reuters on Friday. The Southern Transitional Council said the takeover included the eastern provinces of Hadhramaut and Mahra, and that the separatist group is present in all eastern provinces of south Yemen, including Aden, the base of the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government. Advertisement Advertisement Discussions to be held by the delegation in Aden will address ways to rectify recent unilateral actions, including the withdrawal of any forces brought in from outside the eastern provinces, a source in the presidential office told the state news agency SABA. The STC, which has been backed in the past by the United Arab Emirates during Yemen's decade-old civil war, has clashed with other groups, which relocated to Aden after the Iran-aligned Houthis movement captured the capital Sanaa in 2014. A billboard displays the photo of Aidarous al-Zabidi, the head of Yemen's separatist Southern Transitional Council in Aden, Yemen December 9, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Fawaz Salman) Takeover of southern Yemen On Monday, the STC said senior figures from other groups had left Aden, including the head of the eight-member body that serves as the president's representative and the prime minister. Senior STC official Amr al-Bidh told Reuters by text message that the eight southern governorates "are under the protection of the Southern Armed Forces." Advertisement Advertisement "We are concentrating on unifying the operational theater of our armed forces to enhance coordination and readiness to reinforce stability and security in the south, as well as combating the Houthis should there be a willingness to head in this direction." Al-Bidh said Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, which replaced the office of president in 2022, had left Aden, as had Prime Minister Salem Saleh Bin Braik, though al-Bidh said the STC had not ordered them to go. "The institutional makeup remains unchanged," al-Bidh said. Presidential Council head al-Alimi, who briefed diplomats in Riyadh on Sunday, said in a statement on Monday that the STCs actions across the south "undermine the legitimacy of the internationally recognized government" and violate power-sharing agreements. Jon Stewart on Thursday shredded Donald Trumps claim that the media reporting on his health is seditious, perhaps even treasonous after an article in The New York Times suggested that the president is showing signs of fatigue. Stewart, in remarks on the latest episode of his Weekly Show podcast, joked that Trump is the healthiest, most robust president in U.S. history and said hes found the thicker the ankle, the better the balance. Politics: Trump Absolutely Loses It Over NYT Story On His Energy, Calls Female Reporter Ugly For Donald Trump, the level of fealty can never rise to a level that is satisfactory for him. There is no level of ***-kissing you can do, Stewart said. Advertisement Advertisement The Times Katie Rogers and Dylan Freedman, in their reporting last month, wrote that Trump is working shorter days and its gotten harder to project an image of round-the-clock energy, virility and physical stamina. Trumps apparent series of mid-meetingnaps, as well as talk around his MRI, have fueled further questions around his health and cognitive fitness in recent weeks. The president took to his Truth Social platform earlier this week to rant about the Times reporting in a lengthy screed (again), declaring that theres never been a President that has worked as hard as me before adding that his hours are the longest and his results are among the best. Politics: Donald Trump Predicts What Don Jr. Will Do When I Kick The Bucket On his podcast, Stewart said that everything is seditious to Trump that falls beneath the level of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem thanking Trump for keeping the hurricanes away this year at a recent Cabinet meeting. Advertisement Advertisement He is angry at Fox News, which is literally like a 24-hour-a-day, ball-washing machine for Trump and is designed specifically to keep him in power, he said. So for him to say something is seditious or treasonous means nothing because the bar of entry to Donald Trump is purely about how deeply you are proving your undying loyalty to the king. Anything below that, obviously, is seditious and none of us measure up, unfortunately. Stewart noted sarcastically that its so hard to be a billionaire president. Politics: Trumps Awkward Coin Toss At The Army-Navy Game Is Raising Eyebrows Money corrupts and power corrupts and to have all the money and all the power its like if Lord of the Rings ended where theyre going to drop the ring into the fire and then instead of hitting the fire, he catches it, Stewart said. Advertisement Advertisement Think of how hard that is on someone, we dont feel bad enough. Related... Read the original on HuffPost SCHENECTADY - A Schenectady County jury has awarded $54.2 million in damages to more than 1,100 former employees of the now-closed St. Clare's Hospital in Schenectady, whose pension plan was shut down in 2018 with a $50 million shortfall. The jury returned its verdict Friday evening following one full day of deliberations, finding that two former bishops of the bankrupt Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany and the former leadership of St. Clare's Hospital are liable for failing to properly administer the hospital's pension plan. Advertisement Advertisement The jury also concluded that former Albany bishops Howard J. Hubbard and Edward Scharfenberger, former diocesan employee and St. Clare's President Joseph Pofit, and former St. Clare's Hospital President Robert Perry, had all breached their fiduciary duties to both the hospital and the pensioners. Hubbard died in 2023. The next step in the case is for a trial to be scheduled to determine any punitive damages. The verdict will also be subject to review in the diocese's ongoing bankruptcy case in U.S. District Court in Albany. Any damages awarded to the pensioners will need to be approved by a bankruptcy judge, who will also approve any settlement with hundreds of alleged child sex abuse victims who have filed claims against the diocese and are also listed as unsecured creditors. "This verdict is a major victory for every St. Clare's Hospital employee who tirelessly cared for patients and was unjustly denied their pension and the chance to retire with dignity," state Attorney General Letitia James, whose office litigated the case for the pensioners along with attorneys for the AARP Foundation. "No one should ever be deprived of the pension they were promised, and my office will not hesitate to pursue justice against any individual or organization that violates our laws or New Yorkers' trust," James added. Advertisement Advertisement St. Clare's closed in 2008 and surrendered its operating certificate and all its assets to Ellis Hospital. The former employees' retirement portfolios were wiped out by the hospital's depleted pension fund, which they allege was mismanaged by top officials associated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. The pension plan was shut down despite having received $28.5 million in Medicaid benefits from the state to fully fund the plan. Of the 1,124 retirees eligible for a pension, about 650 were told they would get nothing. The remaining 450 or so were paid 70% of their retirement benefits. The fund was created in 1959, about a decade after the diocese co-founded the hospital. The diocese had asserted that it had no responsibility in the St. Clare's pension collapse; but the pensioners and the state attorney general's office accused Hubbard - in league with other diocesan officials - of falsely telling the Internal Revenue Service that required annual contributions were being made to the pension plan. Attorneys in the case had given their closing arguments on Thursday at the Schenectady County courthouse. Advertisement Advertisement Jurors began deliberating on Friday morning after acting state Supreme Court Justice Vincent Versaci instructed them on the law they could consider to reach a verdict. Attorneys for the diocese, Scharfenberger and the other defendants on Thursday told the jury that although the church was the religious sponsor of St Clare's Hospital, it did not directly control the hospital and therefore is not liable for the pension's demise. They instead said the fund was the victim of the hospital's 2008 closure, ordered by the state Department of Health, and the global financial meltdown that same year. "It was the DOH, not the bishop, not the diocese," attorney Anthony Cardona, who represents Scharfenberger, told the jury. "DOH made all the decisions." Attorneys for the pensioners argued that all the defendants should be held liable as they breached their fiduciary duty to the former St. Clare's workers by repeatedly dropping federal pension insurance and hiding for years the true financial condition of the pension fund from its beneficiaries. Advertisement Advertisement "This was wanton and reckless behavior," Assistant Attorney General Monica Connell told the jury. In a statement, the AARP Foundation, which brought the original lawsuit against the diocese and others, said that it was hopeful the jury would rule in favor of the pensioners. "We are asking the jury to hold all defendants liable for breaches of fiduciary duty and contract, and to award damages and punitive measures to deter future misconduct," said William Alvarado Rivera, the AARP Foundation's senior vice president for litigation. The diocese issued a statement following the verdict saying: "As grateful as we are for the jury's informed decision, we are still very much aware of the hurt felt by the St. Clare's pensioners who cared for the sick and the poor throughout the long history of St, Clare's Hospital. This does not mean that we will turn our backs to the pensioners for as Bishop (Mark) O'Connell has noted, they are a part of our flock; they are still in need of healing." Advertisement Advertisement O'Connell was installed as bishop of the Albany diocese earlier this month. A focus of the case had been a decision made in the 1990s by the St. Clare's governing board to invoke the religious exemption from the federal government that allowed it to drop out of the federal pension insurance program run by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. That cost-savings decision also exposed the pension plan if it became insolvent. In 2017, the Albany diocese sought to distance itself from the situation, noting that the St. Clare's Corp., the not-for-profit that retained control of the former hospital's obligations, had no corporate connection to the diocese. But the diocese's ties to St. Clare's have been significant. Advertisement Advertisement The diocese purchased the land where St. Clare's was built and the St. Clare's Hospital Corp. listed its mailing address as 40 N. Main Ave. in Albany, the headquarters of the diocese. When the hospital was incorporated in 1945, then-Albany Bishop Edmund F. Gibbons was named president of the board. Subsequently, the president of St. Clare's Corp. was Bishop Edwin B. Broderick, who headed the diocese from 1969 to 1976. In 1980, Joseph Pofit, director of Catholic Charities and a St. Clare's Corp. board member and the head of Catholic Charities, was named the president of St. Clare's Corp. Hubbard, who was bishop in Albany from 1977 to 2014, had served as chairman of the St. Clare's Hospital board of trustees and numerous diocesan officials had also served on the board through the years. Records indicate that in 2014, Scharfenberger succeeded Hubbard, who had retired, on the St. Clare's board. The hospital's board of trustees or its finance committee voted on decisions made for the hospital, including ceasing to make regular payments to the pension. Despite the oversight of the hospital by diocesan officials, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany claimed in 2017 that it "was never involved in the governance and operation of St. Clare's Hospital or St. Clare's Corporation, including their assets, liabilities and pension plan. Advertisement Advertisement "We understand the former employees of St. Clare's are searching for answers and are, rightfully, anxious about the situation," the 2017 statement continued. "However, the answers they are seeking must come from the St. Clare's Corporation responsible for overseeing its obligations, including the pension plan." This article originally published at Jury awards $54M in damages to St. Clare's pensioners. A Los Angeles jury awarded $40 million on Friday to two women who claimed that talcum powder made by Johnson & Johnson caused their ovarian cancer. The giant health care company said it would appeal the jury's liability verdict and compensatory damages. The verdict is the latest development in a longstanding legal battle over claims that talc in Johnson's Baby Powder and Shower to Shower body power was connected to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer that strikes the lungs and other organs. Johnson & Johnson stopped selling powder made with talc worldwide in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement In October, another California jury ordered J&J to pay $966 million to the family of a woman who died of mesothelioma, claiming she developed the cancer because the baby powder she used was contaminated with the carcinogen asbestos. In the latest case, the jury awarded $18 million to Monica Kent and $22 million to Deborah Schultz and her husband. The only thing they did was be loyal to Johnson & Johnson as a customer for only 50 years, said their attorney, Daniel Robinson of the Robinson Calcagnie law firm in Newport Beach, California. That loyalty was a one-way street. Erik Haas, J&J's worldwide vice president of litigation, said in a statement that the company had won 16 of the 17 ovarian cancer cases it previously tried and expected to do so again upon appealing Friday's verdict. Haas called the jury's findings "irreconcilable with the decades of independent scientific evaluations confirming that talc is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.'' Advertisement Advertisement Johnson & Johnson replaced the talc in its baby powder sold in most of North America with cornstarch in 2020 after sales declined. In April, a U.S. bankruptcy court judge denied J&J's plan to pay $9 billion to settle ovarian cancer and other gynecological cancer litiation claims based on talc-related products. WASHINGTON (AP) The Justice Department violated the constitutional rights of a close friend of James Comey and must return to him computer files that prosecutors had hoped to use for a potential criminal case against the former FBI director, a federal judge said Friday. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly represents not only a stern rebuke of the conduct of Justice Department prosecutors but also imposes a dramatic hurdle to government efforts to seek a new indictment against Comey after an initial one was dismissed last month. The order concerns computer files and communications that investigators obtained years earlier from Daniel Richman, a Comey friend and Columbia University law professor, as part of a media leak investigation that concluded without charges. The Justice Department continued to hold onto those files and conducted searches of them this fall, without a new warrant, as they prepared a case charging Comey with lying to Congress five years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Richman alleged that the Justice Department violated his Fourth Amendment rights by retaining his records and by conducting new warrantless searches of the files, prompting Kollar-Kotelly to issue an order last week temporarily barring prosecutors from accessing the files as part of its investigation. The Justice Department said the request for the return of the records was merely an attempt to impede a new prosecution of Comey, but the judge again sided with Richman in a 46-page order Friday that directed the Justice Department to give him back his files. When the Government violates the Fourth Amendments prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures by sweeping up a broad swath of a persons electronic files, retaining those files long after the relevant investigation has ended, and later sifting through those files without a warrant to obtain evidence against someone else, what remedy is available to the victim of the Governments unlawful intrusion? the judge wrote. One answer, she said, is to require the government to return the property to the rightful owner. Advertisement Advertisement The judge did, however, permit the Justice Department to file an electronic copy of Richman's records under seal with the Eastern District of Virginia, where the Comey investigation has been based, and suggested prosecutors could try to access it later with a lawful search warrant. The Justice Department alleges that Comey used Richman to share information with the news media about his decision-making during the FBIs investigation into Hillary Clintons use of a private email server. Prosecutors charged the former FBI director in September with lying to Congress by denying that he had authorized an associate to serve as an anonymous source for the media. That indictment was dismissed last month after a federal judge in Virginia ruled that the prosecutor who brought the case, Lindsey Halligan, was unlawfully appointed by the Trump administration. But the ruling left open the possibility that the government could try again to seek charges against Comey, a longtime foe of President Donald Trump. Comey has pleaded not guilty, denied having made a false statement and accused the Justice Department of a vindictive prosecution. The Comey saga has a long history. Advertisement Advertisement In June 2017, one month after Comey was fired as FBI director, he testified that he had given Richman a copy of a memo he had written documenting a conversation he had with Trump and had authorized him to share the contents of the memo with a reporter. After that testimony, Richman permitted the FBI to create an image, or complete electronic copy, of all files on his computer and a hard drive attached to that computer. He authorized the FBI to conduct a search for limited purposes, the judge noted. Then, in 2019 and 2020, the FBI and Justice Department obtained search warrants to obtain Richman's email accounts and computer files as part of a media leak investigation that concluded in 2021 without charges. Those warrants were limited in scope, but Richman has alleged that the government collected more information than the warrants allowed, including personal medial information and sensitive correspondence. In addition, Richman said the Justice Department violated his rights by searching his files in September, without a new warrant, as part of an entirely separate investigation. The Court further concludes that the Governments retention of Petitioner Richmans files amounts to an ongoing unreasonable seizure, Kollar-Kotelly wrote. Therefore, the Court agrees with Petitioner Richman that the Government has violated his Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures. Kent State University is dropping 19 undergraduate degree programs with low enrollment to comply with Ohio's Senate Bill 1. Under the law, which became effective in June, state colleges are now required to eliminate any undergraduate degree program it offers if the institution confers an average of fewer than five degrees in the program annually over any three-year period," according to Kent State officials. On Dec. 11, Kent State Universitys Board of Trustees agreed to eliminate the programs, with this fall being the final admission. All currently enrolled students are receiving individualized advising and teach-out plans to ensure timely degree completion. Advertisement Advertisement The degree programs being dropped effective fall 2026 include: The Africana Studies major within the Bachelor of Arts degree. The Chemistry major within the Bachelor of Arts degree. The Classics major within the Bachelor of Arts degree. The Community Health Education major within the Bachelor of Science degree. The Dance and Dance Studies majors within the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. The Earth Science majors within both the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science Education degrees. The French major within the Bachelor of Arts degree. The Horticulture major within the Bachelor of Applied Horticulture degree, and the Horticulture Technology major within the Associate of Applied Science degree. The Life Science major and the Life Science/Chemistry major within the Bachelor of Science Education degrees. The Mathematics major within the Bachelor of Arts degree. The Physical Science major within the Bachelor of Science Education degree. The Physics major within the Bachelor of Arts degree. The Radiologic Technology major within the Associate of Technical Study degree. The Respiratory Care major within the Bachelor of Science degree. The School Health Education major within the Bachelor of Science Education degree. Kent State will continue to offer related degrees or credentials in several areas under different program headings, according to university officials. For example, the Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics will sunset, but the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics continues to serve students in that field of study. For Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Radiologic Technology, the university will maintain other degree options at the associate or bachelors degree level. Advertisement Advertisement For Africana Studies, Classics, Dance, Earth Science, French and Horticulture, the university will continue to offer undergraduate minors or certificates. Kent State also will maintain teacher education bachelors degree programs in science and health fields that align with the inactivated programs. Board approves partnership with NEOMED The board also approved a strategic partnership with NEOMED Clinical Services LLC to take over Kent State's student health services. The board authorized the university to enter into a lease and health center services agreement with NEOMED Clinical Services, establishing a collaborative arrangement to provide comprehensive clinical care and preventive services on campus. Advertisement Advertisement NEOMED occupies about 10,500 square feet of space on the lower floor of the DeWeese Health Center to provide expanded clinical services, health education and outreach programs. The three-year agreement begins July 1, 2026, with the option for two one-year renewals. NEOMED will provide all staffing for the health center services and will work cooperatively with Kent States Division of People, Culture and Belonging to offer retention to qualified employees. In addition, the board approved a Student Health Fee effective fall 2026. Full-time undergraduate and graduate students will be assessed $90 per semester, while part-time students will pay $35 per semester. The fee excludes College Credit Plus students, students enrolled in fully online programs, dissertation students and students enrolled at the College of Podiatric Medicine. Board approves 6-year comprehensive capital plan for 2027-32 In other business, the board approved a six-year comprehensive capital plan for Fiscal Years 2027-32, identifying campus upgrade projects that are the most important to the institution. Advertisement Advertisement The plan primarily includes projects funded by state capital appropriations and does not list projects solely financed by local funding or philanthropy. The Ohio Office of Budget and Management requires that each state college submit a six-year capital plan. Projects for the first two years of the plan include: The third phase of the renovation of White Hall on the Kent Campus will replace antiquated heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment to the remaining floors along with planned classroom and interior building improvements. Tower renovations in University Library on the Kent Campus. Continued critical deferred maintenance of the aging infrastructure on the Kent Campus. Information technology network access enhancements in academic buildings on the Kent Campus. The second phase of Purinton Hall classroom renovations on the East Liverpool Campus. Main Classroom Building HVAC replacement on the Salem Campus. The second phase of central chiller plant replacement on the Stark Campus. This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Kent State will eliminate 19 undergrad programs in fall 2026 LONDON (AP) King Charles III has been deeply touched by the response to his update on his cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace said Saturday, adding that the monarch is pleased to have highlighted the value of screening programs for the disease. Medics and health charities have praised the king for his openness, saying his statement on Friday had already prompted people to seek information about cancer. In a strikingly personal video statement, the British monarch acknowledged that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but said catching the disease early brings the precious gift of hope. Advertisement Advertisement Heres what to know about the king's condition and his message. A royal health update The 77-year-old king said in a statement broadcast Friday that his treatment schedule will be reduced in the new year, thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to doctors orders. He encouraged others to take advantage of screening programs such as those for breast, bowel and cervical cancer offered by Britains public health service. Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives, the king said in the statement aired during a Stand Up to Cancer telethon on TV station Channel 4. He said catching the disease early had allowed him to continue leading a full and active life even while undergoing treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Charles has received outpatient treatment for almost two years. Buckingham Palace did not say the king is in remission, but that his treatment is moving to a precautionary phase and his condition will be monitored to ensure his continued recovery. I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, the king said in his video statement. Yet I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams and, to their patients, the precious gift of hope. Diagnosed in 2024 Charles announced in February 2024 that he had been diagnosed with cancer, and, in a break from centuries of secrecy about royal health, he has since spoken about the illness, using his story to promote cancer awareness and treatment. Advertisement Advertisement The openness has limits, though. The king has not disclosed what type of cancer he has or what kind of treatment he is receiving. The palace said it was an intentional decision designed to ensure his message reaches the widest possible audience. The kings cancer was discovered after treatment for an enlarged prostate. While doctors ruled out prostate cancer, tests revealed a separate issue of concern, palace officials said last year. Charles suspended his public appearances for about two months after his diagnosis. Since returning to the public eye, he has visited cancer treatment centers across the country and shared stories with fellow patients. Setting an example Advertisement Advertisement Buckingham Palace said Charles will be greatly encouraged and deeply touched by the very positive reaction" his message has generated. He will be particularly pleased at the way it has helped to shine a light on the benefits of cancer screening programs, it added. British cancer charities said the number of people seeking information about cancer jumped after the king revealed he was undergoing treatment last year. Cancer Research U.K. said about 100,000 people have visited its Screening Checker website since it was launched on Dec. 5, most of them since the kings statement on Friday. The charity's Chief Executive Michelle Mitchell said: When public figures speak openly about their cancer diagnosis, it can prompt others to check in on their health. Advertisement Advertisement Broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, the kings authorized biographer, said the statement was a remarkable thing for a monarch to do. It takes guts, and the fact that he came out and did that will save lives, Dimbleby said. The Princess of Wales, who announced her own cancer diagnosis six weeks after her father-in-law, has also given updates on her treatment. Kate announced in January that her cancer is in remission. ____ Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/royalty A Lancaster man accused of killing his wife, dumping her body in a forest and then fleeing to Peru has been extradited back to the U.S., authorities said. Jossimar Cabrera was apprehended around 7:30 p.m. Friday at Los Angeles International Airport for the murder of Sheylla Gutierrez. He was taken to a sheriff's station and booked for murder, the L.A. County Sheriff's Department said in a statement. Cabrera was arrested in Peru in late August and was awaiting extradition back to the U.S. to face a murder charge filed by the district attorney's office. Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Marshals helped homicide detectives and the sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau Fugitive Task Force in taking Cabrera into custody. Gutierrez's body was found Aug. 16 at the bottom of an embankment in the Angeles National Forest. The 33-year-old had been reported missing on Aug. 12. Homicide detectives said they located surveillance footage of Cabrera dragging a heavy object wrapped "in a large piece of material" from their apartment complex in Lancaster. When the victim's body was discovered, it was wrapped in similar material, the Sheriff's Department said. The suspect had fled to Peru with the couple's three sons. Peru's foreign ministry said Aug. 16 on social media that it had repatriated the children back to L.A. via Mexico City to be reunited with their mother's family. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Fox host Laura Ingraham straight-up asked House Speaker Mike Johnson how he would avoid getting blamed for rising healthcare costs. In a segment on The Ingraham Angle on Friday, Johnson discussed the newly unveiled GOP healthcare plan, meant to address rising fears over increased costs if Affordable Care Act subsidies are allowed to expire at the end of the year. Healthcare was a central issue in the recent government shutdown, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) promising a vote on an ACA subsidy extension proposal as part of a deal with Democrats to reopen the federal government. Since then, multiple coalitions in the House and Senate have introduced competing healthcare plans, though none have succeeded in passing thus far. Advertisement Advertisement Johnsons proposal would allow for a separate vote on subsidies, though the plan itself does not include ACA extensions. How close are Republicans to some type of agreement of this quote fix?' Ingraham asked. Were very close, and were delighted to present this and put it through the House next week, said Johnson. Despite Johnsons assurances that the GOP is close to an agreement, it remains unclear whether the Republican plan can pass the House. Multiple prominent GOP lawmakers have voiced concerns over the partys stance on healthcare, fearing it will affect their chances in the upcoming midterm elections. Advertisement Advertisement Ingraham seemed to reference these fears, bluntly asking Johnson how he will avoid public backlash. INGRAHAM: How do you avoid getting blamed for this? The same kind of thing happened in the shutdown in October. We all know what they promised on Obamacare. It was all a lie. At the time, I fought against it morning, noon, and night three hours a day on the radio. So they were lying then, and we knew they were lying because the numbers didnt add up. But now, the left is blaming you and Republicans. Its your fault. JOHNSON: Yeah, of course. Its a total fiction. The mainstream media, of course, parrots the talking points of Chuck Schumer and the Democrats. But the way we defeat that is with the simple truth, the facts. The Government Accountability Office just came out with a new report this past week, Laura. And it is astounding. Just for example, over the last two years, they submitted twenty four two dozen totally fraudulent applications for these unaffordable care act subsidies, okay? Twenty three out of twenty four were approved. There were no social security numbers provided, no verification of income, or even citizenship, okay? Of course not, right? Tens of thousands of dollars paid to each one of those to the insurance companies for people who do not exist, okay? Dead people. Ninety four million dollars of taxpayer dollars paid to insurance companies for people that had been deceased. Then you had social security numbers. Sixty eight thousand social security numbers in 2024 alone were used for multiple persons. In other words, multiple people, using one number to bilk the system and defraud it. Thats the system that Democrats created. Thats the one they want us to subsidize. So when we go forward with the truth, we explain to the American people the reason their costs are out of control is because they created a broken system. We have the solutions to fix it. That is the message and the truth I think is going to prevail as you into the election year. Though health insurance companies have acknowledged the presence of fraud in the ACA subsidy program, insurers and state officials have urged GOP lawmakers to extend the subsidies in addition to fixing existing problems with the system. Sabrina Corlette, a research professor with Georgetown Universitys Center on Health Insurance Reforms, succinctly summarized their sentiment. If you have a problem with car thieves in your community, the policy solution is not to make cars more expensive for residents to buy, she said. Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump was asked about rising healthcare costs in the Oval Office on Friday. Well, dont make it sound so bad, Trump said in response to a reporter, because obviously, youre a sycophant for Democrats. Youre obviously a provider of bad news for Republicans. He went on to call Obamacare horrible health insurance, accusing Democrats of being totally controlled by insurance companies. I want to see the billions of dollars go to the people, not the insurance companies, the president continued. I want to see the people go out and buy themselves great healthcare. Much better healthcare at very little cost. The post Laura Ingraham Straight-Up Asks Mike Johnson, How Do You Avoid Getting Blamed for Rising Healthcare Costs? first appeared on Mediaite. More arrests were made involving members of an alleged cult-like religious organization in Southern California, including the groups leaders, on suspicion of murder. The Hemet-based religious group called His Way Spirit Led Assemblies has been at the center of an ongoing investigation after two former members, Emilio Ghanem, 40, and Ruben Moreno, 49, were reported missing in 2019 and 2023, respectively. On Dec. 11, Redlands police arrested six members of the group, including its leaders Darryl Muzic Martin, 58, his wife, Shelly Bailey Kathryn Martin, 62, and high-ranking member Rudy Moreno, 43, for murder and gun charges at the groups headquarters. Advertisement Advertisement The other three suspects, a 44-year-old woman and two 58-year-old men, were arrested on various weapons-related charges, according to booking records. Shelly and Rudy were arrested in connection with Ghanems case. Darryl was arrested in connection with Morenos case. Its been several years since either Emilio Ghanem or Ruben Moreno was seen alive. Ruben went missing in 2017 and was last seen at a Claremont residence associated with His Way Spirit Led Assemblies. His Way Spirit Led Assemblies leaders Shelly Bailey Kathryn Martin, 62, and Darryl Muzic Martin, 58, along with high-ranking member Rudy Moreno, 43, were arrested on suspicion of murder and gun charges in Hemet on Dec. 11, 2025. (His Way Spirit Led Assemblies/Action Eye News) Emilio Salem Ghanem, a Nashville resident, was reported missing on May 25, 2023, after he visited a Starbucks coffee shop on Redlands Boulevard in Redlands. (Redlands Police Department) Ruben Moreno, 49, was reported missing in August 2019. Detectives said he was affiliated with His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, a religious organization at the time. (Claremont Police Department) Kathryn Martin, known as the Prophetess and her husband, Pastor Darryl Muzic Martin, reportedly control His Way Spirit Led Assemblies in Hemet, California. A former member of the His Way Spirit Led Assemblies spoke to KTLA on Sept, 2, 2025. He did not wish to be identified due to safety concerns. (KTLA) The religious groups members worked at a pest control company called Fullshield Inc., now known as Maxguard. Emilio Salem Ghanem, a Nashville resident, was reported missing on May 25, 2023, after he visited a Starbucks coffee shop on Redlands Boulevard in Redlands. (Redlands Police Department) The rented Nissan Frontier pickup truck that Emilio Salem Ghanem was last seen driving in was recovered, police announced on Aug. 1, 2025. (Redlands Police Department) The religious groups pest control company sent Emilio Ghanem a cease and desist letter on May 8, 2023, accusing him of competing with the company for business. Emilio Ghanem was last seen in May 2023 in Southern Californias Inland Empire. (Family photo) A high-ranking member of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies was arrested on murder and gun charges in Hemet on Dec. 11, 2025. (His Way Spirit Led Assemblies) Kathryn Martin, known as the Prophetess and her husband, Pastor Muzic, reportedly control His Way Spirit Led Assemblies in California. On Dec. 11, 2025, the leader of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, Darryl Martin, 58, and a high-ranking member, Rudy Moreno, 43, were arrested on murder and gun charges at the religious groups Hemet headquarters. (Action Eye News) On Dec. 11, 2025, the leader of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, Darryl Martin, 58, and a high-ranking member, Rudy Moreno, 43, were arrested on murder and gun charges at the religious groups Hemet headquarters. (Action Eye News) Authorites served several search warrants at properties owned by His Way Spirit Led Assemblies religious group in the Inland Empire. (KTLA) Authorites served several search warrants at properties owned by His Way Spirit Led Assemblies religious group in the Inland Empire. (KTLA) Kathryn Martin, known as the Prophetess and her husband, Pastor Muzic, are seen in a music video. The couple reportedly control His Way Spirit Led Assemblies in Hemet, California. Emilio Salem Ghanem, a Nashville resident, was reported missing on May 25, 2023, after he visited a Starbucks coffee shop on Redlands Boulevard in Redlands. (Redlands Police Department) Emilio Ghanem, 40, missing since May 2023. (Redlands PD) Emilio Salem Ghanem, a Nashville resident, was reported missing on May 25, 2023, after he visited a Starbucks coffee shop on Redlands Boulevard in Redlands. (Redlands Police Department) Emilio Ghanem (Family photo) His Way Spirit Led Assemblies leader Darryl Martin, 58, and high-ranking member Rudy Moreno, 43, were arrested on suspicion of murder and gun charges in Hemet on Dec. 11, 2025. (Action Eye News) Ghanem was last seen alive at a Starbucks in Redlands in 2023. According to his family, Ghanem spent the last two decades of his life as a devout member of the religious group, whose members worked at a pest control company called Fullshield Inc., now known as Maxguard, according to the Redlands Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement In April 2023, Ghanem left both the religious group and MaxGuard behind and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to reunite with his family and begin a new chapter in his life. His sisters said Ghanem had started his own pest control company in Nashville and went back to SoCal to open a satellite office with the intent of recapturing some of his old clients. His family claimed the move drew the attention of Maxguard, which served him with a cease and desist letter on May 8, 2023, accusing him of competing with the company for business. Emilio Salem Ghanem, a Nashville resident, was reported missing on May 25, 2023, after he visited a Starbucks coffee shop on Redlands Boulevard in Redlands. (Redlands Police Department) While visiting the Inland Empire, Ghanem was staying at an Airbnb in Moreno Valley. On May 25, 2023, he met with another former member for coffee at a Starbucks in Redlands. The former member spoke with KTLAs Mary Beth McDade, but did not wish to be identified out of safety concerns. After the Starbucks meeting, Ghanem had planned to meet with a high-ranking member of the religious group, believing that person wanted help to leave the organization as he had, but the former member he met at Starbucks believes it was all a ruse. Advertisement Advertisement Emilio asked me about him on a couple of occasions, what I thought, he recalled. When Emilio was telling me he was going to help him escape and get out of there, I never felt that to be true. I just felt it was going to end badly and I think thats what happened. Ghanem was driving a rented Nissan Frontier pickup truck that surveillance cameras captured later that day in Grand Terrace. However, that was the last time he was seen alive. For years, Ghanems disappearance was considered a missing persons case. On Aug. 1, 2025, the case turned into a possible homicide after Redlands police found Ghanems truck. Inside, evidence in connection with the case was found, but detectives did not reveal specifics on what was discovered. They began focusing their investigation on His Way Spirit Led Assemblies and its leaders, Pastor Darryl and his wife, Shelly, who calls herself a prophetess. The former member said followers of the group reportedly believe the prophetess is God on Earth. Advertisement Advertisement Her and God are one, I guess you could say, he said. So when the spirit of God comes over her, everything changes in her, like her voice changes. He claims the couple operates the ministry like a cult. If Prophetess or Pastor said, Youre doing this, then youre doing it, he said of their orders. There wasnt an option. He also said they were constantly preparing for the end of the world. He said many members lived in large groups at various properties throughout the Inland Empire, but all the children reportedly lived with the Martins in their sizable home. At a young age, they would be living there with the main pastors and following whatever rules they have for them, he said. It was always young kids. Advertisement Advertisement Any children who disobeyed the adults would reportedly be punished, he said. The former member decided to leave the group because he said priorities changed when they became too focused on earning money, most of which came from Maxguard, the pest control company. However, he claimed the company was initially started by Ghanem. Kathryn Martin, known as the Prophetess and her husband, Pastor Darryl Muzic Martin, reportedly control His Way Spirit Led Assemblies in Hemet, California. Kathryn Martin, known as the Prophetess and her husband, Pastor Darryl Muzic Martin, reportedly control His Way Spirit Led Assemblies in Hemet, California. A high-ranking member of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies was arrested on murder and gun charges in Hemet on Dec. 11, 2025. (His Way Spirit Led Assemblies) On Dec. 11, 2025, the leader of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, Darryl Martin, 58, and a high-ranking member, Rudy Moreno, 43, were arrested on murder and gun charges at the religious groups Hemet headquarters. (Action Eye News) On Dec. 11, 2025, the leader of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, Darryl Martin, 58, and a high-ranking member, Rudy Moreno, 43, were arrested on murder and gun charges at the religious groups Hemet headquarters. (Action Eye News) Kathryn Martin, known as the Prophetess and her husband, Pastor Muzic, are seen in a music video. The couple reportedly control His Way Spirit Led Assemblies in Hemet, California. Alleged cult-like religios group, His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, operates in the Inland Empire. Kathryn Martin, known as the Prophetess and her husband, Pastor Muzic, reportedly control His Way Spirit Led Assemblies in California. The company grew quickly and was earning almost $2 million a year, he said. All the funds would reportedly be given to the pastors. Emilio was very happy that he started it because it was helping the ministry out, he said. It was feeding the ministry and bringing in good money over to them. So even though Emilio would do $20,000 to $35,000 a month in route completions and sell stuff, according to my understanding, he told me he would get $100 a week for it. Advertisement Advertisement Since finding Ghanems truck, with help from the FBI, police have executed search warrants at the groups Hemet headquarters and a property in Anza. During the Hemet and Anza searches, detectives recovered several illegal firearms, including converted fully automatic rifles, short-barreled rifles and unserialized ghost guns along with electronic devices and other digital evidence, police said. On Aug. 27, 2025, Darryl and Shelly were previously arrested on suspicion of possessing illegal weapons, but were not charged. Shelly had been released due to what police called a medical episode. Following the Dec. 11 arrest, Darryl, Shelly and Rudy Moreno remain in custody without bail. Advertisement Advertisement Detectives are also looking into another case with ties to the His Way Spirit Led Assemblies group. Police in Colton are pursuing new leads in the case of Timothy Thomas, a 4-year-old boy who died in January 2010 after his parents gave custody of the child to the religious group. Timothy Thomas, 4, is seen in a photo from the Colton Police Department. Timothy Thomas is seen in a photo from the Colton Police Department. At the time of his death, temporary custody had been signed over from his birth parents to leaders of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, police said. According to reports, the boy died from septic shock due to a ruptured appendix. The San Bernardino County Coroner listed the boys cause of death as natural. After the Dec. 11 arrest, several of the arrested suspects are expected to make their first court appearance on Dec. 15. Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about Ghanems case is asked to call the Redlands Police Detective Bureau at 909-551-4424. Anyone with information about Thomas death can call the Colton Police Department at 909-370-5140. Those with information on Morenos case can call the Claremont Police Department at 909-399-5411. 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 KTLA. A man was shot by a Pennsylvania State trooper on Saturday morning in Pittsburgh after a pursuit with a suspected stolen vehicle. Captain Jeremy Barni says Pennsylvania State Police was involved in a pursuit on I-376 with a vehicle reported stolen out of Crafton around 9:30 a.m. That pursuit ended on Crane Avenue near where it intersects with Saw Mill Run Boulevard. Barni says that at the end of the pursuit, the male driver got out of the vehicle and ran. During the foot pursuit, a trooper fired their service weapon, injuring the suspect. Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was treated at an area hospital and is now back in police custody, Barni said. No members of law enforcement were hurt, and theres no threat to the public. Barni says investigators are still processing the scene and conducting interviews. Crane Avenue is expected to be closed for an extended time while the investigation is ongoing. State police ask drivers to take alternative routes. Once the scene is processed and investigators consult the Allegheny County District Attorneys Office, then the appropriate charges may be filed against the suspect, whom Barni did not identify. Crane Avenue is expected to be closed for an extended time while the investigation is ongoing. State police ask drivers to take alternative routes. State police expect to release more information at a later time. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW A Dahlonega man was arrested for stealing equipment from his employer and selling the items on eBay, according to the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Forsyth County deputies began investigating the theft after the company, American BOA, reported missing items between August and October, suspecting an inside job due to the specialized nature of the tools. Advertisement Advertisement Detectives identified the stolen items on eBay by matching serial numbers and stickers, leading them to John Douglas Jackson, who worked for American BOA. According to the FCSO, John admitted to the theft and expressed remorse, even writing an apology letter to his manager. Deputies said the stolen items totaled over $5,200. TRENDING STORIES: Detectives coordinated with American BOA to arrest Jackson after his work shift, ensuring he completed his obligations to the company before arresting him. Advertisement Advertisement Upon obtaining a search warrant, detectives visited Jacksons home, where his wife showed them the remaining unsold items, which were then returned to American BOA, the sheriffs office said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Jackson was charged with felony theft by taking and was taken to the Forsyth County Jail. He has since bonded out. A python measuring 21 feet and weighing more than 200 pounds was captured this week behind a home in the Malaysian district of Jasin. The discovery of the enormous reptile left villagers shocked, according to the New Straits Times. The python was spotted coiled behind the house in dim light at about 9 p.m. Nine-man crew poses with python. The Jasin Civil Defense Force was summoned and captured the python after about 10 minutes, despite the python attacking its crew several times. Advertisement Advertisement ALSO: Enormous 'dinosaur bird' stalks, devours snake in Uganda swamp Malaysia is home to several types of pythons, the largest being the reticulated python, which can measure nearly 30 feet. The Jasin Civil Defense Force posed for the accompanying photo before transporting the python to a remote area far from homes. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Giant python captured behind home in Malaysia, villagers 'shocked' A Cobb County man has been sentenced to prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud in Louisiana. Chase Duncan Campbell pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to six months in prison, 18 months of house arrest and to pay back $446,302.23. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Court documents say that from November 2020 to May 2024, Campbell and others defrauded a Louisiana police candidate with fake campaign services. Advertisement Advertisement One victim was defrauded out of $236,867 in fake real estate purchases, while another was defrauded out of $83,268.05 in fake claims of real estate and title work. TRENDING STORIES: Two other victims were defrauded out of $112,328.18 in a fake legal defense scheme. Prosecutors say Campbell used fake names, jobs and invoices, as well as burner numbers for texts and phone calls. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A unique provision in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" means New Mexico could face a huge penalty if it brings down its SNAP payment error rate too quickly. (Daniel Montano/KUNM) A New Mexico agencys request to the Legislature for the upcoming legislative session seeks $2.9 million for technological improvements, as well as funding for additional caseworkers, to reduce the high number of mistakes it makes administering a federal food assistance program on which roughly one in five New Mexicans rely. The funding for more caseworkers and new technology is necessary, officials say, to catch errors the Income Support Division makes in overseeing roughly $1 billion a year in federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. The states administration of SNAP is facing renewed scrutiny from Republicans, who recently convinced majority Democrats in the Legislature to approve an audit for fraud in the program. Preliminary results of that audit are expected in January. Advertisement Advertisement But even if the Legislature fully funds the Income Support Divisions request, state officials dont plan to immediately implement a plan to fix all those mistakes. Thats because the One Big Beautiful Bill Act President Donald Trump signed in July would effectively penalize the state for doing so, Division Director Niki Kozlowski told Source New Mexico on Friday. Trumps signature spending bill contains penalties for states that dont lower their SNAP error rates. Thats a calculation of the number of SNAP over- or underpayments the state makes. New Mexicos rate is 14.6%, among the nations highest. Niki Kozlowski, director of the Income Support Division at New Mexicos Health Care Authority, said Dec. 12, 2025 that she has to perform a balancing act to reduce the SNAP error rate significantly, but not before October of 2026. (Courtesy HCA) Under the law, states with high error rates are required to pay a portion of the total SNAP benefits they receive. That marks a huge change and cost for the program that the federal government usually fully funds. Kozlowskis first order of business to attack when she took the helm at ISD in May 2024 was lowering the rate. Heading into 2025, she said she was making steady progress and had identified a number of reforms, putting the agency on track to bring the error rate to under 10% by 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Thats come to a halt due to a unique provision in the federal spending bill. Any state with an error rate above 13.3% New Mexico is one of eight has until Oct. 1, 2026 to lower their rates. But if New Mexico lowers its rate before then to below 13.3% but above 6%, it will no longer qualify for additional time and could face as much as $153 million in penalties. Kozlowski and her staff refer to the provision as the Alaska range based on national reporting that Alaskas U.S. senators only agreed to support the One Big Beautiful Bill Act if their state which has the nations highest error rate received additional time to address the situation. The Alaska carveout, as Kozlowski calls it, ended up applying to all the nations highest error-rate states, including New Mexico. It doesnt feel, I dont know, comfortable, Kozlowski said about the new holding pattern. It feels like we should still be working on it. So I think my status is that we are still working on it, but were taking a more strategic, streamlined approach. According to the HCA, about 93% of all the errors are overpayments; the rest are underpayments. Roughly one third of those errors are agency caused, like a miscalculation of a benefit or use of outdated client information. The rest are client caused, like failing to report a change in household size or income level. Advertisement Advertisement Theres also little room for error in the error rate, Kozlowski said: Incorrect payments are counted even if theyre only a dollar too much or too little. New Mexicos high rate error rate, officials say, also results partially from the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the federal government waived client interview requirements, as well as six-month check-ins, during a crush of new applications. Those requirements have been back in effect since October of 2024. Caseworkers also largely lack experience, Kozlowski said, and are tasked with determining eligibility for households seeking Medicaid, utility assistance and SNAP, among other federal programs, all at once. That makes for a complicated process for half of New Mexicos caseworkers who have been employed at HCA for fewer than three years, Kozlowski said. Advertisement Advertisement Finally, the state has a long-standing practice, at least since the pandemic, of accepting self-attestation from households regarding their costs for rent, utilities and childcare, Kozlowski said. All those costs are factored into SNAP and other benefit offers. Self-attestation makes for a simpler process, but errors are more likely, Kozlowski said. So next October, when the Health Care Authority tries to stick the landing of its long-planned balancing act, Kozlowski said the biggest error-rate reduction will result from more verification of documents from recipients who self-attest, along with technological improvements. The division is seeking about $28 million during the upcoming legislative session to hire more caseworkers and pay for a new IT system. If the Legislature funds it, caseworkers will have access to a much-improved information technology system that assists them in interviews, ensures they check all the right boxes, and monitors the number of mistakes an employee makes, according to the HCA. Caseworkers who make too many mistakes will be identified for repeat training, Kozlowski said. Advertisement Advertisement IT upgrades and a boosted workforce, Kozlowski said, are two of the ingredients she needs to drastically reduce SNAP payment mistakes. The third is a culture that ensures caseworkers take accuracy seriously. It comes down to that personal accountability culture of, Am I being thorough in everything that I do? she said. Temperatures in Milwaukee will continue to drop on Saturday, Dec. 13, with low wind chills that last into Sunday, making it unsafe to be outside for long periods of time the remainder of the weekend. Temperatures Saturday afternoon are expected to reach a high of 6 degrees, with wind chills around minus 10 and minus 15, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures will be even colder Saturday night, with a low around minus 5 degrees and wind chills between minus 15 and minus 25. Daytime temperatures for Sunday, Dec. 14, will have a high of nearly 10 degrees, although wind chills will make it feel between minus 15 and minus 25 degrees. The temperatures Sunday night will be slightly higher than Saturday, with a low around 3 degrees and wind chill between minus 5 and minus 10 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Temperatures are expected to be less harsh beginning on Monday and for the remainder of next week. These conditions make it possible to develop frostbite in minutes, if not protected. Here's what to know. Emilia Chu, a Milwaukee School of Engineering college freshman from Phoenix, Arizona studying industrial engineering, heads through the frigid air to class down East Juneau Avenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Dec. 4, 2025. Temperatures will rebound a bit by Friday, Dec. 5, with highs in the low 20s. Will it be safe to go outside this weekend? Generally, it will be unsafe to stay outside for longer than 15 to 30 minutes. Frostbite can develop within 15 minutes when wind chills approach minus 25 degrees, according to the NWS. But even in temperatures between 13 and 31 degrees, the American Red Cross recommends taking indoor breaks every half hour. In wind chills below 13 degrees, the organization advises staying indoors to minimize frostbite risk. Advertisement Advertisement If you must be outside, the NWS offers the following tips: Stay dry : Ensure your clothes are dry and wear waterproof-insulated boots. Wet clothing leads to much quicker heat loss from the body. Stay covered: Wear gloves and a hat, as at least half of your body heat will be lost if your head is uncovered. Wear layers: Trapping air between multiple layers of loose-fitting clothing will help you insulate. Stay informed. Make to sure to keep an eye on the latest weather forecasts and warnings, and plan accordingly. What are frostbite symptoms? The Mayo Clinic says symptoms of frostbite include: Pain Numbness Tingling Cold, hard, waxy-looking skin Clumsiness due to joint stiffness Blistering after rewarming Patches of red, white, blue, gray, purple or brown skin, though changes in skin color may be harder to see on brown or Black skin What to do if you develop frostbite You should seek emergency medical care if you're experiencing intense shivering and pain even after rewarming, slurred speech, drowsiness and trouble walking, according to the Mayo Clinic. Advertisement Advertisement While you wait for medical care, you can take the following steps: Get out of the cold and remove wet clothing. Wrap up in a warm blanket until help arrives Protect the injured area from further damage Don't walk on frostbitten feet or toes if possible Take a pain reliever if needed Drink a warm, nonalcoholic beverage if possible Warming shelters in Milwaukee Anyone in need of shelter can access six overnight warming shelters across the city operated by the Milwaukee Coalition on Housing and Homelessness. Find locations and hours of the shelters here. How cold is too cold to walk dogs outdoors? This weekend's freezing weather will also likely be too cold for your pet. Advertisement Advertisement The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says no dog should be left outdoors in below-freezing temperatures, which is 32 degrees and below. "Remember if its too cold for you, its probably too cold for your pet," the organization said. Dogs with thick, double-layered coats tend to be more resistant to cold, while dogs with thin coats are more susceptible, according to PetMD. Dog owners should also consider that puppies, sick dogs and older dogs face a greater risk in cold temperatures since its more difficult for them to regulate body temperatures, the pet healthcare organization says. Advertisement Advertisement Find more information here about how to keep pets safe in cold weather. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee temperatures continue dropping below zero for remainder of weekend The mother of Karoline Leavitts nephew accused the Trump administration of lying about the circumstances of her arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Bruna-Caroline Ferreira, who came to the U.S. from Brazil when she was 6, overstayed a tourist visa, the Trump administration allegesa claim Ferreira disputes. The Trump administration also says that Ferreira has been accused of battery, another claim she denies. The 33-year-old shares custody of her middle-school-aged son with Leavitts 35-year-old brother, Michael. Michael Leavitt, Bruna Ferreira, and their son in an undated image posted to social media. / Pintrest In her first television interview about the ordeal since her release from ICE custody earlier this week, Ferreira was asked by CNN anchor Erin Burnett about the White House portraying her as an absentee parent by claiming she never lived with her son. Advertisement Advertisement Why lie? she said. I have so many friends and family that have called me and said, Why would anyone lie about this when its 2025we have a digital footprint of everything. Burnett then asked if she had any words specifically for White House Press Secretary Leavitt, 28, who has publicly kept her distance from the issue. I think what I would have to say to Karoline is: just because you went to a Catholic school, doesnt make you a good Catholic Ferreira said of her sons godmother, who went to a Catholic high school and college. Youre a mother. You are a mother now, and you should know. How would you feel if you were in my shoes, you know? How would you feel if somebody did this to you? Ferreira was arrested by ICE while driving to pick up her son from a Boston-area school. After a flurry of stops in New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Texas, she was eventually brought to the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center, where there have been reports of sexual harassment and abuse and neglect of urgent medical care. She spent three weeks there before a judge on Monday allowed her to post bail. Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the day, nobody is above the law, Ferreira continued. It could happen to anybody I cant wrap my mind around it. And hopefully theres a logical explanation for all of this. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Beast about Ferreiras remarks. Leavitt has publicly been silent about Ferreiras ordeal. / Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images Ferreira was joined on CNN by her lawyer, Todd Pomerlau, who said the Trump administration was subjecting his client to a costly character assassination. This is a woman who has two businesses, shes a single mother who is paying her taxes, who ends up in a for-profit prison in Louisiana. Its just unconscionable what theyre doing on a daily basis, Pomerlau said. Shes in line for her green card, like tens of thousands of other people, he explained. The unconstitutional merry-go-round shes facing, Pomerlau added, is to get illegally arrested, to then have to either hire a lawyer or hope for a volunteer, to then basically sue, to then have to pay money out of her own pocket to get out of jail, to get back to where she started. Dec. 12A man expected to face sentencing for a fatal drunk driving case in Flathead County District Court was found dead Friday morning. Dal Jensen Segall, 42, was scheduled for sentencing Dec. 12 after he pleaded guilty to one felony count of vehicular homicide and three felony counts of negligent vehicular assault in September. All four charges relate to a Dec. 1, 2024 head-on collision that occurred when Segall tried to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone on Montana 83 near the intersection with Echo Lake Road. The crash killed Wyatt Potts, 33, and seriously injured Potts' fiancee, Teressa Brandt, and her 15-year-old daughter, Ashtyn. Family members said Teressa was put in a medically induced coma after suffering a major traumatic brain injury and a fractured neck and back. She remains bedridden and continues to receive treatment for her injuries. Ashtyn broke her femur in the wreck. Advertisement Advertisement A female passenger in Segall's car also broke and dislocated her hip in the crash, according to court documents. Officers responding to the scene stated that Segall had watery, bloodshot eyes and smelled of alcohol. He later admitted to drinking prior to the wreck. MORE THAN a year after the fatal collision, friends and family of the victims filed into a Kalispell courtroom Friday for Segall's sentencing. Thelma Brandt, Teressa's mother, sat in the front row, clutching photos and x-rays showing her daughter's extensive injuries. The images were part of the victim impact statement she had prepared but would never get to read out loud after Segall failed to appear in court. "This is her neck, where it fractured. This is what her head looks like now," she said as she shuffled through the papers in her lap. "I was supposed to have a grandson, you know." Advertisement Advertisement Teressa had told family members she was pregnant a week before the crash. The baby did not survive, and Thelma said her daughter's medical care over the past year had topped $3 million. "She will spend the rest of her life trying to recover," Thelma said. State prosecutors requested a welfare check around 9 a.m., when it became apparent Segall was missing from the proceedings. Segall was released from custody in December 2024 after posting a $500,000 bond. Officers used Segall's court-issued GPS monitoring device to track his location to Missoula County, where he was found dead from a suspected suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Thelma wiped tears from her eyes as she stood to leave the courtroom following the announcement of Segall's death. "I think these are tears of relief," she said. For Teressa's sister, Amanda Sharpe, relief was mixed with a sense of bitterness at losing her opportunity to speak directly to Segall. "I prepared a really good [victim impact] statement. I really wanted to talk to him about things and be an adult and tell him how this has affected my family," she said. "It's just a train of trauma that doesn't stop." Several people submitted written victim impact statements to the court prior to the hearing, which Judge Heidi Ulbricht said she had read and was prepared to take into consideration when she issued a sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Segall entered a plea deal in September that recommended he receive a net sentence of 60 years in the Montana State Prison with 20 years suspended. Segall also agreed to pay restitution for funeral expenses in the amount of $5,325. While the criminal case against Segall is now closed, Flathead County prosecutor Ashley Frechette said the victims and their families can still pursue civil actions and may qualify for compensation through the Montana Crime Victim Compensation Program. Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at 758-4433 or [email protected]. A high-ranking New Jersey State Police trooper, accused of making an antisemitic remark at a childrens event last year, will leave the force by the end of the month, the New York Post reported. Citing sources, the news report said Lt. Col. Sean Kilcomons is set to retire alongside state police Superintendent Patrick Callahan as Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill prepares to take office in January. Kilcomons faced backlash after an internal complaint accused him of making an offensive remark about Attorney General Matt Platkin during a Bring Your Child to Work Day event on April 25, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement According to the complaint filed with the Attorney Generals Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, Kilcomons allegedly said he did not want Platkins child inside a State Police helicopter. Kilcomons allegedly referred to Platkin as that Jew and directed a department helicopter to remain in the air so Platkins young son couldnt look inside, according to previous reporting. The Attorney Generals Office continues to investigate the complaint, according to the New York Post. A spokesperson for New Jersey State Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Callahan announced Monday that he would step down and would not be renominated by the incoming administration, according to a statement from Gov. Phil Murphys office. Advertisement Advertisement In a social media post, Sherrill praised Callahans service and wished him well in retirement. His dedication to public service is commendable and I wish him and his family well as they embark upon their next chapter, Sherrill said on X. The departures come amid ongoing scrutiny of the State Police. Two reports released last year by the Attorney Generals Office cited systemic problems within the agency, including allegations of discrimination and misuse of internal affairs investigations. The agency is also facing a misconduct investigation related to a reported slowdown in traffic enforcement after a report found racial disparities in traffic stops. Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times reported the slowdown lasted from July 2023 through March 2024, citing court records and people familiar with the matter. A supervisors union argued in court filings that the report caused troopers to fear routine stops could be unconstitutional, while a Callahan spokesperson told the New York Times he did not support reducing enforcement. Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. After years of planning while awaiting state and federal approvals, Carteret officials have moved forward with construction of a long-awaited multimodal ferry terminal they say will not only give commuters a new way to reach New York City but reshape the boroughs waterfront. The borough recently broke ground on the four-story, 52,000-square-foot ferry terminal building, formally launching construction on a project officials have been pursuing for years. Once completed, the terminal will restore ferry services to Carteret for the first time since the 1950s, according to borough officials. Officials said the terminal is expected to open by early 2028 and limited ferry services could begin sooner. Advertisement Advertisement The groundbreaking follows actions taken in late October, when the borough council awarded a $47.5 million contract to Brockwell & Carrington Contractors in Montville, Morris County. The award resulted from a competitive bidding process. Mayor Daniel J. Reiman, who has championed the ferry terminal, said the borough received several qualified bids and selected the lowest responsible bidder. He and other local leaders have described the terminal as both a transportation improvement and catalyst for economic development along Carterets waterfront. The ferry terminal has been a long time coming to Carteret, said Reiman. Following federal and state procurement procedures, we accepted and awarded the competitive bid to the qualified bidder at the lowest cost. Plans call for the terminal to function as a transportation hub and a public destination. In addition to ferry operations, the building is expected to include retail space, restaurants, a recreational area and accessible rooftop. The project also includes a 700-space parking lot and infrastructure to accommodate NJ Transit buses, municipal jitneys and ride share services. Advertisement Advertisement The ferry terminal is being funded largely through federal and state sources, with officials citing more than $90 million in grants. Additional funding includes local contributions and targeted support, such as a $1.9 million award from the New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone Authority. Site work, including bulkhead installation and dredging for ferry slips, began prior to construction of the terminal building. We are grateful for the Boroughs trust in our team, and we are excited to lead the construction of this landmark project, said Michael Dissatti, president of Brockwell & Carrington. We look forward to working side by side with the Borough to bring this vision to life and to deliver a facility that the community will be proud of for many years to come. Local and state officials attended the groundbreaking ceremony, calling it a key step toward expanding transportation options in Central Jersey and strengthening the connections to Manhattans job centers. As construction moves forward, borough officials said they plan to provide regular updates and continue engaging with residents, framing the project as a long-term investment for commuters, local businesses, and the community at large. Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. After months of pressure from local leaders, Nantucket has won new guarantees from Vineyard Wind, securing an agreement that sets clearer rules for communication, public transparency, and emergency response as the offshore wind project progresses toward full operations. The agreement was formally announced on Dec. 11. Town leaders first raised the issue publicly in July, when they called for more consistent and transparent information about the projects daily activities and a more reliable process for handling emergencies at sea. They said the town had struggled to get quick, detailed answers, and they wanted a system that let both officials and residents track what the project was doing. Advertisement Advertisement Select Board member Brooke Mohr, who led the island delegation in the talks, said the push centered on protecting the islands natural and economic landscape. Many issues arose in the aftermath of the catastrophic failure of a blade on turbine AW-38 in July 2024, which sent tons of debris crashing into the ocean and then washing up on Nantuckets south shore and elsewhere throughout the region. Others are related to the light pollution from the turbine field. Transparency and predictability are essential to protect our world-renowned coastline, fisheries, night skies, and heritage tourism economy, she said. Nantucket is listed as a national historic landmark. Vineyard Wind's turbine aw38 at the far south west section of the offshore wind farm, 22 miles south of Martha's Vineyard. One of the turbine's blades failed last month, splintering into pieces and sending debris into the sea that has washed up on both Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard beaches. In an announcement on Friday, Nantucket has won new guarantees from Vineyard Wind, securing an agreement that sets clearer rules for communication, public transparency, and emergency response. Photo taken Aug. 1, 2024. The company is constructing its 62-turbine, 800- megawatt Vineyard Wind 1 project a joint venture of Avangrid Renewables LLC and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners in waters starting about 15 miles southwest of Nantucket. The company earlier this month reported the project is progressing and has a current operational capacity of more than 400 megawatts. Vineyard Wind's new pact with Nantucket Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus Moeller took part in the negotiations with town leaders. The talks led to an agreement that outlines 14 specific steps the company must now follow. Advertisement Advertisement The new pact requires Vineyard Wind to alert eight town officials within three hours whenever an incident triggers an emergency response, including blade failures. The company must send preliminary and final emergency reports within firm deadlines and can only remove sensitive business information from shared reports when the Freedom of Information Act allows it. The town will now sit inside the companys emergency response procedures Nantucket will send a representative to observe the annual tabletop emergency drills Vineyard Wind runs with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. A town representative will also join the incident management team during emergencies and the communications coordination team if Vineyard Wind activates one. The agreement also gives the island community more access to information about the projects activities. According to the document, Vineyard Wind will release a summary of its new Debris/Infrastructure Failure Incident Response Plan for public feedback and treat it as a document that stays open to updates. The company must also provide monthly written updates on construction and operations and track any periods when its aircraft detection lighting system fails. If the lighting exceeds the projections the company originally submitted to the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the company must explain why and describe possible solutions. Advertisement Advertisement Vineyard Wind will additionally assign a liaison with direct access to company decision makers. This person must answer questions from the town and from residents who submit questions through the town within seven days. When a question requires technical research, according to the agreement, the company must confirm it received the inquiry and give a specific deadline for the full response. The town agreed to several parallel steps. Nantucket will help share emergency information with the public, provide support when possible, assign its own liaison, and answer the companys questions within seven days. Island leaders will pass along public questions about the project, share the previous months communications, and review any concerns Vineyard Wind raises about accuracy. Both sides agreed to meet at the leadership level if either believes the other broke the agreement. They will enter mediation if they cannot resolve the issue, and the town keeps the option to sue for damages. Greg Werkheiser, who advises Nantucket on offshore wind issues through Cultural Heritage Partners, PLLC, said the agreement focuses on practical needs. Advertisement Advertisement This agreement is not symbolic it is operational, he said. These are real-world measures that will meaningfully improve the communitys ability to protect the island. Vineyard Wind spokesperson Craig Gilvarg said the company views the result as a positive step. Vineyard Wind 1 is pleased to enter into this memorandum of understanding with the town of Nantucket, which is the product of respectful and cooperative discussions between the parties over recent months, he said. The protocols outlined in the agreement, he said, will promote regular and transparent communication between Vineyard Wind and the town of Nantucket, and we look forward to a long-term positive relationship with the island. Town officials expect the first monthly update under the new rules later this month. Advertisement Advertisement Heather McCarron, hmccarron@capecodonline.com, writes about climate change, environment, energy, science and the natural world, in addition to news and features in Barnstable, Brewster and Falmouth. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Nantucket, Vineyard Wind strengthen cooperation on offshore project As the year draws to a close, Indias potato flakes sector quietly writes a story of transformation, turning humble tubers into a global force of convenience and nutrition. From the fertile plains of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, where tradition meets technology, vast harvests now feed cutting-edge dehydration lines, propelling exports to over 35,000 tonnes in 2024 a fivefold surge in just three years. What began as a niche processing venture has grown into a $63 million industry, winning hearts and shelves across Southeast Asia, from Malaysia to Indonesia. Behind these numbers lies resilience, smallholder farmers, once at the mercy of unpredictable fresh produce cycles, now anchor supply chains that merge ancestral knowledge with precision agriculture, ensuring steady yields despite... Iceland has sounded the alarm regarding the potential collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, declaring it a national security risk that requires its immediate attention. What's happening? As reported by Reuters, officials in Iceland are warning that the collapse of the AMOC could lead to a modern ice age scenario in Northern Europe. This would result in plummeting temperatures, increased snowfall and ice accumulation, and the potential destabilization of weather patterns across the world. Not only would this harm the agriculture industry and vulnerable ecosystems in Europe, but other regions could also face an existential threat due to far-reaching and severe climate impacts. Advertisement Advertisement "It is a direct threat to our national resilience and security," said Iceland Climate Minister Johann Pall Johannsson in an email, per Reuters. "[This] is the first time a specific climate-related phenomenon has been formally brought before the National Security Council as a potential existential threat." Why is the potential collapse of the AMOC important? According to the Integrated Carbon Observation System, the AMOC is a crucial component of our global climate, transporting heat from the tropics to the North Atlantic, helping keep Europe's climate balanced and relatively mild. It also distributes nutrients essential for marine life and plays a significant role in the global distribution of heat, salt, and carbon. However, rising global temperatures have threatened to completely disrupt the AMOC. The addition of massive amounts of freshwater into the North Atlantic, mainly from melting ice sheets, glaciers, and increased precipitation, is directly linked to warmer global temperatures. A slowdown in the AMOC could lead to more extreme weather events in some regions around the globe, while triggering extended droughts in others. This could result in a devastating blow to local agriculture industries that may jeopardize food security for millions of people. What's being done about the potential collapse of the AMOC? In an effort to slow the continued rise of global temperatures and prevent the melting of Arctic glaciers and ice sheets, many countries have enacted policies to reduce their reliance on planet-heating fossil fuels. Other initiatives look to promote the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. Advertisement Advertisement "The science is evolving quite rapidly and time is running out to do anything about it because the tipping point may well be quite close," said oceanographer and climatologist Stefan Rahmstorf, per Reuters. Iceland's national security risk designation of the potential collapse of the AMOC allows the country's government to develop worst-case scenario plans. This may buy them valuable time to put proactive measures in place while safeguarding vulnerable industries. "Sea ice could affect marine transport; extreme weather could severely affect our capabilities to maintain any agriculture and fisheries, which are central to our economy and food systems," added Johannsson, according to Reuters. "We cannot afford to wait for definitive, long-term research before acting." Should we be harnessing the ocean to power our homes? Absolutely Leave it be It depends 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. State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst. Oct. 24, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN Nebraska lawmakers are recommending State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst be expelled from the Legislature following allegations that he groped a staffer after a sine die party earlier this year. The Nebraska Legislatures Executive Board, its group of nine voting members in charge of handling disciplinary procedures within the Legislature, voted unanimously Saturday to recommend McKeons expulsion, save for State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner, who was unable to attend due to the winter weather. She confirmed to the Examiner that she also would have voted yes on the motion based on the Legislatures existing policy. State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst. (Courtesy of Nebraska Unicameral Information Office) Expulsion is the strongest disciplinary measure the board can recommend, but it requires a full vote of the Legislature to pass. This means the matter will come before lawmakers during the 60-day legislative session that begins in January. Expelling him would require the votes of 33 senators. Advertisement Advertisement The recommendation stems from allegations by a legislative staffer attending an end-of-session party earlier this year. The Nebraska State Patrol received a report in September that McKeon had allegedly made inappropriate contact with her buttocks with his hand, over the top of her clothing, according to Patrol spokesman Cody Thomas. 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. The Patrol cited McKeon for misdemeanor public indecency. The Lancaster County Attorney recently downgraded the allegation to a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace. McKeons arraignment on the separate criminal charge is set forWednesday. In a statement from Executive Board Chair State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair on behalf of the committee, the board concluded the expulsion recommendation was necessary in light of a demonstrated pattern of behavior by Senator McKeon and not in response to a single isolated incident. Advertisement Advertisement Board members emphasized that the action was taken to protect the integrity of the Nebraska Legislature and to uphold the standards expected of its members, Hansens statement reads. McKeon is a registered Republican who was elected to the officially nonpartisan Legislature in 2024, replacing former State Sen. Fred Meyer of St. Paul. McKeons biographical page on the Legislatures website highlights that he has been married for 30 years and has four children. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Gov. Jim Pillen and other state officials have called for McKeons resignation, but McKeon has said he will not resign. Pillen stood by his statement when asked Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement McKeons attorney Perry Pirsch has said McKeon is guilty of nothing but a bad pun and pat on the back. He said McKeon has cooperated with the Executive Boards requests so far, and would continue to do so for reasonable requests. State Sens. Ben Hansen of Blair, left, and Merv Riepe of Ralston. April 14, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) The Legislature should be careful not to allow unadjudicated, contested allegations drive them to drastic decisions, Pirsch previously said by email. They are setting a dangerous precedent if they assume the worst and take actions based on nothing but contested allegations. Pirsch did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the Executive Boards Saturday vote. The Executive Board had met at least twice previously to discuss the situation, according to Hansen. The groups second meeting on the matter, Dec. 8, adjourned without reaching a resolution because Hansen wanted the full board to weigh in on the decision. Advertisement Advertisement During the boards first meeting on McKeon Oct. 27, Hansen said the group agreed to move McKeons former first-floor office, exchanging it with another first-floor office previously occupied by State Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman. Hansen did not specify why the board did so. Press release Exec Board Expulsion Rec SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Sa'ad was also one of the few remaining living Hamas officials directly involved in planning the October 7 invasion and slaughter of around 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz on Saturday night said they had ordered the assassination of number two Hamas official Ra'ad Sa'ad earlier in the day due to his leadership over the group's post-war rearmament activities. In particular, they referred to an ambush of IDF soldiers using an improvised explosive device earlier in the day. Advertisement Advertisement IDF sources also gave other specific examples of soldiers wounded by IEDs planted at Sa'ad's direction in recent weeks. Sa'ad was also one of the few remaining living Hamas officials directly involved in planning the October 7 invasion and slaughter of around 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians. The Shin Bet and the IDF said they received intelligence in real-time that he was making a rare above-ground trip in the western part of Gaza City, and acted promptly to kill him before the opportunity was lost. Despite these statements, there are other indications that the defense establishment suddenly got an opportunity to kill Saad after a long time of searching for him and received approval from Netanyahu, without extensive debate and without informing the US beforehand. Advertisement Advertisement One top source was unsure whether the US was informed before the attack. Another suggested the US was not informed beforehand this time, but is kept informed regularly of potential goals and targets, and there were other indications that Washington was only told afterward. His killing raises the stakes between Israel and Hamas over both whether the ceasefire will be maintained and how Phase II of the ceasefire, regarding international parties taking over management of Gaza and making moves toward reducing Hamas's arms, will play out. Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a car in Gaza City, December 13, 2025. (credit: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters) Phase II of Gaza ceasefire on hold while Hamas violates agreement Israel has consistently said that Hamas is violating Phase II of the ceasefire by continuing to rearm itself as opposed to being open to disarming, as well as by, to date, making many statements against handing over control over the Strip to international parties, as required under the ceasefire. Hamas has said that it only agreed to third parties ensuring both sides observe the ceasefire, and not to give up all of its weapons. Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Hamas accused Israel of undermining the ceasefire, and expressed a readiness for escalation, though it appeared the Gazan terror group would not necessarily lash out if Israel did not strike again soon. The only high-ranked Hamas official is its current chief, Az-al-din Al-Hadad, who took over after Mohammed Sinwar was killed in May. Saad has been part of Hamas since at least the 1990s, serving time in Israeli prison during the 1990s, and then also serving time imprisoned by the Palestinian Authority. He was close with Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, killed by Israel in 2004, and with top Hamas military leaders Mohammed Deif and Marwan Issa, both of whom were killed by Israel during the war in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement At one point, Saad was the brigade commander for Gaza City, and at another point, he established Hamas's naval commando unit. Later, Saad joined Hamas's high command, but in the years leading up to the war was actually demoted from the high command to a second-tier position due to a falling out with the Sinwar brothers' wing, which had taken control of Hamas. However, he was never far from the top, and after Mohammed Sinwar was killed, Saad became al-Hadad's number two man for managing significant aspects of Hamas's day-to-day operations. "While these requests may seem like normal oversight, the federal government is using its power to try to intimidate states and influence how states administer elections ahead of the 2026 cycle, said Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar. (Photo: Ronda Churchill/Nevada Current) Despite our simple requests for information on how theyre going to keep this data secure, theyve given us no clear answers, Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar said in a statement Friday after the U.S. Department of Justice announced it was suing the state the latest push in the Trump administrations efforts to examine Nevadans private voter data at will. While these requests may seem like normal oversight, the federal government is using its power to try to intimidate states and influence how states administer elections ahead of the 2026 cycle, Aguilar said. Advertisement Advertisement Its my duty to follow Nevada law and protect the best interests of Nevadans, which includes protecting their sensitive information and access to the ballot, Aguilar said, adding the Constitution makes it clear: elections are run by the states. The DOJ announced Friday that it was suing Nevada, along with Colorado, Hawaii, and Massachusetts, bringing the total number of states the administration has sued to obtain voter data to 18. Trumps Department of Justice has been pestering Nevada and several other states over much of the year seeking unfettered access to private information about voters, including drivers license numbers, addresses, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers. In March, Trump issued an executive order requiring states to turn over their voter rolls to the Department of Justice, ostensibly in an effort to expose those registered in multiple states. Advertisement Advertisement In July, responding to a DOJ letter, Nevada provided a version of its statewide voter registration list that is generally available to the public. In August, the DOJs Civil Rights Division again requested full access to Nevadas complete statewide voter registration list, including sensitive personal information. In August, Nevada responded that it would conduct an analysis of the legal authority for the governments request. In September, Aguilar refused to share the complete voter registration list, contending the DOJ request was unjustified. In November, federal officials acknowledged that the DOJ shared voter information with the Department of Homeland Security to search it for noncitizens as a way to scrub aliens from voter rolls. Later in the month, Aguilar joined a group of Democratic secretaries of state sending a letter to the DOJ saying they were concerned the administration misled them about how it would use voter data collected from their states, and seeking clarification of the DOJs motives. Advertisement Advertisement Aguilar said his office hadnt been served the suit as of Friday, adding his office and that of the Nevada attorney general are working together to evaluate this litigation from the federal government. The Trump administrations full access to unredacted voter data will not only violate privacy laws, said All Voting is Local Nevada State Director Kerry Durmick in a statement Friday. It would also enable large-scale voter challenges, false claims of fraud, and new attempts to impose proof-of-citizenship and other burdensome requirements that could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters nationwide, including hundreds of thousands of Nevadans. These tactics have long been used to suppress participation, particularly among communities of color, students, and working-class voters, Durmick said. This lawsuit is an obvious weaponization of our institutions against everyday Americans, and Nevadans will not stand for it. The departing state engineer played a pivotal role in a Nevada Supreme Court case last year that affirmed the states right to manage interconnected sources of water as a single source in order to protect senior water rights and wildlife. (Photo: Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) State officials are offering no explanation for why Nevada State Engineer Adam Sullivan, who was appointed as the states top water regulator in 2021, is suddenly leaving his role at the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Sullivan, who also served as administrator of the Departments Division of Water Resources, was responsible for managing Nevadas limited water resources as the state engineer, including settling disputes over water claims and issuing permits for housing developments. Advertisement Advertisement Former deputy administrator Chris Thorson will serve as the new acting administrator for the Division of Water Resources, according to a spokesperson for the DCNR. Spokesperson Jenny Jackson did not provide further details about the reason for Sullivans departure or clarify when exactly Sullivan left his role. The Department is now focused on strengthening Nevadas water management and ensuring a smooth leadership transition, Jackson said. Gov. Joe Lombardos office did not respond to a request for comment Friday. Sullivan was named Acting State Engineer in November 2020 under former Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak, when the previous state engineer, Tim Wilson, retired after 25 years of state service. Advertisement Advertisement Sullivan has worked on water policy in Nevada for more than 20 years and served various roles within the Division of Water Resources since 2009. He played a pivotal role in a Nevada Supreme Court case last year that affirmed the states right to manage interconnected sources of water as a single source in order to protect senior water rights and wildlife. The consequential Nevada Supreme Court case Sullivan v. Lincoln County determined the state engineer had the statutory authority to merge multiple water basins into one superbasin, a decision that will likely have a profound impact on the way groundwater is managed in the state going forward. Sullivan said the case would have sweeping ramifications for Nevada, but that full implementation of the ruling may take some time. Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers expressed concern about the implications of the case on the state economy. In 2023, state lawmakers introduced Assembly Bill 387, a bill that would have clarified the states authority to deny water permits based on the potential for conflict between surface water rights and groundwater rights. But large water users including real estate developers and mining companies pushed back on the bill, arguing the state was attempting to exceed its authority and curtail water rights. The Nevada Supreme Court ruling essentially does the same thing the bill would have accomplished, Sullivan told lawmakers in the months following the ruling. The new state engineer will have to face a slew of water rights issues beyond the Supreme Court ruling, including increasing demand for limited water resources as Nevadas population rapidly grows and prolonged drought exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. The date of AB 387s introduction was corrected in this story. California Governor Gavin Newsom spent Thursday in Pacific Palisades and Altadena meeting with fire victims, those helping in the rebuild, reflecting on the lives lost, and surveying the progress that's been made. "2,193 permits have been approved as of last week," said Newsom. "I'll put that in perspective. Maui lost about 2,200 homes. Two years later, they had 465 homes permitted. I've mentioned Paradise. It was 385 after a full year so there's real progress here. But, that's progress in the aggregate. But, nobody lives in the aggregate. So, someone at home is watching right now, shaking their head because they may have had a stubborn and frustrating experience, and that's what we have to address. Twenty-seven executive orders I've signed. if I need to sign another 27 I'll do it." Newsom says Washington partisan politics have no role in federal disaster aid, or in Artificial Intelligence. On Thursday, President Trump signed an executive order that prevents states from enforcing their own AI regulations. Advertisement Advertisement "We also are the one's leading the nation in a regulatory pathway and that regulatory pathway led to the nation's first AI frontier model regulation,SB53, that we signed last year. We think that's a model for the country. Donald Trump doesn't believe in any regulation. We think he's wrong and we think state's have the right to regulate companies and it would be a huge mistake if he were successful in this effort. We're going to make sure he's not. We think it's patently illegal for him to sign an executive order denying state's rights," said Newsom. Eyewitness News asked the Governor about his former Chief of Staff Dana Williamson facing federal charges. "As it relates to any independent investigation, the last thing anybody needs to do in positions like mine, if I'm going to criticize Trump for getting involved in those things, I'm going to be careful and say let those independent facts flow," said Newsom. Williamson has pleaded not guilty to all 23 counts. Newsom's office put Williamson on leave over a year ago when they learned that she was under criminal investigation. She left the Governor's Office one month's after that. FULL INTERVIEW: Eyewitness News got an exclusive interview with Gov. Gavin Newsom as he visited the Southland for an update on recovery efforts. An interruption in Hudson's natural gas aggregation offerings continues, as the city has been unable to sign on with a supplier to establish a program for the 2025-2026 season. The city's broker, Akron-based Buckeye Energy, was in contact with natural gas supplier Major Energy, but communications about a possible contract between the city and supplier ended last month, the city said in a Dec. 13 news release. In March, another natural gas supplier with which the city had been under contract at the time notified city officials that the company would no longer honor its contracted rate, Mayor Jeffrey Anzevino previously said via email. That supplier, Eastern Power & Gas, sent similar letters to officials in Tallmadge, Streetsboro and Canal Fulton, leading each of the cities to seek alternatives. Advertisement Advertisement The city of Hudson's 2024-2025 contract with Eastern Power & Gas was set to run from October 2024 through September 2025. Most communities with natural gas aggregations have opt-out programs with suppliers, but Hudson's program requires residents to opt in. The number of suppliers offering opt-in programs has declined, and Major Energy was the only one to offer an opt-in program this year, the city of Hudson's Dec. 13 release said. Hudson city officials and Major Energy could not come to an agreement, and the supplier hasn't been in contact with the city or Buckeye Energy since mid-November, per the release. Advertisement Advertisement The Hudson city administration and City Council will discuss future options for natural gas aggregation in the first quarter of 2026, the release said. Hudson residents would need to vote to change the program to an opt-out structure, according to the release. What is a natural gas aggregation program? Communities participate in natural gas aggregation programs to negotiate better supply rates for residents and small businesses than natural gas customers can obtain on their own. Aggregation programs solely address the supply portion of customers' natural gas purchases, as the purchases and bills include distribution and supply portions. Enbridge, formerly Dominion, distributes natural gas to Hudson residences. What options do Hudson residents have to save on natural gas? On the natural gas supply side, Enbridge offers a Standard Choice Offer, according to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. The rate is variable by month and is currently $9.9248 per 1,000 cubic feet (Mcf) for the period of Dec. 10 through Jan. 11. Advertisement Advertisement Customers who are interested in exploring other natural gas supply rates can perform research on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's "Apples to Apples" charts. Offers listed on the charts vary based on factors such as price per Mcf, whether the rate is fixed or variable, the offer's term length and whether there is an associated termination fee. Why are natural gas rates going up? When cold weather hits, customers use more natural gas. Dave Jankowski, spokesman for nonprofit natural gas and electricity aggregator the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council, said in early April that last winter was "extremely cold." He said companies "took a lot of gas out of the ground as opposed to the two previous winters, where we had a lot of gas in the ground, and prices were historically low." Advertisement Advertisement Patrick Williams covers growth and development for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at pwilliams@usatodayco.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @pwilliamsOH. Sign up for the Beacon Journal's business and consumer newsletter, "What's The Deal?" This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Natural gas aggregation program stalled in Hudson for 2025-2026 season New York City police are looking for two people accused of pushing a man onto the subway tracks overnight in Manhattan. It happened at the Second Avenue Station for the southbound F line at 1:20a.m. Saturday. Authorities say a 58-year-old man was involved in a dispute with two others when it escalated and the victim was pushed onto the train tracks. The victim did not make contact with a train or the third rail and was taken to the hospital where he is said to be stable. Advertisement Advertisement Both suspects ran out of the station in an unknown direction. Police are looking for two men in their 30s to 40s who were last seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and a black jacket. ---------- * 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. A man is in critical condition after police say an off-duty officer shot him following a road rage confrontation in Orange County. It happened Thursday around 3:45 p.m. on Dolsontown Road near McVeigh Road. Cellphone video appears to show what went down after one man pulled a knife and the officer pulled a gun. Officials say the confrontation escalated when the driver of a Volkswagen, 31-year-old Wallace Fisher, got out of his car and approached the driver of a Toyota. Advertisement Advertisement Police say the verbal altercation at the driver's side window turned physical and Fisher allegedly pulled out a knife and took a swing inside the car. It is unclear in the video if he is holding the knife as he takes a swing. "The boy swing, he punched him and immediately three shots went off," Eyewitness Rob Parker said. That is when the driver of the Toyota, 33-year-old Anthony Simon, an off-duty Kingston police officer, discharged his firearm and shot Fisher, authorities say. The eyewitness who shot the video of the incident said he started rolling when he noticed the two cars swerving and cutting each other off -- a spat that began when one cut the other off while exiting a car wash. Advertisement Advertisement "The person that got cut off from the cop was tailgating after that, the cop was brake-checking him then the boy tried to pass him and the cop went on the other side of the road and tried to run him off the road," Parker said. Fisher was shot twice in the neck and shoulder and was taken to the hospital, where he was said to be critical but stable at Westchester Medical Center. So far, no charges have been filed as state police continue to investigate. Police are reviewing video and interviewing witnesses. "When he got out the car, he could have left. The same way I watched him swerve lane to lane and he get out the way or him the boy from passing. I feel like the whole thing could have been avoided. On both parties, I feel like they were wrong," Parker said. Advertisement Advertisement The Kingston Police Department said the officer, who has been employed by the Kingston Police since 2022, has been placed on administrative duty until the investigation is concluded. ---------- * More Northern Suburbs 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. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact State Police Middletown at 845-344-5300. According to the Plymouth County District Attorney, officials have made an arrest in a fatal shooting in Rockland that happened in November. 34-year-old Kevin Denis was arrested and taken into custody in Brockton. At around 9:35 p.m. on November 11, Rockland Police received a 911 call for a report of gunshots in the area of 75 Deering Square. Police found a 29 year-old male inside of a parked motor vehicle, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Advertisement Advertisement The victim was transported to South Shore Hospital where he was pronounced dead of his injuries. He was later identified as Darnel Andre of Rockland. As part of the investigation, detectives conducted interviews and individuals reported seeing a thin male dressed in dark clothing flee the scene. The Massachusetts State Police enlisted the assistance of the MSP Airwing and a drone, and a ground and air search ensued. Denis is scheduled to be arraigned on murder charges in Hingham District Attorney. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW : . : . . A local prosecutors office will be reviewing cases involving an Ohio judge accused of rape, according to our media partner, WBNS-10 TV. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell said his office will review 30 cases connected to Delaware County Judge James Schuck. Fornshell told WBNS-10 that his office will look into reopening cases due to any unusual activity. The process will last into January. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement As previously reported by News Center 7, Schuck took a voluntary leave of absence after being served a civil stalking protection order in late November. Prosecutor Melissa Schiffel confirmed her office was made aware of an improper relationship involving a sitting judge and an assistant county prosecutor. A case report taken by a Delaware County Sheriffs Office deputy in the investigation into the judge lists alleged offenses, including rape and gross sexual imposition. The report includes the account of a 25-year-old woman who alleged that the suspect, whose name was redacted, began contacting her after she was sworn in last November. Advertisement Advertisement He allegedly asked personal questions and eventually texted her to visit her apartment. The woman also described an incident in May where she alleges she was sexually assaulted at the courthouse and claims that for several months, the suspect continued to try to have sex with her despite her refusals, WBNS reported. The report states, What scared her the most is how emotional he would get when she told him no. Paul Scarsella, an attorney for Schuck, released the following statement to WBNS: Judge Schuck acknowledges a personal relationship between the parties however he adamantly denies the blatantly false allegations made in the petition and the report to the Sheriffs office. Those claims were made only after the relationship was disclosed to her employer and an internal investigation was initiated. We look forward to confronting these allegations at the hearing on the 16th. The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office is investigating this case in an effort to avoid a conflict of interest. Schuck is due back in court on Dec. 16. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban 's main challenger on Saturday led tens of thousands of demonstrators through the streets of Budapest in a protest over alleged child abuse in state-run juvenile institutions, an issue that has already shaken Orban's government following a scandal last year. The demonstration, called by Orban's top rival, Peter Magyar, came in response to videos published this week depicting employees of a juvenile correction facility in Budapest physically abusing children housed there. The former head of the facility, who is in police custody on suspicion of operating a prostitution ring among other crimes, has also been accused of subjecting minors to physical and sexual abuse. Police raided the correction center this week, though critics have accused Orban's government of failing to act despite reports of misconduct going back years. Magyar, whose center-right Tisza party is polling ahead of Orban's Fidesz in most independent surveys, has jumped on the case and accused the government of failing to protect vulnerable children, and called on Orban to resign. Elections are expected to take place in April. Advertisement Advertisement The Hungarian government's communications office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The crowd Saturday gathered in cold temperatures in central Budapest and marched solemnly across the Danube River. Many marchers lit torches as dusk fell, and began climbing toward Orban's offices on Castle Hill. One marcher, Sandor Horvat, who traveled some 200 miles (325 kilometers) to the protest from Tiszabecs on the Ukrainian border, said he believed Orban's government will be gone by the time of elections. In other countries, the entire government would have fallen over this scandal. But here we see them clinging to power tooth and nail," he said. Advertisement Advertisement The abuse of minors in state-run institutions has previously caused a political crisis for Orban's government. In 2024, Hungarys president, Katalin Novak, and justice minister, Judit Varga, resigned amid public outrage stemming from their endorsements of a pardon for a man convicted of helping cover up cases of child sexual abuse in a public orphanage. The scandal represented a rare moment of weakness for Orban, who has led Hungary with near total power since returning to office in 2010. Magyar, a former insider within Orban's Fidesz party, burst into Hungary's political spotlight as the case unfolded, accusing the government of misconduct and corruption. Addressing the crowd assembled outside the government's executive headquarters on Saturday, Magyar drew parallels between last year's pardon scandal and the more recent child abuse allegations, saying: "Twenty-two months ago, a country put a question to the Hungarian government: Can it change and improve the situation of children, or will it remain an accomplice of child abusers? Orbans government promised everything, but since then, unfortunately, it turned out that every member of the Orban government took the side of the abusers," Magyar said. Advertisement Advertisement Orban's government has condemned the physical abuse seen in the published videos while arguing that the cases of child abuse coming to light showed that Hungary's child protection system was working effectively to root out wrongdoing. Still, several government figures, including Orban, have emphasized that the juvenile residents of the facility had been placed there because they'd committed crimes or engaged in other misconduct, depicting the institution as a prison for minors. The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) recently released an online portal with great ease of access for any districts statistics. Anyone can now sign on to see in depth indicators for how their community is doing in relation to state averages. Having access to these numbers is incredibly useful for both decision makers and community members concerned about local education. General stats like graduation rates and regular attendances are available alongside granular details like demographic breakdowns and subject-specific proficiency. These profiles are an important tool that help us understand how our students and schools are doing; where were making progress, where we can do better, and how we can continue refining the ways we serve communities across the state, ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams said. Ultimately, this data is not just something to reportits an opportunity to respond. Its a chance to continue implementing the strategies we know are effective and to adjust where needed, so every Oregon student can thrive. ODE will continue to focus on supporting programs that make a difference. Looking across the board, Coos Countys various districts tend to fall below state averages. Lets focus in on some of Coos Countys stats and how they compare in the areas of regular attendance rates, 9th graders on track to finish, and actual graduation rates. Advertisement Advertisement Regular attendance is a percentage of students who attend over 90% of their enrolled school days, 9th Grade on Track is a percentage of first year high school students receiving appropriate support for graduating on time, the Four-Year Graduation rate is calculated per year (this will be students who started in 20/21 and received a diploma in 23/24). Coos Bay SD 9 CBSD enrolled 2,914 students in the 2024-2025 school year, with 48% of those students experiencing poverty according to ODE. There are 166 teachers, 5 counselors, 1 social worker, and 3 student psychologists. Regular Attendance Coos Bay: 59.6% Advertisement Advertisement State Average: 66.5% 9th Grade on Track Coos Bay: 81.5% State Average: 86.6% Four-Year Graduation Coos Bay: 68.9% State Average: 81.7% North Bend SD 13 NBSD enrolls 2,786 students, with 44% of them experiencing poverty. Staff includes 155 teachers, 6 counselors, and just one social worker and psychologist. Regular Attenders North Bend: 64.3% State Average: 66.5% 9th Grade on Track North Bend: 82.1% State Average: 86.6% Four-Year Graduation North Bend: 72.4% State Average: 81.7% Bandon SD 54 Bandon enrolls 613 students, with 37% of them experiencing poverty. They employ 44 teachers, with only 3 psychologists as student support staff. Advertisement Advertisement Regular Attenders Bandon: 71.5% State Average: 66.5% 9th Grade on Track Bandon: 86.5% State Average: 86.6% Four-Year Graduation Bandon: 80.8% State Average: 81.7% Reedsport SD 105 Reedsport enrolls 533 students, with 58% of them experiencing poverty. They employ 33 teachers, with one counselor and one psychologist. Regular Attenders Reedsport: 61.9% State Average: 66.5% 9th Grade on Track Reedsport: 62.9% State Average: 86.6% Four-Year Graduation Reedsport: 75.0% State Average: 81.7% Myrtle Point SD 41 Myrtle Point enroll 536 students, with 42% experiencing poverty. They employ 34 teachers and just one counselor. Regular Attenders Advertisement Advertisement Myrtle Point: 62.0% State Average: 66.5% 9th Grade on Track Myrtle Point: 94.6% State Average: 86.6% Four-Year Graduation Myrtle Point: 84.4% State Average: 81.7% Interpreting statistics can be a tricky task given small sample sizes, but it is interesting to see how things like poverty and support staff to student ratios can affect educational outcomes. To dig deeper into the stats yourself or see school specific numbers, you can visit: ode.state.or.us/apps/OregonReportCard Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, in the Oregon House on Jan. 13, 2025. (Photo by Laura Tesler/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Oregons longest-serving state representative broke state ethics laws when he tried to secure a $66,000 raise for his work as an executive director at the Columbia Development Authority of Boardman, the states government ethics watchdog found Friday. Seven members of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission on Friday unanimously found that Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, a state legislator since 2000, used his position as a public official to secure a higher salary. He has long added onto his legislative salary with high-paying consulting contracts and side gigs supporting economic development efforts in eastern Oregon. Advertisement Advertisement The commission on Tuesday voted during a special meeting to extend for 30 days its investigation into Smith and allow investigators to gather more information, but members decided on Friday that given the evidence theyd reviewed, he was in violation of state ethics laws. Smith was not present for the meeting, and the next step in the process could be a hearing where he can contest the findings or any other orders such as a fine. Smith did not immediately respond to a text message from the Capital Chronicle seeking comment on Friday. Smith has faced multiple ethics investigations during the last year, but Fridays decision centered on whether he failed to disclose conflicts of interest, and abused his position as a public official, when he sought a raise through funding from the U.S. Department of Defense for his work at the authority that had not been pre-approved by the authoritys board. The development authority is an intergovernmental organization meant to redevelop the site of a former military chemical depot, and it includes the Port of Umatilla, Umatilla County, Port of Morrow, Morrow County and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. It receives federal grant funding from the Office of Local Defense and Community Cooperation. Advertisement Advertisement Executive Director Smiths efforts as it relates to the pay increase were not only an attempt; rather, they resulted in an actual financial benefit to Executive Director Smith, a new, 43-page investigation from the commission reads. The evidence establishes that Executive Director Smith used his position as Executive Director to obtain a pay increase for himself that had not been previously approved by the CDA Board. Smiths salary for running the authority was $129,000 in late 2023, an amount he wanted to increase to $238,000, according to a letter he sent to the Columbia Development Authority boards chair in December 2023, though the investigation found no indication that the board took up such a raise for a vote. Nevertheless, a 2024 grant application the authority sent to the defense departments Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation included mention of a significant board-approved increase in existing salaries beginning on April 1, 2024. That grant application called for a new salary for Smith of $195,000, the maximum pay allowed under the defense offices salary cap for grantees. Under a cost-sharing agreement, the federal government would have paid $123,350 of the salary, and the local development authority would have paid $71,650. But after finding out about the raise retroactively, the development authoritys board revoked it and directed him to pay back the extra money he had received. Advertisement Advertisement SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Casey Fenstermaker, a compliance and enforcement coordinator with the commission, reviewed documents and conducted a number of interviews, but did not have complete interviews with Columbia Development Authority board member J.D Tovey and Smith himself done by the meeting earlier this week. In her latest report, she wrote that Smith failed to pay back the extra money as the board directed, and that Smith has not returned it. Executive Director Smith did not indicate to the Board that the grant application included a pay increase for himself, she wrote. The Board eventually discovered that the OLDCC grant application included a pay increase for Executive Director Smith. Advertisement Advertisement The commission has already opened four previous investigations into Smith this year. One, in March, resulted in him receiving a letter of education for failing to list Harney County, where he was a director for a local development authority, as a source of income on the annual economic interest statement he must file as an elected official. Responding 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. Team Sevens annual Christmas fundraiser, founded by Odessa resident Tryann Stevenson, left, is collecting both monetary donations and items to support pre-teen children who are victims of abuse. (Courtesy Photo) The name on the building may say Ruffhouse, but the piles of donations show a run full of soft hearts. The mixed martial arts business is accepting donations for Team Sevens annual Christmas fundraiser. The initiative, founded by Odessa resident Tryann Stevenson, is collecting both monetary donations and items to support pre-teen children who are victims of abuse. Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, more than 232,000 reports of child abuse were investigated by Child Protective Investigations, including 587 reported child fatalities, according to a report by the Department of Family and Protective Services. This year, Stevenson will distribute the donated items to Harmony Home Childrens Advocacy Center, Safe Place of the Permian Basin, the Crisis Center of West Texas, and the Rainbow Room. Donations will go to these places because abuse happens every day, Stevenson said. These things are needed more than just at Christmas. Items needed range from toys, hygiene products, school supplies, jackets and clothing. Donations can be dropped off at Ruffhouse MMA, 1617 E. Eighth St., between 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Donations can also be made at The Mens Den Barbershop, 4519 N. Garfield St., Suite 14, Midland. Philanthropy is not new to Stevenson. He discovered his love for giving back as a child from his mother, who encouraged him to volunteer at Harmony Home as a child. Currently, he serves as a member of the nonprofits board of directors. Looking to create more opportunities for supporting the Odessa and Midland communities, he formed Team Seven to continue his mission. Stevenson hopes to see an increase in donations this year, adding hes inspired by the number of people who are going above and beyond to help. An example he gave was the donations made by the Midland Legacy High School cheerleaders. Advertisement Advertisement He hopes that younger generations will also find their own love of philanthropy. Ive had checks written out for four figures, and then Ive had people come in and donate a beanie, he said. It doesnt matter how much money or how many items youre giving, its the fact that youre doing it; thats the good thing about it. WHERE TO DONATE * Where: Ruffhouse MMA,1617 E. Eighth St., Odessa. * When: Between 5 and 8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The post Organization fundraises to support nonprofits appeared first on Odessa American. An Oshkosh and Town of Sheboygan firefighter died on Dec. 11 in a car crash in Indiana. Firefighter and paramedic Tom Diener was killed, and another firefighter and a former firefighter were seriously injured while on an Indiana highway. Oshkosh Firefighter Tom Diener died in a car crash in Indiana on Dec. 11. He also worked as a volunteer firefighter for the Town of Sheboygan Fire Department. Two others were injured in the car crash as well. The Oshkosh Fire Department identified firefighter Carter Haen and former firefighter Robbie Betts as the two injured in the crash in a Dec. 12 social media post. "Tom was a dedicated firefighter, volunteer public servant, and business owner whose work centered on protecting communities through emergency warning systems," the city's fire department said in a social media post. Advertisement Advertisement "We hold Carter and Robbie close in our hearts as they navigate the days ahead, and we are wrapping Toms family and loved ones in our deepest sympathy," the post continued. The three were traveling for work related to public safety and emergency warnings systems, the department said in a social media post. The Town of Sheboygan Fire Department said on social media Diener served as a paramedic and firefighter for the city and as a lieutenant with the town's department. Haen was also a member of the volunteer fire department and Betts was a former member, the post said. "These three gentlemen have spent their adult lives serving the public and keeping multiple communities safe," the fire department's post said. Advertisement Advertisement Diener and Haen co-owned Sheboygan Warning Systems, an outdoor warning siren system company, according to the business' website. The Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation has started a fundraiser for Diener's family and with assisting Haen and Betts with medical and recovery-related needs. David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Oshkosh, Town of Sheboygan firefighter dies in Indiana car crash, two hurt More than 100 residents, advocates and faith leaders gathered by the busy road outside of the Florida Highway Patrol station in Lantana on Saturday morning to pray for those who had been taken during a series of immigration sweeps across Palm Beach County that continued this week. In their churches and neighborhoods, they say, evidence of Floridas participation in the countrys mass deportation effort has become increasingly apparent: The man who played Jesus in a Jupiter churchs Good Friday Passion Play was picked up the day after Easter. In West Palm Beach, another church no longer has a pianist. The young-adult bible study group has lost members. Two leaders of a different ministry are now gone. Advertisement Advertisement This week, in Lake Worth, a 3-month-old girl was left parentless after agents took her single mother. Also, an empty truck was found abandoned at a construction site, a mans lunch box and house keys still on the front seats, alongside pictures of his family. The latest arrests came during a series of operations conducted by Florida Highway Patrol and federal agents across Lake Worth as well as other areas of South Florida this week, sparking an outcry from some residents and immigrant advocacy groups. The Guatemalan-Maya Center reached out to PEACE, a Palm Beach County social justice ministry, to help document the raids and arrests throughout Lake Worth on Monday. PEACE organized Saturdays vigil as a response to the recent crackdown. We heard the cries of children in the background as their parents were taken from them, Jason Fairbanks, the pastor of Lake Worth United Church of Christ, told the crowd. We heard the sobs of a wife whose husband was detained, and she just wanted to make sure he had his life-saving medication given. Standing outside of the fence surrounding the FHP station parking lot, speakers criticized troopers participation in the immigration crackdown and led the crowd of approximately 125 people in prayers and songs. They held white roses to symbolize each of the immigrants who had been taken from Palm Beach County since August. Occasionally, cars driving by honked. There was no interaction with troopers during the vigil. Advertisement Advertisement We pray because we know that you are a God who hears when people cry, Chip Jurskis, the lead minister at JupiterFIRST church, said Saturday as people bowed their heads. So right now, we lift up the families of the Guatemalan-Maya Center and all the others whove been impacted by these policies. Grant them peace and hope in knowing that you hear their cries and you see their suffering. We lift up to you, the members of the Florida State Patrol and the others who carry out these policies You know that to do the things that theyre asked to do every day, they have to silence your voice that speaks to their consciences. Theyve got to harden their hearts. Afterwards, attendees placed white roses on an altar next to pictures of some of those detained, including one depicting the man performing as Jesus at St. Peters Catholic Church. Grace Lipman, 83, and Carol Lewis, 81, both live in Lake Worth and go to United Church of Christ. They found out about the event through PEACE. The idea of treating people who are our neighbors, whove been living here for years and contributing to our society, our community, and just taking them without notice, its terrifying, said Lewis. Its wrong and its evil and we care. Advertisement Advertisement The crowd was majority older and white. Organizers had warned people not to attend the vigil if they had concerns about their immigration status, pointing to the location outside of the Highway Patrol station. FHP has been heavily active in assisting with statewide deportation efforts as part of the nationwide 287(g) program that allows law enforcement to carry out immigration operations in partnership with ICE. Gov. Ron DeSantis has championed the partnership in positioning Florida as a leader in the nationwide deportation efforts led by the Trump administration. Palm Beach County, with its large immigrant population, has become a particular target of the statewide crackdown, advocates said Saturday. Florida Highway Patrol has had more than 600 encounters leading to immigration charges in Palm Beach County since August, state data shows, over twice the amount of anywhere else in the state. Our community has forever been changed by the trauma that we continue to endure at the hands of the Florida State Police, said Latifah Griffin, the reverend of First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches. As children of God, we are taught to welcome the stranger, to love our neighbor, and to care for the oppressed. Advertisement Advertisement Viviana Correa, 31, and Martha Ipanaque, 62, both attend St. Juliana Catholic Church in West Palm Beach, where Correa said members of her young adult Bible study group had been detained despite thinking their immigration status was secure. Since the immigration crackdown, both have noticed a shift in West Palm Beach as a result of people being deported and afraid to go outside. Business owners have seen a drop in customers. Their churchs Friday celebration of the Feast of Our Lady Guadalupe was subdued compared to previous years, when it would be packed at 5 a.m. Ipanaque said she and her husband had gone out to eat on Friday night and noticed the restaurant was empty. My husband and I said, Wow, its empty, not like the other day,' she recalled. I said, Well, people is afraid to go out even to eat.' Longtime Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has dampened hopes for elections that are years overdue. Presidential and parliamentary polls should be held within a year after the end of the Gaza war, Abbas said on Friday in Rome, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA. There is currently no end in sight to the Gaza war, despite the nominal ceasefire in place since October. The Palestinian militia Hamas has not yet fulfilled all the points of the first phase of the Gaza peace plan. It remains to be seen whether the second phase can then be successfully implemented. Advertisement Advertisement The focus is on particularly contentious issues such as the disarmament of Hamas. Abbas, who won the 2005 presidential election in the autonomous territories, has remained in office without being re-elected, resulting in a sharp decline in his popularity. At 90, he is one of the oldest leaders in the world, surpassed only by Cameroon's 92-year-old President Paul Biya. The autonomous administration led by Abbas controls parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but has no power against the Israeli military administration or the expansion of settlements. In the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian organization Fatah lost control to Hamas in 2007 after a violent power struggle. Parents and safety advocates are raising urgent questions about why so many Orange County high schools lack basic crosswalk protections. This follows a crash last month in which a 15-year-old girl was hit by a car. The student was struck while she was in a crosswalk outside of Olympia High School, according to authorities. The crash has renewed concerns among parents who say the stretch of Apopka-Vineland _ can be dangerous for students traveling on foot. For Orange County parent Jake Petroski, the accident was not unexpected. Advertisement Advertisement Its just a perfect storm of lack of safety precautions and the geographical layout of this area, along with the speed of the road, Petroski said. He took his concerns to the Orange County Commission. What he describes as a basic safety gap is not unique to Olympia High. Back in April, another student was hit while walking to school, this time fatally, near Oak Ridge High School. At a recent county commission meeting, Commissioner Nicole Wilson acknowledged that high schools are treated differently under state laws regarding school-zone safety features. There are no high schools with school zones, she said. They dont get the flashing beacons from the school. They dont get the same designation, but that doesnt mean that we cant explore opportunities to provide higher visibility, better crossings. Advertisement Advertisement While state law does not mandate school-zone protections at high schools, local governments are permitted to install additional safety measures, including enhanced signage and pedestrian signals, where they deem necessary. Petroski says relatively simple changes could make a difference. It doesnt take a lot of resources to put up a pedestrian sign with flashing lights that coordinate with the stop the traffic signals out here, and simply some additional signage, he said. Data from Bike Walk Central Florida underscores the concern. The organization found that drivers fail to yield to pedestrians at an even higher rate near schools. Advertisement Advertisement Across the board, the average driver yield rate is right around 50%, and at schools specifically, its slightly less, said Vince Dyer of Bike Walk Central Florida. Its around 48 to 49% of drivers stopping for pedestrians that are in the crosswalk at school. So, this isnt just people walking out in front of your car in the middle of nowhere. Some parents are also calling for crossings near high schools to be formally designated as school zones, with reduced speed limits and flashing warning signs. Because right now its only a matter of time before another student gets hit, Petroski said. Orange County Traffic Engineering officials say they will analyze crash data, vehicle volumes and pedestrian counts in the area surrounding Olympia High School to determine what additional safety measures may be appropriate. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. This year's winner of the Nobel Peace Prize has condemned the arrest in Iran of Iranian Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi, dubbing it a "confession of fear" by the Islamist regime. "The Islamic Republic understands what dictatorships always understand: a fearless voice, once heard, cannot be unheard. That is why they strike in public. That is why they choose brutality. They want to teach an entire society that even grief is forbidden when it becomes solidarity," Venezuela's Maria Corina Machado posted on X on Saturday. The Norwegian Nobel Committee sharply criticized the arrest the previous day. The 2023 laureate was detained by security forces on Friday during a memorial event in the eastern Iranian metropolis of Mashhad, according to supporters. Advertisement Advertisement The committee "is deeply concerned by todays brutal arrest of Narges Mohammadi alongside a number of other activists," it said in a statement posted on its website on Friday. It urged the Iranian authorities to immediately disclose where Mohammadi is, ensure her safety and well-being, and release her unconditionally. "Given the close collaboration between the regimes in Iran and Venezuela, the Norwegian Nobel Committee notes that Ms Mohammadi is arrested just as the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the Venezuelan opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado." Iranian officials said Mohammadi and at least seven other activists were detained on Friday to protect them from possible violence, a claim that activists have rejected. Advertisement Advertisement Local media on Saturday cited the Mashhad governor's office in north-eastern Iran as saying that the detentions followed a protest led by Mohammadi, during which harsh slogans against Iran's political leadership were reportedly shouted. The office claimed the activists needed protection because there were also Islamic hardliners at the event. Due to the activists' slogans, there were fears of violent clashes between the two groups, the governor's office said. Activists and opposition sources have dismissed this claim, saying the security guards themselves used insults and excessive force during the raid on the ceremony and the detentions. They also said at least 40 activists were detained, including on charges of supporting the return to a monarchy in the country. Advertisement Advertisement The detentions were made during a memorial ceremony for the late lawyer Khosrow Alikordi at a mosque in Mashhad. According to official reports, 46-year-old Alikordi died of a heart attack several days ago. Opposition sources say he died from torture while in custody. Alikordi, a human rights lawyer who represented political prisoners, was widely respected among activists, and his death shocked Iran's human rights community. He was known for his critical approach toward the judiciary, which landed him on the Islamic system's political blacklist. Mohammadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize two years ago for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran, her opposition to the death penalty and her advocacy for human rights and freedom. She had been serving a lengthy prison sentence in Tehran's notorious Evin prison before being released around a year ago due to health problems. Photo by Christopher Walls / SOPA Images/Sipa USA (Sipa via AP Images) When Jon Richelieu-Booth boarded a plane home to England after a Florida vacation, he had no reason to believe a simple photo a harmless picture of himself shooting a legally rented shotgun at a gun range would soon turn his life upside down. But within days of posting that photo on LinkedIn, British police were at his door. Not once, not twice, but repeatedly, arresting him, seizing his electronics, and dragging him through 13 weeks of legal hell. His supposed crime? "Possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence." The evidence? A smiling vacation snapshot taken thousands of miles away, in a country where the activity was not only legal but normal. This episode would be absurd if it weren't so chilling. It reveals a truth Americans often forget: in most of the world, your rights exist only until the government decides otherwise. In the United Kingdom, there is no Second Amendment. There is no constitutional guarantee of free speech. There is no foundational belief that the people not the government are the ultimate sovereign. So when a middle-aged IT consultant posts a picture holding a legal firearm in another country, the British state feels fully entitled to kick in the door, confiscate his property, invent criminal charges, and destroy a man's peace simply because they don't like the image. Zachery Shropshire was sentenced to 45 years in prison for a 2022 shooting at a Phoenix apartment complex that killed a construction worker and wounded others, according to the Maricopa County Attorneys Office. The shooting happened March 10, 2022, near 28th Street and Indian School Road, where a work crew was remodeling an apartment building and cleaning up for lunch, according to MCAO. Prosecutors said Shropshire stepped out of his apartment armed with a high-powered rifle and a .45-caliber handgun and opened fire on workers and nearby residents. He shot Alvaro Quezada in the leg, leaving him unable to escape, then fired additional rounds at him, killing Quezada at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Seven other people were living or working near the apartment courtyard when the shooting began, MCAO said. One person was injured by shrapnel, and another was fired upon while trying to help Quezada. Shropshire fired about 24 rounds before getting into his vehicle and fleeing the scene. About a mile away, Shropshire crashed into a parked car and ran from the scene. Phoenix police found him in a nearby alley and arrested him, MCAO said. In October, a jury convicted Shropshire of second-degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident, two counts of disorderly conduct and seven counts of aggravated assault. Advertisement Advertisement This was a senseless attack on innocent people who were simply trying to do their jobs, said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. Rey Covarrubias Jr. covers grocery shopping, business and breaking news for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at: rcovarrubias@azcentral.com, and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix shooter sentenced to 45 years for 2022 killing By P.J. Huffstutter CHICAGO, Dec 13 (Reuters) - The windowless newsroom of The Phoenix, the Loyola University Chicago newspaper, hums like an old refrigerator. A coffee pot burbles in the corner as juniors Julia Pentasuglio and Ella Daugherty lean over a glowing laptop, updating a Google map. Each red pin marks a sighting of federal immigration agents near campus and the surrounding neighborhoods. Nearby, editor-in-chief Lilli Malone scrolls through reports from Rogers Park, a neighborhood along Chicago's lakefront where 80 languages mix. There were new pins from seven sightings that day alone - reports of vans barreling down side streets, masked immigration officers drawing guns, students watching from on-campus dorm windows as neighbors were taken away. Advertisement Advertisement The young student journalists normally cover dorm-room Thanksgiving recipes and local Christmas tree lightings, but find themselves with a new role under Donald Trump's presidency: documenting immigration raids. Their goal: counter online rumor with facts and give locals a map of frequently targeted areas as panic spread in recent months over who might be picked up by immigration agents next. Student and veteran journalists say that college newsrooms, independent media and legacy outlets across Chicago are now working together in ways that upend decades of cutthroat competition, building tools to track enforcement and collaborating on information. Since Trumps return to the White House, his administration has ordered aggressive immigration sweeps in cities with large foreign-born communities, including Chicago, to make good on a campaign promise to deport people living in the U.S. illegally. TRANSLATING RUMOR INTO FACT Advertisement Advertisement Weeks after Loyola students began classes this fall, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security launched its Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago in early September, deploying Border Patrol agents armed with high-powered weapons and tear gas. Local officials objected, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called the blitz "unlawful and unwarranted" and a new state law now allows Illinois residents to sue federal immigration agents if they believe their civil rights have been violated. DHS said it is targeting violent criminals putting Americans at risk, and that it has arrested more than 4,300 people as part of the operation. "Our efforts remain ongoing, we arent leaving Chicago," a DHS spokesperson said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Fear had already been building on campus before the operation started. A man from the U.S. Census Bureau walked into a dorm months earlier, Malone and Pentasuglio said, prompting false rumors that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had arrived. Students flooded The Phoenix staff with questions about whether the rumors were true. Some had reason to be worried. Loyola has long welcomed immigrants without legal status in the U.S., including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals students who came to the U.S. as children, particularly in its medical school a point of pride at a Jesuit university built on a mission of social justice. People were scared, and they needed someone to verify what was real, Malone said. Loyola University officials did not respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement So in early October, Malone and Pentasuglio, The Phoenix's managing editor, opened a blank Google Map and began dropping pins each confirmed through photos, timestamped videos or multiple witnesses, they said. The pins gave students and nearby residents a place to check rumor against fact to see which sightings had been verified, and to understand where agents had clustered in recent days so they could better gauge which areas might carry risk. Notes are attached to each pin - October 12: Multiple armed agents were spotted at the 1200 block of West North Shore Avenue midday. October 21: An arrest was reported at the North Lincoln Avenue Home Depot at 9:58 a.m. A DHS spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that U.S. Border Patrol conducted enforcement operations and made arrests at these locations on those dates. Advertisement Advertisement At the University of Chicago, deputy editor-in-chief Elena Eisenstadt says the college newspaper, The Maroon, built its Datawrapper tracker after reports lit up on social media outlets like Sidechat, a student app where users can chat anonymously. It felt like a wave, she said. When everyone is talking about something like that, you have to do something. At DePaul University, the managing editor of the DePaulia campus newspaper, Jake Cox, and other staff leaned on the social media accounts of students and others for tips when ICE's presence near its Lincoln Park campus spiked. At the Block Club Chicago nonprofit news group where he interns, Cox built an ICE WhatsApp channel a platform widely used by immigrant Chicagoans - where nearly 3,200 followers receive a steady stream of immigration stories, agent sightings and "Know Your Rights" links. Advertisement Advertisement SOME JOURNALISTS PRIORITIZE COLLABORATION The students are joining a broader wave of local mobilization against ICE across Chicago that has included cyclists trailing unmarked vans through alleys, parents forming checkpoints outside elementary schools and Pilates students shouting at agents pulling people into SUVs while neighbors film. For months, local reporters covering immigration enforcement in Chicago have also been sharing story leads, safety tips and source contacts with competitors through encrypted communication systems, said Maira Khwaja, public impact strategy director at the Invisible Institute, an independent, local journalism nonprofit. The story has become too big, she said, and there are simply too few journalists to cover it. More of us is better. Advertisement Advertisement At The Phoenix, when staff get a tip outside their coverage area, they said they help get the information to other papers. At the city's biggest newspaper, the Chicago Tribune, senior editor Erika Slife says she grew up in the old scoop culture but that the current journalistic landscape has sometimes led to collaboration across outlets. For example, after U.S. Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino left Chicago on November 13 and headed for Charlotte, North Carolina, reporters from The Charlotte Observer newspaper contacted Tribune staff the next day for insight and what to expect, said Tribune investigative reporter Gregory Royal Pratt. Pratt and several co-workers quickly got onto a video conference call with the North Carolina reporters, he said, and shared what worked for them - from lining up safety equipment, to following helicopter traffic and vetting government information for accuracy. Advertisement Advertisement It still feels good to be first, said Slife, who leads the paper's immigration coverage. Now she tells her reporters, "its more important to be right. We may not always be first, but we'll do it best." (Reporting by P.J. Huffstutter in Chicago. Additional reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington, D.C., editing by Deepa Babington) PROVIDENCE, R.I. A shooter dressed in black killed at least two people and wounded eight others at Brown University on Saturday during final exams on the Ivy League campus, authorities said, and police were searching for the suspect. Officers scattered across the campus and into an affluent neighborhood filled with historic and stately brick homes, searching academic buildings, backyards and porches for hours after the shooting erupted. The suspect was a male in dark clothing who was last seen leaving the engineering building where the attack happened, said Timothy OHara, deputy chief of police. Advertisement Advertisement Authorities believe the shooter used a handgun, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity. Rhode Island has some of the strictest gun laws in the U.S. Last spring the Democratic-controlled Legislature passed an assault weapon ban that will prohibit the sale and manufacturing of certain high-powered firearms, but not their possession, starting next July. The unthinkable has happened, Democratic Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said a shelter-in-place was in effect and encouraged people living near the campus to stay inside and not to return home until it is lifted. Advertisement Advertisement We have all available resources to find the suspect, Smiley said. Emma Ferraro, a chemical engineering student, was in the engineering buildings lobby working on a final project when she heard loud pops coming from the east side. Once she realized they were gunshots, she darted for the door and ran to a nearby building where she was waited for a couple of hours. Eight people with gunshot wounds were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where six were in critical but stable condition, according to Kelly Brennan, a spokesperson for the hospital. Another was in critical condition and one was stable, she said. Advertisement Advertisement University officials initially told students and staff that a suspect was in custody, before later saying that was not the case. The mayor said a person preliminarily thought to be involved was detained but was later determined to have no involvement. Nearly five hours after the shooting, officers in tactical gear led students out of some campus buildings and into a fitness center. The shooting occurred in the Barus & Holley building, a seven-story complex that houses the School of Engineering and physics department. According to the universitys website, the building includes more than 100 laboratories, dozens of classrooms and offices. Engineering design exams were underway there when the shooting occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Brown senior biochemistry student Alex Bruce was working on a final research project in his dorm directly across the street from the building when he heard sirens outside and received a text about an active shooter shortly after 4 p.m. Im just in here shaking, he said, watching through the window as a half-dozen armed officers in tactical gear surrounded his dorm. He said he feared for a friend who he thought was inside the engineering building at the time. Students in a nearby lab hid under desks and turned off the lights after receiving an alert about the shooting, said Chiangheng Chien, a doctoral student in engineering who was about a block away from the scene. Mari Camara, 20, a junior from New York City, was coming out of the library and rushed inside a taqueria to seek shelter. She spent more than three hours there, texting friends while police searched the campus. Advertisement Advertisement Everyone is the same as me, shocked and terrified that something like this happened, she said. President Donald Trump told reporters that he had been briefed on the shooting and all we can do right now is pray for the victims. Its a shame, he said in brief remarks at the White House. The FBI said it was assisting in the response. Brown, one of the nations most prestigious colleges, has about 7,300 undergraduates and more than 3,000 graduate students. Tuition, housing and other fees run to nearly $100,000 per year, according to the university. (This December 13 story has been republished with no changes to text.) By Jody Godoy Dec 13 (Reuters) - Prosecutors must return evidence seized from a key figure in the dismissed criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey, but the U.S. Department of Justice can seek a new warrant for the information, a federal judge has ruled. The ruling is at least a temporary setback for prosecutors mulling another attempt to charge Comey, one of President Donald Trump's critics whom the DOJ has sought to prosecute. Advertisement Advertisement A lawyer for Richman declined to comment on Saturday. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington ruled that while prosecutors must return files seized from Daniel Richman, a law professor and former attorney for Comey, a copy can be deposited with the court for safekeeping in the event that prosecutors seek a new warrant. Richman sued last month seeking to bar prosecutors from using material he alleged had been improperly seized from him during a probe in 2019 and 2020. The probe ended in 2021 with no charges. Kollar-Kotelly, whose ruling was released Friday night, wrote that it was an unreasonable seizure of Richman's property to keep a copy of Richman's files without safeguarding them against being searched without a warrant in a new investigation. Advertisement Advertisement However, the judge declined to block the Justice Department from using or relying on the materials in the future, saying prosecutors should be free to pursue leads based on what they learned from the files and pursue a warrant to obtain them again. Prosecutors used the files this year to build their case against Comey. The former FBI director was indicted in October on charges of making false statements and obstructing Congress in connection with his 2020 testimony about FBI officials anonymously providing information to news outlets. A federal judge last month dismissed criminal cases against Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James another of Trump's perceived political enemies after the judge determined that both indictments were secured by an unlawfully appointed U.S. attorney in Virginia's Eastern District. (Reporting by Jody Godoy; Editing by Sergio Non and Alistair Bell) A South Florida legislator is offering homeowners a solution if theyre fed up with their HOAs: He wants to make it easier for them to dissolve their governing associations. More and more Florida homeowners believe that trouble caused by their HOA and condo boards overshadow the benefits they provide, according to state Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, a Republican representing part of Miami-Dade County. Making it easier to terminate such associations is one of several eyebrow-raising ideas in a comprehensive bill, HB 657, that Porras recently filed in advance of the legislative session that begins Jan. 13. Advertisement Advertisement Opposition is likely. In a statement from an influential trade group, Community Associations Institute, CEO Dawn Bauman said the group is closely assessing and engaging with the bill. But it added that a vast majority of associations are well run and that 86% of homeowner rate their experience as very good, good or neutral. Dissolving an HOA is already possible under current law, so we are carefully evaluating how the bills provisions could affect homeowners, community stability and dispute management, Bauman was quoted as saying. Porras bill simplifies the dissolution process, which currently requires hiring a trustee, filing a termination plan in public records, and securing approval from at least 75% of homeowners. Advertisement Advertisement Porras, in an interview with the South Florida Sun Sentinel, said his bill was the culmination of years of frustrating meetings, calls and emails from homeowners, especially in the district I represent in Southwest Miami-Dade. He added that he has spoken with fed up homeowners from Pensacola to the Keys who dont know where to turn for solutions to their HOA and condo board problems. Targets of complaints, Porras said, included The Hammocks, a West Kendall community where authorities have accused former board members of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars by creating phony companies and billing for non-existent work. The yearslong investigation is still underway. Two suspects have pleaded guilty, while charges are still pending against several others. But complaints also involve regular disputes that have to do with documents and rules and special assessments, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Porras bill would eliminate a provision of state law that requires homeowners to bring their disputes to mandatory mediation before filing lawsuits. Related Articles Hosting special HOA court Instead, the bill would create a Community Association Court Program that would operate within circuit court systems. A news release by Porras said the court program would be a new, streamlined system that would ensure qualified arbitrators oversee disputes and gives homeowners a more accessible and efficient path to resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Funding for the system would be diverted from the states Department of Business and Professional Regulation, an agency that homeowners contend is slow to investigate complaints and resolve grievances. Unhappy homeowners could focus on terminating their HOA altogether. That process will be easier to initiate than current law requires, Porras said. First, a termination vote can be initiated by a petition signed by at least 20% of homeowners. Two-thirds of HOA members would be required to approve termination, he said. Then a homeowner or a designee would secure a judges approval of a dissolution plan that would spell out how the community would maintain common elements such as roads, sidewalks, streetlights, retention ponds or recreational amenities previously managed by the HOA. How would services be provided? Porras said he envisions that leaders of the termination effort would secure those arrangements through their cities or counties, possibly by creating a municipal services district that would fund the services from special taxes levied in place of HOA fees. Advertisement Advertisement Others might replace their HOAs with a private, optional club membership that would fund maintenance. Its obviously up to the homeowners on how they want to be self-governed or even if they want to have these common elements, Porras said. Left to be determined in Porras bill is how much say a governing city or county would have in an HOAs decision to terminate, particularly if the city or county would be expected to pick up the slack. Local governments save money by relying on HOAs to provide those services. There would have to be conversations between the homeowners, the local governments and possibly the judge (overseeing the termination), Porras said. I would imagine the local governments would have a say over how that happens. Advertisement Advertisement Porras says he has spoken with numerous legislators and lobbying groups, including the powerful Community Associations Institute, which weighs in on nearly every bill that would affect HOA and condo association governance. Honestly, I have not had a lot of pushback from the industries, he said, adding the bill was drafted to make sure we give homeowners the most amount of rights and the most amount of power, but not to create a black hole or chaos in the making. He named a state senator he hoped would sponsor a version of his bill in the Senate, but that senator has not responded to a request by the Sun Sentinel for comment. Although the bill has not yet been scheduled for a committee hearing, opponents are already speaking up. Advertisement Advertisement Eric Appleton, an Tampa-area based HOA attorney, told Tampa Bay CBS affiliate WTSP-TV that allowing HOAs to dissolve would create widespread instability. We can only imagine the chaos that it would create, he told the station. It would be borderline lawless. Others say ideas in the bill are worth exploring further. Donald Cleveland, president of Delray Beach-based MPR-Fintra Inc., an insurance brokerage that works with community associations, told the Sun Sentinel he likes the idea of replacing mediation with binding arbitration overseen by locally based officials. He called the idea to create a specialized court a really good concept but questioned whether it would be limited to enforcement of provisions spelled out in state laws. There doesnt appear to be any consideration for intervening or taking jurisdiction in disputes relating to the restrictive covenants, rules or regulations of the associations, he said. Advertisement Advertisement He also called the termination provisions an important step but said they should be clarified to ensure that they dont serve interests of developers rather than existing residents who find that their association is no longer functional. Jan Bergemann, president of an activist group, Cyber Citizens for Justice, focused on community association reforms, said his group supports Porras bill. The HOA termination provision, Bergemann said, will mostly help homeowners in old HOAs with few or no amenities. They have no real incentives to be an HOA besides paying for management, he said. Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071 or by email at rhurtibise@sunsentinel.com. Seminole commissioners were hit with a stunning dose of sticker shock this week after learning a state requirement to convert most septic tanks near the Wekiva River and Gemini Springs to sewer systems could cost the county and homeowners hundreds of millions of dollars. For example, a homeowner with a septic tank near the Wekiva River could have to shell out at least $75,000 if they had to pick up the entire cost of digging up their old septic tank and replacing it with a sewer connection, according to a county document. I would say that a majority of our residents would not be able to afford to pay that, even if they went to the bank and got a loan, Commissioner Jay Zembower said. None of us want to do that. Advertisement Advertisement Despite the costs, commissioners and county staff acknowledged that protecting the environmentally-delicate springs is critical. Old septic systems are major contributors to nitrogen and phosphorus polluting the water bodies. I think we all agree that we all want to clean up the environment, Zembower said. We want to be kind to the environment. We want to get the nutrients out of the water But that comes with a cost. In Sweetwater Club an upscale neighborhood developed in the mid-1980s just south of Wekiwa Springs State Park all 176 homes have septic tanks and are in the state-mandated conversion area. I would love to be connected to a sewer system. Its something that should be done, especially because of the environmental concerns, Sweetwater resident Bahram Yusefzadeh said in his front yard Friday. But I dont believe the average middle-class community could afford something like that. I dont think youre going to get much support from most neighborhoods. Advertisement Advertisement Yusefzadeh added that such a project would involve tearing up his neighborhoods streets and residential yards. He recalled replacing his homes septic tank about 15 years ago at a cost of more than $30,000 and what an expensive mess it was. Seminole commissioners blasted state legislators for enacting such a mandate without providing funding, and leaving it up to local governments to figure out the costs. We cant impose this on our citizens, Commissioner Lee Constantine said. Its too big. Its too large. So at some point, the Legislature is going to have to bite the bullet and do whats right. The state is going to have to decide how to pay for it. Under the 2016 state law designed to protect Floridas natural springs, the county has until 2038 to connect septic systems on lots of up to an acre to sewer lines in designated areas within the Wekiwa Springs Basin or Gemini Springs Basin. Or the county can require homeowners to upgrade their septic tanks to modern systems that release fewer nutrients into the springs. Advertisement Advertisement Of the nearly 26,000 septic tanks across Seminole, there are 2,859 within that area of the Wekiwa Springs Basin in southwest Seminole and 1,109 in the Gemini Springs Basin in the northwest quadrant near Volusia County that must comply with the law. Septic tanks within Seminoles rural boundary and the east side of the county are exempt because those are outside the springs basins. A septic tank is a buried container that holds wastewater and solids, which settle to the bottom and decompose. The water which contains high levels of nitrates and phosphates, which are high-nutrient food for invasive plants is drained into the ground and eventually flows into the springs, causing algal blooms and fish kills, according to state biologists. Septic tanks older than 30 years present a particular problem because they often leak. And many of the residential neighborhoods with septic tanks around the springs were built decades ago. Advertisement Advertisement To help pay for the conversion, Seminole was recently awarded a $2.2 million federal grant, which can be used to compensate homeowners in the Wekiva River Basin Area. But thats a small amount considering it would cost between $218 million and $304 million to convert 2,859 septic tanks to sewer in that area, according to a county study. And it would cost between $57 million and $114 million to replace the older tanks with advanced septic tanks. For an individual home in the Wekiva River Basin, county staff estimate it would cost about $75,000 on the low end of the range to connect to a sewer system. Advanced septic systems are between $20,000 and $40,000 to install, according to the Florida Department of Health. Even so, advanced septic systems reduce only about 65% of harmful pollutants. Advertisement Advertisement Seminole could require homeowners to pay for the conversion costs themselves, or the county could pay for the entire cost by setting up a special assessment district and obtaining grants and state funding. The county already has $20 million available from state and federal grants. Another option is for utility companies to pay for it and then tack on an additional fee between $31 and $113 on all monthly bills for a specific number of years. Currently, an average water utility bill in Seminole is just over $100 a month. Jay Exum, a board member of the non-profit Friends of the Wekiva, whose home has a septic tank but is not within the designated Wekiva Basin area, said the state allocated about $50 million this year toward cleaning up springs across the state, including eliminating old septic tanks. But thats a drop in the bucket compared to the millions of septic tanks across Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Absolutely, the state should do more to help counties and homeowners, he said. In order for it to be effective, its going to require more money. To get started, Seminole commissioners directed county staff to look into launching a pilot program in a neighborhood along the Wekiva River that has septic tanks. But commissioners agreed the majority of residents in the neighborhood would have to agree to take part in it. Well learn a lot more from a pilot program and how to proceed, Zembower said. Commissioner Amy Lockhart still hoped the Legislature could ease or modify the mandate before the 2038 deadline. Maybe next session, someone [in the Legislature] will have a stroke of reasonableness and well see this get modified, she said. So Im not in any huge rush in spending all these funds and giving all our citizens heart attacks. Scientists are experimenting with different alloys to figure out the right metals to use in potential fusion reactors. At the University of Miami, associate professor Giacomo Po from the College of Engineering has been studying high-entropy alloys. A high-entropy alloy is a metal material made up of equal parts of five or more principal elements. They are typically known for their strength, hardness, resistance to corrosion, and ability to withstand high temperatures. Advertisement Advertisement These high-entropy alloys can potentially endure the extremely high temperatures needed to create fusion energy. Fusion energy occurs when two nuclei combine to create a heavier, single nucleus, which releases a lot of energy. It is the same process that fuels the sun and other stars. Fusion has been lauded as another opportunity to create cleaner energy, with proponents arguing that it could deliver nearly limitless power. "Fusion power is the holy grail a dream that scientists have been chasing for decades," Po told the University of Miami newsroom. Po has tested the limits that high-entropy alloys have for tolerating extreme heat up to tens of millions of degrees. He has investigated various scenarios to better understand irradiation creep the process that occurs when materials deform over time due to stress and radiation. Advertisement Advertisement If he uncovers more about which metals work best in fusion reactors, it would help advance the technology's development. Fusion energy presents an amazing opportunity to create almost unlimited power without carbon pollution. Nuclear fusion technology isn't perfect, as it still has high upfront costs, reactor instability, and potential radioactive waste. However, it's important to invest in the growth of alternatives to dirty energy, such as nuclear, solar, or wind. That way, there is less reliance on fossil fuels, such as coal, gas, and oil, that release heat-trapping fumes when burned, supercharging extreme weather. Diversifying energy sources can also make the grid more resilient and reduce utility costs. Advertisement Advertisement There is still much work to do to create sustainable fusion energy reactors that can be utilized for commercial use. However, researchers like Po are helping us get closer to that future. "Imagine an electric grid powered by a stable, low-cost, and abundant source of energy that doesn't rely on the burning of fossil fuels or the unpredictability of wind or solar energy," Po said. "That's the promise of fusion energy." Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club. A longtime KENS 5 journalist died this week, the station announced. Ron "Smitty" Smith spent 33 years at the station as a photographer and live truck operator. He died Wednesday, anchor Isis Romero said during a broadcast Thursday. Smith's work included coverage of the 1979 sniper shooting at the Battle of Flowers Parade and in 1993, he spent "weeks on the ground" covering the 51-day Branch Davidian standoff near Waco, the station said. Advertisement Advertisement READ MORE: Deborah Knapp to retire from KENS 5 after nearly 50 years in TV news "Over the decades, Smith covered some of the state's biggest and most challenging stories, becoming a steady, trusted presence for viewers and colleagues alike," KENS 5 said in a story on its website, praising him for his standard of "accuracy, compassion and genuine care for the community he served." "He had a long, celebrated career, and set the standard at KENS before retiring in 2010," Romero said. This article originally published at San Antonio TV station mourns death of beloved longtime journalist. Crews are busy working to remove asbestos from the New Horizon School in Beaver County, a school for students with special needs. They found the asbestos after finding mold throughout the entire building this summer. Now the school needs a major renovation. If that renovation doesnt happen, the school says the program could be in jeopardy. Brittany Modany is a paraprofessional at New Horizon. She works with students with special needs every day. Advertisement Advertisement Her two kids are also students at the school. This year, they are in a temporary location in Midland. She said its been tough on everyone. My daughters been coming to New Horizon for 10 years. Ive never seen the types of behaviors in her that Ive seen weve gotten into this building, she told Channel 11s Andrew Havranek. The school worked quickly this summer to find a new home because of the mold found at their normal location. We had one week to figure out a solution and also to move everything, said New Horizon School Assistant Supervisor Kristi Leiper. There are about 170 students at New Horizon. The current building theyre in is a third of the size of the regular school. Classrooms are divided with partitions and file cabinets. Food is prepared at Midland school and brought over to New Horizon. Advertisement Advertisement We lack a cafeteria space, a gymnasium, playgrounds, behavior rooms, different things that make it possible for our students to succeed and have outlets, Leiper said. Modany said the students are always asking one question: when can we go home? We cant wait to go home, and I dont have the heart to tell them we might not be going back there, Modany said. To go back to their regular home, New Horizon needs millions of dollars. Due to the mold, its expected to cost roughly $15 million to take out the drywall and ceiling in the school and have it replaced. Our intent is to keep driving that number down, said Melissa Niedbala, director of special education at the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit. Advertisement Advertisement This week, the school asked the county schools to approve their share of funding to help. It failed. Five school districts Ambridge, Aliquippa, Freedom, Hopewell and Southside Area voted against it. Channel 11s Andrew Havranek emailed those districts superintendents. Southiside Area Superintendent Alan Fritz sent the following statement. South Side Area School District deeply values the vital work New Horizon provides for some of our regions most vulnerable children. We recognize the importance of Horizons mission and fully understand that the proposed renovations and repairs are necessary to ensure the continued success of the program. Advertisement Advertisement While several other districts voted no to the BVIUs proposal, our Boards no vote should not be interpreted as a lack of support for New Horizon or the students it serves. Rather, our concern lies with the process undertaken by the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit in moving this construction project forward. As a public school district, we are obligated to follow the procedures outlined in the Pennsylvania School Code for construction projects. These procedures exist to protect the integrity of public decision-making and ensure proper oversight. As stewards of taxpayer dollars, we have a responsibility to insist on transparency, a clear segregation of duties, and an open bid process so that the community can be confident it is receiving the best value at the best price. Until we can be assured that the appropriate process is being followed, we are not comfortable approving the project as presented. We remain committed to supporting New Horizon and look forward to working collaboratively toward a solution that upholds both the needs of the program and the standards of accountability our taxpayers expect. We are hopeful that the BVIU administration will provide all member districts with a solution that meets these expectations." Now, New Horizon School is asking the Intermediate Unit board next Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. to approve an emergency loan. SiteLogIQ, the engineering company, said time is of the essence, so they can get materials and start work for the building to be open by next school year. Advertisement Advertisement If that vote fails on Wednesday, the schools future is uncertain. Im worried about my kids, Modany said. Im worried about my own kids. Im worried about my job. Im terrified Im going to lose my job. I dont know what Im going to do. SiteLogIQ released the following statement on the project. There have been some misconceptions about using the Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA) procurement method to address the issues found at the New Horizons building. In 2016, Pennsylvania passed legislation to modernize procurement by amending the GESA process to include using the (a)voided current or planned capital expense and (a)voided renovation, renewal or repair costs as a result of replacing old and unreliable equipment and systems or thermal improvements to the building envelope. The laws pertaining to this widely utilized procurement method for Pennsylvania public schools and public entities can be found under 62 Pa.C.S. 3751 3758. Advertisement Advertisement The law permits 19 different energy conservation measures project categories including (1) insulation of the building structure or systems within the building, (4) heating, ventilating or air conditioning system modifications, extension of systems to new or renovated areas or system replacements, (13) systems that provide indoor air quality improvements or improved climate control, and (19) other energy, water or wastewater measures as may provide measurable, long-term operating costs reductions or billable revenue increases. A GESA project can also include improvements not causally connected to energy conservation methods if the value of the improvement does not exceed 15% of the value of the total GESA project. With respect to the New Horizons project, SitelogIQ was properly hired by the Beaver Valley IU as their Energy Services Contractor (ESCO) after responding to a publicly advertised Request for Qualifications to perform an assessment of all of the IUs buildings and then develop scopes of work to address deferred maintenance as per 62 Pa.C.S. 3753. Finding this scale of mold and asbestos in the New Horizons building was not foreseeable. However, now that the scope of the problem is known, failing to address it and the root causes of these issues would be environmentally hazardous and fiscally irresponsible for the health and safety of the students and staff. The biggest benefits of using this procurement method to the Beaver Valley IU includes the speed in which a project can be developed and procured. The GESA method is much faster than the four-prime contracting design-bid-build methodology. This is key for the Beaver Valley IU because we are currently renting another facility at a cost of $50,000 per month. Thats $500,000 in expenses not budgeted for this year. When you consider the additional time and steps needed to follow the design-bid-build methodology, this will add several months to the project duration. The consolidation of the project schedule will save the IU on project costs and unplanned real estate costs. Time is something we cannot afford to waste. An additional benefit of moving forward this way is the contract is guaranteed. Meaning once a contract is agreed to, the price of the project cannot change. The GESA process does not allow for change orders. This provides the IU and its member school districts certainty as to the cost of the project from the very beginning. This helps school leaders more effectively plan for the full cost of a project and stay within a budget." Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW, Astronomers have observed enormous filaments of galaxies tied together with dark matter the stuff scientists believe makes up 85 percent of the total mass of the universe stretching across unfathomably vast distances. Some of these behemoth structures have been observed to spin in the same direction, a dazzling and mysterious cosmic dance stretching across tens of millions of light-years, and a tantalizing clue in our efforts to understand how galaxies, and eventually stars, are formed. Now, an international team of researchers led by the University of Oxford says it has spotted the largest one of these rotating structures ever identified using data from South Africas MeerKAT radio telescope, an array of 64 linked satellite dishes. Advertisement Advertisement As detailed in a study published this month in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, they observed 14 galaxies arranged in a razor-thin string that measures roughly 5.5 million light-years long and 117,000 light-years across. This structure is located inside a much larger filament that contains 280 other galaxies, reaching a length of 50 million light-years. Many of these hundreds of galaxies appear to be rotating in the same direction as the overarching filament itself. This is the largest individual spinning structure so far detected, colead author and University of Oxford postdoctoral researcher Lyla Jung told Reuters. Statistically, we believe there are other spinning structures, some of which could be larger. However, we have not been able to detect them directly with our current data and telescopes. The discovery suggests these structures can influence the spin of galaxies for longer, and more strongly, than previously thought. Advertisement Advertisement What makes this structure exceptional is not just its size, but the combination of spin alignment and rotational motion, Jung said in a statement about the work. You can liken it to the teacups ride at a theme park, she added. Each galaxy is like a spinning teacup, but the whole platform- the cosmic filament -is rotating too. This dual motion gives us rare insight into how galaxies gain their spin from the larger structures they live in. The researchers suggest the filament is still fairly young after finding its in a dynamically cold state. The hydrogen-gas-rich galaxies within may still be gathering fuel to spit out stars, an intriguing glimpse into the earliest stages of a galaxys evolution. This filament is a fossil record of cosmic flows, said colead author and University of Cambridge postdoctoral research assistant Madalina Tudorache in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement The findings also detail how this gas is being swirled around inside the filament, which could inform future observation efforts using the European Space Agencys Euclid mission and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile. This is a very exciting time to work in this field, as our capacity of discovering such structures is increasing with the advent of better radio and optical surveys, Tudorache told Reuters. It will deepen our understanding of the universe. More on cosmic filaments: Scientists Detect Strange Filaments at the Heart of Our Galaxy The extinct archaic human species Homo floresiensis, formerly of Indonesia, left behind fully-grown adult skeletons that famously measure at a diminutive height of three and a half feet tall, which compelled scientists to naturally nickname them hobbits, after the iconically pint-sized Lord of the Rings creatures. These hobbits mysteriously disappeared from their primary habitat not the Shire, but the Liang Bua cave on the island of Flores about 50,000 years ago. Now, an international team of researchers have published a new paper in the Nature science journal Communications Earth & Environment with a new theory of what led to their demise: an extreme drought that lasted for years, they say, that most likely forced them to flee and possibly led to their extinction. The ecosystem around Liang Bua became dramatically drier around the time Homo floresiensis vanished, said Michael Gagan paleoclimatologist, the studys lead author, and a professor at the University of Wollongong in Australia in a statement about the study. Summer rainfall fell and river-beds became seasonally dry, placing stress on both hobbits and their prey. Advertisement Advertisement Researchers first encountered evidence of Homo floresiensis back in 2003 when the skeleton of this short stack humanoid was found in the wide-mouth limestone Liang Bua cavern, which is festooned with large stalagmites and stalactites. About a dozen more skeletal remains were later found, further cementing the discovery. The hobbits lived about 100,000 to 60,000 years ago on the island, according to researchers. The remains of pygmy elephants, their primary prey, were also found in the caves. Upon their discovery, scientists debated whether these hobbits were the result of island-induced dwarfism or if they arrived at the island already short in height. Researchers also debated why they disappeared. Did they vanish due to increased competition from modern humans who arrived on the island around the same time they disappeared? Regardless of any possible impact from our arrival, the current study argues that a drying climate on the island made life more difficult. The scientists determined this by studying the chemical composition of stalagmites, which grow droplet by mineralized water droplet at a time. Analyzing chemicals within these limestone formations enabled researchers to reconstruct past rainfall and climate conditions around the Liang Bua cave. In addition, they also studied oxygen isotopes levels within the teeth of elephants, who relied on fresh river water for hydration. Advertisement Advertisement Analysis from the cave formations and animal teeth revealed that the decline of ready freshwater and the elephant population dwindling happened around the same time when Homo floresiensis vanished from the archaeological record (though a few people still think they exist, like the mythological Big Foot.) Drier conditions started about 76,000 years ago, and reached their worst point around 61,000 to 55,000 years ago around the same period when modern humans started coming to the island. Its possible that as the hobbits moved in search of water and prey, they encountered modern humans, said Gagan in the statement. In that sense, climate change may have set the stage for their final disappearance. More on Homo floresiensis: Scientist Says There May Be a Species of Hobbit-Like Humanoids Hiding on an Island FARMINGTON Some members of the Franklin County Commission are weighing whether to end their health insurance stipends after separate meetings this week with commissioners and the Farmington Select Board. The Select Board met Tuesday, Dec. 9, and the commissioners met Thursday, Dec. 11. Commissioner Tom Skolfield of Weld said he will no longer take the stipend, joining Commissioner Tom Saviello of Wilton, who ended his stipend July 1, 2025, which was the start of the current fiscal year. Advertisement Advertisement Commissioner Fen Fowler of Farmington is circulating a proposal that would end the stipends retroactive to that same date. The measure is expected to be discussed Dec. 16. Most commissioners had been receiving a $6,000 annual health insurance stipend, guaranteed under the personnel policy and supported by recent precedent. The 11member Budget Advisory Committee cut the stipends, removing $87,000 from the budget. Questions about the statutes governing that decision were the focus of two letters from the countys attorney in late summer and fall. Commissioners were told the committees budget cut was legal and that they could not transfer money from another department or from contingency funds to replace it. Advertisement Advertisement Commissioners asked Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey for guidance. In November, the attorney general said his office had no role in the matter, but noted the county attorney had capably addressed the commissioners questions. Saviello was at the Farmington Select Board meeting Tuesday. While updating the Select Board on the developments of the past few months, Saviello noted Farmington could have up to four Select Board members on the committee after next years caucus. You have a big say next year in how this budgets run, Saviello said. Commissioners have argued at public meetings and in interviews that much of the law governing county government is archaic. They contend the interpretation put forward by attorneys gives the Budget Advisory Committee too much power and limits commissioners flexibility to handle issues that arise after the budget process ends. Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Board member Richard Morton, one of two Farmington representatives on the Budget Advisory Committee that approved the cuts earlier this year, disputed that the law was remotely archaic. Its a process that was established by the Legislature, Morton said, and its used by numerous counties. What was different this time, he said, was that the committee had sustained an actual cut to the budget. From my perspective, that means the budget committee worked, Morton said. It did its job. It functioned appropriately. The commissioners just dont like the end result. Morton said commissioners should move on from the issue and focus on running the county. I think its clear cut what the legal opinions are, board member Dennis ONeil said. Im hoping that the commissioners belly up and say: OK, we take it on the chops on this. Figure out how else to do it." Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Fowler said watching the Farmington boards meeting motivated him to propose a vote of reconciliation that accepted the commissioners legal counsels interpretation of budget law and cut their health care stipends retroactively to July 1, when the new budget took effect. Hopefully, it can get us to the next point where we really all want to be, Fowler said, reading from his proposed resolution, which called for "establishing a strong and productive working relationship with the Budget Committee." On Tuesday, Saviello and the Farmington Select Board discussed ways to improve the budget committee process, including meeting earlier, increasing commissioner involvement and addressing areas where members struggled this year, such as salary adjustments. ONeil, who also served on the Budget Advisory Committee, said he was sure no commissioner sought office for the money. He added that the dispute came during a period of change for county government. I think they are in a process of learning what the role is how its changed and what they do, ONeil said, adding that budgets everywhere are going up. They are trying to address the needs of the county. Its a daunting task. Family, friends and loved ones filled Florida A&M Universitys Al Lawson Center to cheer on fall graduates who crossed the stage Dec. 12. And during the fall commencement ceremony, the students milestone was also met by a first-time achievement of FAMU President Marva Johnson. She shared the stage with the graduates as she presided over her first-ever graduation ceremony since assuming the role as FAMUs leader in August. "We don't aspire to be good. We aspire to be the best," Johnson told the graduates. "You can get anywhere from here. Advertisement Advertisement Class of 2025 Spotlight: FAMU senior set to graduate with dreams connected to family history As Johnson took to the podium to welcome graduates to the joyous occasion, applause and cheers filled the Lawson center as friends and families shouted their graduate's name. Also on stage during the graduation event was FAMU alumna and trustee Kristin Harper, serving as the evening's keynote speaker and addressing over 650 students from FAMUs 14 schools and colleges, who received their degrees. Harper a marketing executive and entrepreneur is the founder and CEO of Driven to Succeed LLC, a global market research and consulting firm. As her five-year term on FAMUs board expires Jan. 6, she will be replaced by businessman Victor Young, who the Florida Board of Governors recently appointed at a Dec. 12 meeting. Florida A&M University President Marva Johnson leads the fall commencement ceremony Friday, Dec.12, 2025. Tarah Jean is the higher education reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat, a member of the USA TODAY Network Florida. She can be reached at tjean@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @tarahjean_. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU celebrates fall 2025 graduates, a first for Marva Johnson At a time when Americans' trust in public health agencies are waining, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, is under fire for promoting a book peddling an unfounded medical theory that bleaching can treat autism and other diseases. Johnson has a quote featured on the jacket of "The War on Chlorine Dioxide" a book co-authored by Dr. Pierre Kory, a controversial physician and pulmonary specialist who gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for advocating off-label use of an ineffective "wonder drug" treatment. The American Board of Internal Medicine revoked Kory's certification in 2024, which blocks him from practicing medicine at large hospitals and academic institutions. He still has a medical license, however. Advertisement Advertisement But that hasn't prevented Johnson, who has been lambasted for spreading misinformation in the past, from supporting the discredited doctor's claims that chlorine dioxide, a chemical used for disinfecting and bleaching, can help treat autism, COVID, cancer and a host of other ailments. President Donald Trump (L), accompanied by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (C) and Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Jay Bhattacharya, arrives to deliver an announcement on significant medical and scientific findings for Americas children in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Sept. 22, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Trump and Kennedy are expected to highlight that Tylenol use during pregnancy could contribute to the development of autism in children, although many health agencies have noted inconclusive results in the research. President Donald Trump (C), alongside Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (L) and Medicare and Medicaid Administrator Mehmet Oz (R), speaks about autism in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 22, 2025. (L-R) President Donald Trump looks on as Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during an event about autism in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 22, 2025. Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Mehmet Oz (C) delivers remarks as U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (R) listen during an announcement by President Donald Trump on significant medical and scientific findings for Americas children in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Sept. 22, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Federal health officials suggested that Tylenol use during pregnancy could contribute to the development of autism in children, although many health agencies have noted inconclusive results in the research. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary looks on during an announcement by President Donald Trump on significant medical and scientific findings for Americas children in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Sept. 22, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Federal health officials suggested that Tylenol use during pregnancy could contribute to the development of autism in children, although many health agencies have noted inconclusive results in the research. President Donald Trump (L) and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (R) listen as Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary (C) delivers remarks during an announcement by President Donald Trump on significant medical and scientific findings for Americas children in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Sept. 22, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Federal health officials suggested that Tylenol use during pregnancy could contribute to the development of autism in children, although many health agencies have noted inconclusive results in the research. President Donald Trump speaks about autism in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 22, 2025. (L-R) Director of the National Institutes of Health Jayanta Bhattacharya and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner (FDA) Martin Makary listen as President Donald Trump speaks during an event about autism in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Sept. 22, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks about autism in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 22, 2025. Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Jayanta Bhattacharya speaks during an event about autism in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 22, 2025. Trump admin promotes unproven link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism 1 of 10 President Donald Trump (L), accompanied by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (C) and Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Jay Bhattacharya, arrives to deliver an announcement on significant medical and scientific findings for Americas children in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Sept. 22, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Trump and Kennedy are expected to highlight that Tylenol use during pregnancy could contribute to the development of autism in children, although many health agencies have noted inconclusive results in the research. The three-term senator calls Kory's book a "gripping tale of corruption and courage that will open eyes and prompt serious questions," in a blurb on the cover. In a statement to ProPublica, which first reported the book quote, Johnson confirmed he authorized the statement. Johnson has regularly cast doubt on the usefulness of vaccines, telling reporters earlier this year that many childhood illnesses, such as the measles, can be eradicated through better hygiene and sanitation instead. Advertisement Advertisement During the pandemic he called Kory, who advocated Americans take ivermectin, an anti-parasite medicine, to treat COVID-19, as an expert witness during at least two 2020 Senate hearings. "We are facing a dangerous barrage of misinformation that ignores evidence and dismisses the scientific process, undermining our national response and belief in science," a group of medical and scientific experts said in response to the testimony at the time. Voters faith in CDC, other agencies beginning to dip Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) during the hearing where Russell Vought appeared before the Senate Budget Committee for a confirmation hearing and vote. Johnson's support for the book and its author come at a time where there are significant clashes over public health in the U.S., particularly the leadership Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who serves as the health and human services secretary under the Trump administration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently recast the vaccine safety section of its website to question the long-held stance that vaccines do not cause autism, countering decades of scientific evidence showing them to be safe. Advertisement Advertisement Now there is evidence that trust in federal health agencies, such as the CDC, is declining since the Trump administration returned to power. An Ipsos survey released in October found that 54% of respondents trust the agency, down from 60% in June and 66% in December 2024. Same goes for the the Food and Drug Administration, which the poll showed dropped from 60% of respondents saying they had trust in it last December to 52% currently. Contributing: Craig Gilbert This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sen. Ron Johnson touts book promoting unfounded autism treatment Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) joined Starbucks baristas at a picket line in Arizona in solidarity with their ongoing strike against the multibillion-dollar coffee company after going years without a union contract. Instead of trying to negotiate in good faith, they just engage in unfair labor practices over and over again, Gallego told workers on Friday outside a closed Starbucks store in Gilbert, a suburb of Phoenix. This is the stuff that happens when corporate power does not want to give way to worker power. Gallego is the second senator this month to visit Starbucks workers on the picket line, which escalated earlier this year when organizers expanded the strike to stores in dozens of cities across the country. Progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) marched with striking baristas alongside New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in Brooklyn, New York. All these workers want is a fair shot at the American Dream. That's why I'm fighting with them for what they deserve: living wages and fair labor practices. pic.twitter.com/HDL02NfYZJ Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) December 12, 2025 The Arizona Democrat, a U.S. Marines veteran who was elected to the Senate in 2024, has been making moves in recent months that have fueled speculation about a potential run for the White House in 2028. He recently unveiled a plan to tackle rising energy costs, and hes gotten lots of attention on national television programs for his combative approach to congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Gallegos strong support for the labor movement, a key Democratic constituency, as well as his use of Sanders-like rhetoric of taking on corporate America and wealthy interests, is likely only to add to the presidential buzz. Politics: GOP Lawmakers Tucked A Controversial Provision Into A 3,000-Page Bill I do think that unions are coming back and becoming stronger, Gallego said in a phone interview with HuffPost on Friday. Part of the reason why is the economic situation in this country. We have a more unequal country than weve had for a while. Some of the corporations are seeing massive pay raises for their shareholders, and huge payouts for CEOs, but the workers are not seeing the benefits. Starbucks employees at more than 600 stores around the country are trying to negotiate their first collective bargaining agreements with the company. Despite winning their first-ever union election in 2021, Starbucks workers are still waiting on their first union contract. Federal labor prosecutors have accused Starbucks of illegally firing union supporters, making unlawful threats and refusing to bargain with workers throughout the campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Starbucks maintains its been bargaining in good faith and has accused the union of walking away from the negotiating table. Gallego told HuffPost that bringing attention to the striking workers would help them secure a contract. Business: Starbucks, Union Approach 4-Year Mark Without A Contract Starbucks and big corporations would love nothing more for these workers to lose motivation, to quit, and go back to work, he said. By showing public support, bringing attention, and encouraging consumers to not cross the picket line, we can force Starbucks to negotiate in good faith. Also, by making sure labor laws are fairly implemented and that unfair labor practices are not taking place, he added. Political Updates Read the original on HuffPost Sources within the Military Intelligence Directorate said the IDF strike on Sa'ad came in response to an attack on IDF reservists in the southern Strip, which wounded two. The IDF on Saturday afternoon killed senior Hamas commander Ra'ad Sa'ad, one of the most senior terrorists within the Al-Qassam Brigades, in a targeted strike, military intelligence sources confirmed. The Israeli military, which did not name the target initially, said Sa'ad had recently been involved in attempts to restore and produce weapons for Hamas. The IDF said the targeted terrorist had recently been involved in attempts to restore and produce weapons for Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Sources within the Military Intelligence Directorate said the IDF strike on Sa'ad came in response to an attack on IDF soldiers in the Gaza Strip using an improvised explosive device. Two soldiers were lightly wounded in the attack and were transported to the hospital for medical treatment, the military confirmed. Hamas did not mention Sa'ad in its response to the attack but claimed the IDF targeted a "civilian vehicle." Ra'ad Sa'ad was operating from Gaza City's tunnels for months According to Israeli estimates, Sa'ad had been operating for months within the vast tunnel system around Gaza City, in the northern Strip. Sources said he had left the tunnels in the past hour in a vehicle toward the eastern part of the city, where he was targeted in multiple strikes. His security guards were most likely also harmed in the strike, sources noted. Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a car in Gaza City, December 13, 2025. (credit: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters) Sa'ad is considered by Israeli security sources to be Hamas's second-most senior official within the Al-Qassam Brigades. Advertisement Advertisement The IDF previously targeted him unsuccessfully in 2024. In June of last year, the IDF said that fighter jets had struck two Hamas military infrastructures in the Gaza City area. In a joint statement released Saturday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the killing of Sa'ad, stating he was one of the architects of the October 7 massacre, and had been engaged in rebuilding the terrorist organization's forces. "Instead of working toward demilitarization, [Ra'ad] dealt in rearming for terror purposes." IDF guns down terrorist after two cross Gaza's Yellow Line Earlier in the weekend, the IDF said it killed one terrorist with forces scanning for another after the two crossed Gaza's Yellow Line. The terrorists were approaching IDF soldiers in the area in a manner perceived to be a security threat, the military added. This is a developing story. Some College Park residents are worried after seeing a man back in their neighborhood again, after getting in trouble for attacking a jogger. Neighbor Lily Yang is concerned, after spotting 26-year-old Tyler Feight. He walked here freely. And I was shocked. I was shocked, I said oh he was released. He was arrested back in April for attacking a jogger. But hes now out of prison, after getting a plea deal from the State Attorneys office. He was told to stay away from the area. Advertisement Advertisement I met him face to face, he looked weird. While Feight was originally arrested for attempted sexual battery, State Attorney Monique Worrell said they had no proof his attack was sexual. Feight pled to battery charges. Worrell says a prosecutor misread Feights criminal history, missing a more serious charge against him. While the prosecutor in this case made an error with the withhold of adjudication, that I think seems to be a point of concern for most people, its important to understand that that error in no way impacted the sentence. He received 225 days in prison with time served, as well as well as 3 years probation. He also must undergo a psych-sexual evaluation. Neighbor Scott Brown is also concerned, I know people see him walking around from time to time. Hes clearly, hes got issues and I feel for the guy in that way, Advertisement Advertisement Feight use to live in this neighborhood off Northumberland near New Hampshire with his grandparents. His grandmother told us off camera, she no longer has anything to do with him and is concerned Brown says, The reality here is the ball has been totally dropped. Feight has been told not to have any contact with the victim and not to be within 3 blocks of this area. And residents who see Feight in this College Park neighborhood, should call authorities at 800-423-TIPS. Orlando Police say let them handle the situation if they see Feight. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Franklin County and several of its neighboring counties are under snow emergencies Dec. 13 as snow continues to fall on central Ohio. Parts of central Ohio are likely to see 4-6 inches of snow on Dec. 13, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. The storm that began in the early afternoon is expected to drop several inches of snow across a band of counties through central and southern Ohio, as well as parts of northern Kentucky. Is Columbus under a snow emergency? Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin declared a level 1 snow emergency at 4:45 p.m. on Dec. 13. That means roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow and may also be icy. Motorists should drive with caution, according to a Franklin County Sheriff's Office press release. Advertisement Advertisement The Delaware County Sheriff's office issued a Level 1 snow emergency earlier in the afternoon. That has since been upgraded to Level 2. "Highways and roadways are snow ice-covered," according to an email from the Delaware County 911 dispatch. Union County Sheriff Mike Justice also placed Union County under a Level 1 show emergency. Expect worsening road conditions, Columbus' chief 'snow warrior' says Columbus' roads will deteriorate late Saturday afternoon and into the evening as snowfall picks up, Scott Tourville, the city's Division of Infrastructure Management administrator and chief snow warrior, said at a Dec. 13 press conference. The city's pre-treated roads and the relatively warm pavement kept snow from accumulating significantly on Saturday afternoon, but that will change as temperatures drop and salt becomes less effective. Advertisement Advertisement "If someone is headed out for a Saturday evening event, dinner or a holiday party, please, please, please give yourself extra time and be cautious. We do anticipate the roads getting worse before they get better," Tourville said. More: Hey Columbus, show us your snow-covered weekend. Share your pics here The city's plow drivers will keep working throughout the weekend as temperatures plummet and winds pick up, potentially blowing snow back onto roadways. Eighty-eight Columbus snow plows were on the roads early Saturday afternoon, Tourville said. Tourville delivered his comments at a Saturday press conference hosted by Mayor Andrew Ginther. Also joining Ginther were City Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla and Community Shelter Board President Shannon Isom. and Department of Public Service Director Kelly Scocco. Advertisement Advertisement Isom stressed that community members should contact the Community Shelter Board if they need a place to get out of the cold. First English Lutheran Church is open 24 hours a day, and the Star House youth shelter is open from 10 p.m. to 2 p.m., Isom said. Franklin County, Columbus added to winter storm warning Franklin County, which includes Columbus, along with Clark, Madison and Licking counties, was put under a winter storm warning at 12:40 p.m. on Dec. 13, as snow began to fall in Columbus. Between 4 and 6 inches of snow is expected between the afternoon of Dec. 13 and 7 a.m. on Dec. 14, according to the storm warning. It could make travel very difficult, according to the NWS. Revised winter storm warning issued for other Ohio counties At the same time the Franklin County storm warning was issued, NWS Wilmington issued a new storm warning for Preble, Montgomery, Greene, Fayette, Pickaway, Fairfield, Butler, Warren, Clinton, Ross, Hocking, Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Highland, Adams, Pike, and Scioto counties. Advertisement Advertisement The new warning calls for between 4 and 7 inches of heavy snow. A previous warning for these counties issued at 9 a.m. called for 4 to 6 inches. The warning expires at 7 a.m. Sunday. The southeast Ohio counties of Perry, Morgan, Athens, Jackson, Vinton, Meigs and Gallia are under a separate winter storm warning issued at 12:04 p.m. that calls for 4 to 7 inches of snow. This warning lasts until 1 p.m. on Dec. 14. What do snow emergency levels mean? What is a level 1 snow emergency? Roadways are hazardous due to blowing and drifting snow, and may be icy. Motorists are urged to drive cautiously. No roadways are closed but unnecessary travel is discouraged. What is a level 2 snow emergency? Roadways are hazardous due to accumulated, blowing and drifting snow and roads may be very icy. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution. Drive only if necessary. Employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. What is a level 3 snow emergency? Ice, blowing and drifting snow has created extremely hazardous road conditions. Low visibility, extremely low temperatures and worsening road conditions are also factors. Some or all roads have been closed to all but emergency and essential personnel. No one should be on roadways unless absolutely necessary and violators may be arrested. All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. Are roads closed for the snow? The Ohio Department of Transportation's OHGO website has real-time updates on road and highway closures, delays, construction and traffic. You can even take a look at an ODOT traffic camera to check out road conditions yourself before you get out there. Advertisement Advertisement Popular navigation apps like Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps also show road closures and delays, and they will often factor traffic or slowdowns into your ETA. More: Here's how to check if Ohio roads near you are closed during winter weather Columbus City Schools cancels weekend extracirricular events Columbus City Schools announced the cancellation of several weekend extracurricular activities ahead of a winter storm that is expected to drop several inches of snow across central and southern Ohio. The cancellations include: Columbus Africentric Girls Basketball Whetstone Girls Wrestling Whetstone Boys Wrestling Whetstone Swim Dive Match Columbus International Boys Basketball Columbus Africentric Boys Basketball Northland Wrestling Mifflin Wrestling West High School to London High School South Wrestling Centennial Wrestling Special Olympics Basketball South ROTC How to know if your street's been plowed Columbus' roads are divided into three priority levels, with crews clearing priority 1 roads first. Advertisement Advertisement To check what priority level your street is and see when it was plowed last, visit the city's Warrior Watch website. You can click on your road to see when it was serviced last and use the tab at the top to see what priority level it is. More: Here's how you can find out if your Columbus neighborhood has been plowed Will the snowstorm cause power outages? What to know AEP Ohio offers several ways to check whether there is a power outage in the area. The company offers an outage map on its website that is available for anyone to view. Customers who provide their login credentials can access more detailed information based on the address for their account. Advertisement Advertisement The Columbus Division of Power, South Central Power, First Energy and Edison Ohio also track outages online. Check out this story for more information. How old is too old to shovel snow? Experts warn that snow shoveling can pose serious health risks, particularly for older adults and those with preexisting conditions. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine reports that more than 200,000 adults were treated in emergency rooms for snow shoveling injuries from 1990 to 2006. During that time, over 1,600 deaths were linked to the activity. Dig deeper: How old is too old to shovel snow? What experts recommend in Ohio Need to drive in the snow? What you should know If it's coming down heavy, it's best to avoid driving at all. But if you do, you should clean that snow off your car. Advertisement Advertisement And if you're dealing with an icy windshield, find tips to deal with that here. This story is ongoing and will be updated. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Franklin County, Columbus snow emergency. How much snow will fall? WASHINGTON (AP) The Senate failed to get anywhere on the health care issue this week. Now it's the House's turn to show what it can do. Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a Republican alternative late Friday, a last-minute sprint as his party refuses to extend the enhanced tax subsidies for those who buy policies through the Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare, which are expiring at the end of the year. Those subsidies help lower the cost of coverage. Johnson, R-La., huddled behind closed doors in the morning as he did days earlier this week working to assemble the package for consideration as the House focuses the final days of its 2025 work on health care. Advertisement Advertisement House Republicans are tackling the real drivers of health care costs to provide affordable care, Johnson said in a statement announcing the package. He said it would be voted on next week. Later Friday, though, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said: House Republicans have introduced toxic legislation that is completely unserious, hurts hardworking America taxpayers and is not designed to secure bipartisan support. If the bill reaches the House floor, I will strongly oppose it. Time is running out for Congress to act. Democrats engineered the longest federal government shutdown ever this fall in a failed effort to force Republicans to the negotiating table on health care. But after promising votes, the Senate failed this week to advance both a Republican health care plan and the Democratic-offered bill to extend the tax credits for three years. Now, with just days to go, Congress is about to wrap up its work with no consensus solution in sight. Advertisement Advertisement What Republicans are proposing The House Republicans offered a 100-plus-page package that focuses on long-sought GOP proposals to enhance access to employer-sponsored health insurance plans and clamp down on so-called pharmacy benefit managers. Republicans propose expanding access to what's referred to as association health plans, which would allow more small businesses and self-employed individuals to band together and purchase health coverage. Proponents say such plans increase the leverage businesses have to negotiate a lower rate. But critics say the plans provide skimpier coverage than what is required under the Affordable Care Act. Advertisement Advertisement The Republicans proposal would also require more data from pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, as a way to help control drug costs. Critics say PBMs have padded their bottom line and made it more difficult for independent pharmacists to survive. Additionally, the GOP plan includes mention of cost-sharing reductions for some lower-income people who rely on Obamacare, but those do not take effect until January 2027. The emerging package from the House Republicans does not include an extension of an enhanced tax credit for millions of Americans who get insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Put in place during the COVID-19 crisis, that enhanced subsidy expires Dec. 31, leaving most families in the program facing more than double their current out-of-pocket premiums, and in some cases, much more. What Trump wants Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump has said he believes Republicans are going to figure out a better plan than Obamacare something he has promised for years but offered few details beyond his idea for providing Americans with stipends to help buy insurance. I want to see the billions of dollars go to people, not to the insurance companies," Trump said late Friday during an event at the White House. And I want to see the people go out and buy themselves great healthcare. The president did not comment directly on the House's new plan. He has repeatedly touted his idea of sending money directly to Americans to help offset the costs of health care policies, rather than extending the tax credits for those buying policies through Obamacare. Its unclear how much money Trump envisions. The Senate GOP proposal that failed to advance would have provided payments to new health savings accounts of $1,000 a year for adult enrollees, or $1,500 for those ages 50 to 64. It appeared there were no such health savings accounts in the new House GOP plan. Advertisement Advertisement Political pressure is building for many Going Johnson's route has left vulnerable House Republicans representing key battleground districts in a tough spot. Frustrated with the delays, a group of more centrist GOP lawmakers is aligning with Democrats to push their own proposals for continuing the tax credits, for now, so that Americans don't face rising health care costs. They are pursuing several paths for passing a temporary ACA subsidy extension, co-sponsoring a handful of bills. They are also signing onto so-called discharge petitions that could force a floor vote if a majority of the House signs on. Advertisement Advertisement Such petitions are designed to get around the majority's control and are rarely successful, but this year has proven to be an exception. Lawmakers, for example, were able to use a discharge petition to force a vote on the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files held by the Department of Justice. One petition, filed by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., had signatures from 12 Republicans and 12 Democrats as of Friday afternoon. It would force a vote on a bill that includes a two-year subsidy extension and contains provisions designed to combat fraud in the ACA marketplace. There are also restrictions for PBMs, among other things. Another petition from Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., has 39 signatures and is broadly bipartisan. It's a simpler proposal that would force a vote on a one-year ACA enhanced subsidy extension and would include new income caps limiting who qualifies for the enhanced credit. Both discharge petitions have enough Republicans support that they would likely succeed if Jeffries encouraged his caucus to jump on board. So far, he's not tipping his hand. Advertisement Advertisement Were actively reviewing those two discharge petitions and well have more to say about it early next week, Jeffries said. Meanwhile, Jeffries is pushing Democrats' own discharge petition, which has 214 signatures and would provide for a clean three-year subsidy extension. No Republicans have signed onto that one. And as Republicans made clear in the Senate this week, a three-year extension without changes to the program has no chance of passing their chamber. CU building new battery facility along U.S. 65 Drivers along U.S. 65 may notice new construction activity near City Utilities Blackman Water Treatment Plant. The site is home to one of City Utilities newest power supply initiatives a zinc battery energy storage project designed to meet the communitys growing need for electricity. The battery energy storage system will add 5 megawatts (MW) of capacity and is the first time CU has brought this type of large-scale battery technology to Springfield. The system will store electricity during times of low demand, typically overnight when electricity is cheaper, and will provide power for up to six hours during the day or when needed. City Utilities CU is partnering with Eos Energy Enterprises to install zinc-based batteries that are non-flammable, fully recyclable and made in the United States. These batteries are designed to last longer than traditional lithium-ion technology and are considered among the safest forms of grid-scale energy storage available, according to CU. The Blackman installation is one of two battery projects currently underway. A second, larger 31 MW system will be constructed at the James River Power Station later in 2026. The Blackman project is expected to be completed in July 2026 and represents another step in CUs efforts to address the growing need for electricity. In addition to the battery projects, CU is installing three new natural gas combustion turbines at the McCartney Generating Station in northeast Springfield. In total, these projects will contribute nearly 186 MW of new local power supply. Ozarks Food Harvest earns 4-star rating for 14th time Ozarks Food Harvest has earned its 14th consecutive Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, Americas largest and most-utilized independent charity evaluator. This rating designates Ozarks Food Harvest as an official Give with Confidence charity, indicating that The Food Bank is using its donations effectively based on Charity Navigators criteria. Ozarks Food Harvest employees help load groceries into car at free grocery giveaway for federal employees impacted by government shutdown. The four key indicators that determine a nonprofits score are Accountability & Finance, Culture & Community, Impact & Results and Leadership & Adaptability. Advertisement Advertisement In the past year, Ozarks Food Harvest invested $800,000 to feed families during the record-long government shutdown and awarded $264,000 in grants to its network of faith-based and community charities to meet the increased demand for food across a third of the state of Missouri. More information about The Food Banks rating and Charity Navigator is available at charitynavigator.org. Donors can also give securely online to support Ozarks Food Harvest at ozarksfoodharvest.org/donate. Two firms merge with Murney Associates Murney Associates, Realtors announced Dec. 8 that Southwest Missouri Realty and Coldwell Banker Lewis & Associates have joined its brokerage, uniting three local brands to create one team. The addition of more than 30 experienced agents including more than 20 from Southwest Missouri Realty and several more from Coldwell Banker Lewis & Associates allows clients to benefit from a larger network of professionals who share knowledge, resources, and market expertise to help buyers and sellers make confident decisions about their homes, Murney said in a release. Founded in 1997 with just seven agents, Murney Associates has grown to include more than 600 agents. For the past eight years, the company has consistently closed between $1.2 and $1.7 billion in annual real estate sales and consistently ranks among the top 50 independent real estate brokerages in the United States. Springfield fire marshal completes police department academy The Springfield Fire Department announced that Fire Marshal Jeremy Gohl graduated Dec. 1 from the Springfield Police Departments Lateral Academy, which provides advanced instruction in criminal law, investigative methods, defensive tactics, community engagement, and operational procedures. This training further equips Gohl to integrate seamlessly with law enforcement partners during multi-agency incidents and investigations. Fire Marshal Jeremy Gohl Gohls completion of the academy represents a significant milestone for both departments and strengthens the partnership between fire and police services in Springfield. His additional law enforcement training enhances the fire departments capabilities in fire investigations, interagency coordination and public safety response. Advertisement Advertisement Fire Marshal Gohls dedication to expanding his training and expertise is an example of the professionalism we value in our department, said Fire Chief David Pennington. Graduating from the SPD Lateral Academy provides him with additional tools and experience that directly benefit our community especially in the areas of fire origin and cause investigations and joint operations. Salvation Army sets Red Kettle goal The Salvation Army of Springfield announced its goal of raising $225,000 through the Red Kettle Campaign and a total of $923,000 for the full Christmas Campaign in 2025. All funds raised will directly support The Salvation Armys mission to provide essential services, emergency assistance, and life-changing programs to individuals and families across the Ozarks. The Red Kettle Campaign, recognized by its iconic kettles and bellringers, is a holiday tradition and one of the organizations most important fundraising efforts. Donations collected at Red Kettle locations support programs including the emergency shelter, food pantry, after-school childcare, and Christmas assistance for families in the Springfield area. Community members are encouraged to give at the kettles or visit The Salvation Armys website to make a secure online donation. Anyone interested in volunteering as a bell-ringer can do so at www.RegisterToRing.com. For more information about the campaign Advertisement Advertisement For more information on The Salvation Armys Christmas Campaign and ways to get involved, or to donate securely online, go to www.SalvationArmySpringfield.org. Ozarks Literacy Council announces new leader The Ozarks Literacy Council announced the appointment of Lori Beeson as its new executive director, bringing with her a strong background in mission-driven leadership and community engagement, most recently through her work with the Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland, where she held key roles focused on empowering youth, supporting volunteers, and strengthening regional programming. Lori Beeson During her tenure with the Girl Scouts, Beeson helped advance initiatives that supported girls of all backgrounds, expanded community outreach, and strengthened volunteer networks. This experience will directly benefit OLCs mission to improve reading literacy throughout the Ozarks. As executive director, Beeson will oversee OLCs daily operations, strategic planning, fundraising efforts, community partnerships, and free reading literacy programs for children and adults. She succeeds Amy Jardell, who was instrumental in creating our Reading Resource and Preschool Classroom Reading programs. Founded in 1968, the Ozarks Literacy Council provides one-on-one reading tutoring, early childhood literacy programs, outreach initiatives, and community education to promote reading literacy in Springfield, MO and the surrounding areas. Cowger named new president of Arvest in Springfield Arvest Bank has named Shane Cowger president of its Springfield region, effective Dec. 1. He replaces Jason England, who was promoted to chief credit administration officer for the bank in November. Shane Cowger Cowger has been an Arvest associate for more than 25 years and has served in various roles for the banks Springfield market since 2011, including as sales manager and most recently as loan manager. As president, Cowger will be responsible for ensuring the banks success in the Ozarks region, as well as helping guide and shape the overall health and future of the Springfield community and surrounding areas. Advertisement Advertisement Cowger currently serves on the board of directors for Camp Barnabas and as a committee member for the Missouri Bankers Association Executive Management Conference, and he served as chair for the Ronald McDonald House board in 2024, on the board of trustees for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Missouri and Kansas and on the Battlefield Planning and Zoning Commission. He is also a Missouri State High School Activities Association certified referee and was named 2024-2025 Official of the Year by MSHSAA. Children's Mercy adds pediatric general surgeon Childrens Mercy announced the addition of Dr. Troy Spilde to its Springfield team as a pediatric general surgeon. Spilde brings more than 20 years of experience in pediatric general surgery and marks a return to Childrens Mercy, where he completed his residency and fellowship training after graduating from University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences. Dr. Troy Spilde His career also includes previous leadership roles at Mercy Springfield and St. Johns Childrens Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. In addition to these roles, he has also served as an assistant professor in clinical surgery at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University of Missouri. Spilde focuses on delivering the highest standard of care for our patients and will work closely with Childrens Mercy and Mercy Springfield department of surgery teams whose leadership and dedication have been instrumental in building a strong foundation for pediatric care in Springfield. Springfield-Greene County Health promotes Stamm Springfield-Greene County Health announced Whitney Stamm as its new community health strategy coordinator. Stamm has been with the Health Department since 2021, most recently serving as public health strategist. Advertisement Advertisement In the strategist role, Stamm supported data-driven decision-making across the department and within the community. She facilitated the use of data, evaluation and community insights to help programs and partners better understand local needs and measure progress towards improving community health. As coordinator of the Office of Community Health Strategy, Stamm will continue this work while leading efforts to broaden the use of community voices in the departments assessments, planning process and strategic initiatives. Her work will support long-term priorities that help people in Greene County live longer, healthier and happier lives. Stamm brings more than 10 years of experience in public health at both the state and local level. Prior to joining the health department, she held roles focused on public health research, program evaluation and community engagement. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Missouri State University and a Master of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Central Bank promotes one, adds another Central Bank announced the promotion of one commercial lender, Joe Land, along with the hiring of Denise Yoakum as senior vice president, senior portfolio manager. Joe Land Having recently completed his Master of Business Administration degree, Land has been promoted to commercial portfolio manager. Land joined the Central Bank team in 2024 as a commercial lending trainee. With his MBA in hand, he will continue to grow in his role within the team, monitoring portfolio risk, preparing credit approval packages, and managing loan renewals and covenant tracking as he supports client relationships alongside other commercial lenders. Denise Yoakum Yoakum joined the Central Bank Commercial Lending team with nearly 25 years of experience in the finance industry. After 11 years as a senior credit analyst, she became a commercial lender before taking the role of portfolio manager. She has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and when she isnt managing her client portfolio or assessing market trends and their potential impact on customers, she can be found volunteering in the community as a reading and math tutor or with organizations like United Way, Springfield Finance and Development Corporation, and Developmental Center of the Ozarks. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield CU building new battery storage facility on US-65 JAY Spruce Mountain High School students are set to join peers statewide next month in a bell-to-bell ban on cellphones. The Regional School Unit 73 board of directors voted 11-1 Thursday night to begin the ban at the start of the third quarter, which is Jan. 20, 2026. Board Chairwoman Shari Oullette said total cellphone bans have had a positive effect at other schools. Mount Blue High School Principal Joel Smith told The Maine Monitor last month the total ban has been a huge transformational shift. He said the school has seen a noticeable decrease in distractions, with students more focused, engaged and socially present. All classrooms are now phone-free, allowing teachers to spend more time on instruction and less on behavior redirection. Advertisement Advertisement Mount Blue teachers reported more student interaction, particularly in hallways, and a calmer school culture overall. Nearby districts have reported similar satisfaction with the bans, The Maine Monitor has reported. The debate among Spruce Mountain directors and officials focused more on when to implement the ban than on whether to adopt it. The vote to implement the ban was unanimous. Director Ava Moffett voted no on the start date. Under a state law enacted in June, all districts must adopt a cellphone policy for the 2025-26 school year. At least two speakers favored starting the ban with the 2026-27 school year. Advertisement Advertisement Spruce Mountain High School Principal T.J. Plourde told the board, It would be a nice gesture to our seniors if we put it into effect next school year. Seniors have been allowed to use cellphones in restricted settings throughout high school, he said, and a change midway through their final year would be abrupt. Cpl. Anthony York, the school resource officer and a Spruce Mountain graduate, urged the board not to change the policy immediately, saying it would cause an uproar. Like Plourde, he favored waiting until next school year to give students time to adjust. Jay Director Jodi Cordes proposed starting the ban with the third quarter. Advertisement Advertisement A lot of things in life change, she said, adding that a month or so should be enough time to adjust. Jay Director Elaine Fitzgerald agreed, saying, We have to start educating students (about the change) right now. Notices are to be sent to all students, and the student handbook will be updated as soon as possible. Cellphones have already been banned throughout the day at Spruce Mountain Middle School. At the high school, the current policy allows cellphone use outside classrooms, such as in the cafeteria and before and after classes. Across the country, at least 32 states and the District of Columbia require districts to ban or restrict student cellphone use, according to Education Week, a national newspaper for educators. Of the states, 23 ban cellphones bell to bell. Four states Alaska, Colorado, Minnesota and New Mexico have policies similar to Maines. In Maine, no tally is available of how many districts have banned cellphones bell to bell or limited use to outside classrooms. News outlets have reported that one-third or more have banned or sharply restricted use. Tampa Bays LGBTQ+ community faced challenges in 2025. Colorful street murals including a St. Petersburgs Progressive Pride-painted intersection were covered up by the state. Tampa Pride canceled next years celebration due to the political and economic climate and the organizers of St. Pete Pride say its harder than ever to find sponsors. But things may be taking a turn in a city that has celebrated holding the largest Pride celebration in Florida. Bike racks, each painted with a color of the Progressive Pride flag, were installed this week along Central Avenue in honor of the removed mural. And though St. Petersburg earlier this year dropped the words diversity and equity from city office names, it is keeping its LGBTQ+ liaison position. Advertisement Advertisement Nathan Bruemmer started in that role Dec. 1. His appointment followed news that St. Petersburg earned a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaigns Municipal Equality Index for the 12th consecutive year. Bruemmer, 52, is a lawyer, former state official and former executive director and board president of St. Pete Pride. He is believed to be the first openly transgender person to be appointed to a high ranking position in City Hall. This is my home, and so I love the opportunity to continue to work on priorities of this administration and continue to work with the city to build relationships and trust with the community, he said. Bruemmer served as the LGBTQ Consumer Advocate for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services under former Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. That also may have made him the first openly trans person appointed to statewide office. Advertisement Advertisement Bruemmer will report to Mayor Ken Welchs chief of staff, Doyle Walsh, and make $105,032 annually. Nathans extensive experience serving as a liaison between government, community partners, and LGBTQ+ residents uniquely positions him to help St. Pete continue building a truly inclusive city, Welch said in a statement. His statewide leadership, deep community roots, and strong record of collaboration will help us continue advancing equity and ensuring that St. Pete remains a welcoming home for all. Bruemmer succeeds Eric Vaughn, who resigned April 5 but stayed on at the city for several months part time. Last year, Bruemmer challenged state Rep. Linda Chaney for her St. Pete Beach seat as a Democrat but lost. Bruemmer said his job differs from the past LGBTQ+ liaison roles. Former liaisons also had other tasks at City Hall. Jim Nixon ran the St. Pete Service Center and Vaughn also worked on special projects, but Bruemmer said he doesnt have a secondary position. Advertisement Advertisement Were at a very different moment, he said. Laws have changed, but community needs and individual needs and families needs are great. And we do what we do best here by taking care of our folks here at home. Bruemmer was born and raised in Tampa. He remembers growing up without laws and protections in place for LGBTQ+ people. As laws and rules change, Bruemmer said his job will require keeping up with what the effects are and how the city can meet needs of its residents and businesses. The municipal government has an opportunity to help, in one way, different than the state or the federal government, Bruemmer said. But we are all supporting our citizens together, collectively, and thats where it gets tricky, because sometimes, local, state and federal dont always agree. And thats where we begin to do the work." Stephanie Ruhle immediately regretted what she called gross phrasing on her part during a discussion about President Donald Trump. On Fridays edition of The 11th Hour on MS NOW, Ruhle rattled off several unfavorable developments for Trump, including his failed attempt to convince Republican lawmakers in Indiana to redraw their congressional map, looming healthcare premium increases for Affordable Care Act beneficiaries, and the presidents ongoing headache stemming from the Epstein files, which he is legally required to release by Dec. 19. Ruhle pointed to a Wall Street Journal column by conservative Peggy Noonan, who wrote that the president is in a precarious position. The host then turned to her panel, which included Trump biographer and Bloomberg editor Timothy L. OBrien. Advertisement Advertisement Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan has an op-ed out that says, Trump may be losing his touch.' Ruhle told OBrien, referring to the title. You know his touch better than anyone else here. What do you think? Um OBrien began, before the host interrupted. You know, that sounded gross, she conceded. Sorry. I did not The rest of her sentence was drowned out by laughter among the panelists. You know, its always important to remember that Donald Trump ran a casino, OBrien said. Into the ground, Ruhle specified. Into the ground, but he also sold working-class people on this idea that they could come into his casino and get rich while he stripped money out of their pockets, OBrien continued. And the great trick hes pulled off politically is to convince blue-collar Americans that hes on their side, and that hes actually their avatar against big institutions that are suffocating them and a ruling plutocracy thats ripping them off, when in fact, hes part of all of that. Advertisement Advertisement OBrien went on to say that Trump is squandering his second term. So today, he was questioned about what it would mean for 24 million Americans who are going to see their insurance premiums skyrocket because Obamacare subsidies arent gonna get extended, he went on. And he just essentially called that a hoax. Hours earlier, Trump was asked about the premium increases for Obamacare recipients, which will take effect in January after the Republican-controlled Senate refused to extend premium subsidies beyond Dec. 31. At the end of this year, those extended Obamacare subsidies expire, a reporter noted to Trump. Whats your message to those 24 million Americans who will see their insurance premiums go up Advertisement Advertisement Well, dont make it sound so bad, Trump interrupted, because obviously, youre a sycophant for Democrats. Youre obviously a provider of bad news for Republicans. Watch above via MS NOW. The post Stephanie Ruhle Apologizes to Guest for Sexually Suggestive Comment Involving Trump: That Sounded Gross first appeared on Mediaite. Through his role as the National Governors Association chairman, Gov. Kevin Stitt hosted a panel of entrepreneurs seeking to find solutions to prepare Americans for the economy of tomorrow. The panel on Friday, Dec. 12, was a part of the association's Innovation in Industry & Education: A Hands-On Policy Lab for State Leaders" conference in Austin, Texas. Stitt noted his start as an entrepreneur, beginning his company with $1,000 and a computer. Advertisement Advertisement I think thats the amazing thing about our country is you can accomplish anything you set your mind to," Stitt said during the panel. The panel was made up of Manish Vora, who founded the Museum of Ice Cream; Katie Fang, who founded SchooLinks; and Steven Ellsworth, who founded Poppi with his wife. Vora was born to Indian immigrant parents, who he said could have never imagined this future for him. Both Vora and Fang said they had repeated failures when they began the process of building their companies. Stitt sympathized with their struggles and said his company Gateway, a mortgage-lending firm, nearly went out of business amid the financial crisis in 2007. Advertisement Advertisement Fang recovered from economic hardships, including the pandemic, and SchooLinks now serves about 10 million students across 45 states through its platform that seeks to connect schools with resources. Ellsworth started Poppi, the soda company that has taken the country by storm, with his wife in their kitchen. The panelists noted the importance of engaging children during their school time. Stitt said part of his entrepreneurial spirit was inspired by a restaurateur he met as a student. The conference gathered business and education leaders to discuss ways to stimulate the economy through education. The event was a part of Stitt's NGA initiative, Reigniting the American Dream. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has a press conference in the Blue Room at the Capitol, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. In a later statement, Stitt said he looks forward to bringing the ideas he's learned about at the conference back to his home state. Advertisement Advertisement We are a nation of entrepreneurs and builders," Stitt said in a news release. "Entrepreneurship is integral to the American dream. As leaders, we need to ensure there are more opportunities for the next generation of founders to unlock innovation. It was a meaningful week of discussions, and I am eager to apply these ideas in Oklahoma. As part of the yearlong effort, Stitt and Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer led a delegation to Switzerland to study the Swiss apprenticeship model. The NGA will have meetings related to the initiative in February in Washington D.C. and in July in Oklahoma City, according to a news release. The NGA is a bipartisan organization led by the nation's 55 governors. It was founded in 1908. As chairman, Stitt, in the wake of Charlie Kirk's death, made a particular call for bipartisan cooperation. Previous Coverage Oklahoma governor wants Americans to reach across party lines. Will he in his home state? Advertisement Advertisement During the panel, Stitt again took a moment to call for unity between political parties. It doesnt matter which side of the aisle youre on in this country," Stitt said. "We really do agree much more than we disagree." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt leads panel with founders of Poppi, more Dec. 13STOCKTON The San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office announced Friday that Stockton resident Robert Fuentez pled guilty to two counts of attempted lewd acts upon a child, and faces a four-year state prison sentence. The conviction constitutes two-strike offenses under California's Three Strikes Law and requires Fuentez to register as a sex offender for life. Fuentez is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on Feb. 17 following completion of a comprehensive probation report and a mandatory psychological risk assessment, the DA's Office said. Advertisement Advertisement The charges stem from an incident where Fuentez used electronic communication to contact an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. During the interaction, Fuentez sent multiple nude photographs, solicited similar material from the purported minor, and attempted to arrange a physical meeting. He further requested the intended victim bring two younger female cousins, ages 11 and 5, to the arranged meeting location. Fuentez arrived at the agreed-upon location and was confronted by well-known internet personality JiDion, who was conducting a sting operation aimed at identifying and exposing individuals attempting to engage in sexual contact with minors. During the encounter, Fuentez provided a full confession and admitted to having a large stash of material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors. He then voluntarily accepted a ride to the Stockton Police Department to turn himself in, the DA's Office said. "This outcome reflects our office's unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community and holding sexual predators accountable for their heinous actions," DA Ron Freitas said. "We will continue to fight vigorously for victims throughout all stages of the criminal justice process to ensure the safety and security of neighborhoods in every corner of San Joaquin County." In a tragic turn of events, a fight between two men turned deadly on Thursday just before 3:30 a.m. The body of 64-year-old Robert Ramage was found dead by an officer in this Clovis parking lot on Ashlan and Villa. He was found after suffering apparent trauma to his head. 53-year-old Charles Gulley was identified as the suspect and located about eight hours after Ramage was found. "Using video footage from our city camera network and surrounding businesses, other technology that our detectives had access to as well as statements made during interviews," Clovis Police spokesperson Ty Wood said. Advertisement Advertisement Gulley was booked into the Fresno County Jail for manslaughter and violation of post release community supervision. Wood says it's unclear what the relationship is between the two men. "Detectives are still looking into what exactly the conversation or topic was between the victim and suspect. Why they were both in the parking lot," he said. Wood confirmed Ramage and Gulley are unhoused, and both of their cars have been impounded amid the investigation. Ramage was found near his truck. "There was a good amount of personal property in the victim's vehicle. We are going through that to see if we can locate any additional evidence," Wood said. Advertisement Advertisement According to documents obtained by Action News, both men have an extensive criminal history. Wood says, unfortunately, this is not the first time the department has responded to a deadly altercation among the unhoused community, and says a similar situation happened over a year ago. "We did have an incident between two unhoused individuals by Centennial Park, which was a physical altercation and someone unfortunately passed away as well and that was over a disagreement," he said. The autopsy report is expected to be completed on Friday. Clovis Police are asking the community to reach out if they have any information related to this case or call Valley Crime Stoppers. For news updates, follow Elisa Navarro on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Sweet Tomatoes will reopen a location in Fort Myers, Florida, its first in the state since closing all stores in 2020 because of the pandemic. The buffet-style restaurant, famous for its salads and soups, has announced it will open at 14080 S Tamiami Trail in Fort Myers. This will be the second location after its restructuring, following the reopening in Tucson, Arizona, in April 2024. The wait is over, magic fans! From dunes to deliciousness, your favorite salads and soups are returning to Ft. Myers, Florida! the restaurants Tucson, Arizona location posted on Facebook. The Fort Myers restaurant will be the first Sweet Tomatoes location in Florida since the nationwide closure, potentially signaling a broader comeback to the Sunshine State. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Following the Texas Education Agency's controversial takeover of the Houston Independent School District in 2023 control which has recently extended through 2027 the Beaumont ISD now faces the same fate. "I am very disappointed by this decision," Dr. Shannon Allen said at a BISD press conference on Thursday evening, adding that the announcement of the takeover was an unexpected one. Advertisement Advertisement "This action was triggered by law due to consecutive unacceptable ratings at two campuses, MLK Middle School and Fehl-Price Elementary School," Allen said. "Despite the fact that King was closed in 2024 and Fehl-Price Elementary was operated by Third Future Schools for the past two years the commissioner made a decision to move forward with this appointment." As part of the TEA takeover, the agency will appoint a board of managers and a conservator in place of the superintendent and the elected school board. Jackie Simien, director of community and media relations for BISD told Chron that Allen received a letter from the TEA with the official decision earlier on Thursday and spoke directly with Commissioner Mike Morath. "We've been making progress and this year I've shared with our community that 16 out of 22 of our campuses showed an increase in overall accountability ratings. The effort and the work matter," Allen said. "At the same time we recognize that the improvement has not happened fast enough in every single school." Advertisement Advertisement Simien told Chron the BISD has 30 days to appeal the decision. As part of Thursday's press conference, Allen said she will discuss the opportunity to appeal with her board. TEA previously took control of the Beaumont ISD in 2014 due to financial scandal and shortfalls which left the district in a budget emergency, according to the Beaumont Enterprise. Control was returned to the district in 2020. Allen said BISD will "continue to do the work" despite the announcement. "What's best for the kids is to stay focused," Allen said. "I really hope we can keep that in mind as we move forward through the course of the next several weeks and months." More News Politics | LinaHidalgo announces separation from longtime partner Gulf Coast | Galveston can't get enough of this strange giant beach find TV | Houston TV news legend signs off after short comeback Money | Here's how much you need to live comfortably in Houston For the latest and best from Chron, sign up for our daily newsletter here. This article originally published at Texas seizes another school district in stunning power move. NEED TO KNOW A masked trio known as the Brabant Killers attacked Belgian grocery stores and other businesses between 1982 and 1985, leaving 28 people dead Survivors included David Van de Steen, who lost his parents and sister, and Genevieve Van Lidth, who later said she recognized one attacker Investigators reviewed thousands of leads over decades and closed the case in 2024 without identifying the men responsible Between 1982 and 1985, a masked trio known as the "Crazy Killers of Brabant" carried out a wave of supermarket massacres across Belgiums Brabant region, murdering 28 people among them families and young children. The men used face paint during the raids and were nicknamed the Giant, the Killer and the Old Man by investigators and the press, according to the BBC. They were never identified. Advertisement Advertisement The outlet reported that the attacks unfolded in two main waves and targeted supermarkets, hostels, a gunsmiths shop, a bar and a restaurant. Some victims were tortured before being killed, the outlet reported. On Nov. 9, 1985, eight people were killed during an attack on a Delhaize grocery store in the city of Aalst, per the BBC. Two brothers, then ages 7 and 10, later said they saw six men in dark clothing fleeing the scene, and the boys wrote down a cars registration number in a notebook as part of a childhood hobby. CBS News, citing AFP, reported that the notebook was logged in the case file but the lead was not pursued for decades and the brothers were never questioned. BELGA/AFP via Getty Police sketch released on June 2, 2010, showing a portrait of one of the alleged "Brabant killers" Police sketch released on June 2, 2010, showing a portrait of one of the alleged "Brabant killers" One survivor of the Aalst attack, David Van de Steen who was seriously injured at age 9 and lost both his parents and his sister later said that his sister shouted, Dont shoot, thats my dad! before their father was killed, according to The Bulletin. Advertisement Advertisement Another victim, a woman named Genevieve Van Lidth, was one of the few people to see one of the attackers without a mask. In 1983, she had her car stolen at gunpoint outside her house in Plancenoit, Walloon Brabant. NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty She later described the man as having seemingly southern European origins, with short, curly black hair and impeccable French that made him seem well-educated, and said a Peugeot 504 that followed her car was later tied to a Delhaize attack in Genval, per The Brussels Times summary of her account. I always said he had a northern French accent, that he wasnt Belgian, she said, per the outlet, adding that she was 99% sure she recognized her attacker when shown a photograph years later. The Guardian reported that investigators once examined whether the attacks were an attempt to destabilize Belgium by current or former law enforcement officers with far-right ties. AFP reporting cited by the outlet also noted a long-circulated theory that the Giant may have been a former member of the gendarmerie, Belgium's national police force. HERWIG VERGULT/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty In 2019, a retired police officer was charged with allegedly dumping weapons and ammunition linked to the case in a canal in 1986, but he was never convicted, according to The Guardian. Advertisement Advertisement In 2017, The Guardian reported that the brother of a former Belgian policeman, Christiaan Bonkoffsky, had confessed two years earlier to being "the Giant." Patricia Finne, whose father was among the 28 people killed, told the outlet that the disclosure was "the first serious revelation in 30 years." "I really hope that this will lead to dismantling the rest of the gang, whether they are dead or not," she told the outlet. The total amount stolen across the robberies was estimated at about 175,000, The Guardian reported. According to the outlet, prosecutors told victims families that investigators had checked 1,815 pieces of information, examined 2,748 sets of fingerprints, compared 593 DNA samples and exhumed more than 40 bodies without identifying the killers. No one has ever been convicted in the case. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. In 2020, police released a photograph of an unidentified man standing in a wooded area near a lake while holding a shotgun. Investigators described it as a vital lead in the case and appealed for help identifying him, per BBC and The Guardian reporting. Advertisement Advertisement In June 2024, despite Bonkoffsky's 2017 confession about being "the Giant," Belgian federal prosecutors announced that the case was being closed after more than four decades of investigation, The Guardian reported. Families were told that all possible investigative actions have been carried out, according to the outlet. This means the case is now buried and it makes me very sad, said Irena Palsterman, whose father was among the eight victims of the Aalst attack, per the outlet. CBS News, citing AFP, reported that an appeals court in Mons later ordered investigators to hear two additional witnesses, including the brothers who recorded the license plate number before the Aalst attack. We dont want to give up, said Kristiaan Vandenbussche, a lawyer representing families of the victims, according to the outlet. Read the original article on People The Transportation Security Administration is now sharing passenger data with ICE to enable Trumps mass deportation campaign. Before Trump, ICE didnt get involved with domestic traveland the TSA didnt concern itself with immigration matters. But since March, according to a new report by The New York Times, the two agencies have quietly been working together to apprehend people at the airport at the command of the Trump administration. According to the Times, its not clear how many arrests have been made so far. But the paper obtained documents that show the program led to the arrest of 19-year-old Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, who was picked up at Boston Logan Airport when trying to visit her family in Texas for Thanksgiving. Two days later, Lopez was deported to Honduras, where she had not been since she was 7 years old. Advertisement Advertisement According to former ICE officials interviewed by the Times, the program can help the agency meet its high deportation quotasplus, it allows agents to quickly deport those caught, like Lopez. The administration has turned routine travel into a force multiplier for removals, potentially identifying thousands who thought they could evade the law simply by boarding a plane, said former deputy head of ICE in New York City, Scott Mechkowski. Since Trump took office in January, many in the U.S. have been living in fear. Trumps deportation campaign has led to the arrest and detention of immigrants and citizens alike. People have been grabbed by ICE off the street, from their apartments, from their places of work. Now the airport is another place thats no longer safe. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, expressed no remorse for the position shes put people in. The message to those in the country illegally is clear: The only reason you should be flying is to self-deport home, she said. The Transportation Security Administration said Friday it is dissolving a union contract covering the agencys baggage screeners at airports nationwide even though it attempted to do so earlier this year and was blocked by a federal judge. The latest maneuver is expected to be challenged in court, too. The agency said it will ax a 2024 collective bargaining agreement covering more than 47,000 screeners on Jan. 11. Thats based on a determination made by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sept. 29 that screeners are primarily focused on national security and that union representation is inconsistent with efficient stewardship of taxpayer dollars and impedes the agility required to secure the traveling public, according to the agency. Advertisement Advertisement TSA added that it will stop using its computer system to collect union dues from screeners paychecks. The Friday announcement sparked immediate condemnation from the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents screeners. The labor group vowed to sue over the issue. DHS had previously announced that it was ripping up the 2024 contract in March, but AFGE filed a federal lawsuit over that decision, alleging it was retaliation for the unions string of litigation this year challenging various Trump administration actions. The case is ongoing, but Senior U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman of the Western District of Washington, a President Bill Clinton appointee, issued a preliminary injunction in June blocking DHS and TSA from carrying out that purported rescission while the lawsuit continues. Advertisement Advertisement Now, the agency is trying again. It didnt appeal Pechmans injunction. TSA didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. AFGE National President Everett Kelley in a Friday statement said the labor group will continue to challenge these illegal attacks on our members right to belong to a union. Merely 30 days ago, Kelley added, Noem celebrated TSA officers for their dedication during the longest government shutdown in history. Today, shes announcing a lump of coal right on time for the holidays: that shes stripping those same dedicated officers of their union rights. President Donald Trumps Department of Justice is reportedly trying to come up with a way to bring federal charges against Charlie Kirks alleged shooter. One solution? Declare Kirks murder an anti-Christian hate crime. Tyler Robinson, the suspect, is already facing state charges for aggravated murder, and may even face the death penalty. But thats not enough for the Trump administration, which seems to be trying to get the case taken to the federal level, according to a new report from NBC News. Some prosecutors are pushing back. They say the crime doesnt really fall under any federal statutes: Murder, generally, is under state jurisdiction, unless the suspect crossed state lines or killed an elected official. Advertisement Advertisement As a result, apparently, the DOJ is exploring the option to charge Robinson with an anti-Christian hate crime, three people who are familiar with the investigation told NBC. It would be an unusual hate crime to prosecute, to say the least: The federal case would have to equate anti-trans views with Christianity, in order for the legal logic to work, according to NBCs sources. They are trying to shove a square peg into a round hole, one said. In case anyone is unclear what constitutes a federal hate crime: The Hitler-loving white supremacist who killed Heather Heyer at the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville was charged with a hate crime, as was the white man who gunned down 10 Black people in a supermarket in Buffalo, New York. Advertisement Advertisement Hate crime charges are generally used when someone attacks or discriminates against someone else based on their race, gender, sexuality, or religion. Robinson, in texts to his trans partner that were released by the FBI, allegedly said that he wanted to kill Kirk because he had enough of his hatred. In order to charge Robinson with a hate crime, prosecutors would have to argue that being Christian and being hatefulat least toward trans peopleare one and the same. President Donald Trump raged in a dead-of-night social media post at Republicans who defied him on a plan that would have given the GOP more seats in Congress. The Indiana State Senate voted down a redistricting plan Trump pushed hard to give Republicans two more congressional seats, defeating it by a 31-19 margin including a majority of Republicans. When Trump was asked about the vote just after it happened, he downplayed his role in supporting the plan: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I wasnt working on it very hard. Would have been nice, I think we would have picked up two seats, if we did that. You had one gentleman, the head of the Senate, I guess, Bray, whatever his name is, I heard he was against it. Hell probably lose his next primary, whenever that is. I hope he does, because hes done a tremendous disservice. But the issue kept Trump awake into the early hours Saturday morning. It was almost one oclock in the morning when Trump posted a threatening rant to his Truth Social account: Republicans in the Indiana State Senate, who voted against a Majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, should be ashamed of themselves. Headed by a total loser named Rod Bray, every one of these people should be primaried, and I will be there to help! Indiana, which I won big, is the only state in the Union to do this! The rant came hours after Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) tried to downplay the significance of the vote and its effect on Trumps stature. Advertisement Advertisement CNNs Manu Raju asked Johnson, on Friday, Are you worried about Trumps grip on power after Indiana? Do you think it shows hes a lame duck? Not at all! No, he is not a lame duck! Johnson said. Hes the most powerful president of this generation and many others. We have a lot more work to do together. The outcome in Indiana is inconsequential to that. The post Trump Rages In Dead Of Night At Republicans Who Defied Him On Election Map After Claiming He Hadnt Worked Very Hard On It first appeared on Mediaite. Over 140 bipartisan lawmakers wrote in opposition to Trump's proposed student-loan limits. The new limits would exclude advanced nursing programs from the higher professional degree borrowing cap. While most advanced nursing programs wouldn't be affected, lawmakers said it could exacerbate the healthcare shortage. Opposition toward new student-loan limits in President Donald Trump's repayment overhaul is mounting. On Friday, a bipartisan group of over 140 lawmakers sent a letter to Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent urging him to revise the Department of Education's proposal to place new student-loan limits on professional degree programs. Advertisement Advertisement The department recently concluded its negotiations on the student-loan payment changes that Trump signed into law in his "big beautiful" spending legislation. The changes included borrowing caps for graduate and professional students: a $100,000 lifetime limit for graduate students, and a $200,000 lifetime limit for professional students. 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 crux of the debate centered on which programs qualify as "professional," and the department identified 10 programs, including medicine, dentistry, and law, that would meet its new definition. Post-graduate nursing programs are not included within the professional definition, and the lawmakers wrote that the omission could exacerbate the ongoing nursing shortage. "Classifying these programs as graduate programs would result in these students having to take out additional student loans to cover the remainder of their tuition, which will limit the ability for students to complete their advanced degree," the letter said. Advertisement Advertisement The lawmakers used the example of the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist program, which can cost over $200,000. They said that the proposed $100,000 cap is "restricting the pipeline of CRNAs and further limiting an anesthesia workforce that is suffering from shortages across all provider types." Ellen Keast, the department's press secretary for education, said in a statement that "misinformation on TikTok has caused confusion" about the proposed student-loan limits. Keast cited data from the Department of Education showing that 95% of nursing students are borrowing within the student-loan limits. "As for the most expensive outlying 5%, enrolled students are grandfathered into current lending limits to ensure there are no barriers to completion," Keast said. "We expect that institutions charging tuition rates well above market prices will consider lowering tuition thanks to these historic reforms." Business Insider previously reported that, based on data from the College Scorecard, most advanced nursing programs would not be affected by the proposed caps. However, advocates still expressed concern about their implications. Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, president of the American Nurses Association, told Business Insider that removing the professional designation for nurses could make it difficult to recruit and retain staff in the industry. Advertisement Advertisement "It's going to be a really bad revolving issue where we don't have enough faculty to produce enough nurses to replace the nurses who are retiring," she said. The Department of Education is planning to implement these changes beginning in July of 2026, and its proposal is still subject to change based on the comments it receives from the public early next year. Read the original article on Business Insider TUPELO Lee County and Tupelo officials had a very active year, making multiple pivotal decisions and hosting some key events that will shape the future of the region for decades to come. The year kicked off with a winter storm that brought three to four inches of snow, an EF-1 tornado that brought 6,000 cubic yards of debris, and then a March torrential rain that wreaked havoc on the countys drainage systems. On top of natural disasters, the region was shocked by a gas line burst in Plantersville, which injured two Atmos employees and left nearly 17,000 customers across the region without gas for nearly a week. While nature provided its challenges, the city prepared for its municipal elections, leading to a few large decisions at the beginning of the year. All incumbents in Tupelo secured a new term, and former Ward 5 Councilman Buddy Palmer retired, opening the door for newcomer Bentley Nolan to take his spot. Advertisement Advertisement Jordan examines years actions, looks toward next year Mayor Todd Jordan said he believed it was an extremely good year for the city despite early challenges. Pointing to the capital plan, a document that lays out the citys project goals throughout the next five years, he said the city has made great headway toward some long-term goals, especially with the completion of the Ballard Park Playground and downtowns The Depot. The park was a project years in the making. Included among the renovations was the installation of an all-inclusive playground with equipment for children between ages 6 months and 12 years. The playground is Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant, so its accessible to children of all abilities. The project totaled $4 million after all three phases were said and done, $1 million of which came from state funding secured by Sen. Chad McMahan and others in the local delegation. Advertisement Advertisement If you look at our capital projects, over the last few years, they have been the most popular of the things that weve done, Jordan said. I think as long as we are spending money on infrastructure and quality of life, it is worth it. As for the Depot, it is a new multi-purpose pavilion in the heart of downtown that cost the city about $2 million to construct. It now serves as a gathering place for the monthly farmers market after the old pavilion was demolished, as well as functioning as a secondary venue for events downtown. Jordan also touted the infrastructure work the city was able to begin and complete this year. The city tackled repairs or renovations to about 70 streets for a total $8 million in mill, overlay and pavement preservation this year, $5.6 million through the citys budget and $2.4 million through the citys Major Thoroughfare Program. As for plans for the upcoming year, Jordan said the focus will be on purchasing and rehabilitating properties, an action exemplified during a Thursday morning special-called meeting that culminated in a vote authorizing Jordan to enter negotiations with an unnamed property owner to purchase an unspecified property. Advertisement Advertisement Weve got some purchases that are very important to the city that we are trying to do if we can push those through and get the renovations done, he said. Administratively, Jordan said most of the departments are now fully staffed, and he hopes to be able to negotiate a raise for emergency responders next year. Development Services Director Tanner Newman pointed to the redevelopment of the old hotel in downtown Tupelo and the preservation of the historic Tupelo Hardware as top of the list for next years goals. While preserving historic buildings, the city will also facilitate the construction of the Target shopping district and its surrounding infrastructure, he added. County focus squarely on jail despite opposition Advertisement Advertisement While most of the Tupelo City Councils actions took place after the June election, Lee Countys officials started much earlier, continuing their efforts to build a new jail. Although under planning and discussion for months beforehand, the county didnt take any official action until August when the Board of Supervisors voted to approve a plan for a $94 million Justice and Public Safety Complex. The jail projects base bid is $94.2 million, although the price tag could rise to as much as $121.4 million if county officials opt to include all additional, auxiliary buildings. At its least expensive, the project will include a 384-bed detention center, support space, office space and an energy plant. In 3-1 October vote, the board approved a $6.4 million contract with James A. Hodges Construction for the early site work for the project. The overall plan is to complete the new jail by September 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Most of the focus (of next year) will be the jail. The jail is a big challenge, said Board President and District 4 Supervisor Tommie Lee Ivy, who has been vehemently opposed to the construction of a new jail because of the inevitable tax increase the project will bring. We hope it gets finished in the next couple of years. We dont agree on everything, but we put our best foot forward. County makes adjustments, creates new ordinances Alongside the jail, the county has made multiple tweaks to the county code over the past year, including creating a solicitation permit and relinquishing animal control services to a third-party contractor. Officials created the permit to curb panhandling, following a previous decision Tupelo made creating stricter laws against aggressive panhandling and loitering in a previous year. Advertisement Advertisement The $25 solicitation permit is granted by the Lee County Sheriffs Department and allows for solicitation on county roads, intersections, or highway medians between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. as long as the individual is within 100 feet of an intersection. Those in violation can receive hefty fines or, potentially, jail time. As for animal control, the county contracted North Mississippi Animal Care and Control LLC for $10,833 a month, totaling $130,000 annually, taking the task from the Lee County Sheriffs Department. I feel like (the decision) was good. I think it is going to be great for Lee County, Ivy said of outsourcing animal control, adding that stray animals are one of the countys biggest ongoing issues, and the company has already made a significant dent in the population. The county also gave some of its funds netted from Mississippis settlement with opioid manufacturers for their part in the opioid crisis to the Lee County Youth Court to establish an intervention court. The court is a special court formed to handle drug-related offenses, a problem Judge Staci Bevill said is highly prevalent in her court. Advertisement Advertisement Taxes rose in county, city raises utilities The fiscal year for governmental bodies begins each year on Oct. 1, and with it, new budgets are created, leading to potential ad valorem tax increases. This year, the city continued its tradition of leaving its millage the same (32.47 mills), but the county could not keep their momentum after lowering the millage rate in the previous year. Multiple factors went into the countys decision to increase its millage rate from 43.70 to 45.79 a 2.9 mill increase but mainly the increase was contextualized by the upcoming jail project mentioned. Over the next two years, Lee Countys millage rate will rise by two mills for a total of 6 mills to go toward financing the $94 million jail project. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Tupelo hasnt increased its mileage rates, although other factors have resulted in increases in monthly expenses for its citizens. Tupelo Water & Light, with council approval, increased the water and sewer rates for customers by 12% over two votes, the first in June and the second in October. The minimum bill went from $13.34 to $15.56. This increase, TW&L Director Johnny Timmons said previously, was because of rising costs in materials in June and a 6% increase from the Tennessee Valley Authority, which sells power to the city wholesale, that was passed from the city to the customer. In September, the City Council voted to increase Tupelos garbage rates by 2%, from $20.50 to $20.91. Advertisement Advertisement For property owners, the property values in the county rose by $5.7 million to a total of $1.16 billion. This is calculated by property assessment through real and personal property. Real property includes land and any valuable property on the land, such as buildings, crops, and timber. Personal property is all property that isnt nailed down to the property's land. It includes vehicles, inventory, or anything the homeowners and companies own. Personal property also includes intangible property, like bank accounts and franchising rights. An increase in values leads to an increase in the overall property taxes an individual pays to the county annually. City preps for comprehensive plan update, amends development codes While not needing much public-facing action, much of the year for the Development Services Department at City Hall was spent developing an update to the citys comprehensive plan, which is set to be adopted next year and last through 2040. The plan is a guiding document used by city officials to plan for economic development over the long term. With it comes a slew of code updates and zoning changes. Newman said the plan will continue to be top of mind in the coming year. With that groundwork being laid, the council approved multiple ordinances that updated and created new regulations for development. Those included establishing a grease trap and separator ordinance for restaurants and other entities with cooking facilities, and updating the citys liquor store regulations. One of our most important responsibilities is upholding the citys zoning ordinances and Development Code. But we must also ensure the voices of our residents shape the decisions we make, Newman said. The recent updates to the zoning ordinance for liquor stores and convenience stores with fuel sales were about more than regulation it was about protecting the character of our neighborhoods and ensuring a cleaner, brighter city. The new grease trap ordinance requires restaurants, manufacturers, food processors, hospitals, hotels and motels, prisons, nursing homes, and any other facility preparing, serving, or otherwise preparing food for consumption to have a minimum of a 1,500-gallon grease trap or interceptor. The changes to re-development code also included defining and regulating liquor stores and convenience stores with gas sales in a way that mirrors state regulations. The amendment locks convince stores with fuel sales to arterial roads and roads under Mississippi Department of Transportation jurisdiction unless approved as a compatible use along with a distance requirement. Liquor stores, meanwhile, are locked into arterial streets. Both businesses must comply with a 1,500-foot distance requirement from each other. More amendments are on the horizon, including regulations for billboards, signage, garages, breweries, brewpubs, wineries and distilleries planned for the new year. The city also made multiple zoning updates and other map changes throughout 2025. Newman noted that one important action taken this year was establishing the Park Hill Neighborhood Overlay District, which sets up incentive and design requirements for development in the neighborhood. Equally significant was the creation of the Park Hill Neighborhood Overlay District, he said. This step exemplifies the citys commitment and investment in revitalizing one of our most historic and aging neighborhoods. Twins have been rare in human history and for that reason can seem special. Many cultures associate twins with health and vitality, while others see them as a philosophical reminder of the duality of life and death, good and evil. Some famous twins are credited with the birth of nations, others are described as deities. Our recent research suggests that twins were actually the norm much further back in primate evolution, rather than an unusual occurrence worthy of note. Despite the fact that almost all primates today, including people, usually give birth to just one baby, our most recent common ancestor, which roamed North America about 60 million years ago, likely gave birth to twins as the standard. We have been researching the evolution of primate litter size how many babies grow during each pregnancy for the past several years. To study mammal evolution and reproductive life history, we use skeletal collections, both fossil and recently living. Advertisement Advertisement In addition to being an anthropologist, one of us (Tesla) is the mother of twin girls. Thats led to a personal and not just scientific interest in this topic: When did twin pregnancies become uncommon? Reconstructing litter size in the past The best way we have to reconstruct the history of litter size is to map the known litter size of as many species as possible across the mammalian family tree and then use mathematical algorithms to look for patterns. But outside of rare events where entire animal families are fossilized together, it is extraordinarily difficult to assess litter size for extinct species from the skeleton alone. So we instead collect data on as many living mammals as possible. We searched a wide variety of public databases, including AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database, for information about how many offspring are commonly born to each species of mammal. We also noted additional data, including what the species average body size is at birth and at adulthood, as well as pregnancy duration. Family tree of mammals surveyed for the study, also known as a phylogeny. The branches of the tree are labeled with colors that correspond to litter size. Darker colors indicate larger litter sizes, while lighter colors (oranges) indicate smaller litter sizes. The animal outlines are, from top to bottom, rodents, rabbits, primates, cetartiodactyls (whales and most hooved animals), carnivores, bats and shrews. Image modified from McBride and Monson, 2024 After gathering all these data points for almost a thousand mammal species, we performed a series of statistical tests to quantify relationships between different traits. Our goal was to estimate the likely litter size of different mammalian ancestors: What were the odds of a singleton birth for each species at any given point in time? Advertisement Advertisement The number of offspring a species has in a litter is phylogenetically conserved, meaning more similar in more closely related species. Deer tend to have one or two offspring, while canids and felids tend to have many more babies in each litter. Almost all primate species give birth to just one baby, although there are exceptions. Several of the wet-nosed primates including lemurs, lorises and galagos and almost all of the marmosets and tamarins from South America give birth to twins. Prior to our work, researchers thought these distinctive twin-bearing primates must be what evolutionary biologists call derived, or different, from the more common, ancestral trait. But our research flips that narrative on its head: Its actually the singleton-bearing primates that are derived and distinctive. Further back in evolution, two babies at once was the norm. Our ancient primate ancestors gave birth to twins. So, when did this evolutionary change in primate litter size occur? The switch to singletons Modern humans overwhelmingly birth just a single child a rather large child with an even larger head. Human brain and body size is certainly connected to our ability to create and refine technologies. Paleoanthropologists have long been investigating what they call encephalization: an increase in brain size relative to body size over evolutionary time. Advertisement Advertisement For primates, and especially humans, childhood learning is crucial. We propose that the switch from twins to singletons was critical for the evolution of large human babies with large brains that were capable of complex learning as infants and young children. Based on mathematical modeling, the switch to singletons occurred early on, at least 50 million years ago. From there, many primate lineages, including ours, evolved to have increasingly larger bodies and brains. Our new research also shows that the switch from birthing twins to birthing singletons happened multiple times in the primate lineage a telltale signal that it was advantageous for primates to develop only one fetus per pregnancy. Because multifetal gestation requires more energy from the mother, and because the babies are born smaller, and often earlier, early primate ancestors who gave birth to just one large offspring may have been at a survival advantage. Our findings dont mean that having twins today is a disadvantage although, as a mother of multiples, Tesla can certainly say its not easy. But having twins today is quite a different experience from our tiny primate ancestors birthing in the trees 60 million years ago. The occurrence of human twins has increased recently, which comes with risks for parent and babies. Sviatlana Lazarenka/iStock via Getty Images Plus Twinning today Rates of twins have almost doubled in the U.S. over the past 50 years, due in part to advances in assistive reproductive technologies. Today, about 3% of live births are twins, although recent trends suggest a downturn in rates. The fact that women in the U.S. are routinely having kids in their 30s compounds this even further, since women in the later stages of fertility thats anyone over the age of 35 are more likely to have twins. Advertisement Advertisement But having twins can be dangerous for both the mother and babies. More than half of all twins in the U.S. are born prematurely. Many of them spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit. Despite these risks, our research shows that twins are a critical part of our genetic history. This article has been updated to correct the list of current mammals that normally birth twins. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Tesla Monson, Western Washington University and Jack McBride, Yale University Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Tesla Monson receives funding from the Leakey Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and Western Washington University. Jack McBride has previously received funding from Western Washington University, he is currently affiliated with Yale University. (Photo/Federal Highway Administration - U.S. Dept. of Transportation Tribal officials say two people were fatally shot Thursday night in a double homicide that has left the tight-knit tribal community grieving. In a news release issued on Friday, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation confirmed the victims were Laura Dick, a clerk for the Colville Tribal Court, and her son. No additional details about their identities or the circumstances of the shooting were immediately released Friday. 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. Jarred-Michael Erickson, chairman of the Colville Business Council, described the killings as a senseless act of violence and said the loss has deeply affected residents. Erickson said he had known Dick since childhood. Our community is grieving deeply today after the loss of two of our own, Erickson said. Laura was someone I had known since we were young we went to school together and her passing feels especially close to home. Officials said the Colville Tribal Court will operate on a limited basis next week as staff mourn a colleague and friend. Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement has not publicly identified any suspects nor released details on an arrest. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not issued a motive. No official statement regarding charges or arrests has been issued by tribal police, the Okanogan County Sheriffs Office or the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Washington as of Friday evening. The Colville Indian Reservation, which covers roughly 2,200 square miles, is located in the northeastern part of the state of Washington. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation reports it has close to 10,000 tribal citizens. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net Ukraine's drone schools are preparing operators to fight against Russia. The drone fight develops rapidly, with new tactics and drone types always emerging. Schools say they're always updating their teaching, as often as every two weeks. The Ukrainian drone schools training operators for war are having to rewrite their lessons as fast as every other week to get students ready for an ever-changing battlefield. Within the drone battle, a critically important aspect of this war, tech and tactics are shifting rapidly. Three drone schools told Business Insider that it's imperative they keep their lessons up to date because it's life or death on the battlefield. Advertisement Advertisement To maintain relevance and the tactical edge, the instructors are visiting the front regularly, keeping in touch with former students, and testing out new technology to shape their curriculum. A race to stay on top Tetyana, a Ukrainian veteran who goes by the call sign "Ruda" and is now the head of R&D for Dronarium, a drone training school with sites in Kyiv and Lviv, told Business Insider that changes sometimes take place every two weeks. At the front, the evolution of technology is "moving forward at a very fast pace." It means that "also we have to be very fast in our adaptability." Dmytro Slediuk, head of the education department at Dronarium, told BI that "we continuously make changes to our training programs." Advertisement Advertisement For the most part, he said, no two lectures on the same subject are exactly the same; something is always changing. Over 16,000 students have trained at the school. Their comments and experiences are reflected in the training program curriculum, Slediuk said. Instructors also visit the front lines, and service members come to the school, where they deliver insight into the latest in warfighting. There are also group chats with soldiers, Tetyana said. It's two-way communication, with soldiers sharing front-line feedback and instructors providing guidance and advice. The drone fight is rapidly evolving, and schools need to stay on top of its developments. FLORENT VERGNES/AFP via Getty Images Vitalii Pervak, CEO of another training school, Karlsson, Karas & Associates, said that it is absolutely vital that schools teach what is informed by and needed for the field. "We do not teach things that will not be necessary in combat," he said. "We constantly update our instructors' knowledge," occasionally with visits to the front to "see firsthand what has changed, what remains relevant, and what can be discarded." Advertisement Advertisement Viktor Taran, the CEO of the Kruk Drones UAV training center, told Business Insider that all students are in group chats with their instructors, and that connection is preserved after the training is complete. "Cadets go to the front line, type questions in those chats, or provide information about new enemy tactics." New information is added to the courses, with some topics updated every three months, he said. A rapidly changing fight Drone strikes are responsible for most front-line hits and casualties, with both sides using them in lieu of traditional weaponry. The result is constant modifications to how they are used and their tactics, as well as the drones themselves, with new types frequently entering the battlefield. Advertisement Advertisement Luke Pollard, the UK's armed forces minister, said this year that Western militaries risk becoming outdated. He said drone warfare is evolving so fast that "we have to fundamentally challenge our assumptions." He said that drone technology in Ukraine "iterates every two to three weeks on the front line," while NATO militaries "build and procure really expensive high-end bits of kit. And it will take you five, 10 years: five years to run a procurement challenge, another 10 years to build it." At that rate, the system may already be obsolete by the time it's ready for war. Defense companies watching Ukraine can see the speed of change, too, and are moving quickly to make changes. Matt McCrann, CEO of the US arm of Droneshield, a company making counter-drone systems for the US and Europe, recently told Business Insider that weapon development cycles are shifting from months and years to weeks. Industry and Western officials are acknowledging just how fast the drone fight evolves. Paula Bronstein /Getty Images Companies are regularly engaging in approaches similar to the drone schools chats with soldiers and even front-line visits to keep their understanding of warfighting demands up to date. Some companies have previously told BI that the ways Ukrainians are using tech have come as a surprise, so that communication and engagement are critical. Advertisement Advertisement Gediminas Guoba, the CEO of Lithuanian company Granta Autonomy, which has drones in Ukraine, told Business Insider over the summer that he visits the battlefield himself "just to understand how it really works" and see what changes need to be made to its products to keep them relevant. And it's beneficial for soldiers too, sparking faster iteration. Ukrainian drone operators have told Business Insider that they keep in touch with companies making their drones to give them feedback on how they can be improved, as well as to get things like replacement parts. From the companies making drones to the troops using them to the schools training operators, everyone is rushing to maintain the edge, but the schools are not simply fighting to stay on top of changes. Targeted by Russian attacks and often seeking donations to help fund the training, they're fighting for survival as well. Read the original article on Business Insider Rex Avenue on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, pictured on May 15, 2025, is also known as Wear Red Avenue. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator) Nearly four months after President Joseph Savoie stepped down, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has begun organizing the search to replace him. The UL System will convene a search committee in January and present finalists in late February, the system board announced Thursday. The committees roster is in development but not final, UL System President Mark Romero told The Acadiana Advocate Thursday. The job will be officially posted in January and marketed nationally. The system published a website for the search last week. Advertisement Advertisement UL Lafayette is currently led by Interim President Ramesh Kolluru, who replaced Provost Jaimie Hebert as interim last month. The system board was reportedly ready to forego a search and name Kolluru to the permanent post at last months meeting. Facing backlash, the board committed to a search. Meanwhile, the university continues to hack its way through a substantial budget deficit revealed earlier this year. Kolluru told faculty and staff this week that further austerity is needed to close what remains of a $50 million gap. After taking over as interim, Kolluru eliminated the positions of three top administrators and this week announced a leadership reorganization, elevating key staffers from his research division. A longtime ULL employee and honorary Cajun, Kolluru has made no secret that he wants the permanent job. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX CAIRO (AP) A drone strike hit a United Nations facility in war-torn Sudan on Saturday, killing six peacekeepers, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. The strike hit the peacekeeping logistics base in the city of Kadugli, in the central region of Kordofan, Guterres said in a statement. Eight other peacekeepers were wounded in the strike. All the victims are Bangladeshi nationals, serving in the U.N. Interim Security Force for Abyei, UNISFA. Advertisement Advertisement Attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law, said Guterres, who called for those responsible for the unjustifiable attack to be held accountable. The Sudanese military blamed the attack on the Rapid Support Forces, RSF, a notorious paramilitary group at war with the army for the control of the country for more than two years. There was no immediate comment from the RSF. The attack clearly reveals the subversive approach of the rebel militia and those behind it, the military said in a statement. The military posted a video on social media showing plumes of dense black smoke over what it said was the U.N. facility. The oil-rich Abyei is a disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan, and the U.N. mission has been deployed there since 2011 when South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan. Advertisement Advertisement Guterres also called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan to allow a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process to settle the conflict in the northeast African country. Sudan was plunged into chaos in April 2023 when a power struggle between the military and the RSF exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere in the country. The conflict has killed over 40,000 people a figure rights groups consider a significant undercount. The fighting has recently centered on Kodrofan, particuly since the RSF took control of el-Fasher, the militarys last stronghold in the western region of Darfur. The war has wrecked urban areas and has been marked by atrocities, including mass rape and ethnically motivated killings which the U.N. and rights groups have said amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, especially in the western region of Darfur. The war has also created the worlds worst humanitarian crisis and pushed parts of the country into famine. The University of North Florida will soon be searching for an interim president. Current President Moez Limayem was officially confirmed on Friday by the Florida Board of Governors to become the next president of the University of South Florida in Tampa. He will start in that role in early 2026. In a statement to the UNF community, he said he would remain at UNF through the transition of finding an interim president. Advertisement Advertisement Limayem has served as UNFs president since 2022. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] He replaces outgoing USF president Rhea Law, who announced she would be stepping down in February. The role at USF marks a return to a familiar setting for Limayem, as he served as the Lynn Pippenger Dean of the Muma College of Business at USF for 10 years before becoming president at UNF. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Here is the full message Limayem sent to the Osprey community: Dear Ospreys, Today, the Florida Board of Governors confirmed my appointment as the next president of the University of South Florida. I am humbled and honored by this opportunity. At the same time, this news brings mixed emotions. Serving this university has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career, and Alya and I will truly miss the people who make UNF such a special place. Advertisement Advertisement I am not leaving yet. I will remain at UNF through the transition to the Interim President to ensure a smooth and stable handoff. I look forward to continuing our work together and to spending time with as many of you as possible before my departure. I also want to outline the next steps in the search for UNFs eighth president. The UNF Board of Trustees will begin by selecting an interim president, subject to confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors. The BOT will then launch the formal presidential search process, including the appointment of a search committee. You can find details about the search process here. Updates will be shared throughout the process. Leaving UNF is truly bittersweet. In the three and a half years I have served as your president, I have witnessed a level of passion, commitment and team spirit that has inspired me every day. Together, we have accomplished far more than any single leader ever could. Because of your dedication, UNF has reached new heights and set records that reflect the strength of this university: We achieved the highest student retention rate in UNFs history, reflecting our unwavering focus on student success. Advertisement Advertisement We secured the highest level of fundraising the University has ever seen, thanks to the generosity of donors who believe in UNFs mission and future. We provided the largest salary increases for faculty and staff, recognizing the indispensable role you play in our momentum. We earned the largest infusion of recurring and one-time resources from the State of Florida, fueling new programs, facilities and opportunities for our students. We expanded research and innovation and strengthened UNFs reputation as an engine of talent and impact for the region. We deepened our Culture of Belonging and reinforced our commitment to a supportive and welcoming campus. Advertisement Advertisement We built powerful community partnerships that created life-changing internships and aligned our programs with workforce needs. These are not simply accomplishments. They reflect the character and commitment of this university. All of this progress belongs to you, and I am profoundly grateful to have been part of such a transformative chapter. My wife Alya and I want to express our heartfelt appreciation to the entire UNF family. You welcomed us with warmth and generosity from the moment we arrived, and the sense of community we found here has been one of the great joys of our lives. We will carry that with us always. As I prepare for this transition, I do so with enormous pride in UNF and complete confidence in its future. The momentum you have built is extraordinary. I have no doubt that UNF will continue to rise as more students, faculty and staff choose this University as their destination of choice. Advertisement Advertisement Thank you for your trust, your partnership and the lifelong friendships that mean so much to me. I will forever be proud to have been part of this Osprey family, and I will continue to follow your achievements and celebrate your success. Swoop! Sincerely, Dr. Moez Limayem President" 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 ship was boarded on the Indian Ocean a month ago, with military equipment being seized, officials revealed to the Wall Street Journal. US forces seized a Chinese cargo headed to Iran as part of an operation to disrupt the rearming of Iranian regime forces, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. The ship was boarded on the Indian Ocean a month ago, and several pieces of military equipment were seized, officials revealed to the US newspaper. Advertisement Advertisement The previously undisclosed operation occured near the coast of Sri Lanka, with US operatives tracking the weapons shipment and intercepting it before letting the vessel continue on its way. This marks the first time in years that the US military intercepted a Chinese-origin vessel en route to Iran. The name of the ship and its owner were not identified in the report. An illustrative photo of the Iranian and Chinese flags. (credit: SHUTTERSTOCK) China-Iran relations On October 29, CNN reported that Iran was rebuilding its missile capabilities with aid from China, despite the guidance of United Nations sanctions. European intelligence sources told CNN that Iran received shipments containing over 2,000 tons of sodium perchlorate, which can be used for both civilian purposes and also as a key ingredient in the production of ammonium perchlorate. Advertisement Advertisement Ammonium perchlorate is an oxidizer used in a solid fuel propellant to build Iranian ballistic missiles. In late September, the United Nations reimposed snapback sanctions on Iran, aiming to halt and prevent any Iranian operations related to creating weapons with nuclear capabilities. By Stephen Nellis SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 12 (Reuters) - U.S. lawmaker John Moolenaar, the chair of the U.S. House of Representatives' bipartisan select committee focused on China, on Friday asked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to explain the details of President Donald Trump's decision to allow Nvidia to sell its H200 chips to China. The move by Trump earlier this week signaled a marked break with precedent from Trump's own first administration and that of former President Joseph Biden's of not allowing China access to the most powerful artificial intelligence hardware from U.S. chip firms. The H200 is the predecessor to Nvidia's current flagship chips and is still in use in the U.S. AI industry. Advertisement Advertisement In a letter to Lutnick on Friday, Moolenaar cited media reports that said Trump's decision was based at least in part on claimed chip performance gains by Huawei Technologies Co, which is developing its own AI chips. But those gains came from a chip that was illegally procured through shell companies from Taiwanese and Korean suppliers, Moolenaar's letter said, and Huawei's next offering is expected to take a step backward when only depending on domestic Chinese chip factories. Moolenaar said that the coming setback for Huawei was proof Trump's earlier approach to export controls was working and changing course presented risks. "As AI evolves, aggregate computing power not theoretical per-chip efficiency will remain the engine of progress," Moolenaar wrote. "Approving the sale of cutting-edge chips to Chinese companies risks undercutting the extraordinary strategic advantage that President Trump achieved in his first term." Moolenaar asked Lutnick for a briefing on the evidence and analysis underlying the H200 decision by mid-January. The White House and Commerce Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Christian Schmollinger) VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) Belarus freed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, key opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova and dozens of other political prisoners on Saturday, capping two days of talks with Washington aimed at improving ties and getting crippling U.S. sanctions lifted on a key Belarusian agricultural export. President Alexander Lukashenko pardoned 123 prisoners, Belarus state news agency, Belta, reported. In exchange, the U.S. said it was lifting sanctions on the Eastern European country's potash sector. A close ally of Russia, Minsk has faced Western isolation and sanctions for years. Lukashenko has ruled the nation of 9.5 million with an iron fist for more than three decades, and the country has been repeatedly sanctioned by the West for its crackdown on human rights and for allowing Moscow to use its territory during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement John Coale, the U.S. special envoy for Belarus who met with Lukashenko in Minsk on Friday and Saturday, described the talks to reporters as very productive" and said normalizing relations between the two countries was our goal, Belta reported. Were lifting sanctions, releasing prisoners. Were constantly talking to each other, Coale said, adding that the relationship between the U.S. and Belarus was moving from baby steps to more confident steps as they increased dialogue, the Belarusian news agency reported. Belarus has released hundreds of prisoners since July 2024. Among the 123 freed Saturday were a U.S. citizen, six citizens of U.S. allied countries, and five Ukrainian citizens, a U.S. official told The Associated Press in an email. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private diplomatic negotiations, described the release as a significant milestone in U.S.-Belarus engagement and yet another diplomatic victory for U.S. President Donald Trump. The official said Trumps engagement so far has led to the release of over 200 political prisoners in Belarus, including six unjustly detained U.S. citizens and over 60 citizens of U.S. Allies and partners. Advertisement Advertisement Who are some of the more prominent freed prisoners? Pavel Sapelka, an advocate with the Viasna rights group, confirmed to the AP that Bialiatski and Kolesnikova were among those released. Bialiatski, a human rights advocate who founded Viasna, was in jail when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 along with the prominent Russian rights group Memorial and Ukraines Center for Civil Liberties. He was later convicted of smuggling and financing actions that violated public order charges that were widely denounced as politically motivated and sentenced to 10 years in 2023. Bialiatski told the AP by phone Saturday that his release after 1,613 days behind bars came as a surprise in the morning, he was still in an overcrowded prison cell. Advertisement Advertisement It feels like I jumped out of icy water into a normal, warm room, so I have to adapt. After isolation, I need to get information about whats going on," said Bialiatski, who seemed energetic but pale and emaciated in post-release videos and photos. He vowed to continue his work, stressing that more than a thousand political prisoners in Belarus remain behind bars simply because they chose freedom. And, of course, I am their voice." Kolesnikova, meanwhile, was a key figure in the mass protests that rocked Belarus in 2020 and is a close ally of an opposition leader in exile, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Known for her close-cropped hair and trademark gesture of forming a heart with her hands, Kolesnikova became an even greater symbol of resistance when Belarusian authorities tried to deport her in September 2020. Driven to the Ukrainian border, she briefly broke away from security forces at the frontier, tore up her passport and walked back into Belarus. Advertisement Advertisement The 43-year-old professional flutist was convicted in 2021 on charges including conspiracy to seize power and sentenced to 11 years in prison. Others who were freed Among the others who were released, according to Viasna, was Viktar Babaryka an opposition figure who had sought to challenge Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election, widely seen as rigged, before being convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison on charges he rejected as political. Viasna reported that the group's imprisoned advocates, Valiantsin Stefanovic and Uladzimir Labkovich, and prominent opposition figure Maxim Znak were also freed. But it later said it was clarifying its report about Stefanovic's release, and Bialiatski told the AP that Stefanovic had not been freed, though he hopes he will be soon. Advertisement Advertisement Most of the freed prisoners were sent to Ukraine, Franak Viachorka, Tsikhanouskayas senior adviser, told the AP. Eight or nine others, including Bialiatski, were being sent to Lithuania on Saturday, and more prisoners will be taken to the Baltic country in the next few days, Viachorka said. Ukrainian authorities confirmed that Belarus had handed over 114 civilians, including five Ukrainian nationals. Freed Belarusian nationals at their request and after being given necessary medical treatment will be taken to Poland and Lithuania, they said. Lukashenkos press secretary, Natalya Eismont, said those released were sent to Ukraine because Kyiv was to free several imprisoned Belarusian and Russian nationals as part of the deal, although Ukrainian officials haven't confirmed the claim yet. Lukashenko wants rapprochement with the West Advertisement Advertisement When U.S. officials last met with Lukashenko in September, Washington eased some of the sanctions on Belarus while Minsk released more than 50 political prisoners. The freeing of political prisoners means that Lukashenko understands the pain of Western sanctions and is seeking to ease them, Tsikhanouskaya, the opposition leader in exile, told the AP on Saturday. She added: But lets not be naive: Lukashenko hasnt changed his policies, his crackdown continues and he keeps on supporting Russias war against Ukraine. Thats why we need to be extremely cautious with any talk of sanctions relief, so that we don't reinforce Russia's war machine and encourage continued repressions. Sanctions have hit the key export hard Advertisement Advertisement Belarus, which previously accounted for about 20% of global potash fertilizer exports, has been forced to sharply cut them after Western sanctions targeted state producer Belaruskali and cut off transit through Lithuanias port in Klaipeda, the countrys main export route. Sanctions by the U.S., EU and their allies have significantly weakened Belaruss potash industry, depriving the country of a key source of foreign exchange earnings and access to key markets, Anastasiya Luzgina, an analyst at the Belarusian Economic Research Center BEROC, told the AP, noting that Minsk likely hopes this paves the way for easing the more painful European sanctions. The latest round of U.S.-Belarus talks also touched on Venezuela, as well as Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Belta reported. Coale told reporters that Lukashenko had given good advice on how to address the war, saying that Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin were longtime friends with the necessary level of relationship to discuss such issues. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. official told the AP that continued progress in U.S.-Belarus relations" also requires steps to resolve tensions between Belarus and neighboring Lithuania, which is a member of the EU and NATO. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda welcomed the prisoners release, praising their remarkable courage in a post on X and adding that Lithuania stands with them and all who strive for freedom. The Lithuanian government this week declared a national emergency over security risks posed by meteorological balloons sent from Belarus. The balloons forced Lithuania to repeatedly shut down its main airport, stranding thousands of people. ___ Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report. Utah skiers are relying on machines to get their "White Christmas"-like scene this year. It's part of a declining snowfall trend reported on by CNN. CBS affiliate KUTV in Salt Lake City highlighted its impact on Utah mountains. What's happening? Unseasonably warmer temperatures in one of the U.S.'s ski hubs have caused resorts to miss snowpack benchmarks and opening dates. It's a huge loss considering that the industry adds $2.5 billion to the state's economy, according to the University of Utah. Advertisement Advertisement With no snow in the forecast, the resorts have turned to snowmaking machines for help. "We run about 12 people per shift, so we have about 50 snowmakers on each side of the mountain," Park City Mountain Resort snowmaking manager Barrett Burghard told KUTV. Why is a lack of snowfall important? A diminished snowpack has implications beyond economic concerns. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that snow droughts mean less water for nearby communities and wildlife. They create water management and flood mitigation challenges. Snowfall has declined about 2.7% worldwide since 1973, CNN reported, citing NOAA data. Part of the reason is the rising average global temperature: an increase of about 2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1850. The uptick is increasing the risks for conditions that lead to more extreme weather, such as droughts and storms, NASA said. Advertisement Advertisement It's important to note that not every severe weather event is a result of human-induced planet warming. But experts agree that it's supercharging factors that increase the likelihood of community-threatening storms. Wildfires are one example. Penn State reported that shorter winters, faster snowmelt, and droughts are "exacerbating the very conditions that promote wildfires." What's being done to help? On the mountain, snow experts are leveraging the latest technology to help make quality powder for recreation. 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. "Now you can do everything from a smartphone or your laptop, and most of the guns adjust the quality," Burghard told KUTV. "We have temperature sensors all over the mountain, so we know exactly what the temperatures are all over the mountain." Advertisement Advertisement Other experts are leveraging satellite imaging and other data to provide better forecasts. Drones are also being used as information collectors in sometimes extreme conditions. Staying informed about issues impacting our weather can help you determine how it will most impact your life. Less snow could ruin a ski weekend, but eventual droughts on the other side of the mountain could become a more severe problem. This information can help you plan your next move and consider factors like rising insurance premiums and coverage availability. Talking about the trends with friends and family can help to raise awareness as well. In Utah, Burghard is optimistic that Mother Nature will provide. Advertisement Advertisement "I always figure the weather is going to come sooner or later," he said. 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. San Antonio police are warning residents to be alert when withdrawing large sums of money after more than 200 reported cases this year of "jugging." It's a crime in which suspects follow someone from a bank or ATM who has just withdrawn money and steal their cash at the first opportunity, often in a violent smash and grab. Police shared footage of a jugging incident caught on camera involving a man who withdrew a large amount of money from an ATM and left it on the passenger seat of his vehicle before stopping to pump gas. Investigators say suspects in a stolen car tailed the victim from the ATM to the gas station, circled his vehicle twice and then broke in, taking the cash. Advertisement Advertisement Detective Nathan Zachary said the pattern is simple: someone leaves a bank with money in hand, a soon-to-be thief sees this, follows them and quickly snatches the cash - either from the vehicle or directly from the victim. He said jugging cases have been reported across the city, including one case in which someone was followed starting at the Ingram Road and Loop 410 area, all the way out to Boerne. It's a rising crime that San Antonio police have been focusing in on this year. READ MORE: San Antonio jugging thefts targeting bank customers on the rise, say police Zachary advises people to "check your tail" when leaving a bank or ATM. Advertisement Advertisement "If they stop when you stop and when you go somewhere else you see that car, they're probably waiting to steal money from you," he said. He also recommends concealing bank envelopes or withdrawing cash discreetly so suspects don't see how much you're carrying. Police stressed that jugging isn't tied to a specific neighborhood and urged anyone handling large sums of cash to remain aware of their surroundings and avoid leaving money visible inside a vehicle. This article originally published at WATCH: San Antonio police share footage of jugging caught at gas station. CUMBERLAND Incarcerated individuals at Western Correctional Institution are spreading holiday cheer through a meaningful tradition crafting handcrafted wooden toys for less fortunate children involved in local charities across the Cumberland area. In so doing, the inmates learn work skills designed to help them stay on the right course when they reenter society. Programs such as this offer the public a powerful reminder of the positive contributions our incarcerated population can make from behind the wall, said Carolyn J. Scruggs, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services secretary. Advertisement Advertisement Their willingness to give back, especially during a season focused on generosity and compassion, reflects the meaningful impact that restorative opportunities have in reducing recidivism and changing the trajectory of our incarcerateds lives. WCIs Toy Shop completed more than 300 wooden toys for local children, all handmade from raw pine. Each toy is sanded for safety and left unpainted to encourage the creativity of the children who receive them. The toys produced this year include two rolling dinosaurs a T-Rex that chomps as it rolls and a rolling brontosaurus whose head and tail bob up and down, along with two jewelry boxes shaped like a heart and a yin-yang that open to reveal a small storage space. Also crafted were a rolling biplane with a spinning propeller and a horse whose legs gallop as it rolls. The toys were given Friday to Maryland State Police in conjunction with LaVale Baptist Church, the Union Rescue Mission and others, with all of the toys divided equally among each group. Advertisement Advertisement The woodworking program is overseen by cabinetry and carpentry instructor Brian Hopwood, who guides the incarcerated participants as they build both creative projects and practical skills. The evidence is clear that the incarcerated individuals take pride in their work, knowing their efforts directly support members of the community during the holidays, the department said in a release. This program also provides a meaningful work opportunity, hands-on experience that strengthens craftsmanship, supports mental well-being, and builds job readiness and skills that assist with successful reentry, including for those with disabilities who are wheelchair-bound. Would you like your afternoon cup of coffee with a side of weed? In public? On Jan. 2, 2026 new regulations passed by the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) the will allow for the public sites where people could consumer marijuana in public settings. The unanimous vote came after months of debate, and Massachusetts is the first state in New England to take this step. The concept is being referred to as marijuana "cafes." Advertisement Advertisement "The Commonwealth has been eagerly waiting social consumption, so were proud to move this effort across the finish line, said Chair Shannon OBrien in a press release. We look forward to the economic opportunities these new license types will offer to small businesses and entrepreneurs who have been disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs. Here's more about the new regulations for marijuana "cafes." When did the CCC approve regulations for weed cafes? The regulations were approved on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. Today we honored the will of the Massachusetts voters, and they voted for this in 2016," CCC commissioner Kimberly Roy said is a press release, adding it was 2016 when legalized weed was approved in the Bay State. "Here we are, almost in 2026 and we got it across the finish line. Today is another milestone in the Massachusetts cannabis industry. Will my town have social marijuana? While it will be allowed at a state level, it doesn't necessarily mean one of the establishments are coming to your city or town. Municipalities will have to opt-in to allow social consumption, according to the regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Municipalities will also be able to add additional rules. For example, a town could prohibit the combustion of cannabis products in these settings, limiting the way it could be consumed. When will businesses start being approved for onsite marijuana use? The CCC estimates that it will be more than a year before the state sees any official businesses allowing marijuana use onsite. The implementation process will include rgo an implementation process that is anticipated to include several working groups with internal and external stakeholders, setting up an application process and educating staff. The Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) in Massachusetts unanimously approved regulations on Dec. 11, 2025 governing sites where people could consume marijuana products in social settings. Three different weed license options will be available for businesses Three different licenses will be available. They are: Supplemental : This would allow for existing cannabis businesses to add social consumption Hospitality : This is for new or non-cannabis businesses to host consumption in partnership with a marijuana establishment Event Organizer: For temporary events, this would allow for social cannabis use in partnership with an marijuana establishment A separation of weed and alcohol? One bit of the regulation will make it so you won't likely see marijuana and alcohol mixing. Advertisement Advertisement To ensure safety, one part of the regulations say "no intersection of alcohol or tobacco and tobacco products within licensed spaces/ premises." This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: Cannabis cafes approved in Massachusetts. See timeline, rules Whether the Indiana state legislature voted to draw two additional Republican-leaning congressional districts, as President Donald Trump wanted, was unlikely to be the decisive factor in the 2026 midterm elections. But just as Trumps dominance over his party was looking to be somewhat in doubt in recent weeks, he picked a battle to reestablish it. He chose very wrongly. In the end, the situation in Indiana demonstrated quite the opposite of what Trump intended. Indeed, the state Senates rejection of his redistricting push wound up being one of the most significant GOP rebukes of Trump to date, and at a particularly inauspicious time for him. Advertisement Advertisement The upshot is that Trumps hold over his party his most important political asset appears weaker than at virtually any other point in his two presidencies. Not weak, period, but weaker. After months of uncertainty, the Indiana state Senate on Thursday afternoon finally put the issue to bed, once and for all. It voted 31-19 against the new congressional map, which would have changed a map where the GOP is favored in 7 of 9 districts to one in which its favored in all nine. Why it was such a striking rebuke of Trump This was a particularly remarkable rebuke of Trump for a few reasons: Republicans hold a 40-10 supermajority in the chamber, but the vote didnt wind up even being close. In fact, even a majority of Republicans (21) voted against it. They voted against it despite Trump and his party mounting a huge pressure campaign. Vice President JD Vance visited the state twice. House Speaker Mike Johnson got involved, as did Donald Trump Jr. The president called out lawmakers by name on social media and pledged to support primary challengers against anyone who voted no. A right-wing group warned Trump would withhold federal funds from the state if it didnt obey him. And perhaps most significantly, all this pressure manifested itself in a very ugly series of threats threats that touched around one-fourth of state Senate Republicans, that we know of. (Law enforcement officials have not linked the threats to any group or campaign.) Advertisement Advertisement Once it was clear that the vote was going to fail Thursday, Republican state Sen. Michael Young took to the floor. The supporter of the proposed new map warned those who voted against it that they would have millions of dollars spent against them in their upcoming elections. I believe, in the end, most of you wont be here anymore, Young said. And that takes courage to give up your seat. And thats really the point here. This process took months. These members got a full dose of precisely what voting against Trump could mean for them. They had reason to fear for not just their careers, but also for their safety. And a majority of them stood against Trump even with those stakes being made abundantly clear. There is some evidence the pressure might have actually backfired that the members might have worried that voting with Trump would amount to setting a dangerous precedent in which they capitulate to threats. Advertisement Advertisement I will not let Indiana or any state become subject to the threat of political violence in order to influence a legislative product, state Sen. Greg Walker said this week before voting no. But regardless of whether thats the case, its clear these Indiana Republicans steeled their spines in standing up to Trump in a way weve rarely seen. A display of the 2025 draft congressional map during a vote at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis on Thursday. - Kaiti Sullivan/Bloomberg/Getty Images How it compares to other GOP Trump rebukes There are precious few examples of lawmakers voting against Trump on something so high-profile and so resoundingly. In Trumps first term, congressional Republicans bucked him on foreign policy issues several times. The late Sen. John McCain in 2017 doomed the Trump-backed plan to repeal and replace Obamacare with an infamous thumbs down on the Senate floor. A more recent example was when the GOP-controlled Congress voted last month to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. Advertisement Advertisement But on the Epstein files, it was just 4 out of more than 200 House Republicans actually standing up and forcing the issue by signing the discharge petition. Virtually every Republican wound up voting in favor of the legislation, but only after Trump relented. And compared to weighty foreign policy issues, passing a new map is very small-bore. The easy move for Indiana Republicans would have been to just capitulate, especially after all the pressure was brought to bear. But they decided to make a point, and they did so by voting in much bigger numbers than they needed to. Several of them could have protected their careers and livelihoods by voting yes and still having the map fail, but they went out of their way to stand with one another against Trump by a large margin. Yet another crack in Trumps base And for Trump, its merely the latest signal that his grip on his party is softening. Advertisement Advertisement Weve already seen the cracks in his base in the polling. Weve seen Republicans start to fret about their partys poor electoral track record this year. And with the Epstein files, his base forced his hand like weve arguably never seen before. And then we saw a one-time top Trump loyalist in Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene suddenly turn away from him on a host of issues, including the Epstein files (where she was 1 of the 4), tariffs and Obamacare subsidies. Indeed, if any of these signs were the most ominous for Trump, it might have been Greene. Thats because it punctured his reputation as a guy that Republicans just dont mess with. When Trump tried to put Greene in her place by calling her a traitor and vowed to back a primary challenger, Greene gave it right back to him. She soon announced she would resign from Congress, so Trump certainly asserted his dominance in a way. But it was striking how much a MAGA true-believer like Greene leaned into this fight. And crucially, like the Indiana Republicans, she stuck to her guns despite an onslaught of threats she ties directly to Trumps attacks on her. Loyalty enforced through fear has been the lifeblood of Trumps political career. Its the thing thats kept him relevant even when he was broadly unpopular. As long as Trump dominates one of the two major parties, after all, hes got major power in our polarized politics. Advertisement Advertisement But once thats diminished, hes in a considerably more precarious political situation. And Thursday certainly diminished it thanks to a major unforced error by Trump. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A winter storm warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Mount Holly at 2:14 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. This warning applies to Gloucester, Camden, Northwestern Burlington, Delaware, Philadelphia, Eastern Chester, Eastern Montgomery and Lower Bucks counties. The NWS warns: "If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1." See weather radar for Burlington County What are NWS meteorologists saying? At 2:14 p.m., the NWS issued a statement including the following information: Advertisement Advertisement WHAT: Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 5 inches. WHERE: Portions of southern New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania. WHEN: From 7 p.m. this evening to 1 p.m. EST Sunday. IMPACTS: Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Plan on slippery road conditions." What is a winter storm warning? The National Weather Service issues warnings based on local impacts. A winter storm in Texas might trigger a warning with far less snow than the same storm in Wisconsin, because local infrastructure, typical weather and public safety needs differ. 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. New Jersey weather watches and warnings Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text. This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor. See the latest weather alerts and forecasts here This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Winter storm warning issued for Burlington County The National Weather Service has been busy over the past few weeks as extreme weather surges across the United States. Record warm temperatures along the West coast brought catastrophic flooding to the region while temperatures continue to plunge in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions as record cold and heavy snowfall dominate the area. Earlier this week the NWS issued a winter storm warning for several states, but played particular attention to Montana, which is expecting a surge in snowfall. Winter Storm Warning Issued for Montana For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches, with localized amounts approaching 20 inches in the Island Ranges. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph, the NWS said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement The heavy snowfall is expected to hit The Highwood, Little Belt, Judith, and Snowy Mountains, and Southern Rocky Mountain Front, though much of the middle part of the state is in danger of serious weather. Map Shows Just How Much Snow is Expected to Fall An interactive map from the National Weather Service shows the percentage change of a storm to exceed the initial warning criteria revealed for the area. Much of Montana sits in a very high probability range that weather will become much more serious than initially predicted, according to the model. Another map from the NWS shows regions south of Lewistown, MT are expecting up to 24 inches of snow - or perhaps more as the scale tops out at 24 inches - through Sunday, Dec. 14. In addition to a Winter Storm Warning, much of Montana received an Extreme Cold Warning as well, with temperatures dropping to more than 20 degrees below zero. Related: Oreo Making Major Change to Iconic Cookie Starting in January This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Dec 12, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Northeast Florida may be widely thought of as Navy territory, but that wasnt always the case. Today, Camp Blanding in Clay County is primarily the home of the Florida National Guard, but during World War II, it was one of the largest Army training facilities in the country. The Camp takes shape Just outside of the main gates at Camp Blanding, visitors will see relics and machinery of wars past. At the center of the public park is the Camp Blanding History Museum, which occupies one of the last remaining original structures of the bases heyday. Advertisement Advertisement I think part of the reason Blanding was so attractive was, a number one, you had a lot of available land around it, but it was in Florida, the museums curator, Greg Parsons, said. And so, the Army looked at it as, Hey, we can train year-round in Florida. We dont have to worry about providing a lot of heat or cold-weather clothing to the troops because its Florida. It doesnt get cold there in the winter. Parsons explained that Camp Blanding was obtained by the National Guard in an exchange with the Navy. The Guard gave up the 900 acres of land now occupied by NAS Jacksonville, and received 30,000 acres of land in rural Clay County. In about August of 1940, the state gets word from the Army that theyre gonna federalize the camp to use it to train troops for the war, Parsons said. Although, officially we werent in the war yet, but they were trying to get ready for it. Advertisement Advertisement Once the Army took over, it purchased an additional 40,000 acres, bringing the base up roughly to its modern footprint of 73,000 acres. It also leased an additional 80,000 acres of land around the base, making it among the largest Army training facilities in the country at the time. Camp Blandings contributions to World War II So, its main training purpose during the war was to train infantry men. Thats what they did here, Parsons said. And despite the appeal of the Florida climate, the 17 weeks troops endured at Blanding were far from a walk in the park. Supposedly at one point General MacArthur, who was leading Army forces in the Pacific, made a comment that he was tired of getting replacements from Camp Blanding because they were wore out by the time they got to him, Parsons said. Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the war, Parsons estimates the base churned out roughly 850,000 soldiers who would go on to see combat in every theater in World War II. Some of those soldiers, like Sergeant Leonard Funk of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, would go down in history. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Funk fought in the Normandy invasion and went on to win the Medal of Honor for his efforts in the battle of the Bulge. He and four other paratroopers take on a group of 80 German soldiers by themselves, kill 21, wounded several more and then capture the rest, Parsons said. And the five of them walked away uninjured. Advertisement Advertisement Parsons said Funk came just one medal away from tying the record for the most decorated soldier of the war. After his passing in 1992, a memorial was erected outside the base in his honor. During the war, Camp Blanding served a dual mission, becoming the home of hundreds of German prisoners of war. And we held 1,000 German Army and about 200 German Naval prisoners, Parsons said. Even after the war, Camp Blanding would continue training troops for occupational duty until the end of 1945, and it served as an out processing facility for troops returning home and leaving the armed forces through 1946. Advertisement Advertisement It was officially returned to the National Guard in 1948. Camp Blandings post-war mission While Camp Blandings role as a major Army training facility may have been significantly down scaled following WWII, it still serves as critical and versatile training grounds for a wide variety of combat scenarios. Colonel Todd Hopkins has served as base commander at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center for the past two years. Our customer base is really 60 percent National Guard. The remainder, the other 40 percent, serves our state and local partners as well as national agencies, multi-national partners, Hopkins said. Hopkins explained the base currently boasts an impressive 81 firing points and ranges capable of training soldiers on a wide-array of weaponry. Advertisement Advertisement Everything from 9 millimeter handguns to HIMARS rockets and everything in between, Hopkins said. Exercises carried out at Camp Blanding range from water survival and combat training, sniper training and airborne operations, just to name a few. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] We have what I would consider world-class training facilities for infantry platoons and squads. Our current battle course has got everything from a 180-foot-long live-fire trench, to bunkers, to battlefield effects, to drones access, Hopkins said. You name it, we have it. We could throw it at those soldiers to make training as realistic as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the military, Hopkins noted Camp Blanding also serves a critical role in operations like hurricane response. During times of natural disaster or natural emergencies Camp Blanding is a post that is used for receiving and integrating forces that come from other states to support the citizens of Florida, as well as a staging area for lots of commercial enterprises that are doing repair work for electrical lines, etcetera, Hopkins said. And thanks to recent upgrades and investments from the State of Florida, the base continues to expand its capabilities, most recently hosting the largest-ever counter-drone destruction event in the nations history. That includes $110 million invested in additional bed space for soldiers coming through, as well as a significant amount of money invested in modernizing our range capabilities, which has allowed us to do things like you mentioned earlier, support the United States National Drone Association and their crucible event that took place last week, Hopkins said. Advertisement Advertisement And even to this day, Camp Blanding stands ready for reactivation, should it ever be called upon as it was in the dawn of World War II. 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. A personal representative for the estate of Colton Brant, a 29-year-old Linn County man who died Nov. 1, 2024, following a train derailment at the Greenhill Reload Main Yard in Eugene, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Coos Bay Rail Line, the International Port of Coos Bay, and a local railroad and salvage company. According to the lawsuit, which was filed in the Lane County Circuit Court on Dec. 5, Brant was helping move three railcars loaded with logs out of the Greenhill Reload Main Yard. Another person was operating a Trackmobile pulling the three loaded railcars, while Brant was riding on its exterior side. One of the railcars derailed and overturned. The logs on the railcar were not secured and spilled off the railcar. Brant was crushed when the railcar tipped over, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Brant was declared dead at the scene. The Lane County Medical Examiner later determined Brant's cause of death was compression asphyxia. The lawsuit alleges the incident resulted from two distinct, unsafe working conditions: defective or improperly maintained track infrastructure and structural defects in the railcar. There also have been prior derailments at the Greenhill facility. Corinda Stubbs, the personal representative of Colton Brant's estate, is listed as the plaintiff in the case. Defendants include Coos Bay Rail Line, Inc., Oregon International Port of Coos Bay, and H&S Construction, Railroad, and Salvage. Stubbs is suing the defendants "in excess" of $10 million claiming Brant experienced "extreme pain, suffering, and profound existential terror between his injury and his death." The estate also claims it has been deprived of Brant's love, society, and companionship. Colton Brant Wrongful Death Lawsuit by haleighkochanski Advertisement Advertisement Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Estate files wrongful death lawsuit in rail yard death of Colton Brant Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday reported new overnight attacks by Russia on many parts of the country, with more than 450 drones and 30 missiles. "The main strike again hit our energy supply, the south and the Odessa region," Zelensky posted on social media. Work to restore electricity and water supplies was under way in the communities. According to the authorities, a grain warehouse in the port of Odessa also caught fire. Advertisement Advertisement "Two people were injured in the Odessa region," Zelensky said, adding that more than a dozen civilian objects were damaged in the country. "Thousands of families are without power after last night's attacks in the regions of Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odessa, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson and Chernihiv," he said. Officials said five more people were injured in Mykolaiv on the Black Sea during the attacks. 'Terror against our people' "It is important that everyone now sees what Russia is doing. Every step they take is terror against our people, every attack, because it is definitely not about ending the war," Zelensky said, in apparent reference to Moscow's rigid stance towards peace talks being led by the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Despite the efforts of many countries due to resume in Berlin on Sunday and Monday - a clear agreement to end the war is not yet in sight. Parallel to the negotiations, Russia is exerting massive military pressure with airstrikes to force Ukraine to accept its terms for a ceasefire. Russia wants to destroy Ukraine as a state, Zelensky said. "That is why we need support in everything that helps to protect lives and end this war: strengthening our air defences and our soldiers on the front lines," he said. The country needs long-range weapons and stronger pressure on Russia, Zelensky stressed. Sophie Richmond is a bookseller at Inklings Bookshop. She and other Inklings staffers review books in this space every week. John Baule, archivist and longtime former director of the Yakima Valley Museum in Yakima; Cragg and Barbara Smith Gilbert, and Yesenia Navarrete Hunter, a historian and professor at Heritage University in Toppenish, will be honored with the Humanities Washington Award. Kerala State Award-winning actor Akhil Viswanath was found dead at his residence on Saturday. He was 30 years old. After the longest government shutdown in U.S. history (one triggered by battles over health care funding) the core issue remains unresolved. Neither political party has produced a durable solution. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) projects U.S. health care spending will reach nearly $9 trillion by 2035, consuming 20 percent to 22 percent of GDP. The Congressional Budget Office projects that without significant changes in policy, total spending for health care will be 31 percent of GDP by 2035 and will increase to 46 percent by 2080. Consequences include soaring insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs; rising Affordable Care Act premiums; reduced federal investment in education, infrastructure, research, and defense; faster Medicare insolvency; suppressed wage growth; diminished global competitiveness; and the continued shift toward high-deductible plans. Demographic pressures (including rapid Medicare enrollment by the baby-boom generation) and high-cost drugs such as GLP-1s and gene therapies further accelerate spending. Yet, as former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel suggests, moments of crisis also open political and civic space for ideas that once seemed impossible. Accountable care cooperatives: the community-owned plan to fix U.S. health care and the economy Accountable care cooperatives (ACCs) propose a transformative, community-owned model that restructures the U.S. health system from the ground up. These private, nonprofit, member-owned organizations unify medical care with housing, nutrition, mental health, and other social supports through a single local structure. Rooted in self-reliance, cooperation, and democratic governance, ACCs aim to solve both the health care and economic crises. Unlike top-down federal mandates, ACCs are bottom-up, locally governed, innovative, and completely transparent on four core metrics: Quality of care Cost of care Health outcomes Member satisfaction Purpose and urgency This proposal leverages todays health financing crisis to advance a durable, bipartisan reform. It argues that a national ACC system can be implemented swiftly through federal legislation, if supported by informed civic engagement. Transforming our fragmented, costly system into one composed exclusively of ACCs would improve care quality while sharply reducing costs. The Congressional Budget Office issued a long-term estimate of about $44 trillion as the GDP in 2035. Under an ACC-based system, total health care spending would remain at $6.3 trillion per year until 2035, falling to about 14.3 percent of GDP ($6.3 trillion/$44 trillion = 14.3 percent), a dramatic improvement over future projections. Enacting bipartisan legislation now and securing presidential assent can make this achievable. The next Healthcare, Climate, and Society blog post will present AI-drafted legislative blueprints for U.S. House and Senate bills replacing all public and private insurance with member-owned, self-regulated ACCs. Key features of accountable care cooperatives 1. Integration of health care and social services ADVERTISEMENT ACCs will integrate medical care with social determinants of health (housing, nutrition, education, and employment) that profoundly shape social, economic, and mental health outcomes. Services such as job placement, financial counseling, legal aid, housing assistance, and mental health care can be delivered alongside medical care. For example, a patient with diabetes might receive not only medical treatment but also housing assistance, nutritional counseling, gymnasium membership, and job placement services, all within the same cooperative framework. This holistic model ensures comprehensive support for physical, mental, and social well-being. 2. Direct primary care providers Each ACC would be anchored by direct primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, serving as patient-centered medical homes. With smaller patient panels (about 750 patients per provider instead of 2,000 to 2,500 patients) direct primary care providers (PCPs) could devote more time to each individual, fostering trust, improving continuity, and enhancing satisfaction. Preventive and coordinated care reduce downstream costs while strengthening doctor-patient relationships. Research suggests that reducing patient panels allows for more personalized care, improved patient outcomes, and greater physician satisfaction. 3. Self-regulation and flexibility Instead of one-size-fits-all federal medical treatment rules, each ACC defines its own clinical guidelines, benefit packages, and priorities. Cooperatives would provide optional home-birth services and alternative therapies as well as telemedicine, chronic care, and rural outreach. Local control fosters responsiveness and innovation. 4. Global budgets and real cost control Operating under capitated global budgets, ACCs would receive a fixed per-member amount to cover all health and social services. This eliminates incentives for unnecessary tests or procedures and drastically reduces bureaucratic overhead. Savings are reinvested into expanded services, lower premiums, and community development initiatives. With a minimum number of covered lives in an ACC being at least 1,000,000 people, ACCs would be very likely to stay viable financially over time. 5. Transparent competition People choose their ACC based on services, health outcomes, member satisfaction, and cost. Transparency is central: ACCs publicly report expenditures, health outcomes, and member satisfaction to foster trust and informed choice. 6. Participatory governance Decision-making resides with members, staff, an elected board of directors, and a CEO, who collaboratively set priorities and allocate resources. This builds legitimacy and ensures that services reflect any communitys unique demographic and cultural profile. 7. Double the training of physicians and other health care providers To provide primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants with manageable caseloads (750 patients per PCP instead of 2,000-2,500 per PCP) and to account for the increased number of seniors with more health care needs, enrollment in U.S. medical schools must at least double. Funding and financial structure ACCs would be financed through a diversified mix: Risk-adjusted block grants: From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (e.g., areas with higher need receive more funding). From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (e.g., areas with higher need receive more funding). Member premiums: Locally adjusted by age, income, and demographics. Locally adjusted by age, income, and demographics. Community and philanthropic investment: For innovation, experimentation, and infrastructure. Strategies to free resources for patient care, social services, and lower member premiums or eliminate out-of-pocket costs include stopping: Excessive administration: Accounting for at least 30 percent of total health care costs, including public and private insurance-related expenses and administrative burden on health care providers. Unnecessary or harmful medical interventions: See my book, Money Driven MedicineTests and Treatments That Dont Work. See my book, Money Driven MedicineTests and Treatments That Dont Work. Fraud: Estimated to range from 3 percent to 10 percent of total health care spending by the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association. Comprehensive services ACCs address the full continuum of need: Medical care: Preventive care (screenings, vaccinations), chronic disease management, dental care, and mental health/addiction services. Preventive care (screenings, vaccinations), chronic disease management, dental care, and mental health/addiction services. Long-term care: Home-based and assisted-living support (services often excluded from Medicare and private plans). Home-based and assisted-living support (services often excluded from Medicare and private plans). Social services: Housing assistance, food security, job training, and financial counseling. Housing assistance, food security, job training, and financial counseling. Alternative therapies: E.g., acupuncture, massage, prolotherapy, and midwife-assisted births. By integrating these services, ACCs deliver comprehensive, equitable care that addresses the full continuum of need. Benefits of the ACC model Universal coverage: Every U.S. resident is enrolled in an ACC, closing all gaps. Every U.S. resident is enrolled in an ACC, closing all gaps. Cost savings: Capitated funding rewards prevention and efficiency. Capitated funding rewards prevention and efficiency. Improved health outcomes: Coordinated, community-based care reduces chronic disease by addressing root causes. Coordinated, community-based care reduces chronic disease by addressing root causes. Empowered communities: Local health care and social services governance strengthen civic trust, participation, and resilience. National fiscal impact The ACC framework aligns with the Grand Bargains financial strategy: Freeze total government health funding at the 2026 level through 2035 while expanding universal coverage and decentralizing delivery (approx. $6.3 trillion in 2026 and annually projected to 2035, a huge jump from $5.6 trillion in 2025). The most cited and realistic estimates project that the cost of health care in the U.S. will be around $9 trillion in 2035, consuming approximately 20 percent to 22 percent of the countrys total economic output (GDP). With ACCs fully implemented, national health expenditures could fall to 14.3 percent of projected 2035 GDP, compared with the Congressional Budget Office projection of 20 percent-22 percent of the 2035 GDP. Projected impact: $5 trillion saved over 10 years 23 percent reduction in the projected federal deficit The following decade could continue the downward trend of health care as a portion of the GDP. These savings come from tackling the largest drivers of waste, including excessive administrative overhead, unnecessary interventions, fraud, overpricing, and fragmented care. Five-pronged waste-reduction strategy Decentralize clinical practice regulation within each ACC. For all medical, surgical, psychiatric, or other interventions, ACCs could develop their own policies. For example, a patient with ischemic heart disease and angina (chest pain), ACCs could treat with coronary artery bypass surgery, inserting stents in blocked arteries, or medical interventions such as the Dr. Dean Ornish program to reverse coronary disease (now offered by Medicare). Preserve free choice of ACC for patients and providers. Mandate transparency (online disclosure of benefits, long-term care, and metabolic health programs, i.e., addressing obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular risks). Foster competition in price, quality of care, health outcomes, and member satisfaction. Freeze government health care spending at 2026 levels through 2035. Conclusion Accountable care cooperatives represent a bold, practical reimagining of American health care, one that integrates universal access, local governance, and fiscal responsibility. ACCs can transform the current fragmented, profit-driven market into a coherent cooperative approach rooted in accountability, prevention, and human dignity. In doing so, they advance the core mission of the Grand Bargains project: Rebuilding not just a health system, but a society grounded in solidarity, sustainability, and shared prosperity. David K. Cundiff is a physician, author, and health care reform advocate whose work centers on transforming the U.S. health care system and addressing broader societal challenges, including climate change. He is the author of Grand Bargains: Fixing Health Care and the Economy, which proposes structural reforms to dramatically reduce health care costs while improving outcomes. His essay Much Better Healthcare for Way Less Cost explores accountable care cooperatives and community-based reform. Additional works include Money Driven Medicine Tests and Treatments That Dont Work and Whistleblower Doctor: The Politics and Economics of Pain and Dying. From 1981 to 1998, Dr. Cundiff practiced, taught, and conducted clinical research in internal medicine and pain control at the Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center, where he directed the Cancer and AIDS Pain Service for nine years, and previously held an academic affiliation with Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. After exposing how systemic inefficiencies increased hospital utilization and revenue, he became a whistleblower, an experience documented in Whistleblower Doctor. Outside his professional work, Dr. Cundiff values time with friends and family, including six grandchildren, and maintains his health through Hatha yoga, meditation, swimming, Zumba, biking, and a diet emphasizing minimally processed organic food. China releases observation data of Galactic millimeter-wave molecular lines Xinhua) 10:38, December 13, 2025 NANJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's Milky Way Imaging Scroll Painting (MWISP) project released the Phase-1 dataset of millimeter-wave molecular spectral lines observation data, according to the Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Thursday. The newly released data covers approximately 2,300 square degrees of the northern Galactic plane, spanning longitude ranges from 10 to 230 degrees and latitudes within 5 degrees, said Yang Ji, chief scientist of the MWISP project and a researcher at the PMO. By detecting millimeter-wave signals from interstellar carbon monoxide molecules, the project provides high-precision mapping of molecular gas distributions and structures of the Milky Way. The MWISP project, which began systematic observations in 2011, has completed the full mapping of its first phase. The release comprises over 100 million individual spectral lines accumulated by the research team, as well as more than 100,000 molecular cloud samples. Using the data, researchers have assembled the most complete millimeter-wave carbon monoxide molecular-line database to date, offering a panoramic view of Milky Way research. Furthermore, the data also disclosed the intricate internal structure and physical properties of interstellar clouds, offering a "three-dimensional atlas" and "census report" of Milky Way's molecular gas for investigating the Galactic gas cycle and star formation. The MWISP dataset can synergize with other major Chinese facilities such as the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) and the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO), powering frontier research into areas such as the interstellar medium, Galactic structure and evolution, and the origins of high-energy cosmic rays, said Su Yang, an associate researcher at the PMO. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) Rwanda has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Burundian Army of violating the ceasefire established under the Washington peace agreement, escalating tensions despite the December deal intended to end hostilities in eastern Congo. In a statement on Wednesday, 10 December, Rwandas Foreign Ministry argued that Kigali cannot be held liable for renewed fighting in South Kivu, alleging that Congolese and Burundian forces, alongside militia groups and foreign mercenaries, have bombarded civilian areas near the Rwandan border, using fighter jets and drones. The accusations came shortly after President Felix Tshisekedi told Congos parliament that Rwanda was undermining the US-brokered peace initiative. According to Kigali, Burundi has deployed close to 20,000 troops to support Congolese forces and has imposed a siege on Banyamulenge communities in Minembwe in what Rwanda describes as a deliberate attempt to starve civilians. Kigali further claimed that Congo has openly rejected observing the ceasefire, insisting it is fighting to reclaim territory held by AFC/M23 rebels, even as diplomatic efforts continue. Recent clashes have left at least 74 people dead and more than 80 injured, while M23 forces have reportedly captured parts of Uvira, a key commercial town near the Burundian border. Amid rising hostilities, both Kigali and Kinshasa have reiterated their commitment to dialogue as the sustainable route to regional stability. Tshisekedi restated his belief in the diplomatic process, while Rwanda urged all parties to recommit to the Washington Accords and finalise remaining elements of the Doha Agreement. The conflict, which reignited in 2021 with the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, continues to draw international concern, with the UN and Congo accusing Rwanda of supporting the rebelsallegations Kigali continues to deny. The Angolan Government, on Thursday 11 December, has announced intensified efforts to ensure the country is removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list by 2026, after being placed under enhanced monitoring in 2024, due to gaps in its antimoney-laundering and counter-terrorist financing systems. Officials say legal and institutional reforms are being accelerated, including the drafting and review of key legislation aimed at improving transparency and strengthening beneficial ownership regulations as required under the FATF action plan. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to fast-tracking all outstanding measures to meet FATF standards within the stipulated timeline. Successfully exiting the grey list is expected to bolster financial system credibility, improve investor confidence and reduce the economic constraints associated with enhanced monitoring. The Government maintains that ongoing cooperation with FATF and regional partners remains essential to achieving delisting by 2026. 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: Image on five calls to action. Credit: JACARDI Europe calls for decisive action to transform how Europe monitors noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Developed jointly by Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes (JACARDI), Joint Action Prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (JA PreventNCD), and the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe), a new paper sets out five priority actions to strengthen health monitoring systems across the region, an essential step to curb the rising burden of NCDs and mental health and ensure more effective, equitable health care. The publication, titled "Strengthening non-communicable diseases monitoring systems in Europe through a multistakeholder collaborative approach: a key priority for advancing data-driven policymaking," comes at a critical momentum after the Fourth United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health. "Europe has a unique opportunity, and responsibility, to recommit to data-driven health governance and sustained investment in resilient NCD monitoring systems," the authors explain in the publication. The paper is published in The Lancet Regional HealthEurope journal. A call to action: Five priorities for 2025 and beyond The publication highlights five critical areas where action is needed to make monitoring systems stronger, fairer, and more effective. It calls for collecting data that is truly inclusive and disaggregated, so that inequalities become visible and can be addressed. It stresses the importance of solid governance, clear legal frameworks, and long-term investment to ensure that progress is sustained. Monitoring, the authors argue, should also be embedded in real-time policymaking, so that information directly shapes decisions and drives accountability. Civil society, communities, people with lived experience, and marginalized groups should have a meaningful voice in this process, making sure that data reflects people's lived realities. And finally, the paper points to the need for stronger collaboration across sectors, greater sharing of knowledge, and more capacity building to secure lasting impact. "Tackling NCDs is one of five priorities of WHO/Europe's Second European Programme of Work, co-created with 53 Member States and shaped through broad public consultations, including with health professionals, people living with NCDs and civil society. Effective action on NCDs hinges on good data. Europe can lead by example and showcase collaborative and inclusive approaches together with key stakeholders, including EU Joint Actions," said Dr. Gundo Weiler, Director of the Division of Prevention and Health Promotion at WHO Regional Office for Europe. The challenge: Gaps between commitments and reality An estimated 80% of NCDs are considered preventable through effective public health policies and early detection strategies. These figures underscore the urgent need for a paradigm shift from a model centered on diagnostics and treatment to one rooted in prevention, health promotion, and evidence-based screening. Despite great efforts in international commitments, progress at the national level has been inconsistent. Monitoring systems remain fragmented, overly reliant on short-term projects, or challenged by limited governance and insufficient investment. This has created a critical gap between ambitious global targets and their translation into actionable national policies. The policy paper identifies persistent data gaps, structural weaknesses, and opportunities for innovation. It emphasizes that monitoring is not just about collecting data, it is about ensuring that information is used in real time to drive policy reform, accountability, and equity. Lessons from Europe The authors underline that too often, NCD monitoring efforts have been ad hoc, reliant on external funding or driven by individual champions. This has led to uneven coverage, lack of comparability between countries, and persistent blind spots when it comes to the health of groups living in vulnerable situations, such as migrants, minorities, and people with disabilities. Without data that is disaggregated and reflects disparities, inequalities remain invisible and policies risk reinforcing exclusion. The authors argue that equity must be at the center of all future monitoring efforts. "It is a moral and ethical imperative to advocate for and generate more inclusive data. Data should be systematically disaggregated by age, sex, gender, geography, socioeconomic status, disability, ethnic and migration background to reveal territorial disparities and enable place-based interventions," unfolds Dr. Benedetta Armocida, from the Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-metabolic Diseases and Aging at Istituto Superiore di Sanita-ISS, Rome (Italy) and Coordinator of JACARDI. "We should begin to view data not merely as numbers, but as reflections of human lives and rights: each data point tells a story, and data becomes truly powerful when it shifts narratives, amplifies the voices of those too often overlooked, and holds systems accountable. Data must be observed critically and translated into policies that strengthen health systems. Without inclusive monitoring, structural inequities remain concealed, and the most vulnerable remain invisibleone data point, one life, one missed opportunity at a time," adds Dr. Armocida. At the same time, the authors highlight successful innovations and good practices emerging from European Joint Actions, such as JACARDI and JA PreventNCD, demonstrating that progress is possible when commitments are matched by clear governance, adequate investment, and cross-sector collaboration. "Across Europe we already see solutions that work. Joint Actions like JA PreventNCD and JACARDI help countries align methods, share tools and learn faster from each other. That is how we improve comparability between countries and make monitoring more useful for prevention and health promotion, including by showing more clearly where inequalities persist," says Professor Knut-Inge Klepp, from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo and Scientific Coordinator of JA PreventNCD. "But we have to treat monitoring as core infrastructure, not an extra task. It needs stable funding, clear governance and the ability to produce data that is timely and inclusive. If monitoring depends on short-term projects or individual champions, it will remain uneven. If it is institutionalized, it can guide priorities, strengthen accountability and help sustain progress over time," adds Klepp. Europe has both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead the way in building stronger, more inclusive health information systems that can serve as a global benchmark. Doing so will be critical not only to reducing premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030, but also to ensuring health equity and resilience in the face of future challenges. "Because what gets measured gets prioritized. What gets disaggregated gets addressed. And what gets institutionalized can be sustained," conclude the authors. More information Benedetta Armocida et al, Strengthening non-communicable diseases monitoring systems in Europe through a multistakeholder collaborative approach: a key priority for advancing data-driven policymaking, The Lancet Regional HealthEurope (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101553 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: Chart indicating declining representation for Black and Hispanic groups in clinical trials. Credit: Zaaijer, S., Groen, S.C. Communications Medicine A new study finds just 6% of clinical trials used to approve new drugs in the U.S. reflect the country's racial and ethnic makeup, with an increasing trend of trials underrepresenting Black and Hispanic individuals. The research is published in the journal Communications Medicine. The findings arrive amidst a push for personalized medicine, which creates treatments designed specifically for an individual's genetic makeup. Representation trends Researchers at UC Riverside and UC Irvine examined data from 341 pivotal trialsthe large, final-stage studies used to gain FDA approval for new drugsbetween 2017 and 2023. They observed a decline in Black and Hispanic enrollment beginning in 2021, even as calls for greater equity in science and medicine intensified. Asian representation increased over this period, while white participation remained largely stable. "Precision medicine relies on understanding how genetic differences influence treatment outcomes," said Sophie Zaaijer, a geneticist with both UCR and UC Irvine, and co-lead author of the study. "If clinical trials under-sample large segments of human genetic variation, critical signals for safety and efficacy may be missed." Zaaijer and co-author Simon "Niels" Groen, a UCR geneticist, argue that while ancestry alone shouldn't guide clinical treatment decisions, it plays a critical role in the early stages of drug development. People from different backgrounds often carry different versions of genes, called alleles, that affect how the body responds to medications. "When a trial includes only a narrow slice of humanity, we can't be confident a drug will workor be safefor everyone it's meant to help," Groen said. Geographic concentration and global implications Clinical trials used to approve drugs in the United States are conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries that follow International Council for Harmonization, or ICH, standards. While this ensures consistency between trials and speeds up approvals, it also concentrates evidence in a few regions such as the U.S., Europe, China, and Japan. Sub-Saharan Africa and much of Latin America, which host less than 3% of pivotal trials, are often left out of the data that shapes medicines used by millions of Americans. This could be changing for Hispanics. Brazil joined ICH in 2016, followed by Mexico in 2021 and Argentina in 2024. Expanding trial networks to these and other underrepresented regions may help future studies better capture the genetic variation of patients worldwide. Origins of the research and genetic parallels Zaaijer began this line of research as a postdoctoral fellow at Cornell Tech, studying how little human genetic diversity is taken on board in preclinical drug development when patient-derived cells are used to model disease and test potential therapies. "I kept wondering," Zaaijer said, "If our preclinical models are this skewed, what happens once those drugs move into clinical trials?" Bias in preclinical models is an early warning sign, but bias in clinical trials becomes medical practice, she noted. Her collaboration with Groen's lab developed naturally. His lab at UCR studies how tiny worms metabolize plant toxins, and the parallels with human biology are striking. "Many of the same genes used to break down chemicals in worms are also involved in drug metabolism in humans," Groen said. "The genes worms use to detoxify chemicals are ancient," Groen continued. "We carry many of the same ones. But small natural variations in forms of these genes can have a big effect." Recommendations for improving trial diversity The study offers several recommendations: set diversity goals at the beginning of the drug development pipeline at the preclinical stage, choose testing locations that reflect the health needs and genetic backgrounds of local populations, and collect biological samples, such as blood or saliva, that can help researchers understand how people's bodies react to a drug. Even as DNA testing becomes more common in doctor's offices, the researchers stress that realizing the full promise of personalized medicine depends on stronger, more ancestry-aware data from the start. "Precision medicine becomes possible only when clinical trials map the biology of all patients, not just a subset," Groen said. "Our analysis could offer a roadmap for how to get there." Publication details Sophie Zaaijer et al, Longitudinal clinical trial enrollment trends across 341 US FDA-approved drugs and their guiding role in precision medicine strategies, Communications Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s43856-025-01270-2 Journal information: Communications Medicine Key medical concepts Precision Medicine A renewed government railway police campaign to trace long-missing persons has begun offering long-awaited closure to families who spent years in uncertainty. Under the guidance of the Commissioner of Government Railway Police, Rakesh Kalasagar, the initiative has traced 48 individuals in just two months. A campaign was launched under the CPs guidance, and we traced 48 individuals within two months. The search continues, said Pradnya Jhedge, GRP DCP (Central Line). The Dadar GRP team alone has traced over 13 missing persons this year, bringing answers to families who had been waiting since as far back as 2002. Phone call after 6 years Among the cases resolved was that of Prashant Chabuksawar, whose family had lived in suspended hope and despair since he vanished in 2019. For years, his relatives endured a relentless cycle of searching and waiting. The void left by his absence haunted every family moment. Fifteen days ago, the family received a call that shattered their fragile hope. The railway police found a body in a deserted area in Neral, and they believed it might be Prashant. The news was a gut-wrenching blow, yet it was also a chance for closure. With heavy hearts, they made their way to the mortuary, clinging to the slim possibility that it might not be him. But as they stood before the lifeless form, the truth was undeniable. The yellow T-shirt he wore was unmistakable; a haunting reminder of the day he disappeared. It was the same shirt captured in countless family photographs, a symbol of happier times. The confirmation was a dagger to their hearts, yet it was also a release from the torment of uncertainty. The police explained that a technical error delayed the identification. The body remained unclaimed, lost in a bureaucratic oversight. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that Prashant was so close, yet so far from being found. As per the polices record, Chabuksawars body was found in a deserted area in Neral. He was identified because of the shirt he wore. My brother wore a yellow T-shirt when he went missing. I identified him based on the T-shirt he wore, and we matched the T-shirt with the photographs in the albums. We are happy that we have got closure and do not wish to know the cause of the death, he added. According to the Dadar GRPs Anil Kadam, there was a technical error on the part of the Neral police. The body remained unidentified by the Neral police; they informed 32 villages and did not inform the Karjat police station, which is a few kilometres away. He was found in Karjat; they filed a closure report in this matter. His friends and relatives stated that he was a drunkard, and the PM stated that it was a natural death due to illness in 2019, he said. Body that matched the familys discription In yet another case, a 35-year-old truck driver went missing in 2019, following which a complaint was filed in Dadar GRP. His family member, who is the complainant in the case, stated that he left the victim at Dadar railway station. The 35-year-old Kiran Londe boarded a train from Dadar to Karjat, and since then, he was missing, PSI Ashok More, the investigating officer from the Dadar government railway station, told Mumbai Mirror. In the same year, the police did not find any headway; however, recently, the police reinvestigated the case. We started reinvestigating the case, and through technical investigation, we found a body that matched the familys description. We then contacted the family to confirm, the officer added. The police traced another case of a 60-year-old man who went missing in 2002. Ramakant Pathak, a 60-year-old, boarded a train to go to his hometown in Latur, and he returned home. His family completed all the rituals as they assumed he might be dead. We traced his dead body last month, the senior PI added. My relative boarded a train from Dadar to come to Latur; he did not reach the house. I filed a missing person report in Dadar GRP and did not get any headway. Last month, we received a call that his body was found in Latur. We have mixed emotions as the rituals are concluded, Ajay Pathak, Ramakant Pathaks relative, said. According to the police, they traced the whereabouts of the victim after a technical investigation. We had no photos of the victim; we called the complainant, and he said that he had no clue of the victims whereabouts. He gave us Ajay Pathaks contact number, and we then contacted the local police. Ramakant Pathak died due to natural causes in 2022, PSI Ashok More added. Menatally challenged women in shelter house The GRP also traced another 35-year-old woman who went missing in 2024. The complainant stated that a mother and her son boarded a train in Pune, and his son deboarded in Dadar. The mother, a mentally challenged individual, did not come to Dadar, and a missing complaints report was filed, PSI Ashok More said. There was no headway in the case until the month of August. She was missing, and there was no headway in the case. However, we went back to the complainant, and he said that she is mentally challenged and a resident of Pune. We called up all the women-children shelter houses and found out the woman was in one such shelter house. The shelter house also identified the woman and the son, PSI More added. According to the police, they are using all the technical tools to track the missing persons. We are relying on technical investigation to trace the missing persons if we have a photograph. If a photograph is not available, we are approaching the complainants and are trying to find any leads, a GRP officer told Mumbai Mirror. Badrinarayans journey has never followed a straight institutional line. Long before he became vice-chancellor of TISS, he was a poet who chose to shed his surname, a scholar who mined folklore and the field to foreground Dalit lives, and a public intellectual who questioned how power works in society. Six months since he stepped into one of Indias most politically alert campuses amid debates on dissent, ideology and authority, Badrinarayan insists that what may look like change is, for him, continuity. In an interview with Dipti Singh, he reflects on why he still wants to be known simply as Badrinarayan, how poetry shaped his politics, why engagement with the state is not surrender, and where he draws the line between democratic expression and academic purpose at TISS. Your early work, both academic and poetic, engaged deeply with Dalit assertion, marginalisation and resistance, and for many years you consciously chose not to use your surname. What does reclaiming your first name today signify? I began writing poetry in high school, and quite simply, Badrinarayan Tiwari felt too long to carry into poetry. That is when I started using only my first name, Badrinarayan, and dropped the surname. Over time, that became my public identitynot just in poetry, but even in my academic writing. Officially, my academic records always carried my full name, but in intellectual and creative spaces, I remained Badrinarayan. When I came here, the administration naturally used my official name. But now, I feel the need to tell them that I want to remain Badrinarayan, as I always have. I connect more deeply with that identity. It has nothing to do with rejecting or reclaiming a caste nameit is about a personal, intellectual journey and the story behind why I chose my first name in the first place. I come from a small town in Uttar Pradesh and went to Allahabad (now Prayagraj) to study. I have never had any Delhi connections, nor have I ever used them. People often assume I studied at JNU, but that is not true. I went there only as a professor, and that too for two years. From Allahabad, I went to Cambridge as a fellow, taught there for a year, and later lived and worked in the Netherlands. Later, I joined the Govind Ballabh Pant university as director and served there for seven years. After that journey, I came to TISS. So when I say I want to remain Badrinarayan, it is not a symbolic gesture it is continuity. It reflects who I was, who I became, and how I understand identity, power and belonging through a lifetime of poetry, scholarship and engagement with the margins. You have been described as a scholar who moved fluidly between poetry, history and political theory to foreground subaltern voices. As you step into institutional leadership, do you feel a tension between the intellectual who questioned power and the administrator who now exercises it? I believe power is everywhere, but the Indian understanding of power is very different from the way power is imagined in the West. For instance, I am the vice-chancellor here, but I relate very ordinarily with my colleagues and those who work with me. I meet everyone regularly and speak to them the way they speak to one another. I do not like, and I do not want, to project myself as a figure sitting at the top in a panoptic sense of power, which is more common in Western institutional thinking. In the Western imagination, power often functions like a church or a prisonthere is a head who keeps a constant vigil over everyone, sitting above the system and watching those below. That is a model of power based on surveillance and control. The Indian way of looking at power, at least the way I understand it, is different. Here, power is more closely linked to emotion, connectivity and understanding. In this approach, the first step is to understand what the problem is. Then responsibility is identified. The person who has erred is made to understand where the mistake lies. Only after this process, and only if it becomes necessary, is action taken. In the Indian way, there is a constant dialogue and adjustment between the dominant and the one who is being dominated. There is a perceptionamong some scholars and studentsthat your ideological position has shifted over time, from a more Left-leaning, Dalit-centric critique to a stance seen as closer to the state. How do you see this? I see this primarily as intellectual evolution. Ideology is not something static. It is subjective, it is shaped by engagement, and it evolves through continuous learning. As a political scientist, a social scientist, a social analyst and a social historian, one has to constantly work with evidence and with society as it exists. You cannot explain social change without grounding yourself in reality. For me, the shift that people perceive has emerged from this process of intellectual evolution. If you stop feeding your intellectbuddhimattvait stagnates. That stagnation often happens when scholars stop connecting themselves with the field. The field is a very big teacher. In fact, it is the greatest teacher. Learning from the field is an evolving process, and it continuously reshapes your understanding of society, power and institutions. If one remains confined to theory alone, without returning to ground realities, ideology can become rigid and disconnected. My engagement has always been with evidence-based society. My aspiration has not changedit has always been about how marginalised communities can access benefits, opportunities and avenues within the state structure. If engaging with the state helps achieve that, then that engagement becomes necessary. So what is seen as a shift is not a move away from my concerns, but an outcome of learning from the field and responding to social realities as they evolve. TISS has long been known as a space of critical thinking and student dissent. Over the last few years, students allege that this space has been shrinkingthrough tighter controls on protests, events and public criticism. Where is the line between campus discipline and the curbing of democratic expression? There is a line, and it is important to recognise it clearly. If students are constantly engaging with the authorities, and if the authorities are accessible and actively trying to resolve problems, then that relationship itself becomes meaningful. Engagement with authority is crucial. A university campus is fundamentally a space for academic knowledge production. It is meant for education, pedagogy and critical thinking. Democracy is important, and critical thinking is absolutely essentialbut critical thinking must be directed towards what? Towards knowledge production, learning, research and intellectual growth. A campus is not meant to function as a site of political activism in the way political organisations operate outside. When activism overtakes academic purpose, when there is careless planning and no clarity about outcomes, it begins to disrupt the academic environment. That is where discipline becomes necessary. Rules like not gathering in very large numbers, or regulating protests on campus, are not automatically about suppressing voices. These measures exist to ensure that academic functioning is not derailed. Protest has increasingly taken the form of public criticism, and that raises questions about intent and impact. The distinction lies here: democratic expression is valid, dissent is valid, and critical thinking is validbut they must serve the academic mission of the institution. If dissent strengthens pedagogy, learning and research, it belongs on campus. If it begins to displace the academic purpose of the university, then boundaries must be drawn. That is where I see the line between maintaining campus discipline and curbing democratic expression. Linked to this are allegations that the campus is being saffronised and that voices critical of the government face greater scrutiny. Can you state that ideological neutrality is being upheld at TISS? If people say that TISS is being saffronised, I would categorically say that this is not true. It is a false allegation. What we are seeing is largely a difference of opinion, or different ways of interpreting the same developments. We also need to ask: what is the government? The government is the public. What the government does is ultimately meant to support the public. Since 2014, the relationship between the public and the government has evolved organically. Many new schemes and policies have emerged in this period. As a social science institution like TISS, our role is to intellectually align with the states developmental mission and provide research-based support. When we do this today, it is labelled as saffronisation. But TISS did exactly the same thing during the Congress regime. The institution was deeply involved in policy work then as well, yet it was never described as saffronisation at that time. Now, when similar engagement happens, it is interpreted differently. That tells you more about how some people choose to read or even twist developments, rather than about any real ideological shift within the institution. Secondly, when social realities and frameworks change, institutions also need to change and evolve with time. We must be open to new ideas, upgrade ourselves and respond to transformations in society. If this process of understanding and aligning with social change is called saffronisation, then that interpretation itself is wrong. As students and faculty of a social science institution, it is important to understand these changes in society. Tomorrow, if we study or even acknowledge the seva karya of the RSS, would that automatically be wrong? They undertake extensive social work across the country, round the clock. Ignoring that reality would also be an injustice. As a social science institute, our responsibility is to study, engage with and provide intellectual support across all streams. There is no saffronisation of the TISS campus. These allegations are political interpretations and need serious rethinking. Ideological neutrality, in my view, lies in being open to studying all social forces with the same academic rigour, rather than excluding some because of political discomfort. As someone who has written movingly about silencing and resistance, how do you respond to students who say the campus climate has shifted from debate to fear? Do you believe TISS today offers a genuinely safe space for dissent? I would first ask: why is dissent required, and in what context? Dissent becomes necessary when voices are unheard, when concerns, opinions and issues are neglected, or when people are denied space in society. At TISS, I am personally open to dialogue. Soon after I took charge as vice-chancellor, we met PhD scholars on campus and had a healthy discussion. They told us they needed training in research methodology, which had not been happening. Within 10 days, we organised a five-day workshop. The response was very positive. We are keen to create more such academic spaces, workshops, seminars and discussions and we are ready to support them with resources and funding. When this is happening proactively, I find it difficult to accept the claim that the campus climate has shifted from debate to fear. What has changed is that we are no longer allowing political speeches and sloganeering inside the campus. Speaking for or against political parties within the campus is not acceptable. We do not want TISS to become a site for political gimmicks or influence. At the same time, the administration is highly sensitive to students basic needs. For instance, after a social media message about an insect found in the dining hall, the issue was taken seriously. The canteen was cleaned, a roti-making machine was ordered, and systems were improved over the next one to one-and-a-half months to prevent recurrence. Dissent is not a trend or a hobby. Students are free to engage in political activism outside the campus. Inside, the focus must remain on academic engagement, debate, learning and research. Why is the Indus Valley Civilisation not highlighted more prominently in global history? Despite Ancient Indias deep connections with the wider world and its significant contributions to global knowledge, why has it been largely overlooked? Why do Western narratives of the ancient world remain centred primarily on the Mediterranean? Back in March 2020, these questions prompted Dr Sabyasachi Mukherjee, director general of CSMVS, to embark on a project that would explore Indias place within a broader global context. That enquiry has now culminated in a mammoth undertaking titled, Networks of the Past: A Study Gallery of India and the Ancient World, an exhibition that presents key moments that have significantly shaped human society through 300 objects. The narrative is bookended by two historical milestones the Harappan (SindhuSarasvati) Civilisation, which developed approximately 5,000 years ago, and the Gupta Empire in the sixth century CE. A 4,000-year puzzle One of the central ambitions of the exhibition was to place India at the heart of the narrative. This was made possible through ongoing conversations between CSMVS curators, scholars from the regions represented in the gallery, and international partner museums, including the British Museum in London, the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, the J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, Museum Rietberg in Zurich, the Al-Sabah Collection in Kuwait, the Benaki Museum in Athens, and the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens, Ministry of Culture, Greece. Together, they encapsulate a journey spanning 4,000 years of human history, exploring Ancient Indias multifaceted contributions to the evolving global tapestry from the advanced technologies of the Harappan Civilisation to the profound wisdom of ancient scriptures, and later, its interactions with Rome, as well as philosophical exchanges with Greece and China. Renowned art historian and collaborator Neil MacGregor, former director of the British Museum, says the new exhibition offers viewers the opportunity to learn how ancient civilisations have, for millennia, been interconnected through trade and shared ideas. These galleries remind us that then, as now, we are all part of a much bigger, shared story, he says. MacGregor, who has previously collaborated with CSMVS for its 2017 show India and the World, says his continued association with the CSMVS stems from a similar train of thought: The British Museum and the CSMVS share the same conviction that the museum belongs to the public to every citizen and that its main purpose is to help the citizen make sense of the world. That bond has been the basis of everything that we have done together. Mapping exchanges At the show, the enduring legacy of the Indus tradition comes alive through archaeological objects from Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, and a model of the ancient city of Dholavira. The Harappans were skilled in agriculture, crafts, metallurgy, and trade. Their major urban centres, which evolved from humble village settlements, namely Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Rakhigarhi, Kalibangan, Lothal, and Dholavira, exhibit sophisticated town planning, advanced sanitation systems, a high level of standardisation in weights and measures, and remarkable water channelling systems many aspects of which continue to shape South Asian life today, says Nilanjana Som, curator of the arts collection, CSMVS. The exhibition, says Som, will also showcase objects from Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Persia, Greece and Rome, tracing their journeys from agrarian societies to cities and empires. The gallery concludes with the two most famous cosmopolitan centres of learning and knowledge in the ancient world: Nalanda in India and Alexandria in Roman Egypt. Alexandria, a great maritime trading city with its library and the Mouseion, a place for teaching, debate, and scientific study, became the repository of texts and manuscripts from around the western world. Nalanda, an early monastic university in the East, became a learning centre for monks and teachers who travelled here from Indonesia, Korea, China and even Japan. Both centres played a significant role in spreading knowledge, she shares. The objects also highlight the reach and influence of India in antiquity. It reminds us that being global is not a modern condition, says Som, Indian goods, technologies and cultural ideas travelled astonishing distances, and India, in turn, absorbed influences from far-off regions. Networks of the Past: A Study Gallery of India and the Ancient World will open to the public on December 13 Cultural & Historical Significance Aldora has significant roots in Christian tradition, deriving from elements meaning 'noble' and often associated with divine gifts. The name carries connotations of spiritual nobility and grace, reflecting Christian values of humility combined with inherent dignity. Throughout Christian history, names with 'noble' meanings have been favored for their representation of moral character and spiritual standing before God. In many Christian communities, Aldora symbolizes the biblical principle that true nobility comes from one's relationship with God rather than earthly status. The name has been particularly embraced in Catholic and Anglican traditions, where it evokes images of virtuous women who embody Christian ideals of charity, faith, and moral excellence. Its usage across generations reflects the enduring Christian appreciation for names that express spiritual aspirations and divine blessings. Women named Alene are often perceived as possessing a natural grace and refined presence that aligns with the name's meaning of 'fair' and 'good-looking.' They typically exhibit strong aesthetic sensibilities and an appreciation for beauty in various forms, from art and nature to interpersonal relationships. This outward elegance is frequently complemented by inner strength and resilience, creating a balanced personality that can navigate challenges with poise and determination. Socially, Alenes are often described as warm, approachable individuals who value deep, meaningful connections with others. They tend to be excellent listeners and empathetic friends, capable of providing thoughtful advice and support. Their intelligence and curiosity often drive them toward continuous learning and personal growth, while their inherent fairness makes them advocates for justice and equality in their communities. Many Alenes display creative talents and intuitive understanding of people and situations. Cultural & Historical Significance Amadi holds profound cultural significance as one of the names of Prophet Muhammad, representing the Islamic tradition of naming children after the Prophet's attributes. Derived from the Arabic root 'hamd' meaning praise, the name connects bearers to the spiritual legacy of Islam's final messenger and embodies values of gratitude, humility, and devotion. In West African Muslim communities, particularly among Hausa and Yoruba peoples, Amadi has been used for centuries, often given to boys born during significant religious occasions or as a prayer that the child will embody praiseworthy qualities. The name serves as a cultural bridge, maintaining Arabic Islamic heritage while adapting to local linguistic patterns, demonstrating how Islamic naming traditions have been preserved and localized across different Muslim societies throughout history. The name's enduring popularity reflects the deep reverence Muslims have for Prophet Muhammad's character and the desire to instill his exemplary qualities in new generations. As Islamic civilization spread, names like Amadi traveled across continents, becoming embedded in diverse cultural contexts while retaining their core religious meaning. This cultural diffusion illustrates how Islamic identity has been expressed through naming practices that simultaneously honor religious tradition and accommodate local customs. The continued use of Amadi in modern times demonstrates the resilience of Islamic cultural heritage and the ongoing importance of connecting personal identity with prophetic example in Muslim communities worldwide. Individuals bearing the name Asliraf are commonly associated with a dignified and principled character that commands respect naturally. They typically exhibit strong leadership qualities combined with a deep sense of responsibility toward family and community. Their honorable nature manifests in reliability, trustworthiness, and a consistent adherence to their moral code even in challenging circumstances. Asliraf's are often perceived as thoughtful decision-makers who weigh consequences carefully and prioritize long-term values over short-term gains. They tend to possess quiet confidence rather than boastful pride, and their strength lies in their consistency and integrity. While they can be traditional in their outlook, they typically combine this with practical wisdom and adaptability. Their sense of honor makes them excellent mediators and trusted advisors, as they approach conflicts with fairness and seek solutions that preserve dignity for all parties. The combination of strength and compassion in their character often makes them natural leaders who inspire loyalty and respect through example rather than authority alone. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Baladie carries profound cultural significance within Muslim societies, particularly in urban contexts where it represents the harmonious blend of traditional values with contemporary city life. Originating from Arabic roots meaning 'native' or 'of the city,' it embodies the Islamic principle that blessings (barakah) are found in one's immediate community and environment. Historically, the name has been associated with women who serve as cultural custodians, preserving local traditions while adapting to urban evolution. In many Muslim communities, naming a daughter Baladie expresses the family's pride in their urban heritage and their hope that she will become a blessing to her local community. The name reflects the Islamic concept of being grateful for one's origins while contributing positively to one's surroundings, making it particularly meaningful in rapidly modernizing Muslim societies where maintaining cultural identity remains crucial. Throughout Islamic history, urban centers have been hubs of learning, commerce, and spiritual development, and names like Baladie honor this urban tradition. The name signifies not just geographical belonging but also spiritual rootedness in one's community. It represents the idea that true fulfillment comes from nurturing one's immediate environment rather than seeking distant horizons. In contemporary Muslim culture, the name continues to symbolize the importance of local community bonds, urban resilience, and the belief that every neighborhood contains unique blessings waiting to be discovered and shared. This cultural significance makes Baladie a name that bridges generations, connecting traditional values with modern urban experiences. Individuals named Bort are typically perceived as resilient and dependable, with a strong sense of personal integrity. They often exhibit a protective nature toward those they care about, embodying the 'fortified' quality suggested by the name's meaning. These individuals tend to be practical problem-solvers who approach challenges with determination and methodical thinking. Their strength often manifests as emotional stability and the ability to remain calm under pressure, making them natural leaders in difficult situations. While they may appear reserved initially, those named Bort usually develop deep, lasting relationships built on trust and mutual respect. They value security and consistency, often creating stable environments both personally and professionally. Their fortitude is not aggressive but rather a quiet, enduring strength that others naturally gravitate toward in times of need. This combination of reliability and inner strength makes them valued members of any community or organization, though they may sometimes be perceived as stubborn due to their strong convictions. Women named Brandyce are often perceived as warm, sophisticated, and socially adept individuals. They typically possess a natural charm that makes them excellent communicators and relationship-builders. Their personality often reflects the qualities associated with their namesake beverage - they can be both comforting in difficult times and celebratory in joyful moments. Brandyce individuals tend to have a refined taste and appreciation for quality in various aspects of life, from personal relationships to professional pursuits. These individuals often demonstrate strong leadership qualities combined with emotional intelligence, allowing them to navigate complex social situations with grace. They are typically adaptable and resilient, able to mature and improve with time and experience much like the aging process of fine brandy. Their warmth and approachability make them natural hosts and community builders, while their underlying strength and complexity reveal themselves gradually to those who take the time to know them deeply. Brandyce personalities often balance traditional values with contemporary thinking, making them effective bridges between different generations and perspectives. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Carmontieh carries profound cultural significance across multiple civilizations, primarily rooted in its meaning 'from the gift of God.' In early Christian communities, it represented the concept of divine grace and was often bestowed upon children seen as blessings or miracles. During the medieval period, the name gained prominence among theological scholars and monastic leaders who viewed their intellectual and spiritual pursuits as gifts from the divine. The name's cross-cultural adaptability allowed it to appear in various forms across Christian, Islamic, and Jewish scholarly traditions, often associated with individuals believed to possess special insight or spiritual gifts. In Renaissance Europe, Carmontieh became associated with patronage of the arts, particularly religious art and architecture, reflecting the belief that artistic talent itself was a divine gift. The name's persistence through centuries demonstrates how cultures have consistently valued the concept of divine benevolence in human form. Across different historical periods, individuals bearing this name were often expected to live up to its meaning, becoming benefactors, spiritual leaders, or intellectual pioneers who contributed significantly to their communities and fields of endeavor. Individuals named Chiron are often perceived as natural mentors and healers, embodying wisdom, patience, and a deep understanding of human nature. They typically exhibit a calm, thoughtful demeanor and possess strong analytical abilities, making them excellent problem-solvers and advisors. Like their mythological namesake, they often feel a calling to guide others, whether in professional settings as teachers, therapists, or leaders, or in personal relationships as trusted confidants. There's a natural authority to their presence that comes from competence rather than arrogance. The Chiron personality combines intellectual depth with practical skillsthey are both thinkers and doers who can translate abstract concepts into actionable guidance. They often possess what might be called 'earned wisdom,' having overcome significant personal challenges that give their advice particular weight and authenticity. Their guidance tends to be transformative rather than merely instructive, helping others discover their own strengths and paths. While they may carry a certain gravitas, they're typically approachable and empathetic, understanding that true mentorship requires both knowledge and compassion. Their strength lies in their ability to integrate different aspects of experience and help others find balance and meaning in their own lives. Individuals named Ciardubhan are often perceived as having a strong connection to tradition and heritage, carrying themselves with a quiet dignity that reflects their name's ancient roots. They tend to be introspective and thoughtful, with a deep appreciation for history and cultural preservation. Their 'dark' designation in the name's meaning often manifests not as negativity, but as depth of character and emotional complexity. These individuals typically possess strong loyalty to family and community, mirroring the clan-oriented society from which the name originates. They are often natural leaders who lead by example rather than force, showing resilience in adversity and a protective nature toward those they care about. The 'little' aspect of the name's meaning frequently translates into humility and approachability, despite any positions of authority they may hold. In social settings, Ciardubhans are often described as having an old soul quality, with wisdom beyond their years and a calm, steady presence that others find comforting. They tend to be observant and perceptive, noticing details that others miss, and they often serve as the moral compass in their social circles. Their combination of depth and humility makes them both respected and beloved by those who know them well. Individuals named Citlalic are often perceived as strong-willed, ambitious, and naturally charismatic. They tend to exhibit leadership qualities from a young age, with a determined spirit that helps them overcome obstacles. Their 'rising star' symbolism suggests they have a natural ability to shine in challenging situations and inspire others with their vision and courage. These individuals typically possess a blend of traditional wisdom and modern thinking, often serving as bridges between different cultural perspectives. They're known for their loyalty to family and community, while also maintaining a strong sense of independence. The warrior aspect of the name suggests resilience, strategic thinking, and the ability to fight for what they believe in, whether in personal relationships or professional pursuits. People with this name often display a unique combination of grace under pressure and fierce determination, making them natural leaders who can navigate both traditional and contemporary social landscapes with equal effectiveness. Individuals named Danh are typically perceived as ambitious, dignified, and driven by a strong desire for achievement and recognition. They often possess natural leadership qualities and excel in environments where their accomplishments can be acknowledged and celebrated. Their personality is characterized by a blend of traditional values and modern ambition, making them respected figures in both professional and social circles. Danh's tend to be highly conscious of their reputation and social standing, which motivates them to maintain high ethical standards and professional excellence. They are often strategic thinkers who carefully consider how their actions will be perceived by others. While this can make them appear somewhat reserved or formal initially, those who know them well appreciate their loyalty, reliability, and commitment to their principles. Their pursuit of prestige is typically balanced with a genuine desire to contribute meaningfully to their communities and fields of endeavor. Cultural & Historical Significance Daphnah holds significant cultural importance as a Hebrew name that bridges ancient mythological traditions with modern Israeli identity. The name's origins trace back to Greek mythology through the figure of Daphne, who was transformed into a laurel tree, but in Hebrew context, it has been adapted to carry specifically Jewish cultural values. The laurel tree (daphne in Greek) symbolizes victory and honor, making Daphnah a name that conveys triumph and achievement. In Israeli culture, the name connects to the natural landscape and represents resilience and growth, much like the native vegetation that survives in challenging environments. The name also reflects the Zionist ideal of connecting to the land while maintaining cultural continuity with historical traditions. Throughout Jewish history, names derived from plants and natural elements have held special significance, representing both practical connections to agriculture and deeper spiritual meanings. Daphnah embodies this tradition while incorporating the victorious symbolism of the laurel wreath from classical antiquity. The name's usage in modern Israel represents a continuation of this cultural synthesis, where ancient symbols are repurposed to express contemporary values of strength, natural beauty, and cultural pride. It stands as an example of how Hebrew names often layer multiple cultural references while maintaining distinct Jewish identity. Individuals named Derrica are often perceived as natural leaders with a strong sense of purpose and determination. They typically exhibit a blend of traditional values and modern thinking, making them effective in both conventional and contemporary settings. Derricas are known for their gift of communication and ability to inspire others, living up to the 'gifted' aspect of their name's meaning. They tend to be organized, responsible, and possess a natural authority that others respect without being overly domineering. Their leadership style is often characterized by empathy and understanding, making them particularly effective in community-oriented or educational roles. Many Derricas demonstrate a balance between strength and compassion, allowing them to navigate complex social situations with grace and wisdom. The combination of these traits often leads them to positions where they can make meaningful contributions to their communities and professions. Discover the origin, meaning, and cultural significance of the name DIONNA. Delve into its historical roots and explore the lasting impact it has had on communities and traditions. Dionna means 'from the sacred spring' and is connected to the mythological figure Dione, who was the mother of Aphrodite. In Christian context, the name carries connotations of spiritual purity and divine grace. Cultural & Historical Significance Dionna's cultural significance spans multiple traditions, beginning with its Greek mythological origins where Dione was worshipped as a mother goddess and oracle figure. As the name transitioned into Christian usage, it maintained its connection to divine femininity while adapting to Christian naming conventions. The name represents a fascinating synthesis of classical mythology and religious tradition, embodying qualities of wisdom, nurturing, and spiritual insight that resonate across different cultural contexts. In modern times, Dionna continues to be chosen by parents who appreciate its historical depth and elegant sound while seeking a name that honors both classical and Christian heritage. People named Europa typically exhibit a fascinating blend of curiosity, resilience, and transformative energy. Inspired by their mythological namesake's journey from Phoenician princess to Cretan queen, they often demonstrate remarkable adaptability when faced with life's unexpected turns. Their innate curiositymirroring Europa's fateful decision to approach the mysterious bullmakes them open to new experiences and willing to venture into unknown territories, whether literal or metaphorical. This adventurous spirit is balanced by a strong capacity for leadership and foundation-building, reflecting how the mythological Europa established a royal lineage in her new home. Europa-named individuals often possess a cosmopolitan outlook and cultural flexibility, comfortable moving between different social or cultural contexts. They tend to be visionaries who can see potential where others see only disruption, turning challenging circumstances into opportunities for growth and creation. Their personality combines grace under pressure with a determined spiritthey may experience dramatic life changes but emerge stronger, using their experiences to build something meaningful. The duality of vulnerability and power in their namesake's story gives them emotional depth and the ability to connect with others across different life experiences, making them both compelling leaders and empathetic companions. Individuals named Farlane are often perceived as grounded, practical, and deeply connected to their roots. The agricultural connotations of the name suggest personality traits such as patience, perseverance, and a methodical approach to life's challengesqualities essential for successful farming. These individuals tend to be reliable and steady, with a strong work ethic and appreciation for tradition, often displaying loyalty to family and community that mirrors the intergenerational continuity of farming life. Beyond their practical nature, Farlanes typically possess a quiet strength and resilience, able to weather difficulties with the same determination that farmers show through changing seasons. They often have a nurturing quality, whether toward people, projects, or ideas, and tend to be excellent long-term planners. While sometimes reserved initially, they form deep, lasting relationships and are known for their integrity and dependability. Their connection to the land's symbolism often translates into environmental awareness or appreciation for nature's rhythms in their personal and professional lives. Individuals named Ferrex are typically associated with strong leadership qualities and determined character, reflecting the name's meaning of 'iron ruler'. They often exhibit natural authority and strategic thinking, capable of making difficult decisions when necessary. However, the legendary Ferrex's story also suggests potential for conflict when their ambitions are challenged, particularly in competitive situations or when facing perceived injustice. Despite their strong-willed nature, those bearing this name often possess deep loyalty to their principles and causes they believe in. The historical narrative shows Ferrex as someone who would go to great lengths to defend what he considered his rightful position, demonstrating both persistence and courage. Modern interpretations might see Ferrex as representing someone with firm convictions who isn't afraid to stand up for themselves, though they may need to balance this determination with diplomacy to avoid the tragic outcomes of the original legend. Cultural & Historical Significance Flyta emerged as a modern Christian name in the late 20th century, drawing inspiration from the concept of spiritual flow and divine grace. The name reflects contemporary Christian values of movement, progress, and the flowing nature of faith. In Christian communities, it's often associated with Psalm 42:7 - 'Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me,' symbolizing the continuous flow of God's love and mercy. The name gained popularity among Christian families seeking unique names that embody both spiritual depth and modern sensibility. It represents a departure from traditional biblical names while maintaining strong Christian symbolism. Flyta has become particularly popular in charismatic Christian circles where the concept of 'flowing in the Spirit' is emphasized, making it a name that bridges traditional faith with contemporary expression. The name also connects to baptismal symbolism and the living waters of faith, representing spiritual renewal and continuous growth in one's relationship with God. Women named Gerwalta typically exhibit strong leadership qualities combined with practical wisdom. They are known for their determination and ability to protect those in their care, often taking on roles as defenders and advocates. Their 'spear-like' nature manifests as directness in communication and the ability to cut through complexity to reach core truths. They possess a natural authority that commands respect without being authoritarian, and they often become the moral compass in their social circles. Gerwaltas are often strategic thinkers who excel in crisis situations, displaying remarkable calm under pressure. They value loyalty and tradition while being progressive in their approach to problem-solving. Their protective nature extends beyond physical safety to emotional and intellectual protection of loved ones. While they can be perceived as formidable, those who know them well appreciate their deep compassion and unwavering commitment to justice. They often become pillars of their communities, serving as mentors and guardians of cultural heritage, balancing strength with nurturing qualities in a way that makes them both respected and beloved. Women named Gezane are typically perceived as possessing a unique blend of creative intuition and practical wisdom. They often exhibit strong independent thinking combined with deep emotional intelligence, allowing them to navigate complex social situations with grace and insight. Their creative nature manifests not just in artistic pursuits but in innovative problem-solving and original approaches to life's challenges. This combination makes them natural leaders in fields requiring both imagination and pragmatism. Gezanes are known for their resilience and adaptability, qualities that serve them well in both personal and professional spheres. They tend to be deeply intuitive, often understanding situations and people on levels that others might miss. While they value their independence, they also form strong, meaningful relationships built on mutual respect and intellectual connection. Their unique perspective on the world often makes them catalysts for change in their communities, bringing fresh ideas and approaches to traditional contexts while maintaining respect for cultural heritage. Women named Gloriane are often perceived as possessing a natural grace and dignity that commands respect. They tend to be charismatic individuals with a strong sense of purpose and moral conviction, often serving as pillars in their communities or families. Their name suggests someone who carries themselves with elegance and confidence, yet maintains humilitya combination that makes them both admired and approachable. Gloriane's typically exhibit strong leadership qualities tempered with compassion, making them effective in roles that require both authority and empathy. These individuals are often drawn to creative or spiritual pursuits, finding fulfillment in activities that allow them to express beauty, truth, and meaning. While they may appear reserved at first, those who know them well appreciate their deep loyalty, wisdom, and the quiet strength they bring to relationships and challenges. Their personality often reflects the name's meaningshining with inner light while remaining grounded in genuine care for others. Gloriane's are frequently described as having a calming presence and the ability to inspire those around them toward higher ideals and better versions of themselves, making them natural mentors and guides in both personal and professional contexts. Cultural & Historical Significance Ither represents a pivotal figure in the Arthurian tradition, serving as the crucial turning point in Sir Percival's development as a knight. His role as the Red Knight who falls to Percival's spear establishes the pattern of the hero's journey where an established warrior must be overcome for the protagonist to claim his destiny. As King Uther Pendragon's nephew, Ither connects to the royal bloodline of Camelot while simultaneously representing the old guard that must yield to the new generation of Grail knights. His distinctive red armor becomes both a prize and a symbol of the violent transition into knighthood, highlighting the medieval concept that honor often comes through combat and sacrifice. The cultural significance of Ither extends beyond his individual character to represent the necessary sacrifices in heroic narratives. His death is not portrayed as villainous but as a tragic necessity in Percival's spiritual and martial education. This reflects the medieval understanding of chivalry as a path requiring both violence and redemption. In German Arthurian tradition particularly, Ither's role is more developed than in other versions, showing the cultural variations in how the Arthurian myths were adapted across Europe. His character continues to influence modern interpretations of the Percival story, maintaining his position as the gatekeeper figure whose defeat marks the hero's irreversible commitment to the knightly path. Individuals named Jerrico are often perceived as possessing a unique blend of visionary thinking and practical wisdom. They tend to be introspective and thoughtful, with a natural inclination toward spiritual or philosophical pursuits. The 'moon' aspect of their name's meaning suggests emotional depth, intuition, and a reflective nature, while the 'city' component indicates organizational skills, community orientation, and practical problem-solving abilities. This combination often results in people who can dream big while remaining grounded in reality. Jerricos typically exhibit strong leadership qualities tempered with empathy and understanding. They are often seen as bridges between different groups or ideas, capable of understanding multiple perspectives and finding common ground. Their personality tends to balance creativity with responsibility, making them effective in roles that require both innovation and reliability. Many Jerricos develop a reputation for being trustworthy advisors and loyal friends, with a calm demeanor that others find reassuring. They often possess a quiet confidence that comes from their balanced approach to life's challenges. Cultural & Historical Significance Joceline originated as a medieval masculine name derived from the Germanic name Gauzlin, meaning 'member of the Gauts tribe.' It gained prominence during the Norman Conquest when it was brought to England by Norman nobility. The name appears in historical records of several important medieval figures, including Joceline de Bohun, Bishop of Salisbury in the 12th century, and Joceline of Louvain, brother-in-law to King Henry II. During the Middle Ages, the name was exclusively masculine and carried significant aristocratic and ecclesiastical prestige. The transition to feminine usage began in the 19th century as part of the Victorian revival of medieval names, though it remained relatively uncommon until the mid-20th century when it gained popularity as a feminine name while retaining its historical and Christian connections. This gender transition reflects broader cultural shifts in naming practices and represents the adaptation of traditional names to modern sensibilities. The name's Christian significance is reinforced by its association with medieval clergy and its presence in religious historical records, making it a name that carries both historical weight and spiritual resonance. Individuals named Jola are often perceived as spiritually grounded and compassionate, with a natural inclination toward caring for others. They typically exhibit strong intuition and emotional intelligence, making them excellent listeners and trusted confidants. Jolas tend to be creative and expressive, often finding fulfillment in artistic pursuits or helping professions. Their inherent faith and optimism help them navigate challenges with resilience and grace, while their gentle nature makes them approachable and beloved by those around them. While generally gentle-natured, Jolas possess inner strength and conviction that emerges when defending their values or protecting loved ones. They often serve as moral compasses in their social circles, offering wisdom and perspective drawn from their deep sense of purpose and connection to something greater than themselves. The combination of spiritual depth and practical compassion makes Jolas particularly effective in roles that require both empathy and strength. Their personality reflects the name's meaning, demonstrating how faith can manifest as both quiet devotion and active service in daily life. Men named Jozy are typically characterized by their warm, engaging personalities and strong relational skills. They often possess a natural ability to connect with others, combining genuine empathy with practical wisdom that makes them trusted advisors and loyal friends. Their approachable nature is balanced by a quiet strength and resilience, allowing them to navigate challenges while maintaining their core values. The 'precious' connotation of their name often manifests in how they value relationships and treat others with care and respect. They tend to be adaptable individuals who can thrive in various settings, from professional environments to community leadership roles. This combination of warmth, reliability, and flexibility makes them particularly effective in roles that require both emotional intelligence and practical problem-solving abilities. Their personality often reflects the Christian values of service, community, and faithful perseverance in everyday life. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Korudon carries deep cultural significance rooted in ancient Greek military tradition. Derived from 'korys' meaning helmet, it originally denoted warriors who wore distinctive helmets into battle, symbolizing both protection and status in Greek hoplite warfare. In classical Greek society, helmets were not merely protective gear but markers of social standing and military prowess, making the name particularly prestigious among warrior families. The name appears in various historical contexts, from Spartan military leaders to Athenian cavalry officers, always associated with defensive strength and strategic thinking. During the Hellenistic period, the name gained additional mythological connections, sometimes associated with minor deities of protection in local cults. The persistence of this name through Byzantine times reflects the enduring Greek cultural emphasis on military honor and protective symbolism, with several Byzantine generals bearing the name during periods of empire defense. In modern Greek culture, while less common, the name maintains its connection to historical continuity and cultural heritage, often chosen by families with military traditions or those valuing classical Greek history. People named Lincoln are commonly associated with a distinctive set of personality traits influenced by the name's historical and cultural connotations. They are often perceived as natural leaders who combine strategic thinking with strong moral principles. The Abraham Lincoln association particularly shapes expectations of honesty, resilience, and the ability to navigate complex challenges with wisdom and patience. Lincolns tend to be viewed as thoughtful individuals who prefer to analyze situations thoroughly before acting, yet they can demonstrate remarkable decisiveness when circumstances demand immediate action. They often exhibit a calm, steady demeanor that inspires confidence in others, making them effective in positions of responsibility. The name also suggests someone with a strong sense of justice and fairness, who values truth and transparency in relationships. While they may appear reserved initially, Lincolns typically possess deep emotional intelligence and the capacity for meaningful connections, balancing personal integrity with genuine concern for others' wellbeing. Individuals named Lojza are typically perceived as possessing strong, grounded personalities with deep loyalty to family and community. They often exhibit practical wisdom, resilience in facing challenges, and a straightforward approach to problem-solving that reflects their working-class origins. The warrior connotation of the name manifests not in aggression but in steadfastness and moral courage. Lojzas are often seen as reliable pillars of their communities, people who can be counted on in difficult times and who approach life with a blend of traditional values and pragmatic realism. Their strength lies in consistency and depth of character rather than flashy displays, making them the quiet backbone of any group or family they belong to. This combination of reliability, traditional values, and inner strength makes Lojzas respected figures in their social circles. They tend to be people of few words but significant action, preferring to demonstrate their character through deeds rather than declarations. The name suggests someone who embodies the Czech ideal of 'srdcar' - a person who follows their heart with conviction and stands firm in their principles, even when facing adversity or opposition. Cultural & Historical Significance Maeve holds profound significance in Irish culture as the name of the legendary Queen Medb (pronounced Maeve) of Connacht from the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. Queen Medb was a powerful, independent warrior queen known for her strength, intelligence, and determination in the epic Tain Bo Cuailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley). She represented female sovereignty, leadership, and was often depicted as equal or superior to male rulers. The name embodies the concept of 'sovereignty goddess' in Celtic tradition, where the land's fertility and the king's right to rule were connected to the queen. Throughout Irish history, Maeve has symbolized strong female leadership and independence, reflecting ancient Celtic traditions where women could hold significant political and military power. The name's mythological roots connect modern bearers to Ireland's rich cultural heritage and the enduring image of the powerful Celtic woman. In contemporary times, the name has become a symbol of revived interest in Celtic mythology and feminine strength, serving as a bridge between ancient traditions and modern feminist values. Cultural & Historical Significance Maree holds significant cultural importance as a French variant of the timeless name Mary, which has deep roots in Christian tradition and European nobility. The name gained particular prominence in French-speaking regions where it evolved from Marie, maintaining the elegance and sophistication associated with French feminine names while offering a distinctive spelling variation. Throughout history, names derived from Mary have been associated with purity, strength, and maternal qualities, making Maree part of this rich naming tradition that spans centuries of European cultural development. The name reflects the enduring influence of French language and culture on naming practices worldwide, particularly in countries with historical French connections. In Australia and New Zealand, Maree became popular during the mid-20th century, representing both the preservation of European naming traditions and the adaptation to new cultural contexts. This cross-cultural journey demonstrates how names can maintain their essential character while acquiring new layers of meaning in different societies, making Maree a fascinating example of cultural transmission and adaptation in personal nomenclature. Individuals named Marlyssa are often described as possessing a unique blend of traditional values and progressive thinking. They typically demonstrate strong spiritual awareness combined with practical wisdom, making them effective bridge-builders between different generations and perspectives within Christian communities. Their name's unusual gender association often fosters resilience and self-confidence. These individuals tend to be thoughtful leaders who balance empathy with conviction, often serving as mediators in complex situations. They exhibit creativity in problem-solving and maintain deep respect for tradition while embracing necessary change. Their unique name frequently correlates with strong personal identity and the ability to navigate multiple cultural contexts with grace and understanding. Men named Marybell typically develop a distinctive personality shaped by their unusual name. They often possess a deep spiritual sensitivity combined with remarkable resilience, reflecting the name's dual nature of devotion and potential bitterness. The Marian influence tends to manifest as strong empathy, moral clarity, and a protective nature toward others, while the bell symbolism contributes to qualities of communication, clarity of purpose, and the ability to 'ring true' in their convictions. These individuals frequently become moral leaders in their communities, valued for their wisdom and unwavering principles. Growing up with a name that defies gender expectations often fosters exceptional self-confidence and independence of thought. Marybells tend to be comfortable with nonconformity while maintaining strong connections to tradition. They typically exhibit patience and endurance in facing challenges, perhaps reflecting the 'bitter' aspect of their name's potential meaning. Their unique naming experience often makes them particularly understanding of others who are different or marginalized, while their Christian foundation provides a stable moral compass. This combination creates individuals who are both deeply rooted in tradition and surprisingly innovative in their approach to life's challenges. Individuals named Muraco are often perceived as possessing a unique blend of strength and sensitivity, reflecting the name's celestial meaning. They tend to be independent thinkers with a calm, observant nature, much like the moon they're associated with - patient, strategic, and capable of illuminating situations with insight. These individuals often demonstrate leadership qualities combined with emotional intelligence, making them effective in roles requiring both assertiveness and empathy. Their personality typically balances traditional masculine traits with modern sensitivity, creating a compelling character that can adapt to various social and professional situations while maintaining a distinctive personal identity. People with this name are often seen as reliable yet mysterious, approachable yet maintaining an air of depth that invites curiosity and respect. They tend to be creative problem-solvers who approach challenges with both practical logic and intuitive understanding. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Neiva holds significant cultural resonance in Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in Spain and Latin America, where it embodies the poetic beauty and purity associated with snow. In regions with mountainous terrain like the Andes or Pyrenees, snow carries deep cultural meaning, representing both the harsh beauty of nature and the cleansing purity of winter. The name connects to Catholic traditions through the veneration of Our Lady of the Snows (Nuestra Senora de las Nieves), celebrated on August 5th, which adds religious significance to snow-related names. In Colombian culture, Neiva is also the name of an important city in the Huila Department, giving the name geographical and historical weight in South American contexts. The name reflects the Spanish linguistic tradition of creating feminine forms from natural elements, celebrating the delicate yet powerful essence of winter's beauty. Throughout Hispanic literature and art, snow often symbolizes purity, transformation, and the ephemeral nature of beautythemes that are inherently carried by those who bear this evocative name. Individuals named Nin are often perceived as graceful, compassionate, and emotionally intelligent. They tend to possess a natural elegance in their movements and communication style, with an ability to navigate social situations with tact and sensitivity. Their inherent grace extends beyond physical mannerisms to include a thoughtful approach to relationships and problem-solving. Nins are typically intuitive and empathetic, often serving as peacemakers in their social circles due to their diplomatic nature. They exhibit strong creative tendencies and appreciate beauty in various forms, from art and music to nature and human interactions. While gentle in demeanor, they often possess inner strength and resilience, able to handle challenges with quiet determination. Their combination of emotional depth and practical wisdom makes them valued friends and trusted confidants. People with this name tend to be reflective and observant, preferring meaningful connections over superficial relationships, and they often inspire others through their calm presence and thoughtful insights. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Oighrig holds deep roots in Greek cultural history, originating from ancient rhetorical traditions where eloquence and persuasive speech were highly valued in public life, politics, and philosophy. In classical Greek society, the ability to speak well was considered essential for leadership and intellectual influence, making names associated with eloquence particularly significant. Throughout Byzantine and modern Greek history, the name has maintained its association with education, diplomacy, and intellectual pursuits, often chosen for boys expected to pursue careers in law, academia, or public service. The name reflects the enduring Greek cultural emphasis on rhetoric and articulate expression as fundamental virtues in both personal and professional spheres. The cultural significance of Oighrig extends beyond mere nomenclature to embody the Greek philosophical tradition that values dialogue and reasoned discourse. In ancient Athens, where democracy and public debate flourished, names conveying eloquence carried substantial social weight. During the Byzantine era, the name became associated with scholars who preserved classical knowledge through meticulous translation and commentary. In contemporary Greek culture, Oighrig represents a connection to this intellectual heritage while adapting to modern contexts where effective communication remains crucial in global diplomacy, business, and education. Individuals named Parlan are typically perceived as grounded, practical, and deeply connected to their roots, reflecting the name's agricultural meaning. They often exhibit a strong work ethic, patience, and reliabilityqualities essential to successful farming and land stewardship. These individuals tend to be methodical in their approach to life, preferring steady progress over sudden changes, and they value tradition and continuity. Their connection to the earth often translates into a calm, stable demeanor and practical problem-solving abilities. Parlans are frequently described as having an innate understanding of natural cycles and processes, which can manifest as wisdom about human relationships and long-term planning. They typically possess a quiet strength and resilience, able to endure challenges with fortitude while maintaining their core values. While they may not seek the spotlight, their consistent reliability and deep loyalty make them pillars in their communities and families, embodying the steadfast qualities associated with their name's farming heritage. Cultural & Historical Significance Rawiyah occupies a unique position in Arab cultural history as the feminine counterpart to the 'Rawi' - the professional poetry transmitters who were essential to preserving pre-Islamic and early Islamic literary heritage. In the oral tradition of ancient Arabia, these individuals served as living libraries, memorizing vast collections of poetry and transmitting them accurately across generations. The role was particularly crucial before the standardization of written Arabic and the development of systematic documentation. Rawiyahs were respected not just for their memory, but for their understanding of poetic meter, language nuances, and historical context. During the Islamic Golden Age, the tradition evolved but remained vital, with women named Rawiyah often serving as bridges between classical Arabian culture and emerging Islamic scholarship. They represented the continuity of Arab identity through language and literature, even as political and religious landscapes transformed. The name symbolizes the preservation of cultural memory and the feminine role in safeguarding intellectual heritage. In many historical accounts, Rawiyahs were educated women from scholarly families who contributed significantly to the intellectual life of their communities while maintaining the rich poetic traditions of their ancestors. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Rudd carries significant cultural weight as both a given name and surname with deep roots in English and Germanic traditions. Originally derived from the Old English word 'rudig' meaning 'ruddy' or 'reddish,' it historically described someone with a ruddy complexion or red hair, often associated with vitality and robust health. In Christian contexts, the name's connection to the color red carries symbolic meaning, representing both the blood of Christ and the warmth of divine love. Throughout medieval Europe, names describing physical characteristics were common, and Rudd served as both an identifier and a marker of distinctive appearance. The name gained particular prominence in English-speaking countries during the 19th century, often used to honor family traits or as a shortened form of Rudolph, which means 'famous wolf.' Its evolution from descriptive nickname to formal given name reflects broader patterns in naming conventions across Western cultures. In modern times, the name maintains its connection to heritage while adapting to contemporary naming preferences for short, strong masculine names. The cultural significance of Rudd lies in its ability to bridge historical tradition with modern sensibility, offering a name that feels both timeless and distinctive. Cultural & Historical Significance Salisbury holds profound cultural significance as a name deeply rooted in English Christian heritage, deriving from the historic city renowned for its magnificent cathedral that has stood as a center of Anglican worship for centuries. The name embodies the intersection of faith, history, and English identity, representing both spiritual fortitude and cultural continuity. Throughout British history, Salisbury has been associated with ecclesiastical authority, medieval scholarship, and the enduring traditions of the Church of England. The name's connection to Salisbury Plain and Stonehenge adds layers of ancient spiritual significance, while its medieval origins tie it to the development of English Christianity. In Christian contexts, Salisbury symbolizes the enduring nature of faith institutions and the protective role of religious communities. The name carries the weight of centuries of Christian tradition, making it a choice that honors both family heritage and religious commitment within Anglican and broader Christian traditions. Cultural & Historical Significance Sifiye represents an ancient Egyptian name that carries significant cultural weight despite its uncertain etymology. In Egyptian tradition, names were believed to hold power and influence over one's destiny, and Sifiye appears to have been associated with intellectual or spiritual pursuits. Historical records suggest it was primarily used among educated classes, including scribes, priests, and scholars who served in royal courts and temple complexes. The name's usage spans multiple dynasties, indicating its enduring cultural relevance in ancient Egyptian society. It appears in temple inscriptions and papyrus documents, often connected to individuals involved in knowledge preservation, religious ceremonies, and administrative duties. The name's persistence through different periods of Egyptian history suggests it maintained a respected status, possibly associated with wisdom traditions and esoteric knowledge that were highly valued in Egyptian culture. Its appearance in both religious and secular contexts indicates it was versatile enough for various social roles while maintaining its distinctive character, serving as a testament to the sophisticated naming practices of ancient Egyptian civilization. Cultural & Historical Significance Stanwik originates from Old English roots, combining 'stan' (stone) and 'wic' (village or dwelling place), reflecting the Anglo-Saxon practice of naming settlements and individuals after geographical features. The name emerged during the early Christian period in England, when communities were often identified by their physical surroundings. Stony villages were typically located in areas with abundant stone resources, suggesting settlements that were either built with stone structures or situated in rocky terrain. This naming convention was particularly common in regions like Yorkshire and Northumberland, where stone was readily available for building. The name carries echoes of medieval English life, when one's identity was deeply connected to their place of origin and the natural landscape that sustained their community. During the Norman Conquest and subsequent centuries, names like Stanwik helped preserve local identity and geographical memory. Many English surnames and place names share this etymological pattern, creating a linguistic tapestry that maps the physical and social landscape of medieval Britain. The persistence of such names into the Christian naming tradition demonstrates how early Christian communities in England integrated pre-existing cultural and geographical references into their identity. This blending of pagan geographical references with Christian naming practices created a unique cultural synthesis that characterized English Christianity throughout the Middle Ages. Individuals bearing the name Wethrby typically exhibit a unique blend of traditional values and practical intelligence that makes them natural leaders and caretakers. Their personality reflects their agricultural origins through characteristics of patience, resilience, and methodical planningmuch like the careful shepherding that defined their namesake occupation. They tend to be observant and thoughtful, preferring to assess situations thoroughly before acting, which often makes them excellent strategists and problem-solvers. Their Christian background typically manifests as strong moral integrity and a deep sense of responsibility toward their communities. Wethrby's often possess what might be called 'quiet strength'they lead through example and consistency rather than charisma or force. They're typically excellent judges of character and have an innate understanding of group dynamics, making them skilled at managing teams and resolving conflicts. While they may appear reserved initially, they form deep, lasting bonds with those they trust and are remarkably loyal and protective of their 'flock'whether family, friends, or colleagues. Their practical wisdom often makes them the go-to person for advice in crises, and their steady presence provides stability in turbulent times. They value tradition but are not inflexible, understanding that adaptation is necessary for survival, much like the successful farmer who reads the weather and adjusts accordingly. The name Wolf embodies rich symbolic meanings that transcend cultures and eras. Primarily, it represents the balance between wild independence and loyal community - the wolf as both solitary hunter and devoted pack member. This duality speaks to human nature's complexity, where individual strength and social bonds coexist. In spiritual contexts, wolves symbolize intuition, intelligence, and connection to primal wisdom. They're often seen as guides between worlds, representing the journey of self-discovery and the integration of shadow and light. The wolf's legendary stamina and resilience make it a symbol of endurance through life's challenges. In Christian symbolism, while sometimes representing danger or heresy, wolves also appear as transformed creatures - most famously in the story of Saint Francis and the wolf of Gubbio, where the wild beast becomes a protected member of the community. This transformation narrative gives Wolf additional meaning as a name representing redemption, taming of wild instincts, and the harmonious coexistence of nature and civilization. The name thus carries layers of meaning: strength with compassion, freedom with responsibility, wildness with wisdom. Cultural & Historical Significance Ysbaddaden Bencawr occupies a pivotal role in Welsh Arthurian tradition as the formidable giant king in 'Culhwch and Olwen,' one of the earliest surviving Arthurian narratives. His character represents the ancient, pre-Christian forces of the British landscape that Arthur and his companions must conquer to establish a new order. The tale, preserved in the White Book of Rhydderch and Red Book of Hergest, depicts Ysbaddaden as both literal and symbolic obstacle - his very eyelids must be propped up with forks so he can see, representing the effort required to overcome ancient powers. Culturally, he embodies the Welsh concept of the 'cawr' (giant) as embodiments of primordial landscape features and ancient sovereignty. His defeat by Culhwch with Arthur's help symbolizes the triumph of heroic civilization over wild, chaotic nature. The story reflects deep Celtic mythological patterns where giants represent the old gods or nature spirits that must be subdued for human progress, connecting Ysbaddaden to broader Indo-European mythological traditions of giant-slaying heroes and the establishment of cosmic order through conflict with chaotic forces. Cultural & Historical Significance Ysolde stands as one of the most enduring figures in Arthurian literature and Celtic mythology. As the Irish princess who becomes tragically entwined with Tristan, nephew of King Mark of Cornwall, her story has been told and retold across centuries from medieval romances to modern adaptations. The tale of her love potion-induced passion for Tristan, despite her marriage to King Mark, represents one of the great tragic love stories of Western literature, comparable to Romeo and Juliet in its cultural impact. The character has evolved through various cultural interpretations, from the Celtic oral traditions where she may have been a powerful sorceress, to the courtly romance versions where she embodies idealized love, to Wagner's operatic interpretation where she becomes a symbol of transcendent love and death. Her story has been adapted in countless forms including poetry, opera, film, and literature, making her one of the most recognizable figures from Arthurian legend outside of the immediate Arthur-Guinevere-Lancelot triangle. The enduring appeal of her story speaks to universal themes of forbidden love, fate, and the conflict between personal desire and social obligation. As an extension of the Advantage Assam 2.0 initiative and a result of the MoU signed in February 2025, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the TVS Credit Technology Centre in Guwahati on Friday evening. The Centre has been inaugurated, aligning with the State government's vision of building a strong digital ecosystem that will support skilling the youth in line with the requirements of the digital era, according to a statement from the Assam government. The Chief Minister, after inaugurating the Credit Technology Centre, expressed confidence that the centre will play a significant role in strengthening technology capabilities in Assam and other states of North East India. The Centre has been designed to serve as a crucial hub supporting TVS Credit's Artificial Intelligence, automation, and smarter workflows, enabling 200+ youth in the state to become adequately specialised in tech roles. The Chief Minister also said that, with the inauguration, the centre will perform some critical functions of TVS from Assam. From next-generation tech-driven collection systems to advanced AI models, from loan origination and loan management platforms to intelligent automation, the centre will contribute national-scale digital transformation, the state government said. He also informed that under phase 1, 25 technology professionals will be hired by the TVS, of which 21 are already on board. They are being trained and working on different high-end projects. The CM said that the youth working in the Centre are lending their hands to complex digital initiatives, which have the potential to serve customers across India. The Chief Minister also said that over the next three years, TVS Credit plans to scale this centre to more than 200 highly skilled technology roles, which will create sustainable, high-value employment for the youth and empower Assam's position in the national technology landscape. It will also help retain talent within the state by making opportunities available within the state. The CM, on the occasion, thanked TVS for setting up its centre in Guwahati, which he believed would help in ushering in more collaborative efforts between Assam and TVS. (ANI) The recently notified four labour Codes, effective from November 21, 2025, have the potential to meaningfully expand women's participation in the workforce by making employment safer, more secure and more accessible, according to a white paper released by the All India Organisation of Employers (AIOE) in collaboration with law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas. Titled "Breaking the Glass Ceiling: How the Labour Codes Boost Women's Participation in India's Workforce", the white paper noted that India's legal framework has evolved alongside social change, reflected in the rise in the female labour force participation rate from 23.3 per cent in 2017-18 to 41.7 per cent in 2023-24. This progress, according to the white paper, has been supported by women-centric laws such as the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, as well as government initiatives including Mission Shakti, NAVYA and WISE-KIRAN. The white paper further argued that the labour Codes modernise India's employment law framework by consolidating multiple legacy laws into a simpler and more coherent structure. This, it noted, is particularly significant for women, as the reforms aim to make workplaces safer, social security broader and compliance more predictable. One of the key outcomes of the Codes is their potential to expand women's participation across sectors by making work more sustainable and secure, rather than merely creating new opportunities Under the Social Security Code, 2020, maternity protections remain robust, with 26 weeks of paid leave continuing for eligible employees and 12 weeks for adoptive and commissioning mothers. The white paper also highlighted that measures such as nursing breaks, medical support and simplified proof requirements for pregnancy and delivery are critical in reducing the economic and health disruptions that often force women to permanently exit the workforce. The white paper also drew attention to the expansion of Employees' State Insurance coverage across all industries and districts, including plantations, which employ a large number of women workers. The inclusion of gig and platform workers within the social security framework is described as a forward-looking shift, particularly for women who rely on flexible work arrangements to balance caregiving responsibilities. Further, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code allows women to work in all establishments, including traditionally restricted sectors and night shifts, subject to consent and adequate safety arrangements. This is seen as a transformative provision for sectors such as IT, healthcare, aviation and logistics, removing an "invisible ceiling" on women's earnings and advancement. While emphasising the promise of the reforms, the white paper cautioned that legislation alone will not deliver change. Real impact, it argued, will depend on implementation by employers, responsiveness of markets and the effectiveness of supporting institutions. (ANI) After years of hype and multiple workshops, the first major Broadway revival of the cult musical Chess officially opened November 16 at the Imperial Theatre. The new production stars Aaron Tveit as volatile American chess champion Freddie Trumper, Nicholas Christopher as his Soviet rival Anatoly Sergievsky, and Lea Michele as strategist Florence Vassy. The revival marks a high-stakes return for a show that has long had a devoted fanbase thanks to its soaring ABBA-composed score and Tim Rice lyrics. Chess has always been famous for classic songs including One Night in Bangkok and I Know Him So Well, but also equally infamous for a complicated storyline that critics have called nearly impossible to stage. This new version arrives with fresh direction by Michael Mayer and a revised book by writer and actor Danny Strong, aiming to clarify the narrative while leaning into spectacle, rivalry and Cold War intensity. Visually, the production is bold and modern. The staging incorporates large-scale projections, sharply lit environments and choreography that blends theatrical storytelling with pop-concert energy. Audience members have praised the vocal performances from the cast, particularly the powerhouse leads whose presence has boosted the show's box-office appeal. Critical reception, however, has not been unanimous. The Guardian described the revival as "messy," adding that it "wastes catchy ABBA songs" despite polished staging and strong performances. Other reviewers echoed that although the production sounds exceptional, the dramatic arc remains challenging to follow and occasionally disconnected. Still, several theater critics have acknowledged improvements over past versions. Some have framed the revival as the most entertaining version of Chess to ever hit Broadway, especially when approached not strictly as a traditional book musical but as an emotionally charged theatrical concert. For the cast, the revival carries personal and symbolic meaning. Lea Michele returns to the Imperial Theatre, the same venue where she performed as a child. Aaron Tveit, fresh off multiple Broadway successes, delivers a volatile and charismatic Freddie. Nicholas Christopher anchors the production with vocal precision and emotional weight. Beyond the reviews, the show's arrival reflects Broadway's current trend of balancing nostalgia with reinvention. Revivals featuring recognizable talent and iconic scores continue to draw audiences from New York, the rest of the United States and international theatergoers seeking marquee productions. As the holiday season approaches, Chess settles into a key calendar window when Broadway attendance surges. Whether the show becomes a long-running revival or a high-profile limited engagement will likely depend on word of mouth, fan loyalty and how the production navigates its early feedback. For now, Chess is back in the spotlight. The music remains unforgettable. The competition onstage is fierce. And the audience response proves on VMPL New Delhi [India], December 13: Axis Max Life Insurance Limited ("Axis Max Life" / "Company"), formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Limited, together with NDTV, hosted the India Retirement Insights Summit in New Delhi, an event focused on fostering dialogue and advancing awareness around retirement preparedness in India on a national level. The India Retirement Insights Summit brought together policymakers, financial experts, industry leaders, and digital influencers to examine the future of retirement through the lenses of financial readiness, health preparedness, and emotional well-being. Designed as a thought leadership initiative under the brand's Bharosa Talks platform, the event focused on sharing practical insights and data-driven perspectives to help participants understand retirement planning trends and make informed decisions. The primary objective of the India Retirement Insights Summit was to launch the fifth edition of the India Retirement Index Study (IRIS 5.0), a flagship survey conducted to map the retirement preparedness in India by Axis Max Life Insurance in partnership with Kantar, a leading global marketing data and analytics company. The Summit also provided a platform for diverse perspectives on the future of retirement in India through a series of high-impact panel discussions and expert interactions. Several high-profile sessions featured senior industry leaders including Sumit Madan, Managing Director & CEO, Axis Max Life; Soumya Mohanty, Managing Director & Chief Client Officer - South Asia, Kantar; Munish Sharda, Executive Director at Axis Bank and Non-Executive Director at Axis Max Life Insurance; Rohit Kumar Agrawala, Director - Finance, Chennai Petroleum Corporation; and Sanjiv Bajaj, Joint Chairman & Managing Director, Bajaj Capital, who shared cross-sectoral perspectives on financial preparedness, consumer behaviour, and long-term wellbeing. This was followed by a focused discussion with Rachana Ranade, Financial Influencer and Educator, and Rahul Talwar, Director & CMO, Axis Max Life, which explored the retirement readiness among key demographic segments such as Gen Zers, homemakers, and millennials. Rahul Talwar, Director & CMO, Axis Max Life, said, "With increasing life expectancy ratio in India, retirement planning will play a critical role in sustaining individual financial security in the long term. At Axis Max Life, we have taken the lead in building India's one of the most comprehensive and consistent view of retirement readiness through the India Retirement Index Study (IRIS), which is part of our brand platform, Bharosa Talks. This survey, now in its fifth edition, has emerged as one of the country's most credible research platforms in this space, offering data-driven insights into how India is preparing for life after retirement. The India Retirement Insights Summit brings this research to life by turning insight into action. By bringing together leaders, experts, and influencers, we aim to drive meaningful conversations that encourage and inspire Indians to make informed decisions and move toward a more secure, healthier second innings." IRIS 5.0: India's Retirement Readiness at a Glance Now in its fifth consecutive year, the India Retirement Index Study (IRIS) continues to serve as India's most comprehensive benchmark on retirement preparedness, assessing financial security, health readiness, and emotional wellbeing across Indian consumers. The 2025 edition reflects steady progress, with the national index rising from 44 in 2022 to 48 in 2025, driven by stronger fitness habits, increased preventive health check-ups, and higher insurance adoption. While financial confidence remains steady, awareness around the required retirement corpus continues to be low, with 7 in 10 respondents believing that 1 crore would be sufficient for a comfortable retirement. Read more about the India Retirement Index Study at https://www.axismaxlife.com/iris-india-retirement-study-index Disclaimer: Findings are based on survey responses, and do not constitute financial advice. About India Retirement Index Study India Retirement Index Study is an annual retirement study by Axis Max Life conducted in partnership with KANTAR. The study evaluates India's readiness for a healthy, peaceful, and financially secure retirement across three indices Financial, Health, and Emotional Preparedness each measured on a scale of 0 to 100. The fifth edition surveyed 2,242 respondents across 28 cities, including new segments such as gig workers. About Axis Max Life Insurance (www.axismaxlife.com) Axis Max Life Insurance Limited, formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Ltd., is a Joint Venture between Max Financial Services Limited ("MFSL") and Axis Bank Limited. Axis Max Life Insurance offers comprehensive protection and long-term savings life insurance solutions through its multi-channel distribution, including agency and third-party distribution partners. It has built its operations over two decades through a need-based sales process, a customer-centric approach to engagement and service delivery and trained human capital. As per annual audited financials for FY2024-25, Axis Max Life has achieved a gross written premium of INR 33,223 Cr. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.axismaxlife.com About Kantar Kantar is the world's leading marketing data and analytics business and an indispensable brand partner to the world's top companies. We combine the most meaningful attitudinal and behavioural data with deep expertise and advanced analytics to uncover how people think and act. We help clients understand what has happened and why and how to shape the marketing strategies that shape their future. To know more, visit www.kantar.com (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.) A fan jokingly thanked Akshay Kumar for "giving an amazing actor" as Akshaye Khanna, referencing his role in their 2010 film, 'Tees Maar Khan'. "Thank you director saab, for giving the nation such an amazing actor," the fan wrote, along with a popular scene from the Farah Khan directorial. Akshay, who never misses a chance for a playful comeback, replied with his trademark humour, leaving fans in splits. https://x.com/akshaykumar/status/1999388433417130115 "Kabhi ghamand nahi kiya bhai...kabhi ghamand nahi kiya," he wrote. The fun banter comes at a time when 'Dhurandhar' has been receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. Akshay too dropped his share of praises and wrote, "Watched Dhurandhar and I'm blown away. What a gripping tale and you've simply nailed it @AdityaDharFilms. We need our stories to be told in a hard-hitting way and I'm so glad the audiences are giving the film all the love it deserves." https://x.com/akshaykumar/status/1998747387683373085 The film has been lauded for its gripping storyline and stellar performances from actors Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal. Akshaye Khanna has been specifically drawing praise, with fans showering him with compliments for a powerful performance as Rehman Dakait. Khanna's portrayal has been described as one of the highlights of the film, reaffirming his reputation as one of Bollywood's versatile actors. Meanwhile, 'Dhurandhar' has also received high praise from the film fraternity, with many hailing it across social media platforms. Actors like Vicky Kaushal, Allu Arjun, Anupam Kher, Hrithik Roshan, and Akshay Kumar, among others, led the line of applause. Directed by Aditya Dhar, 'Dhurandhar' follows the story of an Indian spy named Hamza who infiltrates Pakistan to join Rehman Dakait's gang. The film is inspired by real-life events, ranging from the 2001 Parliament attack and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, offering audiences an insight into the India-Pakistan conflict. (ANI) The evening saw former housemates relive their on-screen camaraderie, sharing laughter and bonding on the red carpet. While Bigg Boss 19 winner Gaurav Khanna made a dashing entry at the success party with his wife, Akansha, while other contestants, including Mridul Tiwari, Ashnoor Kaur, Kunickaa Sadanand, Shebaaz Badesha, Abhishek Bajaj, Nehal Chudasama, Baseer Ali, Awez Darbar, and Nagma Mirajkar, also joined the celebrations. The party also saw the presence of Bigg Boss 19 finalists Pranit More, Amaal Mallik, Tanya Mittal, and Farrhana Bhatt. https://www.instagram.com/p/DSLPG5GDpdr/ Last but not least, the superstar host, Salman Khan, also graced the party, instantly turning the occasion into a glittering celebration. Khan was seen dressed casually in a black T-shirt paired with black trousers. The celebrities looked glamorous, twinning in shades of white and black. Bigg Boss winner Gaurav Khanna chose a designer white blazer, which he paired with a white shirt and black pants, while first runner-up Farrhana was dressed in a stunning black-and-silver outfit. Gaurav Khanna, who emerged as the winner of Bigg Boss 19 last Sunday, defeated Farrhana Bhatt to lift the coveted trophy. Speaking to ANI shortly after his victory, Gaurav dedicated the win to his fans. Dedicating the victory to his fans, Gaurav said, "I would like to dedicate this journey to my fans. It wouldn't have been possible without them. I would like to dedicate this journey to every normal person who goes to work in the morning and works hard. This is a victory of an ordinary person." Reflecting on his performance in the show, Gaurav shared how he wanted to win the show without indulging in violence or aggression, but by connecting with the audience. (ANI) Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on Friday criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her sharp allegations against the BJP over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, calling her remarks "irresponsible" and unbecoming of a state leader. His response came hours after the Chief Minister urged women across Bengal to "lead the fight" against what she termed "illegal voter deletions". "Being the Chief Minister of a state, such an irresponsible statement should not come from her mouth. If the Election Commission has issued such a direction, there must be an order or circular regarding it," Majumdar said, adding that the BJP was confident of returning to power at the Centre in 2029. Addressing a public gathering in Krishnanagar, Nadia, Mamata Banerjee alleged that the BJP was attempting to "take away" the rights of women and "terrify" them during elections by misusing Central forces and influencing officials. Claiming that the Centre was pressuring District Magistrates to remove up to 1.5 crore names from electoral lists, she urged women to resist the move. She announced her readiness to launch a sit-in protest if deletions were carried out "deliberately". Banerjee further alleged that BJP leaders were monitoring district officials and intimidating them. She warned that the ruling party at the Centre "would not remain in power forever" and accused agencies of acting at the BJP's behest. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India on Thursday extended the deadlines for SIR activities in five states and one Union Territory. As per the revised schedule, enumeration in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat will continue until December 14, while Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands will complete the exercise on December 18. Uttar Pradesh received a 15-day extension, with enumeration ending on December 26. The publication of draft rolls in these regions has also been rescheduled accordingly. The earlier enumeration deadline across these six regions was December 11, with draft rolls scheduled for December 16. (ANI) Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji on Friday sought restraint while responding to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying that while public anger stems from unresolved doubts, incitement to violence is unacceptable. "Until people's doubts are cleared, their anger will continue to rage. But it's not right to incite violence like this," Maji said. She added that Banerjee may not have intended to stoke unrest. "Perhaps Didi also doesn't want violence to spread. Maybe her statement was a slip of tongue... She feels that no genuine voter's name should be deleted from the voter list," the JMM MP said, framing concerns around the protection of legitimate voters as central to the debate. Maji's remarks come a day after Banerjee urged women in West Bengal to "lead the fight" against what she alleged were attempts to delete voters' names through the SIR process, asking men to support them from behind. Addressing a gathering in Krishnanagar, Nadia district, the Chief Minister accused the BJP of trying to "take away" women's rights and using Central forces to "terrify" them during elections. "Through SIR, they want to take away the rights of women," Banerjee said, asserting that women should demonstrate their strength against the BJP. She also alleged that district administrations were being pressured to remove up to 1.5 crore names from electoral rolls, warning that she would stage a sit-in protest if deletions were carried out "deliberately." The Trinamool Congress supremo further claimed that election officials were being intimidated and cautioned that the BJP would not remain in power indefinitely. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday extended deadlines for the SIR process in five states and one Union Territory. As per the revised schedule, enumeration in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat will continue till December 14, with draft rolls due on December 19. Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will conclude enumeration on December 18, publishing draft rolls on December 23. Uttar Pradesh has been granted a 15-day extension, with enumeration ending December 26 and draft rolls to be published on December 31. Earlier, the enumeration period for these states and UT was scheduled to end on December 11, with draft rolls on December 16. (ANI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh has moved into the final phase of its organisational election process, with nominations for the post of state president scheduled on Saturday and the announcement of the new chief expected a day later. Senior party leaders, including national and state functionaries, met in Lucknow on Friday to finalise preparations. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said the meeting, chaired by BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh, was crucial in steering the party's internal democratic procedure. "For the election of the State BJP president, the party's National General Secretary (Org) BL Santhosh chaired an important meeting. State BJP chief Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, General Secretary (Organisation) BJP, Uttar Pradesh - Dharampal Singh, Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak and all office bearers were present in the meeting," he said. Maurya asserted that the BJP remains committed to a transparent electoral process within the organisation, contrasting it with the Samajwadi Party. "SP is a one-family party, they make decisions on office bearers while sitting in their dining room. BJP is a democratic party, the largest in the world and an election process is followed here," he said. He further claimed the Samajwadi Party "has no future left" and predicted a resounding BJP victory in the 2027 Assembly polls. "In 2027, we will achieve a bigger victory in Uttar Pradesh than in 2017... Akhilesh Yadav's PDA is fake," he added. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Friday confirmed that the electoral process is nearing its conclusion. "UP BJP is taking the election of the State party chief to its last stage. Nomination will be filed tomorrow," he stated. Outgoing state president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary said the nominations would be received by senior leaders. "Nominations will be filed on Saturday. Vinod Tawde and Piyush Goyal will receive the nominations tomorrow... The final list will be published later, and the name will be announced the day after," he announced. With the nomination phase formally beginning Saturday, the BJP is poised to unveil its new Uttar Pradesh chief on Sunday. (ANI) Assam Minister Bimal Borah on Friday visited the accident site of Hayuliang area in Arunachal Pradesh's Anjaw district and took stock of the search & rescue operations. Twenty-one people from Assam's Tinsukia district died after a truck carrying 22 people fell into a deep gorge on the Hayuliang-Chaglagam road in Anjaw district. Assam Minister Bimal Borah said that, despite the rugged terrain, deep gorges and dangerous road conditions, our rescue teams are working with extraordinary courage and determination. "Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia for each of the deceased," Bimal Borah said. Millo Kojin, Deputy Commissioner of Anjaw district, told ANI that it seemed the accident occurred in the evening of December 8, around 40 km from Hayuliang towards Chaglagam. He said, "The District administration did not get information about the accident either on December 9 or during the daytime of December 10. On the evening of December 10, one of the survivors climbed and reached a nearby BRTF Labour Camp. The injured labourer was given medical aid. The OC BRTF informed DC Anjaw in the evening of December 10. Due to late-night and unreliable conditions, the rescue operation could not take place on December 10. Meanwhile, an immediate requisition was sent to NDRF for a search-and-rescue operation." He added, "On December 11, the army, BRTF, local police and district administration swooned into action, and about 15-16 were located, but the bodies could not be retrieved, and the gorge was very deep, so the expertise of NDRF could only help. The NDRF has been requisitioned and has reached Metaliang, around 10 km from Hayuliang, where it will halt for the night. Since the gorge is very deep and risky, only NDRF expertise can help in retrieving the rest of the bodies. The identities of 18 bodies have been established to date." "Twenty-two persons, including the driver, are involved in the accident. The mini truck is privately owned. A private Mistry transported the labourers, not a government organisation/BRTF. The private mistry, who had asked the labourers to do so, has been taken to the police station for questioning. Since all the labourers were from Tinsukia, Assam, the DC of Tinsukia has been contacted. Circle officer Chaglagam has been appointed to liaise with them. A lone survivor has been evacuated to Medical College, Tinsukia and admitted for further treatment. The relatives of the labourers have been informed of the accident by the SP, Tinsukia. All the activities are monitored by CO Chaglagam, DDMo Anjaw and DC himself," Millo Kojin said. (ANI) Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday met representatives of workers' unions from across the country at the Jan Sansad, during which they raised deep concerns about the four new Labour Codes. The interaction focused on the impact of the codes on workers' rights, collective bargaining and the future of organised labour. In a post shared on X, Gandhi wrote, "Today, a meeting was held in the Jan Sansad with representatives of workers' unions from across the country, during which a detailed and serious discussion was held with them on the new Labour Codes. They are very concerned about these 4 new Labour Codes - according to them, these laws have been made to weaken the rights of workers and their organisations and to suppress the voice of their rights. Their concerns and suggestions were listened to carefully, and they were promised to raise their voice while taking this discussion forward." Earlier on Friday, Gandhi also flagged the worsening air pollution crisis in northern India and other parts of the country, demanding a detailed parliamentary discussion to evolve a systematic, long-term plan to tackle the problem. Addressing the Lok Sabha, he said most major cities were "living under a blanket of poisonous air," warning that millions of children were developing lung diseases and that the health of future generations was at grave risk. "This is not an ideological issue," Gandhi said, stressing that air pollution is a challenge on which the government and opposition can find common ground. He proposed a constructive debate in Parliament, free from political acrimony, followed by a city-wise, methodical plan led by the Prime Minister to address pollution over the next five to ten years. (ANI) Delhi Police have arrested 284 people and taken legal action against around 2900 individuals achieving 200 per cenrt success during the second phase of Operation CyHawk, a special drive against cybercrime, claimed delhi police officials during a media briefing Speaking about the operation, Joint Commissioner of Police (IFSO) Rajneesh Gupta said, "The first phase of Operation CyHawk, led by the respected Delhi CP Satish Golcha, was conducted... This significantly reduced the number of calls coming in at 1930 daily. From an average of approximately 3,600, the number of calls dropped to 2,400..." He added that due to the success of the first phase, a second version of the operation was planned. "Based on this success, a second version of the operation was planned, and on December 10th and 11th, a forty-eight-hour operation was conducted, involving 5,000 police personnel from all cyber police stations across Delhi," Gupta said. According to him, the operation led to large-scale action across the national capital. "After two days of operation, we rounded up 7,500 people across Delhi. 284 people were arrested... Notices were issued to 1736 people. In total, legal action was taken against 2882 people. This action represents a 200% increase from the previous one," he said. Gupta further said that the operation also helped link earlier cases and register fresh ones. "Additionally, linkages were established for 228 previous FIRs, and 392 new FIRs were registered," he added. Joint Commissioner of Police, Southern range, SK Jain, who was also present during the briefing said, "Operation CyHawk 2.0 was launched within three weeks of the first phase. It was much broader than the first. It was much more precise, and a lot of groundwork was done." He added that the police used data analysis to identify key locations and suspects. "We conducted clustering and hotspot intelligence, first analysing the original account. After proper verification, we conducted raids not only in Delhi but also outside in 10 states. We sent our teams to Odisha and Kerala," he said. According to Jain, the scale of action have been ramped up in comparison to the first phase. "Legal action has been taken against almost 2,900 people. This time, we've achieved more than 200% success. Similarly, the number of detentions has increased by 160%," he said. He added that the number of case linkages had increased, sayimng, "If we combine the linkages in the FIRs, both old and new, there's a 125% increase since the last operation." "We've also worked out several cases of investment fraud, with amounts starting from as simple as 50,000," he added. The Joint Commissioner of Police, Southern range also pointed out that Delhi Police is also focusing on public awareness to prevent cybercrime. "We are conducting major awareness campaigns among the people. Recently, a major cultural programme was organised at Jashn-e-Rakta. There too, a public awareness campaign was organised, including street plays, painting competitions, online quizzes, and band displays, to attract people and make them aware," he said. Earlier, back on November 20, Delhi Police apprehended more than 700 cybercriminals in a massive crackdown carried out jointly by district police units and the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit. According to officials, the multi-district 48-hour operation, codenamed 'Cyber Hawk', targeted organised cyber fraud networks involved in cheating, phishing, fake customer care scams, investment frauds and digital payment thefts. Preliminary investigations uncovered suspicious and fraudulent transactions worth around Rs 1,000 crore, pointing to a large-scale ecosystem of cyber offenders operating from multiple locations. Teams conducted raids across Delhi and neighbouring regions, detaining suspects, seizing digital devices, recovering forged documents, and identifying bank accounts used to syphon off victims' money. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid tribute to the security personnel who laid down their lives in the Parliament attack, saying their sacrifice will always be remembered by the nation. In a post, Yogi Adityanath said, "The 'temple of democracy', the Indian Parliament House, witnessed a cowardly terrorist attack on this very day in the year 2001, which was a brutal assault on the nation's sovereignty, dignity, and the power of the people. To the immortal heroes who laid down their lives in this heart-wrenching incident to protect the dignity of the Parliament and the nation, humble tribute. The nation will forever remain grateful to them. Jai Hind!" Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation by protecting the Indian parliament during the heinous terrorist attack. "Saluting the martyrs who laid down their lives on 13 December 2001 to protect the temple of democracy during the terrorist attack on the Parliament House. Their sacrifice for the protection of the nation will always be remembered." Gadkari said. The Central Reserve Police Force also paid tribute to Constable Kamlesh Kumari of the 88 Battalion on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, remembering her courage and sacrifice. "Tribute to the Brave... On 13 December 2001, during the terrorist attack on the Parliament in Delhi, Constable Kamlesh Kumari of 88 Battalion, #CRPF, demonstrated indomitable courage and unparalleled valor by pursuing the terrorists amidst heavy firing and continuously providing information about their activities to her fellow personnel." CRPF's X post read. "Due to her courageous actions, all five terrorists were neutralized. During this incident, she sustained serious injuries and ultimately sacrificed her life on the altar of duty. For her indomitable courage and extraordinary bravery, she was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra. The brave martyr receives the eternal salutations of #CRPF," the post said. On Friday, Lok Sabha paid heartfelt tributes to the brave soldiers of the Parliament Security Service, Delhi Police, and CRPF who made the supreme sacrifice while protecting Parliament during the terrorist attack on December 13, 2001. Speaker Om Birla led the House in paying tributes. The House reaffirmed its unwavering resolve to safeguard the nation's unity, integrity, and sovereignty by remaining steadfast in the fight against terrorism.On December 13, 2001, five heavily armed terrorists belonging to terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) stormed the Parliament complex in New Delhi and opened fire indiscriminately. Around 14 people, including security personnel and one civilian, were killed in the attack. The terror attack took place around 40 minutes after Parliament was adjourned, and about 100 members were present in the building. (ANI) Andy Dick has checked into rehab. Andy Dick has checked into rehab The 59-year-old actor has agreed to seek help after he was photographed outside a building in Hollywood following an apparent overdose earlier this week and praised his old friend Jennifer Ginenez - who he appeared on Celebrity Rehab with - and her husband for their help and support. He told TMZ: "Jenny Gimenez is my sister who saved me with Tim." Andy will reportedly be entering a treatment facility in Palm Springs, California, but just a few days ago he insisted he had no plans to do such a thing. Asked if he would seek "professional help", he insisted: "I'm not going to be in rehab." And pressed on if he was in a "good place" at the moment, he added: "Love it, I'm surrounded by my two friends ... it'll be hard for me to escape from them, but I will escape." TMZ had shared shocking photos of Andy earlier this week, in which he was slumped over outside a 7-Eleven while two friends tried to help him. Eyewitness Shawn Harrell, told People magazine: His body was limp. It was like deadweight. It was blue. I thought he passed away. Shawn had thought the scene was "more than likely part of a movie" having seen a "group of guys" in the area with "video cameras everywhere". He said: "That particular day, I was walking. I got down there. There was a group of guys down there and they had video cameras everywhere. So seemed like they were filming a film or something... I heard some stuff like, Wake him up! Man, wake him up! And people [were] running around, and Im like, Whats going on down there? But when he heard the shouting again, Shawn realised something was wrong and tried calling for help but had problems getting a response. He said: [Dick] was slumped over at first. And then when they finally started shaking him and doing all this stuff, he came [to]," But he then saw Andy "slumped over" and paramedics arrived shortly afterwards, who "put that Narcan stuff in him." Shawn was shocked by how calm the star appeared afterwards. He said: Police [were] talking to him. I went over there and had a joke with him. I was like, Hey man, they brought you back to life. You were gone for a minute. Hes like, I know. He wasnt upset about it. It seemed like he already had the experience before, to me. The way he acted about it. All nonchalantly about it. He was blue. His hands [were] blue and his face was blue." And the Road Trip star recovered quickly. Shawn said: "Id say about five minutes. From the time he was blue, from the time I got to have a conversation with him, once he was back cool again? Somewhere between five or 10 minutes. I dont know who he left with, but he left with somebody." A Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) spokesperson confirmed to People that they had responded to the scene but declined to name the person involved. The representative added: "But we did respond to that location for an overdose. He was not transported to the hospital." And the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) added: The LAPD did respond for an ambulance overdose. This was a medical emergency issue. The comedian - who has three adult children, Lucas, 37, Jacob, 31, and 28-year-old Meg - has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction in the past. The owners of the ill-fated Birch Club in Arpora Goa, Saurabh and Guarav Luthra are now being held in a detention centre in the Thai capital Bangkok having been moved there after their detention in Phuket. The brothers had fled to Phuket on the morning after the December 6 fire at their club claimed 25 lives. Deportation procedures of the Luthra brothers from Thailand are underway, and the Goa Police are in continuous coordination with central agencies. Thai Police had detained the brothers from a resort in Phuket on Thursday after India had moved to suspend their passports, reported local media. Local police say the detention followed a request from Indian law enforcement. According to Thai authorities, an Indian law enforcement team is also coordinating formalities for the brother's return. This is possible due to an extradition treaty between two countries that is in force since 2015. Thai officials stressed that due process will be followed while cooperation continues between the two countries. Authorities say they will work with their Indian counterparts to ensure a prompt lawful handover. The Embassy of India in Bangkok is also actively coordinating with the Thai authorities regarding the ongoing case. According to sources, the two brothers were detained in Phuket following intervention by the Embassy. Thai authorities are currently processing the matter under local law, including steps to deport them to India. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reaffirmed that strict action will be taken against the accused, asserting that the government is committed to securing justice for the people who lost their lives in the tragedy. "Our government will work to give justice to the 25 people who lost their lives...We will put them (the club owners, Luthra brothers) behind bars," the Chief Minister said on Thursday. "We arrested six people after the tragic fire incident. We also suspended three people and are conducting the investigation in a fast-track manner. One of the three owners of the club was arrested in Delhi, and an LOC was issued against the two other owners. We also ordered the Regional Passport Office to cancel their passports. With the help of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Home Minister, the Luthra brothers were detained in Thailand. Our team from Goa and central agencies will bring the two club owners to Goa. We take legal action and put them behind bars," he added. Meanwhile according to the Goa Police, police custody of another accused in the club fire, which killed 25 people, Bharat Kohli, has been extended by six days for further investigation. The Session Court, Mapusa, has issued notice in connection with the anticipatory bail applications filed by Sarpanch Roshan Redkar and Secretary Raghuvir Bagkar, both of Arpora Panchayat. Goa Police sought time to file a detailed reply, and the Court has granted time until December 16 at 2:30 PM for filing the reply and for arguments, the press note said. Over 50 statements have been recorded so far of the persons connected with this incident, which also includes officials, workers and victims. On December 6, late at night at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub, a devastating blaze claimed 25 lives, including five tourists and 20 staff members. Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra own the restaurant. (ANI) Over 10 police personnel and staff at the police headquarters fell ill after consuming sweets from a shop located at Lal Kothi in Jaipur. The officers fell sick after eating 'Gajar ka Halwa'; as a result, the affected police personnel were admitted to ICUs across different hospitals. It included two Additional SPs, a Deputy, a Circle Inspector, four to five Sub-Inspectors, a Head Constable, and an ASI. Based on the complaint, the Food Department and the Jaipur CMHO team raided the sweet shops and collected samples for testing. According to Naresh Kumar, the Food Safety Officer, there were lapses in the shop's sanitation and hygiene, and as a result, 'Halwa' likely became spoiled. The food safety officer further added that, depending on the findings, the process to cancel the shop's food license will be initiated, and the premises will remain sealed until it complies with food safety laws. "After receiving the information, the team arrived at Shankar Mithai Bhandar shop. We conducted the raid. During the raid, a lot of issues were found. Due to hygiene and sanitation issues, there is a high likelihood that the Halwa was spoiled. Hence, the team has seized counterfeit and readymade items and collected samples, based on the issues found, in the public interest, the process of cancelling the shop's license will be initiated...and have sealed the premises until it complies with food safety laws," Kumar told ANI. In a similar incident, the Ghaziabad Food Safety Department conducted raids following a complaint from Zone 16 regarding the adulteration of mustard oil. During the inspection, the team found the shop premises to be unclean and discovered adulterated items at the outlet. The department collected samples of the mustard oil and sent them for further testing to assess the extent of adulteration. (ANI) The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, attended a public function at Senapati, Manipur. She also laid foundation stones and inaugurated various development projects on the occasion, according to a statement from the President's Secretariat. Addressing the gathering on Friday, the President said that dignity, security, and growth opportunities for tribal communities in Manipur, and their greater participation in the country's progress, are a national priority. The Government of India is working closely with local leaders, civil society, and communities to ensure that development in Manipur is inclusive and sustainable. According to the release, the President said the Government of India is committed to ensuring that development reaches every corner of the country. The government is giving special attention to the development of remote tribal regions. In recent years, the hill districts of Manipur have benefited from focused investments in areas such as road and bridge connectivity, including national highways and rural roads, healthcare, education, drinking water, and electricity supply. Livelihood programmes such as skill training, SHGs, and Van Dhan are improving the quality of life of people. These efforts are a reflection of the Government's commitment to supporting tribal communities while respecting their unique identity and traditions. The President said that Manipur's strength lies in its diversity, its culture, languages, and traditions. The hills and the valley have always complemented each other, like two sides of the same beautiful land. She urged all communities to continue supporting the efforts for peace, understanding and reconciliation. The Government of India recognises the aspirations of the people of Manipur. She reiterated the Government of India's commitment to the well-being and progress of the people of Manipur, including the people of this region. President Murmu said we should continue working together to build a peaceful and prosperous Manipur. Earlier, the President paid her respects to the brave women warriors of Manipur at the Nupee Lal Memorial Complex, Imphal. The Memorial Complex stands as a tribute to the sacrifice of Manipuri women and commemorates their uprisings in which they challenged the British and feudal powers with great courage. (ANI) General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth visited the School of Artillery in Devlali, the Army's Southern Command said in an official statement. During the visit, the Army Commander was briefed on advanced training methodologies, Professional Military Education (PME) being imparted, and administrative initiatives undertaken to sustain high standards of instruction. Interacting with the faculty, he emphasised the need to continually align training with contemporary operational requirements and evolving battlefield dynamics and felicitated distinguished individuals for their outstanding contributions, the statement added. He also reviewed key training infrastructure, including the Drone Experience Centre, and commended the establishment for maintaining robust systems that support outcome-oriented training and technology absorption for future military leaders, the Southern Command said. Earlier, on November 22, emphasising that technology is not alone to secure a victory on the battlefield, Army's Southern Command's General Officer in Commanding Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth asserted that it is the kill, judgment and resolve of aviators that ultimately make the difference. While addressing the Passing Out Parade of the Combat Army Aviation Training School (CAATS), he opened his address by highlighting that despite rapid advancements in unmanned systems, precision platforms and modern reconnaissance tools, human capability remains at the core of combat aviation. Multiple military aviation courses concluded in a landmark combined ceremony at the passing out parade.Lt Gen Seth, who presided over the event as Reviewing Officer, mentioned, "Even with cutting-edge capability, there is one truth that remains constant -- machines do not win battles. It is the aviators operating them whose professionalism and resolve shape outcomes." He added that CAATS being designated as the Centre of Expertise for RPAS operations and Combat Air Manoeuvre was a fitting recognition of its role in grooming the next generation of military aviators. This year's parade marked the simultaneous graduation of officers from the Combat Army Aviators Course, the Army Helicopter Instructor Course and the first-ever Combined Internal Pilot and Observer Course -- a significant step in integrating manned and unmanned crew training within Army Aviation. The event also showcased a Combat Aviation Demonstration featuring helicopters, RPAS platforms, hexacopters, infantry elements and armoured assets, underscoring the Indian Army's multi-domain operational readiness. The graduating officers underwent an intensive training regimen that included advanced simulation, rigorous ground schooling and demanding live-flying missions before qualifying as helicopter pilots and RPAS operators. Lt Gen Seth reminded them that every sortie demands "complete situational awareness, strict adherence to procedures, respect for the machine and an unwavering commitment to mission safety." "In combat flying, the margins are thin and the stakes are high. Never cross the red lines or compromise safety or jeopardise the mission," he told the newly commissioned aviators. The Army Commander also highlighted the broader transformation underway in the Indian Army, driven by technological modernisation and future battlefield requirements. He stressed the increasing integration of manned and unmanned platforms, adoption of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) concepts and alignment of training doctrines with evolving operational challenges. He lauded CAATS for its rapid development of modern training infrastructure, advanced simulation systems and its role in shaping a technologically empowered aviation cadre. He also appreciated the dedication of the commandant, instructors, maintenance crews and all personnel who contributed to the successful conduct of the training programmes while maintaining operational readiness. (ANI) A woman in Indore was defrauded of Rs 29.7 lakh after being deceived by fraudsters in a digital arrest scam, Additional DCP of the Crime Branch, Rajesh Dandotiya, said. Speaking to ANI on Friday, Dandotiya said, "Fraudsters deceived a woman by claiming that money from a terrorist organisation in Jammu and Kashmir had been laundered into her account. They cheated her out of Rs 29,70,000. The elderly woman had recently returned to India after visiting her children in the USA. A case of fraud has been registered, and an investigation is currently underway." The incident highlights the growing sophistication of digital scams, and authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution and verify any such claims before transferring money or sharing personal banking details. In a separate development this week, Indore's Forest Department arrested seven people for illegally entering a nearby forest with weapons on December 8. The accused explained that they were merely trying to dig out their ancestors' gold and treasure, claiming that it was buried in the jungle. The team inspected them and found they were carrying multiple weapons. That included a pistol, a cartridge (kartoos), and a sword, which immediately raised the forest department's suspicion and led to their being booked under the Wildlife (Protection) Act (WPA) of 1972 and the Indian Forest Act (IFA) of 1927, as stated by DFO Pradeep Mishra. When speaking to ANI, he maintained the stance that the story by the arrested individuals was not to be believed. Additionally, he stated they were likely there to hunt wildlife due to unlawful entry in the forest at night. "We received information from the patrolling team about seven people roaming the Malendi Jungle on 8 December, around 8:30 P.M. The team reached there swiftly and started questioning them. They were confused at first and then started making up a story about how they were there to dig out the gold left behind by their ancestors. On further inspection, we found katta, kartoos and talwaar, which makes us believe that they were attempting to hunt at night. We have released POs under the WFA and IFA Act for the same.", DFO Pradeep Mishra officially added. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dilip Ghosh alleged that the demand to build a Babri Masjid in West Bengal is part of a "conspiracy underway to create Bangladesh" in the state, calling it a "gift from Mamata Banerjee," and further questioning the decision to name the mosque after the Mughal emperor Babar. Speaking to ANI, Ghosh said, "If there is no Babri Masjid anywhere in the entire country, then why is it being made into a mosque here in Bengal? Because there is a conspiracy underway to create Bangladesh here, and this is a gift from Mamata Banerjee. It is not wrong to build a mosque, but why are you building it in the name of Babar? Babar was a tyrannical invader." The statement comes amid growing political tensions ahead of the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections. Earlier, suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir, who intends to build the Babri Masjid in Murshidabad, announced he will launch a new political party on December 22 to directly challenge Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's TMC 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." On December 6, Kabir laid the foundation stone for the Babri Masjid in Murshidabad. He said the move is constitutional and in line with Article 26(a) of the Indian Constitution, which allows every religious denomination to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes, subject to public order, morality, and health. He added, "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 BJP accused Mamata Banerjee of fuelling religious polarisation by allowing Kabir to polarise Muslims and questioned the delay in his suspension. The party also cited Kabir's earlier statements claiming that Muslims constitute 70 per cent of the population in the district, warning that Mamata Banerjee's inaction could threaten state stability. After laying the foundation stone, Kabir said a budget of Rs 300 crore has been allocated for the mosque, which will include a hospital, a guesthouse, and a meeting hall. He reiterated his commitment, stating, "It is a promise of the Muslims, the Babri Masjid will be built, it will be built, it will be built." (ANI) The Education Minister of Delhi, Ashish Sood, announced that the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025, and the corresponding Rules, 2025, came into effect. On Friday, the Education Department will begin implementing all procedures specified under the Act or Rules, including scrutiny of schools' Fee proposals, permissions, reporting, and monitoring. Criticising the previous government, Sood said that earlier governments had ignored this critical issue for 27 years, but our government implemented this historic reform within days. He said that in a remarkably short span of time, we enacted a strong law and set up a new benchmark for administrative efficiency and good governance in Delhi. As per the release, Minister Sood reiterated that "Education is not a business, it is a right", and affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring that every child in Delhi receives quality education with honesty, transparency, and fairness. He said that this Act will not only address the concerns of parents but will also strengthen public trust in the Education system. The government's objective is to establish Delhi as a model for education reform across the country. Sood appealed to parents and guardians to actively support this new framework and help maintain transparency. Minister Sood stated that this historic Act and its Rules have been enacted to end arbitrary fee hike practices of private schools, empower parents, and ensure transparency and accountability in the education system. The government's clear intention is to put a complete stop to unjustified and arbitrary fee hikes. Schools will be required to present their fee structures, expenditures, and financial needs transparently. The Education Minister further said that, with the implementation of this new system, parents will no longer face persistent fee-related grievances, and effective school monitoring will become possible. He also said that for us, the interests of parents are paramount. This transformative step will not only enhance parental trust but also increase the accountability of schools. He added that the new Act lays down several provisions to ensure a safe, transparent, and reliable framework for parents. These include mandatory participation of parents in the process of fee fixation and revision, compulsory public disclosure by schools of their financial statements, expenditure details, fund utilisation, and fee structure, and the establishment of a clear and robust grievance-redressal mechanism. The Act also provides for immediate action on parental complaints related to any unauthorised, illegal, or sudden fee hike, and mandates a detailed procedure along with prior government approval before any increase in school fees. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to security personnel who sacrificed their lives in the 2001 Parliament attack. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, and other senior parliamentarians also paid tribute to the security personnel who laid down their lives in the 2001 Parliament terror attack. The tribute was paid by both the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition leaders. Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid tribute to the security personnel who laid down their lives in the Parliament attack, saying their sacrifice will always be remembered by the nation. In a post, CM Yogi Adityanath said, "The 'temple of democracy', the Indian Parliament House, witnessed a cowardly terrorist attack on this very day in the year 2001, which was a brutal assault on the nation's sovereignty, dignity, and the power of the people. To the immortal heroes who laid down their lives in this heart-wrenching incident to protect the dignity of the Parliament and the nation, humble tribute. The nation will forever remain grateful to them. Jai Hind!" Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation by protecting the Indian parliament during the heinous terrorist attack."Saluting the brave who laid down their lives on 13 December 2001 to protect the temple of democracy during the terrorist attack on the Parliament House. Their sacrifice for the protection of the nation will always be remembered." Gadkari said. The Central Reserve Police Force also paid tribute to Constable Kamlesh Kumari of the 88 Battalion on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, remembering her courage and sacrifice. "Tribute to the Brave... On 13 December 2001, during the terrorist attack on the Parliament in Delhi, Constable Kamlesh Kumari of 88 Battalion, #CRPF, demonstrated indomitable courage and unparalleled valor by pursuing the terrorists amidst heavy firing and continuously providing information about their activities to her fellow personnel." CRPF's X post read. "Due to her courageous actions, all five terrorists were neutralized. During this incident, she sustained serious injuries and ultimately sacrificed her life on the altar of duty. For her indomitable courage and extraordinary bravery, she was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra. The brave 'balidani' receives the eternal salutations of #CRPF," the post said. On December 13, 2001, five heavily armed terrorists belonging to terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) stormed the Parliament complex in New Delhi and opened fire indiscriminately. Around 14 people, including security personnel and one civilian, were killed in the attack. The terror attack took place around 40 minutes after Parliament was adjourned, and about 100 members were present in the building. On Friday, Lok Sabha paid heartfelt tributes to the brave soldiers of the Parliament Security Service, Delhi Police, and CRPF who made the supreme sacrifice while protecting Parliament during the terrorist attack on December 13, 2001. Speaker Om Birla led the House in paying tributes. The House reaffirmed its unwavering resolve to safeguard the nation's unity, integrity, and sovereignty by remaining steadfast in the fight against terrorism. (ANI) Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday paid tribute to the security personnel who lost their lives in the 2001 Parliament attack on its anniversary. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also visited Parliament to honour the brave personnel who laid down their lives defending the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders are scheduled to pay homage later in the day to the security personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice during the attack. Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid tribute to the security personnel who laid down their lives in the Parliament attack, saying their sacrifice will always be remembered by the nation. In a social media post on X, CM Yogi Adityanath said, "The 'temple of democracy', the Indian Parliament House, witnessed a cowardly terrorist attack on this very day in the year 2001, which was a brutal assault on the nation's sovereignty, dignity, and the power of the people. To the immortal heroes who laid down their lives in this heart-wrenching incident to protect the dignity of the Parliament and the nation, a humble tribute. The nation will forever remain grateful to them. Jai Hind!" Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation by protecting the Indian parliament during the heinous terrorist attack."Saluting the brave who laid down their lives on 13 December 2001 to protect the temple of democracy during the terrorist attack on the Parliament House. Their sacrifice for the protection of the nation will always be remembered." Gadkari said. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) remembered Constable Kamlesh Kumari of the 88 Battalion for her extraordinary bravery during the attack. ."Tribute to the Brave... On 13 December 2001, during the terrorist attack on the Parliament in Delhi, Constable Kamlesh Kumari of 88 Battalion, #CRPF, demonstrated indomitable courage and unparalleled valour by pursuing the terrorists amidst heavy firing and continuously providing information about their activities to her fellow personnel." CRPF's X post read. "Due to her courageous actions, all five terrorists were neutralised. During this incident, she sustained serious injuries and ultimately sacrificed her life on the altar of duty. For her indomitable courage and extraordinary bravery, she was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra. The brave 'balidani' receives the eternal salutations of #CRPF," the post said. On December 13, 2001, five heavily armed terrorists belonging to terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) stormed the Parliament complex in New Delhi and opened fire indiscriminately. Around 14 people, including security personnel and one civilian, were killed in the attack. The terror attack took place around 40 minutes after Parliament was adjourned, and about 100 members were present in the building. On Friday, Lok Sabha paid heartfelt tributes to the brave soldiers of the Parliament Security Service, Delhi Police, and CRPF who made the supreme sacrifice while protecting Parliament during the terrorist attack on December 13, 2001. Speaker Om Birla led the House in paying tributes. The House reaffirmed its unwavering resolve to safeguard the nation's unity, integrity, and sovereignty by remaining steadfast in the fight against terrorism. (ANI) The Delhi High Court has held that airline pilots, including pilots-in-command, fall within the definition of "workman" under the Industrial Disputes Act, ruling that their primary role is technical and operational flying the aircraft and not managerial or supervisory in nature. The Court found that job titles, command responsibilities during flights, or high salaries cannot, by themselves, exclude pilots from labour law protections. A Division Bench of Justice Anil Kshetarpal and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar delivered the ruling while deciding a batch of Letters Patent Appeals filed by King Airways against its former pilots, including Captain Pritam Singh, Manjit Singh and ND Kathuria. The airline had challenged earlier orders directing payment of unpaid salary, incentives for extra flying hours and related dues. At the outset, the Court recorded a clear finding that the "predominant nature of duties" test is decisive. It noted that although a pilot-in-command may, in theory, be described as being in charge of a flight, the evidence on record showed that pilots do not exercise supervisory or managerial control over crew in the industrial or administrative sense. Their core function, the Bench held, remains the skilled and technical task of operating the aircraft. Rejecting the airline's argument that pilots are excluded from the definition of "workman" because they draw high salaries or are designated as senior commanders, the Court observed that the salary threshold becomes relevant only if an employee is first shown to be performing supervisory duties. In the absence of proof that pilots actually discharge such supervisory functions, the question of exclusion under Section 2(s)(iv) of the Industrial Disputes Act does not arise. The Bench also examined the reliance placed by King Airways on the Aircraft Rules and internal operations manuals to argue that pilots supervise crew members. It held that any supervision referred to in aviation regulations is incidental to flight safety and cannot be equated with managerial supervision contemplated under labour law. The Court emphasised that statutory terms used in one regulatory framework cannot be mechanically transplanted into another with a different purpose and context. On the issue of back wages, the Court upheld the Industrial Tribunal's award, noting that the pilots' termination was illegal and effected without due process. Applying Supreme Court precedents, the Bench reiterated that reinstatement with continuity of service and back wages is the normal rule in cases of wrongful termination, particularly where the employer fails to show that the workman was gainfully employed elsewhere. While affirming the earlier judgment in favour of the pilots in three connected appeals, the High Court set aside a separate single-judge order that had remanded one case back to the tribunal on the question of whether a pilot was a "workman." The Division Bench held that this issue had already been conclusively settled in the connected matters and did not warrant reopening. With these findings, the Court dismissed King Airways' appeals challenging the pilots' status and dues, reinforcing that highly skilled professionals like pilots are not automatically outside the protective umbrella of labour law merely because of their designation or pay scale. (ANI) 2026 APEC meeting to be held on Nov. 18-19 in China's Shenzhen Xinhua) 10:44, December 13, 2025 BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in China's Shenzhen on Nov. 18 and 19 next year, accompanied by the APEC CEO Summit and the joint ministerial meeting of foreign and trade ministers, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun announced on Friday. In response to a relevant query, Guo told a daily press briefing that during the 2026 APEC "China Year," approximately 300 events are expected to take place across multiple cities in China. According to Guo, Senior Officials' Meetings will be held in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Dalian in February, May and August next year, respectively. Starting from May next year, about 10 sectoral ministerial meetings or high-level events will take place in different locations, covering areas such as trade, digital economy, transportation, tourism, human resources, small and medium-sized enterprises, energy, food security, finance and women's affairs. All parties have expressed their active support for China's year-round event arrangements and are willing to ensure fruitful outcomes from these activities, Guo said. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) The Friends cast have teamed up for a fundraiser in honour of the late Matthew Perry. The Friends cast are raising money in Matthew Perry's memory The actor passed away two years ago following a ketamine overdose and his co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow have come together to sign artwork commissioned by the Matthew Perry Foundation, which was established after their friend's death to help and support those struggling with addiction. Sharing photos of the cast signing the prints, the foundation explained on Instagram: The cast has teamed up with @soundwaves_art and artist Tim Wakefield for a very special collection of artwork this holiday season. Tim has transformed the actual soundwaves of the Friends theme song into these beautiful designs each inspired by a different character, and each cast member has autographed their own small run of artworks. "And in collaboration with the estate of @mattyperry4 we have produced a very limited edition of artworks embossed with Matthew's official signature. "All profits will be supporting charities chosen by the cast, including the @MatthewPerryFoundation and their work helping those struggling with the disease of addiction. Link in bio to get one." The signed prints cost $600, while unsigned ones are being sold for $100. Shortly after the 54-year-old actor passed away in 2023, Courteney shared a heartfelt tribute, expressing how her on-screen husband "was funny and he was kind". She said on Instagram: "I am so grateful for every moment I had with you Matty and I miss you every day. "When you work with someone as closely as I did with Matthew, there are thousands of moments I wish I could share. For now heres one of my favorites. "To give a little backstory, Chandler and Monica were supposed to have a one night fling in London. But because of the audiences reaction, it became the beginning of their love story. "In this scene, before we started rolling, he whispered a funny line for me to say. "He often did things like that. He was funny and he was kind." And Jennifer remembered Matthew as her "little brother". She posted a carousel of images and a video clip of her and Matthew on Instagram and wrote in part: Oh boy this one has cut deep... Having to say goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions that Ive never experienced before. We all experience loss at some point in our lives. Loss of life or loss of love. Being able to really SIT in this grief allows you to feel the moments of joy and gratitude for having loved someone that deep. And we loved him deeply. He was such a part of our DNA. We were always the 6 of us. This was a chosen family that forever changed the course of who we were and what our path was going to be.(sic)" Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Saturday criticised the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) government over the reports of renaming the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as the "Pujya Bapu Rural Employment Scheme", raising strong objection to the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme. "Has the BJP ever done anything besides changing names?... I have the strongest objection to this because it was initiated by the UPA. There is only one Mahatma Gandhi in the world..." he said. Speaking to ANI, he further alleged that the BJP government has hate and disgust for Mahatma Gandhi and deep admiration for Nathuram Godse, the Hindu nationalist who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, 1948. "I don't know why the BJP has so much fear, hatred and disgust for Mahatma Gandhi and love for Godse... There are many Gandhis that the BJP is scared of...They have changed its (MGNREGA) name to Bapu. Some saints also call themselves Bapu..." he stated. Meanwhile, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also reacted to the reports of renaming the MGNREGA scheme as the Pujya Bapu Rural Employment Scheme, saying that a lot of government resources are spent on the renaming process, citing it as "unnecessary." Speaking to reporters, the Congress MP said she doesn't understand the rationale behind the decision to rename the MGNREGA scheme, which she says brings unnecessary costs. "I can't understand what mentality is behind this. First, this is Mahatma Gandhi's name, and when it is changed, the government's resources are spent on it again. From offices to stationery, everything has to be renamed, so this is a big, costly process. So what's the benefit of doing this unnecessarily? I can't understand," she said. MGNREGA is an employment scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development that provides at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled work. Any Indian citizen aged 18 or above and residing in a rural area can apply to this scheme. The applicant receives guaranteed employment within 15 days of the date of application. The wage is deposited directly into the Bank Account / Post Office Account of the applicant. Wages are paid within a week or, at most, within fifteen days. Men and Women are paid equally. MGNREGA covers the entire country with the exception of districts that have a hundred per cent urban population. (ANI) Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Saturday tore into the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), questioning their concerns with the name 'Mahatma Gandhi' over the reports of renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as the "Pujya Bapu Rural Employment Scheme." Speaking to ANI, Jairam Ramesh stated that the BJP government is an expert in renaming schemes and laws. He recalled when the government renamed Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the rural LPG distribution program to Ujjwala, further claiming that the BJP allegedly hate Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. "The PM Modi government is an expert at renaming schemes and laws; nobody can match them. They renamed the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and the rural LPG distribution program to Ujjwala... They are experts in packaging, branding, and naming. Surprisingly, while they hate Pandit Nehru, they also seem to hate Mahatma Gandhi. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act has been in effect since 2005... and now you are renaming it to Pujya Bapu Employment Guarantee Scheme. What's wrong with the name Mahatma Gandhi?..." the Congress MP said. Meanwhile, on similar lines, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also criticised the government, raising strong objections to the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme. He also alleged that the BJP government has hate and disgust for Mahatma Gandhi and deep admiration for Nathuram Godse, the Hindu nationalist who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, 1948. "I don't know why the BJP has so much fear, hatred and disgust for Mahatma Gandhi and love for Godse... There are many Gandhis that the BJP is scared of...They have changed its (MGNREGA) name to Bapu. Some saints also call themselves Bapu..." he stated. MGNREGA, is an employment scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development that provides at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled work. Any Indian citizen aged 18 or above and residing in a rural area can apply to this scheme. The applicant receives guaranteed employment within 15 days of the date of application. The wage is deposited directly into the Bank Account / Post Office Account of the applicant. Wages are paid within a week or, at most, within fifteen days. Men and Women are paid equally. MGNREGA covers the entire country with the exception of districts that have a hundred per cent urban population. (ANI) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday attended the last rites of former Union Home Minister and senior Congress leader Shivraj Patil, who passed away at his residence in Latur at the age of 90. Patil on Friday breathed his last at his Latur hometown residence, 'Devghar', after battling illness for the past few days. He is survived by his family, including his son Shailesh Patil, daughter-in-law Archana, and two granddaughters. A towering figure in politics, Shivraj Patil was born on October 12, 1935, in Chakur village in Maharashtra's Latur district. Several key responsibilities in Parliament, the Union government, and state legislatures have marked his political career. A senior leader of the Indian National Congress, he served as the 10th Speaker of the Lok Sabha and held numerous significant positions over more than four decades in public life. During the 1980-1990 period, he served on the Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament and later became its Chairperson. He worked extensively across ministries, serving as Minister of State for Defence, Commerce, Science and Technology, Atomic Energy, Electronics, Space and Ocean Development, Biotechnology, Personnel and Training, Public Grievances and Pensions, Administrative Reforms, Defence Production, Civil Aviation, and Tourism. In addition to his role as an MP, he was appointed Union Minister of Home Affairs (2004-2008) and served in the Manmohan Singh-led Union Cabinet. Patil has served under various Prime Ministers, with his first stint starting in 1980, when he was appointed as Minister of State for Defence in the Indira Gandhi-led cabinet. During his tenure as Lok Sabha Speaker, he also looked to push for initiatives which ensure information dissemination to MPs through computerisation. He is also known to have taken responsibility for security lapses which led to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He gave his resignation on November 30, 2008, following heavy criticism. Between 2010 and 2015, Patil served as the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh, further extending his contribution to public administration. Before serving in Parliament, Patil was a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (1972-1979). During his tenure in the state, he served as the Chairman of the Public Undertakings Committee, Deputy Minister for Law and Judiciary, Irrigation, and Protocol, and later Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Earlier, Parliament paid a tribute to the former Union Minister while leaders from across the spectrum remembered the veteran leader. Rajya Sabha held tributes and prayers for Patil. President Droupadi Murmu on Friday expressed deep condolences and support to the family of the late Congress leader. Taking it to X, the President paid tribute to Patil, recalling that he held various positions of power throughout his political career."In the demise of senior political leader Shri Shivraj Patil Ji, we have lost a prominent public figure. During his long public life, he held many important positions, including Lok Sabha Speaker, Union Minister, Governor, and a longstanding Member of Parliament. My heartfelt condolences to his family, well-wishers and admirers," she wrote. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed grief over the demise of Congress leader Shivraj Patil, calling it an "irreparable loss" to the party. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also remembered Patil as an experienced leader who dedicated his life to public service and social welfare. In a tweet, PM Modi said, "Saddened by the passing of Shri Shivraj Patil Ji. He was an experienced leader, having served as MLA, MP, Union Minister, Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly, as well as the Lok Sabha during his long years in public life. He was passionate about contributing to the welfare of society."Recalling his most recent meeting with Patil, PM Modi added, "I have had many interactions with him over the years, the most recent one being when he came to my residence a few months ago. My thoughts are with his family in this sad hour. Om Shanti." Earlier, Congress MPs held a review of their performance in Parliament. K Suresh, Senior Congress leader, said that the meeting was a regular meeting with the LOP and that the party MPs had passed a condolence motion honouring late Congress leader Shivraj Patil. "A condolence resolution was passed in the meeting of MPs for Shivraj Patil who was one of the tallest leaders of the Congress party at the state and central level. He served as Home Minister, Speaker and Governor, so his passing is a great loss for the party," K Suresh said. (ANI) Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday emphasised the need to transform farmers' lives by increasing their income. Speaking at a Farmers' Seminar and Exhibition Program in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan underscored the importance of animal husbandry in boosting farmers' incomes. "We need to transform the lives of farmers, and for that, we must increase their income," he said. The Union Minister also spoke about the National Dairy Research Institute, a premier Asian institution, which supports efforts to increase farmers' incomes through animal husbandry. "The National Dairy Research Institute is an institution of the Government of India, which is also the best institute in Asia in the field of dairy... One way to increase income is animal husbandry...," said Chouhan. Chouhan handed over kits to 500 farmers, providing training in animal husbandry to enhance their skills and income. "Today, 500 farmers who are working in the field of animal husbandry are being given a kit... They are also being provided training in animal husbandry... Our goal is to start animal husbandry to increase income and ensure better implementation of other schemes so that the standard of living of the people rises...," said the Union Minister. He highlighted the Government's focus on increasing farmers' incomes through animal husbandry. He cited examples: the Laadli Behna Yojna, which disburses funds directly into women's bank accounts, and the Kishan Samaan Vidhi Yojna, which provides Rs 6,000 annually to farmers. He added that while government schemes to increase individual income are helpful, individuals would need to take up poultry and other ventures. "This seminar would instruct you on how to take care of your animals, such as cows and chickens. Only farming wouldn't work now, and to improve your income, these ventures would have to be adopted...If there is somebody who wants to learn about milk distribution, we would help them connect with banks to procure the animals needed," he added. Chouhan emphasised that merely owning livestock isn't enough; farmers need expertise in animal care, vaccination, feed management, and disease prevention to reap benefits. He lauded the National Dairy Research Institute's initiative, led by Dheer Singh, to organise the seminar and equip farmers with essential skills. He concluded his speech by saying that the event representatives would impart their knowledge of animal husbandry. They would also share guidance on using government schemes as effectively as possible. Doubling Farmers' Income (DFI) was a major Indian government goal (2016-2022/23) focused on increasing farmer income security by boosting productivity, cutting costs, ensuring better prices, managing risks, and diversifying sources (farm/non-farm) through tech, infrastructure, market reforms (like e-NAM), and schemes (PM-KISAN). While challenging, some cash crops saw significant gains, driven by improved seeds, soil health, irrigation, value addition (processing), and market linkages to enhance returns beyond cultivation. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday participated in the 47th All India Public Relations Conference-2025 held at Hotel Emerald Grand on Sahastradhara Road in Dehradun. The Chief Minister inaugurated the conference by lighting the ceremonial lamp. He also visited the photo exhibition organised at the conference venue and inspected various stalls showcasing handicraft products, thereby encouraging local art and craftsmanship, according to a release. Dehradun is hosting the 47th All India Public Relations Conference from December 13 to 15, with participation from public relations and communication professionals from across the country. Organised by the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI), the conference is centred on the theme "Viksit Bharat @2047: Development as well as Heritage." The conference was inaugurated on December 13 by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. During the three-day event, expert sessions will be held on a wide range of subjects, including Uttarakhand's 25-year development journey, the role of media and public relations, technology, GST, artificial intelligence, cybercrime, misinformation, and international public relations. Participation by delegates from Russia has given the conference an international dimension. The conference will conclude on December 15. On this occasion, the Chief Minister welcomed public relations experts, delegates, and young professionals from across the country. He said that this year's theme, "PR Vision for 2047," is highly relevant to realising the resolve of a developed India. He emphasized that in today's era, public relations is no longer limited to information dissemination, but has emerged as an important and effective component of the nation-building process, the release stated. The Chief Minister said that in the current digital age, while information is abundant, the challenge of misinformation has also become serious. In such a scenario, establishing accurate, timely, and credible communication between the government and the public is the foremost responsibility of public relations. He noted that in a state like Uttarakhand, which is prone to natural disasters and is strategically sensitive, communication is not merely a formality but the foundation of trust. He further stated that in areas such as disaster management, good governance, and religious and tourism management, future PR systems must be fast, technologically skssm, and sensitive to public sentiments, so that the relationship between the government and the people is based not on directives, but on partnership and trust, the release added. Expressing confidence, the Chief Minister said that public relations can play the role of an effective command center during crises, while also contributing significantly to shaping a positive narrative for the nation. He added that the vision emerging from Devbhoomi Uttarakhand would prove helpful in building a developed India by 2047. Highlighting the state's development journey, the Chief Minister said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttarakhand is continuously progressing on the path of development. He informed that the size of the state's economy is expected to reach approximately 3.78 lakh crore in 2024-25, with a significant increase in per capita income as well. He also noted unprecedented growth in the state budget and a historic decline in the unemployment rate. The Chief Minister said that modern infrastructure is being rapidly developed in sectors such as education, health, roads, sports, drinking water, and air and rail connectivity. Continuous efforts are also being made to give Uttarakhand global recognition as a hub for religious tourism, wellness, adventure tourism, film shooting, and wedding destinations. He mentioned that projects such as the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line, the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, ropeway projects, and airport expansion works are giving new momentum to the state's development. Additionally, year-round tourism is being promoted through the initiative of winter pilgrimage. Referring to efforts to strengthen investment, industry, and the local economy, the Chief Minister said that the state has achieved notable success in translating investment proposals received through the Global Investors Summit into reality. With the single-window system and new industrial and startup policies, Uttarakhand is emerging as an attractive investment destination. He said that initiatives such as "One District-Two Products," House of Himalayas, the Millet Mission, and new tourism and film policies are strengthening local livelihoods. Uttarakhand's achievements in national and international rankings stand as evidence of transparent, effective, and participatory governance in the state. The Chief Minister affirmed that the state government is fully committed to preserving cultural values, demographic balance, and social structure along with development. He added that Uttarakhand's policies and innovations are today serving as a model for other states in the country and are playing an important role in shaping the direction of Viksit Bharat-2047, the release stated. On this occasion, Additional Secretary and Director General, Information, Banshidhar Tiwari was conferred a national award by PRSI for excellence in good governance. (ANI) The 4th Cooperative Mela 2025, organised by the Cooperation Department, Government of Assam, under the guidance of the Ministry of Cooperation, was inaugurated on Saturday at AEI Ground, Chandmari, Guwahati. The three-day event, scheduled from December 13 to 15, aims to showcase the strength, diversity, and potential of the cooperative movement in Assam. The Mela was formally inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Cooperation, Krishan Pal Gurjar, in presence of Minister for Cooperation Jogen Mohan. The Union Minister of State, Cooperation, addressing the Cooperative Fair in Guwahati, emphasised that the cooperative movement in Assam is a natural extension of the state's deep cultural and spiritual ethos. The Minister paid tribute to the great saintly figures of the region, Mahapurush Srimanta Shankaradev and Mahapurush Madhavdev, whose teachings on unity, equality and service to society form the very foundation of the cooperative spirit. The Union MoS noted that under the decisive leadership of the Prime Minister, and the focused guidance of the Union Minister of Cooperation, the national vision of "Sahkar Se Samriddhi" (Prosperity through Cooperation) is transforming into a vibrant reality. He highlighted the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation in 2021 as a historic step, providing the necessary institutional impetus and a clear blueprint for an all-round, world-class cooperative system in India by 2047. Gurjar specifically praised the acceleration of reforms in Assam, crediting the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the dedicated efforts of the State Cooperation Minister, Jogen Mohan, for the sector's visible resurgence. This state-level proactive implementation has positioned Assam as a leader in key national initiatives, including the 100% computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), with over 800 PACS already adopting the new Model Byelaws. The Minister noted that this progress is empowering youth and women, fostering entrepreneurship in diverse sectors and contributing to financial inclusion for over 32 lakh members. Assam is now firmly aligned with the National Cooperative Policy 2025's ambitious goal of establishing one cooperative in every village by 2026, urging collective effort to build a prosperous, self-reliant and cooperative-led future for the state. In his address at the 4th Cooperative Mela, Jogen Mohan, Minister of Cooperation, celebrated the Mela as a dynamic showcase of grassroots empowerment. He specifically praised the participants for achieving self-dependence and demonstrating remarkable resourcefulness by successfully turning waste into valuable resources using locally available materials. He detailed the comprehensive benefits these cooperatives are bringing to the people, spanning diverse sectors--from the production of essential goods and the success of Women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to the youths. The Cooperative Mela features participation from 160 cooperative societies representing key sectors such as handloom, fishery, dairy, agriculture and youth and women-led enterprises, providing a vibrant platform for showcasing local products, innovations and cooperative success stories. The Mela will continue over the next two days with exhibitions, interactions and knowledge-sharing sessions aimed at promoting cooperation-driven development across the state. (ANI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday criticised Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi's statement, calling it "irresponsible." Channi alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government was printing fake ballot papers for the upcoming Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections. Mann countered that Channi's statement reflects the Congress party's acceptance of defeat, noting that AAP candidates have been elected unopposed in many seats. "Charanjit Singh Channi (Congress MP and former Punjab CM) gave an irresponsible statement yesterday that AAP is hiding ballot papers at every booth... At a deep level, they know they are losing, but still staying in denial and therefore resort to such actions...," said Mann. Mann emphasised that the Congress and Akali Dal are accusing the AAP government of high-handedness, but their own candidates' nomination papers were accepted, and many were elected unopposed. He urged the opposition parties to reflect on their own performance rather than making baseless allegations. Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday alleged that the ruling AAP was "getting fake ballot papers printed" for rural body elections scheduled for December 14. Reacting to it, the ruling party rejected the charge, terming it "baseless". He alleged that AAP leaders got "fake ballot papers printed from Ambala", which might be handed over to booth-level officers. "The BLOs may get these stamped in advance and put in ballot boxes at the time of polling," he alleged. Earlier, on Friday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann advocated a strategic partnership between the state and the United Kingdom (UK) to further develop the state as a hub for investment and manufacturing. Bhagwant Singh Mann highlighted Mohali as one of the best-organised cities globally and emphasised Punjab's strong potential to become a manufacturing powerhouse. Noting the eagerness of Punjab's students to pursue opportunities in the UK through legal and safe pathways, he assured the state government of its full cooperation. Meanwhile, the UK Deputy High Commissioner acknowledged the Punjabi diaspora's potential and their substantial funds available for investment in their native land. In response to queries on key sectors, the CM reiterated Punjab's proactive investment climate and requested visits to showcase opportunities firsthand. Both Punjab and the UK agreed to strengthen ties for mutual growth, progress, and prosperity and to accelerate trade and commerce, according to the release. (ANI) Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Saturday that building a true 'Ram Rajya' requires collective commitment, spiritual consciousness and pride in Hindu identity, asserting that Hindu civilisation offers timeless solutions rooted in humanity, tolerance and service. Speaking at Assam's Tinsukia branch of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Sarbananda Sonowal said India's ancient Hindu civilisation has continuously guided global human society with spiritual wisdom and moral clarity. At the first event, the Union Minister participated in the inauguration of the newly built Shri Shri Guru Mandir, Shri Shri Shiva Mandir and Shri Shri Krishna Mandir, along with a hostel, at the Tinsukia branch of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, founded by Yugacharya Shrimad Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj. "We should feel proud of the light of knowledge and spiritual consciousness that ancient Hindu civilisation has given to humanity over centuries. As children of Mother India, we have been blessed with the opportunity to serve her with devotion and humility. Along with that opportunity comes a responsibility -- to protect nature, preserve life and uphold humanity," said Sarbananda Sonowal. The Union Minister was addressing monks and devotees from across the country after inaugurating newly constructed temples dedicated to Guru, Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna, along with a hostel facility, at the Sangha's Tinsukia ashram. The ceremony was marked by spiritual and cultural programmes reflecting the depth and continuity of Sanatan tradition. Sonowal said Hinduism has imparted values of spirituality, patience, tolerance and compassion, which must be meaningfully applied in public and personal life. "Using this consciousness responsibly, every Hindu must be committed to building a true Ram Rajya and to the practice of Rashtra Dharma," he said. Referring to the Ram Temple, Sonowal said the realisation of a 500-year-old aspiration had instilled renewed pride and confidence among Hindus across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The strength of Hindu civilisation itself is a great power, and its philosophy is a universal philosophy," he said, adding that Indians should remain grateful for being born in a land that has historically offered answers to some of the world's most complex challenges. Citing the message of universal brotherhood articulated by Swami Vivekananda, Sonowal said Indians carry a moral responsibility to advance harmony and positivity across societies. Sonowal commended Bharat Sevashram Sangha for its sustained work in spreading values of service, fraternity and humanity, and for inspiring younger generations with the sanctity and tolerance intrinsic to Hinduism. "I feel blessed to be present in this sacred and spiritual environment today," Sonowal said. "Bharat Sevashram Sangha has consistently motivated the youth with the message of Hindu values, purity and coexistence. We should proudly identify ourselves as Hindus. Only with a good mind can we think well, act well, become good human beings and build a good society." The Union Minister also highlighted the historical and economic importance of Tinsukia, describing it as a key commercial centre with a special role in strengthening Assam and contributing to a self-reliant India. Later in the day, Sonowal attended the golden jubilee valedictory programme and the 24th biennial conference of the Tinsukia District Journalists' Association at Dumduma. Addressing journalists, he described the media as the fourth pillar of democracy and urged it to continue playing a proactive role in social awareness through ethical, constructive and committed journalism. "From its inception, the media has borne the responsibility of safeguarding the fundamental rights of citizens," Sarbananda Sonowal said. "I am confident that it will continue to uphold this tradition in the future as well. A healthy society is built not on conflict, but on coordination and balance, and the media plays a crucial role in conveying this message." The Union Minister emphasised the importance of constructive criticism in a democracy, saying public life demands accountability. "When we accept social responsibility, we need someone to watch over us," Sonowal said. "Our conduct and words must be responsible, and when there are shortcomings, a vigilant media must correct us." In a candid remark, Sarbananda Sonowal said, "I always welcome criticism and remain cautious of praise -- because there is no certainty in praise, but sincerity lies in criticism. If the media keeps a watchful eye on people like us in public life, our spine will always remain straight." Sonowal warned that the rise of social media has contributed to a decline in social values, placing greater responsibility on traditional media to uphold ethics and credibility. He said science and technology now influence every sphere of life, but their impact must remain positive. "Economic growth achieved by damaging the environment is never desirable," Sonowal said. "Humanity and technology must move together. If nature remains healthy, humanity will remain healthy. When nature suffers, life cannot remain unaffected." Recalling the legacy of Lachit Borphukan, Sonowal urged students and youth to develop excellence across multiple fields in an era defined by competition. "In the 21st century, our students must demonstrate competence in all areas," Sonowal said. "Our goal should be to build an Assamese society that stands among the best in the world and proves its excellence wherever it goes." (ANI) Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday said that the Congress party will hold a "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod" rally at Ramlila Maidan here on Monday, calling it a step towards a decisive political battle. Speaking ahead of the rally, Baghel said the Congress has organised the programme to mobilise public support and raise its issues before the people. He expressed confidence that many people would participate in the rally. "Our party has organised the 'Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod' rally at Ramlila Maidan. The Congress party has taken a step towards a decisive battle, and a large number of people will attend this rally," Baghel said. Earlier, Tensions flared in Lucknow on November 27 as Youth Congress workers staged a protest against the SIR issue, intensifying their ongoing 'Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhodo' campaign. The demonstration, which began peacefully, quickly escalated when protesters attempted to cross police barricades and block major roads in the city centre. Large groups of Youth Congress members gathered near the party office before marching towards the Vidhan Sabha. Raising slogans such as "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhodo," the protestors demanded accountability from the government and called for immediate action on the SIR concerns. Several Youth Congress workers were detained after they refused to disperse despite repeated warnings. They were taken to nearby police stations in buses arranged by the authorities. Police officials stated that the detentions were made to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of commuters. Youth Congress leaders condemned the police action, alleging that their peaceful democratic protest was met with undue force. They vowed to continue their agitation until their demands are addressed. Earlier in the day, Independent MP from Purnea, Pappu Yadav, criticised the Election Commission of India, calling it "Dhritrashtra" over its decision to revise the electoral rolls in Bihar, and accused it of "not respecting" the constitution or following the Supreme Court's advice. Pappu Yadav's remark comes after the Supreme Court allowed the EC to continue the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, while advising them to consider allowing Aadhaar, ration cards, and electoral photo identity cards as admissible documents for voter identity. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Yogender Chandolia supported the SC's move and said that the names of foreign nationals, like those from Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, must be removed. He also noted that such individuals should be returned to their countries and added that this exercise should be conducted in other states as well. (ANI) Odisha's Science and Technology Minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Saturday felicitated the top 30 winners of the 19th edition of the Tata Steel Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS) 2025 at its Grand Finale in Bhubaneswar. Organised by Tata Steel in collaboration with the Pathani Samanta Planetarium under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Odisha, the annual programme aims to ignite scientific curiosity among school students while honouring the legacy of renowned Odia astronomer Pathani Samanta. This year's edition saw participation from over 76,700 students, with 60 finalists competing at the state level. Since its launch in 2007, YATS has reached more than 4.7 lakh students across Odisha. Congratulating the winners, the Minister said the initiative plays a crucial role in motivating students to explore science and space research. He praised Tata Steel for its sustained efforts in nurturing young minds and expressed confidence that the awardees would carry forward the legacy of Pathani Samanta and contribute meaningfully to India's scientific journey. Additional Chief Secretary, Science and Technology, Government of Odisha, Chithra Arumugam, IAS, described YATS as a strong example of effective collaboration between the state government and the corporate sector. She said the programme recognises students with a natural inclination towards science and encourages them to excel, irrespective of the career paths they choose in the future. D B Sundara Ramam, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel, highlighted that YATS is more than a competition. He said it reflects Odisha's scientific spirit and reinforces the company's commitment to fostering innovation, curiosity and learning among young students. The event also featured interactions with eminent space professionals, including ISRO scientist Amitav Mohanty and space entrepreneur Antariksh Parichha, who spoke about emerging trends and career opportunities in space science. YATS alumnus and AI developer Ayush Dalai shared his journey with participants, inspiring them with real-world experiences. This year's theme, "Stargazer Today, Gagannaut Tomorrow," aligns with India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. As part of their reward, the 30 winners will visit an ISRO facility to interact with scientists and witness India's advanced space research firsthand. (ANI) Kelsey Grammer feels his newborn gives him a second chance to nail fatherhood. Kelsey Grammer welcomed his eighth son, Christopher, into the world in October In October, the 70-year-old actor and his wife, Kayte Walsh, welcomed their fourth bundle of joy, Christopher, into the world, and his arrival marked Kelsey's eighth child. The star - who has daughter Spencer, 42, with 69-year-old ex-wife, actress Doreen Alderman; daughter Greer, 33, with his former partner, hair stylist Barrie Buckner; as well as daughter Mason, 24, and son Jude, 21, with his 57-year-old ex-spouse, actress-and-dancer Camille Meyer - explained to E! News: "Ive got older kids and I still reflect on that. "I think, Well, maybe I couldve done that all better. I wish I couldve done this a little better. I wish we were closer. "Its been a great life with me and my families and the chances Ive had with the kids. You have a responsibility to have a little design and a little bit of focus and some responsibility. "I was probably a little weak on that element in the early days, because I was still sort of fleshing myself out, figuring out where all my demons lived, and where all my anxiety was and all the tragedy I'd had, I was still sort of sorting through some of that when I started having kids. Kelsey said the arrival of Spencer was an "awakening" for him, but he still felt challenged at the time. The Cheers alum explained: "I was still confused and still looking for a career and still trying to find a way to make sure that I was going to be able to take care of everybody. "Those were challenging days, they're a little less challenging now." The Hollywood legend - who went on to have daughter Faith, 13, and sons Gabriel, 11 and James, eight, with Kayte - feels he is now capable of playing the "traditional" father figure role. Kelsey - who met Kayte when she worked as a flight attendant on his flight to London, England, in 2009 - added: "I am certainly more available to play the role of a man that can actually point in the direction. And everybody go, Yeah." The Turbulence actor and Kayte - who got engaged in December 2010, and then tied the knot at New York Citys Longacre Theatre in February 2011 - welcomed Christopher in October. And the newborn is doing "amazing". Kelsey shared: "Hes a really easy kid, but my wife Kayte has been exemplary. The first couple kids, we were still sort of improving a little bit, but we were good at it. And he and Kayte do not have to stress much about their youngest son. The Frasier star explained: "Hes sleeping through the night. He is her little charge right now, and hes a wonderful kid. He was smiling at me this morning, and we were having a little chat. "Its great to have this new life in our life." The Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday (local time) strongly condemned the "brutal arrest" of Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and prominent Iranian human rights activist, calling on Iranian authorities to clarify her whereabouts, ensure her safety, and release her immediately. In a statement, the Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Jrgen Watne Frydnes, said that Mohammadi was detained alongside several other activists while describing her as a staunch defender of human rights, freedom of expression, and democratic participation in Iran. He also expressed solidarity with her and all those working peacefully for human rights in the country. "The Norwegian Nobel Committee is deeply concerned by today's brutal arrest of Narges Mohammadi alongside a number of other activists. Ms. Mohammadi - the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate - is a staunch defender of human rights, freedom of expression and democratic participation in Iran. The Norwegian Nobel Committee calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately clarify Mohammadi's whereabouts, ensure her safety and integrity, and to release her without conditions. The Committee stands in solidarity with Narges Mohammadi and all those in Iran who work peacefully for human rights, the rule of law, and freedom of expression," the statement read. The Committee also noted the timing of her arrest, which coincides with the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, amid close collaboration between the Iranian and Venezuelan regimes. "Given the close collaboration between the regimes in Iran and Venezuela, the Norwegian Nobel Committee notes that Ms. Mohammadi is arrested just as the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the Venezuelan opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado," the statement further read. Earlier, according to the Paris-based Narges Mohammadi Foundation, Iranian authorities arrested Mohammadi violently on Friday during a memorial ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer recently found dead in his office, as reported by CNN. The foundation, citing Mohammadi's brother, Mehdi, reported that she was taken into custody in Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city. Mohammadi is among Iran's most prominent human rights defenders, recognised internationally for her advocacy and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 for her efforts to promote democracy, rule of law, and human rights. Mohammadi has spent the majority of the past two decades in Tehran's Evin Prison, a facility notorious for detaining critics of the Iranian regime, as reported by CNN. In December 2024, Iranian authorities temporarily suspended her prison sentence for three weeks to allow her to recover from surgery performed in November, during which a portion of her lower right leg was removed after doctors discovered a lesion suspected to be cancerous. Mohammadi was expected to return to prison shortly thereafter but remained on furlough until her arrest on Friday, CNN reported. According to the Narges Mohammadi Foundation, she has been sentenced to multiple prison terms totalling 36 years on charges including acting against national security and spreading propaganda. Despite her imprisonment and health challenges, Mohammadi has remained active in human rights advocacy over the past year, speaking out on the human rights situation in Iran at various international events and continuing her campaign for justice and freedom in the country, CNN reported. (ANI) Foreign Affairs Expert Robinder Sachdev described India's recent decision to expedite tourist and business employment visas for Chinese nationals as a clear sign that both countries are quietly recalibrating their relationship, despite the border dispute between the two countries. Speaking to ANI on Friday, Sachdev said that the move indicates advancement in the geopolitical ties between India and China, while also signalling an improvement in trade relations between the two countries. "When India is speeding up the issuance of business visas for Chinese professionals, it implies two things. One, it means progress in the geopolitical relationship between India and China. On the other hand, it means better trade relations between China and India," he said. "Yes, the land dispute stands, but both nations are now seeking, in a way, to recalculate their relationships," Sachdev added. His remarks come days after the Ministry of External Affairs in November confirmed that the visa regime for tourism and business purposes for Chinese nationals was "fully functional". This decision marked the end of a five-year suspension imposed after the 2020 border clashes. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing the weekly media briefing, said, "Visas for tourists are being given to Chinese nationals and business visas were being given earlier. So you know, all those visas are now in place. The visa regime of tourism and business, etc, is fully functional." India officially resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals worldwide in November 2025, expanding on a limited reopening that began in July 2025. Business visas were already being issued prior to this recent announcement, and that process remains in place. The resumption of visas is part of a series of "people-centric" confidence-building measures agreed upon by both sides in 2025, which also included the resumption of direct commercial flights in October 2025 and the revival of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra pilgrimage. Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in India is set to launch the online visa application system on December 22, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said on Monday. Sharing the details in a post on X, he said that the applicants could fill out the form and upload application materials online by visiting https://visaforchina.cn/DEL3_EN/qianzhengyewu. "Notice Regarding Online Visa Processing Approval- China Online Visa Application System will be officially launched by the Chinese Embassy in India on December 22, 2025. Applicants could enjoy convenience of filling out the form and uploading application materials online by visiting https://visaforchina.cn/DEL3_EN/qianzhengyewu. Welcome to visit this website for more details," the post read. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], December 13 (ANI/TPS): Israel's Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Gila Gamliel signed a ten-year strategic space agreement with NASA. The signing took place as part of an official working visit to NASA headquarters in Washington, where the minister met with the top leadership of the American agency and discussed with them the promotion of launching the first Israeli woman into space, and joint projects on the moon and deep space, including: the Artemis joint flagship projects, the MARE experiment, the launch of the ULTRASAT satellite, experiments on the International Space Station, and collaborations in education. "NASA is our largest strategic partner in space, and the signing of the decade-long agreement reflects confidence in our scientific ability to jointly lead scientific and technological innovation from the Moon to space station research," said Gamliel. "We are now committed to the next national goal: training the first Israeli female astronaut." (ANI/TPS) Ahead of the national parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, the political situation has become heated. A leader named Osman Hadi, who was one of the prominent figures in the movement against Sheikh Hasina and a potential independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot on Friday. His condition is critical. He is also the top leader of a platform called "Inqilab Manch". This incident of violence has stirred considerable tension in the political arena. Another significant development in Bangladesh's politics is that the former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's son and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)'s Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, is returning to the country on December 25 after nearly 17 years of exile in London. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir has informed the journalists of this development. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said those behind the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, as well as those who planned it, must be arrested as quickly as possible. He made the remark during an emergency meeting at the state guesthouse Jamuna on Friday night with several members of the Advisory Council and key officials from law enforcement and security agencies, according to the CA press wing. The chief adviser said the attack on Hadi is one of the most alarming incidents during the tenure of the interim government. He said the attack is a deliberate strike at Bangladesh's democratic progress. Through this act, the defeated forces have dared to challenge the very existence of the country. "We will foil any such attempts at any cost. Attacks of this nature on the nation by evil forces will not be tolerated," he said. Stating that this attack is part of a conspiracy to derail the national election and the referendum, he added, "Under no circumstances will we allow such conspiracies to succeed. No matter the challenges or storms ahead, no force will be able to sabotage the upcoming election." He added, "Together with the people of this country, we will ensure a peaceful election through our collective strength." The upcoming national parliamentary election in Bangladesh will be held on February 12, 2026, and a referendum on the "July Charter", a document of reforms in line with the spirit of the July 2024 movement against former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, will also take place simultaneously. The Chief Election Commissioner, AMM Nasir Uddin, announced this schedule. Just a day after the election timetable was declared, the political situation in Bangladesh suddenly became turbulent. In July 2024, a movement led by students sparked protests against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On August 5 that same year, Sheikh Hasina fled to India. After that, an interim government was formed in Bangladesh under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Even though the election schedule has been announced, Sheikh Hasina's Awami League remains barred from political activities, and the Election Commission (EC) has suspended the party's registration. If the ban is not lifted, the Awami League will not be able to participate in the upcoming election. The Awami League has already rejected the election schedule. In the upcoming election, the ailing former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's BNP are emerging as the main political force. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the country's largest Islamist party, is also a significant contender in the election. Additionally, the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), led by the students who spearheaded the movement against Sheikh Hasina, is also participating in the vote. All these parties are now busy forming various alliances. Right now, one of the biggest challenges facing Bangladesh is holding the upcoming election peacefully. In the country's history, various incidents of violence have occurred around elections in the past. Moreover, it's also a significant challenge to ensure that this election is free, fair, credible, and inclusive, as the international community is closely monitoring it this time. India has already called for the election in Bangladesh to be free, fair, credible at home and abroad, inclusive and participatory. (ANI) Joint Secretary (East Asia) Sujit Ghosh in the Ministry of External Affairs and Liu Jinsong, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held talks on the momentum of bilateral relations. Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India, Yu Jing, said that the consultations were timely and productive. In a post on X, Yu said, "Mr. Liu Jinsong, DG of the Department of Asian Affairs of MOFA, and Joint Secretary (East Asia) Sujit Ghosh of MEA, held a fresh round of consultations between Chinese and Indian foreign ministry officials in Beijing. Both sides welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the important consensus reached at the Tianjin meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They agreed to advance bilateral exchanges, restore institutional dialogue, properly manage differences, strengthen coordination in multilateral and regional affairs, uphold multilateralism, and safeguard the shared interests of the Global South." https://x.com/ChinaSpox_India/status/1999720861264413177?s=20 "The consultations were described as timely and productive, conducted in a positive atmosphere and yielding meaningful consensus," she added. Ghosh visited Beijing from 11 to 12 December 2025. He called on Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and held discussions with the Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 11 in Beijing, according to a statement by the MEA. The discussions were constructive and forward-looking. Both sides highlighted the importance of strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, and made an upbeat assessment of the progress in stabilising and rebuilding bilateral ties, prioritising people-centric engagements, as per MEA. The two sides took stock of the exchanges and activities planned for the coming year. The Indian side emphasised on the need for early resolution of outstanding issues about export control. Regional and global developments of mutual interest were also briefly touched upon. During the visit, Ghosh also met with the Director General (Asian Affairs) of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and discussed bilateral trade and commercial issues. (ANI) US President Donald Trump's decisions are facing challenges in the US Supreme Court, with 20 states opposing the H-1B visa fee hike. Foreign Affairs Expert Robinder Sachdev noted that Trump's policies are being contested, with Democratic states leading the charge. Speaking to ANI, foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev said that many of US President Donald Trump's decisions are being challenged in the US Supreme Court. "About 20 states of the United States have challenged the H1B visa fee, which the Trump administration has jacked up $200,000 for the first time. This underscores that many of Trump's decisions are being challenged in the courts. In fact, almost every decision of Trump has been challenged. But many of those decisions are being upheld by the courts," he said. The US has been witnessing a heated debate over the H-1B visa fee hike, with 20 states, all led by Democrats, challenging President Trump's decision to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications. This move has been met with opposition from corporations and states, citing concerns over the impact on businesses and the economy. "That is one. Secondly, the states that have challenged Trump on this H-1 B visa fee are all Democratic. So obviously, they are in opposition to the Republican Party, which is Trump's party. They would certainly seek to oppose Trump's policies. But yes, fundamentally speaking, the fee that Trump has imposed of $100,000 for a H1B visa for the first time is definitely very, very steep and forget the states, H1B visa being protested by 20 states, including California," he said. The H-1B visa fee increase has sparked widespread dissent, with many questioning its impact on American businesses. Three Democratic representatives have introduced a resolution to terminate Trump's national emergency declaration, citing harm to workers, consumers, and bilateral ties. "See, three members of the US House of Representatives have introduced a resolution saying that the 50% tariffs of Trump should be removed. But a couple of things are there. One, in the House of Representatives, Democrats do not have a majority. It is the Republicans who dominate the House of Representatives," he said. Three members of the US House of Representatives on Friday (local time) introduced a resolution to terminate President Donald Trump's national emergency declaration that imposed tariffs of up to 50 per cent on imports from India, calling the measures "illegal" and harmful to American workers, consumers, and bilateral ties. The resolution, spearheaded by Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, follows a bipartisan Senate measure to end similar tariffs on Brazil and curb the President's use of emergency powers to raise import duties. The lawsuit, filed in a Massachusetts federal court, argues that the fee is unlawful and exceeds the Trump administration's authority. California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated that the fee would impose unnecessary financial burdens on providers of vital services such as education and healthcare, exacerbating labour shortages. The H-1B visa program allows US employers to hire foreign workers in speciality fields, and the tech industry is particularly reliant on it. Critics argue that the fee hike would disproportionately affect Indian professionals, who hold an estimated 70% of H-1B visas. The US corporate sector is feeling the pinch of Trump's tariffs, with small and medium-sized businesses suffering from the 50% tariffs on Indian imports. "This resolution, the three congressmen- they're all democratic congressmen. Yes, they've introduced a resolution calling for the removal of the 50% tariffs. It will not have much impact at this time, but it also indicates that grassroots businesses in America are suffering. See, all of these guys are politicians, and they take any step when they realise that their constituents, you know, people in their constituencies are hurting. It's the businesses in these constituencies who are complaining to them, that you know, Trump tariffs are hurting their business. Hence, these are politicians who are responding to the worries, concerns and problems of their constituents," he said. He also highlighted that the US companies struggle with Trump's tariffs, hurting imports and sales. The Trump administration defends the fee as a measure to prevent abuse of the H-1B system and protect American workers. However, business groups and major companies argue that the program is essential to address the shortage of qualified American workers. "They are articulating it so it indicates that grassroots America business in America is hurting due to the 50% tariffs on India because many people in the US have their businesses importing from India and then selling within the United States, so they are losing business," he said. (ANI) The Norwegian Nobel Committee condemned the arrest of former Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi. "The Norwegian Nobel Committee is deeply concerned by today's brutal arrest of Narges Mohammadi alongside a number of other activists. Ms. Mohammadi - the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate - is a staunch defender of human rights, freedom of expression and democratic participation in Iran," the statement read. "The Norwegian Nobel Committee calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately clarify Mohammadi's whereabouts, ensure her safety and integrity, and to release her without conditions. The Committee stands in solidarity with Narges Mohammadi and all those in Iran who work peacefully for human rights, the rule of law, and freedom of expression," as per the statement. The committee noted that given the closeness of Venezuela and Iran, this arrest came when Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won the prize. "Given the close collaboration between the regimes in Iran and Venezuela, the Norwegian Nobel Committee notes that Ms. Mohammadi is arrested just as the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the Venezuelan opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado," the statement read. The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to imprisoned Iranian human rights advocate Narges Mohammadi. More than 20 years of fighting for women's rights made her a symbol of freedom and standard-bearer in the struggle against the Iranian theocracy. In 2003, she joined the Defenders of Human Rights Centre, founded by that year's Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Shirin Ebadi. In the years that followed, Mohammadi helped imprisoned activists, led a campaign against the death penalty and criticised the regime's use of torture and sexualized violence. The freedom struggle cost her dearly. She was arrested 13 times and sentenced to 31 years in prison and 154 lashes. In October 2023, when her selection as the Nobel Peace Prize laureate was announced, she was locked in Tehran's notorious Evin prison. From captivity, Narges Mohammadi stood at the forefront of major protests against the Iranian regime in autumn 2022. The unrest had been triggered by the arrest, mistreatment and death of a young Kurdish woman, Mahsa Jina Amini, at the hands of the morality police. Her crime: not adequately covering her hair. The authorities responded harshly to the demonstrators. More than 500 were killed, thousands were injured, and at least 20,000 were arrested. Narges Mohammadi commented on her peace prize as follows: "I will never stop striving for the realisation of democracy, freedom and equality. Surely, the Nobel Peace Prize will make me more resilient, determined, hopeful and enthusiastic." (ANI) US envoy to the UN, Mike Waltz, accused Rwanda of fueling instability and war in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. "Rwanda is leading the region towards increased instability and war," US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz told the UN Security Council. "We will use the tools at our disposal to hold to account spoilers to peace." The UN and the Security Council have repeatedly described the majority-Tutsi M23 militia as backed by Rwanda - a claim Kigali has repeatedly denied. Fighting and insecurity continue in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, amid rising diplomatic anger over the latest offensive by the M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda. According to regional officials, more than 400 civilians have been killed in South Kivu Province since the rebel group escalated its offensive and entered the strategic city of Uvira, France 24 reported. A peace deal brokered by the US last week was intended to end Rwanda's involvement in the conflict; however, it has had little effect on the ground. The UK has announced that it will impose sanctions on senior commanders of the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces for their alleged involvement in "heinous violence" in the Darfur region. This announcement comes amid significant resource shortages due to funding cuts, as reported by several humanitarian organisations, including the UN World Food Programme. On Friday, the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly concluded with Kenyan President William Ruto calling for a green, inclusive economic transformation. Delegates from over 170 countries gathered in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, for four days to discuss and deliver so-called 'real-world solutions to real-world problems' caused by the worsening climate crisis, as per France 24. The Kenyan president stressed that Africa, one of the world's least polluting continents, was already bearing the brunt of the crisis, and that economic growth must go hand in hand with green initiatives. (ANI) Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis has intensified due to the mass deportation of Afghan asylum seekers from Iran and Pakistan, prolonged drought conditions and a series of powerful earthquakes in the eastern and northern regions, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has warned. According to Tolo News, the NRC said the combined impact of displacement, natural disasters and economic strain has pushed millions deeper into vulnerability. The organisation estimates that 17.4 million people, nearly 36 percent of Afghanistan's population, are currently experiencing high levels of food insecurity. "Currently, 17.4 million people, representing nearly 36 percent of Afghanistan's population, are facing acute food insecurity. As harsh winter conditions approach, the situation is becoming increasingly critical by the day. The NRC has urged the international community to immediately scale up its support to prevent further human suffering," the council said. Economic pressures have further worsened living conditions, particularly in urban areas. An economic analyst said long-term structural reforms were essential to address the crisis. "The management of both natural and human resources should be conducted in a way that enhances individual capacities and skills," Abdul Zahoor Madbar said, according to Tolo News. Residents of Kabul described growing hardship as incomes remain unstable, prices continue to rise and job opportunities remain scarce. "It's cold, and we don't have enough fuel. I can't afford to buy fuel. We don't even have a heater, and we heat water in barrels and sleep under blankets to keep warm," said Ahmad Nawab, a city resident. Another Kabul resident, Mohammad Bilal, highlighted the pressure of soaring prices on basic necessities. "People can no longer afford to buy oil, rice, or other basic food items. Prices are high across the board," he said. Calling for stronger oversight, Abdul Wakil said authorities must ensure affordability of essentials. "It is the government's duty to oversee this situation. Our demand is that everything should be affordable so that the poor and needy can access essentials," he said. Responding to concerns, the Ministry of Economy said it had introduced support and development programmes aimed at tackling food insecurity across multiple sectors. Ministry spokesperson Abdul Rahman Habib said the focus was on sustainable solutions. "Our priority is long-term programs to develop agriculture and livestock sectors, manage resources, expand economic infrastructure, and create job opportunities to support vulnerable groups and prevent the spread of poverty and food insecurity," he said, Tolo News reported. Earlier this year, the World Food Programme warned that 9.5 million people in Afghanistan were facing severe food insecurity. The UN agency said it requires USD 650 million in immediate funding to sustain its life-saving operations through the end of 2025. (ANI) As the forced deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan continues, returnees housed in a migrant camp in Kabul have described harsh conditions during expulsion and said they were forced to leave behind their possessions, calling on authorities for urgent support. According to Tolo News, several returnees said they were subjected to mistreatment by Pakistani police and arrived back in Afghanistan with little or nothing. They urged authorities to provide immediate shelter, land allocation, cash assistance and employment opportunities to help them rebuild their lives. Jan Mohammad, a returnee from Iran, said many deportees had nowhere to go. "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan must help these people; they have no place to live. I myself am heading to Jawzjan province and have nowhere to stay," he said. Others who were deported from Pakistan said they returned empty-handed after losing property and belongings during the expulsions. "We were forcibly expelled; some of our belongings remained there. Here, we have neither money nor shelter. The problems are overwhelming; it's cold, and winter has arrived," Jamaluddin said, according to Tolo News. Another deportee, Gulzar, appealed for assistance after returning to Afghanistan. "We were expelled. That country was foreign. Now we've returned to our homeland and I call on the Islamic Emirate to support us," he said. Meanwhile, Iran's representative to the United Nations criticised the international community for failing to meet commitments to support Afghan migrants. Iranian media quoted Amir Saeed Iravani as saying that international financial assistance for 2026 had been reduced by 60 per cent. He said Iran could not continue hosting around six million Afghan nationals without meaningful global support, warning that the situation violated the principle of international responsibility-sharing. A report carried by Iranian media stated: "Iran has repeatedly warned the United Nations and donor countries that without substantial and sustained support, it cannot endure these pressures. The severe reduction in aid violates the principle of shared responsibility for refugees. We have clearly and repeatedly stated from this very platform that Iran cannot and will not carry the disproportionate burden of hosting over six million Afghan nationals without real international solidarity, fair responsibility-sharing, and tangible financial support." Migrant rights activists also called for urgent policy measures. Nazer Nazari said a coordinated response was needed to address the crisis. "It is essential that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan adopt a comprehensive strategy, including an immediate halt to deportations during the winter and the creation of a joint program with international agencies for the temporary resettlement of migrants," he said, Tolo News reported. Another activist, Abdul Razaq Adil, said the situation extended beyond humanitarian concerns. "The Afghan migrant crisis is not just a security, economic, or purely humanitarian issue it is a regional development crisis. Until Afghanistan's economic and security situation improves, migration will continue, and neighbouring countries like Iran and Pakistan will remain the main hosts due to geographic proximity," he said. According to the High Commission for Addressing Migrant Affairs, a total of 830 families returned to Afghanistan on the previous day. The commission said 979 families were relocated to designated areas. It added that 636 families received assistance and SIM cards were distributed among returnees. (ANI) Peter Greene has died. Peter Greene has died The character actor - who was best known for playing the villain Dorian in The Mask and sadistic security guard Zed in Pulp Fiction - passed away at his New York City home on Friday (12.12.25) at the age of 60, his manager, Gregg Edward, has confirmed. A neighbour told the New York Daily News newspaper that the Usual Suspects actor had been found inside his ground-floor apartment after concerned locals had reported hearing Christmas music playing inside for several days and building management sent over a locksmith. The neighbour said: Peter was lying on the floor, facedown, facial injury, blood everywhere" Peter's manager said the news had come as a shock because he was healthy and fit apart from having surgery scheduled in the coming days to remove a benign tumour from his lungs. He said: Its a shock. He wasnt that old. In pretty good shape for his age, rode his bike everywhere around New York. Hed had some health issues throughout the last couple years, had always fought through and was very strong. Bottom line, he was really a good-hearted person and a brilliant, brilliant actor. Ive been trying to get him to write his autobiography. Hes got stories after stories... He was a unique individual. One of the most brilliant character actors on the planet. Had a really good heart. Cared about people. Truly one of the great actors of our generation. And the actor - who had battled drug addiction in the 1990s - had been due to film Mascots with Mickey Rourke next year and also had two other projects in the pipeline. Gregg said: He had a reputation as tough to work with He was a perfectionist. He wanted it right. He was a big believer in improvising stuff too. Some people were fine with it, some people were not. Peter is survived by a sister and a brother. The United States has accused Rwanda of breaching a recently signed peace agreement after fresh fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning that Kigali's actions amount to a "clear violation" of the deal. In a post on X on Saturday, Rubio said, "The United States will take action to ensure promises made to the president are kept," underscoring Washington's growing concern over the renewed offensive in South Kivu province. https://x.com/SecRubio/status/1999829630618919050?s=20 The warning comes as a fragile calm has returned to the eastern DRC city of Uvira following its capture by M23 rebels earlier this week. According to Al Jazeera, residents have cautiously begun emerging from their homes after days of intense fighting that saw the Rwanda-backed group seize control of the strategic port city on Lake Tanganyika. The fall of Uvira threatens to derail a US-brokered peace agreement signed last week between Congolese and Rwandan leaders under the oversight of President Donald Trump. Washington accused Rwanda on Friday of igniting the latest offensive, as violence spread between the cities of Bukavu and Uvira, both now under M23 control. Regional authorities said at least 400 civilians, including children, were killed during the fighting in South Kivu. Al Jazeera reported that Uvira, located opposite Burundi's largest city Bujumbura, remains tense despite the lull in clashes. An uneasy calm has settled over the city, with government forces and allied militias known as "Wazalendo" reported to have begun fleeing even before M23 fighters entered. While residents who had fled are gradually returning, most shops and businesses remain closed. "People are coming out, they feel the fear is behind them," one resident said, adding that the situation remains fragile, with signs of heavy combat still visible across Uvira. Residents echoed the cautious mood. Bienvenue Mwatumabire said he was at work when fighting erupted between rebels and government forces and gunfire was heard from a nearby village, but added that "today we have noticed things are getting back to normal." Another resident, Baoleze Beinfait, said people were not being harassed by the rebels, but warned, "We will see how things are in the coming days," according to Al Jazeera. M23's spokesperson defended the offensive, claiming the group had "liberated" Uvira from what he described as "terrorist forces." The rebels say they are protecting ethnic Tutsi communities in eastern DRC, where fighting has intensified since earlier this year. Local United Nations partners said the offensive, which began on December 2, has displaced more than 200,000 people across South Kivu province. Provincial officials accused Rwandan special forces and foreign mercenaries of operating in Uvira "in clear violation" of both the Washington accords and earlier ceasefire agreements reached in Doha. At the UN Security Council on Friday, US Ambassador Mike Waltz accused Rwanda of steering the region "towards increased instability and war," warning that Washington would hold spoilers accountable. Waltz said Rwanda has exercised strategic control over M23 since its re-emergence in 2021, with between 5,000 and 7,000 Rwandan troops fighting alongside the rebels in Congo as of early December. "Kigali has been intimately involved in planning and executing the war in eastern DRC," Waltz told the Security Council, referring to Rwanda's capital. Rwanda's UN ambassador rejected the allegations, accusing the DRC of violating the ceasefire. Kigali acknowledges deploying troops in eastern Congo but says they are there to protect its security, particularly from Hutu militia groups that fled into DRC after Rwanda's 1994 genocide. The capture of Uvira has also raised alarm in neighbouring Burundi, which has deployed forces to the region. Burundi's UN ambassador warned that "restraint has its limits," saying continued attacks could lead to direct confrontation. More than 30,000 refugees have crossed into Burundi in recent days, Al Jazeera reported. The DRC's foreign minister urged the Security Council to hold Rwanda accountable, saying "impunity has gone on for far too long." A report by the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats project said Rwanda provided significant backing to M23's Uvira operation, calling it the group's most consequential offensive since March. UN experts briefing the Security Council noted that civilians in eastern DRC are not benefitting from the agreements negotiated between Kinshasa and Kigali, Al Jazeera reported. More than 100 armed groups continue to fight for control of mineral-rich areas near the Rwandan border, fuelling one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, with over seven million people displaced. The M23 group is not a party to the Washington-mediated talks between DRC and Rwanda and is instead engaged in separate negotiations with the Congolese government hosted by Qatar. (ANI) North Korea has held a high-profile welcoming ceremony in Pyongyang for its engineer troops who returned from Russia's western Kursk region after completing a mine-clearance mission, with leader Kim Jong-un paying tribute to nine soldiers who lost their lives during the deployment, Yonhap News Agency reported. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the ceremony took place on Friday to receive members of the 528th Regiment of Engineers, who were sent to Kursk in early August. Pyongyang had dispatched around 1,000 engineer troops to assist Russian forces in clearing landmines that were planted by Ukrainian soldiers. This marked one of North Korea's lesser-acknowledged deployments to support Russia, following the earlier dispatch of nearly 15,000 combat troops to aid Moscow in its war against Ukraine, as per Yonhap News Agency. Addressing the gathering, Kim Jong-un welcomed the soldiers home and expressed gratitude for their safe return, while also acknowledging what he described as the "heartrending loss of nine lives." He praised the regiment for completing what he said was an almost impossible task in a remarkably short time, according to Yonhap News Agency. "You could work a miracle of turning a vast area of danger zone into a safe and secure one in a matter of less than three months, the task which was believed to be impossible to be carried out even in several years," Kim said. He went on to criticise Western military forces, asserting that "the armed villains of the West, armed with whatever latest military hardware they are, cannot match this revolutionary army with an unfathomable spiritual depth." During the ceremony, Kim conferred the Order of Freedom and Independence on the regiment and posthumously awarded the title of 'DPRK Hero' along with first-class state orders to the nine deceased soldiers. DPRK is the abbreviation for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "One hundred and twenty days have passed since the moment when I had to dispatch you, combatants of this regiment, to the dangerous battleground; every day of this period seemed like a decade, just as when I had been waiting for the combatants of the special operations units, who had been involved in the liberation battles," Kim said, stressing that he felt the pain of waiting that he had "never experienced before." Yongyang had remained silent about its deployment of additional engineer troops, which was previously known through Russian reports. Saturday's report confirms the details of the deployment, including the duration and number of casualties. (ANI) The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the incident on Saturday in a statement signed by Director Lieutenant Colonel Sami-ud-Daula Chowdhury. The ISPR said clashes between the peacekeepers and militants are ongoing at the site. The situation in the area remains unstable, with continued fighting between terrorists and peacekeepers. Relevant authorities are making every effort to provide necessary medical treatment and conduct rescue operations for injured personnel. Further updates will be shared as more information becomes available, the ISPR added. Abyei is an unresolved border region located between Sudan and South Sudan. Rich in oil reserves, the area is economically significant and has historically been home to the Dinka Ngok community of South Sudan. At the same time, the Misseriya nomadic group from Sudan has long used the land for seasonal grazing. This mix of geography and ethnicity has made Abyei a longstanding point of conflict. Under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Sudanese government and southern rebel movements, a referendum was planned to allow Abyei's residents to decide whether to join Sudan or South Sudan. However, political disputes, security concerns and disagreements over voter lists have prevented the vote from taking place, leaving Abyei effectively an indeterminate territory. To maintain stability, the United Nations has deployed peacekeepers tasked with security and violence prevention. Despite their presence, disputes over land ownership, grazing rights, oil resources and political control continue to make Abyei a conflict-prone zone between Sudan and South Sudan. (ANI) Sharing details in a post on X, Jaishankar said he was pleased to meet Egypt's Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty at the forum. "Nice to catch up with FM Dr Badr Abdelatty of Egypt at Sir Bani Yas Forum," he said. In a separate post, the EAM said he also met with several European leaders during the event, including Deputy Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers from Luxembourg and Poland, as well as the Foreign Minister of Latvia. "Great to be with European colleagues DPM & FM Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg, DPM & FM Radoslaw Sikorski of Poland and FM Baiba Braze of Latvia," Jaishankar said. Earlier, Jaishankar met with UK Deputy PM and Foreign Secretary David Lammy on the sidelines of the forum. He announced his interaction with Lammy in a post on X, stating, "Good to see UK DPM David Lammy on the sidelines of Sir Bani Yas Forum 2025." The EAM is currently in the UAE to attend the 16th Sir Bani Yas Forum, scheduled for December 12 to 14 in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi. The Sir Bani Yas Forum is an annual high-level platform that convenes senior leaders, policymakers, and global experts to discuss major regional and international issues, with a focus on peace, security, and economic cooperation. Leaders from the Gulf and Arab worlds, as well as from Europe and Asia, are also participating in the high-level forum in the UAE. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, Mihai Popsoi, will also participate in the discussion at the high-level forum, which is one of the most important international strategic dialogue events held annually in the UAE. Cyprus Minister of Foreign Affairs Constantinos Kompos will also attend the forum, as well as Montenegro's Prime Minister Milojko Spajic. (ANI) Amy Schumer and her husband Chris Fischer have split after seven years of marriage. Amy Schumer and Chris Fischer / Instagram The 44-year-old actress took to Instagram on Friday (12.12.25) and admitted the pair - who have a six-year-old son called Gene - have made the "difficult decision" to go their separate ways. Captioning a photo of the former couple riding a train, Amy - who overlayed the post with U2's track, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - penned: "Blah blah blah Chris and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage after 7 years. "We love each other very much and will continue to focus on raising our son. We would appreciate people respecting our privacy at this time. (sic)" The I Feel Pretty star then joked in the caption that her dramatic weight loss and professional chef Chris being a "hot James beard award-winning chef who can still pull some hot tail" were not the causes for their break-up. Amy - who, in February, said on ABC's The View that she and Chris will mark their seventh wedding anniversary by making "sweet love" - ended the post with: "Amicable and all love and respect! Family forever." Amy and professional chef Chris were first linked in November 2017 after they were photographed at a candlelit dinner together in New York. Days after they went Instagram official with their relationship in February 2018, Amy and Chris got married in an intimate ceremony in Malibu, California, which was attended by around 80 people, including actress Jennifer Aniston, 56, and 78-year-old actor Larry David. Amy shared a series of photos from their special day to Instagram, and she let the snaps speak for themselves by simply captioning the carousel with: "Yup." In October that year, the Trainwreck actress made her pregnancy announcement via journalist Jessica Yellin of News Not Noise. Sharing a list of Amy's recommended congressional and gubernatorial candidates, Jessica wrote: "I wanted to share some news from our community, maybe it's noise, but it's happy noise." And the end of the post stated: "I'm pregnant-Amy Schumer." On May 5, 2019, Gene was born. And referencing the birth of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and her husband Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex's son Prince Archie a day later, Amy joked: "Our royal baby was born." Sweden and Norway have taken sharply different paths on aid to Africa, with Stockholm cutting aid while Oslo increases allocations for humanitarian support. On Dec. 8, Sweden announced it will phase out bilateral development assistance to five countries, including four in Africa: Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique and Liberia. The goal was to free up about 10 billion Swedish crowns ($1.1 billion) in 2026 for increased support to Ukraine. The move will also lead to the closure of Swedish embassies in Liberia and Zimbabwe, signaling a significant diplomatic pullback. We are at a crucial point in Europes history. To increase support for Ukraine, we must make difficult priority decisions, said Benjamin Dousa, Swedens minister for international cooperation and foreign trade. Sweden stressed that humanitarian aid will continue, even as long-term development partnerships are scaled back. In contrast, Norway announced Dec. 2 that it will raise its contribution to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to 470 million Norwegian crowns ($47 million) for 2025 and 2026. The flexible fund targets forgotten crises and conflicts and disasters that receive little media attention and funding. The CERF is one of the most important mechanisms we have to deliver life-saving assistance quickly to those who need it most, said Asmund Aukrust, Norways development minister. In 2025, top CERF recipients included Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad, highlighting Africas prominence in humanitarian priorities. The contrasting decisions reflect two strategic approaches: Swedens geopolitical pivot toward Ukraine at the expense of African development ties, and Norways emphasis on global humanitarian response. For African nations losing Swedish support, including Liberia and Zimbabwe, the cuts mean reduced funding and diminished diplomatic presence, while countries in crisis such as Sudan and the DRC stand to benefit from Norways increased humanitarian aid. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has raised alarms over the escalating situation in the West Bank during a phone call on Thursday, 11 December, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He highlighted rising Israeli military and settler violence, ongoing land confiscations, and the risk of wider regional tension. Since October 2023, Israeli operations have reportedly killed over 10.090 Palestinians, injured more than 11,000, and detained 21,000. Abdelatty briefed the UN chief on Egypts efforts to consolidate the Gaza ceasefire, emphasising the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which endorses the ceasefire and establishes governance and reconstruction mechanisms for Gaza. He called for the formation of a Palestinian technocratic committee to support post-war reconstruction and for unhindered humanitarian aid. The minister reiterated Egypts rejection of displacement policies or any changes to Gazas geographic and demographic character. He also welcomed the UN General Assemblys renewal of the UNRWA mandate for three years, underscoring its vital role for Palestinian refugees. Egypt remains committed to regional and international coordination to uphold Palestinian self-determination and the prospect of an independent state. 57 items in this article 16 items on sale! Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers I know what youre thinking: Gifts from a pharmacy? But I assure you, you can actually find some good gift ideas there. And not only at a Zitomer or a C.O. Bigelow, but at Duane Reade. To quote my colleague Erin Schwartz, Honestly, its a sign youre a great gift-giver if you can find something from the CVS aisle. (Its also why we included the question, Heres $10 to get a gift for someone at Walgreens. What are you buying? in the questionnaire for our How I Gift series.) A pharmacy can have anything from the delightfully weird (mango gummies in the shape of an ear) to the actually useful (a pressure-point massager), and if youre strolling through the aisles for long enough, youll see stocking stuffers, white-elephant gifts, or even something for your mother-in-law. Here, I rounded up the best gifts you can buy at a pharmacy for anyone on your list, and everything is available at CVS or Walgreens (which happen to be the countrys biggest pharmacy chains). As of publication, these should all arrive by Christmas, but you should enter your Zip Code for the best shipping estimates. For more gift inspiration, heres our list of every gift guide weve written this year. 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. CanDo TheraPutty Exercise Putty $55 for 6 Theraputty (each color-coded for different resistance levels from yellow, the softest, to black, the firmest) helps with finger dexterity and coordination. $55 for 6 at CVS Buy 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. Homedics Heated Footspa $50 $50 All the comfort of a spa but at home. $50 at CVS Buy $40 at Target Buy 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. Timex Space Saving Alarm Clock $18 Itll take a lot less time to figure out than a Loftie. $18 at Walgreens Buy As seen in our 95 Carefully Selected, Unusually Special Gifts Under $50. 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. Odele Dry Shampoo $13 $13 Poofed is the best word to describe the application process of the Odele Dry Shampoo, says our contributor Erika Veurink. It absorbs oil, while spray solutions really only masked the feeling with a sticky texture, a prime culprit for buildup. $13 at Walgreens Buy $13 at Target Buy 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. Kitsch Rhinestone Bobby Pins $11 $11 Any bad hair day can become a good hair day with rhinestone bobby pins. $11 at Walgreens Buy $8 at Amazon Buy Let their fingers prune in a Dr. Tealsbranded bubble bath, available in lavender; ginseng, ginger, and rhodiola rosea; eucalyptus and spearmint; and shea butter with almond oil. 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. Squishmallows Original Sanrio 2025 Cinnamoroll $13 $13 Buy at Walgreens Buy 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. Squishmallows Original Sanrio 2025 Kuromi $13 $13 Buy at Walgreens Buy No Pompompurin, but Kuromi and Cinnamoroll are Hello Kittys friends. 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. Stasher Reusable Bowl $13 $13 To make meal-prepping easier, a Stasher has a patented Pinch-Loc seal to keep everything from pomegranate seeds to broccoli from spilling inside their Baggu. $13 at Walgreens Buy 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. Hello Kitty Unicorn Tales Cotton Candy Tub $4 $4 Quite kawaii. $4 at CVS Buy 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. Royal Dansk Danish Butter Cookies, Winter Cookies Collection $6 $6 Its not filled with sewing supplies (yet); its filled with Royal Dansks Danish butter cookies (the holiday-themed hot-chocolate trees, caramel bells, and brown-sugar stars). $6 at Walgreens Buy 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. Nice! Giant Gummy Mango Peelable Candy $4 $4 Buy at Walgreens Buy 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. Nice! Pickle Gummy Candy $4 $4 Buy at Walgreens Buy Surprisingly hyperrealistic. 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. Fujifilm QuickSnap Flash 400 Camera $39 for 2 $39 for 2 Lets reject modernity (iPhone cameras) and embrace tradition (Fujifilm QuickSnaps). $39 for 2 at CVS Buy 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. Festive Voice Hot Dog Stress Reliever $5 For when you have a woof day, according to the package. $5 at Walgreens Buy 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. Festive Voice Mini Glitter Lamp $5 $5 Even more important to American kitsch than the plastic flamingo or pet rock is the lava lamp. $5 at Walgreens 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 useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. The United Kingdom has big plans for its nuclear sector, with the construction of two conventional nuclear plants underway and plans to develop small modular reactor (SMR) technology. Frances EDF Energy is managing the development of the Hinkley Point C power plant in Somerset and Sizewell C in Suffolk, while Rolls-Royce was recently selected as the preferred bidder to construct the U.K.s first SMRs. However, the plans do not stop there. In December, the countrys Energy Secretary Ed Miliband stated the government has only just begun when it comes to our ambitions for new nuclear in the U.K, at the Nuclear Industry Association's Nuclear 2025 conference in London.The work we are doing to drive forward Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C and our SMR programme will together bring more nuclear capacity onto the grid than in the last half century combined, said Miliband. When you think about the demands of electricity, there is so much more this industry can do. Miliband said the government will deliver on promises to develop SMRs and advanced modular reactors (AMRs) and will soon publish a framework on privately funded advanced nuclear projects. Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) will be in charge of assessing proposals. The government is also reforming planning rules to expand the areas in which new nuclear projects can be developed beyond the eight existing sites, which will expand the reach of SMRs and AMRs. GBE-N will conduct research between now and autumn 2026 to identify a suitable site for another large-scale nuclear plant to be developed, according to Miliband. At the conference, GBE-Ns Chair, Simon Bowen, stated that developing more large-scale nuclear capacity is a critical part of the mix. And the identification of which sites could be used is a really important piece of work. Bowen added, Of course, weve got an established technology at Hinkley and Sizewell, and that must be a very credible frontrunner or a credible technology for us to continue to develop, but we have to market-test that to see whether or not there are better value-for-money options for the taxpayer, and that is a natural thing for us to do. Miliband emphasised that the GBE-N assessment will align with the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan, which will also be published next year to inform the U.K.s future nuclear building programme to 2030 and beyond. The Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce recently published recommendations on the U.K.s nuclear power development. The Taskforce called for urgent reforms, saying there were systemic failures in the U.K.s nuclear framework. It said that fragmented regulation, flawed legislation, and weak incentives had led the country to fall behind as a nuclear powerhouse. The government is expected to produce a full implementation plan within three months, to be supported by new, streamlined regulations. Developing a new nuclear fleet is no easy feat. Despite being the birthplace of commercial nuclear power, the U.K. now produces just 15 percent of its electricity from about 6.5 GW of nuclear capacity at present, compared to neighbouring France, which produces around 65 percent of its electricity from nuclear power. However, the government now aims for nuclear energy to contribute a quarter of the U.K.s power by 2050. Despite the significant progress in the development of the U.K.s nuclear energy industry, several challenges stand in the way of the countrys nuclear renaissance. The Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce found that the U.K. had become the most expensive place in the world to construct nuclear power plants, citing overly complex bureaucracy as a major hurdle. It suggested that an overhaul of the countrys nuclear regulations could save it tens of billions in costs. The U.K. is looking outwards to improve its chances for an accelerated deployment of nuclear power. In September, the U.K. and the United States signed an agreement to develop their nuclear power capabilities in the areas of advanced nuclear reactors, advanced nuclear fuels, and fusion energy, to ensure that the two countries remain at the forefront of fission and fusion innovation, according to the White House. As part of the deal, the U.K. government increased access to the market for both U.K. and U.S. companies, which led to the announcement of several commercial deals. Prime Minister Kier Starmer said, These major commitments set us well on course to a golden age of nuclear that will drive down household bills in the long run, while delivering thousands of good jobs in the short term. The U.K. is well on its way to reestablishing itself as a major global nuclear energy power, following years of underinvestment in the sector. New large- and small-scale projects will be supported by favourable policies, streamlined regulations, and greater public funding, which are expected to drive private investment in the sector. Meanwhile, agreements with foreign nuclear powers could help the U.K. advance the development of innovative new technologies. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com (Photo courtesy of Metropolis Magazine) Despite the oft-repeated myth, Coca-Cola did not in fact invent the modern image of a fat, jolly, red-and-white-clad Santa Claus. Kind of a moot point though, now that the soft drink has become virtually synonymous with Christmas. For many people, the holiday season just wouldnt be complete without commercials featuring the now iconic Cola trucks delivering their black syrupy drink to every corner of the globe in time for Jesus birthday. Well, almost every corner. Despite Coca-Cola being one of the biggest beverage manufacturers in Japan, they never managed to make December 25 a part of their corporate identity over here. Thats less inspiring than it sounds like because Christmas in Japan is still connected with a fast food brand thats bad for your health. But instead of Coke, its KFC. Thats rightevery Christmas in Japan, millions of people sit down to a holiday dinner of fast food chicken that comes in a cardboard bucket. The demand for Christmas KFC is so high in Japan that it must be pre-ordered months in advance; in some parts of the country, family packs have to be reserved in November or even October. How did this happen? Is it because Colonel Sanders is an overweight old man with white facial hair, and that reminds people of Santa Claus? Or does it have something to do with the recipe of KFC chicken? After all, if you add grease to KFCs 11 herbs and spices, you get 12, as in the Twelve Days of Christmas. Is that how the tradition got started? There are two likely explanations for Japans Christmas obsession with KFC. Its possible that, many years ago, American expats living in Japan were looking for turkey for a traditional Christmas dinner, but not being able to find any (as they are rarely sold in Japan) decided to settle for chicken. But then, after realizing that the country also lacks Western-style ovens, they instead mobbed their local KFCs come Christmas time, and were eventually emulated by the locals. Japan does have a long tradition of taking cultural cues from the United States, so this theory definitely has some merit. However, the much simpler answer is that the end of the year is a time for splurging and treating yourself for pretty much everyone around the globe. As it so happens, meat is notoriously expensive in Japan, as you would expect from a country that gave us Kobe beef, the most expensive meat in the world. Therefore, it stands to reason that Christmas time would be when many Japanese people spend a little more on tasty animal fleshwithin reason of course. Seeing as chicken is one of the more affordable kinds of meat in Japan, naturally most families would choose to stuff themselves with feathered dinosaur descendants year after year, thus creating this modern Japanese tradition. You also have to consider the fact that Christmas is not a public holiday in Japan, and it is anything but sacred over here. For many people, its really no different than, lets say, Valentines Day. In fact, a lot of young Japanese people have co-opted the holiday for themselves, turning it into a kind of unofficial sequel to February 14th, only with cake and chicken instead of chocolate. KFC is fully aware of it, too, which is why their Japanese restaurants also serve cake during Christmas time, becoming the full-service stop for all of your Christmas needs. And why not? Without the religious aspect, December 25 is just another day in Japan, so why not celebrate it with animal fat in the shape of a drumstick? The KFC (Kentucky Fried Christmas) Phenomenon has been such a hit in Japan that convenience stores are now trying to get in on that juicy racket. Most huge chains like Lawson or Family Mart now offer their own Christmas family packs of deep-fried chicken in an attempt to make a dent in KFCs monopoly. Will they succeed? It doesnt seem likely, but then again, neither does the idea of an American fast food chain becoming synonymous with Christmas in an East Asian island nation. When you think of it like that, I suppose anything is possible. 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 On Dec. 11, the California Fish and Game Commission voted to extend the closure of the recreational red abalone fishery for another decade, keeping the ban in place until April 2036. The fishery has been closed since 2018, when the commission shut it down in response to a dramatic population decline along Northern California's coastline, prompting regulators to enact what was initially intended to be a temporary ban. State regulators said the main reason for the abalone's decline was the collapse of California's kelp forests, their primary food source, driven by climate-related factors like warm ocean temperatures, major storms and exploding purple urchin populations. "(Red abalone) don't have enough to eat," Sheila Semans, executive director at Noyo Center for Marine Science said. "A lot of people are trying to figure out how to build some resiliency in our kelp forest, but until we can reduce the grazing pressure on kelp from purple urchin, it's a big challenge to try to restore kelp beds." After the multi-year marine heat wave hit the North Pacific in late 2013, warmer ocean temperatures that followed not only stressed kelp but also worsened the spread of sea star wasting disease that wiped out sunflower sea starsone of the purple urchin's main predators. With their predators gone, purple urchin populations exploded beginning around 2014 and have remained one of the key drivers of ongoing kelp collapse. Multiple individuals have been arrested for violating the ban since it took effect. In 2020, a Santa Rosa man was fined $40,000 and his sport-fishing license was revoked after investigators found 80 abalone in his home. Another suspected poacher was arrested on Nov. 7 along the Sonoma Coast with 15 abalone in his possession. Kristin Aquilino, associate director at the University of California, Davis' Bodega Marine Laboratory, explained that abalone struggle to reproduce when they're too spread out. "When their densities get too low, and abalone aren't close together with one another, they can't reproduce successfully. It's really important for abalone populations to be maintained at a density that's high enough that they can reproduce successfully and reliably," Aquilino said. 2025 The Sacramento Bee. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels Since 2012, England has taken an increasingly narrow approach to how primary school teachers should teach reading. The policies on teaching reading have insisted that an approach called "systematic synthetic phonics" is the only way to teach reading. Synthetic phonics involves teaching children the 44 sounds, or "phonemes," of language and how they are represented by letters in words. England's approach to teaching reading was alleged to have created "the best readers in the Western world" by the previous government, when England rose up the rankings of an international reading assessment. Other countries and regions are now following England's lead. For example, Australia is following many aspects of England's approach to phonics. The US has moved toward a much greater emphasis on synthetic phonics. And New Zealand has abandoned the program called Reading Recovery in favor of more emphasis on phonics. These regions claim to be basing their new teaching approaches on "the science of reading." But an accurate reading of the science shows that there are a range of different evidence-based approaches that can be taken to teaching children about phonemes and letters. If countries are following England's lead, then we need to be sure that England's approach is based on the most up-to-date research evidence. Unfortunately the outcomes for children with reading difficulties in England, over more than a decade, tell a different story from those who claim that narrow synthetic phonics is the only approach. The proportion of children struggling to read has remained at a similar level for many years. The percentage of children not at the expected standards in reading at the age of 10 or 11 has remained at about 25% since 2017. As part of new research my colleagues and I conducted, we surveyed a group of 133 experienced teachers and special educational needs specialists in England. We also carried out a new analysis of already published research. We examined the findings of studies that tested which approaches work best for children with reading difficulties, including those with particular problems such as dyslexia. There are hundreds of well-conducted studies that have examined how children with reading difficulties can best be taught to read. We found more than 40 systematic reviews of all of these studies. There is clear evidence that flexible teaching approaches are more effective than a narrow emphasis on synthetic phonics. This means that teachers emphasize a range of componentssuch as the meanings of words and sentences to contextualize learning about phonemes and letters for real purposes for reading, and teaching writing to help reading. Another of the components that is vital to attend to is children's motivation for reading. The kinds of books that are used as part of the teaching is connected to this. Systematic synthetic phonics is taught using "decodable" books that often have very limited content. But using real books is a way to motivate children through the imaginative ways that stories, poems and information are portrayed in these books. And my own research with Charlotte Hacking shows that phonics can be taught using real books. I argue that teaching reading should explicitly focus on motivating children to read. This involves understanding more about children's interests and providing reading materials that are likely to motivate them. It also requires teachers to actively assess children's levels of motivation, and take steps to address this as needed. 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. Deviating from the script Some of the teachers that we surveyed said that if synthetic phonics was not working to teach a child to read, they would try a different approach, including multi-component approaches. But more than 20% of our respondents said they would continue with synthetic phonics even if it wasn't working, because that was the government's policy. Some teachers are more confident than others to innovate with their teaching, and they will have the support of head teachers to innovate. But in education systems with great pressures to conform to one particular approach, all teachers find it harder to innovate. The previous Conservative government used a variety of ways to require teachers to use only synthetic phonics for all children, including those with reading difficulties. The phonics screening check, taken by all children in year one, and associated targets for schools, encourage a narrow focus on teaching phonics. Ofsted inspections reinforce government messages about synthetic phonics. Teachers in training and new teachers also have new tight requirements on synthetic phonics. The Labor government has not said it will change any of this. England has just reviewed its national curriculum. No changes were proposed for the teaching of reading in primary schools. Unless action is taken, this will be a missed opportunity that will probably mean that some of our children most in need will not get the teaching based on robust research evidence that they need. However, children and schools cannot wait. The evidence shows that when synthetic phonics is not working, multi-component approaches should be tried. 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 Farmers have increasingly sown a single type of grass in their fields over the past 100 years, and then added chemical fertilizer to increase their harvest. But new research suggests that there are alternatives that are cheaper and can increase the potential of these grasslands to feed livestock. My research team and I were particularly interested in the potential of mixing up the species of plants grown in agricultural grasslands and what the benefits might be. This meant the sowing of two grasses, two legumes (for instance, red clover and white clover) and two herbs (such as plantain and chicory) together in a field. These groups of species can play different roles in a grassland. For example, legumes can extract nitrogen from the atmosphere, and herbs can have deep roots. How the research was carried out. We wanted to find out if mixing plants that differ in their ecological traits can provide a nature-based and sustainable solution to reducing chemical fertilizer use. There was another potential benefit. If farmers could find a way to reduce their chemical fertilizer use, it would lower their operational costs, and also benefit the environment. The price of chemical fertilizers around the world has risen in the past five years. Costs tripled from 2021 to 2022, and while they have reduced since, they are still higher than pre-2021 prices. So there's a financial motivation to reduce use. Chemical fertilizers also harm the environment, including by releasing greenhouse gases and leaching nitrate. In our new international study published in Science, my colleagues from the LegacyNet project and I have shown that planting mixtures of different species can improve grassland yields compared to conventional practices, and crucially do so while using substantially less chemical nitrogen fertilizer. This means farmers could save money and reduce their environmental footprint by doing this. How was the research carried out? The team conducted the same experiment at 26 research institutes across Europe, North America, Asia and New Zealand. At each site, we had plots sized at least 3 meters by 5 meters ranging from just one species up to six species, managed with moderate levels of chemical nitrogen fertilizer. We also had plots with a single grass species, managed with at least twice the amount of fertilizer. In each case, we measured crop yield. The research showed that planting a variety of species produced 11% higher yields than sowing a single grass, despite the single grass being treated with more than double the chemical nitrogen fertilizer. This was in part due to the inclusion of legume speciesfor example, white clover and red clover, in our six-species multispecies mixtures. Legumes can extract nitrogen from the atmosphere through a natural process. And this "free" nitrogen is released into the soil to be used by all species in the grassland. Since grass and legumes work well together, a now widespread farming practice is to sow 70% of one grass and 30% of one legume. This is often a combination of the grass perennial ryegrass and the legume white clover. Does this mean that by growing just one grass and one legume we could get just as much yield as a multispecies mixtures? Not necessarily, because for example, herbs have deeper roots compared to grasses, which can bring benefits such as increased water uptake from lower down in the soil. Indeed, previous research has shown that multispecies mixtures can even mitigate the yield losses associated with drought conditions. Our research found that there was an 18% increase in yield from using our multispecies mixture, compared to sowing 70% of one grass and 30% of one legume. We also found that having two grasses, two legumes and two herbs was better than having just one grass, one legume and one herb. From Roman times, agricultural grasslands have been used to feed grazing animals or as part of a crop rotation system, where farmers plant different crops in the same field in rotation, and also leave it fallow. We now know that we can improve grassland systems by combining two grasses, two legumes and two herbs in a field. 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. Adapting to climate challenges Climate change poses a significant risk to farming livelihoods, agricultural production and food security. Our experiment spanned a range of climates, which allowed us to investigate the potential of multispecies mixtures to cope with rising temperatures. We found that as temperatures increased, the benefits of multispecies mixtures increased even further, compared to previous practices. This suggests the potential for farmers to increase the productivity of their lands using less fertilizer despite increasing temperatures. Historically, farmers understood that increasing the species diversity of a grassland could improve productivity compared to sowing a single species. But the prevalence of using a single crop and applying high amounts of chemical fertilizers has increased massively over the past century, a period ironically termed the "green revolution." Food shortages after the Second World War prompted the use of technologies such as fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and farm machinery as ways of protecting crops. And yields from agricultural grasslands flourished as these technologies grew in popularity and until recently, chemical nitrogen fertilizers were relatively cheap. However, the evidence showing how chemical nitrogen fertilizers emit the potent greenhouse gas called nitrous oxide is now much better known. Chemical fertilizers can cause other environmental problems such as nitrate leaching into groundwater. Creating chemical fertilizers is an intensive industrial process that relies heavily on burning fossil fuels. In the past two decades, scientific studies testing species diversity in agricultural grasslands began to emerge. There was evidence that mixing grass and legume species could improve the yields compared to grass species being grown on their own. Our study further advances this knowledge to show that we can do better by planting mixtures of grasses, legumes and herbs, and with less chemical fertilizer. This research confirming that farmers can produce more by using less fertilizer is a win for farmers' pockets and a win for the environment. Key concepts grassland ecosystemsSustainability This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Linda Robson prefers acting to being a panellist on Loose Women. Linda Robson is an actress and a panellist on Loose Women Before she joined the ITV lunchtime talk show as a regular in June 2012, the 67-year-old star played many characters on stage and screen - with her most famous role being Tracey Stubbs in the BBC-then-ITV sitcom, Birds of a Feather. And since becoming a panellist Loose Women, Linda thinks people now regard her as just a celebrity as opposed to an actress. Asked if she prefers acting or being on Loose Women, Linda told the new issue of Bella magazine: "I prefer acting, really. I think once I started doing Loose Women, you become more like a celebrity than an actor." Earlier this year, Linda and her Birds of a Feather co-star Lesley Joseph, 80, reunited to film a special episode of Channel 5s murder mystery series, The Good Ship Murder, which will air in 2026. And Linda loved working with Lesley again - the first time since ITV axed Birds of a Feather back in December 2020. Linda said: "I did some acting this year with Lesley, we did The Good Ship Murder, which was filmed in Malta. I had to kill her. I enjoyed that because I said, 'I've waited 30 years to strangle you!' "That was good fun." Elsewhere, Linda let slip that she and Lesley have had "some discussions" about doing a comedy show together. In September, Linda told Woman magazine: "Hopefully Lesley and I will do something together. "I think we'd like to do another comedy, which would be really fun. We've had some discussions, so watch this space." The duo became household names alongside their dear friend Pauline Quirke, 66, in Birds of a Feather - which followed two sisters, Tracey and Sharon Theodopolopodous (Pauline), who move in together next door to Dorien (Lesley) after their spouses are arrested for armed robbery. Linda and Lesley's new show will not feature Pauline, as her husband Steve Sheen publicly announced in January her retirement from acting after a dementia diagnosis. Pauline stepped away from "all commercial and professional duties" after being diagnosed with the degenerative condition - which causes a decline in thinking, memory, and reasoning skills - in 2021. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A common loon chick hitches a ride on its mother's back on Maranacook Lake, in Winthrop, Maine, in this July 20, 2021, file photo. Credit: AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File Loons are on the mend in Maine, filling more of the state's lakes and ponds with their haunting calls, although conservationists say the birds aren't out of the woods yet. Maine is home to a few thousand of the distinctive black-and-white waterbirdsthe East Coast's largest loon populationand conservationists said efforts to protect them from threats helped grow the population. An annual count of common loons found more adults and chicks this year than last, Maine Audubon said this week. The group said it estimated a population for the southern half of Maine of 3,174 adult loons and 568 chicks. Audubon bases its count on the southern portion of Maine because there are enough bird counters to get a reliable number. The count is more than twice the number when they started counting in 1983, and the count of adults has increased 13% from 10 years ago. "We're cautiously optimistic after seeing two years of growing chick numbers," said Maine Audubon wildlife ecologist Tracy Hart. "But it will take several more years before we know if that is a real upward trend, or just two really good years." A rescued loon is held by medical staff during an examination at Avian Haven, a bird rehabilitation clinic, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Freedom, Maine. Credit: AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty Maine lawmakers have attempted to grow the population of the loons with bans on lead fishing tackle that the birds sometimes accidentally swallow. Laws that limit boat speeds have also helped because they prevent boat wakes from washing out nests, conservation groups say. It's still too early to know if Maine's loons are on a sustainable path to recovery, and the success of the state's breeding loons is critical to the population at large, Hart said. Maine has thousands more loons than the other New England states, with the other five states combining for about 1,000 adults. The state is home to one of the largest populations of loons in the U.S., which has about 27,000 breeding adults in total. Minnesota has the most loons in the lower 48 states, with a fairly stable population of about 12,000 adults, but they are in decline in some parts of their range. While loons are not listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, they are considered threatened by some states, including New Hampshire and Michigan. The U.S. Forest Service also considers the common loon a sensitive species. Athena Furr, left, a rehabilitation technician, examines a rescued loon with assistance from Toby Verville, center, and Katie Daggett at Avian Haven, a bird rehabilitation clinic, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Freedom, Maine. Credit: AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty A rescued loon's frostbitten foot is bandaged at Avian Haven, a bird rehabilitation clinic, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Freedom, Maine. Credit: AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty The birds migrate to the ocean in late fall and need a long runway to take off, meaning winter can be a treacherous time for the birds because they get trapped by ice in the lakes and ponds where they breed, said Barb Haney, executive director of Avian Haven, a wildlife rehabilitation center in Freedom, Maine. "We're getting a lot of calls about loons that are iced in," Haney said, adding that the center was tending to one such patient this week. Key concepts limnology 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: Aurorae on Uranus taken by the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) installed on Hubble. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, L. Lam This week, researchers identified signaling pathways underpinning drug resistance in pancreatic cancer, a normally lethal diagnosis. A physicist proposed that conscious states in the brain may arise from the brain's ability to resonate with the quantum vacuum that permeates space. And in a ranking of species monogamy, humans came in between meerkats and beavers. Additionally, a British team launched a market tracker for SIM farms that verify fake social media accounts; a new study proposes radical new planetary compositions for Uranus and Neptune; and being nice to people is linked to better psychological well-being: Farm report The online manipulation industry consists of SIM farms that mass-produce and verify fake social media accounts for scammers and disinformation campaigns; these are usually based in jurisdictions with laissez-faire, or "non-existent" legal oversight. But if you were in the market for an army of fake posters, you'd probably find it difficult to determine a fair market price for SIM farm service. Researchers at the University of Cambridge have now launched the Cambridge Online Trust and Safety Index, which tracks the global market for bot armies in real time. Over their year-long study, ending in July 2025, the researchers found that the average price of SMS verification was $4.93 in Japan and $3.24 in Australia; however, in the U.S., the average cost was $0.26. They also noted price spikes for certain social media apps during election seasons, suggesting rising demand for "influence operations." The index has an intuitive, map-based interface, so knock yourself out. Uranus may be rocky Researchers at the University of Zurich and the NCCR PlanetS are proposing a new planetary model that challenges the "ice giant" categorization of Neptune and Uranus, suggesting that they could be rockier than previously believed. Because their neighborhood in the outer solar system is so remote, the two planets are not well understood. An ice giant is a planet comprising mainly elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. By contrast, gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn are mostly composed of hydrogen and helium. The new study doesn't claim to establish that Uranus and Neptune are rocky; instead, it challenges the notion that the only possibility for the composition of the planets is icy. Luca Morf, a Ph.D. student at the University of Zurich and lead author of the study, says, "The ice giant classification is oversimplified as Uranus and Neptune are still poorly understood. Models based on physics were too assumption-heavy, while empirical models are too simplistic. We combined both approaches to get interior models that are both 'agnostic' or unbiased and yet, are physically consistent." Niceness evaluated A meta-analysis conducted by researchers at the University of Mannheim finds that treating people compassionately is strongly linked to a sense of personal well-being. The team analyzed data from 40 studies and found that people who empathized with others, or supported and helped others, reported higher overall life satisfaction, were more likely to experience joy and saw more meaning in life. People with higher compassion also exhibited greater psychological well-being. Compassion, as defined in the study, is the ability to recognize the suffering of others, react to it emotionally, and feel motivation to alleviate suffering. Interestingly, the researchers also assessed the link between compassion and a reduction of negative feelings and found that it was weaker, though there was a slight positive trend. First author Majlinda Zhuniq says, "If we succeed in specifically promoting compassion through education, social projects, or other programs, this could therefore not only increase the quality of life of individuals but also improve social interactions." Written for you by our author Chris Packham, edited by Gaby Clark, 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. 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: Western oak mistletoe in northern red oak. Credit: Dave Shaw, Oregon State University College of Forestry/OSU Extension Service. If mistletoe's status as a nutrient-stealing freeloader has been cooling your holiday ardor, new research led by an Oregon State University scientist may help relight the fire. A survey of urban forests in seven western Oregon cities found no observable connection between mistletoe infestation and negative health outcomes for the trees it was parasitizing. So worry not: Your yuletide kissing tradition probably does not involve a tree killer. And as you're setting concern aside, you might want to head outside. "This is the best time of year to look for mistletoe because there are no leaves on the trees," said College of Forestry professor emeritus Dave Shaw, an OSU Extension Service forest health specialist. "Also, chances are it will be found in an oak treemost other trees don't get infested. So if you are looking for a kiss, keep an eye out for oaks." Shaw and collaborators at OSU, the U.S. Forest Service and the Oregon Department of Forestry examined the occurrence of western oak mistletoe in city forests to learn about mistletoe hosts and gain insight into mistletoe management. Western oak mistletoe and its ecology Common from Baja California to the northern Willamette Valley, western oak mistletoe is one of more than 1,400 species of mistletoe, a type of flowering plant that attaches to the branches of trees and shrubs around the globe. Western oak mistletoe berries (on the female plants only, and toxic to humans) ripen in late fall or early winter and are eaten by western bluebirds and other birds, who disperse the seeds, most commonly on larger trees. Mistletoe seeds are covered in a sticky substance that allows them to cling to branches. Mistletoes siphon food and water from their hosts via a bark-penetrating, root-like structure, sometimes to the detriment of the host tree. "Western oak mistletoe is probably a benefit to wildlife in urban forests," Shaw said. "On the other hand, there is the potential for negative impacts on amenity trees, which is why it's important for urban forest managers to have assessments of mistletoe host range, both for future tree planting decisions and managing current tree populations." Host range and urban forest survey Western oak mistletoe occurs on native oaks and a collection of other hostsincluding acacia, alder, aspen, birch, chestnut, locust, pear, poplar, walnut and willowso vast that no definitive host list exists. Shaw notes that urban forests often include a variety of non-native trees, planted historically for reasons that include esthetics, adaptability, and rapid growth of shade-producing canopy. For this study, the researchers focused on introduced tree species in Salem, Corvallis, Eugene, Medford, Central Point, Rogue River and Ashland. The scientists conducted their surveys by driving, walking and biking city streets, parks, university campuses and arboreta, with the goal of visually examining all non-native tree crowns for the presence of mistletoe plants. "Urban forests are unique settings that allow for a wide assortment of potential hosts to be exposed to mistletoe seed," Shaw said. "We observed western oak mistletoe in 227 non-native trees, of which 85% were pin oak or northern red oak." Among the rest, 12% were other oak species, meaning just 3% were not some kind of oak treeeven though non-oaks were in the majority. 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. Findings on tree health and mistletoe impact Western oak mistletoe infested trees of all size classes, but only six of the 227 infested trees were less than 10 centimeters in diameter and just nine were less than 10 meters tall. Only one infested tree looked to be in poor condition, 14 were in moderate condition, and 212 appeared to be in good condition. "That suggests mistletoe, at the levels of infestation we saw, is not adversely impacting tree health," Shaw said. "Of the 42 trees with greater than 20 mistletoe plants in their crowns, none was in poor condition, one was moderate and 41 were in apparently good condition." Cultural significance Mistletoe has been a symbol of health, love, vitality and fertility in multiple cultures since ancient times, and the tradition of kissing under mistletoe has its roots in 18th century England. "The word 'parasite' can carry negative connotations, but mistletoe is a remarkable and beautiful plant with centuries of cultural importance behind it," Shaw said. "It was nice that our survey showed that it wasn't causing appreciable harm to its hosts." OSU professor emeritus Max Bennett also participated in the study, which was published in Northwest Science. The other collaborators were retired Forest Service researcher Don Goheen, retired Oregon Department of Forestry scientist Alan Kanaskie, and current ODF scientist Scott Altenhoff. AFP A controversial British adult film star faces deportation from Indonesia's resort island of Bali for violating immigration laws after she was arrested on suspicion of making pornographic online content, police said Thursday. Local police last week raided a studio in the popular tourist hub of Badung near the island's capital, Denpasar, detaining Bonnie Blue, whose real name is Tia Billinger. Three men -- two Britons and an Australian -- were also detained after police received a tip-off from a "concerned citizen", said local police chief Muhammad Arif Batubara. "We are conducting a joint investigation regarding activities involving alleged criminal acts of pornography or... material that violates decency," Arif told journalists in Denpasar. "We will immediately take firm action, deport them, and submit them for blacklisting," said Bali airport immigration chief Winarko, who goes by one name. Police and immigration officials said so far they could not find any evidence the group had made pornographic material. Instead, the group faces deportation for breaking tourist visa rules -- including working without permits and breaking traffic laws. Billinger, 26, and her male companions, all in their twenties will appear before the Denpasar District Court on Friday, after which they also face blacklisting. "This will happen immediately after the hearing," Winarko said. Although Bali is mainly populated by Hindus and visited by millions of foreigners, Muslim-majority Indonesia strongly disapproves of making pornography, which could carry a jail sentence of up to 12 years and a $360,000 fine. Police did not say where the group was being detained, but confirmed their passports had been confiscated ahead of the hearing. Arif said during the December 4 raid police also seized camera equipment and contraceptives, as well as a blue pickup truck that said "Bang Bus" on the doors. Sixteen other witnesses were also questioned and released during the probe. The witnesses were told that the content the group was trying to produce "would be fun and that many viewers on social media would want to see it", said Arif. The witnesses denied the videos were pornographic and were made "with playful, humorous scenes". Billinger first shot to fame as an adult content creator using provocative stunts. In recent years, Bali officials have increasingly complained about foreign tourists behaving badly. Visitors including several Russian influencers, have been deported for posing nude at sacred sites on the island. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that negotiators are wrestling with the question of territorial possession in U.S.-led peace talks on ending the war with Russia, including the future of Ukraines eastern Donetsk region and the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, one of the worlds 10 biggest atomic plants. Zelenskyy revealed details of the ongoing discussions before he headed into urgent talks with leaders and officials from about 30 countries that support Kyivs efforts to obtain fair terms in any settlement to halt nearly four years of fighting. In Washington, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, continued to be in discussions with both sides. She said that if there is a real chance of signing a peace agreement, then the U.S. could send a representative to the talks as soon as this weekend. But Leavitt added that its still up in the air whether we believe real peace can be achieved. Trump long boasted about being able to solve Russias war in Ukraine in a day, but in recent months has complained bitterly about a lack of progress. Leavitt echoed that during her briefing with reporters on Thursday, saying the president is extremely frustrated with both sides of this war. She said the administration had spent 30-plus hours just in recent weeks meeting with officials from Russia and Ukraine as well as Europe, and that Trump is sick of meetings just for the sake of meeting. He doesnt want any more talk, Leavitt said. He wants action. Ukraine has submitted a 20-point plan to the U.S., with each point possibly accompanied by a separate document detailing the settlement terms. We are grateful that the U.S. is working with us and trying to take a balanced position, Zelenskyy told reporters in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. But at this moment it is still difficult to say what the final documents will look like. Russia has in recent months made a determined push to gain control of all parts of Donetsk and neighboring Luhansk, which together make up Ukraines valuable Donbas industrial region. Ukraine doesnt accept the surrender of Donbas, Zelenskyy said, saying that both sides remaining where they currently stand along the line of contact would be a fair outcome. American negotiators have put forward the possibility of a free economic zone in the Donbas, with the Russians terming it a demilitarized zone, according to Zelenskyy. Russian officials have not publicly disclosed their proposals. U.S. negotiators foresee Ukrainian forces withdrawing from the Donetsk region, with the compromise being that Russian forces do not enter that territory, Zelenskyy said. But he said that if Ukraine must withdraw its forces, the Russians should also withdraw by the same distance. There are many unanswered questions, including who would oversee the Donbas, he added. The Russians want to retain control of the Zaporizhzhia plant in southern Ukraine, which is not currently operating, but Ukraine opposes that. The Americans have suggested a joint format to manage the plant, and negotiators are discussing how that might work, Zelenskyy said. Ukraine's allies discuss peace plan with Zelenskyy The leaders of Germany, Britain and France were among those taking part in the meeting of Ukraine's allies, dubbed the Coalition of the Willing, via video link. Zelenskyy indicated the talks were hastily arranged as Kyiv officials scramble to avoid getting boxed in by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has disparaged the Ukrainian leader, painted European leaders as weak, and set a strategy of improving Washington's relationship with Moscow. In the face of Trumps demands for a swift settlement, European governments are trying to help steer the peace negotiations because they say their own security is at stake. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Thursday that he, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron suggested to Trump that they finalize the peace proposals together with U.S. officials over the weekend. There may also be talks in Berlin early next week, with or without American officials, he said. The talks are at a critical moment, European leaders said Wednesday. Next week, Ukraine will coordinate with European countries on a bilateral level, Zelenskyy said late Wednesday, and European Union countries are due to hold a regular summit in Brussels at the end of next week. Russia has new proposals on security Trumps latest effort to broker a settlement is taking longer than he wanted. He initially set a deadline for Kyiv to accept his peace plan before Thanksgiving. Previous Washington deadlines for reaching a peace deal also have passed without a breakthrough. Russia is also keen to show Trump it is engaging with his peace efforts, hoping to avoid further U.S. sanctions. Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday that Russia has relayed to Washington additional proposals concerning collective security guarantees that Ukraine and Europe say are needed to deter future aggression. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Thursday that so far this year Russia has launched over 46,000 drones and missiles against Ukraine. He warned his European audience at a speech in Berlin: We are Russias next target. He also described China as Russias lifeline for its war effort in Ukraine by providing most of the critical electronic components Moscow needs for its weapons. China wants to prevent its ally from losing in Ukraine, Rutte said. Russia claims battlefield progress Putin claimed Thursday in a call with military leaders that Russian armed forces are fully holding the strategic initiative on the battlefield. Russian troops have taken the city of Siversk, in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine where fighting has been fierce in recent months, Lt. Gen. Sergei Medvedev told Putin. Ukrainian officials denied Siversk had been captured. Putin wants to portray himself as negotiating from a position of strength, analysts say, although Russia occupies only about 20% of Ukraine. That includes Moscows 2014 illegal annexation of Crimea and the seizure of territory in the east by Russia-backed separatists later that year, as well as land taken after the full-blown invasion in 2022. Ukrainian drones hit Russian oil rig, disrupt Moscow flights Meanwhile, Ukrainian long-range drones hit a Russian oil rig in the Caspian Sea for the first time, according to an official in the Security Service of Ukraine who was not authorized to talk publicly about the attack and spoke on condition of anonymity. The oil rig in the northern part of the Caspian Sea, about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from Ukraine, belongs to Russias second-biggest oil company, Lukoil, the official told The Associated Press. The rig took four hits, halting the extraction of oil and gas from over 20 wells, he said. Russian officials and Lukoil made no immediate comment on the claim. Ukraine also launched one of its biggest drone attacks of the war overnight, halting flights in and out of all four Moscow airports for seven hours. Airports in eight other cities also faced restrictions, Russian civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia said. KATHMANDU, Nepal, December 13, 2025 The 11th General Convention of the Nepal Communist Party (UML), which was the second-largest party in the dissolved House of Representatives (HoR), officially kicked off today in Sallaghari, Bhaktapur. The convention is being held to elect the partys new leadership for the upcoming term. Party Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to inaugurate the convention during a grand function later today. According to the party, over 2,000 delegates, including those elected from the partys organizational tiers, have already arrived in Kathmandu to participate. The general convention will proceed with electing the new leadership, amidst an anticipated contest between Chairman Oli and Senior Vice Chairman Ishwar Pokhrel. As the party already concluded its separate policy convention in the first week of September, no policy discussions are formally scheduled during this gathering, which is primarily focused on leadership change. However, some dissident leaders aligned with Pokhrel have reportedly demanded that policy discussions be included in the convention's agenda. Chase of armed men in armored vehicle ends with arrests at Cancun International Cancun, Q.R. Authorities say two men found armed traveling in an armored vehicle were arrested at the Cancun airport. The incident happened Friday night outside Terminal 2 of Cancun International where police and National Guard took them into custody. According to preliminary information, their arrests were made after they failed to stop for police when they were seen speeding through city streets in an armored vehicle. The vehicle was seen coming from the Cancun Hotel Zone when police noticed the erratic driving. When they signaled for the vehicle to stop, the driver ignored the order and fled, leading to a chase that ended at the airport. With support from National Guard, authorities blocked their path between gates 7 and 8 of Terminal 2 at which time both men were subdued and arrested. Authorities blocked the road and ended the chase at Cancun International Friday night. The armored vehicle, level 5 Plus, was seized along with a loaded firearm. The detainees were transferred to the State Attorney Generals Office on Huayacan Avenue. So far, the identities of the suspects have not been released, however, the State Attorney General (FGE) did release a short news briefing. The Quintana Roo Attorney Generals Office (FGE Quintana Roo) reports the arrest of two men traveling in an armored vehicle from where a firearm was seized. The incident occurred Friday evening at the Cancun International Airport and at no time was the safety of airport passengers or passengers at risk. The detainees, along with the seized evidence, were turned over to the appropriate authorities who will determine their legal status in accordance with the law. Police nab criminal cell member linked to drug dealing in Akumal Akumal, Q.R. Police say a criminal cell member involved in drug trafficking has been arrested in Akumal. The SSC (Secretary of Citizen Security) says Kevin Adrian N was arrested Friday. Patrolling members of the Centurion Group and the Canine Unit with dog Africa from the SSC (Secretaria de Seguridad Ciudadana), noticed a man handling several small, clear plastic bags containing a green, dried herb resembling marijuana, they said. During an inspection, police found over 100 bags of narcotics that included marijuana and crystal methamphetamine. At that time, police say Kevin Adrian N was taken into legal custody by authorities on Xaak Street between Punta Cancun Street and Punta Allen Street, in the town of Akumal. The detainee is part of a criminal cell linked to drug dealing in Akumal. Members of the Mexican Navy, the National Guard and the Ministry of National Defense also participated in the arrest, the agency reported in a statement. Martin Compston is "happy" to be typecast by Line of Duty. Martin Compston is proud of Line of Duty The Scottish actor became a household name playing DI Steve Arnott in the anti-corruption police drama and while he felt being tied to one of his earliest roles was frustrating, he feels very differently about the crime saga. He told The Guardian newspaper: It wasnt until series five that things really blew up. When Sweet Sixteen came out, I was 17. It did really well, but it became a monkey on my back because everyone thought: Thats who you are. "Now if Im typecast, if they say Line of Duty is the best thing youll ever do, Im happy. Im very comfortable in my own skin and career. The 2021 season six finale of Line of Duty was watched by a staggering 17 million people and Martin couldn't be prouder. He said: That 9 oclock slot, whether it be on a Sunday night or over the holidays, its gold dust. You feel like youve got the country in the palm of your hand if youve got something good to show them, and theres no feeling like it. Despite his own fan base, Martin thinks the particular appeal of Line of Duty is in Adrian Dunbar's Supt. Ted Hastings. He said: Hes become like the nations uncle. A guy who wants to do right. People want to root for the good guys, and know there are good guys out there, especially in times like these. The Revenge Club actor also has the second season of Red Eye hitting screens in January, in which he plays the head of security at the American embassy in London during a terrorist attack, and he loves the role. He said: "[There is so much] running about, talking into your wrist, hand on the ear like youve got an earpiece, thats just cops and robbers grown up. I love all that. I live for all that. Getting to play this kick-ass, ex-SAS agent, its brilliant fun. Martin is also moving into producing because he finds it hard to relax. He said: You get that working-class guilt, you need to do something. Youre suddenly thinking, should we be filming this on a train or a ferry? Whats cheaper? When youre reading a script as an actor, all youre thinking is: Why is the character doing that? Youre not thinking: Thats going to cost us two days. States new agricultural biofactories promote sustainability and improve Quintana Roo crops Riviera Maya, Q.R. State officials toured the results of the installation of new agricultural biofactories. The biofactories were installed this year to help farmers strengthen agricultural production through sustainable alternatives. Jorge Aguilar Osorio, center, led the tours December 12, 2025. The Secretariat of Agricultural, Rural and Fisheries Development (SEDARPE) toured communities in the municipalities of Othon P. Blanco, Bacalar and Felipe Carrillo Puerto to verify the first results of the biofactory establishment program corresponding to the 2025 fiscal year. Jorge Aguilar Osorio, the Secretaria de Desarrollo Agropecuario, Rural y Pesca (SEDARPE) said the goal of the program is to support producers in the face of increased production costs by providing supplies, tools and equipment that strengthen their production units. He explained that 10 biofactories were established, one for each of the participating production organizations. Each of the factories has the capacity to generate up to 20,000 liters of biofertilizers made from microorganisms beneficial to the environment. Each of the factories has the capacity to generate up to 20,000 liters of biofertilizers. This support is provided in kind and on a one-time basis with a 100 percent subsidy that includes materials, assembly and technical training. Aguilar Osorio pointed out that these actions aim to promote agricultural sustainability by restoring nutrients to the soil and reduce the use of synthetic agrochemicals, which represents progress toward a more responsible, innovative and science-based production model. The agricultural biofactories were set up in the communities of Ucum, Gonzalez Ortega, San Pedro Peralta, El Cedral, Veracruz, Miguel Hidalgo, Uh-May Chunhuhub, Chula Vista and Bacalar. Farmers in Othon P. Blanco, Bacalar and Felipe Carrillo Puerto benefited from the state-funded program. Aguilar Osorio explained that the project, which cost the state 4 million pesos, aids in the production of bio-inputs intended to improve crops such as pineapple, corn, sugarcane, citrus fruits and vegetables, as well as to combat pests and diseases naturally. Sprucing up a drab, beige bathroom is no easy feat. I know from experience: My family and I moved into a four-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment provided by my husbands employer in Cairo, Egypt. While not paying rent has its perks, being stuck with multiple dated bathrooms wasnt ideal. My initial thought was to paint all the cabinets and install peel-and-stick tile, but we wouldve had to paint the wood back to its original color and there arent many temporary tile options readily available here. Instead of giving myself a headache by completely trying to modernize the bathrooms, I decided to brighten up the outdated style with color and artwork wherever I could. Credit: Isis Briones For a quick color fix, I got printed shower curtains that mimicked wallpaper and raised them all the way up to the ceiling with tension rods from IKEA to cover up the dingy tile and bathtub. Additionally, I replaced our plain bath mats with eye-catching, washable Ruggable rugs. Advertisement Advertisement All in all, it was a step up from where the bathrooms were before, but I still needed something else to balance out the overwhelming amount of beige and white on the walls. Again, I wanted a DIY project with minimal effort that would make a huge difference. Enter: double-sided tape alongside Command picture hanging strips and hooks to create an eye-catching gallery wall. Credit: Isis Briones Related: How To Paint Fabric How I Created a Gallery Wall in My Bathroom I had a stack of artwork of different parts of Cairo, in both dark and light frames, and small canvas paintings that my husband did, which all perfectly complemented the bathroom. My idea wasnt to choose ultra-contemporary pieces that would clash with the cabinets and tile. I wanted to lean into the bathrooms wood and light brown detailing. First, I started with a roll of $10 double-sided tape that couldnt be easier to use. For the lighter frames and my husbands mini paintings, the tape was a quick and reliable way to get things hung up on a tile wall that you cant exactly drill into. To ensure that they stuck, I cleaned the wall with rubbing alcohol and let it dry completely. Additionally, even though I havent tried this (as my art is still on the walls), the tape is apparently washable and reusable. Its a helpful feature for those in rentals or others who are constantly moving, like us. Credit: Isis Briones Advertisement Advertisement However, things started going wrong when I tried hanging up slightly heavier frames with the tape. In short, a few three- to seven-pound frames fell off the wall and shattered. For the broken frames, they ended up either being too heavy or the tape clung to flimsy backing that wasnt firmly secured. Despite having nightmares about everything crumbling down, I simply turned to Command strips and hooks to finish the job. Both are solid alternatives for more substantial pieces. The uniformity of the tile also acted as a natural level, making things easier to align, which isnt always the case with Command items, since you apply them separately from the frames. Overall, taping things up is an easier, stress-free way to jazz up any tile you have at home. A friend of ours even had some photos printed on light wooden boards that we ended up hanging to elevate our kitchen backsplash. If the tile in your home has been dragging you down, know that you dont have to renovate and install new ones. Perhaps the frames youve yet to hang are what you needed all along. Further Reading Create Your Own Interior Design Mood Board | Apartment Therapy The Magical 4-Ingredient Trick to Dinnerware That Looks Brand-New (You Have Them All!) Martha Stewarts Elaborate 6-Step Method Is the Best for Removing Red Wine Stains Sign up for Apartment Therapy's Daily email newsletter to receive our favorite posts, tours, products, and shopping guides in your inbox. Ontario Liberal MPP Rob Cerjanec has commented on the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporations decision to maintain the expanded gaming located at Hiawatha Horse Park in Sarnia. In an article published on Thursday, reports from both Sarnia and Peterborough indicated that the slots operations previously announced to close in 2026 would remain open on five-year lease agreements. "This is great news for everyone involved that OLG will be working to extend the casino lease at Hiawatha Horse Park," said Cerjanec in a statement. "This decision helps preserve more than 40 local jobs and ensures continued economic activity for the Sarnia community. "As the Ontario Liberal Critic for Economic Development, Tourism, Culture and Sport, I am proud to have assisted these efforts through my advocacy with the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, including formal letters, direct conversations, and raising concerns publicly at the committee level at Queens Park. I look forward to visiting the facility in 2026 and experiencing all that Sarnia has to offer." (Standardbred Canada) Favourites cleaned up in the third and final preliminary leg of the MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series on Friday, Dec. 12 at MGM Yonkers Raceway as Sir Pinocchio, Antognoni S and Dribbling Bi were victorious in their respective $69,444 divisions. Sir Pinocchio will have a chance at a series sweep in next week's final after his third straight series win, taking the first grouping on Friday in 1:54.3. Sir Pinocchio, driven by Jason Bartlett, showed speed and overcame the outside post six with little difficulty as he cleared Southwind Coors (Yannick Gingras) well before the 28-second opening quarter. From there, Sir Pinocchio continued to show the way to the half in :57.3 and three-quarters in 1:26.1 before he completed the mile with a :28.2 final frame to defeat Southwind Coors by 2-1/2 lengths. Blackhawk Zette (Brent Holland) was third, followed by Security Protected (Cory Stratton) and Big Box Hanover (Todd McCarthy). Sired by Mets Hall out of Lady Cromwell, the four-year-old gelding Sir Pinocchio is trained by Ed Hart for owner/breeder Carolyn Atherton of Scarsdale, New York. The millionaire trotter earned his 21st career victory while improving his seasonal scorecard to 8-2-1 in 19 starts. He paid $2.10 to win as the 1-5 choice. The exacta was worth $3.28 and the trifecta $10.54. Antognoni S, driven by Yannick Gingras, put up fractions of :27.4, :57.3 and 1:26.2 in the next division and went on to tally a 1-1/2-length victory in 1:54.2. Take All Comers (Todd McCarthy), who was looking to go three-for-three in the prelims, had to settle for second from the pocket and Asteroid (Colin Kelly) was third. Escaper (Jim Marohn Jr.) and Ari Ferrari J (Jason Bartlett) completed the top five. Gingras also co-owns the Ron Burke-trained Antognoni S with partners Burke Racing Stable of Fredericktown, Pennsylvania, Weaver Bruscemi of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania and FAC Racing of Scarsdale, New York. The five-year-old Father Patrick-Bouncing Bax gelding, coming off a 10-length romp in round two, earned his 15th seasonal victory to go along with six other top three finishes in 23 starts. His 21st career win bumped his bankroll to $573,659. Antognoni S returned $2.36 to win as the 1-9 favourite. He led a $4.64 exacta and a $15.50 trifecta. Jason Bartlett doubled up in the third leg as Dribbling Bi picked up his initial triumph in the series in 1:55 in the final flight. Away second, Bartlett tipped him off the pylons before the :28.2 quarter and wrestled command away from Cecil Hanover (Yannick Gingras) beyond that marker. Dribbling Bi remained in command through middle-half panels of :58 and 1:26.1 then held off a gaining Cecil Hanover through the lane, scoring by a neck. Hot Flash Kimmy (Cory Stratton) was third over Dire Straits (Matt Kakaley) and Khaosan Road (Daniel Dube). Ron Coyne Jr. trains Dribbling Bi, a six-year-old gelded son of Cantab Hall and Dream Child, for owner Windermere Stables of New York City, New York. Dribbling Bi improved his seasonal summary to 8-10-5 in 35 starts. His 25th career win pushed his earnings over the $500,000 mark. Dribbling Bi paid $4.42 to win as the 6-5 favourite. He was atop a $9.02 exacta and a $53.60 trifecta. Unofficially, the 10 horses that advance to the $250,000 USD MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series final next Friday, Dec. 19 are listed below. Sir Pinocchio (150 points) Take All Comers (125 points) Antognoni S (125 points) Dribbling Bi (75 points) Southwind Coors (62 points) Asteroid (62 points) Ari Ferrari J (55 points) Ultion Face S (37 points) Cecil Hanover (37 points) Blackhawk Zette (25 points) Points for the series were earned on a 50-25-12-8-5 scale (winner gets 50 points, runner-up gets 25, etc.), and a horse had to race in all three legs to be eligible for the final and the $75,000 USD consolation, which will also take place on the same program. These same conditions applied to the companion MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series. Yonkers will begin the final week of its 2025 meet on Monday, Dec. 15. Post time on Monday through Thursday is 6:45 p.m., while the Friday program will kick off at 2:15 p.m. (With files from Yonkers Raceway) Who's up for a late-night rocket launch? A rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, is scheduled to lift off on the first night of Hanukkah 2025 this weekend. SpaceX plans to send a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit on Sunday, Dec. 14. Rockets here launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center near Merritt Island, Florida, or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and people in and around Brevard County usually have the best chance at seeing this phenomenon in the sky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover and trajectory, a rocket launch from Floridas Space Coast is sometimes visible as far north as Jacksonville Beach and Daytona Beach and as far south as Vero Beach and West Palm Beach. When theres a nighttime launch window or very early morning, theres an opportunity for unique photos the rocket lights up the dark sky and the contrail after makes for a great photo. Below is more information on the doubleheader rocket launches from Florida and suggestions on where to watch them in person (or virtually via the USA TODAY Networks Space Team). For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com or Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@floridatoday.com. For more space news from the USA TODAY Network, visit floridatoday.com/space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, ULA launch schedule in Florida When is the rocket launch in Florida? Sunday, Dec. 14: SpaceX Starlink 6-82 Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 will launch 29 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit. Launch window: 9:43 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, to 1:43 a.m. ET Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 Launch trajectory: Southeast Launch location: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida Sonic booms: No Live coverage starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space: You can watch live rocket launch coverage from USA TODAY Networks Space Team, which consists of FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visuals journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will provide up-to-the-minute updates in a mobile-friendly live blog, complete with a countdown clock, at floridatoday.com/space, starting 90 minutes before liftoff. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play, or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser. More Florida rocket launches: Florida launch tripleheader may see SpaceX, ULA launch 3 rockets in 14 hours Live weather radar: Will it rain in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral, Florida, today? Will weather cancel a rocket launch? Shown is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which shows conditions in real-time for the Space Coast, Brevard County, Orlando and other parts of Florida. The current date and time show up on the bottom right of this radar embed; otherwise, you may need to clear your cache. Where to see a Florida rocket launch in Palm Beach County. What does a West Palm Beach rocket launch view look like? Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, some rocket launches from the Space Coast can be visible in Palm Beach County. When theres a launch window in the middle of the night or very early morning, with a southeast trajectory, theres an opportunity for unique photos. Some examples include United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy rocket launch and SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From Cape Canaveral, Florida, to West Palm Beach, Florida, it's about 150 miles. In October 2025, the SpaceX Starship rocket, the world's largest, launched from Starbase, Texas, and was spotted in parts of Palm Beach County, Florida, shortly after liftoff. Starbase, headquarters for SpaceX in South Texas, is about 1,500 miles away from this part of Florida. Rocket launches from Cape Canaveral can often be seen from Palm Beach County, and it can be as easy as walking out of your house and looking north. Try to get away from any obstructions, such as trees, tall buildings, and bright lights. Obviously, cloud cover can also get in the way. If the forecast is for clear skies and you want a better view, some good places to watch the rocket launch from Palm Beach County include: This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida rocket launches, watch next SpaceX launch from Palm Beach County When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: TWiT On Episode 189 of This Week In Space, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik talk with their favorite Newspace Buccaneer, Jeffrey Manber. When so many people were touting their private spaceflight dreams in the 1980s, Manber took the next enormous stride and actually made it happen. He formed the Office of Space Commerce within the US Department of Commerce at the invitation of the Reagan administration, forged the first commercial relations with the then-Soviet Union, bridged that into the post-USSR period, and was responsible for the first commercial spaceflight to the then-mothballed Soviet-era Mir space station with a crew that stayed there for 70 days. Advertisement Advertisement He then went on to develop a variety of commercial space enterprises, from the first commercial platform to release smallsats from the ISS to initiating the Bishop airlock that became part of the space station. He also started Nanoracks, the first privately developed and standardized satellite deployment mechanism to fly. Finally, he initiated Starlab, the private space station currently under development by Voyager Technologies and a consortium of aerospace companies. Join us for this very special episode with one of the key founders of NewSpace! Download or subscribe to this show at: https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Space news of the week Model Falcon 9! TOP TELESCOPE PICK: Looking for a telescope to see planets and comets? We recommend the Celestron Astro Fi 102 as the top pick in our best beginner's telescope guide. Advertisement Advertisement Finally, did you know you can launch your own SpaceX rocket? Model rocket maker Estes' stunning scale model of a Falcon 9 rocket that you can pick up now. The launchable model is a detailed recreation of the Falcon 9 and retails for $149.99. You can save 10% by using the code IN-COLLECTSPACE at checkout, courtesy of our partners collectSPACE.com. About This Week In Space This Week in Space covers the new space age. Every Friday we take a deep dive into a fascinating topic. What's happening with the new race to the moon and other planets? When will SpaceX really send people to Mars? Join Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik from Space.com as they tackle those questions and more each week on Friday afternoons. You can subscribe today on your favorite podcatcher. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close A 67-year-old cyclist has died days after he was struck by a pickup truck while riding on Tucson's southeast side, police said. The crash happened about 3 p.m. Dec. 5 while Timothy Frank McClure was riding in the westbound bike lane in the 9400 block of East Irvington Road, near south Harrison Road, Tucson police said in a news release. McClure was struck when police say he turned suddenly in front of a white Toyota Tacoma traveling in the same direction, the release said. The Toyota driver stayed at the crash scene and cooperated with police, the release said. Investigators were notified Dec. 12 that McClure had died. Democratic members of Arizonas congressional delegation are calling for investigations into the raid and protest in Tucson earlier this month in which Rep. Adelita Grijalva was pepper-sprayed. Calling the Dec. 5 incident an example of "a troubling pattern of abusive conduct" by the Department of Homeland Security, the request is unlikely to get any traction in the House or Senate, which are both under GOP control. News releases about the probe link the Tucson incident to wider controversies around federal agencies' conduct during immigration sweeps across the country. Federal agents showed an aggressive response that included the deployment of chemical agents during an operation in Tucson," Democrats wrote in Dec. 12 letters to the House and Senate Homeland Security committees. "On the same day, DHS issued a public statement denying the incident, which is inconsistent with independent press accounts, information from eyewitnesses, and video footage," the letter said. "Such contradictions further erode public trust in the Department and underscore the need for clear, transparent congressional review of its operations." They seek a probe into excessive use of force and interference with the right to of the press to report in such operations among other issues. Two journalists also were pepper-sprayed during a protest outside a Taco Giro restaurant on Tucsons west side, one of several locations raided that day in the city and other locations in Southern Arizona. Two protesters face criminal charges. Democratic lawmakers from Arizona who signed on to the request for an investigation are Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, along with Reps. Greg Stanton, Yassamin Ansari and Grijalva. The immigration enforcement agencies have disputed Grijalva's version of events. "During the operation, U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva joined the rioting crowd and attempted to impede law enforcement officers, then took to social media to slander law enforcement by falsely claiming she was pepper sprayed," ICE said in a written statement. Grijalva responded by posting a video on social media showing a federal agent deploying pepper spray in her direction. Photos: Protesters and federal agents clash outside of restaurant in Tucson Feds raid Tucson restaurants Feds raid Tucson restaurants Feds raid Tucson restaurants Feds raid Tucson restaurants Feds raid Tucson restaurants Feds raid Tucson restaurants Feds raid Tucson restaurants Feds raid Tucson restaurants Feds raid Tucson restaurants Feds raid Tucson restaurants Feds raid Tucson restaurants Feds raid Tucson restaurants Feds raid Tucson restaurants Feds raid Tucson restaurants Syrian asylum seeker Kamel Maklad has been released from Eloy Detention Center, after more than two years in immigration detention and one year after an immigration judge agreed he'd face threats to his life in his home country. Maklad said he heard from an ICE official Monday morning that his release was imminent, following Maklad's successful habeas corpus petition challenging his incarceration on constitutional grounds. Speaking to the Arizona Daily Star on a video call from Eloy, one day before his release early Tuesday morning, Maklad recalled bursting into tears at the news. "Today, I feel like a new person," he said with a broad smile, speaking in Spanish. "I need some time to get my life back." Maklad flew to Atlanta on Wednesday, where he joined a cousin with whom he crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in September 2023, near Lukeville, Arizona. Another cousin, who is a U.S. citizen, will be Maklad's sponsor, he said. The Department of Homeland Security held Maklad, 38, at Eloy for more than a year after an immigration judge granted him withholding of removal to his home country in November 2024, agreeing Maklad would likely face threats to his life or freedom in Syria. As a member of the pacifistic Druze religion, Maklad said he fled Syria's civil war after he was targeted for conscription into the Syrian Army. If he'd resisted due to his religious beliefs, he would have been sent to the front lines or imprisoned, he said. But even after he was granted withholding of removal, DHS refused to release Maklad and continued searching for a third country to deport him to. Though he's no longer detained, Maklad is still vulnerable to deportation to a third country, if DHS can find one that agrees to accept him. Under previous administrations, third country removals were rare, and immigrants granted withholding of removal were usually released from detention and could secure temporary work permits, with conditions such as routine ICE check-ins and wearing an ankle monitor. But the Trump administration has been aggressively pressuring more countries to accept deportees from the U.S. who aren't their citizens, keeping immigrants detained in the meantime. DHS has not responded to the Star's request Thursday for comment on Maklad's release. When the Star reported on Maklad's ongoing detention in October, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement claiming, without evidence, that Maklad is a "suspected terrorist." "One thing is for certain this suspected terrorist will not be allowed to remain in the U.S.," McLaughlin wrote in the Oct. 21 email. "We will find a third country to accept him." The allegation shocked Maklad, and three of his current and former attorneys, who said DHS lawyers never once raised that allegation during Maklad's immigration proceedings. DHS has yet to provide any evidence of the claim. Suspected terrorist activity would have been a legal bar to Maklad receiving relief through withholding of removal, but DHS didn't appeal the judge's decision to grant it last year. Habeas petition prevailed Maklad, whose lawyers say has no criminal record in the U.S. or Syria, said he was losing hope when he filed a habeas corpus petition last month, arguing his continued detention was illegal. Habeas petitions allow detainees to ask a judge in federal court, independent of the U.S. Department of Justice's civil immigration court system to review the constitutionality of their continued detention. Responding to Maklad's petition, DHS admitted on Dec. 5 it was unlikely Maklad could be deported to a third country "in the reasonably foreseeable future. ... Respondents do not oppose Petitioners request for release at this time." That same day, U.S. District Judge John Tuchi ordered Maklad's release. "Habeas corpus is a lifesaver to use against ICE. They are abusing us," Maklad said, speaking from Atlanta by phone on Thursday. "We aren't criminals; we're immigrants." Formerly a last resort, habeas corpus petitions have become a critical tool for immigrants facing indefinite detention under the Trump administration, advocates say. Trump's DHS is detaining immigrants who, under prior administrations, they agency would not have targeted for detention, said Luis Campos, Maklad's immigration attorney. (Another attorney represented Maklad in his habeas case.) "To incarcerate someone, particularly an individual who has no criminal history and to incarcerate them indefinitely, has traditionally not been a thing in the United States," Campos said. "What were seeing now is something I havent seen in the course of my career, which is: Let's just keep someone in detention indefinitely and hope no one sounds the alarm. And that's what we did in this case tried to sound the alarm." Indefinite detention violates the due-process clause of the 5th Amendment, according to a U.S. Supreme Court decision cited in Maklad's habeas petition. The 2001 Supreme Court ruling, in the case of Zadvydas v. Davis, held that an immigrant with a deportation order may only be detained for "a period reasonably necessary" to bring about the immigrant's removal from the U.S. Detentions longer than six months are presumed unlawful, unless there exists a "significant likelihood of removal in the reasonably foreseeable future," the ruling said. 'They saved my life' On Thursday, Maklad said he's received "a thousand" congratulatory calls from family and friends back in Syria, and supporters in Arizona, since he was released Tuesday. His family in Syria have been receiving friends and family at their home every day, in celebration, he said. And after two days of freedom albeit with a large monitoring device attached to his ankle Maklad said he was looking at the world through new eyes. "I've been out for two days, and I feel completely different," he told the Star by phone, while on his way to buy clothes with his cousin. "I feel completely new, I feel completely strange, because wow! I'm really seeing life." But Maklad is also deeply upset by the years he's lost, by the mistreatment he says he experienced at Eloy and by the "abuses" of DHS. "I don't understand the evil they did to me. I ask even today, 'What did I do? Why did they steal two years and three months of my life?'" he said. "Thank God for the blessing, the miracle that got me out of there." Support from the public, especially volunteers who visited with him regularly at Eloy and his attorneys, helped him hold onto hope in his darkest moments, he said. "They saved my life," he said. "I won't forget that. That is a great blessing I received." Cecilia Valenzuela, a volunteer with a Tucson-based group that organizes regular visits with Eloy detainees, began visiting Maklad in December 2024. In recent months, she'd grown concerned about his deteriorating mental state as he languished in Eloy, with no idea when he'd be freed. "These types of situations require all of your psychological and spiritual strength," she said. "It's a tremendous challenge and he lived up to it, even though sometimes he felt very, very at the end of his strength. In that moment, the community helped him keep going." The visitation program aims to counteract the dehumanization that immigrants experience in detention, she said. The program a "ministry of presence," Valenzuela said also brings rewards for the volunteers. "I don't want it to be looked at as if they are charity cases for us. We are in mutual solidarity," she said. Of Maklad, she said, "When he talks, he strengthens me, and I strengthen him. ... That's very moving for all of us, to truly accompany someone in the worst of moments, when you think that there is no light at the end of the tunnel." Effects of Biden rule Campos said DHS could continue searching for a third country to accept Maklad as a deportee. He cited the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whom DHS wrongly returned to his home country of El Salvador, despite a judge having granted him withholding of removal there. Since the man's return to the U.S., DHS has tried to find a third country to accept Abrego Garcia. Abrego Garcia was released Thursday, following a federal judge's order. "If the U.S. finds a third country to accept (Maklad), he could potentially be subject to re-apprehension. I remain nervous about that," Campos said. "Given Abrego Garcias case, for example, the government is hyper-focused on removing individuals, particularly individuals who come into the public eye." Maklad was ineligible for asylum due to the Biden-era "Circumvention of Lawful Pathways" rule, which largely denied the protection to asylum seekers who didnt use the CBP One scheduling app to enter the U.S. at a port of entry. The May 2023 rule put asylum protection out of reach for thousands of asylum seekers who may have otherwise had valid claims, leaving them eligible only for a more limited form of relief known as withholding of removal. Withholding only prevents immigrants' deportation to their home country, but leaves them vulnerable to removal to a third country. In October the Star reported that DHS attempted to deport Maklad to Venezuela on Sept. 19. Maklad said he spent about a half-hour in a Venezuelan airport, after the U.S. sent him there on a deportation flight full of people from Venezuela. Although he previously lived there, Maklad has no legal status in Venezuela and was quickly flown back to the U.S. At the airport, Venezuelan officials told Maklad theyd never agreed to receive him, Maklad said. DHS has not responded to the Star's Oct. 15 questions about the failed deportation, apparently without securing prior approval from Venezuela first. Maklad said he has an ICE check-in scheduled for February, and Campos is helping him apply for a work permit. He's determined to do everything by the book, he said. "I don't want to risk doing anything that could get me into trouble," he said. Vale: Ted Ryan Racing identity Ted Ryan, who had a 40 year broadcasting career has died. Racing identity Ted Ryan, who had a 40 year broadcasting career has died, aged 83. He passed away on Monday after long illnesses. Ryan was a noted race-caller of both greyhounds and racehorses, calling over 15 Melbourne Cups for national television and radio. He worked for all the major networks in Melbourne and Sydney, as well as the two Melbourne Racing radio stations. He later became Racing Editor for The Melbourne Observer. On Facebook, Editor-in-Chief Ash Long said, I first met Ted at Channel 9 around 1975. he was doing a greyhounds segment on The Bob Maumill Show. He first gained an interest in then neddies when he was still at school, wagging some days to attend bush meetings (by train). He worked on radio, TV and in the press. He loved his work. Brendan McKenna recalled, Ted was a legendary figure in racing circles gallops, trots, greyhounds. A key figure of the Ch.10 Melb. Cup coverage where he managed to get those insider tips at the early morning track gallops. Also named, irreverently by his many friends at 10, as back-of-the-head-Ted because Ted pioneered the, now standard, grabs from each Melb Cup jockey as they got off the scales. Back then, there were no edits and the hoops werent told they had to line-up for the media. The viewers saw the reaction of each jock, but the only view of the interviewer was back-of-the-head- Ted. But the jockeys obliged because they had such respect for Ted Ryan. R.I.P. Additional source: Instagram Dr Ambedkars Critique of Islam and Muslims: A Scholarly Analysis This paper undertakes a critical re-evaluation of Dr. B.R. Ambedkars seminal critique of Indian Muslims as articulated in his 1940 treatise, Pakistan or the Partition of India This paper undertakes a critical re-evaluation of Dr. B.R. Ambedkars seminal critique of Indian Muslims as articulated in his 1940 treatise, Pakistan or the Partition of India. While Ambedkar is rightfully celebrated as the architect of the Indian Constitution and the crusader against caste Hinduism, his scathing assessment of Islamic sociology and history remains a point of contention, often misappropriated by majoritarian political forces. This study argues that while Ambedkars sociological indictment regarding caste stratification and resistance to reform within the Muslim community was and remains, empirically accurate, his theological and historical conclusions require revision. By deploying a tri-fold methodology - utilizing Quranic exegesis to counter charges of theological insularity, subaltern historiography (specifically the work of K.N. Panikkar) to re-examine the Malabar Rebellion, and the sociological lens of Anand Teltumbde to address the Pasmanda question, this paper establishes a framework for a reading Ambedkar in fresh light. It posits that a synthesis of Ambedkars Prabuddha ethos and the Quranic concept of Adl (Justice) offers the only viable pathway against the calamity of majoritarian hegemony. The Ethical Cosmos of B.R. Ambedkar The philosophical architecture of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar cannot be reduced to a mere legalistic framework or a political strategy for the upliftment of the Untouchables. It is, fundamentally, a profound ethical system rooted in the triumvirate of liberty, equality, and fraternity. While contemporary political discourse often traces these ideals to the Enlightenment and the French Revolution, Ambedkar explicitly disavowed this Western genealogy. In a move that was both radical and restorative, he rooted his philosophy in the indigenous spiritual soil of India specifically, the Dhamma of the Buddha. As he asserted: My philosophy has roots in religion and not in political science. I have derived them from the teachings of my Master, the Buddha (Ahir, p.158). For Ambedkar, the distinction between the secular and the spiritual was not one of antagonism but of function. He posited that religion in the sense of spirituality, is essential for the progress of mankind (Ambedkar, Philosophy of Hinduism, p.22). In his view, religion serves as the moral foundation of a societys collective conscience, acting as the arbiter of social ethics. Consequently, the validity of any religious system is contingent upon its utility to human welfare. Ambedkar established a rigorous metric for this evaluation: any theology that fails to uphold equality, justice, fraternity, and human dignity is rendered morally obsolete and socially hypocritical. It was through this uncompromising ethical lens that Ambedkar deconstructed the graded inequality of caste Hinduism and the exclusionary ideology of Hindutva. He dismantled the Manusmriti not out of malice, but out of a desire for a society based on reason. However, his intellectual rigor was impartial; he applied the same diagnostic scalpel to the Muslim community. In his seminal 1940 treatise, Pakistan or the Partition of India, Ambedkar offered a scathing critique of Indian Muslims, identifying sociological stagnation, political insularity, and a resistance to reform as significant barriers to national integration. This volume seeks to revisit Ambedkars critique not to dismiss it, nor to apologize for the failures of the Muslim community, but to engage with it dialectically. The thesis proposed herein is that while Ambedkars criticisms were largely accurate regarding the sociological reality of Indian Muslims in the 1940s and indeed, remain relevant to the internal reform needed today, these realities represent a deviation from the theological core of Islam. Furthermore, regarding his historical critique of the Malabar Rebellion, this work argues that Ambedkar relied on colonial and elite-nationalist archives that obscured the subaltern, anti-imperial nature of the uprising. By synthesizing the sociological insights of Anand Teltumbde, the historiography of K.N. Panikkar, and a direct exegesis of the Quran, this work aims to lay the foundation for a Civilizational Alliance between Ambedkarites and Muslims, grounded in shared values of justice (Adl) and fraternity (Maitri). Deconstructing the Six Critiques To engage with Ambedkars assessment, one must first understand the gravity of his charges. In Pakistan or the Partition of India, Ambedkar articulated six major criticisms that painted a picture of a community retreating into a closed corporation. These were not the casual observations of a bystander but the frustrations of a statesman seeking a unified, democratic ethic. 1. Insular Brotherhood Ambedkar argued that the Islamic concept of brotherhood is not universal but strictly confined to the Ummah (community of believers). He famously wrote: The brotherhood of Islam is not the universal brotherhood of man. It is brotherhood of Muslims for Muslims only For those who are outside the corporation, there is nothing but contempt and enmity (Ambedkar, Pakistan, p.340). This critique strikes at the heart of democratic living, suggesting that Muslims are theoretically incapable of viewing a non-Muslim as a civic equal. 2. Exclusivism He contended that Muslims claim exclusive access to spiritual truth, which inherently creates a barrier to a pluralistic democratic life. If salvation is the monopoly of one group, equality becomes a theological impossibility. For Ambedkar, a claim to finality of truth was the enemy of reason and social osmosis. 3. Resistance to Reform Ambedkar observed a profound stagnation within the community, noting that Indian Muslim leadership displayed a complete absence of the desire for change and a hostility toward social reform that was more rigid than that of conservative Hindus (Ambedkar, Pakistan, p.253). He lamented that while Turkey under Ataturk was modernizing, Indian Islam remained frozen in feudalism. 4. Social Stratification (Caste) Despite the theoretical egalitarianism of Islam, Ambedkar highlighted the presence of a caste-like hierarchy among Indian Muslimsspecifically the divide between the Ashraf (foreign descent/upper caste) and the Ajlaf (indigenous converts), along with the Arzal (degraded castes). He noted: The Muslims have all the social evils of the Hindus and something more (Ambedkar, Pakistan, p.230). 5. Subjugation of Women He offered a stinging critique of the treatment of Muslim women, particularly the practice of purdah (seclusion) and the burqa. He argued that these practices caused physical degeneration and spiritual atrophy, rendering women second-class citizens and preventing the socialization of the younger generation (Ambedkar, Pakistan, p.230-233). 6. The Malabar Rebellion (1921) Finally, Ambedkar characterized the Mappila Rebellion as a communal outburst of Muslim fanaticism primarily targeting Hindus, describing it as a Jehad rather than a nationalist uprising (Ambedkar, Pakistan, p.163). These critiques form the bedrock of the Ambedkarite scepticism toward Muslims often exploited by right-wing forces today. However, a scholarly re-evaluation reveals that these points act as a mirror: Reflecting the practice of Muslims while often obscuring the principles of the Quran. Universalism vs. Insular Brotherhood The gap between Ambedkars sociological observation and Islamic theology is most visible in the concepts of brotherhood and pluralism. While Ambedkar correctly identified the insular behaviour of the Muslim community of his time a community circling the wagons in the face of political uncertainty, he did not engage with the Quranic text, which stands in direct opposition to such insularity. Ambedkars charge of Insular Brotherhood suggests that Islam is inherently tribal. Sociologically, this is often true; practices like Zakat (charity) are frequently distributed only within the community by conservative clergy. However, this is a violation of the Quranic mandate. Quran frames the Muslim community not as a tribe, but as an ethical vanguard for humanity. Quran declares: You are the best community raised for humankind (li-n-nas) you enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and believe in God (Quran 3:110). The preposition li-n-nas (for the people or for humankind) is pivotal. It implies that the raison detre of the Muslim requires service to humanity at large, not merely self-preservation. The best community is defined by its utility to the world, not its domination over it. Furthermore, the Quranic concept of charity is boundless. When listing the beneficiaries of Zakat in the Quran, the text includes the poor, the needy, the indebted, the traveller (Q.9:60). It does not qualify these categories with faith. Similarly, the Quran explicitly commands charity to parents, relatives, orphans, and the needy regardless of their creed (Q.2:215). The existential journey proposed by the Quran is the transition from tribalism to universalism. It acknowledges diversity as a divine design: O humankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another (li-taarafu). Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of God is the most righteous (Q.49:13). Here, the other is not an enemy to be conquered but a variation to be understood. The criterion for nobility is Taqwa (God-consciousness/righteousness), not membership in the corporation of Islam. Thus, the Insular Brotherhood Ambedkar criticized is a sociological corruption, not a theological tenet. The Divine Will in Diversity Ambedkars second critique that Muslims claim exclusive truth, is contradicted by the Qurans affirmation of religious pluralism. Quran does not envision a monolithic world; rather, it validates the existence of multiple paths to the Divine. Quran asserts: For each community We have appointed a law and a path. If God had willed, He could have made you one community So compete in doing good (Quran 5:48). This verse fundamentally alters the nature of inter-religious interaction from one of conquest to one of competitive righteousness. The divine will explicitly prevent a theological monopoly. Moreover, Quran explicitly extends salvation beyond the borders of Islam: Indeed, those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians and Sabianswhoever believes in God and the Last Day and does righteousnesswill have their reward with their Lord (Q.2:62). This theological pluralism aligns with Ambedkars own desire for a society based on reason and mutual respect. The exclusivism practiced by the clergy is a historical construct, often born of political empire, which obscures the Quranic vision of a spiritual democracy. Caste, Gender, and the Reformist Deficit Having established the theological baseline, we must address the internal critiquesResistance to Reform, Social Stratification, and the Status of Women. Here, Ambedkars analysis is analytically precise and remains a necessary mirror for the Indian Muslim community. Ambedkar was right: If slavery has gone, caste among Musalmans has remained (Ambedkar, Pakistan, p.230). The Ashraf-Ajlaf divide is a caste system in all but name, replicating the Brahmanical hierarchy of purity and pollution. Anand Teltumbde notes that the Ashraf elite have historically used the myth of the monolithic Muslim community to secure their own interests while marginalizing the indigenous Pasmanda (Dalit/Backward) Muslims (Teltumbde, p.62). This stratification is a direct assault on the Prophets Last Sermon, which proclaimed, An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a white over a black except by piety. The persistence of caste among Muslims is the point of greatest convergence for a Dalit-Muslim alliance. It requires the Muslim community to admit that while their theology is egalitarian, their sociology is Brahmanical. The denial of this reality by Muslim leadership validates Ambedkars accusation of hypocrisy. Ambedkar measured progress by the status of women. His critique of purdah was a critique of the seclusion that denies women agency. While patriarchal interpretations have dominated Islamic jurisprudence, the Quranic text offers a liberatory framework. It establishes men and women as Awliya (protectors/friends) of one another (Q.9:71) and celebrates the political sovereignty of the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis), who rules a democratic court (Q.27:22-44). The reformist agenda today must be to reclaim this Quranic feminism against the patriarchal cultural accretions Ambedkar rightly condemned. The Malabar Rebellion Myth, Memory, and Colonial Archives Of Dr. Ambedkars six criticisms against the Muslim community, none is as historically fraught or politically weaponized as his assessment of the Malabar Rebellion (also known as the Mappila Rebellion ) of 1921. In Pakistan or the Partition of India, Ambedkar offered a harrowing characterization of the uprising, describing it not as a nationalist struggle but as a communal eruption. He wrote: The blood-curdling atrocities committed by the Moplas in Malabar against the Hindus were indescribable It was not a Hindu-Moslem riot. It was a Jehad (Ambedkar, Pakistan, p.163). Ambedkars interpretation has since been canonized by the Hindu Right to argue that Muslim political mobilization is inherently anti-national and genocidal. However, a rigorous, progressive, and secular historiography demands that we excavate the socio-economic and anti-imperial foundations of this event. To accept Ambedkars judgment on this specific point without scrutiny is to ignore the epistemic limitations of the sources available to him in the 1940s primarily colonial administrative records and elite nationalist accounts, and to overlook the subaltern reality of the Mappila peasantry . To understand the violence of 1921, one must first understand the structural violence of the preceding century. The rebellion did not occur in a vacuum of religious fanaticism; it erupted from the pressure cooker of colonial agrarian extraction. K.N. Panikkar, in his magisterial work Against Lord and State, demonstrates that the conflict was fundamentally rooted in the land tenure system of Malabar. The British colonial administration, seeking stable revenue, had solidified the absolute property rights of the Janmis (landlords), who were predominantly Nambudiri Brahmins and Nair elites. In contrast, the Verumpattamdars (tenants-at-will) and agricultural labourers were overwhelmingly Mappila Muslims and lower-caste Hindus (Thiyyas and Cherumars) (Panikkar, p.75-80). Under British law, the Janmis were granted the power of arbitrary eviction (melcharth) and rack-renting. The Mappila peasantry faced a dual oppression: the economic exploitation by the feudal Janmi and the political coercion of the British police state. Panikkar argues: The Mappila peasantry was caught in the web of the landlords oppression and the states coercion The religious ideology provided the necessary solidarity for the peasantry to organize against their exploiters (Panikkar, p.105). Thus, when the rebellion broke out, the targets were not Hindus qua Hindus, but the symbols of feudal and colonial authoritythe Janmi manor houses (illams), land records, and police stations. The violence was vertical (class-based), attacking the hierarchy of power, before it became horizontal (communal). Why did Ambedkar view this class struggle as a Jehad? The answer lies in the success of the colonial narrative. The British administration had a vested interest in framing the rebellion as Muslim fanaticism for two strategic reasons. First, it delegitimized the genuine grievances of the peasantry, absolving the colonial state of its role in creating the famine-like conditions. Second, and more crucially, it served to fracture the burgeoning Hindu-Muslim unity that had been forged during the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movements (Teltumbde, p.115). Anand Teltumbde notes that Ambedkar, writing his critique two decades after the event, relied on the official narrative which highlighted Mappila brutality while erasing British state terror (Teltumbde, p.25). The colonial state committed atrocities of a genocidal scale: over 2,337 Mappilas were killed, 1,652 wounded, and 45,404 imprisoned (Panikkar, p.208). The infamous Wagon Tragedy of November 1921, where 67 Mappila prisoners were suffocated to death in a sealed railway goods wagon, remains a stark testament to British brutalitya detail often absents from the fanaticism discourse. By focusing solely on the Mappila violence, the colonial archiveand by extension, Ambedkars critiquerendered the states violence invisible. Scholars must approach Ambedkars critique of the Malabar Rebellion with what might be termed critical empathy. Ambedkar was not wrong about the fact of violence against Hindus; he was arguably mistaken about its nature. He correctly identified the trauma inflicted upon the region, but his analysis lacked the materialist framework to see the agrarian engine driving the religious vehicle. Today, revisiting this critique requires us to reject the binary of Nationalist Hero vs. Communal Fanatic. The Mappila rebel was an anti-imperialist combatant driven by hunger and dignity, whose resistance was inevitably colored by the religious language available to him. To dismiss the entire rebellion as a Jehad, as Ambedkar did, is to inadvertently validate the colonial logic he otherwise spent his life dismantling. The Politics of Misappropriation and Selective Amnesia In the contemporary socio-political landscape of India, Dr. Ambedkars critique of Muslims has been excavated from its 1940s context and weaponized to serve a majoritarian agenda. Political forces antithetical to Ambedkars broader philosophy of equality frequently cite Pakistan or the Partition of India to justify the marginalization of Muslims, arguing that Ambedkar viewed the community as fundamentally anti-national. This misappropriation relies on a deliberate selective amnesia. It amplifies Ambedkars critique of the Malabar Rebellion and Muslim insularity while silencing his far more extensive and systemic critique of Hinduisms graded inequality. As Anand Teltumbde incisively argues, the project to saffronize Ambedkar requires stripping him of his radical anti-caste core and reducing him to a mere critic of Islamic separatism (Teltumbde, p.14). It is crucial to distinguish between Ambedkars intent and the current usage of his text. Ambedkars critique was a constructive warning issued to a community he believed was retreating into feudal stagnation. He wanted the Muslim community to reform itself so it could be a robust partner in the democratic project. He did not write his critique to provide a warrant for the persecution of Muslims in a Hindu Rashtra. On the contrary, Ambedkar explicitly identified the establishment of a Hindu Raj as the ultimate peril. His famous declaration remains the definitive rebuttal to those who appropriate him: If Hindu Raj does become a fact, it will, no doubt, be the greatest calamity for this country It is a menace to liberty, equality and fraternity. On that account it is incompatible with democracy. Hindu Raj must be prevented at any cost (Ambedkar, Pakistan, p.358). Therefore, any political reading that uses Ambedkar to justify Muslim exclusion while simultaneously advancing the cause of Hindu Raj acts in direct violation of Ambedkars stated political will. The defence against this misappropriation lies in the Constitution itself. Ambedkars Constitution is a document of Constitutional Moralitya secular, pluralistic covenant. Interestingly, this resonates with the Islamic concept of Mithaq (Covenant), specifically the Constitution of Medina drafted by the Prophet Muhammad. That document established a political community (Ummah) comprised of Muslims, Jews, and Pagans, all granted equal rights and mutual defense obligations. A re-evaluation of Ambedkars legacy suggests that the Indian Constitution is the modern Mithaq for Indian Muslims. Adhering to it is not merely a civic duty but, from a Quranic perspective, a religious obligation to honour ones contracts (Uqud) (Quran 5:1). Thus, the anti-national charge Ambedkar feared is nullified when Muslims reclaim the Constitution as their sacred covenant of citizenship. The Pasmanda Bridge and the Civilizational Alliance How do we move from critique to construction? The re-evaluation of Ambedkars criticisms provides the blueprint for a Civilizational Alliance between the Dalits (Ambedkarites) and the Muslims. This alliance cannot be a superficial electoral pact; it must be a deep social transformation. The most formidable barrier to this alliance has been the caste denialism of the Ashraf Muslim elite. Ambedkars critique of caste among Muslims was accurate and remains urgent. The rise of the Pasmanda Muslim Movement (representing the Dalit and Backward Caste Muslims) vindicates Ambedkars sociology. For a genuine alliance, the hegemony of the Ashraf leadership which often prioritizes emotional issues (like the preservation of conservative personal laws) over material issues (education, jobs, security), must be challenged. The Pasmanda movement offers a bridge: it shares the Dalit experience of caste oppression and the Muslim experience of religious marginalization. An Ambedkarite-Muslim alliance must be led by the subalterns of both communities. As Teltumbde notes: The Dalit-Muslim unity is not a unity of religion, but a unity of the proletariat (Teltumbde, p.145). The Muslim community must institutionally acknowledge the existence of caste and apply the Quranic egalitarianism (Quran 49:13) to dismantle it, thereby fulfilling Ambedkars demand for reform. At a philosophical level, the alliance finds ground in the convergence of Maitri (Buddhist Loving-Kindness) and Rahma (Islamic Mercy). Ambedkars Maitri: For Ambedkar, fraternity was not just a political concept but a spiritual oneMaitriwhich extends benevolence to all beings. For Ambedkar, fraternity was not just a political concept but a spiritual oneMaitriwhich extends benevolence to all beings. Quranic Rahma: The Quran describes the Prophet as Rahmatan li-l-Alamin (A Mercy to the Worlds) (Q.21:107). Both traditions reject the survival of the fittest (the logic of caste/capitalism) in favor of the survival of the weakest (the logic of care/social justice). This ethical convergence allows for a shared language of resistance against hate. The Mirror and the Lamp This study has traversed the landscape of Dr. B.R. Ambedkars critique of Muslims, subjecting it to the twin lights of Quranic theology and post-colonial historiography. On Insularity and Exclusivism: We found that while Ambedkar correctly diagnosed the sociological isolation of the Indian Muslim community, his critique does not apply to the theological core of Islam, which is radically universalist (Quran 3:110) and pluralist (Quran 5:48). On Social Evils (Caste/Gender): We validated Ambedkars critique of caste (Ashraf-Ajlaf) and gender injustice as irrefutable sociological realities. These are internal betrayals of the Quranic ethos that the community must urgently reform. On the Malabar Rebellion: We revised Ambedkars judgment using the archival work of K.N. Panikkar, concluding that Ambedkar relied on colonial narratives that erased the anti-imperial and agrarian nature of the uprising, mischaracterizing a class war as a pure Jehad. Dr. Ambedkar acts as a Critical Friend to the Muslim community. His harsh words were a mirror held up to a stagnating society. Instead of breaking the mirror, the Muslim community must use it to clean its face. The Re-Evaluation proposed in this work is not a rejection of Ambedkar, but an expansion of his vision. It calls for an Indian Islam that is Prabuddha (Enlightened) free from caste, gender-just, and deeply integrated into the democratic fabric. Simultaneously, it calls for an Ambedkarite movement that recognizes the Muslim not as the Other, but as a co-sufferer and a co-traveler in the long march toward the City of Virtue (Prabuddha Bharat). In the final analysis, the destiny of the Dalit and the Muslim in India is indivisible. They swim or sink together. By synthesizing the constitutional morality of Ambedkar with the universal justice of Quran, we can forge a republic that is truly inclusive, humanistic, and liberatory. Bibliography Ahir, D. C. The Legacy of Dr. Ambedkar. New Delhi: B. R. Publishing, 1990. Ambedkar, B. R. The Buddha and His Dhamma. Mumbai: Siddharth College Publication, 1957. Ambedkar, B. R. The Philosophy of Hinduism. New Delhi: Critical Quest, 2010. Ambedkar, B. R. Pakistan or the Partition of India. 2nd ed. Mumbai: Thacker and Company, 1946. Ambedkar, B. R. Annihilation of Caste. New Delhi: Navayana, 2014. The Quran. Translated by M. A. S. Abdel Haleem. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004. Panikkar, K. N. Against Lord and State: Religion and Peasant Uprisings in Malabar, 18361921. Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1989. Teltumbde, Anand. Ambedkar on Muslims: Myths and Facts. Hyderabad: Vow Foundation, 2003. Teltumbde. Republic of Caste: Thinking Equality in the Time of Neoliberal Hindutva. New Delhi: Navayana, 2018. [V.A. Mohamad Ashrof is an independent Indian scholar specializing in Islamic humanism. With a deep commitment to advancing Quranic hermeneutics that prioritize human well-being, peace, and progress, his work aims to foster a just society, encourage critical thinking, and promote inclusive discourse and peaceful coexistence. He is dedicated to creating pathways for meaningful social change and intellectual growth through his scholarship. He can be reached at vamashrof@gmail.com.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Debate on Vande Mataram is Reminiscent of Political Immaturity The uproar over Vande Mataram that recently erupted in Parliament is not a debate it is political theatre and misuse of a cultural symbol to score ideological points The uproar over Vande Mataram that recently erupted in Parliament is not a debate it is political theatre. It is the misuse of a cultural symbol to score ideological points, distract from governance failures, and inject a false ideological divide where none exists. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), driven by its compulsive need to manufacture controversy, attempted to weaponize a national song to attack Jawaharlal Nehru Indias first Prime Minister and one of its most intellectually profound leaders. But, what was intended as yet another attempt to tarnish Nehru backfired, because Priyanka Gandhis intervention provided historical clarity, exposed the superficiality of the BJPs claim, and highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modis shallow understanding of Indias cultural and constitutional history. In truth, there was no confusion to begin with except the deliberate confusion sown by a ruling party that thrives on symbolic confrontation. Modis remarks were not just factually wrong; they reflected the deep ideological insecurity that drives the BJP to constantly diminish Nehru. It is a symptom of a leadership that lacks intellectual depth, historical literacy, and political maturity. And it is an insult to a democracy that requires reasoned debate, not sentimental manipulation. Constitutional Journey of Vande Mataram To understand the present controversy, we must revisit the past with honesty. Vande Mataram was unquestionably a powerful rallying cry in the anti-colonial struggle. Its emotional force inspired countless freedom fighters. But the Constituent Assembly composed of leaders of extraordinary depth - including Nehru, Patel, Ambedkar, Azad, and many others, was deeply conscious of the need to craft national symbols that would represent every Indian. The Assemblys deliberations were meticulous. They recognised that parts of Vande Mataram carry devotional references rooted in the Hindu pantheon. While this is not problematic in itself, a national anthem must transcend religious references. The nation, newly freed from colonialism, needed a symbol that would not alienate any citizen. It needed a song whose message was universal, whose spirit included the entire diversity of India. This is why Jana Gana Mana secular, inclusive, and musically suited for orchestral rendition, was chosen as the national anthem. Notably, Vande Mataram was not sidelined. It was elevated as the national song, retaining honour and respect. Nehru supported this dual recognition because he was committed to an inclusive nationalism. He understood that Indias strength lay in its plurality, not in majoritarian assertion. This historically sound decision is what the BJP now seeks to muddle. But distortions cannot rewrite the fact that the decision was made through reasoned democratic deliberation not through sentiment, dogma, or sectarian interpretation. The Assemblys decision was not an act of rejection; it was an affirmation of Indias plural constitution. RSS, BJP, and Distorted Historical Memory The ferocity with which the BJP attacks Nehru stems in part from its own absence in the freedom movement. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of the BJP, made no meaningful contribution to the anti-colonial struggle. It sat out of the major mass movements the Salt Satyagraha, the Quit India movement, the Non-Cooperation movement, and all phases of underground resistance. Its silence during the most intense phases of nationalist mobilisation remains one of the most glaring gaps in its political legacy. This historical vacuum becomes politically inconvenient in contemporary times. To compensate for this absence, the BJP routinely attempts to rewrite history either by diminishing the contributions of leaders like Nehru, or by retroactively inflating the role of organisations that were largely spectators during the freedom struggle. Such revisionism is not just intellectually dishonest; it is corrosive. It replaces historical truth with ideological propaganda. The attack on Nehru, therefore, is not just about Vande Mataram. It is about the BJPs broader project of reshaping Indias national memory. It is about manufacturing a narrative in which the Congress is painted as culturally alienated, while the BJP positions itself as the sole custodian of nationalism. But nationalism cannot be monopolised. And patriotism is not a proprietary emotion. It belongs to every citizen, and it certainly does not require certification from a government whose understanding of Indian history is shallow and opportunistic. Priyanka Gandhis Intervention: Restoring Historical Sanity In this context, Priyanka Gandhis remarks in the Parliament were not merely political retorts. They served a much-needed purpose: Restoring historical accuracy and exposing the hollowness of Modis claim. She reminded the House that Nehrus position on Vande Mataram reflected respect for the song, for Indias diversity, and for the constitutional promise of equality. She reminded the nation that the BJPs portrayal of Nehru is a caricature, not a reflection of reality. Her intervention also demonstrated how political leadership should ideally function: by grounding arguments in history, not in theatrics; by elevating parliamentary debate, not debasing it through slander; and by focusing on the substance of governance rather than symbolic disruptions. The Present Governments Intellectual Frailty The BJPs repeated attempts to distort cultural and historical symbols reveal a deeper crisis its lack of intellectual finesse. This is a government that often prefers spectacle to substance. It confuses volume with vision, and slogans with scholarship. It does not possess the politico-cultural-social understanding needed to engage with Indias complexity. The Prime Ministers speeches, which are often celebrated for oratory, frequently collapse upon scrutiny. True orators persuade through thought and depth, not through ridicule and insinuation. Indias Parliament an institution built with immense sacrifice and constitutional imagination, is now repeatedly subjected to trivial debates. Instead of addressing unemployment, agrarian distress, rising hate crimes, environmental collapse, and institutional erosion, Parliament wastes precious time on artificially created controversies. This misuse of legislative space is not accidental; it is politically strategic. Diversion thrives where governance fails. Real Implications for Contemporary Society The Vande Mataram controversy is not an isolated event. It is part of a larger pattern in which the ruling establishment recycles emotional issues to engineer polarisation and distract public attention. These diversions have real consequences. First, they shrink democratic space. When nationalism is defined narrowly and weaponised politically, dissenters are labelled anti-national. The very idea of patriotism becomes distorted into compliance with the ruling partys ideology. Second, they deepen communal fractures. By repeatedly invoking cultural symbols in exclusionary terms, the government reinforces suspicion toward minorities. Symbols that should unite Indians are instead turned into tools for social division. Third, they degrade public discourse. Democratic debate requires knowledge, context, and reasoned argument. But when debates are constructed around misrepresentations of history, the public sphere becomes coarsened. Intellectual laziness replaces scholarship, and emotional manipulation replaces truth. Fourth, they distract from failures of policy. A country facing rising inequality, joblessness, ecological distress, and dwindling democratic safeguards cannot afford to be dragged into meaningless cultural disputes. These issues deserve serious attention, but they are overshadowed by rhetorical conflicts that offer no solutions. Reclaiming the Idea of India India must reject obsolete and uninformed perspectives that seek to reduce its civilisational richness to rigid, homogenising narratives. The plural India envisioned by the freedom movement and articulated by the Constitution was not an accidentit was deliberate, thoughtful, and morally grounded. It was crafted by leaders who understood Indias vastness not as a challenge, but as strength. Modis attempt to belittle Nehru does not diminish Nehru. History is not so fragile. Nehru remains a towering figure because he worked with intellect, humility, and a commitment to public reason. Modis repeated attacks only highlight the stark contrast: between scholarship and sloganeering, between statesmanship and spectacle. Vande Mataram: Priyanka Gandhi Full Speech India needs political leadership capable of grappling with its real challenges not a leadership that converts Parliament into a stage for ideological theatrics. The nation deserves debates anchored in truth, history, and integrity. National symbols should inspire unity, not be dragged through the mud of partisan attacks. The debate on Vande Mataram should have lasted ten minutes. Instead, it was stretched into a spectacle because the ruling party thrives on confrontation. But India must outgrow this phase of political immaturity. Our democratic institutions cannot be held hostage to agendas driven by insecurity and propaganda. Patriotism is not a plaything. History is not a weapon. And democracy is not theatre. It is time India returned to intellectual honesty and constitutional sanity. It is time the nation reclaimed its political discourse from those who equate nationalism with noise. And it is time to recognise that leaders like Nehru cannot be diminished by those who do not possess even a fraction of their depth. [The writer, Ranjan Solomon, is a Political Commentator who fiercely fights to defends historical integrity.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Representatives of wood manufacturing and processing enterprises have voiced concerns and proposals aimed at enhancing the role of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Products Association (Viforest) in supporting business connectivity, trade promotion, and policy advocacy. Wood manufacturing and processing firms are facing mounting challenges. Photo: Anh Phuong During the 5th Congress (20252030) of Viforest held on December 11 in Ho Chi Minh City, leading figures in the industry shared their experiences and frustrations in adapting to new market demands, particularly around digitization and governance. Le Duc Nghia, Chairman of the Board of Directors at An Cuong Wood JSC, emphasized the importance of direct engagement among businesses. He believes such forums offer clearer perspectives on the industry and help companies identify solutions for sustainable growth. According to Nghia, domestic wood companies benefit from a highly skilled labor force and are capable of producing goods competitive with foreign brands. Yet, he admits that managerial capacity remains a major challenge. Recalling his own company's turning point a decade ago, Nghia said An Cuong reached approximately 1 trillion VND (around 40 million USD) in revenue, but he felt unprepared to manage growth efficiently. This pushed him to restructure and invest 1 million USD in digital transformation. Digitization has helped An Cuong streamline operations and gain full process control over the past five years, he stated. At the congress, Vu Quang Huy, CEO of Tekcom JSC, noted his company currently earns around 100 million USD annually (approximately 2.5 trillion VND), primarily from plywood and kitchen cabinets. However, he warned that the wood and plywood industries are evolving rapidly and face mounting pressures from tariffs, origin traceability, and transparency standards. Huy highlighted several systemic challenges: rising input costs amid falling product prices, legal risks tied to sourcing, and supply chain disruptions as more firms resort to importing raw materials themselves. To navigate these issues, Huy proposed three key strategies: increasing transparency in sourcing, promoting collaboration and specialization, and transforming supply and value chains. If we strengthen cooperation, Vietnamese supply chains can rival those of Thailand or China, Huy affirmed. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Quoc Tri addresses the congress. Photo: Anh Phuong Sharing deep concerns about the future of woodworking as a craft, Nguyen Thi En, Standing Vice President of the Van Diem Craft Village Association, stated that traditional woodworking villages are facing immense pressures in todays market. According to En, traditional handicrafts - once celebrated for their cultural value - are being squeezed out by mass-produced goods and shifting consumer tastes. Moreover, many traditional designs no longer match modern consumer needs, limiting access to younger audiences and high-end markets. Although artisanal products receive praise in Europe, craft villages still struggle to meet international standards. En also pointed to digital transformation and e-commerce as serious obstacles. Most workshop households still operate independently, lack digital marketing strategies, and have limited adaptability to rapid market changes and higher digitization demands. For long-term sustainability, En believes craft villages must be restructured into larger models that allow collaborative production to boost competitiveness. Authorities and Viforest need to strengthen support in trade promotion, product design innovation, and digital training for producers. Only by preserving traditional values while adapting to modern needs can woodworking villages truly thrive, she said. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Quoc Tri, speaking at the congress, praised Viforests contributions to wood processing and exports. To help businesses meet stricter standards - especially regarding legal timber, product origin, and carbon emissions - he urged the association to adopt new mindsets, reform operations, and accelerate the implementation of key plans. For the 20252030 term, the Deputy Minister outlined core goals for Viforest: to continue helping businesses overcome challenges, actively participate in policymaking, expand markets, and promote the development of high-value products. He emphasized the need for a transparent, eco-friendly production model that meets the growing expectations of international markets, and called on Viforest to strengthen its role in building a legal wood supply chain. The congress also approved key revisions to the association's organizational charter and elected a new 31-member executive board for the 20252030 term. Nguyen Quoc Khanh, Chairman of AA Architecture Construction JSC, was elected as Viforests new President. Anh Phuong This flaw affects web applications using React Server Components, particularly within the popular Next.js framework - a technology now powering tens of thousands of Vietnamese websites and platforms. According to global monitoring data, Vietnam currently ranks among the top 10 countries reporting the highest volume of exploitation attempts related to this vulnerability. The cybersecurity unit of CMC Telecom (Cyber Security Unit CSU) has analyzed the flaw and warns that CVE-2025-55182 allows remote code execution (RCE) and full server takeover without any login or authentication. This dramatically elevates the risk level - especially for businesses running e-commerce websites, public-facing service portals, or internal applications built on Next.js with exposed APIs. During its scans and internet data analysis in Vietnam, CMC CSU observed: A sharp rise in systems using Next.js over recent years. Many of these systems remain on default configurations or have not yet applied critical patches. A sudden surge in scanning activity immediately after the vulnerability was made public. Self-developed applications - often without dedicated security teams - are the most vulnerable group, according to CMC Telecom experts. This is a dangerous vulnerability due to the sheer popularity of Next.js and the fact that attackers need no credentials to exploit it, said a representative from CMC Telecom. The company urges Vietnamese businesses to take immediate action, including: Checking current versions of Next.js in use and applying available patches. Using Web Application Firewalls (WAF) to detect exploitation attempts. Implementing detection rules within SIEM or EDR systems. Actively monitoring server logs for abnormal or suspicious requests. For businesses with large systems, independent penetration testing or professional security assessments are also recommended to avoid missing hidden vulnerabilities. Source: CMC Telecom Security Hub The Galaxy S26 Ultra, along with two smaller variants in the S26 series, is expected to launch in the coming months. Buzz surrounding this heavyweight flagship continues to grow as new details emerge. A recently leaked certification document has confirmed satellite connectivity for at least one version of the Galaxy S26. It also lends further credibility to one of the hottest rumors: the Ultra models enhanced fast-charging capabilities. Clears two major certifications Leaked image of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Photo: Android Headline Bearing model number SM-9480, the Galaxy S26 Ultra has officially passed the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) standard. This certification, required for the Chinese market, indicates that Samsungs 2026 flagship will support direct satellite communication - at least in its domestic Chinese version. This feature allows users to send messages or share locations with rescue teams even without cellular signals. While the documents dont confirm whether voice calls via satellite will be supported, the Galaxy S25 Ultra previously offered satellite text messaging. This strongly suggests that the feature will return - at least in some markets. More notably, the 3C certification confirms that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will support 60W wired fast charging. Rumors about Samsung increasing its charging speed have circulated for months, with even subtle hints dropped by the company during recent events. This latest certification virtually confirms the upgrade. The documents also reveal a 5,000mAh battery - dashing hopes for a bigger power cell in this years Ultra model. The Galaxy S26 Ultras hardware picture is becoming clearer Alongside the 3C filing, the S26 Ultra also passed FCC certification in the U.S. According to the report, the device will run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip for both global and U.S. markets, continuing Samsungs tradition of using Snapdragon in its Ultra models. Meanwhile, PhoneArena reports that the standard Galaxy S26 and S26+ may use the Exynos 2600 chip in select markets, including Samsungs home country of South Korea. Beyond hardware, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to feature a brand-new design. Samsung is said to be unifying the design language across all three S26 models, opting for more rounded corners and an island-style camera module, replacing the individually raised lenses seen on previous models. The new design has sparked mixed reactions. Some users worry that the S26 Ultra may resemble the more budget-friendly Galaxy A series, diminishing its premium look. Others support the shift, saying a unified design will make the Galaxy S line easier to identify at a glance. Launch delayed, but upgrades aplenty Reports suggest that the Galaxy S26 lineup might launch later than usual due to strategic changes within Samsung, with a likely unveiling in February. The flagship trio will go head-to-head with Apples iPhone 17 series, released in September. In addition to the new design, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to support the Qi 2 wireless charging standard - similar to Apples MagSafe - enabling broader compatibility with magnetic accessories. Another potential addition is a privacy display, a screen that narrows the viewing angle to prevent onlookers from reading over your shoulder. Overall, the sentiment around the Galaxy S26 Ultra remains mixed. On one hand, fans had hoped for more powerful upgrades - especially a larger battery, which remains a long-standing limitation. On the other hand, Samsung still offers several noteworthy improvements: faster charging, the new Qi 2 standard with an expanded accessory ecosystem, and a refreshed, if divisive, design. While not every change may thrill die-hard users, the S26 Ultra is shaping up to be intriguing enough to keep tech enthusiasts watching closely. In just a few months, the answers will be revealed as Samsung reenters the flagship battle with one of the most powerful Android phones in the world. Hai Phong Tucked away in the cluttered lanes of Phung Hung Market in Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Lu coffee stall has quietly charmed its customers for over 70 years with a brewing method both humble and profound. Huynh Thi Kim Yen, 67, returned from a long trip to visit her children in Australia and made her way straight to the stall in Cho Lon ward. Ive been drinking coffee here since I was 30. Im used to the taste - no other place compares, she shared. This used to be one of the most famous coffee stalls in the city. Even Western tourists would head straight here from the airport. Despite being called a quan (shop), Ba Lu coffee is little more than a few stools and two tables on a narrow sidewalk, shaded by a tarp and oversized umbrellas. Behind it stands a traditional Chinese-style home. The fence along the house is lined with smoke-stained photographs of the shops owner with his customers. A few long, sock-like cloth filters hang nearby - each about 25cm long, with a 10cm opening - used for brewing the coffee. The front counter holds an aluminum cabinet filled with glasses, and two ceramic kettles, one constantly heated over red charcoal. Brewing heritage in a ceramic pot Mrs. Yen shares an old photo of herself with the former shopkeeper - Hungs mother. Photo: Ha Nguyen The current owner, Chung Quoc Hung, 51, inherited the stall and its legacy from his father, Lam Thieu Dien, a Hainanese Chinese immigrant who moved to Vietnam at the age of 12 or 13. My family name Chung comes from my mother, Hung explained. When my father arrived in Cho Lon, he worked at coffee shops - what people used to call tiem nuoc. He learned how to roast and grind beans there. After the owner retired and left the country, my father opened his own stall at this exact location. His father remained with his wooden coffee cart for decades, eventually handing down the technique to his son. Hung still roasts and grinds the beans using the same method from more than seven decades ago. Rather than using a conventional pan, Hung relies on a custom cylindrical roasting pan his father built. He preheats the pan for 15 minutes before roasting beans for nearly an hour. Every 1520 minutes, he adds a pinch of salt. After 20 more minutes, he mixes in butter, roasting for another 10 minutes before pouring the beans out to cool. While still warm, he sprinkles in alcohol and mixes it thoroughly. The result is a rich, dark brown powder with a heady aroma. I used to use imported liquor, which added more depth, but the prices have gone up, so now I use Vietnamese sticky rice liquor, he said. Coffee stewed with time Locals jokingly call the process kho hat ca phe - literally stewing the beans - because of its long and labor-intensive steps. Coffee beans roasted the night before always taste better, Hung remarked. At the stall, Hung brews using the original sock filters and ceramic kettles passed down from his father. The kettles are kept warm all day to preserve the concentrated coffee essence. When a customer orders, Hung pours hot extract through the sock filter into a glass, ready to serve. The shop opens from 6 AM to 6 PM daily, offering black coffee, coffee with condensed milk, and egg coffee, priced between 25,000 and 30,000 VND (around USD 1 to 1.20). A few soft drinks are also available. In its heyday, Ba Lu could sell 34kg of ground coffee a day. Now, that number has dropped to just over 1kg. Still, Hung remains proud: Our customers span all ages and backgrounds. On weekends, its busier than usual. Besides longtime regulars, many young people, artists, and nostalgic visitors come for the vibe. We even get foreign tourists who want to learn about traditional Vietnamese coffee. Some even take pictures and send them back as gifts. Ba Lu coffee is tucked into a tiny sidewalk corner of Phung Hung Market. Ceramic kettles and vintage customer photos decorate the stall. Hung roasts coffee beans by hand using a custom pan and unique blend of salt, butter, and alcohol. The beans are roasted then mixed with rice liquor to enhance flavor. Hung still uses sock filters and ceramic kettles inherited from his father. Ba Lu continues to draw a diverse crowd - from loyal patrons to curious youth and tourists. Ha Nguyen With a budget exceeding 442 billion VND (about $18.2 million), Ho Chi Minh City is racing to renovate over 92 kilometers of sidewalks across dozens of major roads in the city center. Construction workers are operating non-stop in a bid to complete the upgrades before the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, repairing degraded sections and giving the city a fresh, more polished look. According to the HCMC Department of Construction, after many years of use, especially in the central districts, sidewalks have become badly worn, posing risks to pedestrians and diminishing urban aesthetics. Since early 2025, district-level Peoples Committees have launched widespread sidewalk renovation efforts. The aim is to improve pedestrian safety, support tourism, and ensure design consistency with the upcoming Metro Line 1. On Cong Truong Cong Xa Paris Street, new tiling is already underway. Construction crews have worked continuously for the past three days and expect to finish paving by the next day. Temporary signs have been placed at ongoing work zones to alert pedestrians. On Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, new granite paving has been completed, offering a tidy, modern appearance with tree-lined paths. Many foreign tourists have expressed admiration for the improved streetscape. Meanwhile, on Pham Ngu Lao Street, about 300 meters of sidewalk are being rapidly repaved in the direction of Ben Thanh Metro Station. At the construction site, heavy machinery is being used to strip away the old surface. Excavators fitted with hydraulic breakers are constantly chipping away at the worn concrete and stone. The powerful vibrations help separate and remove the outdated material. All the newly paved sidewalks are using granite stone - a material chosen for its durability, strength, resistance to cracking, and non-slip surface. These features make it ideal for sidewalks exposed to harsh outdoor conditions. The use of granite also elevates the city's overall visual appeal. The Department of Construction emphasized that the project has delivered visible improvements in urban order, pedestrian safety, and public satisfaction. According to preliminary statistics, Ho Chi Minh City is currently renovating sidewalks on 91 streets, covering approximately 91.7 kilometers in total. The estimated total investment is 442 billion VND. Many of the projects have already been completed, while others will continue into 2026, including those carried over from 2025. Sidewalk work continues non-stop to meet the Tet deadline. New granite paving and street trees brighten Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street. Construction zones have become dusty hubs of activity across HCMC. Crews on Pham Ngu Lao Street are rushing to complete a 300-meter stretch. Heavy equipment breaks up old paving with powerful vibrations. Granite tiles offer strength, slip resistance, and a polished look. City officials report broad public support for the sidewalk upgrades. Tuan Hung Anna Blanco of Venezuela was crowned Miss Charm 2025 following a heartfelt answer about empathy and the unifying power of music. The runner-up titles went to Germany and Indonesia, while Vietnams Mai Ngo made it into the Top 12. After several rounds of competition, the Miss Charm 2025 organizers announced the final results. Anna Blanco, representing Venezuela, clinched the crown after consistently strong performances from the Top 8 through the Top 5, where her answers about compassion and the role of music in human connection won over the judges. A minor mishap occurred just minutes after her crowning, when the newly placed crown slipped off her head. The crown falls moments after coronation As a professional musician, the new Miss Charm has pledged to use her title to spread messages of empathy and harmony through the universal language of art and music. Luisa Victoria Malz from Germany was named first runner-up, while Rinanda Aprillya Maharani from Indonesia placed as the second runner-up. The swimsuit segment featured 20 semifinalists representing Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Germany, India, China, Mexico, Moldova, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Indonesia, Puerto Rico, Malaysia, Thailand, the USA, Venezuela, and Vietnam. Contestants in the swimsuit round In a twist from the original format, the finale moved 12 contestants, instead of the expected 10, into the evening gown round. These included representatives from the USA (Peoples Choice), Colombia, Mexico, Germany, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Venezuela, the Netherlands, Vietnam, Bolivia, and Thailand. Contestants in evening gowns After the evening gown presentations, four contestants were announced for the Top 5: Indonesia, Germany, Thailand, and Mexico. The remaining eight - including Mai Ngo - had to compete for the final spot through a shared Q&A segment. Each contestant had 60 seconds to answer the question: Sometimes the most beautiful crowns are invisible. What is the invisible crown you wear? Mai Ngo introduced herself as someone who had joined many pageants but often ended as second runner-up. She declared: Failure is my invisible crown. My success isnt measured by titles, but by how many lives Ive inspired, empowered to live stronger, and to step out of their comfort zones. Mai Ngo. Other standout answers included Miss Colombias message about living in service of others and finding joy in small moments, and Miss USAs choice of voice as her invisible crown - used to inspire women in male-dominated industries. Miss Netherlands reflected on growing up in an unstable foster care system, encouraging those limited by their circumstances. Miss India chose courage and contentment, while Miss Bolivia spoke about being inspired by her grandmothers commitment to helping the less fortunate. Miss Venezuelas answer focused on empathy, compassion, and love: Each day we must ask ourselves how were living. The most important quality we can have as humans to help each other live in harmony is empathy. Her response secured the last spot in the Top 5. Top 5 take on final Q&A round In the individual Q&A segment, Miss Indonesia spoke about the barriers girls face in education - particularly financial limitations and social stigma - and emphasized that when given a chance, women can lead and empower the world. Miss Germany was asked about a stereotype she'd like to change. She challenged the outdated notion that women belong only at home, asserting that women are born to lead, change the world, and bring compassion into male-dominated fields. She believes the love of a mother and a woman can spark monumental change. Miss Thailand reflected on personal failure. She recounted her past insecurities, her fear of public speaking, and a past setback during the Q&A round at Miss Universe Thailand. She said these failures helped her grow and become a braver version of herself. Miss Mexico was asked which cultural element shed like to share with the world. She highlighted her countrys rich traditions and inspiring spirit, saying that by discovering purpose and helping others shine, we can build a better society. She felt proud to carry not just her country, but also her lifes mission. Miss Venezuela answered a question about how to define success in a world ruled by fame and money. She asserted that success is not about wealth or reputation, but spiritual prosperity. I am the richest person in the world because I have love - love for my family, my country, and the chance to speak about empathy and harmony to help build a better world. Contestants speak on how Miss Charm can support communities When asked what role Miss Charm should play in supporting communities beyond charity and fundraising, the Top 5 shared visions reflecting their personal values. Miss Indonesia proposed mentorship programs and community talks to empower young women, positioning Miss Charm as a platform that bridges opportunity with inner strength. Miss Germany emphasized uniting communities by honoring indigenous cultures and encouraging pride in ones heritage, fostering mutual learning and harmony. Miss Thailand shared her desire to promote mental health and self-confidence, helping others overcome hardship to become the best version of themselves - mirroring her own journey. Miss Mexico introduced her Powering Stars project, a platform offering tools and training to help others shine. She stressed that the real influence of a crown lies in how many lives it can touch. Miss Venezuela delivered one of the nights most compelling responses, saying a modern beauty queen is not just a titleholder but a reflection of her lifes work and legacy. As a musician, she hopes to use the universal language of music to inspire empathy and human connection through art. Huy Minh Photos and video by MCO A little-known wood species known locally as man dia, once dismissed as low-grade timber, is now commanding prices of up to 3 million VND (approximately 120 USD) per kilogram. The sudden buying frenzy has alarmed forest rangers in Quang Tri province, who are stepping up patrols to prevent mass harvesting. Traders are offering between 40 to 120 USD per kilogram for man dia wood. Photo: H.N Locals collect man dia wood from the forest to sell to traders. Photo: H.N On December 12, the Quang Tri Forest Protection Department instructed affiliated units to tighten forest protection measures amid a wave of local residents venturing deep into forests to collect man dia wood for sale to traders. Current market prices for this wood range between 1 million and 3 million VND per kilogram (40120 USD), with buyers particularly interested in pieces with deep red cores, dark grain patterns, and high oil content - qualities believed to hold feng shui value. Nguyen Van Long, Head of the Quang Tri Forest Protection Department, noted that man dia is technically a wildwood species that grows in abundance in the region. Traders are primarily interested in pieces that are already decayed and have taken on unique, irregular shapes. As such, the practice of collecting them, for now, does not breach legal boundaries. However, authorities have warned of potential violations if locals begin cutting down live trees and storing them until they decay for resale. Such actions would constitute violations of forest protection laws and pose risks to local ecological balance and public order. A similar situation has been observed in the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park region. Pham Van Tan, Director of the Center for Forest and World Heritage Protection, confirmed that the unit is closely monitoring limestone mountain areas despite limited reserves of man dia trees in the region. Hai Sam At the International Conference on the Data Economy, hosted by the Ministry of Public Security on December 13 in Hung Yen province, global and local experts gathered to explore a new era - the Data Age, where data becomes a resource as crucial as energy or capital. According to global trends, in the coming decade, data will play the role once held by oil and finance: the backbone of productivity, innovation, and national competitiveness. Countries that build transparent, secure, interconnected, and intelligently governed data infrastructures will lead in AI, automation, and new economic models. Data as a strategic asset defining national competitiveness Major General Nguyen Ngoc Cuong: Data is now a strategic national asset. Speaking at the conference, Major General Nguyen Ngoc Cuong, Director of the National Data Center, declared that the world has officially entered the Data Age. In this new era, data is no longer a scattered set of facts but a strategic resource that determines a nations ability to compete, stabilize its economy, and ensure long-term prosperity. Cuong emphasized that a new development order is taking shape. While the 20th century was powered by oil and heavy industry, the 21st is driven by data, knowledge, and analytical power. In this context, data is a production factor equal to land, labor, and capital. It can be priced, traded, and exploited to improve productivity, fuel innovation, and drive AI. In many OECD and European economies, data already makes a direct contribution to GDP. Nations that manage and utilize data more wisely will enjoy distinct advantages in global competition. Vietnam is entering the Data Age with a strong determination to transform data into a growth driver, an economic asset, and strategic infrastructure, Cuong said. As the national coordinator, the Ministry of Public Security is already operating the National Data Center, establishing standards and a unified data backbone for all systems. The goal is to build a transparent, secure, and competitive data economy, strengthen regional and global cooperation in data and AI, and make data the foundation for sustainable and prosperous development. Trust, regulation, and valuation: The pillars of the data economy Cuong noted the conference focused on four foundational questions for shaping Vietnams data economy: What data economy model suits a fast-growing nation like Vietnam? How can data boost productivity and innovation? How do we measure data as an asset and incorporate it into national accounts? What legal framework is needed to ensure data is exploited safely, transparently, and responsibly? These are not just Vietnams challenges - they are global dilemmas. However, international experts believe Vietnam has rare and timely advantages to embrace the data economy - if it can build institutional frameworks and societal trust. Raymond Gordon, Principal of the British University Vietnam (BUV), emphasized that data is not merely technical - it is deeply tied to a nations integrity and advantage. He highlighted the need for skilled human capital that can use data intelligently. Training this workforce will be key to whether Vietnam can fully harness data for national development. From a policy perspective, Professor Rajrajam of University College London pointed out that the US, China, and Europe have taken very different paths in data governance. He argued that Europes model offers valuable lessons for Vietnam: enabling data sharing for public benefit, while upholding privacy, sovereignty, and competition standards. The EU Data Act, for example, compels businesses to unlock industrial data and grants individuals more control over their data - balanced by strict rules on transparency and responsible use. AI: The refinery that turns data into economic power BUV Principal Raymond Gordon: Data is linked to national integrity. From a technological standpoint, Assoc. Prof. Ali Dulaimi, Head of Computer and Data Science at BUV, compared data to 21st-century oil, and AI to the refinery that converts raw data into products, services, and markets. AI not only processes existing data but also generates new data through continuous learning cycles, making models smarter and economically more valuable over time. Dulaimi noted that Vietnam has made solid progress in collecting data across sectors, but its biggest challenge is moving from storage to active use. If used effectively, data and AI could generate up to $79 billion in new revenue for Vietnam in the near future. However, this requires significant investment in AI infrastructure, data platforms, and homegrown technologies. Vietnams strengths lie in its young population, high smartphone penetration, and vibrant startup ecosystem. AI could raise productivity in agriculture, improve incomes for tens of millions of smallholder farmers, modernize urban traffic management, enhance e-government rankings, and expand healthcare access in remote regions. Yet these opportunities come with challenges: privacy protection, data sovereignty, and AI sovereignty. The National Data Association has signed a memorandum of understanding with BUV to further develop data governance and academic collaboration. Balancing innovation with security The National Data Association has signed a memorandum of understanding with BUV to further develop data governance and academic collaboration. Experts agree that Vietnam must find a delicate balance between data sharing and privacy, between open innovation and national security. Building a comprehensive legal framework for data, AI, and AI energy, along with developing energy-efficient algorithms and reducing foreign tech dependency, will determine whether Vietnam can control its own digital destiny. As Major General Nguyen Ngoc Cuong affirmed, Vietnam is entering the Data Age with a firm commitment to making data a national asset and growth pillar. The National Data Center - under the coordination of the Ministry of Public Security - is laying the first bricks for a transparent, secure, and globally integrated data economy, where data is not just protected, but also leveraged to create long-term prosperity for the country. Thai Khang Three major developments - a legal framework for digital assets, a roadmap for an international financial center, and the official upgrade of Vietnams stock market - are poised to provide the capital market with a powerful springboard starting in 2026. Speaking at the Vietnam Capital Market Outlook 2026: Breakthrough on a New Foundation forum held on December 12, Dr. Le Minh Nghia, Chairman of the Vietnam Financial Consultancy Association (VFCA), emphasized that the question is no longer whether Vietnam can succeed, but rather how to convert these foundational steps into tangible growth. He noted that the capital market must become a key pillar for mobilizing medium- and long-term capital, helping Vietnam achieve double-digit growth, break out of the middle-income trap, and move toward its 2045 development vision. What we need is a trio of tools: new thinking, new solutions, and new approaches, Nghia said. Dr. Le Minh Nghia, Chairman of VFCA, speaks at the capital market forum. He called for fresh perspectives drawn from both the successes and failures of global financial centers. Vietnam, he argued, should adopt bold, superior mechanisms that allow it to compete not just regionally within ASEAN but also on the global stage. Instead of replicating outdated models, Nghia proposed innovative, Made in Vietnam financial tools such as carbon-credit-linked green bonds, tokenized securities, and blockchain-based financial products. These would attract capital from private equity, venture capital, pension funds, hedge funds, ESG funds, and green finance institutions. The new approach also requires decentralization, global standards, and immediate implementation, he stressed. At the forum, Nguyen Son, Chairman of the Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation (VSDC), said 2026 presents a historic opportunity for Vietnams capital market. Structural reforms in risk management, technological upgrades, and process standardization will align the market more closely with developed economies. These reforms are expected to bolster the role of capital markets in supporting economic growth, expanding businesses, and attracting long-term investment. Most notably, 2026 marks the year Vietnams stock market is expected to receive its official upgrade in classification by FTSE. The country is also targeting compliance with higher standards set by FTSE and eventually MSCI. Breakthrough mechanisms needed Dr. Can Van Luc discusses the importance of diversified capital sources. From an investors standpoint, Luong Thi My Hanh, Head of Domestic Asset Management at Dragon Capital, said that international examples show such transformations hinge on bold government policy. These include incentive structures that empower the private sector to play a leading role. According to Hanh, 2026 will be an opportune time for fund management to expand its role by mobilizing idle household capital, enabling retail investors to access the capital market safely and sustainably, and sharing in the nations economic gains. Long-term capital from funds will ease pressure on bank credit and serve as a stable driver of growth, she noted. This will help Vietnam move closer to a diversified and modern financial system aligned with regional standards. Economist Dr. Can Van Luc argued that to unlock investment and business potential, as well as boost investor confidence, new capital mobilization strategies are essential. In addition to traditional funding channels - such as bank credit, the capital market, public investment, FDI, and private investment - Luc emphasized tapping into less conventional resources like green and sustainable finance, trade surpluses, remittances, tourism revenue, the capital market upgrade, the international financial center, digital assets, and the carbon credit market. On the digital asset front, Phan Duc Trung, Chairman of the Vietnam Blockchain and Digital Asset Association, noted that Vietnam ranks among the top seven countries globally in terms of digital asset ownership, with over 17 million holders as of 2023. From July 2024 to June 2025 alone, Vietnam attracted over USD 220 billion in blockchain-related capital, ranking third in the Asia-Pacific region. The country also leads the world in the percentage of freelancers who own digital assets, exceeding 85% in 2023. Trung said any digital asset pilot must be built on three key pillars: people, technology, and legal infrastructure. He warned that Vietnam still lacks engineers capable of designing and operating compliant, risk-managed digital asset exchanges. There is also a shortage of professionals with combined expertise in blockchain technology, digital assets, and financial operations. This talent gap remains one of the biggest challenges for piloting a secure and efficient digital asset exchange in Vietnam. Tuan Nguyen China's central bank to conduct 600-bln-yuan outright reverse repo operation Xinhua) 11:00, December 13, 2025 BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The People's Bank of China (PBOC), the country's central bank, announced on Friday that it will conduct a 600-billion-yuan (about 85 billion U.S. dollars) outright reverse repo operation next Monday to maintain ample liquidity in the banking system. The operation will be carried out with a fixed quantity through interest-rate bidding, with winning bids determined at multiple price levels. It will have a tenor of six months, or 182 days. This move represents a net injection of liquidity, as 400 billion yuan of similar six-month outright reverse repos are set to mature in December. This marks the seventh consecutive month that the PBOC has expanded its outright reverse repo operations. Wang Qing, chief macro analyst at Golden Credit Rating, stated that these sustained liquidity injections demonstrate the continuity of supportive monetary policy, which will facilitate government bond issuance and alleviate potential liquidity strain from the year-end maturity of interbank certificates of deposit. Outright reverse repo operations -- a tool the central bank introduced in October 2024 to manage liquidity in the national banking system -- are carried out each month with a tenor of no more than one year. These operations have enriched the country's monetary policy toolkit, complementing previous measures such as temporary repos, temporary reverse repos, and the buying and selling of treasury bonds. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) The wife bids farewell to her husband one last time. Photo: Viet Duc Hospital In late October, Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi performed a unique organ donation and transplant case: a kidney from a brain-dead father was successfully transplanted into his own son, D.N.K., a third-year distance-learning student at the National Economics University. K. had been living with chronic kidney disease for two years, undergoing dialysis and clinging to the hope of survival. His familys financial hardship had made the possibility of a transplant seem out of reach. A tragic accident left K.'s father with severe brain hemorrhaging and, soon after, declared brain-dead. In the midst of overwhelming grief, K.'s mother made the courageous decision to donate her husbands organs - and specifically requested that one kidney be given to her son to save his life. The transplant was highly complex, especially as there had been no prior assessment or preparation of the donor and recipient. Due to the familys financial struggles, K. had never considered transplant an option. Fortunately, the father and son were immunologically well-matched, significantly reducing the risk of organ rejection. Following the surgery, K. experienced delayed graft function and required supportive dialysis for nearly two weeks. By the 14th day, the transplanted kidney began to function, his urine output gradually improved, and his health showed positive signs of recovery. After more than two weeks of treatment, K. was discharged from the hospital with a stable condition and a new chance at life. N. Huyen According to the National Strategy for the Development of the Digital Economy and Digital Society until 2025, with a Vision to 2030, Vietnam places clear emphasis on managing risks in digital transformation while protecting citizens and businesses from threats to their legitimate interests. Special attention is given to protecting children and vulnerable groups online. Vietnam has already implemented a nationwide program since 2021 aimed at safeguarding childrens personal data and privacy. The program also aims to prevent and address all forms of exploitation and abuse targeting minors on digital platforms, while equipping children with age-appropriate digital skills to protect themselves and interact safely in the online world. As of December 10, Australia has officially banned users under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. Commenting on this policy, Ngo Tuan Anh, Director of cybersecurity firm SCS and Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Club for Child Protection in Cyberspace, said the ban reflects the serious and growing concern about the negative mental health and developmental impacts social media can have on children. Governments worldwide are shifting from voluntary safety recommendations to legal frameworks and stricter enforcement to mitigate these risks. Australias Online Safety Act, particularly its child protection provisions, not only holds platforms accountable for implementation but also raises awareness among users about their responsibility in supervising childrens online activity, Ngo emphasized. Assessing Vietnams own context, he noted that the country has one of the highest rates of internet and social media usage among children. Policies such as Project 830 (on healthy and creative child interaction online) and Decree 147 (on internet service and information management) have laid out specific responsibilities for stakeholders, including platform providers. These include technical tools for controlling screen time, content filters, and data privacy enforcement. However, execution still faces significant gaps. In Vietnam, a rigid enforcement model wouldnt work, Ngo stated. Instead of cutting children off from social media, we need smart controls that minimize risk while ensuring safety and utility. Besides regulatory oversight, equipping children with safe digital skills is vital. Laws must be enforced strictly, and effective tools must be deployed. He stressed the need for a comprehensive, balanced, and open approach to online child protection, offering a list of priority solutions: There should be strong legal frameworks with clear penalties for violations, including age limits for account creation and restrictions on access time. These measures can already be supported by current technologies. Platform providers must be held more accountable for ensuring privacy and data protection, with basic tools to verify age, monitor screen time, and secure online environments. Parental supervision is essential. Parents and guardians are the people who understand children best and should guide and accompany them in the digital world. Equally important is providing children with digital literacy to help them recognize and avoid online threats and protect themselves. In the end, the most important responsibility lies with each user. Thats why children need the support of their families, schools, and a strong commitment from platforms and regulators, said Ngo Tuan Anh. PV On December 12, Thanh Nien Magazine, in collaboration with the Soi Dog Foundation and the Vietnam Social and Behaviour Change Communication for Sustainable Development Company (SBCC Vietnam), organised an event on rabies prevention and phased transitioning from the dog and cat meat trade in Hanoi. The activity helped raise community awareness about rabies, zoonotic diseases, and the critical link between the dog and cat meat trade and rabies, while creating opportunities for students to directly contribute to national goals. The event aims to achieve specific objectives: training students to become project ambassadors capable of advocating and educating communities about rabies prevention; contributing to Vietnam's goal of no human deaths from rabies by 2030; promoting Hanoi's development as a civilised city with international integration, serving as a safe tourist destination that is animal-friendly; and creating opportunities for Vietnamese students to connect and exchange with international experts in animal welfare and public health. Dog and cat meat trade - a serious threat to community health Every year in Vietnam, rabies causes 75 to 100 human deaths. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, zoonotic diseases have become a serious threat to community health. The trade, transportation, and slaughter of dogs and cats not only increase the risk of rabies transmission but can also lead to many other dangerous infectious diseases such as parasitic infections, e. coli, salmonella, campylobacter, and other parasitic diseases. Particularly, as dogs are commonly fed with food scraps and waste, dog meat carries a high risk of containing residues of medications (steroids, antibiotics) and heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium), posing serious health hazards to consumers. Additionally, contact with dogs and cats or consumption of dog and cat meat poses a risk of parasitic infections, with approximately 20,000 cases of toxocara (dog and cat roundworm) larvae infection detected and treated annually in Vietnam, according to the Infectious Disease Control Department, Hanoi Centre for Disease Control. At the event, health experts clearly analysed the chain of rabies virus transmission and disease-causing agents in the dog and cat meat trade, from transportation and slaughter to processing and consumption. Each stage poses high exposure risks, not only to those directly involved but also affecting the health of surrounding communities. Rahul Sehgal, international communications director of the Soi Dog Foundation, said that students play a pivotal role in spreading awareness about the connection between the dog and cat meat trade and disease risks to the community. "Based on successful experiences in Thailand and other countries in the region, we believe that when equipped with adequate knowledge and effective communication methods, students become a pioneering force driving change. The active participation of young people is key to achieving the goal of zero human deaths from rabies by 2030 and building a safer, more civilised Hanoi," he said. Bui Thi Duyen, director of SBCC Vietnam Ambassadors of change for a safe and civilised Hanoi The programme focused on equipping students with in-depth knowledge of public health and community behaviour change communication skills. Students received specific guidance on becoming project ambassadors, implementing advocacy activities in communities and on social media, while being trained in methods to create effective and persuasive educational content. Bui Thi Duyen, director of SBCC Vietnam, said that changing community behaviour is not just about providing information, but the art of creating understanding, empathy, and action. Students, as young ambassadors, have special advantages to be trusted bridges with the ability to listen and convey scientific messages in accessible, easy-to-understand language. "We believe that when equipped with proper behaviour change communication methods, each student can spread knowledge and inspire and motivate people to voluntarily change. This is the key to building a safe and civilised Hanoi, sustainable change stems from the awareness and trust of the community itself," she said. The event was also an opportunity for students who won awards in previous competitions to share practical experiences. They recounted their journey of spreading the project's message within student networks, youth union/association groups, and communities, as well as valuable lessons learned when implementing communication campaigns at universities. These success stories inspired and motivated the new generation of ambassadors. At the programme's conclusion, students were assigned specific tasks with clear action plans: organising community discussions, creating content for social media, and building ambassador networks at schools and localities. The event marks an important step forward in combining youth forces with efforts to prevent disease and promote sustainable socioeconomic development. The organising units expect student ambassadors to become role models, spreading trust and promoting positive change in the community, contributing to building a safer, more civilised, and more compassionate Hanoi. Hanoi launches pilot project for rabies prevention and support for dog and cat meat trade transition Hanoi Department of Livestock, Fisheries and Veterinary Medicine has signed an agreement with Soi Dog Foundation to tackle rabies and support the dog and cat meat trade transition. Senedd backs major overhaul of Wales bus network The Welsh Parliament has given the green light for a bus services overhaul, putting ministers in the driving seat to decide routes, timetables and fares. Senedd members voted 34-10, with two abstentions, in favour of a bill to replace the current system in which private operators decide most routes on a commercial basis. A franchising model, similar to Londons, will be rolled out as Wales ditches deregulation introduced by the Thatcher government in the 1980s, with a 56% fall in journeys since. Under the bus bill, which lifts limits on councils running services, the Welsh Government will take control of the network, with Transport for Wales responsible for implementation. The draft law was introduced because private operators often cut socially necessary but unprofitable routes, leaving people stranded and forcing ministers to step in with subsidies. Landmark The new system, which has been about a decade in the making, will be introduced in phases over about five years in four regions, beginning in south-west Wales in 2027. An impact assessment put the total costs of the reforms over 30 years at 623m which was outweighed by estimated benefits of 3.6bn, a return of approximately 5 for every 1 spent. Ken Skates, Wales transport secretary, said passing the landmark bill will put people first in the design and delivery of bus services. He told the Senedd: It will restore growth to the industry and it will also help to create one network, one timetable, one ticket across public transport. Vote for this bill and we will, finally, have the tools to transform public transport for the better in Wales. Missed opportunity But Sam Rowlands, the Conservatives shadow transport secretary, depicted the rushed plans as fundamentally flawed and overly focused on urban areas. Warning rural Wales has been neglected, Mr Rowlands said: One third of the population of Wales live in rural areas yet there is no clear vision for rural bus networks. He told Senedd members the franchising model will not work in Wales and risk creating a one-size-fits-all system that is too rigid to respond to local needs. Mr Rowlands warned smaller bus operators could be pushed out and he bemoaned a once-in-a-generation missed opportunity to create an accessible bus network. Plaid Cymrus Delyth Jewell backed the bill and welcomed amendments to include school transport when planning bus services, with a duty to consider access to education. Essential Jenny Rathbone, a Labour backbencher, described the bus bill as an essential measure to make better use of taxpayers money through a more rational system. She said: Currently, we have to lay on special school buses to transport secondary school pupils because theres no public bus to get them there. Instead, rival groups of public and private bus providers compete for the most profitable routes. Ms Rathbone told Senedd members it cost Cardiff almost as much to transport children with additional learning needs (11.1m) as it did to educate them (11.3m) last year. Carolyn Thomas, a fellow Labour politician, said the bill will address the issue of operators having to be heavily subsidised to take on less lucrative contracts in rural areas. With no legal challenge expected following the final stage-four vote on December 9, the bill which was delayed by the pandemic should receive royal assent in the coming weeks. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter 9 Dead, 23 Injured After Bus Plunges Off Ghat Road in Andhra Pradeshs Alluri Sitaramaraju District 2 Nine people were killed and 23 others injured when a bus fell off a ghat road and overturned in Andhra Pradeshs Alluri Sitaramaraju district early Friday, police said. The bus, carrying 37 passengers including the driver and cleaner, was en route to Telangana. Six passengers escaped without injuries. Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar said the accident occurred around 4:30 am on the ChintoorMaredumilli ghat road near a Durga temple. At least nine people were killed, and 23 were injured as the bus fell off the ghat road and turned turtle. Four of the injured are critical, Bardar told PTI. Preliminary reports suggest the driver may have missed a curve due to heavy fog. The bus plunged from an upper stretch of the ghat road and landed upside down on a lower road near the China Wall, a structure built to prevent such falls. Police said they do not expect the death toll to rise, noting that the four critically injured are doing okay. The passengers were from the Chittoor region and had completed a trip to Araku. They were on their way to the Sri Rama temple in Bhadrachalam, Telangana. A case has been registered at Mothugudem police station under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rash and negligent driving. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep anguish over the tragedy and spoke with officials to review the medical care being provided. Injured passengers have been shifted to Chinturu and other nearby hospitals for treatment. Series to debut on WFOX Jacksonville January 3, with nationwide daily launch on REVIVE beginning February 17, 2026 NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Media entrepreneur and television host Jay Walker has inked a major deal to host his upcoming television series, "Jay Walker: PRIMETIME," a new program built for broadcast visibility and national scale. With pre-production already underway, the series is preparing for its first on-air rollout with an initial television debut in Jacksonville, Florida, followed by a nationwide daily launch on REVIVE in February. Jay Walker: PRIMETIME will make its television debut on WFOX (CMG Jacksonville) on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, airing two brand-new, first-run episodes back-to-back at 5:00 p.m. ET and 5:30 p.m. ET. The Jacksonville broadcast marks the first confirmed market airing for the series and introduces viewers to a fast-paced format that blends culture, commentary, and real-life conversation. Following the Jacksonville debut, Jay Walker: PRIMETIME will expand nationwide with a daily premiere on REVIVE beginning Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, airing at 3:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. CT. The launch positions the series as the anchor program for REVIVE, establishing Jay Walker: PRIMETIME as the flagship daily series that will help define the network's identity and programming cadence as REVIVE continues to scale its national footprint. "PRIMETIME is about real conversation that moves at the speed of the culture," said Jay Walker, host and executive producer. "We're coming out strong with two brand-new episodes in Jacksonville, then we're taking it nationwide on REVIVE every day starting Feb. 17. Pre-production is already in motion, and we're building this show to last." The series is designed to meet audiences across traditional television and modern distribution realities, with content structured to work both as full episodes and as high-impact segments for digital engagement. Jay Walker: PRIMETIME blends sharp conversation with relatable storytelling, focusing on topics people are already discussingthen adding context, perspective, and energy that keeps viewers tuned in. The Jacksonville premiere will feature two distinct episodes to give viewers a fuller introduction to the show's pace and tone. Rather than repeating content, the back-to-back airing is intended to deliver an extended first-look experience, allowing audiences to see range, rhythm, and the show's signature approach within a single broadcast block. Pre-production is currently underway, including creative planning, episode development, production scheduling, and technical preparation for both the January broadcast debut and the February national launch. Planning includes segment structure, topical coverage, talent and guest strategy, and show packaging designed to support consistent daily programming on REVIVE. Additional production details, including expanded market information and distribution availability, will be announced ahead of the national premiere. Jay Walker's move into daily television with Jay Walker: PRIMETIME reflects a broader push toward scalable, audience-first programming. The series is built around a straightforward mission: deliver conversation that feels immediate, honest, and watchablewithout losing substance. Episodes are designed to be tight, energetic, and accessible, while still giving viewers moments of clarity and real takeaways. While the show's format will continue to evolve as production progresses, the core identity of Jay Walker: PRIMETIME is rooted in direct storytelling and culture-forward conversation. The series is positioned to cover the topics driving the day's conversations, spotlight real-life narratives, and deliver big moments that translate cleanly across television and digital platforms. The approach is designed to support both live viewership and ongoing engagement through shareable clips and segments. The January 3 WFOX airing is expected to serve as a strong introduction for broadcast audiences while setting the tone for the national daily rollout. The Jacksonville market debut provides a platform for immediate visibility and audience feedback, while the February REVIVE launch establishes the show's long-term rhythm and recurring viewing habit. Walker has become known for building media properties with a strong point of view and a culture-first sensibility. His work spans audio, digital, and television, with a focus on programming that prioritizes authenticity, momentum, and direct communication. Jay Walker: PRIMETIME is the latest step in that evolutionbuilt to be consistent, scalable, and designed for the way audiences consume content today. The nationwide REVIVE premiere begins Feb. 17, 2026, with new episodes airing daily at 3:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. CT. Additional information regarding national platform availability, market expansion, and schedule updates will be released as the premiere approaches. Broadcast information for the Jacksonville debut: WFOX (CMG Jacksonville) will air Jay Walker: PRIMETIME on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET and 5:30 p.m. ET, featuring two brand-new, first-run episodes. Nationwide daily launch information: REVIVE will begin airing Jay Walker: PRIMETIME daily starting Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. CT. About Jay Walker Jay Walker is a media entrepreneur and television host known for building culture-forward programming across audio, digital, and television platforms. His work focuses on direct conversation, compelling storytelling, and content designed to connect with audiences through clarity and authenticity. Walker's programming approach is built to perform in both traditional broadcast environments and digital ecosystems, with an emphasis on consistent audience engagement and scalable distribution. About "Jay Walker: PRIMETIME" Jay Walker: PRIMETIME is a television series built at the intersection of culture, commentary, and real-life conversation. Designed for both broadcast and digital ecosystems, the show delivers fast-moving dialogue, strong perspective, and high-impact moments engineered for modern viewing habits. The series will debut on WFOX (CMG Jacksonville) on Jan. 3, 2026, with two brand-new episodes airing back-to-back at 5:00 p.m. ET and 5:30 p.m. ET, followed by a nationwide daily rollout on REVIVE beginning Feb. 17, 2026, airing at 3:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. CT. Media Contact Khali West WOAHRAE, Inc. Email: [email protected] SOURCE WOAHRAE There are two competing conservative views of foreign relationships: internationalist and isolationist. Advertisement The internationalists, often called neo-cons, see foreign involvement as vital for a robust economy and protection from foreign threats. Foreign trade significantly boosts our economy. Recognizing and challenging nations hostile to our interests is essential for national security. There is a good argument that foreign relations are a large part of why America became Great. Greatness is won not by hunkering down in Fortress America and ignoring the rest of the world. Advertisement Isolationist conservatives see foreign entanglements as wasteful spending and unjustified interventionism. They oppose a global military presence as useless and costly. They embrace mottoes like America First, America Only, and Not Our War. I relate to both views. Im a patriotic nationalist and a law-and-order hermit. I want to take down those who dare to mess with America. I also want a quiet private life, especially now, with the varieties of crazy our confused nation has produced. But Im more than ready to control the crazies for the good of my neighbors and our nation. Advertisement The MAGA movement needs to draw strength from all its factions. Both isolationism and internationalism had a role in making America great. Both are needed to effectively guide the worlds most powerful nation. There are lots of situations where its best not to mess with other nations problems. That saves us money, diversions, and blood. Advertisement There are also situations where it is crucial that America aids an ally, or thwarts an obvious enemys aggressions. The Vietnam Example Advertisement Our Vietnam intervention demonstrates the difficulty of choosing wisely. Our leaders aided our ally France in retaining control of Vietnam to thwart communist expansion. Dominoes knocking each other down was this views meme. We spent lots of time, money, and blood on an eventual failure. The point here is that we chose poorly. Vietnam has a long history of being fearful of China. China actually invaded Vietnam shortly after we abandoned Vietnam. Vietnams veteran army sent them packing. Advertisement Today, Vietnam wants good relations with the USA because its expansionist communist Chinese neighbor is much more dangerous than profitable trade with capitalist America on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. In hindsight, the USA should have let France lose Indochina as a colony. We could then have dealt with Ho Chi Minh similarly to how we dealt with Marshal Tito in Yugoslavia. Vietnam and Yugoslavia were communist, but they knew that China and Russia wanted to control them as virtual colonies. Vietnams fears could have produced a prickly but workable relationship. The Iraq War Example Prominent neo-con V.P. Cheney wanted to invade Iraq after the 9-11 Muslim attack. The neo-cons invented weapons of mass destruction as an excuse to invade Iraq, instead of focusing on the extremist Saudi Arabian Muslim Wahhabists who produced the 9-11 terrorists. Cheney diverted Americas anger to target Iraqs nasty leader for our revenge because Iraq had lots of oil and Saudi Arabia was seen as an ally. Remember Bush helping prominent Saudi nationals leave the USA for their protection, without the FBI interviewing them. Before the our invasion, Cheney held meetings with U.S. petroleum leaders to divide up post-war control over Iraqs oil fields. George Bush (whom Molly Ivins brilliantly labeled Shrub) was an easily convinced oil industry fan, and the best sock puppet President ever - kinda like Biden, but likable and not senile. The wars that followed cost $4+ trillion, plus casualties lucrative for oil companies but public debt for taxpayers. The resultant revival of a (justifiable) anti-war movement destabilized our society, leading directly to eight years of Obamas liberal rule sabotaging America. The point of these examples is that neo-cons are good at rallying America for wars but are often not good in choosing, or prudently limiting, such efforts. Ive made neo-cons look like loony war-mongers who should never be trusted with foreign policy. We will now examine the dangers of giving neo-isolationists control of Americas foreign policy. World Wars I & II This is the deep past for most Americans, but not for me. My dad was born in 1900 and enlisted in the military before WWI ended. I was born before the end of WWII and grew up inhaling that history. Briefly, there was a strong American isolationist movement during WWI. This delayed our entry into that conflict. Britain and France thus suffered larger manpower losses and economic disruptions that they never fully recovered from after the war. They were so weakened that they were in denial about the danger of Nazis and Fascists seizing control of Germany, Italy, and other European nations. Britain and France would have been stronger future allies if the U.S. had entered WWI 1218 months earlier. Britains war trauma was so severe that it delayed, almost fatally, rearming for WWII. As an example, when Neville Chamberlain pronounced peace for our time when he agreed in 1938 to let Hitler take the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia, Britain had only six squadrons of fighter aircraft. Only one squadron, 20 Spitfires, was operational. The five Hurricane squadrons had machine gun problems. Chamberlain was later derided, but he knew that Britain was then too weak to go to war. France had built an in-depth border defense called the Maginot line to defend against WWI-style warfare. Foolishly, the line did not extend along the Belgian border, which is, of course, where the Nazis mechanized Blitzkrieg made its breakthrough to quickly conquer France. So Europe suffered extra years under savagely brutal Nazi rule because fearful isolationists hoped Hitler really didnt mean a damn thing hed written in Mein Kampf. The blood of millions of Jews and tens of millions of others is on their leaders heads. Americas conservative isolationists were so politically active that they delayed our entry into WWII until Japans Pearl Harbor attack. After the U.S. declared war on Japan, Hitler foolishly declared war on the U.S. It is entirely possible that without Hitlers declaration of war, the U.S. isolationists might have further delayed our declaration of war on Germany. This could have resulted in Germany defeating Russia and perhaps Britain. As it was, our delay made the war last long enough for Stalins armies to conquer much of Eastern Europe. This made our subsequent Cold War with communist Russia a more dangerous challenge. The point is that isolationism and internationalism are both useful viewpoints for a political movement that wants to Make America Great Again. Both views can also end up harming our nation. Hopefully, Trumps recently revealed national security policy turns out to be an effective blend of isolationism and internationalism. Trump hopes Europe, particularly Britain, France, and Germany, can do without U.S. support and get far more conservative governments that will build a military and challenge Putins mad dream of Russia regaining territory formerly controlled by the Soviet Union. I think the odds are against this outcome, given the deep progressive malaise that grips non-immigrant Europeans. (Side note: Ending U.S. aid and forcing a bad peace treaty upon Ukraine effectively throws Ukraine under the Russian bus. This wastes what is now Europes most effective and innovative ground army. It probably results in Russias near-term complete reconquest of Ukraine. That is a demoralizing poor start toward Europe being able to resist Russian aggression.) Other MAGA factions are also vitally necessary, like the Evangelical factions numbers and moral values and the brilliant technocrats who keep America ahead with valuable innovations. Even the RINOs are useful at this stage of MAGAs development. Trump could do nothing in Congress without their votes. MAGAs difficulty is that the core of each faction sees itself as having the most important principles that should guide our whole movement. This is human nature. But it bedevils anyone who hopes to keep MAGA together as a political force that can keep the liberals national suicide cults out of power. I do believe Trump is wrong in sucking up to Putin and threatening Ukraine into a suicidal peace treaty. That does not stop me from supporting his healing domestic policies. You could not get me to endure what President Trump must put up with many times each day. No wonder he sometimes says provocative and contradictory things. I think its partly spontaneous irritation and partly clever tactics. Image: JSMed via Pixabay, Pixabay License. Drew Thomas Allens For Christ and Country is many things at once -- an elegy, a testimony, a warning, and ultimately a call to arms. It is a book that mourns, but refuses to mourn in silence. In these pages, Charlie Kirks story becomes more than biography; it becomes a reminder that Americas renewal depends not on institutions or political parties, but on men and women with the kind of moral steel that Charlie carried so naturally it seemed almost effortless. Advertisement Allen writes with a rare honesty -- raw, unfiltered, and deeply personal. The book opens not with statistics or punditry, but with a gut punch: the day Charlie died, and the shattering effect it had on the authors own life. It is clear from the first page that this book is not simply reporting history -- it is wrestling with it, grieving over it, and ultimately learning from it. The vulnerability here is startling, and the emotional truth rings louder than any political slogan. What gives the book its power is the way Allen ties Charlies life to the larger Christian narrative of sacrifice and courage. He places Charlie directly in the lineage of those who carried their cross with conviction, refusing to bow to the worlds demands for silence. Charlie wasnt merely a political figure; he was a Christian first. And Allen underscores this repeatedly -- not with empty praise, but with real examples of how Charlie lived his faith publicly when silence would have been easier. Advertisement Theres a scene early in the book where Allen describes thousands gathering at Charlies memorial -- seventy-three thousand in the stadium, thousands more in overflow, and millions watching online. The imagery he evokes is stunning: candlelight, prayer, forgiveness, and unity. Even Charlies widow, Erika, forgives the man who murdered her husband. That moment, Allen argues, is what Christianity looks like when lived courageously. And then, with a sharp turn, he contrasts it with the darkness festering on the Left -- a darkness that not only fails to understand such grace but mocks it. As Allen recounts, left-wing commentators compared Charlies memorial to Nazi rallies, proving once again that the modern Left cannot recognize decency, faith, or patriotism even when it burns bright enough to light a stadium. He lays out, in blunt and sobering detail, how years of demonization by progressive media, activist organizations, and political leaders created the conditions that invited violence against Charlie. Advertisement This is not hyperbole -- it is a diagnosis. And Allen handles it with precision. The section in which he compares the nations response to George Floyds death with the response to Charlies assassination is especially compelling. Where one movement expressed grief in fire, rage, and destruction, the other answered with forgiveness, prayer, and quiet resolve. Allens underlying message is unmistakable: evil reveals itself not just in what it attacks, but in how it grieves its own. Advertisement Yet despite the hard edges of the political critique, Allen never lets the book slide into despair. Even at its most sobering moments, theres an undercurrent of hope -- because the heart of this story is not Charlies death, but the awakening it triggered. The book makes a forceful case that Charlies assassination marked a turning point in Americas fight for its soul, a moment when millions realized that the battle ahead is spiritual before it is political. Charlie's courage, Allen argues, was not meant to be admired from afar. It was meant to be imitated. That is the books most sobering lesson -- and also its most inspiring. Throughout its pages, Allen returns again and again to the idea that a nation cannot be saved by spectators. If Charlie stood alone in so many rooms, so many debates, so many hostile crowds, it is only because too many who shared his convictions stayed silent. Advertisement The authors own transformation -- in the wake of Charlies death -- is one of the book's most compelling arcs. He confesses fear, compromise, and hesitation. And then he lays them down. This honesty gives the book its credibility; it doesnt preach from a distance but from the center of a mans wrestling soul. By the end, For Christ and Country becomes more than a tribute -- it becomes a commission. The reader is left with the sense that Charlies story didnt end with a snipers bullet; it continues in every person willing to speak truth boldly, live faith unapologetically, and defend America with conviction anchored in Christ rather than the approval of the world. Advertisement Drew Thomas Allen deserves real credit for crafting a narrative that is both emotionally gripping and intellectually sharp. His writing is crisp, unguarded, and compellingly sincere. He doesnt simply tell Charlies story -- he invites the reader into it. And he reminds us, with both grief and fire that the work Charlie died doing still needs to be done. This is more than a book. Its a challenge. Its a mirror. Its a wake-up call. And for Christians concerned about the soul of this country, its required reading. Julio Rivera is a business and political strategist, cybersecurity researcher, founder of ItFunk.Org , and a political commentator and columnist. His writing, which is focused on cybersecurity and politics, is regularly published by many of the largest news organizations in the world. Image: Bombardier Books Clopay Corporation, a garage door supplier company, allegedly failed to provide employees with required meal and rest breaks. This resulted in an alleged loss of wages for the employees affected. **THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT** ALAMEDA, Calif., Dec. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The San Francisco employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP , filed a class action complaint alleging that Clopay Corporation violated the California Labor Code. The Clopay Corporation, a class action lawsuit, Case No. 25CV150341, is currently pending in the Alameda County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here . The Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP Speed Speed According to the lawsuit filed, Clopay Corporation allegedly required Plaintiff to work without paying for all the time they were under Defendant's control. Among other things. Defendant required Plaintiff to work while clocked out during what is supposed to be Plaintiff's off-duty meal break. The plaintiff was from time to time interrupted by work assignments while clocked out for what should have been an off-duty meal break. Allegedly Defendant violated California Labor Code Sections 201-203, 226, 226.7, 233, 246, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct. The Complaint further alleges Clopay Corporation failed to provide employees with legally required meals and rest breaks. Specifically, employees were allegedly required from time to time to work in excess of four (4) hours without being provided ten (10) minute rest periods . The applicable California Wage Order requires employers to provide employees with off-duty rest periods, which the California Supreme Court defined as time during which an employee is relieved from all work related duties and free from employer control. For more information about the class action lawsuit against Clopay Corporation, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today. **THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT** Media Contact Nicholas De Blouw Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP (800) 568-8020 [email protected] https://www.bamlawca.com/ SOURCE Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP They're calling it the "Trump Doctrine." It's the national security "pivot" from regions far-far away, to taking care of business right here in our own backyard. This document setting out America's national security priorities and how to accomplish them is written in Trump's own very distinctive voice. Even the way it puts the question is pure Trump. From page 2: "1) What should the United States want? "2) What are our available means to get it? "3) How can we connect ends and means into a viable National Security Strategy?" I guarantee you, this is not the way policy wonks think. Or think tankers think. Or National Security Council staffers think and express themselves. This is Donald J. Trump through and through: clear, concise, to the point, without the peppermint stick ice cream. And what does it say? Well, for starters, gone are the great power adversaries and the doom and gloom of the Biden era, which demonized Russia and China. Yes, Trump recognizes that both are potential adversaries, but he also believes in the Art of the Deal: Let's make money, not war. So instead of antagonizing Putin or Xi, Trump offers both of them partnerships -- if they are wise enough to accept them. Does that amount to appeasement, as the Trump haters claim? Not in the least. As Dov Zakheim, a former senior Pentagon official under Bush 43 wrote this week at The Hill, "Taiwan should have few quibbles" with the new strategy. "The document assigns priority to 'deterring a conflict over Taiwan'... and it assures that 'we will maintain our longstanding declaratory policy on Taiwan,' meaning that the United States does not support any unilateral change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait." Advertisement Full disclosure: Dov Zakheim was one of many Bush 43 national security officials who endorsed my run for Congress in 2012 against Chris Van Hollen, now the wannabe socialist senator from Maryland. The Trump haters -- no surprise here -- acquired what appears to have been an early draft of the new National Security Strategy and referred to it erroneously as a classified version of the full text. In that draft, some National Security Council staffer (and probable leaker) proposed that the United States encourage Poland, Hungary, Italy, and Austria to pull out of the European Union and forge closer ties with the United States. As someone who lived in Europe for 18 years, let me tell you just how dumb an idea that is. The EU is hugely unpopular in those countries and several others, including France, the Netherlands, and yes, even Germany and Sweden. We don't need to stoke the flames of the anti-EU populations in Europe: the EU is doing that quite well all by itself, thank you. It is my belief that the EU will collapse on its own at some point because of the authoritarian overreach of the unelected bureaucrats who run things in Brussels. But that is Europe's business, not ours. And Trump is the ultimate real politician. He was not elected president to correct all the world's ills, as some of his own unelected staffers believe they were sent to the White House to do. He just needs to set the example. Donald J. Trump was elected president of the United States to make America great again. And that starts, as he rightly states in this document (and every day on television and at campaign rallies), by securing our borders and securing our hemisphere. I was involved in writing an earlier draft of the National Security Strategy, but not a single line of what I wrote made it into the final document. Why? Because the President knew better. It's time for the so-called "experts" to politely close their mouths and stop leaking. This president has shown that he is light-years ahead of his own aides. He understands power in ways that few ever have the privilege to know. And now, to Venezuela. Attorney General Pam Bondi released delicious video this week of U.S. troops rappelling from helicopters onto the deck of a supertanker off the coast of Venezuela. She then announced that not only were we seizing the two million barrels of oil on board, but the ship as well -- making it a $250 million to $300 million hit on the owners. Those kind of losses will go a long way to deter other shippers and black market oil dealers from hauling Venezuelan oil to markets beyond the reach of the United States military. What I find especially pleasing in the pressure the Trump administration is applying to Maduro, besides his desperate telephone call to Trump two weeks ago begging for amnesty, is the way Maduro's backers are reacting. Vladimir Putin called Maduro this week to pledge his undying support. Thanks, Vlad. You and whose navy? Even the Ukrainians, who just three years ago had squat for a military, managed to sink the flagship of your Black Sea fleet. You don't think U.S. SouthCOM could do that and much more? Somehow, I don't think much military support is going to flow from Russia to Venezuela. But my favorite is the Iranians. They have had a strategic partnership with Venezuela for more than twenty years. They have set up ballistic missile factories in Venezuela. They use the country as a hub for intelligence activities and to infiltrate terrorist operatives and drugs into the United States. And the two partner to violate international oil embargoes. When Venezuela has problems with their oil refineries, it's the Iranians who send over the repair crews. This is yet another reason why I so love and respect our president. He is playing billiards in Venezuela. By encouraging Maduro to leave, he is playing a bank shot that also strikes to the heart of the Iranian regime. Losing Maduro will be a huge loss for Tehran -- and little to no cost to us. Image courtesy of Kenneth R. Timmerman Here at AT, we continue to cover the massive fraud being uncovered in Minnesota. The legacy media has only recently and grudgingly begun to cover that rampant fraud. Their willingness to cover even worse fraud in California, where Gavin Newsom may become the 2028 Democrat presidential nominee, is even more restrained. Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for governor, is helping to expose the fraud: Advertisement Graphic: Social Media Post Advertisement Considering California has long been a one-party state with legendary waste, fraud and general corruption, it stands to reason its fraud must be worse than Minnesotas based on population alone, 39,663,800 compared to Minnesotas 5,833,250. The opportunity is so much greater in the Golden State. As I explained in California: taxing people who arent there, in just three years, Newsom turned a $97.5 billion budget surplus into a $73 billion deficit, a swing of $175.5 billion. How can he possibly make up that kind of deficit? Like this: Advertisement Graphic: Social Media Post Advertisement As far as fighting homelessness goes, there's a potful of billions blown there, too - sorry, Walzman -but there are, at last, a set of eyeballs laser focused on the twenty-four billion dollars that disappeared into that Newsom black hole. Central District US Attorney Bill Essayli is on the hunt, calling the oleaginous and formerly bulletproof governor out by name. Advertisement The feds are now looking into where all those billions went: Advertisement Graphic: Social Media Post To paraphrase a famous political aphorism, a hundred million here, a hundred million there and pretty soon youre talking real money: The entire board of directors overseeing Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools in Sacramento has either resigned or been removed following a scathing report from the California State Auditor, reports Moneywise. The June 24 audit found the adult charter school improperly received more than $180 million in education funding. Investigators also uncovered what they described as questionable financial transactions and conflicts of interest, including unlawful gifts, luxury travel and the hiring of unqualified individuals. The resignations and removals came in the weeks after the audits release. The findings raise serious concerns about oversight and accountability within the states charter school system, prompting calls for reform. One would think the California legislature would be alarmed and willing to do something about that kind of fraud. They are: Sacramento, California California lawmakers are weighing a controversial proposal that would decriminalize certain types of low-level welfare fraud, igniting debate over how the state should handle financial offenses involving its most vulnerable residents. Senate Bill 560, introduced by Democratic State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas in February, would remove criminal penalties for welfare overpayments under $25,000 if the error stemmed from administrative mistakes or minor infractions. The bill also proposes eliminating criminal charges involving less than $950 for attempted welfare fraud. Apparently investigating and prosecuting all that fraud is just more than California can handle, despite having one of the largest bureaucracies in the world. Twenty-five thousand here, $25,000 there, and pretty soon Fraud is everywhere: Graphic: Social Media Post Over the last two full calendar years, San Diego County officials say criminals stole at least $34.6 million from EBT cards. Taxpayers then paid that money again, to reimburse the needy families they targeted. So, California issued new cards theyve admitted have 20-year-old technology that wont stop theft. When the accounting of Californias High-Speed-Rail-To-Nowhere project is done, the figures will be astronomical. Originally budgeted for under $10 billion, in more than 30 years not a single mile of track has been laid and the budget has soared to $135 billion with no firm completion date. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, unencumbered with worries about racist roads and bridges like former Secretary Pete Buttigieg, has shut off the federal money spigot for that boondoggle. If its never completed, as seems virtually certain, Democrat-favored contractors will walk off with billions. Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher famously said: the problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples money. To run out, you must be willing to spend it, and to send untold billions into the pockets of Democrat cronies and other criminals. Apart from hair styling, Gavin Newsom, and his Democrat cronies, appear to very good at spending, and wasting, other peoples money. 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. In every state, earning a commercial drivers license requires some degree of education and demonstrated knowledge and experience in driving commercial vehicles. School and commercial buses, cargo trucks including full-sized semi tractor-trailers, all require ability beyond that necessary for wheeling kids to school in the family Toyota. Its common sense that people licensed to drive vehicles carrying some of our most precious human and commercial cargo should demonstrate a higher level of knowledge and skill. Advertisement Unfortunately, there is nothing these days so uncommon as common sense, particularly among Democrats. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, whose focus is not on racist roads and bridges as was former Secretary Pete Buttigiegs, is cleaning up blue states CDL disasters in the wake of numerous deadly accidents caused by illegal aliens who cant speak or read English and have no demonstrable commercial driving skills. His most recent focus is on New York State and hes threatening to withhold $73 million federal dollars if they dont clean up their act: Advertisement 53% of New Yorks non-domiciled CDLs were issued unlawfully or illegally. Now what New York does is, if an applicant comes in and they have a work authorization for 30 days, 60 days, one year, New York automatically issues them an eight-year commercial drivers license. Thats contrary to the law. Thats one offense. Advertisement But we also found that New York many times wont even verify whether they have a work authorization, they have a visa, or theyre in the country legally. So, theyre just giving eight-year commercial drivers licenses to people who are coming through their DMV and sending them out on American roadways, and again, theyre endangering the lives of American families. I dont like that. I have to do this; the law requires me to do this. Im going to give New York 30 days because thats what the law requires to come into compliance with the rules that have been long standing at the Department of Transportation. If they come into compliance, were going to work with them. Advertisement If New York refuses to come into compliance, because Kathy Hochul, for some reason, believes that we should have unqualified truck drivers on American roadways, we are going to pull tens of millions of dollars as phase one for the state of New York. Wait a minute. Where does Duffy get that 53% figure? An audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) discovered that 107 out of 200 NY CDLs were illegal. Advertisement New York, of course, thinks its clean as the driven snow and dont need to obey no stinking federal laws: Secretary Duffy is lying about New York state once again in a desperate attempt to distract from the failing, chaotic administration he represents, NYS DMV spokesperson Walter McClure said. Advertisement In a related development that surprises no one, California got caught doing the same thing: U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy announced today that the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has admitted to illegally issuing 17,000 non-domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDLs) to dangerous foreign drivers. Thanks to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations (FMCSA) ongoing audit, each of these licenses is being revoked. After weeks of claiming they did nothing wrong, Gavin Newsom and California have been caught red-handed. Now that weve exposed their lies, 17,000 illegally issued trucking licenses are being revoked, said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. This is just the tip of the iceberg. My team will continue to force California to prove they have removed every illegal immigrant from behind the wheel of semitrucks and school buses. Blue states have long been notorious for issuing drivers licenses of all kinds to illegal aliens to further vote fraud. Theyre also justly infamous for screaming about the dangers of guns. Their anti-liberty/gun hysteria is worsened by their scientific illiteracy. They want to ban guns which fire 115 grain projectiles at 1000 feet per second yet have no problem loosing on our highways 80,000-pound projectiles on wheels traveling at 70+ miles per hour, driven by people who cant read road signs or understand radio weather warnings. Duffys efforts, unlike those of Buttigieg, are making America safer. That theyre also helping to enforce immigration law is a happy bonus. 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. Minnesota's scandal-ridden Democrat Gov. Tim Walz spoke in defense of his states Somali community at a recent fundraiser, even though members of that community have recently bilked North Star State taxpayers out of more than a billion dollars through various fraud schemes. Advertisement According to the Washington Free Beacon, Tampon Tim stated: "We are going to defend our neighbors. Instead of demonizing our Somali community, we're going to do more to welcome more in." Advertisement Thats the ticket! Some 89% of Somali families with children are on welfare, courtesy of Land of Lakes residents. Advertisement And massive and diverse fraud is far from the only crime they are committing. Sounds like Walz will clearly not defend his non-Somali neighbors. Advertisement He could be Minnesotas version of Keir Starmer. Hard to say who would dislike the comparison more. Walz thinks boys are girls and Starmer thinks (Pakistani) boys have a right to molest them. Advertisement Does Walz think he can welcome so many Somalis into his state that he and/or his fellow Democrats will be able to win upcoming elections based solely on the Somali community? As a long-time resident, I can tell you that Minnesota is a totally different place today than it was just a couple of decades ago. It is no longer almost universally safe, clean, and prosperous. It is no longer the land of Lutherans and Mary Tyler Moore. It is now becoming the land of Mohamed Muhammed Mohammeds, Inshallah. Advertisement Image: Gage Skidmore, via Flickr [cropped] // CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed The Trump administration just released its "National Security Strategy of the United States of America" and it is fair to say that it is both explicit in what it wants and implicit in what it hopes it will get when it looks at the world today and the world of tomorrow. The NSS is a document that has many contributors, but is approved by the White House (the president) as the roadmap for the U.S. to follow in planning its efforts to effect the kind of change it hopes will assure America's safety and security and its prosperity at home and abroad. It is both a "think piece," a "wish list" and an "actionable document" of the current administration and is a kind of SWOT analysis that is based on an array of specific reasonable hopes. The assumptions for success, failure and projections of the consequences of both are nowhere in this document. Those reside in the detailed analyses of the intelligence community and other government agencies. Depending on which part of the world you live in, you will probably have a strong opinion on the administration's positions and motives for speaking of your country or continent the way it does. This is perfectly understandable and justifiable. What is notable and should be refreshing with the NSS is its forthrightness and clarity, especially since so many government reports tend to mince words or hide behind generalities or theoretical postulations. This NSS is a wake-up call for friends and foes alike that the paradigm of traditional diplomacy has shifted to "straight talk" and probably won't be walked back anytime soon. The world just has to deal with the new reality that is the Trump administration and accept its vow to keep America first on its list of priorities when it comes to safety, security, and competitiveness. For many Europeans, the NSS has left them wondering if they are just another chess piece on the Americans' multi-dimensional geopolitical chessboard. The report has already, in just a few short days, precipitated some fundamental questions about America's intentions. The most serious one is: "Is America still our friend or is it simply an interested party with a pro forma membership in NATO"? Another is: "Can smaller countries such as Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia , and even Denmark, for example, expect the U.S. to honor its obligations under Article 5 of the NATO charter to come to their aid, or will the NATO Council drag its feet since the decision to defend is essentially a political one"? The emperor's new clothes are real; they are just transparent. Before we raise the threat level of our national worry machine, it is best to read the entire section "C" on pages 25-27, which bears the headline "Promoting European Greatness." If after reading it, you still feel that the U.S. is moving towards a breakup with the E.U., no amount of continued dialogue will convince you that the opposite is true. What the NSS actually does is strip away the diplomatic niceties and speak openly about how the administration views the E.U.'s perceived failings and what kind of long-term impact those failings will have on the individual member countries and their ability to chart a national course that may be at odds with the E.U.'s. The section talks about helping Europe, not hindering it in its evolution as a continental power. In a recent debate on the Danish television channel DR2, the question "Does Trump wish us well?" came up. The views ranged from a definite 'no' to an absolute 'yes.' This surprised me a bit , as I half-expected greater consensus among debaters against Donald Trump after observing the Danes' outright animus and distrust of the president since I arrived here in 2024. Instead, I heard some very reasoned remarks that interpreted the NSS on Europe as a positive declaration of faith in the U.S./European relationship instead of a petition for divorce. This gave me some hope that maybe there were leaders here who had understood the depth and breadth of our relationship and were willing to risk being called a "Trump sympathizer" by their fellow men for daring to look at our shared history and commitment to defend liberty before making categorical statements that America is not our friend. Security starts at home. Everyone who owns their own home understands the concept of private property and knows that once you open the door and invite someone in, you have a responsibility to keep them safe while they're in your home. That's the social and legal compact we all share. If someone breaks into your home and ties up your children while they ransack your house looking to steal from you, your responsibility changes (at least it does in the United States). They are now an intruder and must be treated as such. The same is true of nations and their borders. For four long years, the United States was a turnstile for millions of immigrants who broke in to the country and then demanded to be allowed to stay while they enjoyed many of the same rights as American citizens. Their children got free public school education. Their families used American emergency rooms to obtain free medical care while legal residents paid for the same services. In some American cities, illegal immigrants were actually allowed to live free in hotels and get free meals. The American justice system was also under attack by "social justice" groups demanding cashless bail, while some cities' and states' attorneys actually downgraded felonies to misdemeanors or even refused to prosecute thieves because the items they stole from stores were under a certain dollar value, or because the accused was an illegal immigrant and subject to deportation upon conviction. A few rogue prosecutors even created new crimes out of whole cloth to enable the prosecution of a former and soon-to-be-elected president. Violent protests against immigration officials and other government entities were allowed by blue-city mayors until National Guard troops were called in. Supreme Court Justices' homes were also the target of left-wing protestors who objected to court rulings and were not stood down by authorities, even though their actions were illegal. Robberies and car-jackings in the nation's capital were commonplace until the Guard was called up to secure the public streets. Murders and drug abuse have made many American neighborhoods off-limits, and in some cases, local authorities have turned their backs on policing, preferring instead to support abolishing the police! Americans are fighting a two-front war on crime. One is domestic, the other is international, and it cannot waver in its efforts. While everyone knows that the world has become a more dangerous place to live, we cannot afford to ignore certain incontrovertible facts, one of those is that evil is real and that some countries, leaders, ideologies and policies are antithetical to freedom, and if we want to combat them effectively, we must call them out for who and what they are. The United States is not an enemy of Europe. It is a concerned citizen raising important questions about Europe that need to be debated, openly and honestly. If we in Europe are not willing to do so, then we have only ourselves to blame if our relationship with the United States suffers. Stephen Helgesen is a retired American diplomat specializing in international trade. He has lived and worked in 30 countries over the course of 25 years under the Reagan, G.H.W. Bush, Clinton, and G.W. Bush administrations. He is the author of fourteen books, seven of them on American politics, and has written more than 1,500 articles on politics, economics, and social trends. He now lives in Denmark and is a frequent political commentator in Danish media. He can be reached at: [email protected]. In the American law enforcement tradition, Sheriffsfrom the English shire-reeve--have unique status. Unlike police chiefs, theyre elected, not appointed. As such, theyre always political animals, which is not to say police chiefs, particularly in blue, Democrat-ruled cities arent. There is, however, a presumption that police chiefs are supposed to be more apolitical than sheriffs. Sheriffs are also the primary law enforcement officials in their counties, and they traditionally run and maintain jails. Police agencies may keep temporary jail facilities, but for longer scale detentionup to a yearSheriffs carry the load. Advertisement The political aspect of Sheriffs Departments poses a problem for Sheriffs deputies. While some states might have some statutory protections for deputies, most dont, and its only the difficulty of recruiting and training new deputies that keeps most sheriffs from wholesale political firing of existing deputies when a new sheriff takes office. Even so, deputies tend to do what they can to keep in the good political graces of their sheriffs if they want to continue working for them. It would appear one such obviously political Sheriff is Garry McFadden of Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, North Carolina: Advertisement Graphic: McFadden Official Portrait. Public Domain. Advertisement The Sheriffs website provides some clues as to McFaddens politics: Since taking office in December of 2018, Sheriff McFadden has been busy and implemented several key initiatives to progressively move the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office into a new direction aimed towards building law enforcement and community relationships, restoring the humanity in the midst of confinement and criminal justice reform. Advertisement Progressively. A new direction. Restoring the humanity in the midst of confinement and criminal justice reform. Restoring whose humanity? Criminals? Apparently so. On August 22, 2025, Iryna Zarutska, a legal immigrant from Ukraine was riding a Charlotte light rail train. Sitting behind her was Decarlos Brown Jr. A convicted felon with a long record of violent crimes, Brown was out on no bond pending trial when he suddenly stood up and plunged a knife three times into Zarutskas neck. She quickly bled out and died. Advertisement Americans were rightly outraged, particularly at the response of the media which immediately tried to downplay and eliminate coverage of the brutal murder. The North Carolina legislature was not amused and on December 1, Irynas Law went into effect. It all but eliminates releasing criminals on promises to appear or unsecured bonds. Even better, judges who fail to submit written justifications for granting pretrial release can be suspended or removed from office. When crimes occur on public transportation, thats an aggravating factor. Advertisement One would think that kind of progress would be appreciated by law enforcement. Not so for Sheriff McFadden: Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden complained that Irynas Law will overcrowd the jails. He said this days after another train stabbing. So it would seem he has no issue with criminals sticking knives into innocent victims, so long as they dont fill up his jailTo make the situation even more shameful, the sheriff whined about how many people saw the video of Iryna getting stabbed and acted as if the judges that social media users criticized were more worthy of pity than Iryna. And we believe that the only reason that this caught national attention is because it was caught on video and it was displayed across the United States, and our local politicians at that time saw it was a political agenda, or they could highlight her as a refugee and not an immigrant, he griped at a press conference. This is why they created Iryna's Law. McFadden also found Charlie Kirks assassination inconvenient and was upset at social media criticism of woke judges who released violent felons like Brown. He went a bit too far in exposing his leftism: McFadden even bragged, And we took additional measures to protect them [judges] because of the violent nature of social media, and parts of other media, and also just the violence that they received just personally. Because remember, kids, violence is not violence, but words are violence. McFadden apparently stopped short of the silence is violence leftist narrative. A sane Sheriff would be asking for additional funds to expand his jail, but thats not McFaddens concern: So when people say, 'Well, is that gonna cause a problem for your staff?' Of course, it is. Why? Because my staff is not gonna be subject to having to deal with people with much more mental health problems than we had in the past. Or we're gonna be dealing with families who will not understand why their loved ones are not being released. Thats two train stabbers with which McFadden will have to deal. Better, by his lights, to release them to spare the tender sensibilities of his staff. 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. The main gate at Fort Hood in Texas, in 2013. Photograph: Tony Gutierrez/AP (Photograph: Tony Gutierrez/AP) Another 81 women have joined a civil suit against a US army gynecologist who was recently criminally charged in connection with accusations that he secretly filmed dozens of his patients during medical examinations. The civil lawsuit, which initially began in November, alleges that Blaine McGraw, a doctor and army major at Fort Hood in Texas, repeatedly inappropriately touched and secretly filmed dozens of women during appointments at an on-base medical center. The women allege they were subjected to invasive, unnecessary, and degrading touching, voyeurism, and covert filming. Attorneys for the alleged victims submitted an expanded complaint on Wednesday, less than a day after the armys office of special trial counsel filed criminal charges against McGraw. According to CNN, the criminal charges involve 54 specifications of indecent visual recording and other related offenses concerning 44 identified victims. While the militarys case centers on the alleged recordings, the updated civil suit goes further, accusing McGraw of assault, sexual assault and battery under Texas law. The filing claims he intentionally and knowingly made harmful and offensive physical contact during gynecological exams. McGraw treated patients at Fort Hood beginning in 2023. One active-duty soldier described an encounter during a rape-kit examination in which she suspects McGraw took photos of her. During that deeply vulnerable procedure, he was constantly on his phone while between her legs, the lawsuit states. The woman now believes he used his phone to photograph her during the exam. The complaint also says that McGraw failed to document in her medical records that a rape kit had ever been performed. Prosecutors who subsequently pressed her case in criminal court lacked clear forensic documentation, and her assailant was ultimately acquitted, the complaint contends. McGraws misconduct in this setting did not merely fail to protect a victim of sexual violence, the filing adds. It actively undermined her access to justice and allowed her perpetrator to escape accountability. Legal experts and advocacy groups told the Washington Post the case may test whether recent Pentagon reforms to address sexual misconduct and support survivors are working as intended. Scientists stationed at a remote British research outpost in the Antarctic have received a special Christmas delivery: a brand new Royal Mail post box, personally arranged by King Charles. Kirsten Shaw, the station support assistant overseeing the British Antarctic Territory Post Office at Rothera Research Station, wrote to the King asking for a replacement for the bases previous, hand-painted replica post box. The Royal household was touched by the story of the team working in one of the most remote places on earth and subsequently partnered with Royal Mail. The collaboration led to the gift of one of its distinctive red lamppost boxes, featuring the Kings cypher. The post box arrived aboard the UKs polar research vessel, RRS Sir David Attenborough, coinciding with the first significant resupply mission to the base following the continents extended, dark winter. The present was like having a piece of home with us, Aurelia Reichardt, the Rothera station leader, said. Kirsten Shaw (left) and Aurelia Reichardt with the new post box (Jake Martin/BAS/PA Wire) Its such an honour for the station to be gifted a real Royal Mail post box, she said. Its given the community here a real boost and its a great reminder to take the time to reach out to loved ones, even when work gets hectic. Earlier this year, the King recorded a personal message for researchers in Antarctica, expressing the greatest admiration for the critically important work you do. The message coincided with the 24 hours of darkness they experienced on June 21 the southern hemispheres shortest day. Ms Shaw, who is responsible for getting mail in and out of Rothera and also across to other British Antarctic Survey (BAS) stations and science field camps, said: Being in Antarctica is incredible, but its full of extremes. So I think its a special thing to send post back home, to communicate your experiences. Its a moment of your life that you put down on paper and give to someone else. The new post box in front of the Discovery Building (Jake Martin/BAS/PA Wire) Ms Shaw, who was awarded the Fuchs Medal in 2022 for outstanding devotion to the Antarctic community thanks to her postal work, sorts the staffs letters, adds British Antarctic Territory stamps and packs the post into bags for international delivery. The mail is then sent on the RRS Sir David Attenborough or via BAS aircraft to an office in Stanley on the Falkland Islands. It is then transported on an air bridge route to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, ready to be picked up by Royal Mail. David Gold, Royal Mails director of external affairs and policy, said sending and receiving post at Rothera is vital to keeping those working there connected with family and friends at Christmas. Sending and receiving mail is a vital connection for staff working in one of the most remote places on Earth especially at Christmas, when messages from loved ones mean so much, he said. This new post box will help keep that tradition alive and ensure the magic of mail even reaches the Antarctic. Chicks and adult Adelie penguins on Antarcticas Petermann Island (Getty Images/iStock) Rothera is the largest British Antarctic facility. It is home to around 100 staff in the summer months and just 22 in the winter, from April to mid-October. Adelie penguins are also found living there, and pictures released by the BAS show the birds strolling near the new post box. Located 1,860km south of the Falkland Islands on Adelaide Island to the west of the Antarctic Peninsula, Rothera serves as a centre for biological research and a hub for supporting deep-field and air operations. Lamppost boxes are the Royal Mails smallest and were originally designed to be fixed to lampposts. The box will eventually be located in the Discovery Building, the stations new 4,500m-squared modern scientific support and operations centre. Mark Carneys Liberal government wants to change Canadas hate speech law to shut religious freedom loophole - Jeff McIntosh/AP Planned changes to Canadas hate speech law would criminalise biblical passages, critics have claimed. Under Canadas criminal code, anyone found guilty of wilful promotion of hatred faces up to two years in jail. But it also says that prosecution should not apply to a statement made in good faith and based on belief in a religious text. This exemption would be scrapped under planned changes to the law agreed between the Bloc Quebecois party and Sean Fraser, the justice minister in Mark Carneys Liberal government. It is contained in an amendment to the Combating Hate Act, currently working its way through the Canadian parliament. However, the bill has faced opposition from religious and civil liberties groups due to a groundswell of opposition to plans to scrap the exemption. The Bloc Quebecois has been pushing for the change since 2023, when radical Montreal imam Adil Charkaoui called for all Zionist aggressors to be killed. However, the imam said his remarks were a prayer and therefore could not, under the existing law, be classified as hate speech. And in May last year, the Quebec prosecutors office concluded no criminal offence had been committed. Right to press charges Critics argue that the attempt to plug what some see as a potential loophole has gone too far, especially after Marc Miller, minister of Canadian identity and culture, told a parliamentary committee that the bible contained clear hatred towards, for example, homosexuals. He added: Clearly, there are situations in these texts where these statements are hateful; they should not be used and prosecutors should have the right to press charges. Canadas Conservative opposition party has opposed the amendment. Liberals spent the fall trying to censor religious texts and prosecute believers, Pierre Poilievre, the partys leader, wrote on X, adding the amendment would criminalise sections of the bible, Quran, Torah and other sacred texts. Andrew Lowton, another Conservative, added that the move was a full-scale assault on religious freedom. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops also objected in a letter to Mr Carney. Significant concerns The proposed elimination of the good faith religious-text defence raises significant concerns, they wrote. This narrowly framed exemption has served for many years as an essential safeguard to ensure that Canadians are not criminally prosecuted for their sincere, truth-seeking expression of beliefs made without animus and grounded in long-standing religious traditions, they added. Haseeb Hassaan, of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, added: I think all Canadians can recognise that this is an issue that affects all of them, including religious and non-religious Canadians. Other provisions in the bill include banning hate symbols, such as the swastika and wilfully intimidating people outside places of worship. Despite the Liberals being only one seat short of an overall majority and the bill being backed by other parties, the controversy over its provisions makes it unclear when it will become law. Childrens operations are being cancelled because paediatric intensive care units across the country are full as a result of the severe spike in flu cases, The Independent has been told. Cardiac and other operations are being postponed, increasing the risk of medical emergencies, because of the pressure on childrens ICU beds, medics have warned. Dr Adrian Plunkett, president of the Paediatric Critical Care Society (PCCS), and Dr Arun Ghose, PCCS council member and communications lead, told The Independent: The UKs paediatric intensive care capacity is a scarce national resource currently under severe and sustained pressure. In the last few weeks, paediatric critical care units across the country have consistently reported a higher number of patients in beds than staff available to run them, according to the PCCS medics. This has led to local centres surging, with nursing and medical staff doing extra clinical work to manage the increased demand, they said in a joint statement. This surge in admissions is being driven predominantly by influenza and other respiratory viruses. Dr Plunkett and Dr Ghose also warned: This pressure has also led to the cancellation of elective paediatric intensive care unit admissions, including cardiac and other specialist surgeries. In some cases, delays to these procedures can result in previously elective cases becoming more urgent and requiring emergency surgery. The warnings come after a week of reports of a tidal wave of flu, driven by the new super flu strain H3N2. The sudden influx of flu cases up 55 per cent in the past week has led health chiefs to fear that overcrowded hospitals will soon be unable to control the spread of infections, leaving vulnerable patients being treated for serious illnesses terrified they will catch it. On Friday, health secretary Wes Streeting warned the NHS faces collapse next week if resident doctors go ahead with a planned strike as services are buckling under flu pressures. Sir Keir Starmer has also criticised the proposed strikes, describing them as beyond belief when the NHS was under severe strain. In a deepening row, the British Medical Association, the doctors union, hit back on Saturday and accused the health secretary of scaremongering. According to the Paediatric Critical Care Society, the pressures on intensive care beds have meant that more children are being kept in district general hospitals for long periods. They are then having to be transported further away from their homes when a critical care bed is found. The situation has worsened as paediatric wards are full, and so intensive care units are unable to move patients out when they are ready. Flu patients in hospital in England This has been compounded by acute sickness, with respiratory viruses, across all staff groups, and less resilience in the system with these chronic staffing shortages, Dr Plunkett and Dr Ghose said. The PCCS has also heard anecdotal reports of a marked severity of illness in cases of influenza infection in children, warning that influenza can cause very serious disease, and has caused mortality, even in children. A senior paediatric doctor in the northwest of England told The Independent admissions to childrens intensive care units had spiked in the last week, with a double hit of flu and respiratory infection RSV. Flu season hit in October, which was really early, the doctor said. The kids that were ill with it ... in the ICU, we ended up with a far higher number of children needing intensive care support than we normally do. So over the last couple of weeks, what weve seen is a sort of dual hit of both influenza and RSV, and there has been a significant spike in the ICU admissions across the UK in the last seven days. The reason why some of the pressures are high is that we have high numbers of children with flu in the ICU, but then we also have the second effects that the wards have got loads of it as well. Because its an infectious disease, we isolate these children, so were struggling to get them off intensive care and back to the wards. Weve definitely seen higher patient numbers with flu in intensive care, and probably the highest amount Ive seen in my career. The BMA is consulting resident doctors on whether to go ahead with planned strikes over pay and training contracts, with the results expected on Monday. If the strikes go ahead, doctors will walk out for a five-day strike starting on Wednesday. BEIJING, Dec. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Experts and scholars from Spain and Brazil offered insights on strengthening global cooperation in the blue economy and sustainable finance at a sub-forum of the 2025 Pearl Bay Climate Investment and Financing Conference held Tuesday in Nansha District of Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. The Photo shows the Brazil sub-venue of the 2025 Pearl Bay Climate Investment and Financing Conference. (Photo provided by the organizer) The sub-forum, themed "Strength from the Sea - Activating Blue Carbon Momentum to Support High-quality Marine Economy ", brought together experts and scholars through online participation to discuss pathways for advancing ocean-related climate investment and financing. At the Spain sub-venue, Ramon Boixados,Visiting Professor at ESCP Business School - Paris and Professor at the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), highlighted the strategic importance of the ocean as essential global supply-chain infrastructure. Maria Jose Garcia Lopez, Professor of King Juan Carlos University and Partner of Triple Sustainability Consulting Firm, underscored the growing role of sustainable finance in accelerating the development of the blue economy. She called for advancing unified blue-finance standards to channel more capital toward ocean protection and foster synergy between ecological well-being and economic growth. At the Brazil sub-venue, Jose Ricardo dos Santos, CEO of LIDE, emphasized that marine-economy cooperation is essential for deepening China-Brazil partnership. He pointed to strong potential in offshore wind power as well as high-value fisheries, given the rapid growth of bilateral trade, and suggested establishing dedicated ocean-economy funds to support sustainable development. Hsia Hua Sheng, Economist of the Fundacao Getulio Vargas of Brazil, said China's capital market can help advance the development of sustainable finance in Brazil. Experts agreed that advancing the blue economy is vital for high-quality development. They called for improving policy frameworks for blue-carbon finance, innovating investment mechanisms, and mobilizing wider social capital to enhance marine ecological protection and sustainable use. Jointly hosted by the brand work office of Xinhua News Agency, Xinhua News Agency Guangdong Bureau, and China Economic Information Service, the 2025 Pearl Bay Climate Investment and Financing Conference was held from Dec. 9 to 10 with one main venue in Nansha and sub-venues in the United Kingdom, Brazil and Spain. Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/348755.html SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road At least two people have been killed in a drone attack in Russias southwestern Saratov region, local authorities confirmed on Saturday, as parts of Ukraine simultaneously faced power outages following targeted assaults on energy infrastructure. Saratov regional Governor Roman Busargin reported that the drone strike damaged a residential building, with windows at a kindergarten and clinic also blown out. Meanwhile, Russias defence ministry stated it had intercepted 41 Ukrainian drones over its territory overnight, as US-led peace talks continue. In Ukraine, Russia launched overnight drone and missile strikes on five Ukrainian regions, targeting energy and port infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had sent over 450 drones and 30 missiles into Ukraine overnight. Russia continues to target Ukraines power infrastructure in their attacks, Zelensky claims (AP) "Thousands of families are now left without electricity after strikes last night in Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson and Chernihiv regions," he wrote on Telegram. An attack on the Black Sea city of Odesa caused grain silos to catch fire at the port, Ukrainian deputy prime minister and reconstruction minister Oleksiy Kuleba said. Two people were wounded in attacks on the wider Odesa region, according to regional head Oleh Kiper. Kyiv and its Western allies say Russia is trying to cripple the Ukrainian power grid and deny civilians access to heat, light and running water for a fourth consecutive winter, in what Ukrainian officials call weaponizing the cold. The latest round of attacks came after Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said Friday that Russian police and National Guard will stay on in eastern Ukraines Donbas and oversee the industry-rich region, even if a peace settlement ends Russias nearly four-year war in Ukraine. This underscores Moscows ambition to maintain its presence in Donbas post-war. Ukraine is likely to reject such a stance as U.S.-led negotiations drag on. Moscow will give its blessing to a ceasefire only after Ukraines forces have withdrawn from the front line, Ushakov said in comments published in Russian business daily Kommersant. Meanwhile, Germany is set to host Zelenskyy on Monday for talks as peace efforts gain momentum and European leaders seek to steer negotiations. For months, American negotiators have tried to navigate the demands of each side as U.S. President Donald Trump presses for a swift end to Russias war while growing increasingly exasperated by delays. The search for possible compromises has run into a major obstacle over who keeps Ukrainian territory currently occupied by Russian forces. Shabana Mahmood says rapists, sex offenders and abusers will have nowhere to hide (PA) Specialist rape and sex offences investigation teams will be established at every police force by 2029, the government has announced. Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, said tools and tactics used to catch abusers are outdated and must be replaced by dedicated teams at all 43 forces in England and Wales. Almost 30 forces already have a dedicated rape and serious sexual offence unit, The Independent understands. However, every force will not have one until 2029, the Home Office admitted. Campaigners have said the delays are not acceptable and will leave survivors with an inconsistent response when they come forward. The announcement, billed as the largest crackdown on violence perpetrated against women and girls in British history also includes a nationwide rollout of domestic abuse protection orders, which have been trialled over the last year. The reforms are set to be part of the long-awaited Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy, due to be unveiled next week. All police forces will have dedicated teams to tackle VAWG by 2029 (PA) Ministers have pledged to halve VAWG in the next decade but have faced criticism over delays to publishing their plans. On Tuesday, chairs of the home affairs committee, justice committee and women and equalities committee wrote to ministers over concerns from VAWG groups, warning that the delay is creating significant uncertainty across the sector and sending a message VAWG is not a government priority. Announcing the latest measures, Ms Mahmood, said: This government has declared violence against women and girls a national emergency. For too long, these crimes have been considered a fact of life. Thats not good enough. We will halve it in a decade. Today, we announce a range of measures to bear down on abusers, stopping them in their tracks. Rapists, sex offenders and abusers will have nowhere to hide. Domestic abuse protection orders can impose conditions to help protect victims from domestic abuse, including coercive behaviour, stalking and so-called honour-based violence. Conditions can include mandatory curfews, electronic tagging, exclusion zones and notification requirements on abusers, with offenders who break orders facing up to five years in jail. Nearly 2m will also be invested in a network of officers to target violence against women and girls online, the Home Office said. It is expected to build on the success of an undercover network on child sexual abuse, which has resulted in over 1,700 perpetrators being arrested. Domestic abuse protection orders are also being rolled out nationwide (Getty/iStock) Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, welcomed the reforms but urged police forces to prioritise them without delay. All survivors deserve care, support and sensitivity when they take the courageous step to report what happened to them to the police, and to see their case investigated properly and thoroughly for the greatest chance of accessing justice, she added. However, we are concerned that this may not be fully in place until 2029. In the meantime, survivors may often receive an inconsistent response depending on the force area they live in. This is not acceptable. Victims of rape are facing enormous challenges in the criminal justice system, with lengthier delays to their cases than any other crime type. We urge police forces to prioritise implementation of these reforms without delay. Under Rishi Sunaks conservative government, the Home Office announced last year that they were rolling out Operation Soteria nationwide, a program which has helped police and prosecutors work more closely together when investigating rape and sexual offences. Ms Mahmood has previously hinted she is considering major reforms which could drastically reduce the number of police forces in England and Wales. Kash Patel, the FBI director, has previously criticised the scale of US aid to Ukraine - MAANSI SRIVASTAVA/EPA/Shutterstock Kash Patel held secret meetings with Ukraines top peace negotiator. The FBI director and Dan Bongino, his deputy, met with Rustem Umerov at least twice when he travelled to the US in recent weeks, according to The Washington Post. They have been tight-lipped about what was discussed, but some Western officials fear Donald Trumps administration has opened up another channel to pressure Kyiv into accepting a peace deal with Russia. Mr Patel and Mr Bongino have repeatedly criticised Ukraine. Olha Stefanishyna, the Ukrainian ambassador to the US, confirmed the meeting had taken place but declined to divulge details of the talks beyond national security-related issues. Dan Bongino and Kash Patel have been tight-lipped about what they discussed with Rustem Umerov Mr Umerov, who was appointed head of Ukraines negotiating team last month, has flown to the US three times to meet Steve Witkoff, Mr Trumps peace envoy, to discuss plans to end the war. Ukrainian officials have previously told The Telegraph that Washington is piling pressure on Kyiv to strike a peace agreement with Moscow by giving up territory in exchange for undefined security guarantees. Mr Trump has told Volodymyr Zelensky he has until Christmas to accept his deal. In March, Mr Patel criticised the scale of US aid to Ukraine and urged Congress to investigate the misuse of American aid. Mr Bongino has accused Mr Zelensky of covering up for Hunter Biden, the son of Joe Biden, the former president, whose role on the board of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma has prompted accusations of corruption by Republicans. Both Bidens have repeatedly denied wrongdoing. Mr Trump is very suspicious of Zelensky, because of what he and some of the people in his government did to sweep under the rug the Joe Biden madness, Mr Bongino said in February. Fiona Hill, Mr Trumps former Russia tsar, said Mr Patels role in the talks was likely to be viewed with even more concern and consternation in Europe. An FBI official said Mr Patel and Mr Bongino discussed law enforcement and national security with Mr Umerov, dismissing concerns as complete nonsense. Rustem Umerov is Ukraines top negotiator - Samuel Corum/2023 Getty Images According to The Washington Post, other Western officials believe Mr Umerov sought out Patel and Bongino in the hopes of obtaining amnesty from corruption charges, amid speculation the Ukrainian could be drawn into a widening investigation. Last month, Ukrainian investigators announced that $100m had been stolen from the countrys energy sector through corruption. Mr Zelenskys top aide, Andriy Yermak, resigned as head of the peace delegation and from the Ukrainian presidents office after his house was raided as part of the probe. Angela Stent, a former intelligence officer under George W Bush, said she was surprised Mr Umerov had been appointed as Mr Yermaks replacement given whats being said about his potential involvement in the scandal. A spokesman for Mr Zelenskys office said: It is stupid to link everything to corruption. US officials regularly communicate with world leaders about national security issues of shared interest, a White House official said. The US national security team has been speaking with both the Russians and the Ukrainians to facilitate a deal to end the war and those raising concerns are not privy to these diplomatic conversations and have no idea what they are talking about. Migrants from Syria and Bangladesh in the Mediterranean. The Council of Europes commissioner for human rights says conflating migration and crime doesnt correspond with reality. Photograph: Santi Palacios/AFP/Getty (Photograph: Santi Palacios/AFP/Getty) The battle had been brewing for months. But this week it came to a head in a flurry of meetings, calls and one heady statement. Twenty-seven European countries urged a rethink of the human rights laws forged after the second world war, describing them as an impediment when it came to addressing migration. Amnesty International has called it a moral retreat. Europes most senior human rights official said the approach risked creating a hierarchy of people where some are seen as more deserving of protection than others. The roots of the clash can be traced back to May, when nine EU states, including Denmark, Italy and Poland, published a letter arguing that the European convention on human rights was hindering their ability to exert sovereignty over their states and deport people who committed crimes. We have to restore the right balance, the letter noted. What was once right might not be the answer of tomorrow. Related: Starmer and hardline governments risk creating hierarchy of people by constraining human rights This week 27 countries shared these grievances, though several, including France, Spain and Germany, declined to sign the letter, hinting at a divide in how states view the convention. Speaking to the Guardian this week, Europes top human rights official hit out at politicians lazy language, laced with assumptions and inaccuracies, which led countries to erroneously target human rights legislation. One example was the lazy correlation of migration and crime, said Michael OFlaherty, the Council of Europes commissioner for human rights. This doesnt correspond with reality, he said. Even so, this distorted perception had been widely peddled. Whats at issue is this feeding into the misunderstanding in society that were opening the door to criminals to run amok in our societies doing untold damage, he said. No wonder people get frightened, no wonder people are demanding limits on migration. Politicians from across the spectrum were to blame, he said. What happens is middle-of-the-road politicians use this lazy language, but then its instrumentalised by those who would actively promote disinformation. He pointed to the UK, where tremendous attention had been given to court cases where the convention on human rights had stymied the expulsion of criminals. And again here, the figures simply dont correspond with that, said OFlaherty. The figure is tiny, and its completely manageable in any modern rule of law state. And very few of these cases ever reach the European court of human rights because there are all those checks and balances at the national level that kick in first. His view was backed by a report, published this week by the University of Oxford, which found that media reporting in the UK was dominated by often inaccurate or misleading reports when it came to the impact of the convention on immigration control. The report also highlighted the many ways in which the convention, whose first signatory was the UK when it launched 75 years ago, safeguards people in workplaces, hospitals and care homes and protects victims of domestic violence and modern slavery. The history of the convention traces back to the aftermath of the second world war when countries came together to launch the Council of Europe, envisioning it as a guardian of fundamental rights across the continent. These rights were enshrined in the European convention on human rights, a document that has since been signed by 46 countries. OFlaherty said he saw no need for the convention to now be modernised, warning that the call by politicians risked creating a false expectation among voters. Is that really going to change migratory flows? he asked. Is that going to stop people from crossing the Channel? Is that going to ruin the business model of the migrant smugglers? I dont think so. He also pushed back against the assertion that the convention impeded on states sovereignty. Individuals and countries could only make an application to the European court after they had exhausted domestic options, he noted, while the European court of human rights is made up of judges representing every member state. This is not a bunch of foreign judges imposing something on us, he said. Writing in the Guardian this week, the UKs prime minister, Keir Starmer, and his Danish counterpart, Mette Frederiksen, argued that an update of the convention on human rights was needed to help see off the rise of the populist right. OFlaherty rejected the link. 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? What happens when another small vulnerable, weak, marginalised group catches the eye of some populist schemers? Yielding ground on human rights would ultimately serve the interest of these populists by weakening the rule of law, he said, and risk creating a hierarchy of people, a notion he described as very, very worrying given the conventions roots in the horrors of the second world war. He said: The convention and the whole human rights system emerged out of the most barbarous hierarchisation of rights holders that you could imagine, where you had not only some humans more worthy than others, but certain humans, because of their origin, as having no value whatsoever. A universal system of human rights was built, strategically built, to make sure that we could never end up in that nightmare scenario again, OFlaherty added. Were not there now, of course were not. But we have to be very cautious and careful about the ultimate consequences, albeit unintended, of the paths we might embark on. MasterChef host and columnist Grace Dent talks The Standard through London in her eyes - from her favourite spots to eat to the shops she cant live without. Home is On the edge of Epping Forest. I lived in Leyton for 20 years and London since '96, then six months ago I moved further out to here. I'm uprooted: I still haven't got to grips with the house, I'm surrounded by boxes and don't know where my knickers are. But I spotted a wild boar the other day. I'd heard they were there, but I thought it was something just told tourists. Where do you stay in London? I don't need to, really, but I've been very lucky and stayed in loads of different fancy hotels. The one that was the most wonderful was the Connaught. I stayed there in one of those incredible suites with a butler who appears at the beginning and bombards you with all those questions to make your stay easier can we hang your bra up? Run you a bath? But I'm a working class northerner, I just felt so awkward. I must be a huge disappointment to those butlers. They turn up for in-room dining with the trolleys and cloches and you're like: I only ordered a club sandwich! (Press handout) Where was your first flat in London? My very first home was on Middleton Road in Barnes Green, in a flat above a builders merchant. The hallway was so rotten that I walked in from Marie Claire and fell through the floorboards down to my waist. When the landlord turned up, he offered me a case of beer to say sorry. I thought it was a good deal! What was your first job in London? I was on the masthead at Marie Claire as an editorial assistant, which meant I was really a glorified janitor-come-bottle-washer. I did everything: booking hundreds of dispatch bikes, getting suitcases of clothes to the Congo, dealing with the models, trying to pick up the editors' dry cleaning with a ticket, 20 minutes before a red carpet. It was a little Devil Wears Prada, but much larger scoop of Ugly Betty. When that came out, I couldn't watch it it felt like a documentary. I arrived in '96, learnt a lot about the class system in London, nepotism, and the media, and went freelance in '98. Where in London would you recommend for a first date? Choose a good local pub so you're not wasting shoe leather or too much valuable mascara on somewhere. Order a large glass of wine and if it's not working, just go. The first date I had with my partner was at the Leyton Technical, which isn't there anymore. I'd kissed so many poisonous frogs, there was no way I was walking more than three streets. I challenged him to meet in 25 minutes, not three weeks time. I didn't want to bother with Whatsapp tag. Which London shops do you rely on? One of the most important shops to me is M&S in the Stratford Westfield, for the ladies who do the bras. Those ladies are the fifth emergency service. There's something quite wonderful about the fact you can wander in and say, I have no idea what size I am and a maternal woman with a tape measure will take you aside for free! and help. It's one of the best things about being British. (Press handout) What's the best meal you've had in London? Obviously I have a thousand answers to this but it's always ever-changing. As a professional, cough cough, I can't ever have a number one but I can have a revolving list of things that are wonderful. Right now, it's Lilibet's. I went, exhausted from filming and I met Hugh, one of my best friends. I no longer drink alcohol but one of my vices is scurrilous gossip: the maitre'd understood what we wanted and moved us to the furthest table away from anyone else and we chatted from noon till 3.30 and it was one of the best times I've had this year. It was an utter dream, why I stay hooked to London. What would you do if you were Mayor of London for the day? When not if I am eventually Mayor, for the first day it will be a wild mix of wildly draconian practices. Instant five year jail periods for adults riding on the pavement! Five years for anyone making a nuisance of themselves with a loud hailer! Five years for anyone hogging a plug in Pret. That's my first three policies. Then I'd have a huge party on Old Compton Street, with everyone invited, playing a lot of Sylvester and Divine. Who is the most iconic Londoner in history? Queen Elizabeth I, beyond doubt. I began studying Elizabethan history when I was 16 and I never stopped. I think the caricature of her as a virgin queen doesn't explain how incredibly clever and focussed she was on remaining independent for her own sanity and freedom, but also to protect Britain by not aligning with any other country. When not if I am eventually Mayor, for the first day it will be a wild mix of wildly draconian practices. Instant five year jail periods for adults riding on the pavement! Five years for anyone making a nuisance of themselves with a loud hailer! Grace Dent What's the best thing a London cabbie has ever said to you? I tend to get into very deep, meaningful conversations with cabbies; most of the time I dispense a lot of advice about women, divorce settlements and the menopause. But once one turned to me and said: you're famous, aren't you? And three minutes later, while I was still slightly euphoric, I suddenly realised he thought I was Judi Dench, not Grace Dent. Have you ever had a run in with a London policeman? No, I've never been in trouble with the police, but I wish I could tell you I'd had a wild past, been in women's prison, had a load of tatts. But no, the closest I've come was after flirting inappropriately on New Year's Eve after six baby chams. But that's inadvisable. Where in London do you go to let your hair down? I'm in restaurants all the time, often with my friend Hugh, who's one of those people I can eat with and be with whether I want to let my hair down or if my social battery is running low. He's ok to go any new restaurant, order for me, and talk for me. Who do you call when you want to have fun in London? Well, Hugh. Hugh Smithson-Wright. What's your biggest extravagance? Earrings; I have hundred of pairs of ridiculous clip-on earrings. I don't have my ears pierced as I had it done when I was about six being a northerner and it was a bit of a botched job, so it put me off for life. I've left an earring in every London restaurant What's your London secret? I don't understand people getting into queues for cakes, so I'd say the branch of Honey & Co behind Bloomsbury. There are always seats, they have a cafe at the back and they serve the best patisserie in their postcode. But I'm built on secrets, I don't know where to begin. When you want them, come to the old folks' home. What do you collect? It's not a collection but the thing I've amassed is very strong-minded, waspish, hyper capable gay men who run my entire life. If you look at my stylists, editors, the wonderful Hugh. I call them the Velvet Mafia. What are you up to at the moment for work? I am the presenter of Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef and it's absolutely incredible. We have brand new studios, new kitchens, all shiny and sparkly, and I get to wear fabulous gowns every day with wonderful jewellery, and then sweep into a kitchen full of enthusiastic cooks who are determined to make a mark and let food change their life. I get to come in and eat their food and talk to them. I'm in heaven. Who's your hero? I've got dozens of heroes, and I grasp for people who are totems. One this week is Jason Williamson from Sleaford Mods. I've been watching his performances recently and there's such a sense of freedom in the way he expresses himself. He's about the same age as me, and I'm really inspired by any of us in our fifties living our best life. What's your favourite work of art in London? The Ambassadors Painting by Hans Holbein the Younger. The two guys are clearly having the time of their life in London, and there are so many symbols around them that express ego and folly and vanity and the precariousness of being at the top of the tree. Every time I see it, it's so grounding 400 years ago, people were having the same problems, had the same status symbols. In the end, we're all dust. Kirsten Shaw (left) and Aurelia Reichardt will now be able to write home to their loved ones over Christmas - Jake Martin Scientists working at a remote British research station in the Antarctic received a special delivery of a new Royal Mail post box in time for Christmas thanks to the King. Kirsten Shaw, a station support assistant who runs the British Antarctic Territory Post Office at Rothera Research Station, wrote to the monarch asking for a replacement for the bases previous hand-painted replica box. The Royal Household was touched by the story of the team working in one of the most remote places on earth and teamed up with Royal Mail to arrange the gift of one of its famous red lamppost boxes, featuring the Kings cypher, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) said. The post box was delivered by the UKs polar research vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough, along with the first major drop of supplies to the base following the continents long, dark winter. The King recorded a personal message for researchers in Antarctica earlier this year - Jamie Lorriman Aurelia Reichardt, station leader at Rothera, described the present as having a piece of home with us. Its such an honour for the station to be gifted a real Royal Mail post box, she said. Its given the community here a real boost and its a great reminder to take the time to reach out to loved ones, even when work gets hectic. For our team, who are working in such a remote place, its like having a piece of home with us. Earlier this year, the King recorded a personal message for researchers in Antarctica, expressing the greatest admiration for the critically important work you do, to coincide with the 24 hours of darkness they experience on June 21 the southern hemispheres shortest day. The gift has given the community a real boost and is like having a piece of home with them - Jake Martin Ms Shaw, who is responsible for getting mail in and out of Rothera and also across to other BAS stations and science field camps, said: Being in Antarctica is incredible, but its full of extremes. So I think its a special thing to send post back home, to communicate your experiences. Its a moment of your life that you put down on paper and give to someone else. Ms Shaw, who was awarded the Fuchs Medal in 2022 for outstanding devotion to the Antarctic community thanks to her postal work, sorts the staffs letters, adds British Antarctic Territory stamps and packs the post into bags for international delivery. The mail is then sent on the RRS Sir David Attenborough or via BAS aircraft to an office in Stanley on the Falkland Islands, before being transported on an air bridge route to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, ready to be picked up by Royal Mail. David Gold, Royal Mails director of external affairs and policy, said: Sending and receiving mail is a vital connection for staff working in one of the most remote places on Earth especially at Christmas, when messages from loved ones mean so much. This new post box will help keep that tradition alive and ensure the magic of mail even reaches the Antarctic. Rothera the largest British Antarctic facility is home to around 100 staff in the summer months and just 22 in the winter, from April to mid-October. Adelie penguins are also found living there, with pictures released by the BAS showing the birds strolling near the new post box. Located 1,860km south of the Falkland Islands on Adelaide Island to the west of the Antarctic Peninsula, Rothera serves as a centre for biological research and a hub for supporting deep-field and air operations. Lamppost boxes are the Royal Mails smallest and were originally designed to be fixed to lampposts. The box will eventually be located in the Discovery Building, the stations new 4,500m-squared modern scientific support and operations centre. The Kings message to the nation, sharing the news about his treatment, was broadcast as part of the Stand Up to Cancer campaign on Friday night - Tommy Forbes/Bango Studios/PA Wire/Handout via Reuters The King will be able to fill his diary across five full days a week for the first time in 22 months following a cutback in his cancer treatment. King Charles, who announced the good news in a television message on Friday night, has had to block off his schedule to accommodate weekly treatment since his diagnosis, and has also suffered side-effects. While it has not had any major impact on his public engagements, it has taken around five hours away from what he prefers to be a full working schedule. The King is a known workaholic, reading papers and writing letters late into the night and insisting that his daytime diary is filled with meetings, audiences, visits and away days. He is now expected to go ahead with planned overseas travel, likely to include a trip to the United States in the spring to mark the countrys 250th anniversary, and to Antigua and Barbuda in the autumn for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting. He will continue to have treatment but it will be less frequent, with longer gaps between sessions depending on how he responds. His schedule, of both work and treatment, will be designed around protecting and prioritising his recovery, a source said. Palace aides have worked to fulfil the Kings wish to keep as busy as possible during his treatment, and there has been no significant reduction in his workload, other than when he has been feeling unwell. When he was first diagnosed, the King took time out of the public eye because of the risk of infection, and he is known to have been admitted to hospital with serious side effects once in 2025. Queen Camilla has previously spoken of her frustration that he will not slow down, saying this year that he loves his work and it keeps him going. On Friday night, in a television message to the nation, King Charles revealed the reduction in his treatment. He said he had reached a milestone, calling it a personal blessing and a testament to remarkable medical advances. Today I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to doctors orders, my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the New Year, he said. The King believes that sharing some details of his personal cancer journey is his pleasure and duty, if it can do some public good. A spokesman for the King said on Saturday: I know His Majesty will be greatly encouraged and deeply touched by the very positive reaction his message has generated. He will be particularly pleased at the way it has helped to shine a light on the benefits of cancer screening programmes. It has long been the Kings view that if some public good can come from sharing elements of his personal diagnosis and treatment journey, then it would be his pleasure and duty to do so. His thoughts and warmest wishes will remain with all those affected by cancer, and those who care for them. The King has been praised by campaigners for joining the Stand Up To Cancer campaign to highlight a new screening checker service that allows members of the public to check which types of cancer screening tests are available to them. Michelle Mitchell, of Cancer Research UK, says public figures speaking about their cancer can help others - Lesley Martin/PA Wire Michelle Mitchell, the chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: We know that when public figures speak openly about their cancer diagnosis, it can prompt others to check in on their health and speak to a GP if something is worrying them. We wish His Majesty well with his continued recovery. Ms Mitchell added: Since launching our new cancer screening checker, weve seen around 100,000 visits so far from people seeking information about cancer screening, with most of these taking place after His Majesty The King spoke openly about his own cancer journey during the Stand Up To Cancer live show. This response shows just how important open conversations about cancer can be. Knowing which screening youre eligible for, and what happens next, isnt always straightforward, which is why weve launched this simple new screening checker. Taking just a few minutes to check what screening youre eligible for could be an important step towards protecting your health and could ultimately save lives. Speaking on Radio 4 and Times Radio programmes on Saturday morning, Jonathan Dimbleby, the Kings authorised biographer, said the message was a remarkable thing for a monarch to do. Jonathan Dimbleby, the Kings official biographer, says the monarch was not a good patient - Andrew Crowley for The Telegraph It takes guts, and the fact that he came out and did that will save lives, and people will be less frightened of saying, We must go and get a test, he said. He added: I wouldnt regard him as a good patient, in the sense he says, Oh yes, another day of treatment coming up. On the contrary, he found it irritating. It got in the way of his programme, because, you know, hes so aware that the programme matters. He really cares for it. The King will this week host the annual Royal familys Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace, before taking a break. His Christmas message will be televised on Christmas Day, and the family will be seen to walk to church at Sandringham. The Mamdani effect? Sales of luxury homes spike in the Big Apple as exodus fears fall flat Doomsayers predicting an exodus of the wealthy from New York City in the wake of Zohran Mamdani's mayoral victory appear to have been wrong as pricey real estate sales are up in the city. Sales of luxury homes in New York City properties that cost $4 million or more actually increased by 31 percent in November compared to October, according to real estate brokerage Olshan Realty, which spoke to Newsweek. The outlet also reported data from brokerage Douglas Elliman, which noted a similar increase in high-priced homes. That firm said there were a total of 176 contracts for luxury properties signed in November, marking a 25 percent increase from the previous month. Donna Olshan, the founder and president of Olshan Realty, called the expectations that a mass of wealthy individuals would leave the city if Mamdani won "pretty ridiculous." If there were people who were thinking about moving to Florida or to another state to escape taxes, and theyre older or retired, maybe this will be a bit of a push... but overall most people are just going to stay put," she told Newsweek. Luxury home sales in New York City are up after the mayoral victory of Zohran Mamdani in November. Some real estate brokers and political pundits predicted that the wealthy would flee the city under his tenure, but sales for homes worth $4 million or more increased in November (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Noble Black, a broker for the Corcoran Group, told Fox Business on Monday that there has been no "Mamdani effect" driving people out of the city. The rumors that Mamdani who a democratic socialist would run the rich out of town was spread largely by luxury realtors in Florida, some New York landlords, and political pundits and figures, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The wealthy have fled states in the recent past notably the rich leaving California for Texas or Florida but those moves were typically driven by the desire to escape high taxes. Black told Newsweek that he thought the predicted flight of the rich was "kind of ridiculous." Miki Naftali, the chief executive officer of developer Naftali Group, reached a similar conclusion. The rumors that Mamdani who a democratic socialist would run the rich out of town was spread largely by luxury realtors in Florida, some New York landlords, and political pundits and figures (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Yes, there is a new mayor, and there are a lot of worries, but our clients are saying, We love New York, Naftali told Bloomberg. There is no slowdown in demand. Even with Mamdani's plans to increase taxes on the wealthiest people in the city, New York is still a global capital of culture and influence. For many, the access to the city's offerings is worth the cost of staying. The city is home to approximately 34,700 people worth $1 million or more, according to 2023 tax data. Olshan Realty said that so far this year, more than 1,300 contracts for luxury homes have been signed. The family of Virginia Giuffre have said they are deeply disappointed by the Metropolitan Polices decision not to investigate claims Andrew Windsor-Mountbatten asked an officer to dig up dirt on her. In October, The Mail On Sunday claimed Andrew tried to get his personal protection officer to investigate the woman who accused him of sexual assault for a smear campaign in 2011. He reportedly passed her social security number and date of birth onto his taxpayer funded bodyguard and emailed the late-Queens then-deputy press secretary telling him of his request. But the Metropolitan Police said, after assessing the allegations, this has not revealed any additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct. Now, the family of Virginia Giuffre have said they are deeply disappointed by the Metropolitan Polices decision to drop the probe without explanation and without speaking with us. They said in a statement on Saturday: We are deeply disappointed that the Metropolitan Police have dropped their investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor without explanation and without speaking with us, Virginias family. We emailed with a detective from the Metropolitan Police yesterday, Friday, Dec. 12th, who gave us no indication that this announcement was imminent. Indeed, he asked us if we had any evidence we would like to present; we had not yet replied. With the Epstein files about to be released by Congress since the passage of the Epstein Transparency Act, we are surprised that the Metropolitan Police didnt wait to see what further evidence might appear. While we have hailed the UKs overall handling of the case of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor previously, today we feel justice has not been served. We continue to challenge the system that protects abusers, especially as more evidence comes to light that can hold people accountable.Our sister Virginia, and all survivors, are owed this much. Andrew has long made headlines over his association with Epstein, with the King officially stripping his disgraced brother of both his HRH style and his prince title in recent months. The former duke has for many years faced allegations that he sexually assaulted a teenage Ms Giuffre after she was trafficked by Epstein. Andrew strenuously denies the accusations. He paid millions to Ms Giuffre to settle a civil sexual assault claim in 2022. Andrew stepped down from royal duties in 2019 after his disastrous Newsnight interview but the publication of Ms Giuffres posthumous memoirs, and the US governments release of documents from Epsteins estate, has brought fresh focus on Andrew recently. Central Specialist Crime Commander Ella Marriott said the force would not launch an investigation after assessing the claims. In a statement today she said: Our thoughts will always be with Ms Giuffres family and friends following her death. In 2015, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) received allegations relating to non-recent trafficking for sexual exploitation involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. These allegations primarily concerned events outside the United Kingdom, with one allegation of trafficking to central London in March 2001. Officers assessed all available evidence at the time, interviewed the complainant, Ms Virginia Giuffre as well as contacting several other potential victims. This did not result in any allegation of criminal conduct against any UK-based nationals. The MPS sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and liaised with United States authorities, who were leading investigations into related matters involving US nationals. Following this legal advice, it was clear that any investigation into human trafficking would be largely focused on activities outside the UK and perpetrators based overseas. Officers therefore concluded, in consultation with the CPS, that other international authorities were best placed to progress these allegations. Officers maintained close liaison with the United States and other relevant authorities throughout their investigation to ensure any UK matters could be identified and to consider any support requested. A decision was made in November 2016 not to proceed to a full criminal investigation. That decision was reviewed in August 2019 and again in 2021 and 2022; in each instance, the position remained unchanged, and Ms Giuffre and her legal representative were informed. Following recent reporting suggesting that Mr Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor asked his Met Police close protection officer to carry out checks on Ms Giuffre in 2011, the MPS has carried out a further assessment. This assessment has not revealed any additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct. The Met remains committed to thoroughly assessing any new information that could assist in this matter. To date, we have not received any additional evidence that would support reopening the investigation. In the absence of any further information, we will be taking no further action. As with any other matter, should new and relevant information be brought to our attention, including in any information resulting from the release of material in the US, we will assess it. In October The Mail On Sunday reported that Andrew embarked on a bid to smear Ms Giuffre. He is said to have emailed the late Queens then-deputy press secretary and told him of his request to his protection officer, and also suggested Ms Giuffre had a criminal record. Andrews alleged attempt, on which the police officer is not said to have acted, came in 2011, hours before the newspaper first published the famous photograph of Andrew with his arm around Ms Giuffre in London. The newspaper said it obtained the email from disclosures held by the US congress. On Friday, a photograph of Andrew was among the latest release of images from Epsteins estate. Almost 100 pictures were shared by Democrats on the USs House Oversight Committee, which are separate from the case files with the Department of Justice. Nineteen photos were released initially, featuring an image of a suited Andrew standing in a room next to Microsoft magnate Bill Gates, as well as a photo of Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson on a beach with Epstein and another man. American politicians have criticised the former prince for his silence after he missed a deadline last month to respond to their request to sit for an interview about Epstein. Brown University notified students of an active shooting situation around 4:20 pm Saturday (Getty Images) Law enforcement is responding to reports of an active shooter on Brown Universitys campus in Providence, Rhode Island, according to a text message sent by the school. Around 4:20 p.m., students received a text message alerting them to a shooter near the Barus & Holley building, located near Hope Street and George Street. The university urged them to lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice. It reminded them to run, hide or fight as a last resort. Approximately 15 minutes later, the school said one suspect was in custody, but urged students to continue hidding. It is unclear if anyone has been injured at this time. The student newspaper, the Brown Daily Herald, said videos depicted several individuals lying on the ground near the Sciences Library. Rep. Gabe Amo, who represents parts of Providence in Congress, said he was monitoring the shooting and in touch with law enforcement. Brown University notified students of an active shooting situation around 4:20 pm Saturday (Getty Images) If you are in the area please stay inside and allow law enforcement to do their work, Amo said, urging those with information to contact police. Brown University, an Ivy League School, has a student population of roughly 11,005 with a majority being undergraduate students. This is a breaking news story, more follows... 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The development on vacant land at the south-east corner of Royal Victoria Dock will include up to 7,172 homes, a primary school, leisure facilities, shops and restaurants. Jess Wallis of developer Silvertown Partnership told councillors the scheme would bring this significantly under-utilised part of Newham back to life. Councillors on the strategic development committee voted to grant planning approval to the development at a meeting on Tuesday (9th). Plans presented to the councillors said the development would be formed of four neighbourhoods. The upcoming Silvertown Quays development (.) These would include a local centre on the west of the site, adjoining Mill Road. It would include shops, restaurants, and offices. The centre of the development, at Pontoon Dock, would feature more waterside bars and restaurants. The north-eastern end of the development, adjoinning Connaught Bridge, would have creative and workshop buildings. The main residential area would be in the south-east, and would also have a park and a primary school with three classes per year group. Committee chair Rachel Tripp asked council officers whether the amount of new food and drink establishments could pose a threat to other town centres in the borough such as Stratford, and whether planning conditions were enough to guard against this. Cllr Tripp said: I was really surprised by the quantity of food and beverage that was being proposed. The comparison of the square meterage compared to say, Westfield, felt really quite overwhelming and something that had potential to kind of skew the provision of other stuff across the borough. She asked: Do you think the conditions weve got here are sufficient to protect what weve got going on elsewhere? Planning officer Marina Lai said that the developer would not be allowed to exceed the approved floorspace for food and drink. She said that if the developer wanted to exceed this, it would need to provide an impact assessment and marketing evidence justifying this. Lai said this would give the council full control while the development was underway and that this would mean the development can effectively function as a local centre without compromising the existing or emerging local town centres in the future. A minimum of 26.38% of the new homes will be designated as affordable housing. Of these, 60% would be for social rent and 40% would be for intermediate schemes such as shared ownership. Although this is below the councils own 50% affordable housing target, the developer submitted a financial viability assessment showing that it wouldnt be profitable to provide more affordable housing or to increase the number of social homes. Council officers accepted this and said that the development would still provide a significant contribution towards affordable housing in the borough. Councillors on the committee voted to approve the plans unanimously. It came after the same committee voted to delay their decision last month over funding for a new bridge connecting the development to the ExCel Centre on the northern bank of Royal Victoria Dock. Council leaders previously agreed to contribute 6.9million towards the new bridge, paid for with money from developers as part of other planning agreements. Another 6.3million from the developer was to be negotiated as part of the Silvertown Quays agreement, but committee members said they were concerned this would leave them responsible for allocating the funding. An updated report to the committee on Tuesday said the 6.3m would be met by reducing the developers contribution towards the councils employment team. Donald Trump tied up his first year back in the White House with a flurry of dramatic foreign policy moves; forcing regime change in Venezuela, threatening Iran with airstrikes and fracturing vital relationships with Nato allies over a plan to annex Greenland. But despite the aggressive manoeuvring, the US president insists he is a peacemaker. Mr Trump began his second term last January with a promise to end Russias war on Ukraine within a day. That conflict is still very much in progress a year later despite repeated US-brokered peace talks. Nevertheless, in recent months, Mr Trump has taken to claiming he has ended eight wars since returning to office, and stated he cant think of anybody in history that should get the Nobel Prize more than me. Seven of the conflicts are illustrated here the eighth is between Israel and Hamas (The Independent) The eight wars that my administration has ended in eight months there's never been anything like that, Mr Trump bragged in late October, during a signing ceremony to end a conflict between Cambodia and Thailand. We're averaging one a month... It's like, I shouldn't say it's a hobby, because it's so much more serious, but its something I'm good at and something I love to do. Below, The Independent looks at whether Mr Trumps self-professed list of achievements stands up to scrutiny. Israel and Hamas: Hundreds dead since US ceasefire deal In October 2025, the Trump administration managed to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after two years of deadly conflict, sparked by the militant groups attack on October 7, 2023. Some 1,200 people were killed in the attack and around 250 more were taken hostage. Gazan authorities say more than 71,000 Palestinians were killed in the two-year Israeli assault on the strip that followed. As part of the US-brokered ceasefire, Mr Trump secured the release of the last living hostages and all but one of the bodies of the deceased have been returned. Everybody's happy, he said in October as he took a victory lap in the Israeli parliament to rapturous applause. This took 3,000 years to get to this point, can you believe it? And it's going to hold up too. There is a long way to go to rebuild Gaza and fundamental points in Trumps peace plan remain unresolved (AP) However, with hundreds dead since the deal came into effect, many have claimed it is a ceasefire in name only. Fighting on the ground has reduced, but Palestinians continue to be killed over ceasefire violations alleged by Israel. More than 400 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers have been reported killed since the ceasefire took effect. The UN said in January 2026 that more than 100 children are among the dead, including victims of drone and quadcopter attacks. The US announced in January it was pressing on with the second phase of its plan to end the conflict for good, with a new government for Gaza and the demilitarisation of Hamas. Hamas has not yet agreed to those terms and has regrouped since the ceasefire. Days after the phase two announcement, Bloomberg reported that Mr Trump wants countries to pay $1bn to join the peace board. The president has also made it clear that he sees Gaza as a potential investment opportunity, with claims it could be turned into a riviera despite decades of deadly conflict. Cambodia and Thailand: Fighting resumes weeks after ceasefire The Thai military fires artillery towards Cambodia on 26 December (AP) Border disputes have long caused tensions between Thailand and neighbouring Cambodia. The competing claims stem largely from a 1907 map drawn up by French colonial rulers to separate the two countries. Conflict erupted in May 2025 when the two countries armed forces fired at each other in a relatively small no mans land claimed by both countries. Weeks of clashes followed, with dozens killed and nearly a million people reportedly displaced. Officials from both countries credited Mr Trump with pushing them to a ceasefire in July. Mr Trump said he warned Thai and Cambodian leaders that the US would not move forward with trade agreements if hostilities continued. A more detailed October agreement followed, also under Mr Trumps pressure. Heavy fighting again broke out in early December before a new ceasefire was signed on 27 December. Up to 4,000 Cambodian families are still unable to return to their homes along the disputed border because of Thai incursions, the Cambodian foreign minister Prak Sokhonn said in January. India and Pakistan: Not a full-blown war A woman holds her child in their house Gingal, Kashmir, which was damaged in shelling by Pakistan (AP) Conflict erupted between India and Pakistan in May, with both sides exchanging gunfire across the Line of Control following a terrorist attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Mr Trump said the US brokered a ceasefire to end the hostilities within a matter of days. He said that came about in part because he offered trade concessions. Pakistan thanked Mr Trump, but India denied his claims, saying they never had a conversation about trade in the context of the ceasefire. Evelyn Farkas, executive director of Arizona State Universitys McCain Institute, said the US might deserve some credit for ending the conflict, but told the Associated Press: Im not sure whether you would define that as a full-blown war. Rwanda and the DRC: Fighting continues despite ceasefire M23 rebels, pictured in February, continue to clash with Congolese forces into 2026 (AP) Mr Trump did play a role in mediating a ceasefire between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last year but the conflict is far from over. Both countries signed a US-brokered ceasefire agreement in late June, but it was never properly implemented. Mr Trump then invited the leaders to Washington in December to sign more documents assuring they were committed to peace. Fighting has continued, and by the end of last year the Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 held more territory in the eastern DRC than ever before. Rwanda has long denied supporting the group. Mr Trump is also not the only party with a claim to mediating peace. Qatar brokered talks between Congo and M23, but both sides have accused each other of breaching a ceasefire. In January, the DRC blamed the rebels for 1,500 deaths as clashes reignited. Regional defence ministers gathered for an emergency conference to address the spiralling conflict, with diplomatic pressure waning. Armenia and Azerbaijan: Progress but more to be done Azerbaijans president Ilham Aliyev, left, and the Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan, shake hands in Washington in August (AP) Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought over territory since the early 1990s, when ethnic Armenian forces took control of the Karabakh province, known internationally as Nagorno-Karabakh, and nearby territories. Mr Trump invited the leaders of the two countries to the White House in August to sign a deal aimed at ending hostilities. There were agreements on reopening key trade routes and a commitment to a peace treaty, but they still need to be ratified. In January, Radio France Internationale reported a framework had been published after Armenian officials met the US secretary of state Marco Rubio. The deal gives Washington a 74 per cent stake in a company that will build roads, rail, energy and digital infrastructure, RFI added. William Dunbar, a Rand Europe associate, said that a genuine peace agreement has the potential to transform one of the most intractable conflicts on the territory of the former Soviet Union. To see it through, the West will need to sustain its engagement through 2026, he said. Egypt and Ethiopia: Tensions, but not a war Ethiopia opened the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in September despite resistance from Egypt (AFP/Getty) The White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt has included Egypt and Ethiopia in a list of conflicts that "the president has now ended last year. The two have a long dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Egypt sees as a national security problem, fearing it will threaten its water supply. The dam was opened in September despite objections from Egypt and Sudan. During his first term, Mr Trump tried to broker a deal between the two countries but could not get them to agree. Rising tensions have not yet boiled over into a physical confrontation. It is also unclear what Mr Trumps role in mediating the spat has been. He said in July, before Ms Leavitts remarks: Were working on that one, but its going to get solved. Serbia and Kosovo: Lack of progress on first-term deal Serbia has refused to recognise Kosovo since it declared independence, but the two are not at war Kosovo is a former province of Serbia that declared independence in 2008. The White House lists the conflict as one that Mr Trump has resolved. But despite continuing tensions there has been no threat of a war between the neighbours during Mr Trumps second term, or any significant contribution from him this year to improve relations. During his first term, Mr Trump negotiated a wide-ranging deal between the countries, but much of what was agreed on was never enacted. Progress on agreed projects, such as the envisaged Peace Highway linking Belgrade and Pristina to facilitate trade and travel between the countries, has been very slow. Crucially, the agreements never tackled the main element of the dispute: Serbias refusal to formally recognise Kosovo. In December it was reported that Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law, had withdrawn his private equity firm from a $500 million luxury hotel project in Serbia hours after four senior government officials were charged with bribery by prosecutors. Israel and Iran: Renewed threats as protests grow Israels Iron Dome intercepts missiles during the 12-day war with Iran in June 2025 (AP) The White House credits Mr Trump with ending a 12-day war between Israel and Iran last June. He negotiated that ceasefire after bombing Iranian nuclear sites. Because of decisive military action, President Trump created the conditions to end the war, [while also] decimating choose your word obliterating, destroying, Iran's nuclear capabilities, his defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, said at the time. The White House rubbished reports by the USs own Defence Intelligence Agency that the action had only set back Irans nuclear programme by a matter of months. By December, Mr Trump was considering renewed strikes after the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefed him that Iran was reconstituting its programme. Mr Trump considered further military action against Iran in January this year over its brutal crackdown on nationwide protests against the government, but appears to have stood down, at least for now. Israel has also warned it could strike Iran again if it feels threatened, continuing the decades-long tensions between the two countries. Angela Rayner is thought to be one of around 50 Labour MPs who oppose Labours court reforms - Nicola Tree Angela Rayner is backing a growing rebellion against Labours court reforms after MPs claimed they would play into the hands of Nigel Farage. The former deputy prime minister is understood to have grave concerns about No 10s plans to halve the number of jury trials. Allies said she was worried that Reform UK would be able to weaponise the changes to further a narrative of the government versus the people. Sir Keir Starmer is facing the biggest rebellion of his premiership over the plans, with around 50 Labour MPs having privately stated their opposition. David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister, plans to scrap jury trials for defendants facing jail sentences of less than three years. He has argued the move is necessary to cut the court backlog and speed up justice for victims, especially in rape and sexual assault cases. Some Labour MPs have warned the reforms will erode civil liberties and have now launched efforts to block them. Sir Keir Starmer faces the biggest revolt of his premiership after Angela Rayner, left, joined MPs opposing David Lammys jury reforms - Max Mumby/Indigo Allies of Ms Rayner said that she shared concerns about the plans and would be prepared to vote against them if they came before the Commons. One said she feared they would play into a narrative of the state versus the people which could be exploited by opposition politicians such as Mr Farage. They added that the former deputy prime minister had also expressed concerns that the reforms may be seen as unjust and eroding the right to a fair trial. Us-and-them system Labour MPs have said the changes will create an us-and-them system which penalises working-class defendants and compared them to justice in Vladimir Putins Russia. They issued the warning as the number of Labour backbenchers who have publicly signed a statement calling on the Government to abandon the proposals reached 15. The Telegraph has been told that more than three times that number have privately committed to joining the rebellion should it be needed. That means the growing number of rebels is getting close to threatening No 10s Commons majority, with 84 needed to defeat the Government. Labour MPs are privately speculating that, were the reforms to be shelved, it could cost Mr Lammy his job. That would free up the deputy premiership for a return for Ms Rayner, with Sir Keir having stated he wants to bring her back into his Cabinet. One Labour MP said: Theyve upset quite a lot of people and it might end up with a difficult problem in the Commons. Even Reform are saying theyll defend the juries. If Lammy was to set his cap out and then failed to deliver the reforms, he looks to me as though he could well be in trouble. A Labour MP said Mr Lammy was most likely to carry the can if his reforms were defeated in a rebellion - Imageplotter/Alamy Live News They said some MPs were already pushing for a return to the top table for Ms Rayner, and suggested the situation could create an opening for her. A second MP said that if the highly controversial reforms failed because of a rebellion it would be Mr Lammy who would most likely carry the can. It comes on the back of growing speculation about Sir Keirs leadership, with Labour MPs predicting a move will be made to oust him next summer. Party insiders believe the Prime Minister is unlikely to survive if results in Mays local elections are as bad as current polling suggests. As the standard bearer of the Left, Ms Rayner is hugely popular amongst the Labour membership and is seen as a frontrunner to replace him. But she has been damaged by the row over her failure to pay 40,000 of stamp duty on a flat she bought in Hove which led to her resignation. She has yet to pay the bill and is waiting to be contacted by HMRC. Some Labour MPs have suggested it is too soon for her to return to the top table. Allies of Wes Streeting, who would likely be her main rival for the leadership, have floated the idea of the pair instead forming a joint ticket. Under the arrangement the Health Secretary would become Prime Minister, while Ms Rayner would be handed a plum Cabinet role. But her allies have dismissed the idea, with one saying she would not be able to resist standing herself to block Mr Streetings route to power. Lucy Powell, the Labour deputy leader, and Andy Burnham, the Manchester Mayor, have also been tipped to run in a future leadership battle. A Government source said: Treasury minister attending a Treasury meeting is not news. Ryan Reynolds has recruited Matthew Lillard to star in an advertisement for his Mint Mobile brand in the wake of Quentin Tarantinos disparaging comments about the Scooby-Doo actor. Last weekend, Lillard admitted it f***ing sucks that the Pulp Fiction writer director had shared a public criticism of him during a controversial podcast appearance. The Oscar-winning writer and director made a number of remarks about Lillard and fellow actors Paul Dano and Owen Wilson, during an interview on the Bret Easton Ellis Podcast. The new advert for Mint Mobile makes reference to the controversy. In a voiceover, Reynolds can be heard saying: There are only two things that are universally loved: saving money and beloved actor Matthew Lillard. Lillard responds: Oh! I appreciate it. Its not unanimous, you know? Reynolds continues: Okay, theres only one thing thats universally loved. Ryan Reynolds has recruited Matthew Lillard for a new advert after Quentin Tarantinos disparaging remarks (Getty) A recent TikTok showed Lillard telling fans at GalaxyCon in Columbus, Ohio: Quentin Tarantino this week said he didnt like me as an actor, prompting boos from the audience. The actor, known for roles in the slasher film Scream, as Shaggy in the live-action Scooby-Doo movies and in hit series such as NBCs Good Girls, added: Eh, whatever. Who gives a s***. The Five Nights at Freddys star continued: The point is that it hurts your feelings. It f***ing sucks. And you wouldnt say that to Tom Cruise. You wouldnt say that to somebody whos a top-line actor in Hollywood. Tarantino, 62, reserved particular venom for Dano, while ranking Paul Thomas Andersons There Will Be Blood in which Dano stars opposite Daniel Day Lewis among the best films of the 21st century. The director said the movie would stand a better chance to be in number one or number two if it didnt have a big giant flaw in it. And the flaw is Paul Dano, he said. Obviously, its supposed to be a two-hander, and its also so drastically obvious that its not a two-hander He is weak sauce, man. Hes a weak sister. [Dano] is such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy, he added. The weakest f***ing actor in [the Screen Actors Guild]. He later added Lillard and Wilson to his list of actors he dislikes: Im not saying [Dano is] giving a non-entity performance]. I dont care for him. I dont care for Owen Wilson. I dont care for Matthew Lillard. Speaking to his audience, Lillard remarked that he was very popular in this room. Im not very popular in Hollywood two totally different microcosms, right? And so, you know, its humbling and it hurts. Tarantinos comments sparked widespread criticism among film fans as well as filmmaker Matt Reeves, who directed Dano as the Riddler in The Batman. Paul Dano is an incredible actor, and an incredible person, Reeves stated simply on X, shortly after Tarantinos comments. England are facing a spin dilemma in their bid to keep the Ashes alive in Adelaide, with Shoaib Bashir under the microscope. At 2-0 down in the five-match series, England are already in must-win territory after just six days on the field. Spin was little more than an afterthought on the pacy pitch in Perth or in the day/night clash in Brisbane, but that is expected to change in the third Test. Ben Stokes (left) must make a decision on Shoaib Bashir (right). (Robbie Stephenson/PA) (Robbie Stephenson) With temperatures climbing in South Australia, there is likely to be a significant job for the slow bowlers to do at the Adelaide Oval and the hosts have already signalled their intentions to bring Nathan Lyon back into the XI. But while they have the luxury of drafting a 140-cap veteran with 562 wickets under his belt, England have no such luck. Instead, they must make a tricky judgement call over Bashir. The 22-year-old has been backed by the selectors for the past two years despite inconsistent appearances and a stalled domestic career that has left him surplus to requirements at Somerset. Pre-series planning would have earmarked Bashir for a place on Wednesdays team-sheet but concerns are creeping in. After all-rounder Will Jacks was preferred for the second Test, Bashir was released to play for England Lions against Australia A and returned disappointing figures of nought for 115 from 25. Will Jacks took on spin bowling duties in the second Test (Robbie Stephenson/PA) (Robbie Stephenson) Having failed to lay a glove on the second string, it would be optimistic to expect the off-spinner to excel against Australias Test XI. Bashir also found himself under the pump in the pre-series warm-up match at Lilac Hill, where his own team-mates attacked him consistently. Bowling for both sides in different innings, he was clobbered by Englands senior batters as well as the Lions contingent, serving up a total of 24 overs for 151 with a combined run-rate of almost 6.3 an over. A similar performance in the third Test would be a major drain on England. Hindsight now suggests their decision to jettison Jack Leach and Liam Dawson, two dependable left-arm spinners who were judged not to have the height, bounce or angles to succeed against Australia may be flawed. In their absence, the Press Association looks at the choices England could consider. Option 1: Take the Bashir gamble Selecting Bashir would clearly be a risk given his ongoing struggles, but he has played 19 of Englands last 24 Tests and has bowled a lot of overs under Ben Stokes. With 68 wickets at an average of 39 and four five-wicket hauls, he has reasonable international experience. On the down side, Bashirs presence weakens the tail and he is only a moderate fielder. If he does not get the nod here, his future looks uncertain. Option 2: Retain Will Jacks as the sole spinner Batting all-rounder Jacks was picked at the Gabba in what was billed as a horses-for-courses selection. Stokes explicitly said when naming his team that he ranked Bashir as the superior bowler. But the Surrey man did himself plenty of favours, showing promise in knocks of 19 and 41 as well as taking a stunner of a catch to dismiss Steve Smith. He was only called on to bowl 11.3 overs, taking the only spin wicket of the series so far when he had number 11 Brendan Doggett caught at slip. But do England believe in his part-time off-breaks enough to hand over a much heavier workload? Option 3: Pair up the part-timers They could choose to retain Jacks but make changes elsewhere dropping the misfiring Ollie Pope at number three and replacing him with Jacob Bethell. Bethell is another occasional bowling option but, as a left-armer, offers variety and the ability to turn the ball the other way. He is very much a work in progress with the ball, but took three Test wickets in Hamilton a year ago and also has 12 white-ball scalps to his name. Could Jacks, Bethell and Joe Root perform an adequate job-share? Option 4: All-out pace It would defy conventional wisdom but it is not impossible that England add both reserve seamers, Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, to the team and hope they have enough quicks to take 20 wickets. One of Jacks or Bethell could still slide in at three to offer relief, but the onus would be on the fast bowlers to make hay. Martin Compston has lauded Sir Billy Connolly for dealing with Parkinsons incredibly bravely. The legendary comedian, 83, was diagnosed with the disease in 2013 and later announced his retirement in 2018. Compston, who is co-hosting Hoolie In The Hydro on Saturday dedicated to the Big Yin, said the Scottish comic has battled the disease with a smile on his face and cracking jokes that only Billy can. The actor, who was born in Greenock, said he was chuffed to be asked to present the night of traditional music in Glasgow, despite admitting he is not a fan of public speaking. Martin Compston said he was chuffed to be asked to host Hoolie In The Hydro (Andrew Milligan/PA) (Andrew Milligan) But its a big Christmas ceilidh night out and a salute to the Big Yin, he told the Press Association. Im glad about all the murals (of Sir Billy) that have popped up. I think sometimes legends can leave us and then it seems after theyre gone theres an outpouring of grief and they dont really know. Im glad the last few years its been made abundantly clear just how much Billy is loved and cherished. So I think having that salute to him, its lovely. Murals celebrating Sir Billy have popped up in recent years, usually painted on to the side of traditional Glasgow tenements. Compston said Sir Billy is the best at being Scottish, which is why he is globally loved. He added: Obviously, Billys been battling Parkinsons but hes been battling incredibly bravely and again hes done it with a smile on his face and cracking jokes that only Billy can. Im hoping hes with us for a long time to come. Organisers of The Hoolie In The Hydro say it will honour Sir Billys immeasurable contribution to Scottish comedy, music and culture. The annual Hoolie is considered to be one of the biggest events of the year for Scottish traditional music. Acts performing this year include Elephant Sessions, Trail West, Manran and Beluga Lagoon. Compston said the night will honour Sir Billy as a musician, but added: Theres kind of nothing he cant do and hes done it all with a humility and obviously a humour that you just have to love. When I say to anybody what would be the best way to describe what its like being Scottish or being from the west coast of Scotland, you say Billy Connolly. SNAP is back in time for the holidays. But millions could be losing benefits under Trump and food banks are bracing for them The end of the government shutdown last month restored funding for a critical food assistance program that keeps millions of families out of hunger. But the weeks-long crisis over the fate of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps more than 40 million Americans pay for groceries, has only underscored the worsening rates of food insecurity across the United States. New restrictions on who qualifies for SNAP are expected to squeeze millions of families off these benefits in the coming years. And President Donald Trump is threatening to cut even more Americans from the countrys largest anti-hunger program if they live in Democratic-led states. Hundreds of food pantries and soup kitchens already stretched thin by the pandemic, rising food prices and soaring cost of living saw an increase in new clients during the shutdown. The vast majority are struggling to have enough food to meet growing demand, according to a recent survey from Hunger Free America. Anti-hunger groups and food pantries have relied on volunteer support and donations to keep running, but seasonal donations and volunteering is easily outpaced by the escalating and compounded crises fueling what advocates are comparing to pandemic-level emergencies. I dont want to be the Grinch, says Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America. Were in this challenge to welcome all the help we can get. People receive free food boxes at a large-scale food distribution, in response to the federal government shutdown and SNAP/CalFresh food benefits delays, on November 11, in Los Angeles. Food banks across the country are seeing more people seeking assistance after threats to SNAP funds and new cuts to the program under President Donald Trump (Getty Images) People wait in line to receive food for Thanksgiving at the West Side Campaign Against Hunger on the Upper West Side on November 25. WSCAH is one of the largest and most successful food pantries in New York City. After imposing new restrictions on who can receive SNAP assistance, the Trump administration has threatened to cut off the program from Democratic-led states including New York, where 3 million people rely on food aid if they dont comply with data requests (AFP via Getty Images) New Mexico has the highest rates of SNAP enrollment in the country, with nearly half a million residents and their families relying on the program. The state spent $30 million to keep the program afloat during the shutdown but it is only a fraction of the roughly $1 billion a year needed to keep it fully funded for all recipients. We saw panic. People were absolutely scared, said Katy Anderson, vice president of strategy, partnerships and advocacy for Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico. The group saw an increase of 40 percent more people seeking food assistance from October into November. People were still struggling and still worried and unclear on is this all the SNAP Im going to be getting for the whole month? I dont know how Im going to get my family through, she told The Independent. Were seeing people come in that are just at the end of their rope. New Mexico is once again in Trumps crosshairs: The administration has threatened to withhold SNAP funding from the state, and others, unless they provide detailed data on who is receiving the benefits, including their immigration status. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins requested the data in February, and 22 Democratic-led states have resisted, citing privacy concerns and fears that the administration is simply trolling for data to support the presidents vast anti-immigration agenda, which has spanned virtually every federal agency. President Donald Trump is threatening to cut even more Americans from the countrys largest anti-hunger program if they live in Democratic-led states (AP) USDAs demand for data was temporarily blocked by a federal judge in October. During a Cabinet meeting with administration officials December 2, Rollins said that we have begun and will begin to stop moving federal funds into those states until they comply and allow us to partner with them to root out this fraud to protect the American taxpayer. The administration is also implementing new work requirements for SNAP beneficiaries that went into effect with the passage of Trumps sweeping tax and domestic policy bill in July. More recipients will now have to work, go to school or volunteer to get benefits for more than three months, every three years. That includes adults ages 55 to 64, people experiencing homelessness, and people with children between ages 14 and 17. That $187 billion cut to federal SNAP funding over the next decade will result in more poverty and hunger, according to the Food Research & Action Center. Roughly 4 million people including children, older adults, veterans, and people with disabilities will experience cuts to their SNAP benefits or lose them entirely, according to the independent Congressional Budget Office. States are not in a financial position to take on these new costs. They simply cannot afford it, Food Research & Action Center president Crystal FitzSimons said. States will be forced to radically cut the number of eligible families receiving food assistance or find other ways to cut spending or increase taxes, she added. If states cant pay the tab, they will be forced out of SNAP entirely, eliminating SNAP for everyone who is eligible. Combined with a mounting affordability crisis and climbing food prices, the largest SNAP cut in the programs history is likely to drive food inequality from bad to worse, according to Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America CEO. Youre really seeing things going from worse to worser, and the shutdown just exacerbated that, he told The Independent. Virtually every food pantry and community food bank surveyed by Hungry Free America reported a spike in services over the last year (AFP via Getty Images) After taking office, Trump eliminated the Department of Agricultures 27-year practice of collecting and publishing nationwide and state-by-state statistics on how many households experienced food insecurity. That research had been launched with bipartisan support in Congress in 1990, and signed into law by Republican President George H.W. Bush. More than 80 percent of families earning between $75,000 to $100,000 a year have faced higher costs of living in the past year, according to Hunger Free Americas latest report. Roughly two-thirds of those families said it was harder to afford what they needed. SNAP provides roughly nine meals for every one meal provided by a food pantry, according to anti-hunger advocates. The Trump administrations cuts from the presidents One Big Beautiful Bill would eliminate the equivalent of 6 to 9 billion meals annually, according to Feeding America, the nations largest hunger relief organization, which operates more than 200 food banks and serves more than 46 million people. By comparison, the entire Feeding America network distributed 6 billion meals in 2024, according to CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot. Virtually every food pantry and community food bank surveyed by Hungry Free America reported a spike in services over the last year. People in America have been inculcated into thinking were going to have some Frank Capra-esque happy ending, that everyones going to pass around the hat, Berg told The Independent. In reality, what happens is low-income people suffer more, and thats whats happening now. People are having to make even more choices between food and rent. The newly acquired postbox outside Rothera Research Station, giving staff a way to send letters from one of the most remote places on Earth. Photograph: British Antarctic Survey (Photograph: British Antarctic Survey) It might be traditional to write to Father Christmas with a gift list, but when Kirsten Shaw wanted a new postbox for staff at the UKs Rothera Research Station in Antarctica, she wrote to the king. The request has resulted in a special delivery for Shaw a station support assistant who, among myriad other tasks, runs the British Antarctic Territory post office at the station. I love post, I love postboxes and stamps, so I just really wanted to get a proper Royal Mail one for the station, said Shaw, who was awarded the Fuchs Medal in 2022 for her contributions to the Antarctic community. Known as a lamp postbox, the smallest type of postbox, the bright red receptacle with its King Charles III cipher is something of an upgrade on its predecessor. It was something you could probably buy off Amazon something you might put outside your own front door and then somebody at some point had painted quite badly the Elizabeth II royal cipher, said Shaw. From the stoic, determined note the explorer Ernest Shackleton wrote to his wife as he prepared for a winter on the continent in 1908, to the last missives of Captain Scott never sent as he faced death in a tent on the Ross ice shelf in 1912, letters are part of the rich history of human discovery and endurance in Antarctica. The new box will be a collection point for the postcards and letters sent north to family and friends by staff at the research station, and will eventually be housed in the discovery building a new scientific support and operations hub. Sending and receiving mail is a vital connection for staff working in one of the most remote places on Earth especially at Christmas, when messages from loved ones mean so much, said David Gold, director of external affairs and policy at Royal Mail. This new postbox will help keep that tradition alive and ensure the magic of mail even reaches the Antarctic. However, as Shaw notes, the postal service in and out of Antarctica is slightly limited, with only three or four collections a year going north. Essentially any post going north from here needs to go through the Falkland Islands, she said. That means it is either taken on board the RSS Sir David Attenborough, or via British Antarctic Survey aircraft. We had a ship call a couple of weeks back, so we had post that went north on that, and then the next one will be 22 January a flight leaves and thats going to the Falklands, Shaw said, adding that because the most recent ship did not come via the Falklands, it did not bring any post. But while slow and infrequent, there are benefits. The stamps are cheaper, said Shaw, noting it costs just 87p to send a letter to the UK from Antarctica. Shaw added there is also an informal system to send post out to field parties. Although our internet communications are much better now, even with the deeper field parties, its still just really nice being able to get an actual handwritten tangible piece of paper from somebody, and that takes all forms, Shaw said. I managed to get a letter attached to a fuel drum, which was airdropped into the middle of Antarctica. Shaw is among the staff who will be at the Rothera Research Station over the festive period. We often have special Christmas movie nights, and on Christmas Eve this year, actually, I am organising the eighth annual Rothera quidditch match, she said. But with no postal deliveries yet this season, Shaw has had to think ahead. My partner sent me down [to Antarctica] with some presents and things. So Ive got some presents to open on Christmas Day, which is really nice. Donald Trump and Keir Starmer during a press conference at Chequers in September. Photograph: Leon Neal/AP (Photograph: Leon Neal/AP) Keir Starmer is poised to choose a new ambassador to Washington from a shortlist of three as relations with the US are tested over Ukraine and Donald Trumps attacks on European leaders. The prime minister held interviews with three finalists for the role this week, the Guardian has learned, with Downing Street preparing to make an appointment before the end of the year. The trio of candidates seen by Starmer were Varun Chandra, his business adviser who has helped negotiate a series of deals with the Trump administration, Christian Turner, a diplomat due to become ambassador to the UN, and Nigel Casey, the British ambassador to Russia. Whoever is chosen will be taking up the role at a critical stage in US-UK relations, with insiders warning of rising tensions over Ukraine and the White Houses pugnacious national security strategy. Chandra, a former managing partner at the corporate intelligence firm Hakluyt, has played a central role in negotiating bilateral deals with the US on trade, tech and pharmaceuticals and is seen as the frontrunner. However, the Foreign Office is said to be pushing for a career diplomat to be chosen, with some insiders arguing this carries less political risk. Turner, who previously served as political director of the Foreign Office and high commissioner to Pakistan, and Casey, who has served as high commissioner to South Africa and private secretary for foreign affairs to David Cameron and Theresa May, are both highly regarded in Whitehall. Casey was a late entrant to the contest, with his addition seen as a sign that Downing Street was disappointed with the original list put forward by the Foreign Office. If the prime minister is not satisfied with any of the three candidates, he could decide to directly appoint someone else. Earlier this week Starmer met Warren Stephens, the US ambassador to the UK, in Downing Street to discuss implementing the trade and tech deals announced earlier this year. Starmer has cultivated a strong personal relationship with Trump but this is constantly being tested by their major policy differences, including on green energy and cultural issues. Relations between the US and Europe are being severely strained by Trumps growing impatience at the continuation of the war in Ukraine. The US president has been pressuring Kyiv to cede territory in order to bring the conflict to a speedy end, and has told Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, that he wants a peace deal done by Christmas. European leaders including Starmer are due to hold a fresh set of crisis talks in Berlin on Monday to discuss the US-brokered peace proposal, amid concerns that it is too favourable to Moscow. Meanwhile, senior British MPs rounded on the Trump administration this week over its national security strategy, which said Europe was facing civilisational erasure and hailed the growing influence of patriotic European parties. Trump stepped up his attacks in an interview this week, suggesting that many European states would not be viable countries any longer unless they change their border policies and crack down on immigration. Related: Half of Europeans see Trump as enemy of Europe, survey finds Starmer and his ministers have been careful not to criticise Trump over the document or his interventions, while insisting that Europe is strong and investing more in its own defence. The US ambassador role fell vacant in September after Peter Mandelson was sacked for failing to disclose the extent of his ties with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Documents and emails published that month disclosed that Mandelson had expressed his love and support for Epstein, and urged him to fight for early release in 2008, while the financier was facing charges of soliciting sex from minors. The episode was damaging to Starmer, as it emerged that he had been briefed on details of Mandelsons friendship with Epstein as well as other reputational risks before choosing him. Balvinder Sopals pro Strictly Come Dancing partner Julian Callion broke down in tears following the pair's first performance on Saturday night. Sopal and Callion performed a Salsa to Rhythm Is Gonna Get You / Get on Your Feet by Gloria Estefan, which was awarded 35 points by the judges. Speaking to Strictly host Claudia Winkleman following the lively routine, Callion revealed his mother had flown over from Australia to watch him dance in the semi-final despite having work on Monday. All Ive ever wanted in my life was to make my family proud, said the Aussie dancer as he apologised for becoming emotional while tears filled his eyes. In a bid to get through to the Strictly final, Callion and Sopal are set to also perform a Waltz to At This Moment by Michael Buble. The couple have had a testing journey to the penultimate week of the BBC dance competition, having survived the dreaded dance off five times during the 2025 series. Callion joined Strictly for the 2025 series and told The Independent earlier this week that he almost gave up on his dream to become part of the show after a number of successful auditions. Julian, You're mum is so proud of you #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly pic.twitter.com/f6aNcnLSOp A TV Friend #FBPE Vito & Kai (@atvfriend) December 13, 2025 I just missed out and for me, I was like okay, it would have been cool, but thats alright, the star said, adding hes accepted he should return to surfing and going to the beach in Sydney instead. The pro added never in his wildest dreams did he think he would eventually become part of the show, let alone reach the semi final with his first contestant. Caillon, who has been dancing since he was 10, appeared as a professional dancer on three seasons of Australias Dancing with the Stars, has toured the world with the hit dance company Burn the Floor, and also competed on So You Think You Can Dance in Australia. The 30-year-old Aussie called joining Strictly a dream come true when his casting was announced. Ive watched it for years, especially cheering on all the amazing dancers I know and work with who've been part of it, he said. I cant wait to get stuck in, have some fun, and be part of something special!" Sopal and Callion are joined in the Strictly semi-final by Amber Davies, George Clarke and Karen Carney. It was a night filled with tears as Carney and her pro partner Carlos Gu sobbed with pride after their Waltz to One Moment in Time by Whitney Houston. I want to thank the costume department for making me feel beautiful said Carney, who was praised for the softness she displayed during the routine. You can follow all the latest updates on our live blog here. Thailand's leader vowed to keep fighting on the disputed border with Cambodia as fighter jets struck targets on Saturday, hours after US president Donald Trump said he had brokered a ceasefire. Prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul posted on Facebook that the Southeast Asian nation would "continue to perform military actions until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people". Mr Trump, who brokered a ceasefire in the long-running border dispute in October, spoke to Mr Anutin and Cambodian premier Hun Manet on Friday, and said they had agreed to "cease all shooting". Neither of them mentioned any agreement in statements after their calls with Mr Trump, and Mr Anutin said there was no ceasefire. "I want to make it clear. Our actions this morning already spoke," Mr Anutin said. Village security volunteers and resident run into shelter while the blasts sounded too close in Buriram province, Thailand, Friday, 12 Dec 2025, following renewed border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the continued fighting. Mr Hun, in a statement on Saturday on Facebook, said Cambodia continues to seek a peaceful resolution of disputes in line with the October agreement. Since Monday, Cambodia and Thailand have been exchanging heavy-weapons fire at multiple points along the 817km (508-mile) border, in some of the heaviest fighting since the five-day clash in July. Mr Trump halted that fighting, the worst in recent memory, with calls to both leaders. Mr Trump, who has repeatedly said he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, has been keen to intervene again to rescue the truce. Thailand suspended it last month after a Thai soldier was maimed by a landmine, one of many that Bangkok says were newly laid by Cambodia. Cambodia, which nominated Mr Trump for the peace prize in August, rejects the landmine allegations. On Saturday, a Thai Defence Ministry spokesman, Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, told a press conference that clashes had taken place across seven border provinces and Cambodia had fired heavy weapons, "making it necessary for Thailand to retaliate". A woman plays with a dog as she takes refuge at Chonkal district in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia Thursday, 11 Dec 2025, after fleeing from home following a fighting between Thailand and Cambodia over territorial claims (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Cambodia's Information Ministry said Thai forces had struck bridges and buildings overnight and fired artillery from a naval vessel. Mr Anutin dismissed comments by Mr Trump that a "roadside bomb" that wounded Thai soldiers was accidental, saying the incident was "definitely not a roadside accident". Mr Hun said he had asked the US and Malaysia, which has been a mediator in peace talks, to use their intelligence gathering capabilities to "verify which side fired first" in the latest round of fighting. Far-right activist Tommy Robinsons latest event drew far fewer numbers on Saturday, as he led what he called an effort to put the Christ back into Christmas in London. Only around 1,000 people gathered in Whitehall on Saturday for the carol concert, according to reported estimates. It marks a sharp drop off in attendance compared to the estimated 110,000 to 150,000 people. people who participated in a London protest led by Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, in September. Ahead of the event, Bishops at the Diocese of Southwark said they were gravely concerned about the use of Christian symbols to justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric. Writing for The Independent, Right Reverend David Walker, the Bishop of Manchester, also hit out at fake claims that Christmas has been cancelled and criticised those seeking to politicise Christianity. (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire) After gathering outside Downing Street on Saturday afternoon, crowds listened to speakers on stage give readings and sing hymns. Attendees received hymn sheets, while a vendor sold St Georges flags and Santa hats as chants of Christ is King and tributes to Charlie Kirk were heard. Closing the event, Yaxley-Lennon said he used to hate the church but met a pastor in prison who taught him about the bible. A priest sitting among the crowd shouted that Jesus had been a migrant. (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire) Ive worked with lots of former offenders like Tommy Robinson, she said, offering to speak to attendees about Christianity. His Unite The Kingdom gathering was separated from a counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism in central London at the same time. While previous confrontations between similar groups on Whitehall earlier this year resulted in police violence, Saturdays demonstration appeared to proceed peacefully. Attendees received hymn sheets, while a vendor sold St Georges flags and Santa hats. (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire) In September, Robinson organised a Unite The Kingdom rally in central London attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people. More than 150 reports of anti-Muslim hate were made to the Tell Mama charity monitoring the issue in the seven days following the rally. Officers were assaulted as they faced significant aggression from protesters, the force said. (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire) Projectiles were thrown by Robinson protesters towards the counter-demonstrators as thousands from both sides stared each other down on Whitehall. Posting on X before the event on Saturday, Robinson said: I want to remind everyone this is a religious celebration, this is not a political event. No face coverings, and no drinking please, as we have always done, lets self police, behave respectfully and lets make sure we honour our faith, our culture, and our heritage in the very best way we can. Two arrests were made overall. One person was arrested earlier in the day for an assault on a mounted officer in nearby Whitehall Place. The second arrest was for a man suspected of directing homophobic abuse towards an officer at a previous protest. Tommy Robinson told the crowd he used to hate the church but met a pastor in prison who taught him about the Bible. Photograph: Ben Montgomery/Getty Images (Photograph: Ben Montgomery/Getty Images) The far-right activist Tommy Robinson led a carol concert to put the Christ back into Christmas on Saturday in an event that had a huge drop-off in attendance from his last rally in London. The Metropolitan police said about 1,000 people attended the event at its peak, in stark contrast to the estimated 110,000 who turned up to Robinsons unite the kingdom rally in September. Saturdays event was kept away from a counter-protest organised by Stand Up to Racism in central London. Stand Up to Racism wrote on X: Robinsons event got nowhere near the big numbers he predicted today. While there is absolutely no room for complacency, it shows that #TommyRobinsons momentum can be broken. Now lets go all out to build a massive #Together against the far right demo on Saturday 28 March. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, told the crowd he used to hate the church but met a pastor in prison who taught him about the Bible. Hymn sheets were handed out to the crowd and a woman walked around selling St Georges flags and Santa hats. Related: C of E responds to Tommy Robinsons carols event with Christmas is for all message Before the event, the Church of England released a video on its YouTube channel in which people ranging from the archbishop of York to schoolchildren spoke about the joy, love and hope of Christmas. The message is a simple reminder that Christmas belongs to all of us, and everyone is welcome to celebrate, the Church of England said. Several leaders spoke out against the dangers of Christian nationalism and the appropriation of Christian symbols to bolster the anti-migrant views of Robinson and his supporters. Rowan Williams, the former archbishop of Canterbury, warned of the potential weaponisation of events, and said the Church of England must be absolutely clear that the true Christian message was one of compassion and welcome to all. Adam Slonecki, the Met commander who was in charge of the policing operation, said: Every weekend in London is busy but that is especially the case at this time of year when the transport network, shops and public spaces will see much higher footfall. In that context, it is particularly important that we ensure that where groups are exercising their lawful right to protest, we use the powers available to us to ensure those protests dont cause serious disruption to the many other people Londoners and visitors alike going about their lives. A Unite the Kingdom rally organised by Tommy Robinson appeared to pass peacefully today, with hundreds of people attending a carol concert to "put the Christ back into Christmas". Supporters of Tommy Robinson gathered in Whitehall, donning Santa hats and Christmas jumpers, as they listened to speakers, sang carols and heard extracts from the Bible. Hymn sheets were handed out to the crowd and a woman walked around selling St George's flags and Santa hats. Supporters held candles as it grew dark in Whitehall this afternoon. Crowds cheered as Tommy Robinson was invited to the stage to give the closing remarks for the rally. In 15 years of activism, hundreds of demonstrations, hundreds of gatherings, this is the most beautiful moment Ive had in my life as an activist, Robinson said. People in festive-themed outfits attend the Unite the Kingdom rally (REUTERS) Moments like this bring me closer to faith, he added. Were here to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and everyone of us, including ourselves, need to ask what that means to us. Robinson thanked supporters for coming and wished the crowd a Merry Christmas. He said a website would be launched to plan next years Christmas celebration, vowing to fill Trafalgar Square, with people travelling from across Europe to join in the celebrations. A protest against digital ID and a Stand Up To Racism protest also took place, with the latter being kept apart from the Unite the Kingdom rally. A woman holds up a placard depicting medieval knights that reads "God wills it" at the Unite the Kingdom rally (REUTERS) Two people were arrested during the protests today, Metropolitan Police said. One arrest took place for an assault on a mounted officer in nearby Whitehall Place, while the other was for a man suspected of directing homophobic abuse towards an officer at a previous protest. Police suffered violence when the two groups faced off at the same spot on Whitehall earlier this year but Saturday's protest appeared to be peaceful. Posting on X beforehand, Robinson said: "I want to remind everyone this is a religious celebration, this is not a political event. "No face coverings, and no drinking please, as we have always done, let's self police, behave respectfully and let's make sure we honour our faith, our culture, and our heritage in the very best way we can." A priest sitting among the crowd shouted that Jesus had been a migrant. A band played during the event (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire) "I've worked with lots of former offenders like Tommy Robinson," she said, offering to speak to attendees about Christianity. Commander Adam Slonecki, who was in charge of the policing operation, said: "Every weekend in London is busy but that is especially the case at this time of year when the transport network, shops and public spaces will see much higher footfall. "In that context, it is particularly important that we ensure that where groups are exercising their lawful right to protest, we use the powers available to us to ensure those protests don't cause serious disruption to the many other people - Londoners and visitors alike - going about their lives. "We have imposed a series of Public Order Act conditions setting out limits on locations and timings of the protests." People gather for the Unite the Kingdom rally (REUTERS) The force said there was an arrest for an assault on a mounted officer nearby, and a man suspected of directing homophobic abuse towards an officer at a previous protest was also arrested. In September, Robinson organised a Unite The Kingdom rally in central London attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people. More than 150 reports of anti-Muslim hate were made to the Tell Mama charity monitoring the issue in the seven days following the rally. Officers were assaulted as they faced "significant aggression" from protesters, the force said. Projectiles were thrown by Robinson protesters towards the counter-demonstrators as thousands from both sides stared each other down on Whitehall. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at a meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Dec 2 - Kristina Kormilitsyna/AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump has dispatched his peace envoys for meetings with Ukrainian officials before a summit of European leaders in Berlin on Monday. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will hold talks this weekend with Volodymyr Zelensky, on the latest version of a plan to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. The Trump administration is pushing for a deal to be in place by Christmas and has held several rounds of talks with Ukrainian and Russian representatives in recent weeks. Mr Witkoff, a billionaire property mogul appointed by Mr Trump to negotiate in Ukraine and the Middle East, and Mr Kushner, who is married to the US presidents daughter, met Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier this month. The decision to send the envoys to meet the Ukrainian president appears to be a signal that the White House feels negotiations are moving in the right direction. A spokesman said on Thursday that Mr Trump would send an official to talks only if he felt there was enough progress to be made. On Monday, Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, will host Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, and Mr Zelensky, along with Mr Trumps envoys, in Berlin. Volodymyr Zelensky with Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz, who will meet in Berlin on Tuesday, following talks at No 10 last week - Kin Cheung/AP Photo Mr Zelensky warned on Saturday that Russia still aims to destroy Ukraine, as Kyiv reported that massive Russian strikes on energy facilities overnight had left thousands without power across the country. An 80-year-old woman was killed when a Russian shell hit a residential building in Ukraines northeastern Sumy region. It is important that everyone now sees what Russia is doing every step they take in terror against our people... for this is clearly not about ending the war. They still aim to destroy our state and inflict maximum pain on our people, Mr Zelensky wrote on the social media platform X. Russia said it had hit Ukrainian facilities with hypersonic ballistic missiles, in what it called retaliation for Ukrainian attacks. Mr Zelensky, who warned on Saturday that Russia wanted to destroy Ukraine, visited the city of Kupiansk, which Moscow claimed to have captured, on Friday - Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/AFP via Getty Images The talks in Berlin will centre around a revised peace plan, which has been proposed by Ukraine, under which Ukraine could withdraw its troops from its eastern Donbas regions. The compromise would result in Kyivs armed forces being pulled back from Donetsk and Luhansk to form a demilitarised zone, as long as Russia agreed to a reciprocal retreat. It could also see Ukraine fast-tracked into joining the European Union by 2027. Kyivs EU membership prospects have been featured in each rendition of the US-backed proposal to end the war since its controversial 28-point plan leaked late last month. But the latest version states that Ukraine would join the bloc by Jan 1 2027, or within around 12 months of any ceasefire. Meanwhile, in Belarus, president Alexander Lukashenko pardoned 123 prisoners in return for a lifting of US sanctions on Belarusian potash, his administrations Telegram channel said. Belarusian street protest leader Maria Kolesnikova and Nobel Prize winner Ales Bialiatski were among those who walked free. The charismatic Ms Kolesnikova was the star of the 2020 movement that presented the most serious challenge to Lukashenko in his 30-year rule. She famously ripped up her passport as the KGB tried to deport her from the country. Mr Bialiatski, a 63-year-old veteran rights defender and 2022 Nobel Prize winner, is considered by Lukashenko to be a personal enemy. He has documented rights abuses in the country for decades. Mr Bialiatski stressed he would carry on fighting for civil rights and freedom for political prisoners after his surprise release, which he called a huge emotional shock. Heroes welcome for returned North Korean soldiers In North Korea, leader Kim Jong Un attended a welcoming ceremony for an army engineering unit that had returned home after carrying out duties in Russia. In a speech, Kim praised officers and soldiers of the 528th Regiment of Engineers of the Korean Peoples Army (KPA) for heroic conduct during a 120-day overseas deployment. Video footage released by North Korea showed uniformed soldiers disembarking from an aircraft, Kim hugging a soldier seated in a wheelchair and soldiers and officials gathered to welcome the troops. Kim Jong Un hugged a wheelchair-bound soldier from the Korean Peoples Armys 528th Regiment of Engineers - STR Last month, Russias defence ministry said North Korean troops who helped Russia repel a major Ukrainian incursion into its western Kursk region are now playing an important role in clearing the area of mines. Under a mutual defence pact between the two countries, North Korea last year sent some 14,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russia in Kursk, and more than 6,000 were killed, according to South Korean, Ukrainian and Western sources. Kim said nine soldiers were killed during the mission, describing their deaths as a heart-rending loss, and announced that the regiment would be awarded the Order of Freedom and Independence. The nine fallen soldiers were awarded the title of Hero of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, along with other state honours. Trump rages in early hours at Indiana Republicans who defied redistricting plan he says he wasnt working very hard at President Donald Trump has lashed out in a late-night rage against the Indiana Republicans who voted against a redistricting plan that he supported. The Indiana state Senate rejected a bill on Thursday that would have effectively eliminated the Hoosier States two Democratic districts. Twenty-one Republicans broke ranks and joined all 10 Democrats, resulting in a 31-19 vote. Republicans in the Indiana State Senate, who voted against a Majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, should be ashamed of themselves, Trump wrote on Truth Social around 1:00 a.m. on Saturday. Headed by a total loser named Rod Bray, every one of these people should be primaried, he added. And I will be there to help! Indiana, which I won big, is the only state in the Union to do this! Bray, the state Senate President pro tempore, had previously warned that there was not enough support for the gerrymandering measure. This came even though Trump and his allies had spent months pressuring Indiana Republicans to pass the bill. Vice President JD Vance even traveled to Indianapolis in August to make the pitch in person. But, when asked about the vote on Friday during a White House press briefing, Trump distanced himself, stating, I wasnt working on it very hard. In a late-night post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump raged at Indiana Republicans for defying him on redistricting. (Getty Images) Would have been nice, I think we would have picked up two seats, if we did that, he continued before attacking Bray. Hell probably lose his next primary, whenever that is. I hope he does, because hes done a tremendous disservice, he said. Im sure hell go down. Shortly after the vote on Thursday, Vance also singled out Bray. Rod Bray, the Senate leader in Indiana, has consistently told us he wouldn't fight redistricting while simultaneously whipping his members against it, the vice president wrote on X. That level of dishonesty cannot be rewarded, and the Indiana GOP needs to choose a side. Trump singled out Rod Bray, the state Senate President pro tempore, promising to support a primary opponent against him. (Getty Images) Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson moved to downplay the importance of the vote. When asked by CNN on Friday whether it shows Trump is now a lame duck, Johnson said, Not at all. No, he is not a lame duck. Hes the most powerful president of this generation and many others. We have a lot more work to do together. The outcome in Indiana is inconsequential to that. Some state lawmakers indicated that Trumps pressure campaign and the national attention it garnered had backfired. You have to know Hoosiers, Republican state Sen. Sue Glick told NBC News after voting against the gerrymandering bill. We cant be bullied, we dont like it. The Indiana vote comes after several other states including Texas and California moved to undertake controversial mid-decade redistricting efforts ahead of the 2026 midterms. The elections typically see the presidents party lose seats in Congress. Trump kickstarted the redistricting campaign, urging GOPled states, starting with Texas, to create new electoral maps to lock in or expand their razor-thin House majority. The Trump administrations Transportation Security Administration is reportedly giving immigration officials details of all air travelers as part of the presidents push to carry out an unprecedented mass deportation campaign. As part of the program, the TSA shares the data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement multiple times per week, according to The New York Times. Individuals in the TSA data who were later found in ICE databases had a high rate of eventually being arrested and deported, a former ICE official told the outlet. The data-sharing program appears to have led to the deportation of Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, 19, a Honduran who was arrested at Boston Logan Airport last month and sent to her home country, which she hadnt seen since she was a child, The NYT found. The Trump administration has confirmed such efforts are underway. The Transportation Security Administration reportedly shares the data multiple times per week with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images) This is nothing new, the Department of Homeland Security, the parent agency of ICE and the TSA, told CNBC. Back in February, Secretary [Kristi] Noem reversed the horrendous Biden-era policy that allowed aliens in our country illegally to jet around our country and do so without identification, the spokesperson added. Under President Trump, TSA and DHS will no longer tolerate this. This administration is working diligently to ensure that aliens in our country illegally can no longer fly unless it is out of our country to self-deport. This fall, U.K.-based political commentator Sami Hamdi was held by ICE for more than two weeks at the San Francisco airport, though its unclear if the TSA data-sharing program was responsible. Hamdi, a prominent pro-Palestinian activist, alleges he was targeted for his views. He returned to London voluntarily without any order of deportation, his family said, alleging he was held in poor conditions in the U.S. The Trump administration has used tax, Social Security, and SNAP benefit data to aid its deportation campaign (Getty Images) The Trump administration has reportedly leaned on immigration agents to carry out a (so far unmet) target of 3,000 arrests per day to achieve the presidents campaign promises to swiftly deport millions of people. As part of this effort, the White House has used federal data as a key weapon. The Department of Homeland Security now has access to personal data on nearly every American, while the administration has threatened to withhold SNAP food benefits from mostly Democrat-run states if they dont turn over immigration data on recipients. The White House has also sought to leverage tax and Veterans Affairs data as part of its immigration campaign. President Donald Trump promised serious retaliation against ISIS after two U.S. Army soldiers and one civilian interpreter were killed and three other soldiers were injured in an attack in Syria on Saturday. Hours after the Pentagon announced the three Americans had been ambushed by a lone ISIS gunman, the U.S. president vowed to seek retribution against the entity believed to have conducted the attack on U.S. and Syrian forces. This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by [ISIS,] Trump wrote on Truth Social. The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation. The attack on American forces occurred as U.S. soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement, as part of a counter-terrorism operation near the ancient city of Palmyra, Sean Parnell, the chief Pentagon spokesperson, said. The motive for the attack remains unclear at this time, but the Pentagon is currently investigating, Parnell added. Trump promised to retaliate against ISIS after a lone ISIS gunman is believed to have ambushed US and Syrian forces Saturday (REUTERS) U.S. Central Command said the gunman was killed. In a statement, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, Let it be known, if you target Americans anywhere in the world you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you. The Pentagon is withholding the names of the deceased soldiers as well as any identifying information about their units until next of kin notification, Parnell said. Trump told reporters Saturday afternoon that the three soldiers injured are doing well. The ambush comes just days after Admiral Charles Bradford Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, expressed optimism for the future of Syria approximately one year after the fall of the al-Assad regime. In a video message, Cooper said U.S. troops were in Syria to combat ISIS as well as support the integration of Syrian Democratic Forces with the Syrian government. The Trump administration has embraced the new Syrian leader. As of December 2024, roughly 2,000 U.S. troops were in Syria, but the Trump administration has been reducing the number of troops over the last 10 months. In April, they said they would draw the number down to 1,400. Despite pulling some troops from Syria, the U.S. continues to fight back against ISIS though U.S.-backed troops initially defeated the last holdouts of the caliphate in 2019. But ISIS still maintains a presence in the region and periodically carries out deadly attacks. US forces have been assisting the new Syrian leader with the transition after the fall of the al-Assad regime last year (AFP via Getty Images) Syrias interior ministry spokesperson, Noureddine al-Baba, told Syrias state media Sana that the attack took place at the entrance to a fortified Internal Security Forces headquarters after the end of a joint patrol. The Independent understands that the suspected killer used small arms fire. The identity of the attacker or his affiliation hasnt been confirmed. Baba appeared to give contradictory statements by indicating the attacker may have been part of a force affiliated with Syrian security forces who had extremist ideology. But he also said that he held no leadership position and was not affiliated with the Internal Security Forces Command. Baba defended the ISF, saying that there are more than 5000 personnel affiliated with their forces in the Syrian desert and that these personnel undergo weekly evaluations. He claimed that in one of these evaluations a few days ago, the perpetrator of the attack had been flagged as possibly having extremist views. A decision regarding his case was expected to be made on Sunday, but the attack happened the day before Saturday which is an administrative holiday. Baba also said that ISF had issued prior warnings to partner forces in the international coalition regarding preliminary intelligence indicating a possible breach or attack by ISIS. However, these warnings were disregarded. Irans ballistic missile programme was shattered during its 12-day war with Israel - Abir Sultan/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock A US special operations team has seized a shipment of military equipment heading to Iran from China. The interdiction was aimed at stopping Tehran from rebuilding its ballistic missile arsenal, which was heavily depleted during its 12-day war with Israel in June, The Wall Street Journal reported. The ship, which has not been publicly identified, was off the coast of Sri Lanka when it was boarded by US special operatives who confiscated its cargo, which an official said comprised dual-use components capable of use as conventional weapons. Chinese companies often provide measurement devices to improve the precision of Iranian missiles, such as spectrometers and gyroscopes, according to Behnam Ben Taleblu, the Iran director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. That is much more dangerous than chemical precursors, he added. Intelligence gathered by the US suggested the ships cargo was bound for Iranian companies that specialise in acquiring parts for Tehrans missile programme. Chinese companies often provide measurement devices to improve the precision of Iranian missiles - Majid Asgaripour/Reuters Donald Trumps administration has taken an increasingly interventionist maritime strategy. The operation took place weeks before the US on Wednesday seized a sanctioned oil tanker near Venezuela, which had been used to transport oil to Iran. Iran is attempting to rebuild its shattered ballistic missile arsenal, having bombarded Israel with around 500 during their 12-day war in June. Roughly 1,000 more are estimated to have been destroyed in Israeli strikes. The UN imposed an arms embargo on Iran, and a ban on uranium enrichment and activity related to ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons. In Jan 2024, US Central Command confiscated ballistic and cruise missile components made in Iran and bound for Houthi rebels off the coast of Somalia. The US seized Iranian oil shipments from several tankers in 2020 and 2023, claiming they were violating sanctions and that proceeds would be used to fund Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the US and several other countries have named a designated terrorist organisation. Two Democratic congressmen last month urged Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, and John Ratcliffe, the CIA director, to investigate several shipments of sodium perchlorate from China to Iran. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Joe Courtney suggested the chemicals could be used for missile propellants and claimed Beijing seems increasingly emboldened to assist Tehrans rearmament efforts with impunity. The US on Wednesday seized a sanctioned tanker that had been used to ship oil to Iran - US Attorney General/Reuters Last month, the US Treasury sanctioned dozens of entities around the world as part of its maximum pressure policy, claiming they had been used to procure supplies for Irans ballistic missile and drone production. By remaining a permissive jurisdiction for the export of illicit technologies, China is an enabler for Irans ballistic missiles programme, Mr Ben Taleblu said. On Wednesday, the US seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela destined for Cuba, escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas. Weve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large the largest one ever seized actually, Mr Trump announced. Footage of the moment US troops took control of the tanker shows helicopters hovering above the vast ship as soldiers rappel on to the deck and search for the crew. Irans ballistic missile programme was shattered during its 12-day war with Israel - Abir Sultan/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock A US special operations team has seized a shipment of military equipment heading to Iran from China. The interdiction was aimed at stopping Tehran from rebuilding its ballistic missile arsenal, which was heavily depleted during its 12-day war with Israel in June, The Wall Street Journal reported. The ship, which has not been publicly identified, was off the coast of Sri Lanka when it was boarded by US special operatives who confiscated its cargo, which an official said was dual-use components which could be used for conventional weapons. Chinese companies often provide measurement devices to improve the precision of Iranian missiles, such as spectrometers and gyroscopes, according to Behnam Ben Taleblu, the Iran director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. That is much more dangerous than chemical precursors, he added. Intelligence gathered by the US suggested the ships cargo was bound for Iranian companies that specialise in acquiring parts for Tehrans missile programme. Chinese companies often provide measurement devices to improve the precision of Iranian missiles - Majid Asgaripour/Reuters Donald Trumps administration has taken an increasingly interventionist maritime strategy. The operation took place weeks before the US on Wednesday seized a sanctioned oil tanker near Venezuela which had been used to transport oil to Iran. Iran is attempting to rebuild its shattered ballistic missile arsenal, having bombarded Israel with around 500 during their 12-day war in June. Roughly 1,000 more are estimated to have been destroyed in Israeli strikes. The UN imposed an arms embargo on Iran, and a ban on uranium enrichment and activity related to ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons. In Jan 2024, US Central Command confiscated ballistic and cruise missile components made in Iran and bound for Houthi rebels off the coast of Somalia. The US seized Iranian oil shipments from several tankers in 2020 and 2023, claiming they were violating sanctions and that proceeds would be used to fund Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the US and several other countries have named a designated terrorist organisation. Two Democratic congressmen last month urged Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, and John Ratcliffe, the CIA director, to investigate several shipments of sodium perchlorate from China to Iran. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Joe Courtney suggested the chemicals could be used for missile propellants and claimed Beijing seems increasingly emboldened to assist Tehrans rearmament efforts with impunity. The US on Wednesday seized a sanctioned tanker that had been used to ship oil to Iran - US Attorney General/Reuters Last month, the US Treasury sanctioned dozens of entities around the world as part of its maximum pressure policy, claiming they had been used to procure supplies for Irans ballistic missile and drone production. By remaining a permissive jurisdiction for the export of illicit technologies, China is an enabler for Irans ballistic missiles programme, Mr Ben Taleblu said. On Wednesday, the US seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela destined for Cuba, escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas. Weve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large the largest one ever seized actually, Donald Trump announced. Footage of the moment US troops took control of the tanker shows helicopters hovering above the vast ship as soldiers rappel onto the deck and search for the crew. Donald Trump has vowed to retaliate after two US soldiers and a US civilian interpreter were killed in Syria in an ambush by a suspected lone IS gunman. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump vowed "very serious retaliation," mourning the loss of "three great patriots". This is an ISIS attack, the American president told reporters at the White House. He paid condolences to the three Americans killed and said three others who were wounded seem to be doing pretty well. Three other US service members were injured in the attack during which the assailant was also killed. The identities of those killed are being held for 24 hours until their next of kin have been informed. In a statement, Central Command said the attack by a lone gunman occurred "as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement" in the central Syrian town of Palmyra. Partner forces" killed the attacker, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wrote in a social media post. File photo of US forces in northeast Syria (AFP via Getty Images) Islamic State did not immediately claim responsibility, but a senior US official said initial assessments indicate the militant group probably carried out the attack. It took place in an area not controlled by the Syrian government, the official said. Syrian state news agency SANA quoted a security source as saying two Syrian service personnel were injured, without providing further details. The source told SANA that American helicopters evacuated the injured to a US base in Syria's Al-Tanf region near the Iraqi border. Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria, condemned the attack. "We mourn the loss of three brave U.S. service members and civilian personnel and wish a speedy recovery to the Syrian troops wounded in the attack," Barrack said in a statement. "We remain committed to defeating terrorism with our Syrian partners." The attack came barely a month after Syria announced it had signed a political cooperation agreement with the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State, which coincided with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaas visit to the White House. The coalition has carried out air strikes and ground operations in Syria targeting Islamic State suspects in recent months, often with the involvement of Syrias security forces. Syria last month also carried out a nationwide campaign arresting more than 70 people accused of links to the group. US troops have maintained a presence in Syria following the installation of the new regime in Damascus - Delil Souleiman/AFP via Getty Images Two US soldiers have been killed in an ambush by an Islamic State gunman at a military base in Syria. The two were with other US troops at the base in Palmyra on Saturday when the gunman struck, also killing a civilian interpreter, the Pentagon said. Three other people, including two members of the Syrian security forces, were wounded in the attack, according to Sana, a state news agency. The attack took place at a military base near the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria - Ugurhan Betin Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, said the gunman was killed by Syrian forces and issued a warning to anyone who targets American soldiers. Let it be known, if you target Americans anywhere in the world you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you and ruthlessly kill you, he said. Donald Trump also vowed very serious retaliation and said that the three injured people were doing well. US Central Command said in a post on X that out of respect for the families, and in accordance with department of defence policy, the identities of the service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified. The attack on American troops is the first of its kind since Islamist-led forces overthrew Bashar al-Assad, Syrias former dictator, in December last year. It comes at an awkward time for Ahmed al-Sharaa, the countrys new president, as he looks to rekindle ties with the US after years of hostilities. Mr Trump said on Saturday: We mourn the loss of three great American patriots in Syria, two soldiers, and one civilian interpreter. Likewise, we pray for the three injured soldiers who, it has just been confirmed, are doing well. This was an ISIS attack against the US, and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them. The president of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation. Troops on counter-terror mission Sana reported that when the gunman struck, a delegation of US and Syrian officers was taking part in a joint field tour in the city, which was previously under the control of Islamic State (IS). The engagement was part of the USs ongoing mission to support counter-terrorism operations in the region, according to Sean Parnell, the Pentagon chief spokesman. He added that the Pentagon had launched an investigation into the killing. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor, which has a wide network of sources inside Syria, the mission was part of an American strategy to strengthen its presence and foothold in the Syrian desert. The wounded troops were reportedly evacuated by helicopter to the Al-Tanf military base near the border with Iraq and Jordan, where American troops are garrisoned. A year ago, Syria was a pariah state under Assads rule, but the rise of Mr Sharaas Islamist rebels to power has led to a cautious rapprochement. A former jihadist who styled himself on Osama Bin Laden, Mr Sharaa was listed as a specially designated global terrorist until last month, when he was welcomed by Mr Trump at the White House in an extraordinary meeting. Credit: Reuters/Saudi TV The pair, who had previously met in May in Saudi Arabia, appeared to have a warm relationship, with Mr Trump praising the Syrian leader for being a tough guy, spraying him with perfume and joking about how many wives he has. During the meeting, Damascus formally joined a US-led global coalition against IS. IS was defeated in Syria in 2019 but the groups sleeper cells still carry out deadly attacks in the country. The United Nations says the group still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq. US troops, which have maintained a presence in different parts of Syria including Al-Tanf in the central province of Homs to train other forces as part of a broad campaign against IS, have been targeted in the past. One of the deadliest attacks occurred in 2019 in the northern town of Manbij when a blast killed two US service members and two American civilians, as well as others from Syria, while conducting a patrol. Melin Tregwynt was family-owned for three generations until employee ownership in 2022. With its whitewashed stone buildings and secluded valley location, iconic wool mill Melin Tregwynt is a tourist hit amid a decades-old industry decline in Welsh wool. A century ago there were more than 210 mills in Wales. Today, only five are in operation while Melin Tregwynt is just one of two left in Pembrokeshire. Years ago it was about competition, says Louise Clarke, Melin Tregwynt's director. But now there is collaboration with those traditional woollen mills left in existence to get protected status for Welsh blankets. It is up to staff members to see this through after Melin Tregwynt, which started weaving in the early 1840s, made headlines in 2022 when it transitioned to an employee ownership trust after its previous owners handed over operational control. Read More: 'Our women's hiking trousers saved our business we've sold over 50,000' We would have had all our designs made abroad, Clarke says of the threat of an open market buyer. For a company like us, we would have had a little visitor site as a token gesture. Eifion Griffiths grandfather had purchased the site in 1912, paying 760 at auction in nearby Fishguard. Back then a barter agreement was put in place for sales while, according to company records, one farmer even swapped a motorcycle for a suit. Revenue today stands at 2.3m. There has been a mill on the Melin Tregwynt site since the 17th century. Griffiths had trained as an architect before taking over from his father and running the Haverfordwest-based family company in the 1970s. Together with his wife, Amanda, the couple expanded the firms reach to become an established name, including in Japan. With no children and coming up to their seventies, the owners looked at a succession plan to keep their legacy intact. Employee ownership came to the fore with help from the Welsh government. As of 2025, there are around 2,470 employee-owned businesses in the UK, while 560 transitions were recorded last year. Thirteen years ago Clarke ran and bolstered Melin Tregwynts shop and cafe before being made director. Since the owners retired she is de facto managing director and has overseen an exercise in the last 12 months looking at employee skills. Read More: Whats Your Dream? Why Simon Squibb is sharing his business knowledge for free We have high staff retention, she says. A lot of our employees have been here from 15 to 32 years, which is fab but sometimes there can be limited career progression for staff." With around 45 staff, Melin Tregwynt is one of the biggest employers in the area and Clarke says the staff ownership has helped engage with other local businesses. Melin Tregwynt's managing director Louise Clarke pictured at the Haverfordwest mill. The big thing is communication with everyone and getting everyone involved with ideas, adds Clarke. There is a sense of belonging; the majority of staff came in for our Christmas fair without expecting overtime pay. There is buy-in from everybody. Overseas sales accounts have dipped to around 10% of its business, although the company has seen an uptick in foreign travellers to the mill. Closer to home, Melin Tregwynts average customer has traditionally been the lady over 50 in Cardiff while Clarke says the company will be looking to entice more professionals aged 30-40 who want things made to last. People know if they buy a blanket from us they will have it in 30 years' time if they look after it, says Clarke. Weaving was first recorded at the whitewashed mill in the 1841 census. We keep the traditional method but always change with seasons and colours. There might be a blanket that was designed 75 years ago, but it will be in really contemporary colours that suits modern interiors. We arent fast paced in that we do a colour for every season as the process could be up to six months from design. Read More: My laundrette closed early so I set up a 27m global laundry service Most of the patterns were designed by Griffiths grandfather a century ago, with Melin Tregwynt which supplies the likes of ITV and is collaborating using Welsh wool with fashion designer of the year Jonathan Anderson famed for its double cloth ensuring blankets are fully reversible. The company employs eight specialist weavers. Being a heritage brand also makes Clarkes job easier when it comes to marketing the business. It is undoubtedly a powerful tool. Everyone really values the story, she admits. It is unique story to tell and even though we arent a family business anymore, we still operate in the same way. Behind the Brand: MD Louise Clarke on Challenges We are quite remote where we are and, being in the middle of nowhere, its making sure we look outside and doesnt hinder us operationally. Its about keeping skills in the business as there are no qualifications to be a weaver. We will be looking to train in house and have a recognised training programme. Read more: Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android Wirtz was left floored by Gomezs challenge (Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Brightons Diego Gomez escaped a red card after catching Liverpools Florian Wirtz with a high boot late in the first half of the Premier League fixture at Anfield. Wirtz has left clutching his chest after he flicked the ball away from Gomez on the edge of the box but the Brighton midfielders outstretched leg followed through and made contact with his stomach. Gomez was booked by referee Craig Pawson. VAR reviewed the challenge but ruled that Gomezs challenge was not made with excessive force and was not serious foul play. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said: The challenge on Wirtz is a really poor one from Gomez. It's really high and catches Wirtz in the stomach. So high and dangerous. Another day, he could've seen red. Liverpool led 1-0 thanks to Hugo Ekitikes opening goal after just 46 seconds, the fastest goal of the Premier League season so far. Parents were told they could pay 5,000 for alternative travel, wait until 2026 or take a full refund - Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP Hundreds of children were left devastated when their flight to see Father Christmas in Lapland was cancelled moments before take-off. Families had spent thousands on a festive day trip from Glasgow to Finland on Thursday. But the 130 children on board were brought to tears when the flight was called off after the cockpit window was broken as it taxied to the runway. Parents were told they could fork out 5,000 for alternative travel, wait until 2026 or take a full refund. Nothing we could do Stefenie Bird-Young, 36, from Kilmarnock, had paid 2,300 to take her husband Chris, 35, and children Aaden, nine, and Amelia, seven, on the visit. We were about to take off, then something happened and we were told to disembark, she said. The next thing we knew the flight was cancelled and we were told go home. Its a chartered flight for a day trip so there was no other plane for us. You only get one shot. The sound of the children crying their hearts out was unbearable. The excited children had boarded the 7am flight, operated by Enter Air on behalf of Transun, wearing Christmas jumpers and were due to enjoy husky rides, snowmobiles and a sleigh ride through a Lapland forest. When they told us the flight was cancelled the kids all burst out crying, she said. It was devastating. As a mum I just wanted to fix it for them, but there was nothing we could do. My own two are absolutely heartbroken. They told all their friends and teachers they were going to Lapland to meet Santa. We were up at 3am, the excitement was huge and then everything just collapsed. We are sorry for the inconvenience Barrhead Travel tried to source alternative travel but the only option available would have cost the family 5,000. I just cant justify that, she said. Weve been told we can wait until next year or take a refund, but with my dads health we genuinely dont know if next year is even possible. And Aaden is getting older so we dont know if hell have that same excitement to meet Santa. A spokesman for Transun said: We were saddened that [Thursdays] day trip from Glasgow had to be cancelled. We were informed that the aircraft was struck from outside whilst taxiing to the runway which broke the cockpit window. The aircraft returned to the stand and passengers disembarked. We are sorry for the inconvenience and understand there will be disappointment, particularly for children. Affected passengers have been given the option of either transferring their booking to another available date or receive a full refund. The image at the centre of the controversy Campaigners have called for a Labour council to remove a childrens book featuring an anti-Semitic image from its schools and libraries. The book, Human Rights, includes a drawing of a fearsome, heavily armed Israeli soldier wearing a Star of David on his uniform, with a child holding a Palestinian flag struggling behind him. The campaigners said the image could be seen as demonising Israelis and risked stirring up hatred against Jewish children. The book had been prominently displayed among the childrens collection at one of the Borough of Redbridges main libraries, in Ilford, east London. The book explaining human rights was written by a prominent eco-feminist activist - Seven Stories Press/Triangle Square Council staff were instructed to take it down following a complaint by a member of the public, but it is still available in the library collection. The image is in a chapter on Right to Self-Determination of Peoples, which includes a section on the Palestinian peoples fight for statehood against Israel. Concerns have been raised in both the UK and in US schools that the image of the soldier, wearing spiked boots and scowling, could be interpreted as demonising Jews and Israelis for their treatment of Palestinian children. Pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian groups are continuing to protest over the thousands of civilians, many of them children, killed in Gaza during Israels military response to the Oct 7 attacks by Hamas. UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), a campaign group, has urged Redbridge council to remove the book from libraries and schools altogether until the illustration can be replaced. It said that one member of the public who viewed the book at Ilfords Fullwell Cross library described it as something truly horrific. The book also details the actions of the labour movement around the world - Seven Stories Press/Triangle Square UKLFI has also written to Seven Stories Press/Triangle Square, the books publisher, calling for the image to be removed. And it has written to the UK and US distributors of the 72-page book, written by Yayo Herrero, a Spanish anthropologist, engineer and eco-feminist activist, to request that they halt distribution until the offending image is withdrawn. In its letter to Seven Stories Press, UKLFI said the image by illustrator Luis Demano presents a complex and painful conflict in a one-sided, harmful way that demonises Jews and Israelis. The group argues that a book aimed at children aged between nine and 12 should encourage empathy and understanding rather than displaying visuals that spread hate or make one group into villains. It adds that by presenting the Israeli soldier in a menacing, demonised manner, it fails to acknowledge Israels right to self-defence against existential threats from terrorist organisations such as Hamas. The book tells its readers that security is no excuse to breach human rights - Seven Stories Press/ Triangle Square Seven Stories Press/Triangle Square has defended the book, describing the image as not violent, but expressive and colourful. Redbridge council staff had initially displayed the book prominently at Fullwell Cross Library and listed it in the boroughs childrens collection. The library catalogue states: Human Rights is an oversized, graphically vibrant book with timelines, short and easy-to-understand explanations, important people who fought for changes in human rights law, and a chapter on protecting future rights. Its an essential visual reference that explains all there is to know about our human rights and the laws and doctrines that protect them. Poisoning minds of young readers In its letter, UK Lawyers for Israel warned that stocking the book in childrens sections risked promoting hostility, particularly in a borough with significant Jewish and Muslim populations. A spokesman for the group said: This illustration is not only inaccurate and inflammatory, but risks poisoning the minds of young readers. Publishers and public bodies have a responsibility to ensure materials for children foster understanding not division and hostility. Redbridge council has defended stocking the book. A spokesman said: Redbridge Libraries are committed to giving our communities access to a wide variety of books and materials. We follow national Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) guidelines, and only restrict access when the law requires it. We understand that some content can be upsetting, controversial, or divisive, and we take community concerns seriously. In this case, the book in question has been taken out of prominent display, but is still available in our catalogue. Making a book available does not mean we endorse it, and all library stock is chosen carefully against clear criteria. We acknowledge that arts, culture, and literature can at times be provocative and challenging, prompting public debate, but they also inspire reflection, dialogue, and understanding. Our libraries will continue to host events that celebrate diversity and bring people together, and we welcome feedback to make sure our services reflect and respect the needs of all our communities. There have also been calls in the US States for the image to be withdrawn. US school withdrew book One school, Mercer Island High in Washington state, agreed earlier this month to remove the book from its shelves. The book had featured during the schools Human Rights Month, but the principal accepted in an email to parents that the imagery has hurt some of our Islanders. Pro-Israel activists in the US are also urging Amazon to remove the title from sale, claiming it violates the platforms content guidelines on hate speech and discrimination. Seven Stories Press/Triangle Square said in a statement to The Telegraph: We absolutely reject this characterisation and attempt at intimidation and censorship. This book is a wide-ranging educational work for children that touches on many subjects related to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and covers many geographical areas involved in contemporary struggles for equal treatment. The reference in question is to a single illustration, one of many on a single page, this one showing an armed figure. Behind the figure is a small person holding a Palestinian flag. The image is not violent, but expressive and colourful. It in no way promotes anti-Semitic stereotypes against Jewish people and the attempt to characterise it as such is clearly motivated by political ideology. The Border Forces Hurricane vessel brought dozens of migrants ashore in Dover on Saturday morning - PA Hundreds of migrants crossed the Channel on Saturday, ending the longest break in small-boat arrivals since they started seven years ago. At least 600 and up to 700 migrants in nine boats had embarked on the crossing by lunchtime, with more than 100 brought ashore in Dover, Kent, by the Border Force patrol vessel Hurricane. The influx came as the Home Office confirmed that not a single migrant boat had crossed the Channel for 28 days from Nov 14 the longest pause in arrivals since Oct 2018, when there was a 48-day gap. December is traditionally one of the quietest months for Channel crossings, with a combination of low temperatures, poor visibility, less daylight and stormy weather making the journey particularly difficult. The most arrivals recorded in a December was 3,254 in 2024. Saturdays surge in boats after the lull prompted an indigo alert, with four of the five Border Force vessels put to sea: Hurricane, Ranger, Typhoon and Volunteer. Coastguard and French SAR vessels, including the Abeille Normandie, also helped in the rescue of migrants who had taken advantage of clear blue skies and a flat, calm sea to make their crossings. Hurricane is one of five Border Force vessels four of which were launched on Saturday - Steve Finn Photography This year is on course to record the second-highest number of Channel crossings, with 39,294 migrants believed to have reached the UK so far. That is 11 per cent lower than the same point in the record year of 2022, when it reached 44,264 at the same point and went on to hit 45,755 crossings. This years total has already passed that of the previous second-highest year, in 2024, when 36,816 migrants reached the UK. It comes as France pledged to ramp up efforts to stop the crossings by intercepting small boats at sea for the first time, provided they are not carrying migrants. Until now, the French have agreed only to block boats and migrants attempting to leave on the beaches. That led to people smugglers using taxi boats, which travel along the coast before stopping in shallow waters to pick up asylum seekers trying to cross the Channel. Frances change in policy came after Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, wrote to Emmanuel Macron, the French president, urging him to back the plan. In his letter, Sir Keir admitted for the first time that Britain was failing to deter crossings, saying: It is essential that we deploy these tactics this month ... We have no effective deterrent in the Channel. On Saturday, Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: The calmer weather at sea for the first time in a few weeks has enabled a flood of illegal immigrants to cross the channel in a single day. We know that these are mostly young men and many are from nationalities disproportionately likely to commit crimes, including sex offences against women and girls. The Prime Minister admitted recently in a letter to President Macron that the UK has no deterrent against these crossings - and the hundreds of illegal immigrants crossing on Saturday is the result. Labour should never have cancelled the Rwanda removals deterrent with no replacement. We must now leave the ECHR to enable all illegal immigrants to be deported within a week of arrival. Then the crossings would quickly stop. But Labour is too weak to do that. Suspected migrants in a Border Force compound in Dover after being brought ashore on Saturday - PA French police had previously refused to intervene to stop the overcrowded boats leaving the coastline because it was considered too great a risk to officers and civilians. Groups of vigilantes from the UK have started to target small boats on the beaches in France. Members of the Right-wing campaign group Raise the Colours claim to have slashed dinghies that would have been used to carry asylum seekers across the Channel with knives. The group argues that its activists want to end an invasion of illegal immigrants amid claims of inaction on the part of the British and French governments. Migrant support groups say Raise the Colours actions must be stopped. Nine associations have accused the governments of Britain and France of failing to tackle the vigilantes. People-smugglers have started using larger dinghies to maximise profits as law enforcement agencies tighten border checks to intercept more boats and equipment sourced from China and Turkey. In September, a super dinghy brought a record 125 migrants across the Channel. Previously, the highest number in a single boat was 107, with the average at around 60 people per dinghy. More than 150 migrants who crossed the Channel have been returned to France under the one in, one out deal launched this autumn, under an agreement signed by Sir Keir and Mr Macron. A total of 141 have been brought into the UK, with the most recent seven arriving by aeroplane earlier this month. A Home Office spokesman said: We are scaling up the pilot scheme and returns of those with no right to be here as part of our landmark agreement with France. Jeremy Clarkson owns The Farmers Dog in the Cotswolds Jeremy Clarkson has become the latest landlord to bar all Labour MPs from entering his pub as part of a backlash against high taxes. The veteran television presenter had initially banned just Sir Keir Starmer from The Farmers Dog when it opened last year. But now he has decided to add all 404 Labour MPs to the list of those barred from the pub near Burford in the Cotswolds. However, Clarkson said that Markus Campbell-Savours, the former Labour MP who lost the whip last week after voting against the Governments plans to tax inherited agricultural land, would still be able to visit his establishment. It comes as part of a national campaign called No Labour MPs which aims to bar Labour members of parliament from pubs and restaurants around the country as part of a backlash against rising taxes affecting the hospitality sector. The campaign started on Friday and is led by Andy Lennox who runs the Old Thatch pub in Dorset. Posters stating that hospitality businesses are being taxed out have been put up in dozens of premises across the country, highlighting the need for a VAT cut to 13 per cent in line with the rest of Europe and Ireland. When Clarkson opened the pub in 2024, the only people banned were Sir Keir Starmer and James May, his former Top Gear co-presenter Clarkson wrote in a post on X: To be clear, I have banned all Labour MPs from my pub, except one: Markus Campbell Savours. Hes welcome any time. And not just because the Labour Party has now sacked him. Mr Campbell-Savours, who represents Penrith and Solway in Cumbria, rebelled against Rachel Reevess plans to end inheritance tax exemption on farms worth more than 1m. In the debate, he said: There remain deep concerns about the proposed changes to agricultural property relief. Changes which leave many, not least elderly farmers, yet to make arrangements to transfer assets, devastated at the impact on their family farms. He was the only Labour MP to vote against the proposals and was subsequently suspended from the party. However, more than 30 of his colleagues abstained from the motion. Clarkson has been a long-standing critic of the tractor tax, accusing Labour of making life absolute hell for farmers. As well as protesting taxes on the hospitality sector, Clarkson has also criticised the Governments approach to UK farming The 65-year-old has since followed many publicans by taking part in the No Labour MPs campaign. It was formed as a protest against the Budget, as many businesses face higher tax bills because pandemic-era business rates relief is scheduled to end in April, having previously been scaled back from 75 per cent to 40 per cent. Some hospitality and leisure businesses also face increases to their venues rateable values, which dictate the business rates they pay. UK Hospitality, the industry trade body, warned that an average pubs business rates will have increased by 76 per cent within the next three years, fuelling fears of thousands of jobs being lost. It comes despite the Chancellors claim that she was delivering the lowest tax rates since 1991 through her 5 per cent tax cut for hospitality and retail businesses. Last week, the landlady of a Norfolk villages last remaining pub said she has been forced to close her business because of soaring costs. Carol Kenny took over the Swan Inn in Mattishall less than 12 months ago, but announced that it will close for the final time on Sunday because of rising rent, bills and business rates. She told the Eastern Daily Press the Budget was the final nail in the coffin for the trade, which threatens to leave the village of 2,500 people without a pub unless a new landlord takes on the lease in the new year. Credit: X Soldiers are risking court martial to expose details of the Armys shambolic Ajax programme. A social media storm has engulfed the troubled 6.3bn armoured vehicle programme after it emerged the Army had halted its use pending a major safety probe. Dozens of troops fell ill after using the 42-ton reconnaissance transporters during a war game on Salisbury Plain in November, leading to its suspension. Within days, leaks from alleged whistleblowers revealing the state of the programme began to spread on social media. It started as a trickle of comments but turned into a deluge, with videos showing metal panels flapping freely from the sides of the vehicle and poorly fitted covers wobbling loose, to water leaks within the Ajaxs world-beating armour hull. The Army has halted the use of the Ajax while it investigates the safety of the armoured vehicle - Anthony Upton Other pictures allegedly showed the number of bolts and other parts that had rattled loose during a test drive and had to be scooped up by troops. Then there were the damning claims from those testing or building Ajax, alleging that corners had been cut, safety concerns had been brushed aside and complaints made to senior officers continued to be ignored. The Telegraph understands many of the comments, posted on the FillYourBoots armed forces page, were from serving personnel, with a former intelligence officer warning that troops were stepping into the firing line to flag them. These soldiers could easily be court-martialled, said Philip Ingram, a retired colonel who dealt with Ajax during its infancy in 2011. They are risking their careers to whistleblow. This is a perfect example of a complete failure in the chain of command and a collapse in the chain of command thats incredibly dangerous. b' 0611 Ajax Vehicle problems ' Claims, widely spread on social media, said that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had teams hunting for those who leaked details of Ajax but this has been strongly disputed by defence sources. In another post, Bob Skivington, a senior manager at General Dynamics the American firm charged with building Ajax was accused of belittling soldiers injured using the vehicle. As previously revealed by The Telegraph, Mr Skivington was criticised for a Facebook post in which he claimed the problems plaguing Ajax were down to incompetence and s--- crew commanding. The comments were branded disgraceful by James Cartlidge, the Tory shadow defence minister, during a parliamentary debate on Ajax last week. Its understood Mr Skivington is no longer in post at General Dynamics. Alfie Usher, a retired paratrooper who runs FillYourBoots, said the number of people coming forward had stunned him. Its not just serving personnel, there are civil servants, General Dynamics staff and people testing it coming forward, the 37-year-old Afghanistan veteran added. Everyone realises its not just their element of the chain thats f---ed, its the entire thing. Mr Ingram added: Its clear senior officers have lost the confidence and trust of the soldiers who are expected to man and fight with these vehicles. Credit: X Ajax now faces an uncertain future, with Luke Pollard, a defence minister, vowing to take whatever decisions are required to end the saga one way or another. On Thursday, the former commander of a unit tasked with testing Ajax claimed he had lost 20 per cent of his hearing and suspects his time on the 10m platform could be to blame. Speaking publicly for the first time, Rob Page who spent two years putting the armoured vehicle through its paces between 2019 and 2021 claimed he flagged issues with excessive vibration but they were ignored. The retired lieutenant colonel, who spent 19 years in the Army serving in Challenger tanks and Warrior armoured personnel carriers, told The Times: Almost immediately in 2019, the soldiers were saying my back is sore, my knees are sore, my wrists are sore. I knew it was new and novel and I had never felt or experienced that in all the armoured vehicles Ive worked on. The Telegraph understands the leaked videos are several years old, with some showing vehicles on the production floor. Officials at General Dynamics have also insisted a defect in a seal that led to water pooling in the Ajax has since been rectified. Credit: X Three separate investigations are under way following the latest episode, in which 31 soldiers fell ill during Exercise Titan Storm, with officials from the MoD and General Dynamics still trying to work out what went wrong. The MoD said: We will always put the safety of our personnel first and the current pause shows that we will investigate any issues when they arise. It said a ministerial-led review into the Ajax programme would assess how effective the department has been at implementing the actions of previous reviews, and seeking anything further that is required regarding safety. General Dynamics UK said: Now with over 170 vehicles fielded across 12 Army units and a further 62,000km covered with Army crews since 2024, we have full confidence that this vehicle meets customer specifications. Ajax now holds the most comprehensive safety case of any armoured platform worldwide, covering vibration, acoustics, ergonomics and crew health. This is one of the most tested combat vehicles ever produced. The company said it was committed to delivering the capability to the British Army to support the UKs role in Nato. We have full confidence in the performance and the protection it provides our soldiers. It is the worlds most advanced, fully digitised armoured fighting vehicle, the spokesman added. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor spotted leaving Windsor Castle on Saturday morning - Kelvin Bruce/Bruce/Bennett Virginia Giuffres family have hit out over the decision by Scotland Yard to drop its inquiries into claims that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor tried to smear her by passing confidential information to police. They say the Metropolitan Police decided not to pursue the case without speaking to them first, The Telegraph can disclose. In October, a leaked email revealed that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor allegedly asked his taxpayer-funded police bodyguard to investigate Ms Giuffre and passed him her date of birth and social security number. He then allegedly told Buckingham Palace aide Ed Perkins, who at the time was Elizabeth IIs deputy press secretary, that he had asked one of his personal protection officers to dig up information about Ms Giuffre. However, following weeks of assessment into the allegations, the Met has now wound up its investigation into the matter, saying it had found no additional evidence of criminal acts. The Mets announcement is the latest in a string of decisions not to proceed to a full criminal investigation into allegations surrounding Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, when he was still known as Prince Andrew, over his friendship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement released by Scotland Yard on Saturday, Ella Marriott, Central Specialist Crime Commander, said: Following recent reporting suggesting that Mr Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor asked his Met Police close protection officer to carry out checks on Ms Giuffre in 2011, the MPS has carried out a further assessment. This assessment has not revealed any additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct. Ms Giuffres family, who have called for further investigation into the former Prince, told The Telegraph they were not consulted over Scotland Yards decision to drop the inquiry and that justice has not been served. They said their only interaction with detectives was a single email received last week. A leaked email revealed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor asked his taxpayer-funded bodyguard to investigate Virginia Giuffre - Kelvin Bruce/Bruce/Bennett In a statement, the Giuffre family said: We are deeply disappointed that the Metropolitan Police have dropped their investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor without explanation and without speaking with us, Virginias family. We emailed with a detective from the Metropolitan Police yesterday, Friday, Dec 12, who gave us no indication that this announcement was imminent. Indeed, he asked us if we had any evidence we would like to present; we had not yet replied. With the Epstein files about to be released by Congress since the passage of the Epstein Transparency Act, we are surprised that the Metropolitan Police didnt wait to see what further evidence might appear. Ms Giuffres family added: While we have hailed the UKs overall handling of the case of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor previously, today we feel justice has not been served. We continue to challenge the system that protects abusers, especially as more evidence comes to light that can hold people accountable. Our sister Virginia and all survivors are owed this much. Spencer Kuvin, a lawyer who represents nine of Epsteins victims, said: Sadly, it appears that yet again the police have failed the victims of Epstein and others. The systemic failures by both the US and UK governments are a sad commentary on how our political system appears to favour the wealthy and powerful in this world. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was forced to give up his remaining royal titles in October after it emerged he had stayed in touch with the paedophile longer than he had previously admitted. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, also gave up her title. Ms Giuffre, who took her own life in April this year, had alleged that the Prince had raped and abused her three times when she was 17. He has always denied the allegations of sexual abuse. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor is said to have emailed Mr Perkins hours before an infamous photograph was published in February 2011 that showed him with his arm around Ms Giuffres waist. In October, a leaked email revealed that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor asked his taxpayer-funded police bodyguard to investigate Virginia Giuffre According to reports, he wrote: It would also seem she has a criminal record in the States. I have given her DoB [date of birth] and social security number for investigation with XXX, the on-duty ppo [personal protection officer]. Ms Giuffres family said at the time the email was revealed that it exposes the lengths to which those implicated try to discredit and defame survivors. In its statement, the Met Police said that in 2015 it had received allegations relating to non-recent trafficking for sexual exploitation involving Epstein and Ms Maxwell. The allegations primarily concerned events outside the United Kingdom, with one allegation of trafficking to central London in March 2001. Commander Marriott said: Officers assessed all available evidence at the time, interviewed the complainant, Ms Virginia Giuffre, as well as contacting several other potential victims. This did not result in any allegation of criminal conduct against any UK-based nationals. The Met said it had sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and liaised with United States authorities, but that since any investigation into human trafficking would be largely focused on activities outside the UK and perpetrators based overseas, other international authorities were best placed to investigate the claims. As a result, a decision was made in November 2016 not to proceed to a full criminal investigation. That decision was reviewed in August 2019 and again in 2021 and 2022. Our thoughts will always be with Ms Giuffres family Commander Marriott said: The Met remains committed to thoroughly assessing any new information that could assist in this matter. To date, we have not received any additional evidence that would support reopening the investigation. In the absence of any further information, we will be taking no further action. As with any other matter, should new and relevant information be brought to our attention, including any information resulting from the release of material in the US, we will assess it. Our thoughts will always be with Ms Giuffres family and friends following her death. Scotland Yard sources said no information had been provided to date regarding any offences committed in the UK from the files held by US law enforcement agencies. In February 2022, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor settled the sexual assault case filed against him by Ms Giuffre for an undisclosed sum, said to be worth 9m, without any admission of wrongdoing. The settlement spared him from having to give evidence at trial. Ms Giuffres posthumous book, Nobodys Girl, published in October, focused further attention on the sexual assault allegations, describing how Mr Mountbatten-Windsor allegedly insisted his accuser sign a one-year gagging order after their settlement to avoid spoiling Elizabeth IIs Platinum Jubilee. December 13, 2025: Ukraine has once more made it legal for military age men to leave the country. In 2021 there were 20 million Ukrainians living outside Ukraine. Since 2022 that has been increasing each year, Current Ukrainian population is about 39 million and the government has been seeking ways to improve morale while also sustaining the fight against Russian invaders. One proposal that was implemented was establishing universal training for 18-22 year old men. For those still in school, mandatory training for male students is now conducted in universities and other post-high school institutions as a standalone subject. Training consists of 90 hours of theoretical instruction followed by 210 hours of practical training Subjects include basic methods of military service, first aid, and operational tactics before they move to hands-on exercises in specialized training centers. This approach is supposed to make the trainees more confident about military service and less likely to flee the country because they feared what might happen if they went to war. Ukrainians have been fighting the Russians for nearly four years and are seeking to institutionalize their military lessons learned. The Russians are now short of resources and still operate under economic sanctions. Ukraine believes that with improved training for all their personnel, they will reduce their own casualties while increasing those of the Russians. Vladimir Putin vowed to keep fighting for as long as it took. That will be an empty promise if Putin discovers that a major change in troop quality makes any Russian military efforts futile and very costly in terms of men and resources. Ukraine already has some units that adopted these improved methods before the war but never had time or resources to retrain everyone. Over the last year Ukrainians have been standardizing their troop training and using methods that combine all that has been learned so far. This is done by simply by adopting what did work, discarding what didnt and gradually retraining all units that were not using the most effective methods. All new recruits would be taught to use the new techniques, even if it lengthened the basic training. NATO nations add individual training for sergeants and officers, some of it delivered via videos, including interactive versions. European NATO members play a larger role in this retraining because they are close enough, often adjacent, to Ukraine to receive Ukrainian trainees and send them back quickly after training is complete. The Americans have been using the Center for Army Lessons Learned, of CALL, since the 1980s. CALL personnel have been compiling and organizing lessons learned in Ukraine for the Ukrainian. The CALL concept and implementing CALL results was one of the factors behind the revised training program. The reduced casualties encouraged more Ukrainian men to join and persuaded some military age men who fled the country to return. By 2023 the Ukrainian military had grown to 700,000 troops plus over a quarter million police, border guard and reserves available. By 2025 that grew to 900,000. About fifteen percent of these personnel were women, who, except for some snipers, handled support tasks. Several hundred thousand civilian workers also handled support tasks. This was a practice practiced by the Soviet Union military. When Ukraine became independent, as the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, some Soviet military practices were retained. Unlike the Russians, who continue to send barely trained recruits into combat, Ukraine learned from NATO, particularly American, experience. Ukrainian soldiers received considerably more training than their Russian counterparts and were more lethal and less susceptible to combat losses. A solicitor has said she is disgusted after a Waitrose delivery van destroyed a wall outside her home while delivering to her neighbour. Claire Barker, 51, and her husband, John, did not receive a formal apology from the company over the incident at their property just outside Ross-on-Wye, Heref, on Dec 1. The couple said they had been kept in the dark despite contacting the company on several occasions and the lack of information from Waitrose was simply not good enough. Mrs Barker believes the driver was affected by another van making a delivery to the same neighbour. Claire Barker said a Waitrose van destroyed her front wall while delivering to a neighbour - John Barker She said: In trying to avoid that lorry, the driver didnt look in his wing mirror, and smacked into the wall. Accidents happen, but it is Waitroses lack of response that has really annoyed us. We contacted and notified them twice by email, and we also rang them, but we havent heard anything about it. Were concerned that Waitrose hasnt reported it at all. Mrs Barker said a post written on X, the social network, by her friend had invoked a really insipid response from Waitroses customer service department, where they basically said were carrying out an investigation with the driver. She added: Ive just become more and more annoyed because they just dont seem to care. Theyve got to sort it out eventually because theyre liable under statutory provisions to make good because theyve basically caused damage to our property [but] Im completely in the dark when thats going to be, and thats simply not good enough. Jigsaw puzzle wall The wall remains damaged, and Mrs Barker initially took to social media joking that Waitrose had turned the wall into a jigsaw puzzle in time for Christmas and added that she was disappointed and pretty disgusted. Mrs Barker told The Telegraph: I think the message is just do better because actually if they just communicated with people... they would not be in this position I understand that their transport function and everything else is absolutely flat-out in the run up to Christmas. I absolutely get that, but what isnt good enough is the fact that nobodys just got in touch and said: This is what were doing about it and you can expect a response by this date. [Waitrose] said its urgent, and I might sound cynical, but it doesnt sound urgent to me. Its been nearly two weeks. A spokesman for Waitrose said: We are very sorry to the Barkers and the distress this has caused this is clearly not acceptable. We are taking this extremely seriously and are investigating as a matter of urgency. The tree was planted in Shotton Colliery, Co Durham, in 2015 and on Wednesday evening had been lit up for Christmas - North News & Pictures Ltd Two men have been arrested on suspicion of felling a Christmas tree hours after its lights were switched on. The spruce in Shotton Colliery, County Durham was cut down by vandals on Wednesday night after standing in the village for more than a decade. Two men were arrested on Friday following an appeal by Peterlee Neighbourhood Police Team. The suspects were kept in police custody and interviewed by officers about the incident. A man aged 26 was remanded in custody and was in the process of being charged with criminal damage, the policing team said. A second man, 23, was released under investigation. A spokesman for the villages Anglican church commented that a tree surgeon had looked at the damage and said its been done with a chainsaw - Durham Constabulary A police spokesman wrote on Facebook: We are pleased to report that, after a thorough investigation that was ably assisted by the local community, we are in the process of charging and remanding a 26-year-old male with criminal damage to the tree. He will be placed before the next available court. A 23-year-old male has been released under investigation pending further enquiries. Thank you to everyone who has shared our appeal. The tree was planted in the former pit village in 2015. On Wednesday evening it was lit up for Christmas and, as part of the lights switch-on ceremony, blessed by the Rev Shaun Conlon, the local Church of England minister. It is believed to have been felled sometime between 10pm and 11pm the same day. Steve Maitland, chairman of Shotton Residents Association, said the tree was put up as a monument to the fallen soldiers of the First and Second World Wars. He added that it had been funded by local organisations and meant a lot to villagers. After it was cut down, residents speculated that the culprits were children, pointing to a recent spate of anti-social behaviour. The spruce in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, after its lights were switched on earlier this week A spokesman for St Saviours, the villages Anglican church, said: A tree surgeon has looked at the damage and said its been done with a chainsaw. The church stated that a lot of time and effort had been put into raising funds for the tree, adding that it hoped the culprits would be punished by the authorities. Pc David Allan, of Durham Constabulary, previously said: This was a disgusting act of mindless vandalism, which has caused huge upset throughout the village at a time when our community should be coming together. We are treating this incident extremely seriously, and we will deal with anyone responsible as robustly as the law allows. This behaviour has no place in our community. Durham Constabulary was contacted for further comment. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 26: Former U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks during the Edward Kennedy Institute's 10th anniversary celebration at the Edward Kennedy Institute on October 26, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. Former President Joe Biden was honored with a lifetime achievement award. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) Efforts to enshrine former President Joe Bidens time in office with a presidential library have been imperiled by lackluster fundraising, according to The New York Times. Bidens library foundation told the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) it anticipates raking in only $11.3 million by the end of 2027, which is not nearly enough money to build the traditional legacy and records management project for each of the nations chief executives, The New York Times reported. The IRS filings also reportedly show the organization failed to garner any new donations in 2024, the final year of Bidens sole term in office. Instead, it was seeded solely with $4 million remaining from his inauguration in 2021, according to the outlet. (RELATED: Former White House Chief Spills New Details On Bidens Cognitive Decline) A spokesperson for the Biden presidential library foundation did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundations request for comment. The library foundation declined to say the amount of money it raised in 2025, but claimed Biden was just now starting to actively fundraise for the project, The New York Times reported. Moreover, Bidens aides said they have a goal of eventually raising $200 million for the project, according to the outlet. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS OCTOBER 26: Former U.S. President Joe Biden waves before departing the Edward Kennedy Institute on October 26, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. Former President Joe Biden was honored with a lifetime achievement award. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) In part due to the lackluster fundraising, talks have recently been taking place about merging a potential Biden presidential library with pre-existing Biden-affilated institutions located at the University of Delaware, the outlet reported, citing four anonymous sources familiar with the matter. Additionally, some Democratic donors have admitted they would be skeptical about the prospect of donating money for Bidens presidential library even if Biden asked them directly because they are either instead prioritizing combating President Donald Trumps agenda or still have issues with Bidens sole term as president. John Morgan, a longtime Democratic donor, told The New York Times he would not shell out even a penny for Bidens presidential library, citing being treated poorly by some members of the former presidents staff. The Biden staff, they ruined any type of good library for him, Morgan told the outlet. Hell be lucky to have a bookmobile. Kelly Scully, a spokeswoman for Biden, told the outlet we continue to be in an exploratory and planning phase. Biden is set to attend the first fundraiser event related to his presidential library project Monday, the outlet reported Dec. 4. Former President Barack Obama announced in a recent social media post that his Chicago presidential center is set to open June 2026. Trump told reporters in October he thought Obamas stalled presidential library project was not too pretty. 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. First of two stories looking at the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the changing landscape of immigration enforcement. KANSAS CITY, MO Back when he was in uniform, everywhere the airman went Americans adored him, thanked him for his service, offered to buy him lunch. Then he joined Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Now in the midst of newly aggressive immigration enforcement the U.S. Air Force veteran is more likely to hear insults and slurs from the public than thanks. He became an ICE deportation officer because he thinks of himself as "a law-and-order guy." And because ICE is the family business. His father is an ICE deportation officer. And his sister. And his twin brother. "All we want to do is create a safer America," said John, who asked that USA TODAY withhold his full name for fear of being targeted for his work. His fellow officers and family "put their lives on the line," he said, "and I'm willing to do the same." President Donald Trump, acting with broad voter support, has made deporting millions of illegal immigrants the centerpiece of his second presidency. Masked ICE agents have become the face of that nationwide deportation campaign. Trump supporters view the effort as a necessary response to historically high migration under President Joe Biden. An influx of roughly 6 million migrants between 2021 and 2024 pushed the percentage of foreign-born people in the United States to a century high and drove a political crowbar into an America sharply divided by immigration. Millions of Americans now support mass deportation at whatever cost. Polls, protests and viral videos suggest millions of others believe the effort has already gone too far, and organized resistance is growing. ICE officer John monitors a scene where ICE detained a Venezuelan migrant who had been under surveillance for days prior to the arrest in Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 18, 2025. John and his family have long considered themselves public servants charged with enforcing the law Congress enacted. But this view is increasingly at odds with the shocking headlines and viral videos of detentions many Americans see as unjust or overly violent. Agents smashing car windows. Piling out of a Penske truck to grab workers at a Home Depot. Pursuing farmworkers through strawberry fields. Rappelling from a Black Hawk helicopter into an apartment building. Chasing a caregiver into a daycare, hauling her out by force. ICE is taking the heat, though most of those incidents were led by U.S. Border Patrol, a separate agency under the Department of Homeland Security. But for a growing number of Americans, especially in immigrant communities, the insignia on a badge matters less than the tactics they see as overly aggressive, even unjust. John and his family agreed to talk to USA TODAY with permission from their superiors to counter what they see as false impressions of their work. To cover their perspective, which has been largely absent from the public debate on immigration, USA TODAY went behind the scenes of the Trump administration's deportation campaign. In November, we spent three days with ICE in Kansas City, part of the Chicago field office tasked with immigration enforcement in a sprawling, six-state region of the Midwest that includes Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. USA TODAY withheld the full names of family members at their request, given the charged climate around immigration enforcement and because they are not official spokespeople for their agency. They each used one of their given names. John recalled that, as an airman, "I had people wanting to buy me lunch in an airport or, you know, looking at me like I'm some sort of hero. "Then when I come to this side of the aisle where I'm still putting my life on the line to enforce the law and wanting to create a safer America now all of a sudden, I'm not that hero." More: Exclusive look inside ICE: How the agency operates in Trump's America ICE on a recruitment push In August, amid an $8 billion hiring spree, Homeland Security posted an ICE recruitment flyer that depicted a grizzled agent with a salt-and-pepper beard beside a fresh-faced youth in camo and body armor. The tagline read: "We're taking father/son bonding to a whole new level." Nationwide, ICE is working to hire as many as 10,000 deportation officers in addition to the nearly 15,000 federal law enforcement officers detailed to immigration enforcement. A year ago, ICE had 6,000 deportation officers in total. Were taking father/son bonding to a whole new level.https://t.co/nZkBEj3GGi pic.twitter.com/sg5QwuDDwG Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 6, 2025 John, his brother James, and their sister Danielle had already followed in their father Robert's footsteps, graduating the ICE training academy during a 2024 presidential election dominated by the immigration debate. As a family, they hold the gamut of jobs within ICE. Robert drives a commercial van transporting ICE detainees between facilities or medical care. John, briefly detailed to Kansas City from his home base in Florida, makes street arrests as a deportation officer. James picks up immigrants arrested on criminal charges from area jails. And Danielle works a desk job arranging the travel documents required for immigrants to be deported. Inspired by their dad's quarter-century of service, the siblings landed at ICE after other careers. John spent six years in the Air Force, including one overseas deployment. James, the younger brother by five minutes, worked for the Bureau of Prisons. Danielle, the eldest, was first a schoolteacher, then worked for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Robert was nearing the end of his career just as his kids were joining the force. They worked together for six months, an opportunity that made Robert emotional: "Seeing them in the morning when I get to the office, it's just hard to explain ..." At 57, he came up on mandatory retirement in May. He bought a sports car, packed up his desk and was about to take his wife, Michelle, for their first real vacation in years when an email from the new Trump administration hit his personal inbox in June: Retirees could return to ICE, with a $50,000 bonus. Michelle asked what he was thinking. "It's a no-brainer," he told her. "It's time to go back." A blitz and a backlash In September, Robert and another returning officer were settling into a closet-size office decorated with a Kansas City Chiefs banner when DHS surged federal agents to Chicago. Danielle got orders to depart for the operation named "Midway Blitz" at 10 p.m. the night before she would leave. It was a monthlong detail. The same week, on Sept. 25, a shooter perched on a hotel rooftop fired into the garage of an ICE facility in Dallas, fatally wounding two detained immigrant men. Authorities said the shooter had "specifically intended to kill ICE agents." The anti-ICE movement was exploding. A continuous street protest was underway at the local ICE headquarters in Broadview, Illinois, when Danielle arrived. Amid clashes with clergy and activists, a protestor held a sign with a Biblical message: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Danielle walked through clouds of tear gas to get to work. Federal agents detain a protester outside of the Broadview ICE processing facility, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence in Chicago to assist in crime prevention, in Broadview, Ill., Sept. 26, 2025. Danielle, active in her Kansas City church, confided to other churchgoers that she worked for ICE and would be deployed to the "blitz" how else to explain her sudden, prolonged absence? She was met by some with understanding, by others with accusations. One woman confronted her about her work. Danielle said: "It's hard to have a conversation about it because there isn't any trust. A lot of people like the lady from church are going to just assume that I am blowing smoke and not being honest." Immigrant families feared their loved ones being taken by ICE, or sent to far-flung detention centers. Robert and Michelle worried about their kids being deployed to Chicago. "It's never exactly safe, but now you have people that are protesting and getting physical and burning things, and it just it's hard to watch," Robert said. At least six protestors were indicted in Chicago in November on charges of assaulting, resisting and impeding federal officers. Agents deployed tear gas and fired pepper balls, injuring two church pastors in separate incidents. A week after Danielle came home, James was deployed to Chicago. Robert watched the furious crowds on the news, the flares of violence directed at ICE agents. At his kids. "I saw the protests, I know how close they're getting to the facility there," he said. "Not a whole lot of room to get around without engaging. You know, people yelling 'fascist' and all sorts of things." "It was like where you just don't want the phone to ring," he said. What ICE does: 'We're targeted enforcement' On a Tuesday in November, in a two-story building with minimal signage, the Kansas City ICE office was noisy with change. Builders made a racket with power tools on the second floor, outfitting the space for ICE to double its personnel in the coming months. At 6 a.m., Danielle was already in her cubicle under the glare of fluorescent lights, country music playing softly on her cell phone. There were echoes of her schoolteacher days: a hand-drawn sign that said "Shhh ... I'm working! Thanks," with a heart for punctuation. Every available surface was stacked with brown file folders, each corresponding to someone detained, or someone ICE was planning to arrest. Sticky notes on cardboard file boxes read "removal docs" and "pending court date." "We're targeted enforcement," she said, "so we know who we're going after." While Danielle searched for embassy contact information to process a deportation, John readied handcuffs for that morning's arrest: a Venezuelan man living in Kansas City illegally with a rap sheet that included sexual assault and drunken driving. James was on his way to pick up an immigrant in the federal penitentiary who had finished a criminal sentence. Robert, meanwhile, had departed at dawn for a 12-hour round trip transporting detainees. During his tenure and the kids' short time in the agency before Trump took office, ICE prioritized going after undocumented immigrants who had serious criminal records. The agency's traditional work method has long been to surveil, surround and make an arrest as quickly and quietly as possible no spectators. Things have changed. This year, pressed to deliver on Trump's promise of "mass deportation," the White House began ratcheting up pressure on ICE to raise its arrest and deportation numbers. A quota circulated; the administration wanted 3,000 arrests per day. To achieve it, Homeland Security pushed U.S. Border Patrol ICE's bigger, bolder sister agency into a lead role, launching flashy operations in major American cities. ICE agents were ready to double-down on arrests after years of what they saw as leniency under past administrations. In Kansas City, ICE officers including Robert and his kids are working long hours now six-, sometimes seven-day weeks. Lately, Danielle stops at her parents' house for dinner after a 12-hour workday, then returns to the office to keep processing paperwork, each folder holding an immigrant's fate in the balance. With John home for a few days from his post in Florida, the family gathered for dinner. Michelle made lasagna. The house was already decorated for Christmas. They bowed their heads. Michelle prayed: "Dear Lord We ask that you would help us to live a life that you find worthy, unto you, and forgive us of our sins." 'Half the country hates you' After Chicago, after Dallas, Robert took new precautions. For the first time in his 25-year career, he started checking the rooftops of buildings near the office before getting out of his car. "It seems like half the country loves you and half the country hates you," Robert said. "Congress has the power to change the laws if they want to change the laws. All we're doing is enforcing the laws that are on the books." The twins often wear masks in public, when carrying out street arrests. They do it, they say, to protect their family full stop. There is no federal law that prohibits them from doing so. Danielle is analytical. The public deserves to know who their law enforcement officers are, she says. But there is no escaping the current reality, in which many members of the public dont trust ICE, and ICE doesnt trust them. They hear the rage firsthand, slurs they say aren't true. Fascists. Nazis. Cowards. Before she became a federal worker, Danielle taught in a Kansas City high school, in a classroom where some students had undocumented parents or were undocumented themselves. She saw the trauma children suffered when a parent was deported. Still, in her view, the law is the law. "There are collaterals," she said. "We are going after people who are in the system, who have a criminal history, who you don't want on the street, whether they are here illegally or not." Legal or illegal? It's open to interpretation Immigration law, housed in Title 8 of the U.S. Code, is notoriously complex and sometimes contradictory. For example: It's illegal to cross the U.S. border between ports of entry. It's also legal to seek asylum at the border, even after crossing illegally. The law which hasn't been updated since before the twins were born in the late-90s gives ICE broad authority to detain immigrants, including those in a legal process to stay. But detention is costly and jail space limited. That led prior administrations to prioritize holding immigrants with criminal records or who recently crossed. The Trump administration and a Republican-led Congress are now pumping $45 billion into ICE to dramatically expand detention space, and the agency is increasingly flexing its detention authority. The number of immigrants held on a given day surged above 65,000 in November a record high from fewer than 40,000 a year earlier, according to ICE data. Though ICE officers carry out judges' orders, they are vested with some discretion over how to handle individual cases, particularly if there are children involved. The following day, a Wednesday, James parked a van into the secure garage of the Wyandotte County jail. A 33-year-old Mexican man, in the country illegally since he was 2, had been arrested on drug possession charges. A judge ordered him to appear in January 2026. He posted bond. Jail officers notified ICE. Hundreds of county jails in "sanctuary" communities refuse to call ICE when releasing a person in the country illegally, citing their mandate not to detain people after a judge has ordered their release. James handcuffed the man, loaded him into the van and brought him to the holding area at the Kansas City ICE office. James asked him why, since he had U.S. citizen children, he hadn't applied for legal status. The man said he had no contact with his kids. He was detained, while waiting to see an immigration judge. Not their father's agency ICE is rapidly evolving from the force Danielle, John and James got to know on "take your kid to work" days. Trump's mass deportation goal has led to streamlining and shortcuts. Many new ICE hires were put through an accelerated academy. Some gun-and-badge carrying former law enforcement officers have been exempted from in-person training. And the "operations" continue, from Los Angeles, to Chicago and Charlotte, North Carolina, to New Orleans and Minneapolis. The administration has indicated it will target cities across the country. The enforcement surge may come to Kansas City, too. It was his father's example that drew John to the agency. "I always wanted to be an ICE agent because of my dad," he said. "One of the coolest things that I've seen him do is actually put really bad guys out of the United States." John has been thinking about the strangers who thanked him in one uniform and despise him in another. "I wonder if that person that was willing to buy me a lunch in an airport, coming home as a soldier, would look at me the same now knowing that I'm an ICE agent," he said. "Nothing's changed for me. I'm the same person." Lauren Villagran covers immigration for USA TODAY. She can be reached at lvillagran@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Family of ICE agents wants to create a 'safer America' A U.S. Border Patrol agent looks across the U.S.-Canada border near Malone, N.Y., on Sept. 16, 2024. Photo: Glenn Fawcett / U.S. Customs and Border Protection via Flickr / United States Government Work (The Center Square) A First Nation reservation located in upstate New York, which is also located in Canada, says it is grappling with transnational and illegal border crosser crime. One of its law enforcement chiefs came to Texas seeking help. Ranatiiostha Swamp, chief of police of the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory, spoke with The Center Square in an exclusive interview about the challenges his community faces while joining an Operation Lone Star Task Force operation in south Texas. His territory, which straddles the international border, has been a target of human, drug and weapons smuggling, as well as other crimes, The Center Square reported. The territory borders the Canadian Cornwall Port of Entry, includes Cornwall Island and smaller islands on the St. Lawrence River, and a coastal region of Quebec. In the U.S., it borders the Massena POE in upstate New York, and the northernmost parts of Franklin and St. Lawrence counties. Cornwall, Ontario, is roughly a 20-minute drive to Massena; Ottawa to Messena is roughly a 1.5-hour drive. To reach either city, travelers, including residents, must go through the reservation. Chief Swamp has jurisdiction in the province of Quebec and Ontario and transits through New York State. The reservation also has a chief of police on the New York side who receives grants to work with U.S. Homeland Security and Border Patrol. Swamps jurisdiction includes the St. Lawrence River; the vast amount of his region is divided by water. Because of the vast region and lack of resources, despite their best efforts, they are limited in law enforcement efforts, he says. Each side of the reservation falls under different laws, Canadian and American, including a political, judicial and currency system. The international border divides the reservation. The only thing that we share is our culture, he said. Every morning, they say a prayer of unity and thanksgiving, Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen, to bring their mind together as one, he said. That is what were doing today, he said, when coming to Texas to seek solutions. Their community is facing increasing criminal threats, he said. Mexican cartels are buying up property along the border, thats primarily what were seeing from where Im from. Its all on the U.S. side where theyre buying up all the farmlands connected into different farms, Swamp said. Were working with U.S. Border Patrol and state police in our area. The properties being purchased are in strategic locations where open farmland provides easy access to cross the river, he said. He's working to create memorandum of understandings with law enforcement agencies to have some border law enforcement patrol on land. We have had a shiprider [maritime law enforcement cooperation] come through on the moving area on the water. I'd like to incorporate that same concept and bring it to law enforcement cooperation on land in Canada, he said. Dwayne Zacharie, president of First Nations Chiefs of Police Association and Chief Peacekeeper of the Kahnawake Peacekeepers, oversees law enforcement operations on a reservation roughly an hour from Montreal. Where we are located, all of the land around us is farmland where many of the workers are migrants from Guatemala, Mexico, India and other countries. Theyre coming to Canada and into our community, also connected to an illicit tobacco trade, he said where organized criminal organizations have seized on an opportunity. More and more and more, our community is being inundated by immigrant traffic, Zacharie said. We've had a number of contacts from a Homeland Security office in Montreal about what they're seeing in Montreal. The immigrants are illegal, so we see this influx in our community and all of these impacts lead to other statistics: theft, fraud, vehicle theft, all of these things are starting to rise. The reservations' designations have existed since the 1700s but all of a sudden these communities are experiencing a wave of crime from illegal immigration, he said. We're not big, but we are in the middle of all of this. We see what the impacts are, and we see where the hole is. We see that there's a lack of understanding at the federal and provincial level about how to combat the issue that we're all facing. After meeting with OLS Task Force sheriffs in Texas, hes hoping to develop solutions and form new partnerships. The police chiefs face legal and prosecutorial constraints stemming from the Indian Act and Immigration and Protection Act, they argue, which contribute to lack of border enforcement. Another is not receiving funding from Public Safety Canada, which is expected to cut funding for First Nation policing organizations next March, Zacharie said. Another struggle they face stems from the Canadian government refusing to designate them as essential services, The Center Square reported. While Swamps community on the New York side has benefitted from U.S. federal funding, there is nothing comparable in place locally on the Canadian side, which is a goal of his, he said. I continue to spearhead that and that's part of the reason why I'm here [in Texas] so I can learn from what's going on here and bring it back home. Because of the border that goes straight through the Akwesasne reservation, it divides our community despite us saying that we are one community, he said. As a result of their trip, Texas policy makers and OLS Task Force members are working on border security solutions with First Nation police chiefs. Second of two stories looking at the role of ICE in the changing landscape of immigration enforcement. KANSAS CITY, MO Inside an ICE headquarters in a suburban office park hangs a printed text-message that immigration officers feel is aimed at them: "Get a gun and shoot them in the streets." It's tacked on a cubicle wall that dozens of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents pass by daily. The screenshot message also declares, "This is a war." In response, an ICE agent wrote on the printout in all caps: "BE VIGILANT!!" For ICE Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer Keone Feliciano, the note is an unavoidable reminder of the danger he and his colleagues face amidst rapidly increasing anger over the Trump administration's aggressive approach to immigration enforcement. Behind the scenes of an ICE immigration arrest A Mexican migrant, who was brought to Kansas City illegally as a child at age 2, is transferred by ICE officers John and James after being arrested on drug charges. James informed him he would have a hearing before an immigration judge or could waive his rights to due process and be deported immediately to Mexico. Across the country, Feliciano and other longtime ICE officers accustomed to operating below the radar have been thrust into the spotlight by President Donald Trump's orders to conduct the largest mass deportation in history. For many, it's an uncomfortable position as they work to balance their self-image as patriotic, law-and-order Americans with the perception that they have suddenly become, in the words of one ICE officer, "the bad guys." In response to Trump's orders, the deployment of masked federal agents across American communities has spawned sometimes violent backlash including shootings, attacks on ICE facilities and vehicle rammings Protesters, the vast majority peaceful, say agents are crossing dangerous lines for American society, smashing car windows, chasing workers through restaurants and targeting people for detention seemingly, they say, at random. To report on the perspective of both sides, USA TODAY journalists spent several days this November in Kansas City, accompanying ICE officers as they detained suspects, collected detainees from local jails, and loaded others onto a charter flight to Texas for eventual deportation. We also spoke with Kansas City-area migrant advocates and local elected officials who say the expanded immigration enforcement is tearing communities apart, turning neighbor against neighbor and sparking heated confrontations over the tactics now being deployed. On a cool November morning, Feliciano, an 11-year veteran of the department, raced his Dodge truck through the predawn darkness to join his team as they arrested a previously deported Venezuelan man convicted of sex crimes. Feliciano's white pickup was fresh from the repair shop after protesters tailed and rammed him on a busy street in Chicago amidst the controversial Operation Midway Blitz, during which Border Patrol agents fired tear gas at protesters after being confronted by angry crowds. He helped chain and load the Venezuelan man into the back of an unmarked ICE vehicle. Then, Feliciano urged his officers to get off the streets quickly. "The longer we're out here, the more attention it's going to draw," he said. "Some people just like to drive by and be looky-loos, but some people could have hostile intentions. We just want to keep everybody safe and get out of here." More: Exclusive: A father and his three kids work for ICE. Why they do it. 'Pendulum swings' of enforcement strategies Feliciano, a Navy veteran and former local police officer, said the pendulum swings between different presidential administrations have sometimes interfered with the reason he got into immigration enforcement: to remove criminals from American communities. He said he's particularly proud whenever his team can deport convicted sex offenders, who he believes pose a significant public risk even after serving a criminal sentence. There was a time under President Joe Biden, when, "if we weren't able to immediately effect a removal, we were being ordered to just release them," Feliciano said. "Which is why we have now such a huge backlog of aliens just floating in the country with pending cases that have gone nowhere. Keone Feliciano, an 11-year veteran of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, speaks with USA TODAY after an early morning apprehension of a migrant from Venezuela in Kansas City, Missouri, on Nov. 18, 2025. "Now we have an administration that's saying, 'Stop releasing them. Put them back in custody,'" he said. The Venezuelan man Feliciano's team arrested in November had previously been deported from the United States following a statutory rape conviction. He reentered illegally; when he got arrested, he requested asylum, saying he feared returning to Venezuela. A judge ruled the man could be deported to a third country like Mexico, ordered him fitted with a GPS tracker and released him back into the community, according to ICE officials. Reentry after deportation is a felony, but making an asylum claim, especially during the Biden years, could qualify some people to remain free while their cases were pending. Feliciano's team decided to detain the man after his GPS tracker detected tampering. It could have been a false alarm but potentially indicated the man had tried to remove it. After staking out the man's house for several days, the team waited until he left for work early one morning before stopping his Honda Pilot near an empty intersection, blocking him in with multiple vehicles. Agents prefer traffic stops to entering homes for safety reasons. The man surrendered immediately and was shackled. At his request, an officer drove his car back to his nearby house. Growing tensions between ICE and advocates Back at the ICE office in Kansas City, longtime officers sit next to fresh-faced recruits brought on under Trump's rapid agency expansion. Under the "One Big Beautiful Bill" passed by Congress this summer, federal immigration agencies have been ordered to hire 18,500 new agents and support staff roughly doubling the force. Nationally, these new federal agents, often from Customs and Border Protection, have orders to pursue undocumented immigrants whether they have criminal convictions or not. Just over 40% of those currently in detention have only immigration violations no criminal convictions or pending charges a 25-fold increase since the start of the Trump administration, according to Austin Kocher, an expert in immigrant enforcement at Syracuse University. An undocumented female migrant is shackled by her feet as she waits in a van to be loaded onto a plane for deportation at Kansas City International Airport on Nov. 18. Like other hard-line immigration enforcers, Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino has suggested that prior presidential administrations broke faith with the American public by failing to properly restrict illegal immigration. "We will not allow criminal illegal aliens to take over American communities. We will continue to track down illegal aliens in Los Angeles, Chicago, or any other city we choose," Bovino said in a Nov. 15 social media post. "That is the way THIS team operates." This more combative approach took shape in Kansas City in late July when ICE officers swarmed into two popular Mexican restaurants in the western and southern suburbs, detaining about a dozen workers. ICE had a criminal federal search warrant, signed by a judge, to search the premises as part of an ongoing investigation, officials said. Under the Trump administration priorities, ICE officials say they are under orders to question suspected undocumented immigrants whenever they encounter them. As the raids unfolded, dozens of migrant-rights activists and community members surrounded the restaurants, screaming at federal agents and officers and damaging one of their vehicles. While protesters portrayed the raids as unwarranted and immoral, ICE officials consider the protests ill-informed activism. A county worker collects shackles after migrants were loaded onto a plane for deportation at Kansas City International Airport on Nov. 18. ICE officers later used their own shackles to restrain the migrants during the flight. ICE has still not explained specifically what officers were looking for during the raids, but note the restaurants had previously been under investigation for wage theft during the Biden administration. Activists say ICE's refusal to explain why the two restaurants were targeted for immigration enforcement is contributing to a lack of trust. "We are feeling scared and worried but in a strange way we feel more empowered to speak up for our community. We feel this commitment to defend our people," said Melanie Arroyo, a member of the suburban Lenexa City Council, across the state line in Kansas. Around Kansas City, community activists are handing out fliers advising people of their constitutional rights, including their right to remain silent, to not open the door to agents without seeing a warrant, and to film interactions from a safe distance. The "pendulum swings" in immigration enforcement are spilling into local politics, too. Arroyo's own citizenship was briefly investigated by state and local police after one of her constituents misunderstood legislative testimony she had given. At first she thought it was amusing that someone had questioned her citizenship until she realized neighbors were demanding to see her papers although she was an American citizen. "This is a scary pattern and people need to wake up and recognize that we can't just be compliant. Because this is not OK," Arroyo said. Accountability has deteriorated amidst the hiring spree and tougher enforcement environment, said Genevra Alberti, a longtime Kansas City immigration attorney. In recent months she's found the Kansas City ICE office less responsive to her inquiries about her clients and detention officers less cooperative when it comes to her concerns about overcrowded cells or health issues. "There have always been officers here who I could tell enjoyed what they were doing, and for them, this is great," she said. "They get to do what they've always wanted to do." Kansas state Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Democrat who represents suburban Kansas City, said the new harsher approach is rupturing the trust built between local police and immigrant communities, who have long been encouraged to report crimes against them even if they're living illegally in the United States. "It has come to the point where no one is trusting each other. People are not out in the community like they normally would be. That means they're not shopping. They're not going to school. It's affecting our entire way of life because you don't know who to trust. Can you trust your neighbor?" Ruiz said. 'We're just enforcing the laws as written' Feliciano and his team say they're using appropriate levels of force at a time when an increasing number of immigrants know that getting detained means they'll get deported. Under past presidential administrations, undocumented immigrants were often allowed to remain free on bond or on GPS monitoring while their cases played out. But the Trump White House has essentially ordered detention without bond until their case is decided for anyone livingwithout legal status in the United States. Others are being deported to third countries. In the face of this shift, immigrants are feeling more desperate and are more likely to resist arrest, Feliciano said raising the danger for everyone involved. "The detention space hasn't changed much, but we're able to get people through the system faster," Feliciano said. "We're getting people out of the country very, very quickly." That means undocumented immigrants stopped for routine traffic violations are now increasingly running away or refusing to cooperate with local police or ICE agents. For longtime agents like Feliciano, this shift means being prepared for violence both from the person they're stopping and from community members angered by the White House orders. Hence the printout tacked to the cubicle wall. Feliciano said the threat of violence from community members won't dissuade his Kansas City team from following their orders. He takes pride in the work his agents do targeting criminal offenders through surveillance and documentation. Later in the week as he navigated his pickup to the Kansas City airport to oversee a deportation flight, Feliciano listed off all the ways detainees have their chance to plead their case in court, appeal the decisions and request asylum. He said ICE officers like him are going to keep arresting people who pose a danger to the public, working as ordered by the White House, despite the concerns of what he called "social justice warriors" protesting in Chicago and other cities. On the airport tarmac, Feliciano watched as members of his team frisked and chained detainees before they were loaded onto a charter flight headed to a centralized deportation facility in Texas. His phone rang; one of his other officers was calling to discuss details of ongoing surveillance for their next targeted arrest. "We're not the feelings police. We're the law police," he said. "And we're just enforcing the laws as they're written." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ICE operations and an inside look amid mass deportation push FILE - Democratic Republic of the Congo's Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner attends a signing ceremony for a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the State Departmentin Washington, June 27, 2025. (AP Pho to/Mark Schiefelbein, File) Uvira, CONGO (AP) A climate of fear reigned Saturday in Uvira, a strategic city in eastern Congo, days after it fell to the Rwanda -backed M23 group, as fighting in the region escalated despite a U.S. mediated peace deal. The Associated Press gained rare access to the city, which was the Congo governments last major foothold in South Kivu province after the provincial capital of Bukavu fell to the rebels in February. Its capture allows the rebels to consolidate a broad corridor of influence across the east. M23 said it took control of Uvira earlier this week, following a rapid offensive launched at the start of the month. Along with the more than 400 people killed, about 200,000 have been displaced, regional officials say. On Saturday, the situation in Uvira still had not returned to normal. There was absolute silence and no traffic, apart from military jeeps circulating on the empty streets. The banks were closed and people have not resumed their jobs only a few dared to go out during the day, and no one ventured outside after sunset, with armed M23 fighters patrolling the city. Some people left the city, but we stayed," Maria Esther, a 45-year-old mother of 10, told AP. But the situation hasnt returned to normal, we havent resumed our usual activities because theres no money circulating. Joli Bulambo, another resident of Uvira, said: People thought that the situation that had happened in Goma with the deaths would be the same here in Uvira, but fortunately, there were not many deaths because God helped." M23s latest push The rebels latest offensive comes despite a U.S.-mediated peace agreement signed last week by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in Washington. The United States accused Rwanda of violating the agreement by backing a deadly new rebel offensive in the mineral-rich eastern Congo, and warned that the Trump administration will take action against spoilers of the deal. The accord didnt include the rebel group, which is negotiating separately with Congo and agreed earlier this year to a ceasefire that both sides accuse the other of violating. However, it obliges Rwanda to halt support for armed groups like M23 and work to end hostilities. Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, said on X on Saturday: Rwandas actions in eastern DRC are a clear violation of the Washington Accords signed by President Trump, and the United States will take action to ensure promises made to the President are kept. There was no immediate reaction from Rwanda. The rebels advance pushed the conflict to the doorstep of neighboring Burundi, which has maintained troops in eastern Congo for years, heightening fears of a broader regional spillover. A struggle for mineral rich territory More than 100 armed groups are vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo, near the border with Rwanda, most prominently M23. The conflict has created one of the worlds most significant humanitarian crises, with more than 7 million people displaced, according to the U.N. agency for refugees. Local U.N. partners report that more than 200,000 people have been displaced across the province since Dec. 2. Civilians also have crossed into Burundi, and there have been reports of shells falling in the town of Rugombo, on the Burundian side of the border, raising concerns about the conflict spilling over into Burundian territory. Congo, the U.S. and U.N. experts accuse Rwanda of backing M23, which has grown from hundreds of members in 2021 to around 6,500 fighters, according to the U.N. Rwanda, Congo and M23 trade accusations Congos Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner on Friday accused Rwanda of trampling on the peace agreement, which she described as bringing hope of a historic turning point. She warned, however, that the entire process is at stake, and urged the Security Council to impose sanctions against military and political leaders responsible for the attacks, ban mineral exports from Rwanda and prohibit it from contributing troops to U.N. peacekeeping missions. Rwanda continues to benefit, especially financially but also in terms of reputation, from its status as a troop-contributing country to peacekeeping missions, Wagner told AP. Bertrand Bisimwa, deputy coordinator of the AFC/M23 rebel movement told AP in an exclusive interview Friday that peace commitments have remained largely theoretical. Regardless of the ceasefire agreements we sign and the mutual commitments we make, nothing is implemented on the ground, he said. Asked about the expansion of M23 operations toward the Uvira region, Bisimwa said the region was a long-standing hot spot of ethnic tensions and violence. For a long time, people were attacked and killed because of their community affiliation, he said. On Friday, Rwandas Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe told diplomats that Congo had declared it would continue fighting in M23 recaptured territories and it was only after M23 retaliated that the international community suddenly woke up. The DRC has openly declared that it would not observe any ceasefire and would instead continue fighting to recapture territories held by the AFC/M23, even as the peace process unfolded," he said. While Rwanda denies the claim that it backs M23, it acknowledged last year that it has troops and missile systems in eastern Congo, allegedly to safeguard its security. U.N. experts estimate there are up to 4,000 Rwandan forces in Congo. ___ Associated Press writers Ruth Alonga in Goma, Congo, and Evelyne Musambi in Nairobi, Kenya, contributed to this report. Men walk along a muddy alley at a makeshift camp sheltering displaced Palestinians after heavy rains in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City on December 11, 2025. - Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images Severe weather conditions over the past 72 hours in Gaza have left 14 people dead, including three children, the director general of the Gaza-based Health Ministry Munir Al-Boursh told CNN. Over the past two years, many Palestinians were left with no option but to move into tents and temporary shelters amid the devastating war that left much of the enclave in ruins. Tents flooded with water and Palestinians were left wading through sewage, mud and debris with no proper shelter, aid group, Oxfam, said in a statement Saturday, adding that the difficult conditions are a direct result of the systematic obstruction of aid. Palestinians pleaded for help amid the cold weather and rain thats left their belongings soaked and destroyed. The mattress, the blanket, everything, even the clothes, have become soaked with water. Bring me a mattress. Bring me a tent. I beg you, for Gods sake, help me, Um Mustafa told CNN on Friday. She said the only food she had left, a bag of flour and rice, were ruined after they were soaked with water leaving her panicking in the middle of the night. I went out screaming to the neighbors, asking them for help, she said. All my children became soaked by the rainwater. A displaced Palestinian man clears muddy water in a flooded tent camp on a rainy day in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, December 12, 2025. - Mahmoud Issa/Reuters Tents, temporary shelters and even buildings, weakened by Israeli bombardment during the war, collapsed while families were inside, according to authorities and Palestinians in Gaza. An eight-month-old baby named Rahaf died of hypothermia, her family told CNN. More than 27,000 tents were swept away and flooded, the Hamas-run government media office said in a statement. The complex humanitarian disaster has affected at least 250,000 people, the media office said in a statement. Israel and Hamas reached a truce in October, allowing the release of all living Israeli hostages and bringing the two-year war to a halt. Israel allowed aid into Gaza to implement the first stage of the agreement. But Oxfam said Israeli authorities continue to block the entry of basic shelter materials, fuel and water infrastructure, which is leaving people exposed to entirely preventable harm. When access is denied, storms become deadly. This suffering is being manufactured by policy, not weather, the group said in a statement. The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli agency tasked with facilitating aid distribution in Gaza, said in a statement that Israel is committed to and fully upholds its obligation to transfer humanitarian aid trucks in accordance with the agreement. In this framework, hundreds of trucks enter each day carrying food, water, fuel, gas, medicines, medical equipment, tents and shelter equipment, the agency said. Over the last few months, COGAT coordinated with the international community and facilitated the transfer of close to 270,000 tents and tarpaulins directly to the residents of the Gaza Strip. We are planning a catered humanitarian response for the upcoming winter, COGAT said. Despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus public embrace of the deal in September, significant gaps remain for the progression of the ceasefire agreement. The US is pushing to move quickly into the next phase, but Israel is conditioning major steps on the return of the final deceased hostage and has been resisting US efforts to resolve a standoff with a pocket of isolated Hamas militants in the Israeli-occupied parts of southern Gaza. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com "Taiwan independence" separatists who forget their roots will be condemned by history: spokesperson Xinhua) 11:02, December 13, 2025 BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- What awaits the "Taiwan independence" separatists who have betrayed their ancestors is contempt from the people and the judgement of history, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Friday. The Japanese government has been recently refusing to explicitly reiterate Taiwan-related statement set forth in the four political documents between China and Japan and kept dodging the issue by repeating that its position "remains unchanged." At the same time, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities echoed Japan's erroneous remarks and deeds by lifting import restrictions on Japanese seafood and sending groups to visit Japan to show support. Noting that Japan has committed innumerable crimes in Taiwan over the 50-year occupation and colonial rule, Guo said at a regular news briefing that the DPP authorities have turned a blind eye to the countless tragedies and evidence, and instead blatantly glossed over Japan's colonial rule by using the term "end of the war" to fudge historical facts and avoid mentioning "the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression" or "Taiwan's recovery." During Japan's colonial rule, hundreds of thousands of our Taiwan compatriots were murdered by the Japanese military, accounting for about one-fifth of the population at that time. Under Japan's massive economic plundering and spiritual enslavement, 70 percent of Taiwan's land was occupied, and natural resources including coal and gold mines were destructively exploited. Over half of the rice produced in Taiwan was shipped to Japan, while the local people were starved to death. Many Taiwanese were used as forced laborers, among whom 40 percent died. Around 200,000 young Taiwanese were forced to serve in the Japanese military and tens of thousands of them died as the "cannon fodder" of Japanese militarism. More than 2,000 Taiwanese girls and women were forced to become "comfort women." The Taiwanese, who were slaves living on a conquered island, had no political rights, freedom of belief or cultural freedom. The DPP authorities have whitewashed Japan's colonial rule and oppression on Taiwan as "development" and "contribution," turning its back on the Chinese nation, selling Taiwan out to ingratiate with Japan, and serving as the accomplices and pawns of Japanese militarism, Guo said. As China marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the Japanese leader once again cited "survival-threatening situation" regarding the Taiwan question, which amounts to a challenge to human conscience and international justice, and has undoubtedly met with strong outrage from the Chinese people and the international community, the spokesperson said. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) Brazilian airline Azul SA has received US court approval to implement its debt restructuring plan, clearing the way for a planned exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy by February, company executives said. The decision allows the airline to cut over $2 billion in debt and secure new equity investments from American Airlines and United Airlines. US Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane approved Azul's restructuring plan during a court hearing in White Plains, New York, on Friday. The plan converts a large portion of the airline's pre-existing debt into equity and enables it to raise additional cash by selling new shares. Under the agreement, American and United will each invest $100 million and receive 8.5% of Azul's new equity once the carrier exits bankruptcy, Bloomberg reported. "We can now execute the plan, which is to convert all that debt, that burden," Azul CEO John Rodgerson told Reuters. "This debt comes off my balance sheet and turns into equity, so we end up in a much lighter situation." He added that the company expects to leave Chapter 11 with a leverage ratio of 2.5 times, below the initial forecast of 3.0 times. Brazilian airline Azul won US court permission to exit bankruptcy and implement a creditor-backed restructuring that trims debt and lines up new investment from United Airlines and American Airlines https://t.co/mtlL43pct7 Bloomberg (@business) December 12, 2025 Azul Airlines to Cut 60% of Debt in Chapter 11 Plan The restructuring will reduce Azul's debt by roughly 60% and cut annual interest expenses by about $200 million. According to Reuters, aircraft lease obligations are also expected to decrease by 28%, following settlements with major lessor AerCap. The bankruptcy plan has received broad support from creditors, including bondholders owed about $1.8 billion, who have agreed to exchange their debt for equity in the reorganized airline. Azul, a leading carrier in Brazil alongside Gol and LATAM, filed for Chapter 11 in May 2025 after facing pandemic-era financial strains, rising operational costs, and delays in aircraft deliveries. The airline's move follows similar filings by Latin American competitors, including Gol, LATAM, and Aeromexico. Earlier this year, Azul explored a potential merger with Gol, controlled by Abra Group, but those discussions ended in September. "I'm super focused on our stand-alone plan," Rodgerson said, emphasizing the airline's commitment to its current restructuring path. Once Chapter 11 proceedings conclude, Azul expects to emerge as a "more robust and resilient airline," with a healthier balance sheet and streamlined fleet. The company's restructuring is still subject to regulatory approvals in Brazil, a company lawyer noted. Originally published on vcpost.com West Virginia National Guard member Andrew Wolfe. - Department of Justice More than two weeks after being shot in the head in Washington, DC, National Guard Staff Sargent Andrew Wolfe, 24, is breathing on his own and can stand with assistance, according to MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Those are important milestones that reflect his strength and determination, said Dr. Jeffrey Mai, a neurosurgeon at the hospital. Mai called Wolfes progress extraordinary and said in a statement, Based on these improvements, he is now ready to transition from acute care to inpatient rehabilitation as the next step in his recovery journey. While the guardsman is still in the early phase of healing, Mai said, his progress gives us every reason to feel hopeful about what lies ahead. Mai also shared new details about how Wolfe was treated immediately after he and fellow Guard member Sarah Beckstrom were shot at close range near the Farragut West Metro station in DC on the day before Thanksgiving. Wolfe was airlifted to the hospital in the crucial minutes after the attack. Thanks to the immediate response of emergency personnel and the exceptional care provided by our trauma and neurosurgery teams, he received lifesaving treatment, including emergency surgery to control bleeding and relieve pressure on his brain, Mai said. Beckstrom, 20, died on Thanksgiving Day as a result of her wounds. Wolfes parents, Melody and Jason Wolfe, praised the medical staff who took care of their son after the attack. We are so grateful to the MedStar Washington Hospital Center, the staff, the doctors and nurses that have cared for Andy these first few weeks, they said in a statement. The care has been remarkable, and they have told us Andys progress is miraculous. Wolfes parents thanked Andys military family, his hometown community, and the people across the nation for their support as he begins a long and tough rehabilitation. We know he will continue to improve at a rapid pace and know your prayers are making the difference, they added. Wolfe, Beckstrom and other National Guard members were performing high visibility patrols when a man approached them at about 2:15 p.m. on November 26, and started shooting at them, Jeffrey Carroll, Executive Assistant Chief of the Metropolitan Washington Police, said in November. Carroll said after some back and forth, fellow Guard members were able to subdue him and take him into custody. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national who had previously worked with US military and intelligence units in Afghanistan, has pleaded not guilty to charges including premeditated murder and assault with intent to kill. Jeanine Pirro, US Attorney for Washington, DC, has said Rahmanullah drove his vehicle across country from the state of Washington with the intended target of coming to our nations capital. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A Guatemalan immigrant held at ICE's Camp East Montana immigration detention facility has died in an El Paso hospital. Francisco Gaspar Andres, 48, was pronounced dead on Dec. 3, an ICE news release stated. The official cause of death is pending, but officials state it was likely because of "natural liver and kidney failure." He was admitted to the Hospitals of Providence East on Nov. 16, but he had been treated by medical staff at the detention facility on Sept. 27, Oct. 2 and Oct. 9. Gaspar Andres was detained in Florida on Sept. 1 along with his wife. He was transferred to Camp East Montana on Sept. 19 and was scheduled for deportation back to Guatemala. At least 25 immigrants held in immigration detention facilities across the country have died in 2025, according to congressional oversight numbers. Camp East Montana first began receiving deportees on Aug. 1. The detention facility is set to be the largest in the country. This is the first confirmed death at Camp East Montana, according to U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar's office. A sign marks the entrance to the new East Montana ICE detention facility on Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. U.S. Rep Veronica Escobar condemns immigrant's death Escobar, D-El Paso, has condemned the Trump administration for failing to inform her office of Gaspar Andres' death after his passing and in spite of her previous inquiries in congressional committees earlier in the day on Tuesday, Dec. 9. "Despite claims from DHS about the inhumane, abhorrent conditions at facilities like Camp East Montana being categorically false, my own visits and discussions with detainees prove otherwise," Escobar said in a statement. "Never before has an administration so carelessly made a mockery of the rule of law while hypocritically championing values like law and order. From their denial of true oversight visits to the cruel treatment of detainees at this facility, it is abundantly clear Camp East Montana is not being effectively or humanely operated." Escobar has continued to raise alarms about the conditions within the Camp East Montana facility. She expressed frustration that none of the issues she had raised, including a lack of medical attention, had been addressed ahead of her latest congressional oversight visit on Dec. 1. Jeff Abbott covers the border for the El Paso Times, part of the USA TODAY Network, and can be reached at:jdabbott@usatodayco.com; @palabrasdeabajo on Twitter or @palabrasdeabajo.bsky.social on Bluesky. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Guatemalan immigrant held at Camp East Montana detention center dies NIGERIA-POLITICS-ELECTION-RELIGION (Photo by JOHN WESSELS/AFP via Getty Images) Islamic extremists in Nigeria are reportedly plotting an attack for Christmas which could result in hundreds of deaths and the displacement of many more if left unchecked, the head of a Nigerian news site told the Daily Caller. U.S.-based filmmaker, evangelist and founder of Truth Nigeria, Judd Saul, told the Caller that extremists are mobilizing units in preparation for a mass assault on Christian regions of Nigeria. Fulani militants appear to be rallying forces and supplies to strike Riom, Bokkos and Barkin Lotti of Plateau state, the Agatu region of Benue state and the Kafanchan region of Kaduna state in Nigeria, according to Saul. (RELATED: Anti-Christian Extremists Cant Stop Brutalizing European Christmas Markets) Saul warned that if immediate action is not taken by the Nigerian state and likely with pressure from the U.S. they may see up to 1,000 people dead and potentially 20,000 to 40,000 more displaced. At least 3,100 Christians have been killed in Nigeria in 2025, according to Open Doors data. President Donald Trump, his State Department and Republican members of Congress have repeatedly called on the government to protect Christians in the region. The perpetrators of these near-daily attacks consist of Boko Haram, ISIS of West Africa and the Fulani ethnic militia, with the latter likely being the most dangerous, according to Saul. Id say 80% of the Christian killings are done by the Fulani, Saul told the Caller. He noted that these groups often work together when they are not fighting among themselves, and their main goal is to turn Nigeria into a caliphate. A Nigerian Police Officer patrols an area of destroyed and burned houses after a recent Fulani attack in the Adara farmers village of Angwan Aku, Kaduna State, Nigeria on April 14, 2019. (Photo credit should read LUIS TATO/AFP via Getty Images) Although murders, rapes and mass kidnappings happen regularly, Saul said the terrorists often save their most horrendous attacks for Christian holidays. A 2023 Christmas massacre left approximately 200 Nigerians dead, with a majority of the deaths in Bokkos, according to persecution.org. More dead bodies were found in the bush today, one witness told persecution.org. Yes, my village was attacked on Christmas Eve, and other villages close to my community. Many houses were burnt including my church. I cant say how many people were killed but we found more dead bodies today and we are looking for missing ones. Judd is not alone in his fear of a potential upcoming attack. Senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, Sean Nelson, (who recently participated in a roundtable with congressional leaders on Nigerian Christian persecution) gave a similar warning. Christmas is, sadly, a time when many Christians globally worry about persecution & violent attacks against them, Nelson said Friday. Saul said his publication is aware of the specific locations and severity of potential attacks due to the work of brave citizen journalists. His reporters are not only familiar with the region and historical conflicts, but they also show up to the scene of attacks to identify and count bodies and interview witnesses, Saul told the Caller. Saul contrasted his reporters with mainstream Nigeria outlets, the latter of which he claims are paid by the state to attend government hosted press briefings. Saul also said their investigative work allows them to predict upcoming attacks with nearly 90% accuracy. He contrasted this with the military, which he claims magically disappears from an area before its citizens are attacked. Saul declined to provide the Caller with the specific tips his journalists received regarding a potential Christmas attack, but he detailed how they usually conduct the investigative process. Although Truth Nigeria was created to archive the attacks and share them abroad, Saul said it quickly grew its credibility with locals, leading many to reach out and offer tips on unusual movements. A woman and her daughter visit a decorated Christmas village during a Christmas light fair in Abuja on December 22, 2022. (Photo by KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty Images) Saul told the Caller that villagers will often reach out when large groups of strangers travel on roads that are less frequented. Sauls reporters will then call contacts in neighboring villages to get an in-depth and corroborated account of the direction and size of the party. When they see movement, they call us, Saul said. When they see, you know, 100 armed Fulani militia on motorcycles heading somewhere, they call us. Saul told the Caller that the potential Christmas attack, like others, is preventable but only if officials are willing to clean house. Does the Nigerian government love its terrorism more than they love their own people? Saul asked. Do they want to see a prosperous Nigeria that could be a beacon of hope for the rest of Africa? Or do they love their terrorists and their stupid radical Islamist ideology more? Thats the question. (RELATED: Republican Leaders Turn To Christ To Guide Policy On Islamic Countries) Saul added that he would hate to see U.S. military intervention take place, but it may be necessary to stop the killings, adding that a long-term solution could require a third party to ensure a legitimate election. I would beg and ask the U.S. government to do something to intervene so we can stop the killing of these Christians on Christmas, Saul said. In early November, Trump issued a warning to the Nigerian government on Truth Social. If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing, to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities, he stated. I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST! Trump concluded. Yes sir, Secretary of War Pete Hegesth responded. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities. Getty The Gist Kate Hudson made an appearance at Netflix's Wake Up Dead Man New York Tastemaker Screening on December 10she starred in Johnson's previous Knives Out film, Glass Onion. The actress wore a sheer sweater paired with a knit skirt made of wool panels in a tattered pattern. Hudson has been on quite the fashion streak with her press tour for Song Sung Blue. Kate Hudson's streak of bold looks doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon. In fact, this might be one of her most striking looks yet. Attending Netflix's Wake Up Dead Man New York Tastemaker Screening on December 10, the actress wore a look that can only be described as shipwreck chic. Getty Hudson's tattered skirt and leather coat Hudson, who starred in Johnson's previous Knives Out film, Glass Onion, wore what appears to be the A.W.A.K.E. Mode Rectangle Maxiskirt, an avant garde knit wool piece made of a patchwork of textured geometric panels, giving it a tattered effect. She paired the unusual skirt with a sheer white turtleneck sweater over a white bra. In a few snaps, she also wore a stylish long black leather coat. Getty Hudson wore a sheer white turtleneck Funnily enough, Hudson's tattered skirt wasn't her only unexpected skirt of the day. She also stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she wore a silk lingerie top paired with a structured copper skirt with a subtle striped pattern. Hudson has been busy serving plenty of bold looks of late thanks to her press tour for the upcoming Song Sung Blue. The actress, who earned a Golden Globe nomination for her role in the film, has been making the rounds in an array of statement-making looks with the help of stylist Sophie Lopez: there was an electric blue naked dress, a shimmering copper slipdress, a bedazzled lace dress with 3D details, and a silk dress with a trendy exposed bra. Getty Pink goes good with green Read the original article on InStyle Luigi Mangione appears Friday with his attorney, Karen Agnifilo, at a pretrial hearing in Manhattan in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (Christian Monterrosa / Getty Images) (Christian Monterrosa) A hearing focused on a defense effort to exclude evidence from Luigi Mangione's state murder trial just completed its second week and revealed new details about his December 2024 arrest at a Pennsylvania McDonalds. Mangione, who is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, faces New York state charges, including one count of second-degree murder, seven counts of various weapons charges, and one count of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. Mangione was also charged with two federal counts of stalking, one count of murder through the use of a firearm, and one count of a firearms offense. He has pleaded not guilty to nine state counts and four federal charges filed separately. The federal charges come with the possibility of the death penalty. Here are some of the most crucial moments from the hearing in a downtown Manhattan courthouse so far. A back-and-forth about search warrants On Friday, Altoona Police Sgt. Eric Heuston said he drafted two search warrants after Mangiones arrest at a Pennsylvania McDonalds on Dec. 9, 2024, five days after the shooting. One warrant authorized the continued search and seizure of Mangione and his backpack, which also allowed the NYPD to seize the property. Another warrant authorized the seizure of his clothing. The first warrant was signed by a judge on Dec. 9, while the second one was approved the following day, Heuston testified. Heuston said that the Altoona Police Department documented everything Mangione had on him the day of the arrest, including clothing and money, which Heuston said they are preserving for the NYPD. Prosecutors asked Heuston on Friday if the police department had planted any cash on Mangione, who claimed he only had about $100 on his person. Altoona police documented over $7,000. "We had proof of the U.S. currency on his person," Heuston said, adding that he and his colleagues did not plant money on Mangione. On Tuesday, Altoona Police Officer Stephen Fox was also asked about the need for a warrant to search Mangiones bag. He doubled down on the fact that Mangione had committed a crime at the McDonalds when he provided officers with a forged identification card, which would mean a search warrant was not needed. Bodycam video played in court Tuesday showed Mangione telling an officer that his name is Mark Rosario and handing over the forged card. Defense objects to submission of evidence On Thursday, Mangiones attorney, Karen Agnifilo, objected to the district attorneys release of the full video of the shooting, arguing that the DA is "plainly" trying to litigate the case in "the court of public opinion" and distract from what she called a "botched" search and arrest. Agnifilo said this has "real consequences," noting Mangione could face the death penalty in his federal case. Agnifilo also criticized prosecutors for playing bodycam video of an Altoona Police Department officer searching Mangiones backpack and finding his notebook, which one officer called a "manifesto." The video showed Officer Christy Wasser briefly looking inside Mangiones notebook, but its contents werent visible from the camera angle. "He just wants to play the word 'manifesto' over and over again," Agnifilo said about prosecutor Joel Siedemann. 911 calls played in court Thursday's proceedings also featured the playing of multiple 911 calls made by Altoona Police Lt. William Hanelly on the morning of Mangione's arrest. In one call, Hanelly told an NYPD dispatcher that he believes they have the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect in custody, adding that his photos and name match the description that was released to the public. On the stand, Hanelly said he made the calls to the NYPD to get the "ball rolling." "I knew I would have to get through several layers, until getting through to someone at the NYPD with authority," Hanelly said. Fox, another Altoona police officer, testified Tuesday that Mangione found it "wild" that spectators and reporters were gathered at his arraignment at a Pennsylvania courthouse following his arrest. "All of these people are here for a mass murderer? Wild," Mangione said, according to Fox. Items recovered from Mangione's backpack Earlier this week, pictures of the items recovered from Mangiones backpack last year were released, including a loaded handgun, a silencer, a magazine with bullets wrapped in underwear, a notebook, a cellphone, a passport, a Maryland identification card, and various bank and credit cards. A to-do list was also found, with notes scribbled on it, such as "buy black sneakers (white stripe too distinctive)"; "Change hat, shoes, pluck eyebrows"; "keep momentum, FBI slower"; and "check reports for current situation." CORRECTION (Dec. 14, 2025, 6:15 p.m. ET): A photo caption in a previous version of this article misstated when the photo was taken. Mangione was pictured in court on Friday, not Saturday. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday danced to Bobby McFerrins Dont Worry, Be Happy while urging attendees at a rally to be ready in case of an American attack amid rising tensions between his country and the Trump administration. He urged supporters to be united and be ready to smash the teeth of the North American empire if necessary, The Guardian reported. Maduro carried a sword that belonged to 19th-century Venezuelan politician and South American hero Simon Bolivar as he spoke. Maduros rally took place as the Trump administration announced that the U.S. Coast Guard seized a Venezuelan oil tanker. Coast Guard members aboard a helicopter deployed from the massive USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, landed on the tanker and took control of it. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the FBI, the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security collaborated in executing the seizure warrant for the tanker. She said the vessel intended to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela to Iran. Its unclear what will happen to the oil, with Trump suggesting to reporters that, Well, we keep it. I guess. The Venezuelan government accused the U.S. of committing an act of piracy and that Trump is pursuing a deliberate plan to plunder our energy resources. Democratic lawmakers like Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, worry about further escalation in the region. Trump previously warned that the U.S. would take action on Venezuelan soil very soon. It is needlessly and recklessly escalating a potential conflict, Blumenthal said after the tanker was seized. Trump seems to be stumbling into war without any endgame or strategy. He seems to be making decisions without telling the American people, let alone Congress, what his plan is in seizing tankers or killing supposed drug traffickers who come from Venezuela. House Armed Services Committee ranking member Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said the seizure clearly has the potential to provoke a larger conflict. Is it about narcotics? asked Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees member Tim Kaine (D-Va.). Is it about oil? Is it about regime change? There were those questions about whats really going on here. Nobel Peace Prize winner and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has praised Trumps actions toward her country as decisive. She sidestepped answering if she supports a U.S. military intervention to remove Maduro, but said she will one day return to Venezuela whether Maduros regime is toppled or if he is still in power. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. An aerial view of homes surrounded by floodwaters in Snohomish, Washington, on Thursday, December 11. - David Ryder/Reuters Rain has finally come to an end in flooded Washington and the Pacific Northwest, but the region cant breathe easy: More heavy rain from new atmospheric rivers will arrive next week. As of Saturday, Stehekin Valley, a remote area of Washington only reachable by boat or aircraft, is already under an evacuation order in preparation for the upcoming rain. Slide areas may slide again, and creeks and drainages are expected to rise, Chelan County Emergency Management posted on social media. Rivers are dangerously swollen after a dayslong deluge from a powerful atmospheric river triggered historic flooding, tens of thousands of evacuations and dozens of water rescues. The situation is truly historic. Rivers like the Skagit River and Cedar Rivers literally experiencing historic levels of flooding, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said during a Friday news conference. This is something that the people of the state of Washington have not faced before, this level of flooding. Floodwater was waist deep in many places, but more than 15 feet deep in the hardest-hit areas like Sumas, Washington, where the Coast Guard rescued dozens. Some people were rescued from rapidly rising floodwater by helicopter while others were taken to safety by boat from their homes or atop cars. Dozens of people were also rescued in King County, including dramatic operations where people were lifted from treetops, Brendan McCluskey, director of the King County Office of Emergency Management, said during the news conference. In Whatcom County, officials responded to more than 40 rescue calls, including at least 20 involving water rescues, according to a county news release. Danger also spiked in Burlington, Washington, on Friday as floodwater spilled into homes. An evacuation order went out to everyone in city limits early in the morning, with the National Guard going door-to-door to notify residents, but was partially lifted a few hours later. The situation is extremely unpredictable, the governor said. We saw that in Burlington last night, where literally, in the middle of the night, about 1,000 folks had to flee their homes in a really dire situation. Flooding and mudslides have brought travel to a halt across western parts of the state. As of Friday morning, more than 20 highways are closed across 11 counties including a nearly 50-mile stretch of US 2, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. US 2 is a major east-west route through the state with no easy detours in many sections. Rescue personnel evacuate Ivan and Fabiola Alvarez, who were stranded in their home in Snohomish, Washington, on December 11. - David Ryder/Reuters Severe flooding in Sumas, Washington left much of the area underwater. - WSDOT We are not out of the woods yet. This is not a routine storm event. This is historic flooding that has put lives and businesses and critical infrastructure at risk all over our region, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay said during the Friday news conference. Director of State Emergency Management Robert Ezelle warned residents against trying to get back into their homes too early because the situation still is fluid and dynamic. Officials stressed the risks of residents disregarding road closures, warning ignoring the alerts could put both their own lives and the safety of rescue workers in jeopardy. Its going to be days, in some cases, weeks, before those rivers are at a level that its comfortable and safe for everybody to get back (home), said Gen. Gent Welsh, adjutant general of the Washington National Guard, echoing Ezelles concerns. So if youre an area, youve been displaced, you have my deepest sympathies and empathy going into this holiday season. But this is a long haul. Residents of a damaged remote town plan to survive on their own The upcoming atmospheric rivers wont be quite as potent as this weeks, but they could renew flood danger and will complicate cleanup efforts. Soaked ground struggles to absorb heavy rain, so flash flooding and rapid river rises are more likely with new bouts of rain. In Stehekin, a community tucked 50 miles up Lake Chelan, the future risk is especially concerning as residents grapple with the wreckage left behind by powerful floods and debris slides that have torn apart the towns fragile infrastructure. The debris slides trace back to the burn scar left by the massive Pioneer Fire of 2024, which ignited on the north side of Chelan County before roaring into the surrounding wilderness, leaving the landscape dangerously vulnerable and prone to flooding, Chelan County Emergency Management Sgt. Jason Reinfeld told CNN. When the storm came through, it just loosened all that (debris) up, and they had some slides that have blocked large portions of the roadway, Reinfeld said. As floodwaters surged through the area, the ground gave way, sending debris flows that severed access to Stehekin, blocking landing zones and boat docks and further isolating the community. Flood damage in Stehekin, Washington caused debris slides over burn scars, leaving isolated residents without power and for some, even water. - Courtesy Jenifer Byquist Theyre a very resilient community as it is, theyre used to living far away from others, but they are a lot of the citizens up there are without power, Reinfeld said. Three sections of the community farther up the valley are now completely cut off, with debris flows sealing off roads and leaving residents stuck. Two of those groups are well-equipped, and theyre able to sustain themselves for a long period of time here, one of them says even through the winter, if they had to, said Reinfeld. The third group, however, is running dangerously low on fuel and is awaiting a delivery from the sheriffs office on Saturday. Deputies are also hauling in three pallets of drinking water to sustain residents until their wells can be restored. Public utility district crews, responsible for power, water, and sewer services, have been working to assess the damage, but blocked access points throughout the community have severely hampered their efforts. It will take "months" to help Stehekin, Washington recover from the damage caused by the floods, according to Chelan County Emergency Management. - Courtesy Jenifer Byquist Just clearing up access is a problem, Reinfeld said. This is going to be a longtime problem. Its going to take quite a while to recover from, he added. Its much harder to do a lot of the work in the wintertime. Whats expected to come Light rain will move into western Washington on Sunday, but it will just be an appetizer for the atmospheric river that dips into the area early Monday. Washington will endure the brunt of the heaviest rain Monday, but some soaking rain will also move farther south into western Oregon as the day progresses. This atmospheric river is forecast to be at least a Level 4 of 5 or strong event for these states. Multiple days of continued rain next week could lead to additional significant impacts given the moderate to major flooding ongoing at present, the Weather Prediction Center warned Thursday. A Level 2 of 4 risk of flooding rainfall is already in place for much of western Washington Monday, with a Level 1 of 4 risk in western Oregon and far northwestern California, according to the WPC. Rivers in the region that lower over the weekend could quickly surge back to dangerous levels as rain falls, including portions of the Snohomish and Skagit rivers. Both surged into major flood stage the highest level and crested at historic levels on Thursday, breaking records last set in 1990. Wet weather will ease a bit in the Pacific Northwest early Tuesday before another atmospheric river-fueled storm arrives late in the day and continues through Wednesday. This storm will be more widespread than Mondays, with rain likely from Washington to much of Northern California. Some high-elevation snow from this storm will fall in portions of the Cascades and east into the northern Rockies. The hits just keep coming: Additional storminess is possible later next week, too. The forecast that far out is still coming into focus, but anyone in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California cant let their guard down. CNNs Rebekah Riess contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Washington. Credit - Evan VucciAssociated Press The mother of Karoline Leavitts nephew has hit out at the White House Press Secretary in her first public appearance since being released from the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Bruna Caroline Ferreira, who was formerly engaged to the Leavitts brother, Michael, and shares custody of their son, was asked during an interview on CNN on Friday if she had a message for the Press Secretary, who has publicly kept her distance from the incident. I think what I would have to say to Karoline is: just because you went to a Catholic school, doesnt make you a good Catholic. Read more: New Yorkers Thwart ICE Raids, Highlighting Challenges for Trumps Crackdown in Nations Immigrant Capital Addressing Leavitt, who attended Catholic high school and college and is also the godmother of Ferreiras son, she continued, Youre a mother. You are a mother now, and you should know. How would you feel if you were in my shoes, you know? How would you feel if somebody did this to you?" The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from TIME following Ferrerias comments. During the interview, Ferreira gave a full account of her arrest and detention, which shone a spotlight on Leavitts family in the midst of the Trump Administrations efforts to conduct the largest mass deportation in American history. She said she was rushing to pick up the 11-year-old from school when a swarm of unmarked vehicles surrounded her home in Massachusetts. Shoes still untied, in her hurry, the 33-year-old was arrested by ICE officers without a warrant and taken to Louisiana. Ferreira, who is in the process of seeking a green card, entered the United States from Brazil when she was 6 years old. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed that she was in the country illegally, alleging that she entered the country on a B-2 tourist visa that required her to leave the country by June 6, 1999. In their joint interview Friday evening, Ferreiras lawyer, Todd Pomerleau, contended that the Department of Homeland Securitys assertion that she is a criminal illegal alien, based on her alleged immigration status, is a false character assassination. In an earlier report on Ferreiras detention, a person familiar with the situation, who was granted anonymity, told the New York Times that, despite their familial connection, Leavitt and Ferreira had not spoken in years. During her Friday appearance, Ferreira recounted her tumultuous interactions with ICE. She claimed she was moved from Massachusetts to New Hampshire, then from New Hampshire to Vermont, from Vermont to Philadelphia, and from Philadelphia to Texas. Throughout the transfers, she said, ICE agents failed to tell her where she was going or why. Upon arriving in Texas, she saw a sign that said Mexico, which led her to plead with an ICE agent. I said, can you please, please, please have a little bit of empathy for me and tell me if youre taking me across the border? Ferreira recounted. Her voice quivered as she continued: He said no, we are taking you to your final destination, your final stop before your deportation, which is South Louisiana. Hardly anybody ever gets out of there. There have been reports of sexual harassment and abuse, and neglect of urgent medical care, at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center, where Ferreira spent three weeks before a judge on Monday allowed her to post bail. According to data released by the Prison Policy Initiative on Dec. 1, ICE has made approximately 217,518 arrests between Jan. 20 and Oct. 15, 2025. The average number of daily arrests rose from around 300 in early 2024 to more than 800 in January 2025, and to over 1,000 by October of this year. Pomerleau told CNN, When she was taken to Vermont, one of the ICE officers didnt think she spoke English and said, Oh, we got more business coming in, and then she winds up in Louisiana, another for-profit hell hole prison paid for by taxpayers, adding: This is a woman who owns two businesses, is a single mother, paying her taxes, and winds up in a for-profit prison in Louisiana. Its unconscionable what they are doing on a daily basis. When asked about the Washington Posts report that the White House tried to imply that Ferreira was an absentee parent who never lived with her son, she expressed her frustration with the matter. Why? Why lie? Why lie? Because I have so many friends and family that called me and said why would anyone lie about this when it's 2025? she said. We have a digital footprint of everything. It doesn't make any sense. I'm just as confused as you are, and I'm hoping this interview gets me some answers. Contact us at letters@time.com. President Trump is expected to announce that Israel and Hamas are moving to a second phase of his peace plan in early 2026, but there remains a host of challenges and unanswered questions for the countries signed up to rehabilitate the Gaza Strip. A ceasefire implemented in October has held despite accusations of violations and fatal military attacks by both Hamas and Israel. The remains of all but one deceased Israeli hostage have been handed over by Hamas, a key requirement of the first phase of the deal. Now pressure is increasing to move to the more complex next stage of Trumps plan, which calls for Hamas to give up its weapons and renounce control as Israel withdraws further from the Strip. U.S. officials have said Trump hopes to announce the transition this month. Trump is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Dec. 29 to discuss next steps. However, key partners to Trumps peace plan, enshrined last month in United Nations Security Council resolution 2803, say the path ahead remains shrouded in uncertainty. The plan says many of the right things, but its not very clear what happens first and what happens next, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said at the Doha Forum last week. Eide warned that progress needs to be made this month or the countries risk a return to war, or descent into total anarchy. Trump said on Wednesday that he will announce early next year the makeup of the Board of Peace, which is expected to oversee a yet-to-be-created Palestinian technocratic government providing key services to the strip, such as infrastructure, water, education and health. Trump took on the role of chairman of the BoP and told reporters at the White House earlier this week that the rest of the board will include heads of the most important countries. As these governance structures come into play, an International Stabilization Force is expected to deploy alongside a Palestinian police force to maintain security and order. Little progress on disarming Hamas But none of that can happen if Hamas refuses to give up its arms and renounce control in the strip, analysts warn. The main problem, which actually overlaps all the dimensions political, security is the idea that Hamas must be disarmed, dismantled and the Gaza Strip must be demilitarized, said Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Israel and the Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy. If these things will not happen, then nothing will happen. Hamas is sending mixed messages on what disarmament means. Bassem Naim, a member of Hamass decision-making political bureau based in Doha, told the Associated Press on Sunday that Hamas is ready to discuss freezing or storing its weapons. But in an interview with Al-Monitor published on Monday, Naim offered two options: that Hamas would only surrender its weapons to a future Palestinian state, or that decommissioning could begin under a truce of five to 10 years that includes guarantees Israel will not resume the war. Danield Shapiro, who most recently served as deputy assistant secretary of Defense for the Middle East during the Biden administration, said Trump should use his influence with Turkey and Qatar to pressure Hamas to give up its weapons in line with the 20-point peace plan. I think the Qataris and the Turks are still the essential player to get Hamas to do that, whether they agree to do it instantaneously or whether they agree to do it in some moderately phased period, Shapiro, who is now a distinguished fellow with the Atlantic Councils Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative, said on the J Street Podcast. But Israel is distrustful of Qatar and Turkey overseeing Hamass elimination, as Doha and Ankara are key backers of the U.S.-designated terrorist group. This is something that works just, against the interest of Israel, Michael said, because Turkey and Qatar are the biggest providers and supporters of Hamas. They do not intend to enable the disarmament of Hamas. On the contrary, they want Hamas to remain as a relative and influential player in the Gaza Strip and beyond. Mike Waltz, U.S. Ambassador to Israel, said in an interview with Israels Channel 12 on Thursday that there are intensive conversations with Netanyahu around what role Qatar and Turkey may play. Israels evolving governance plan Trumps ceasefire divided Gaza in half, with Israel controlling 53 percent of the territory comprised of the east, southern Rafah and part of the north and Hamas still in control of 47 percent. Israel has demarcated a yellow line with colored concrete blocks to divide the two sections, but that has become a flashpoint for continued violence. United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk told journalists in Geneva on Wednesday that Israel is shifting the yellow-line boundary, contributing to confusion for Palestinians seeking to cross it. Clashes have resulted in 360 Palestinians killed and 922 injured, Turk said, citing Gaza health authorities. Those numbers do not distinguish between militants and civilians. Israel has alleged that it is responding to terrorists trying to cross the yellow line and posing threats to Israeli forces. A preferred scenario for Israel, Michael explained, is for the area Israel controls to be a testing ground for Trumps phase two. In this area, Israel would maintain overriding security control as a technocratic Palestinian administration is set up, overseen by the Board of Peace with security carried out by an International Stabilization Force alongside newly trained Palestinian police. The Atlantic reported last month that the U.S. was planning to pilot Alternate Safe Communities, admitting vetted Gazans to live in fabricated villages with homes, schools and health facilities. If stability is secured in the east, Michael argued, Israel will have the legitimacy and the backing of the American administration to resume military operations against Hamas in the West, and then allow the governance structure in the east to expand Westward. But its not clear if the Israeli position is compatible with Trumps plan or acceptable to its international backers, a consortium of European and Muslim-majority nations who gave their stamp of approval during an elaborate ceremony held in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt in late October. International force a work in progress The key part of the second phase of the deal is the further withdrawal of Israels military from the strip and deployment of the International Stabilization Force (ISF). Trump is reportedly assigning a two-star American general to lead the ISF, but potential members of the international force are holding back commitments without clear answers to thorny questions. Waltz, in his interview with Channel 12, said the ISF will be authorized to disarm Hamas by all means necessary, but the U.S. is having a conversation with each country that signs up about such tasks. Reuters reported on Friday that the U.S. is not demanding the ISF disarm Hamas, and wants to get the force deployed by January, citing two unnamed U.S. officials. Countries that have earlier pledged troops are still looking for more details. Rico Sirait, spokesperson for the Indonesian Defence Ministry, said that while the country is prepared to deploy 20,000 troops, it is focused on health and construction in Gaza. It is still in the planning and preparation stages, he told Reuters. We are now preparing the organizational structure of the forces to be deployed. Meanwhile, Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said the country is considering committing troops but waiting for more clarity on the forces mandate and rules of engagement, in an interview with Al-Monitor. Likewise, an unnamed senior Azeri official told The Times of Israel that Azerbaijan had not decided on whether to join the ISF, despite being named as an early partner. Among their concerns is a pathway to Palestinian statehood, something that the U.N. Security Council Resolution 2803 endorses but does not explicitly require. Saudi Arabia is also reinforcing the need to lay out a pathway to a Palestinian state as the only way to ensure a durable peace, as well as being a precondition for diplomatic ties between Israel and Riyadh. The ultimate objective is security for all, it is regional integration, which is embedded in the realization of a Palestinian state, said Manal Radwan, head of the negotiation team at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Doha Forum. If we dont have that in mind, then there is no plan in the world that will be able to drive us, not only from one stage to the next, but also to prevent another spiral of violence. 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. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) walks into the Senate Chamber in Washington, D.C., on December 11, 2025. Credit - Andrew HarnikGetty Images Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate are breaking with their party and supporting measures to extend subsidies for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) amid concerns over the tax credits nearing expirationand the spike in premium costs its expected to cause. Republican congressional leaders are seeking to keep the party united behind health care legislation that would allow the subsidies used by more than 20 million Americans to expire at the end of the year and instead seek to address the anticipated premium hikes by expanding health savings accounts. But with the deadline looming and worries about the partys chances in the 2026 midterm elections mounting amid a string of Democratic victories across the country, a growing number of Republicans are defying leadership and joining Democrats efforts to bring an extension of the subsidies up for a vote. Four Republican SenatorsSusan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan of Alaska, and Josh Hawley of Montanaon Thursday voted in favor of advancing a three-year extension of the subsidies, though the bill, which was introduced by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, failed to move forward as it fell below the 60-vote threshold. Families in Maine and across the country are struggling with the high cost of health insurance, and I want to prevent an unaffordable spike in health insurance premiums for many Americans who rely on these COVID-era subsidies, Collins, who is up for re-election next year, said in a statement following her vote. She and the three other GOP lawmakers who joined Democrats in supporting the measure also voted to advance a proposal by Republican Senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Mike Crapo of Idaho that would have set up health savings accounts for Americans who purchase health insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. That bill also failed to garner the necessary 60 votes. Read more: What the End of Obamacare Subsidies Could Mean for Your Health Coverage In the House, where Republican leadership was still preparing to release its health care package on Friday, a group of GOP lawmakers has backed attempts to force votes on bills that would extend the subsidies. A dozen House Republicans have signed a discharge petition introduced on Wednesday by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican of Pennsylvania, that would bring a bill extending the tax credits for two years to the House floor. Congress cannot sit idle while American families face a preventable crisis. Our job is to protect the people we serve, and that responsibility demands immediate action, Fitzpatrick said in a statement. This bill delivers the urgent help families need now, while giving Congress the runway to keep improving our healthcare system for the long term. Responsible governance means securing 80 percent of what families need today, rather than risking 100 percent of nothing tomorrow. As of Friday afternoon, the signatories included Republican Representatives Michael Lawler and Nick LaLota of New York, Robert P. Bresnahan and Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania, Kevin Kiley and David Valadao of California, Don Bacon of Nebraska, Jefferson Van Drew of New Jersey, Jennifer Kiggans of Virginia, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, and Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida. A similar petition introduced by Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Kiggans, which would force a vote on a bill including a one-year extension of the tax credits, has also been signed by the same Republican legislators, with the exception of Salazar. Democrats have been pressing for an extension of the Affordable Care Act subsidies for months, making it a major demand during the record-long government shutdown. Eight Democratic Senators ultimately joined with Republicans in voting to reopen the government after Senate Majority Leader John Thune promised that a vote would be held in mid-December on an extension bill for the subsidies of Democrats choosing. But with the expiration date now less than three weeks away, Democrats havent been able to secure a floor vote on an extension measure, and Congress has no clear solution in sight for the predicted rise in health insurance costs. Both bills at the heart of the House discharge petitions introduced this week are long shots, and still far short of the support they would need to bring either bill to the floor using the tool. Discharge petitions require the backing of a simple majority of House members, or 218 signatories; in addition to the Republican defectors, twelve Democrats have so far signed Fitzpatricks petition, and 28 have signed Gottheimer and Kiggans. Any bill passed by the House would still have to pass in the Senate, as well. Some Republicans have warned that failing to prevent a spike in health care costs could hurt the party in next years elections. While the GOP made significant gains in the 2024 election, which gave it control of both chambers of Congress and the White House, Republicans are heading into 2026 with a slimand shrinkingHouse majority as an increasing number of legislators are opting not to seek re-election, and the Presidents party typically loses seats in the midterms. Sweeping Democratic victories this year in gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, smaller local elections in Georgia, and even in Miami, where voters this week elected their first Democratic mayor in 30 years, have only amplified Republicans concerns as they look toward next November. Last year, the economy was cited as a top priority for voters. And affordability concerns have continued to mount this year, including among groups that helped put Trump back in the White House: A Politico poll released earlier this month found that nearly half of all Americans, including 37% of 2024 Trump voters, said that the cost of living in the country is the worst they can remember it being. Those warning signs are hanging over the ongoing efforts to pass a health care measure. If we fumble this health care ball, nothing else is going to matter, Rep. John Rutherford of Florida told Politico. If we dont win the majority in the midterms, then none of this matters. We cant do anything good then. I think everybody understands that. Contact us at letters@time.com. An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Ilhan Omar posing for a selfie with Tashella Dickerson, Image 2 shows Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson holding a Black Lives Matter OKC leader Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson calls herself an unpaid protester on her Instagram site but the Oklahoma City-based Baptist preacher allegedly paid herself with millions in donations meant to help protestors post bail after their arrests, according to a federal indictment. Its just the latest in a series of financial scandals for the network of BLM civil rights groups, as various leaders across the country have been accused of mis-appropriating some $8.64 million. Dickerson was charged Thursday with fraud and money laundering amid a sprawling federal probe into the troubled civil rights movement. Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Inc., which took in tens of millions of dollars in corporate donations following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020, is also reportedly under investigation. Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson allegedly embezzled at least $3.15 million in national bail funds and donations to BLM OKC. On Facebook and Instagram, she posted a photo of herself with Democratic Minnesota Rep Ilhan Omar. Sheri Amore/Facebook The 52-year-old allegedly embezzled at least $3.15 million in national bail funds and donations to BLM OKC, depositing returned bail checks into her personal accounts. She spent the money on vacations to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic and to buy six Oklahoma City properties worth more than $500,000, according to a federal grand jury indictment unsealed Thursday. Dickerson also used nearly $42,000 in cash to buy a 2021 Hyundai Palisade and spent tens of thousands of dollars shopping at Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack, Macys and Best Buy, among other retailers, according to the indictment, which also lists thousands spent on grocery and food deliveries from Instacart and DoorDash. Dickerson is accused of using money embezzled from BLM OKC to pay for personal travel to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. sheri_amore13/Instagram One photo shows Dickerson at YS Falls in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, in December 2021. Facebook / Sheri Amore She posted photos of her travels to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica on social media, including one of herself at YS Falls in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, from December 2021, and another from June 2025 in which she is sitting on a Delta plane with a woman she called auntie. You got the good seats what airline is that? asked one of her followers. Another post shows Dickerson smiling next to Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, who reportedly enjoyed close ties to some of the Somali leaders who allegedly helped perpetrate a $1 billion welfare scam in her congressional district. Dickersons social media accounts are also filled with posts about of extremists such as Assata Shakur, a member of the Black Liberation Army and the Black Panther Party who was convicted of killing a New Jersey State Trooper in 1977 and escaping to exile in Cuba, where she died in September. Federal authorities allege that Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson paid $42,000 in donations that were meant for a bail fund to buy a new Hyundai Palisade. chiradech stock.adobe.com Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson posted photos of herself and her auntieon a Delta flight. sheri_amore13/Instagram She bought the six properties, all with deeds dating to 2021 and 2022, under her own name as well as Equity International LLC, a company she controls but which is no longer active, according to state records. One, which was labeled church property and purchased in March 2021, was intended to be used by BLM OKC but she placed it in her own name, court filings alleged. Dickerson, who started the BLM group in 2016, is listed as an associate minister at the Church of the Open Arms, a United Church of Christ congregation in Oklahoma City, which has held fundraisers for Black Lives Matter in the past, according to their website. Calls to the church, which describes itself as progressive Christian and an open and affirming congregation for the LGBTQIA+ community, were not returned Friday. Minister credentials for Dickerson from the Universal Life Church are on file in the Oklahoma County District Court, according to USA Today. Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson bought six properties with cash meant for BLM OKC, according to federal authorities. Google Maps Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson allegedly went on a real estate buying spree with the cash, even buying up a property she labeled church property for the nonprofits use although she bought it in her own name. Google Maps Another of the six houses federal authorities allege Dickerson purchased with embezzled money. Google Maps In a 2020 letter on the Oklahoma ACLUs website, she is listed as Affirmative Action Chair of Oklahoma Democratic Party. She had a failed City Council run in Oklahoma City in 2017. Dickerson, who started BLM OKC in 2016, did not register it with the IRS as a tax-exempt organization. All donations were routed through various fiscal sponsors, including the Arizona-based Alliance for Global Justice. That group serves as a pass-through organization for monetary gifts to progressive and extremist groups, including the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, which allegedly fundraised for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a US-designated terrorist organization, according to the US Treasury Department. The AFGJ also has close ties to the Maduro regime in Venezuela, according to the watchdog group Influence Watch. The Tides Center, a nonprofit that also works with progressive groups, was also used as a conduit for cash to Dickersons BLM chapter, according to the federal indictment. Tides Foundation has been sued by Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation for allegedly mismanaging $33 million of the groups funds, according to legal documents. Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson took vacations to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, allegedly using thousands in donations meant for BLM OKC. Sheri Amore/Facebook When bail checks were returned to Dickersons BLM OKC, she allegedly deposited them in her personal bank accounts, according to the indictment. The haters are doing their job, Dickerson reportedly said in a Facebook live stream Thursday. A lot of times when people come at you with these types of things and Im probably saying more than I should but I havent always been compliant, people know this its evidence that you are doing the work. And so that is what Im standing on, she said, according to The Oklahoman. Dickerson is not the only person accused of spending money intended for BLM for personal gain: Sir Maejor Page BLM of Greater Atlanta was caught up in a fraud investigation last year when federal authorities in Ohio charged Toledo resident Sir Maejor Page with defrauding donors who believed they were contributing to a legitimate BLM chapter of more than $450,000. Sir Maejor Page, head of BLM Greater Atlanta a faux BLM chapter treated himself to guns, a home and several blue suits with more than $450,000 in donations. instagram Page,who created the bogus group in 2018, used the cash to buy a lavish home in Ohio and a Glock handgun and two AR-15 rifles as well as 16 blue suits, among other purchases, according to court filings. He was convicted and sentenced to 42 months in prison last year. Patrisse Cullors Beginning in 2021, The Post revealed that Patrisse Cullors, one of the founders of the national Black Lives Matter movement, was doling out funds to her relatives including her graffiti artist brother, Paul Cullors, who she put in charge of the groups security for more than $840,000. The Post revealed that Patrisse Cullors, one of the founders of the national Black Lives Matter movement, was doling out funds to her relatives including her brother, who she put in charge of the groups security for more than $840,000. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP She also paid Damon Turner, the father of her child, nearly $1 million for live production, design and media. Cullors herself went on a $3.2 million real estate buying spree, snapping up homes in Atlanta and Los Angeles. She claimed she did not use BLM cash for the homes she purchased, but resigned a month after The Post story. The national group purchased a $6 million property in Studio City, California, for the groups headquarters in 2022. The Los Angeles-based national group, which is separate from the Oklahoma chapter, is currently under probe by the Department of Justice into allegations that it bilked donors out of tens of millions of dollars during the 2020 protests over the death of George Floyd. Subpoenas and at least one search warrant were issued in the fall as part of the investigation, according to the Associated Press. Residents of El Cobre, in the province of Santiago de Cuba, ride in a horse-pulled cart past downed power lines following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, on October 29, 2025. Hurricane Melissa was moving towards Bermuda on Thursday after ripping a path of destruction through the Caribbean that left at least 20 people dead in Haiti, and parts of Jamaica and Cuba in ruins. ( (YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images) The Trump administration is ending the family-reunification parole programs for Cuba, Haiti and six other Latin American countries in another blow to legal migration from the region. The Department of Homeland Security is terminating all categorical family reunification parole programs for aliens from Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti and Honduras, and their immediate family members, the agency said Friday. Migrants who benefited from the program and are already in the United States will lose their legal status on Jan. 14 unless they have applied for permanent residence or to adjust their status by Dec. 15, DHS said. The agency will also revoke employment authorizations for migrants who lose their status. DHS justified the decision by arguing that family-reunification parole programs had security gaps caused by insufficient vetting that malicious and fraudulent actors could exploit to enter the United States, which posed an unacceptable level of risk to the United States..... DHS is prioritizing the safety, security, and financial and economic well-being of Americans. It is unclear, however, which security gaps the agency is referring to. Individuals granted parole under the family-reunification programs have already passed the vetting for a regular immigration visa and have been approved for one. The parole just allowed them to travel to the United States and wait here while the visa became available. These people were invited to come to the U.S. by the government and followed all of the regulations, and now they are being pushed out, said Miami immigration attorney Patricia Elizee. The original parole programs were put in place to expedite family reunification for Cubans and Haitians. Under the program, relatives of lawful U.S. permanent residents or citizens, who are already approved to immigrate to the United States, are offered the opportunity to travel to the U.S. and wait for permanent residency here rather than in their home country. The wait can take anywhere from eight to 10 years. It was unclear Friday evening how many people will be affected by the administrations decision. The family-reunification parole process has suffered from backlogs and, in the case of Haiti, shuttered U.S. consular services in the Caribbean country. Even after arriving in the U.S., individuals benefiting from the program face a long wait before receiving their green cards. Those are the individuals the Trump administration is targeting with the new policy, while also closing the door on those still awaiting U.S. green light in their home countries. The parole programs for Cubans and Haitians were suspended during the first Trump administration. They were reinstated by Biden, who later expanded them to include Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras in an effort to decrease the number of migrants from those countries trying to illegally cross the U.S. border. The programs termination is another sign that the Trump administration does not welcome legal immigration from countries in the Caribbean and Latin America. Earlier this month, the administration halted all immigration processes, including adjustment of status, for Haitians, Cubans, Venezuelans and nationals of 13 other countries. Ira Kurzban, a prominent Miami-based immigration attorney, said that Trump and his immigration czar, Stephen Miller, have long planned the end of parole programs that protect the lives of many in the United States. They stopped the parole programs during the first Miller/Trump administration. The only difference is that they are getting more adept at blaming Biden for everything. This decision, made during the first Miller/Trump administration, truly has nothing to do with Biden or what happened at the border. They just dont want Hispanics and refugees of color in the United States, he said. Trump virtually admitted it at [a] rally in Pennsylvania. Already, families split between South Florida, Cuba, and Haiti have found themselves in legal limbo and with very few options to reunite. Trump included Cuba and Haiti in a travel ban in June that paused family reunification involving relatives of permanent residents. And thousands of Cubans and Haitians who entered the country through another two-year humanitarian parole program created under Biden face deportation after DHS canceled the program and revoked their paroles. Melodie, a Haitian national who asked for her last name to not be used, told the Miami Herald she has been waiting almost a decade to join her mother and siblings in the United States after her mother applied for permanent residency for her. In 2021, she received a letter notifying her she had been technically approved. Since then, Ive been waiting for an opportunity for an interview in Haiti, she said about one of the final hurdles needed before being allowed to travel to the United States to complete the process. Theres a long wait for the residents interviews. Though she periodically checks her status online, she said, she began losing hope in November 2024 when she saw that Trump had won the election. This was further cemented when he instituted a travel ban for Haiti. Ive just sort of been telling myselfIm among the lucky few. I have good work in Haiti. I live in Cap-Haitien with family, and Im committed to living here, she said. I didnt sell my house like other people did, and pack up everything, so I minimized my risks, and I didnt quit my job. Still, the idea of possibly being shut off from the U.S. while living in a country on the brink of collapse is daunting, said the 41-year-old who had basically put her life on hold after moving from gang-torn Port-au-Prince. I was moving to the States because thats where my family is. The DHS called the termination a necessary return to common-sense policies and a return to America First. American soldiers sit in a fighting vehicle near prison that was attacked by the Islamic Stete militants in Hassakeh, Syria, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. The Jan. 20 attack on the prison in northeast Syria was the biggest IS operation in years, and it took the U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish forces 10 days to defeat it. Credit - Baderkhan AhmadAssociated Press Two United States Army soldiers and an American civilian interpreter were killed in a suspected ISIS attack in Syria on Saturday, the Pentagon announced. Three other U.S. soldiers were wounded in the attack near Palmyra, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, which occurred as U.S. forces were conducting anti-ISIS operations in the region alongside Syrian government troops. A Pentagon official told TIME that the attack took place in an area where the Syrian government does not have control, and an initial assessment found it "was likely carried out by ISIS. Noureddine el-Baba, a spokesman for Syria's Interior Ministry, told state-run television channel Al-Ikhbariya that the attacker was a member of the government security forces who was already under investigation. "On December 10, an evaluation was issued indicating that this attacker might hold extremist ideas, and a decision regarding him was due to be issued tomorrow, on Sunday," Baba said. Read more: How Syria Can Forge a Lasting Peace Three local officials also told Reuters that the attacker was a member of the Syrian government security forces, the agency reported. President Donald Trump paid tribute to the soldiers in brief remarks to reporters at the White House on Saturday afternoon, calling them "three great patriots." When asked how the U.S. would respond to the attack, the President said: "We will retaliate." In a statement condemning the attack, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the attacker was killed by partner forces, referring to the Syrian army. Let it be known, if you target Americans anywhere in the world you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you, Hegseth said on X. Syrias state news agency said two Syrian military personnel were also injured in the attack. Tom Barrack, U.S. ambassador to Turkey and the Trump Administrations special envoy to Syria, also condemned the attack and paid tribute to the soldiers. "We mourn the loss of three brave U.S. service members and civilian personnel and wish a speedy recovery to the Syrian troops wounded in the attack," Barrack said in a statement. "We remain committed to defeating terrorism with our Syrian partners." The attack comes just a month after Syria and the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS announced a political cooperation agreement during Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaas visit to the White House. Read more: The Syrian Presidents White House Debut Caps a Stunning Rebrand Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa said at the time that the agreement confirmed Syrias role in combating terrorism and supporting regional stability. President Barack Obama first deployed U.S. special operations forces to Syria in 2015 to advise and assist local Kurdish-led fighters battling ISIS, which at the time controlled large swathes of the country. The Pentagon has previously said that a core force of around 900 U.S. troops remains deployed in eastern Syria to continue anti-ISIS operations. But President Trump has been outspoken in his desire to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, once referring to the country as little more than "sand and death." In 2019, during his first term, Trump ordered Defense Secretary James Mattis to withdraw all U.S. troops from the country. Mattis pushed back against the plan and ultimately resigned in protest. Trump later withdrew most troops, before redeploying some of them. Earlier this year, U.S. officials told NBC that the Trump Administration was drawing up plans for a full withdrawal of troops from the country. The Pentagon declined to comment on the report, but Trump said at the time: I dont know who said that. I mean, I dont know who said that, but well make a determination on that. Were not getting, were not involved in Syria, Trump replied. Syria is its own mess. They got enough messes over there. They dont need us involved in everyone. Trump has since developed a friendly relationship with Sharaa, Syria's president and a former leader of an Al-Qaeda-linked group. Sharaa renounced Al-Qaeda and rebranded his rebel army before sweeping to power one year ago this week, ousting the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and ending more than 50 years of Assad family rule. This is a developing story. Contact us at letters@time.com. Woman who has ties to White House aide and was detained by ICE speaks out. - Clipped From Video Bruna Ferreira had rushed out of her Massachusetts home, shoelaces untied, and was driving to pick up her 11-year-old son from school when she was approached by unmarked vehicles and a swarm of people. The 33-year-old woman, the mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitts nephew, was being surrounded by federal immigration agents asking her to confirm her name, she told CNNs Erin Burnett Friday in an interview. The November 12 arrest near Boston at first felt like a traffic stop but seemed bizarre as agents already seemed to know her name, the Brazilian native said. How could you possibly know who I am and where I live? Ferreira asked. While agents took her to the nearby Revere Police Department to verify her identity, Ferreira started calling her emergency contacts to make sure her son was picked up from school. I just started panicking, trying to see if I could get somebody, an emergency contact, anybody to answer me, to pick up Michael from school, she said. Ferreira was previously engaged to her sons father, Michael Leavitt, her attorney Todd Pomerleau previously told CNN. Michael Leavitt is the brother of Karoline Leavitt. An immigration judge ordered for her to be released from the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile earlier this week. During the 26 days in immigration custody, Ferreira was taken from Massachusetts to facilities in four other states before she was taken to Louisiana more than 1,500 miles from where she was arrested, she said. Once she arrived at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center, Ferreira was by the grace of God able to use another womans phone minutes to make a call and let her family and attorney know where she was, she said. She wasnt able to speak to her son during her detainment, where she met many other mothers in her same situation, and they all prayed for one another, which helped her get through the horrible situation, Ferreira said. CNN has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment. Earlier this week, Ferreiras bond was set at $1,500 during a hearing, the lowest amount allowed under the law, Pomerleau said. Her case will continue in Boston immigration court. Ferreira will still be required to have periodic mandatory check-ins with ICE law enforcement to ensure she is abiding by the terms of her release, DHS said in a statement after she was given bond. Ferreira to Leavitt: How would you feel if somebody did this to you? Ferreira has been in the United States since she was 6 years old and has been trying to get her green card ever since, she and Pomerleau said. Even though DHS has repeatedly claimed Ferreira has a criminal history, she disputes that, saying, I dont even have a parking ticket, and Im so proud of it. Im proud of my name, and I carry it like a badge of honor, the mother said. And now my child is sitting somewhere watching them broadcast this 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As a child, he must be terrified. Bruna Ferreira speaks to CNNs Erin Burnett on Friday. - CNN She hasnt been able to see her son since her return to Massachusetts as she is required to wear a GPS monitor, and the boys father hasnt brought him to see her, Ferreira said. The entire situation doesnt make sense, Ferreira said. Im trying to understand and have faith that theres some logical explanation behind any of this, but there isnt. Im not the first. Im surely not going to be the last. Theres thousands of women and families and children being separated daily. Where does it end? When does it stop? Ferreira hasnt spoken to Karoline Leavitt who is her sons godmother since shes returned to Massachusetts, she said. She addressed the White House press secretary during the interview with CNN: Youre a mother, Ferreira said. You are a mother now. And you should know. How would you feel if you were in my shoes? How would you feel if somebody did this to you? A DHS spokesperson previously told CNN that Ferreira was in the US illegally after overstaying a tourist visa that required her to leave the country in June 1999. Ferreira is a criminal illegal alien from Brazil, DHS said. Ferreiras attorney has said the DHS statement is inaccurate. Pomerleau said she was a former recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which grants temporary protection from deportation for those brought to the US as children, but was unable to renew her status a few years ago and has been trying to obtain legal permanent resident status. Pomerleau said his client is the victim of false character assassination with the administration labeling her a criminal illegal alien. Its a woman who has two businesses. Its a single mother paying her taxes and winds up in a for-profit prison in Louisiana. Its just unconscionable what theyre doing on a daily basis, the attorney said. CNNs Alejandra Jaramillo, Karina Tsui and Chris Boyette contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A woman was arrested Thursday afternoon after allegedly stabbing a tourist inside the Macy's flagship store in New York City, according to police. Kerri Aherne, 43, from Tewksbury, Massachusetts, allegedly stabbed the tourist multiple times as she was changing her infant daughter's diaper in a seventh floor restroom at Macys Herald Square location, the New York Police Department said. Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Exterior view of Macy's herald square store in New York City, on November 28, 2025. The baby was uninjured, and the victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition, according to police. Aherne allegedly stabbed the tourist, who was visiting Manhattan from California, in her back and arm from behind just before 3 p.m. before her husband disarmed the suspect and held her until police arrived. READ MORE: Macy's slashes profit forecast, says tariffs dampen outlook A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said that both the victim and her husband work for the LASD. Aherne was charged with two counts of assault, attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child. She was ordered held without bail after appearing in court on Friday. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office said Aherne was previously arrested in Massachusetts for threatening to kill Sen. Elizabeth Warren. The woman told police she has been hospitalized for psychiatric problems. READ MORE: Macy's nationwide closures underway affecting more than 60 stores A Macy's spokesperson told WABC that "we are deeply saddened about the incident that took place today as the safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority. We kindly defer any further questions to the local authorities." Police said the attack appears to be unprovoked and is currently under investigation. Woman on the couch looking very scared and staring at a piece of paper Imagine how stressful this situation would be: Natalies boss called her into the office recently and gave her some bad news. Thankfully, it was not a layoff, but it was something almost as stressful and potentially financially devastating. Her boss said the payroll department had made errors over the past several months, and in total, theyd overpaid by about $7,000 over the course of a year. Must Read Natalie was shocked. Since she works two jobs, she hadnt noticed the incremental overpayments, and she admitted she hadnt been reviewing her bank statements every month. Her boss then gave her even more disconcerting news: He said Natalie can either pay all the money back, or work for free until she makes up the hours. Natalie was shocked. She lives paycheck to paycheck, and she cant afford a lump-sum payment of $7,000. Her boss didnt seem to think a repayment plan would be possible. Natalie didnt know what to do. She wasnt sure if her boss could legally compel her to work for free, or even to pay the money back at all. Can your employer legally claw back money? Federal and state laws allow employers to garnish (automatically reduce) workers wages if there has been an overpayment. However, there are also rules about how much an employer can take. Under the U.S. Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA), there are restrictions on the weekly amount that can be deducted from your pay. If the amount of weekly disposable earnings (the amount after legally required deductions like taxes and Social Security) are more than $290, a maximum of 25% can be deducted. If your disposable earnings are less than $217.50 (or 30 hours of work at the federal minimum wage of $7.25), nothing can be deducted. For disposable earnings more than $217.50 but less than $290 (40 hours at $7.25), your employer can garnish the amount above $217.50 (1). State laws will also impact how and when an employer can garnish wages after overpayment. In most states, an overpayment is classified as a wage advance, and employers do not need permission from the employee to make deductions. If state law differs from federal law on wage garnishment, the CCPA states that whichever law results in less money being garnished will be applied (2). Luckily for Natalie, she lives in New York, where there are additional provisions that protect workers when employers make garnishments for overpayment. The law in New York states that the employer must give the employee a notice of intent to make garnishments for overpayment. The notice must also: Be given at least three weeks before the deductions start (unless the amount can be recouped in one wage payment, and other procedures are followed). State the amount overpaid in total and per pay period State the total amount to be deducted and the date of each deduction Include information about when and how the employee can contest the overpayment Read More: This $1B private real estate fund is now accessible to non-millionaires. Heres how you can get started with as little as $10 Perhaps most importantly, in New York, deductions for overpayments can only be made for the eight weeks of overpayment prior to the delivery of the notice of intent to the employee. In New York state, if the overpayment is less than or equal to your next paycheck, the entire amount can be deducted from that check. However, if its more than the next paycheck, the maximum amount that can be deducted is no more than 12.5% of your gross earnings, and the amount cannot make your effective hourly wage less than the state minimum wage (3). What you should do if this happens to you Natalies bosss suggestion that she work for free to pay off the wage overpayment is illegal. Because she lives in New York state, her employer can only deduct the overpayments in the eight weeks prior to her receiving notice. The meeting with her boss also doesnt count as official notice; her employer needs to provide her with a document that meets the above parameters. Natalie should let her employer know that asking her to work without pay is a violation of labor laws. It is her employers responsibility to serve her proper notice about the overpayment and upcoming garnishment. Since her state offers more protection around this issue, Natalie most likely wont face a wage deduction that would leave her unable to pay her bills. Still, her wages will be impacted, and she needs to budget accordingly. She may need to cut back on discretionary spending until her paychecks are back to the normal amount. In the future, checking both her pay stubs and her bank statements will go a long way in preventing this kind of unexpected loss of income which will also help you catch if your employer is underpaying you. An Ernst & Young report from 2022 found that the average companys payroll accuracy is only 80.15%, which means you could be missing out on wages youre owed if youre not watching your bank balance (4). If you believe your employer has made deductions from your pay illegally, you can file an administrative claim with your states department of labor, and depending on your state, you may be able to file a lawsuit (2). 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. U.S. Department of Labor (1); Thomson Reuters (2); New York Department of Labor (3); Ernst & Young (4) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. @NurseMemwa/YouTube The next time you are stuck in traffic on your way home from work, cursing your commute, and every red light, consider that, for some Americans, getting to work involves catching a flight. Must Read Its called supercommuting, and its just what it sounds like, working and living in areas that are hours apart, sometimes requiring flights to clock in for a shift. Take Memwanesha Daniels, a self-described bicoastal nurse who supercommutes from Jacksonville, Fla., to the San Francisco Bay Area. In a recent CNBC report, Daniels says that by supercommuting to the Bay Area, she is able to make three times what she would make in Florida (1). Its very lucrative, she told CNBC. This is a retirement plan for me. Daniels has also acquired an online following and appears to be a budding influencer. On her YouTube channel she promises nurse life & pay transparency, bicoastal living & travel hacks, lifestyle content, and event recaps and collabs (2). Flying to work For Daniels, getting to work on a usual day means hopping a flight leaving Jacksonville between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., landing in the Bay Area between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. local time. She tells CNBC that she rents an apartment in Oakland, which costs about $1,300 a month. She says her flights, typically two round trips per month, come in at around $500. The length of time she stays in California varies, sometimes she works a few days at a time, and other times she will stay for up to two weeks. Daniels prioritizes night and weekend 12-hour shifts, which pay more; she says she makes more than $100 an hour for these shifts. She said she has made $25,000 a month by working these shifts and doing overtime, which totaled about 16 shifts a month. Paying an extra $2,000 a month to make three times the amount I would make in Florida is very much worth it, Daniels told CNBC. Daniels says she misses her three kids and her boyfriend, but she says it seems like she is more affected than the kids: Im the one crying like, Oh, I miss my family and they are just fine, she told CNBC. They dont care because theyre used to it. She also said that when she is back home with her family, she is able to be fully clocked out of work. Read More: This $1B private real estate fund is now accessible to non-millionaires. Heres how you can get started with as little as $10 Commuting by the numbers According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the mean time that Americans spent commuting one way to work in 2024 was 27.2 minutes. The percentage of workers who had a one-way commute time of an hour or more was 9.3%. Close to 70% of workers drove to work alone. People who took public transit made up only 3.7%; 2.4% of people walked; 0.5% cycled; 9.2% carpooled; and 1.7% used other means (taxi, motorcycle or other). The rest, 13.3% of workers, worked from home in 2024. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2025, subsidized commuting an employee benefit that covers all or part of the cost of the commute to work was available to 10% of private-industry workers. If you are considering a job, you will likely factor in how long the commute is when youre making your decision. Remember that not only are there costs associated with whatever mode of transportation you use, but also costs in the sense of how much time you lose to your commute. LendingTree analyzed the cost of time lost due to commuting, using 2023 Census Bureau data, and found that the average commute to work costs the average American $9,470 in lost time a year (3). Some employers have rolled back work-from-home provisions that became common during the pandemic, and the number of Americans working from home in 2024, 13.3%, is a drop from 2023, when 13.8% of people worked from home. If you are considering a new job, it can be well worth trying to negotiate a hybrid schedule, or prioritizing employers that offer a hybrid schedule when you are searching. Calculate how much working from home two days a week can save you. If you arent sure whether your transportation costs are taking too big a bite out of your budget, review your average monthly spending, and figure out the percentage that transportation makes up. According to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data on average household spending, in 2023, U.S. households spent an average of $13,174 on transportation, which was 17% of household expenditures. If you arent able to work from home, but are looking for ways to cut costs on your commute, consider whether you can opt to take transit, even one day a week, to save on fuel and wear and tear on your vehicle. Also, keeping your vehicle maintained and checking your tire pressure can mean savings in the long term; the U.S. Department of Energy says that you can improve your gas mileage by up to 3% in some cases by keeping your tires properly inflated. Extreme commuting, like bicoastal nurse Memwanesha Daniels, is not for everyone. However, for those whose lifestyle can allow for a supercommute, the costs and time can be worth it if your income will be significantly higher working afar. For the rest of us, keeping transportation costs workable within a monthly budget might make more sense than booking a flight to get to the office. 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. CNBC (1); @NurseMemwa/YouTube (2); LendingTree (3) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Florida officials are plowing ahead with a proposal to roll back certain vaccine mandates for the states schoolchildren, after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis called for the state to become the first in the nation to eliminate all school vaccination requirements. Pediatricians, infectious disease physicians and teachers have decried the push to undermine vaccines, which for generations have been a cornerstone of public health policy for keeping children and adults safe from potentially deadly but preventable diseases. Experts have warned that doing away with the mandates could allow for a dangerous resurgence of preventable childhood diseases and deaths, amounting to a reversal of one of the greatest advancements in public health history. Dozens of parents, physicians, educators and advocates crowded into a hotel conference room in Panama City Beach on Friday to testify on a rule change proposed by the Florida Department of Health that would eliminate requirements that Florida children receive the hepatitis B, varicella and Haemophilus influenzae type b or Hib vaccines in order to attend public or private K-12 schools. Florida officials have moved forward with the proposal made to roll back certain vaccines required for schoolchildren across the state. REUTERS The proposal also does away with a requirement for the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for children attending child care facilities. Other state mandates related to vaccines for polio, mumps, tetanus and other diseases are enshrined in Florida law and would require legislative action to be rolled back. Pediatrician Eehab Kenawy, who practices in Panama City, detailed two unvaccinated children his hospital has cared for in the past six months, both of whom contracted Hib, which can cause severe infections and brain swelling. One child unfortunately succumbed at four months of age. No vaccines, Kenawy said. The mother of another Hib patient, a two-and-a-half-year-old, begged to have her child vaccinated after the child developed a grave brain infection, Kenawy said. Quote unquote, mothers words: please give my child every vaccine you can, he said. This is what were seeing. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who has long clashed with the medical establishment, has cast current requirements in schools and elsewhere as immoral intrusions on peoples rights that hamper parents ability to make health decisions for their children. All U.S. states and territories require that children attending child care centers and schools be vaccinated against a number of diseases, including, measles, mumps, polio, tetanus, whooping cough and chickenpox. All states allow exemptions for children with medical conditions that prevent them from receiving certain vaccines. Most also permit exemptions for religious or other nonmedical reasons. The move comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis called for the state to be the first one across the nation to eliminate vaccination requirements for all schools. AP Emotional public hearing Fridays public hearing grew emotional at times, as parents and activists opposed to the mandates heralded the importance of personal freedom, while longtime physicians recalled hospital wards full of gravely sick children in the years before the widespread availability of vaccines. When pediatrician Paul Robinson trained at Vanderbilt University in the 1980s, he cared for countless children suffering from diseases we now prevent, including Hib. It didnt cause mild illness. It caused children to die, Robinson said, recalling the survivors who were left with deafness, paralysis or lifelong neurologic injury. The policy being pushed by the states surgeon general is dangerous, he added. Jamie Schanbaums legs and fingers were amputated after she contracted meningitis as a 20-year-old college student in Texas. Teachers and medical professionals have decried the push to undermine vaccines. AP She traveled from Brooklyn, New York, to testify in support of vaccines, recounting her seven-month hospital stay as she battled the vaccine-preventable disease and the challenges of living without her limbs. No one should go through this experience, Schanbaum said. How about the relearning to use my hands? Feed myself? Wipe myself? This is the reality of what its like to survive something like this, she added. Rise of vaccine skepticism Vaccination efforts across the country and around the world have stalled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw an explosion in vaccine skepticism. Floridas proposal comes as U.S. Department of Health Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has worked to reshape the nations vaccine policies to match his long-standing suspicions about the safety and effectiveness of well-established shots. Mary Helms, a mother and grandmother from Apalachicola, Florida, referenced Kennedy as she voiced her full support for rolling back the mandates. Medical choice and medical freedom in all ways is a God-given and sovereign human right, Helms said. Susan Sweetins voiced filled with emotion as she described her then-newborn son being rushed off for a hepatitis B shot that she said injured him. Sweetin is a marketing executive for the National Vaccine Information Center, a group connected to Kennedy. This is not informed consent. That is coercion. Vaccines should never be tied to a childs education, Sweetin said. Asked if the state consulted national medical experts such as the American Academy of Pediatrics on the rule development, a department representative declined to answer directly, stating: the rule language is grounded in policy based on considerations that favor parental rights and medical freedom. Measles outbreak in South Carolina Floridas push comes as a monthslong measles outbreak continues in South Carolina, almost entirely among school-age children. State health officials there have said 116 of the 126 cases have been in children under 18, with two-thirds of them in children from age 5 to 17. The outbreak has been centered in Spartanburg County, where just 90% of students have all the vaccinees required to be in school one of the lowest rates in South Carolina. The state has a religious exemption for vaccines, and almost all of the unvaccinated students use it. by Melani Manel Perera The flood hit the Free Trade Zone area hard, where textile production for global markets is concentrated. Workers, who often live in dormitories without even being registered, have lost everything. The associations that are taking care of them have appealed to the government in Colombo: Abandoned by everyone, they need ad hoc interventions. Colombo (AsiaNews) - In the great disaster that struck Sri Lanka with Cyclone Ditwah, a particularly difficult situation is that of textile workers living in the Free Trade Zone (FTZ). Their temporary homes have been flooded, with sanitation and water supplies cut off and entire areas isolated by rising waters. Many have been evacuated to temporarily safer places, often suddenly and without certainty as to when they will be able to return home or resume their lives in safety. According to preliminary data from the Ministry of Industry, more than 3,200 industries of all categories reported damage due to Cyclone Ditwah. The district of Gampaha has the highest number of affected businesses. Some factories are partially submerged, while some suppliers have required workers to be present even under red alert conditions, putting people in grave danger. Although aid has been provided to those affected in all 22 districts affected by Cyclone Ditwah, migrant workers from their home villages who live in rented houses or dormitories in the Free Trade Zone have not received the necessary attention. Ashila Dandeniya, Executive Director of Stand Up Movement Lanka, Chamila Thushari, Executive Director of Da-bindu Collectives, and Chandra Devanarayana, Executive Director of the Revolutionary Existence for Human Development Organization, who work for the rights and welfare of migrant workers in the FTZ, confirmed to AsiaNews that heavy rains and flash floods have hit migrant workers in the textile sector hard. The vast majority of those working throughout the FTZ come from abroad, they say. They have no relatives in the area. They all live in temporary rooms, dormitories, or rented accommodation, and the few essential items they kept in those small spaces, representing all their wealth, were swept away by the rains and sudden flooding. "Our Solitary Bridge and Wellbeing Center, as well as our Stand Up Movement Lanka offices, were turned into temporary shelters for migrant textile workers, to the extent of our capabilities. We also hosted sex workers who had relationships with our office. About 100 workers had their homes completely flooded with nowhere else to go. The villages had occupied common spaces such as temples, churches, and schools, so there was no place for these workers," said Ashila Dandeniya. As the waters receded, they returned to their dormitories, but Ashila, Chamila, and Chandra said that meeting basic needs (bed, mattress, pillow, fan, mosquito net, wardrobe, small table, gas stove, and kitchen utensils...) such as food and clothing was a huge challenge for these migrant workers and the organizations that support them. We at Stand Up Movement Lanka took care of 400-500 workers during this disaster. But so far, we have not heard of any steps to compensate them for their losses. A rapid support mechanism should be provided to them. Indicatively, the cost of everything each worker has lost is around 250,000 rupees. According to Chandra Devanarayana, Executive Director of RED, based on assessments by their field workers, the flood severely affected 256 families and 1,100 individuals. As many as 397 private dormitories were damaged by the flood. There is an urgent need for a thorough cleaning of flooded homes to prevent disease. Stagnant water has also led to a significant increase in mosquitoes, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases. With the support of our partner organizations, we have been able to procure and distribute disinfectant liquids and are assisting communities with the initial cleaning of dormitories. We are still in the process of assisting our workers, added Chandra. The Da-Bindu Collective is supporting 150 of these migrant workers in Katunayake, Biyagama, Northern Vavuniya, and Kilinochchi. Manager Chamila Thushari emphasizes how this disaster has highlighted the need for a social protection program for migrant workers in the North. These workers were first affected by the war, then by the Covid pandemic, and finally by the unexpected storm and floods. A structured intervention is needed to help them cope with the destruction of their homes, loss of household items, exposure to disease, and psychological stress. Although 380,000 people have been affected in the district of Gampaha, Thushari continues, there is still no clear data on how many of them are workers in the free trade zones. They must be registered in the investment promotion zones because they represent a key group for attracting the large investments necessary for the country's survival. by Stefano Caprio The Decembrist revolt on December 14, 1825 saw army officers and intellectuals in favor of liberal reforms attempt to seize power after the sudden death of Tsar Alexander I, only to be crushed by the repression of Nicholas I. An icon of the recurring alternation between system and revolt, regime and anarchy, in the parable of Russian history. These days, two very significant dates follow one another in Russia: December 12 marked Constitution Day, commemorating the fundamental law approved by Boris Yeltsin in 1993, a couple of months after the shelling of the Supreme Soviet building where parliamentarians had barricaded themselves to contest the new pro-Western power that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union. It was the formal act that marked the end of the communist regime, with the transition to a market economy and the elimination of planning and control institutions. Only the outlines of that text remain, as it was overturned in 2020 by changes sought by Vladimir Putin to consecrate the new orthodox sovereignist regime of the vertical of power. December 14 also marks the 200th anniversary of the Decembrist revolt (in Russian, December is dekabr), when in 1825 the Decembrists attempted to seize power after the sudden death of Tsar Alexander I, who, despite his glorious victory over Napoleon, had not decided to introduce the liberal reforms so desired by army officers and Russian intellectuals. The revolt was suppressed by the new Tsar Nicholas I, Alexander's brother, who was devoted solely to order and repression in Russia and every other country, earning him the title of gendarme of Europe. The two dates are intertwined in a reinterpretation of Russia's recent and ancient history, always poised between the long winters of dictatorial stagnation and the spring explosions of new popular upheavals, without ever finding a balance between its different souls. At the conference on the two centuries since the uprising, which opened in Moscow at the Academy of Sciences, one of the most authoritative historians, Yuri Pivovarov, proposed as a key to interpretation the pendulum between samoderzhavie (autocracy) and samovlastie (self-power), two almost identical terms indicating the contrast between system and revolt, between regime and anarchy. Russia has historically been prone to excessive contradictions, and since the time of the Decembrists, this has been articulated in a series of opposing and successive images: from Alexander I's Holy Alliance in 1815 (the first European Union) to Nicholas I's Crimean War in 1853, with Russia opposing the whole of Europe, and then the great reforms of Alexander II with the liberation from serfdom in 1861. This turning point would later be rewarded with 80 attempts to assassinate the tsar, culminating in his death in 1881 at the hands of revolutionaries, a prelude to the Bolsheviks' rise to power after the revolutions of 1905 and February 1917, before the great October Revolution. Even the seventy years of totalitarian communism were certainly not peaceful and uniform; after the civil war of 1918-1920, there was a long internal struggle within the party, won by Stalin in 1930 after eliminating all his opponents and establishing a regime of terror, which was then denounced during Khrushchev's thaw in 1957 and replaced by Brezhnev in 1964 with the restoration of neo-Stalinist control. Gorbachev then attempted the gentle revolution of perestroika in 1986, only to succumb to the KGB coup attempt in 1991, thwarted by Yeltsin, who climbed onto a tank and was hailed by the people, who gathered the next day to remove the monument in Lubyanka Square, the headquarters of the KGB, which represented its founder Feliks Dzerzhinsky. It is therefore not surprising that even Yeltsin's own democratic regime, inaugurated by cannon fire in 1993, then turned into a series of wars and uprisings in Chechnya, Ingushetia, and Transnistria, eventually converging into Vladimir Putin's current dictatorship, built on the repression of popular demonstrations organized by Alexei Navalny and culminating in war against Georgia, Ukraine, Europe, the West, and the universal Antichrist. From Yeltsin's samovlastie, which gave everyone the chance to take all the power they could swallow, we have returned to Putin's samoderzavie, a system of power that leaves no freedom or hope for change until the next turn of Russia's crazy compass. So, the question that scholars are analyzing these days about the Decembrists comes up again and again: are these just reactions to dissatisfaction with Russia's role in history, or are they the realization of ideologies capable of forming new state systems, destined to change the face of the whole world? This is the question today: is Putinism destined to peter out and disappear, or will it come to dominate the rest of the world, starting with the America of his friend Trump? The Decembrists were exalted by the Soviets as the beginning of the great revolutionary epic, only to be forgotten with the establishment of the Putin regime, which cannot tolerate any semblance of popular revolt. Yet the young Alexander Pushkin, the bard of the rediscovery of the Russian soul after a century of Westernism and today as celebrated by Russians as he is hated by Ukrainians for having stolen their first truly great Ukrainian poet and writer, Nikolai Gogol, by making him fall in love with Great Russia, also referred to the Decembrists. In the course on The Foundations and Principles of Russian Statehood, which is now compulsory in all schools of all levels in Russia, just as lessons on Marxism and dialectical materialism were in Soviet times, the 1825 uprising is completely obscured, rewriting history through the lens of Nicholas I's censorship, the Okhrana, the mother of the special services, up to the KGB and the current FSB, Putin's school of power and even that of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. The nobles and officers who gathered in Senate Square in St. Petersburg on December 14, 1825, intended to eliminate the autocracy by preventing Nicholas I from ascending to the throne, a coup d'etat that had been in preparation for years and was accelerated by the unexpected death of Alexander I in the southern city of Taganrog, where he had gone to seek treatment for his wife. The death of the victorious tsar is one of the great mysteries of Russian history, as he was still relatively young at 48 and no proper autopsy was performed. The subsequent legend sees the tsar transformed into the starets Fedor Kuzmic, an itinerant preacher in Siberia, and no subsequent regime has ever wanted to verify who the remains buried in the tomb of St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg really belong to, along with the other tsars of the modern era, where the last tsar, Nicholas II, and his family are also laid to rest, with equally dubious remains recovered from mass graves in the Urals. The uncertainty surrounding the fate of the tsars and their memory reflects the need to continually rewrite Russian history, which is now one of the main motivations behind Tsar Putin's sovereignist and imperial ideology. Crimea is ours, Donbass has always been Russian, the desire to claim the Baltic, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and perhaps other regions of the world from Africa to South America, characterize a frantic search for an identity that is not truly linked to the earth, but to the higher spheres of the ideological sky. This was also the inner contradiction of Alexander I, who, entering Paris triumphantly in 1814, thought he could reunite all peoples and even churches, uniting Russian Orthodox Christians with Austrian Catholics and Prussian Protestants in the Holy Alliance. Putin's war in Ukraine explicitly refers to Stalin's victory over the Nazis, but no less significant is the memory of the period following the Napoleonic Wars, when the ideological premise was precisely the contrast between absolute power and liberal revolution, between samoderzavie and samovlastie. The Decembrists were partly descended from a secret society formed in Moscow in 1818, the Sojuz Blagodenstvija, the Union of Prosperity, which intended to form a liberal-oriented popular movement to build a society without any form of dictatorship or slavery, a romantic dream that often recurs in history, almost always giving way to new forms of autocracy. The ideals of liberal society presupposed a rapprochement between intellectuals and the people, as had happened during the war against Napoleon, with the meeting between officers and the humblest soldiers. It was the great Russian writer Ivan Turgenev who described this encounter in Memoirs of a Hunter, where the noble narrator encounters a series of low-level figures during a hunt, such as the peasants Khor and Kalinic, who live in the woods and express feelings of authentic human dignity. Turgenev coined a term to describe these encounters that is once again widely used today, populizm from the Russified Latin (the writer later included other terms in his novels that have become universal, such as anarkhizm and nigilizm), prophesying the great ambiguity of the times in which we live in the third millennium, between the sovereignist illusions of the new emperors and the populist confusion of artificial ideologies, awaiting a new world and new revolutions. What Are "Micromances" and Are They Important for Your Relationship? Why Smaller Romantic Gestures Can Beat Out the Grand, Flashy Ones as the Key to a Lasting Love Growing up, were often taught by movies and TV that being romantic requires orchestrating a series of grand gestures things like trails of rose petals leading to the bedroom, surprise flights to Paris, or staging unbelievably elaborate proposals. Pop culture has spent years convincing men that bigger romantic displays always mean better, in no small part because its easier to make jaw-droppingly big and complex displays of affection look romantic on screen than it is to visually communicate the enormity of feelings that can accompany small gestures. At the end of the day, those grand romantic gestures look great on screen (and rare is the person whod turn down a trip to Paris). But here's the reality: they're not what actually strengthens your relationship day to day. RELATED: Lies Pop Culture Taught Us About Love & Romance Enter micromances the small, everyday moments of care that relationship experts say matter far more than any grand display. Micromances differ from traditional romantic gestures because theyre rooted in presence rather than performance, says Rene Mondy, therapist and post-marriage expert. Theyre as small as holding hands or driving your partner to work every morning. While these acts are small, they help couples build a more consistent foundation. These small, repeated acts of care often reveal the emotional blueprint of the relationship far more clearly than a grand gesture ever could, adds Mondy. According to Bumble's 2025 Dating Trends report, this shift in romance is already happening. In their survey, 86 percent of singles said they prefer these smaller gestures sharing inside jokes, thoughtful texts, curated playlists over flashy romantic productions. A recent study from Penn State University found that small acts of love can increase feelings of being loved and are associated with greater well-being. When done repeatedly, micromances can create a stable emotional baseline that couples can return to during a crisis or conflict, explains Mondy. These moments can help partners feel seen, supported, and safe. How Micromances Improve Relationships Some people reach for grand romantic gestures because they create a temporary rush, just enough excitement to gloss over unresolved issues, explains Mondy. Not to mention, it also makes for a great social media photo. As TV and movie directors know, the visual pop of something that looks impressive can be convincing for many people. But if a relationship feels unstable or emotionally distant, big displays like flowers or elaborate surprises wont address the underlying wounds, she adds. That's not to say grand gestures don't have their placethey can definitely complement a solid relationship. But micromances offer something deeper, something you can't capture on Instagram. For one, these small acts of love can create genuine safety, adds Mondy. A thoughtful act communicates, Youre not alone. Someone is paying attention to you. RELATED: Signs You're in a Healthy Relationship They're also sustainable to practice. Grand gestures can require a ton of planning, money, and energy, whereas micromances easily fit into daily life. Over time, these small acts build more emotional security, the kind of long-term foundation couples can genuinely rely on, says Mondy. Incorporating Micromances Into Your Relationship Chances are youve probably practiced some micromance and not even realized it. In her sessions, Mondy frequently hears men say, I didnt know that counted when discussing meaningful romantic interactions. RELATED: Small Romantic Gestures That Make a Big Impact Some examples of micromances are as simple as texting your partner to ask if they arrived home safely, holding hands while walking home, saving the last slice of pizza for them because its their favorite, or sharing songs or videos that remind you of them. These acts are small, but they signal thoughtfulness. If youre unsure of what acts your partner would consider romantic, talk to them. I've noticed that women often express micromances in ways that feel intuitive and nurturing, while men tend to approach them from a more practical, problem-solving stance, says Mondy. Both styles are completely valid they simply reflect different relational instincts. What matters most is helping couples understand that these differences aren't deficits; they're just two languages of care that need translation. RELATED: Qualities Women Look for in a Man Once you know what resonates with your partner, focus on consistency over intensity. Mondy adds that frequency matters more than scale when building healthy connections. In other words, one small gesture every day beats one huge gesture once a month. What truly matters is the meaning behind the gesture, Mondy adds. I encourage clients to slow down and ask, What can I offer in this moment that communicates care? Another helpful starting point is observing what genuinely matters to your partner. According to Mondy, people reveal both their fears and their love language through daily habits. For example, Mondy dreads mornings, and her partner makes her coffee each day. It may seem tiny, but it communicates care in such a deeply meaningful way, she says. Even your partners stressors are worth noticing. For example, if they hate driving in the rain, a simple "Text me when you get there" message can turn into a micromance. If they're anxious about a work presentation, checking in afterward shows you care about their feelings. Micromances work because they lighten emotional load, Mondy says. They say, I see you, and I'm paying attention. One thing to remember about micromances: You likely wont notice their effects right away. But over time, these small acts compound into something bigger: a relationship where both people feel consistently valued. Think vitamins, not painkillers, Mondy says. Micromances work the same way: steady doses create long-term change. RELATED: Understanding 'Attention Bids' in Relationships Grand gestures may get all the attention in movies and social media, but healthy relationships are built in the mundane moments: the coffee runs, the check-ins, the inside jokes. Theyre not flashy, but they're what keep couples connected in the long run. So skip the rose petals (unless your partners specifically asked for them). Instead, send that meme. Remember their coffee order. Text them when you're thinking about them. Those small acts won't go viral, but they'll build something that lasts. You Might Also Dig: 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. 13 December 2025 15:55 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan has discussed joint initiatives with Nvidia on the application of advanced technologies in strategic sectors, Azernews report, citing Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev as saying in a post on the social media platform X. The discussions took place during Nabiyevs visit to the United States, where he met with Kalista Redmond, Vice President for Global Artificial Intelligence Initiatives at Nvidia. According to the minister, the talks focused on opportunities for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Nvidia in developing sovereign national artificial intelligence platforms and modernizing government services based on high-performance computing capabilities. The sides also exchanged views on key components and stakeholders of a sovereign AI ecosystem, startup development, workforce training in artificial intelligence, and joint initiatives to deploy Nvidia technologies across strategic sectors. 13 December 2025 09:41 (UTC+04:00) On December 12, a memorial event was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the United Mexican States to mark the 22nd anniversary of the passing of National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev. Azernews reports that the event began with a one-minute moment of silence in honor of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, followed by the laying of a wreath at his bust. During the ceremony, special emphasis was placed on the exceptional role played by the National Leader in the history of the Azerbaijani people and state, his invaluable services in building and strengthening modern Azerbaijan, as well as his rich and wise legacy of statehood. As part of the event, a video report was screened highlighting the National Leader Heydar Aliyevs official visit to Mexico in 1982 as head of a delegation. It was noted that the footage shown consisted of rare archival materials from the Golden Fund of Azerbaijan Television. The historical significance of this visit for the development of AzerbaijanMexico relations was also underscored. 13 December 2025 10:30 (UTC+04:00) Within the framework of the 16th NATO Days, a delegation led by Rear Admiral Yusuf Karagulle, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) and Head of the Partnership Directorate, paid a visit to Azerbaijan. According to Azernews, the information was released by the Ministry of Defense. It was noted that the purpose of the visit was to further develop the existing cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO, ensure the implementation of commitments under partnership programs, and strengthen the exchange of mutual experience. As part of the visit, meetings were held with the delegation at the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Heydar Aliyev Military Institute, as well as military units within the Ground Forces and the Navy that include units declared under NATOs Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC). During the events, it was emphasized that within the framework of AzerbaijanNATO cooperation, Azerbaijan has actively participated in ensuring international security. The activities of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces personnel in peacekeeping missions were assessed as a valuable contribution to global security. Attention was also drawn to Azerbaijans active participation in NATOs Partnership for Peace program, as well as the achievements attained within the framework of the OCC program. At the meetings, the importance of cooperation in the field of military education and training was highlighted. It was noted that the participation of Azerbaijani officers in NATO exercises and headquarters has been beneficial in enriching their operational, command, and military-academic knowledge. Various briefings and roundtable discussions were organized for the delegation. At the conclusion of the meetings held within the framework of the 16th NATO Days, gifts were exchanged and commemorative photos were taken. 11 December 2025 14:22 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijans Ambassador to Ireland, Elin Suleymanov, has met with Speaker of the Irish Parliament Verona Murphy in Dublin to discuss the development of bilateral relations and inter-parliamentary cooperation. During the meeting, Speaker Murphy warmly recalled her previous meetings with the Chairperson of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, Sahiba Gafarova, and asked that her greetings be conveyed to her. The talks focused on AzerbaijanIreland relations, the future activities of the AzerbaijanIreland Parliamentary Friendship Group established within the Irish Parliament, Azerbaijans peace agenda, and the ongoing normalization process in the region. The sides also discussed prospects for expanding inter-parliamentary cooperation and organizing mutual visits. Following the meeting, Ambassador Suleymanov held discussions with John Lahart, Chair of the Irish Parliaments Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as committee members. The exchange of views covered the strengthening of parliamentary ties, regional developments, Azerbaijans contribution to Europes energy security, the regional peace process, and Azerbaijans peace agenda. 13 December 2025 13:45 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan and the Kyrgyz Republic have explored opportunities for cooperation in energy, industry, transport, and other priority sectors, Azernews reports, citing the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR). The discussions took place within the framework of the 6th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic and Humanitarian Cooperation between the two countries. SOCAR Vice President Anar Mammadov met with Bakyt Torobayev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, to discuss avenues for collaboration. The meeting brought together representatives from SOCAR Downstream, members of Kyrgyz government and state agencies, as well as business leaders. During the talks, participants reviewed potential cooperation opportunities across energy, industry, transport, and other priority sectors, exchanging views on matters of mutual interest aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. 13 December 2025 13:15 (UTC+04:00) Elchin Amirbayov, the Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan, has undertaken a working visit to the Republic of Poland, Azernews reports. During his visit, Amirbayov held meetings at the Office of the Prime Minister with Malgorzata Latkiewicz-Pavlak, Director of the Foreign Affairs Department, as well as Radoslaw Gruk, Advisor to the President of Poland. He also met with Grzegorz Schetyna, Chair of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee; Brigadier General Andrzej Kowalski, Deputy Director of the Security Department in the Presidential Office; and Marcin Bosacki, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. The discussions focused on the current state and development prospects of the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Poland. Both sides underscored the importance of high-level reciprocal visits and regular political dialogue as central components of the bilateral agenda, agreeing on the need to continue such exchanges in the near future. Amirbayov highlighted Azerbaijans recognition of Poland as a reliable partner within the frameworks of the European Union and NATO. While acknowledging that economic relations between the two countries remain below their full potential, the parties expressed interest in deepening cooperation in traditional sectors and diversifying into new areas. In particular, they identified green transition and renewable energy, logistics, transport connectivity, and defense as promising fields for collaboration. Amirbayov also updated his Polish counterparts on the latest steps toward normalization of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations. He stressed that although the two countries are effectively in a de facto state of peace, formal legal recognition of this peace is essential. Discussions also focused on regional security and new opportunities for practical cooperation arising from evolving realities in the region. Parliamentary cooperation was highlighted as a key component of Azerbaijan-Poland relations. Amirbayov emphasized that intensifying inter-parliamentary contacts strengthens mutual trust and expressed optimism that high-level exchanges in this sphere would continue next year, referencing an official invitation to the Polish Senate Speaker. The Azerbaijani envoy also critiqued the European UnionArmenia Partnership Strategic Agenda, noting that it does not reflect current regional realities and does not contribute to either EU-Azerbaijan relations or the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process. Polish officials were briefed on the consequences of Armenias occupation policies, including damage to Azerbaijans cultural heritage and the extensive landmine problem. Amirbayov stressed that demining remains a priority for Azerbaijan and called for greater international support, noting that current aid is limited compared to Azerbaijans efforts. He also invited Polish companies to participate in post-conflict reconstruction projects in Azerbaijans liberated territories. As part of his visit, Amirbayov spoke at a roundtable with representatives of leading Polish think tanks, discussing geopolitical developments in the South Caucasus, as well as the strategic significance of the Middle Corridor and Zangezur Corridor. Additionally, he gave interviews to prominent Polish media outlets, including the national public broadcaster TVP World and the Polish News Agency. 13 December 2025 16:30 (UTC+04:00) On December 1112, 2025, Elnur Mammadov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, visited the Kingdom of Thailand, marking a significant step in deepening diplomatic relations between the two countries, Azernews reports. During his visit to Bangkok, the first-ever political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and Thailand were held. The Azerbaijani delegation was led by Deputy Minister Elnur Mammadov, while Thailands delegation was headed by Deputy Minister Vijavat Isarabhakdi. At the conclusion of the consultations, an Agreement Memorandum on Political Consultations between the two ministries was signed, formalizing a framework for ongoing dialogue. Discussions focused on the current state and future development of bilateral cooperation in political, economic, trade, cultural, and tourism sectors. The parties also emphasized the importance of expanding collaboration within multilateral platforms. During the meetings, the Azerbaijani side briefed Thai officials on the countrys peace agenda, including measures for demining recently liberated territories and the extensive reconstruction and restoration work being carried out in those areas. A separate meeting with Thailands Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow highlighted satisfaction with the current level of political relations and recognized that the opening of the Azerbaijani embassy in Bangkok and the first political consultations would contribute to strengthening cooperation across various sectors. Deputy Minister Mammadov also met with Vanmuhammadnoor Matha, President of Thailands National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives. Both sides underscored the critical role of inter-parliamentary relations in developing bilateral ties and highlighted successful cooperation within multilateral parliamentary platforms. As part of his visit, Mammadov gave interviews to Thailands prominent TNN television channel and the parliamentary TV channel. He also attended a ceremony organized by the Azerbaijani Embassy commemorating the anniversary of Azerbaijans national leader, Heydar Aliyev. Furthermore, Deputy Minister Mammadov delivered a lecture at the King Prajadhipok Institute under the Thai Parliament on Azerbaijans foreign policy priorities, engaging with participants and answering questions on the countrys diplomatic agenda. 13 December 2025 10:00 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan and the United States (US) have discussed expanding energy-sector cooperation, focusing on current projects and future opportunities, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov's publication on X said, Azernews reports. "We had a fruitful meeting with Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, David L. Fogel, in Washington. We discussed potential cooperation with the US. Companies in implementing Azerbaijan's wide and diversified regional power supply plans and projects, including the potential fields," the post reads. The volume of trade between Azerbaijan and the U.S. from January through October of this year was $1.059 billion. This is $19.7 million, or 1.9%, more than during the same months of 2024. Over the reporting period, trade turnover with the U.S. accounted for 2.59% of Azerbaijan's total trade turnover. Thus, the U.S. ranked sixth among the countries with which Azerbaijan conducted the largest number of trade operations during the reporting period. From January through October of this year, Azerbaijani exports to the U.S. totaled $52.7 million. This is $65.8 million, or 2.2 times less than during the same period last year. At the same time, for the reporting period, Azerbaijan imported $1 billion worth of goods from the U.S., which is $85.5 million or 9.3% more than in the same period of 2024. Thus, during the reporting period, the U.S. ranked fourth among the countries from which Azerbaijan imports the largest amount of goods. 13 December 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The online platform Reddit plans to challenge in court the Australian governments decision to ban the use of social media by people under the age of 16, a measure that came into effect on December 10. The information was reported by Sky News Australia, citing the companys legal complaint, Azernews reports. According to the filing, Reddit argues that the new law forces not only teenagers but also adult users to undergo intrusive and potentially unsafe verification procedures, which the company says restrict freedom of communication and pose risks to user privacy. In addition, the ban prevents children and adolescents from expressing their views directly and creates barriers to political participation in Australia, the company noted, adding that the measure effectively isolates young people and deprives them of the opportunity to take part in public life and political discussions. In court, Reddit intends to demonstrate that including the platform on the list of websites prohibited for minors was a mistake, arguing that the service is an adult-oriented forum rather than a traditional social network. While the company supports the broader goal of online safety for young people, it calls for more targeted and privacy-respecting solutions. The controversy has already sparked intense public debate in Australia. Some users predict that the law will drive teenagers toward closed messaging platforms, while others speculate that it may accelerate the development of new, anonymous verification technologies as a compromise between safety and digital freedom. The new restrictions have quickly become one of the most hotly discussed topics in the Australian online communityand the upcoming legal battle is likely to amplify the discussion even further. 13 December 2025 18:10 (UTC+04:00) North Korea has held a welcoming ceremony for engineer troops who returned home from Russia's western Kursk region after conducting a mine clearance mission, with its leader Kim Jong-un recognizing the sacrifices of nine personnel who were killed there, Azernews reports, citing Yonhap. The ceremony took place in Pyongyang on Friday, welcoming the return of the troops from the 528th Regiment of Engineers, who left for Kursk in early August, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Saturday. Pyongyang sent around 1,000 engineer troops to Kursk to join Russian forces' work to remove mines that were planted by Ukraine soldiers. Earlier, the North deployed around 15,000 combat troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. During the ceremony, Kim expressed his appreciation to the troops for their safe return while noting that there was "heartrending loss of nine lives." "You could work a miracle of turning a vast area of danger zone into a safe and secure one in a matter of less than three months, the task which was believed to be impossible to be carried out even in several years," Kim said. He stressed that "the armed villains of the West, armed with whatever latest military hardware they are, cannot match this revolutionary army with an unfathomable spiritual depth." The North's leader conferred the order of freedom and independence on the regiment and awarded the title of "DPRK Hero" and the first-class orders to the deceased troops, according to the KCNA. DPRK is short for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Earlier this year, the North Korean leader awarded commendations to the North's troops deployed for the Russia-Ukraine war, praising them as "great heroes and patriots." The North also built a memorial hall in Pyongyang to honor its troops who were killed during combat. North Korea and Russia have been deepening military cooperation since they signed a mutual defense treaty in June last year. 13 December 2025 23:05 (UTC+04:00) The United States, South Korea and other partners on Friday adopted the "Pax Silica" Declaration for cooperation to build a "trusted" supply chain ecosystem for artificial intelligence (AI), critical minerals and other areas, as Washington seeks to counter China's growing heft in those fields, Azernews reports, citing Yonhap. Seven countries, including Japan, Australia, Britain, Israel and Singapore, signed the declaration under an America-led initiative to forge a coalition among U.S. allies and partners, as they attended the inaugural Pax Silica summit in Washington. Pax Silica draws from the Latin pax, which means peace, stability and long-term prosperity, while silica refers to the compound refined into silicon, a chemical element key to the computer chips that enable artificial intelligence, according to the State Department. The declaration came as President Donald Trump's administration is pushing to enhance America's global "AI dominance," ensure stable supply chains for critical minerals and counter China's control over those strategically vital resources, amid an intensifying rivalry between the two superpowers. Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina represented South Korea at the summit. The Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates also participated in the summit, though they did not join the declaration. Released by Seoul's foreign ministry, the declaration stressed that AI represents a transformative force for countries' long-term prosperity, and that "trustworthy" systems are essential to safeguarding mutual security and prosperity. It pointed out a wide range of cooperation areas, including software applications and platforms, frontier foundation models, information connectivity and network infrastructure, computing and semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, transportation logistics, minerals refining and processing, and energy. It also highlighted the importance of "fair" market practices and joint efforts against "market distortions," though it did not mention China by name. "We believe that true economic security requires reducing excessive dependencies and forging new connections with reliable partners and suppliers committed to fair market practices. ... We will endeavor to provide access to trusted partners to the full stack of technological advancements that are shaping the AI economy," the declaration read. "We understand the importance of addressing non-market practices that undermine innovation and fair competition. We believe that coordination is essential to protect private investment from the market distortions of overcapacity and unfair dumping practices, and to preserve a level playing field for innovation and growth." Moreover, it noted the need for cooperation on policy efforts to protect sensitive technologies and critical infrastructure from "undue access, influence, or control." It also said that the countries seek to build and deploy "trusted" information networks, including information and communication technology systems, fiberoptic cables, and data centers. During the summit, Seoul's vice foreign minister emphasized the importance of cooperation across the entirety of the global AI supply chain, including energy, critical minerals, cutting-edge manufacturing, AI infrastructure, transportation and logistics, her ministry said in a press release. She expressed Seoul's determination to contribute to promoting supply chain stability by leveraging South Korean companies' strengths in battery, semiconductors, energy and other fields, the ministry said. The Pax Silica initiative comes amid growing concerns over China's dominant control of critical minerals, including rare earth elements key to the manufacturing of military and electronic equipment. 13 December 2025 21:25 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. China will continue to implement a moderately loose monetary policy and strengthen financial support for key areas such as expanding domestic demand, technological innovation, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a senior Chinese official said on Friday, Azernews reports, citing Xinhua. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! There are weeks when the fault lines of our culture feel especially visible, when questions of truth, authority, faith, and the formation of the next generation converge in unmistakable ways. This is one of those weeks. The three articles for this weeks edition of Truth for Our Times cover seemingly different terrain: county commissioners making a bold decision about the accessibility of sexually explicit materials to younger children, the remarkable faith of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the overlooked shadow in the legacy of a beloved and charismatic American president. Yet all three are bound by a common thread - the question of what and whom should shape hearts, minds, and consciences. Each piece asks us to look beyond surface narratives and examine deeper truths that matter not only in the moment but also for the future. Local Library Fight Reflects Broader North Carolina Tensions Over Parental Rights and Gender Identity Content By Dr. Mark Creech | Director of Government Relations, Return America The Randolph County Commission meeting became a flashpoint in North Carolinas widening cultural divide. In Asheboro, the debate was not merely about a single childrens book, but about innocence, authority, and whether publicly funded institutions must answer to parents at all. Drawing on firsthand participation in the meeting, this article shows how moral concerns are increasingly dismissed with inflammatory labels, and why the question Progressives avoid is the one that matters most: Who and what should shape the moral imagination of our children? Seven Timeless Truths Found in Mary, the Mother of Jesus By Rev. Mark Creech | RevMarkCreech.org Mary is often either exalted beyond what the Scriptures actually say about her or reduced to a sentimental symbol. Scripture does neither. Instead, it presents a young woman of uncommon faith whose obedience carried lifelong cost and eternal consequences. This second installment in a Christmas series distills seven enduring truths from Marys life - surrender, faith, misunderstanding, mystery, worship, perseverance, and salvation - that still speak powerfully to today. Did you miss the first one in the series: Seven Timeless Truths Found in Joseph, the Man Beside the Manger. John F. Kennedy: A Legacy of Light with One Overlooked Shadow By Rev. Mark Creech | RevMarkCreech.org John F. Kennedy inspired a nation with vision, courage, and eloquence, but one aspect of his legacy deserves closer scrutiny. This reflective article revisits Kennedys famous 1960 address to the Houston Ministers Association and his response to the Supreme Courts school prayer decision, revealing how his rigid view of church and state accelerated the privatization of faith in American public life. It is an appreciation that does not flinch from honest critique, and a call to recover a more faithful understanding of religion in public life. Whether we are debating childrens books in public libraries, pondering the faith of a young woman chosen to bear the Savior, or reassessing the ideas that shaped modern America, the underlying question remains the same: Is truth something we shape, or is it something to which we submit? Our culture increasingly prefers slogans over substance, emotion over moral clarity, and silence over conviction. Yet truth does not vanish because it is contested, and faith does not lose its relevance because it is challenged. Thank you for reading Truth for Our Times, and for your pursuit of what is true, good, and enduring, especially when it can be costly to do so. Grace and peace, Rev. Mark Creech Return America RevMarkCreech.org Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security, has revealed that their review of records from the Biden regime open borders shows that the Biden policies let over 18,000 known and suspected terrorists into the United States. They were just waived into the US at the border. This issue has gotten more attention after an Afghan "refugee" shot two national guardsmen in Washington, DC and another Afghan who had ties to ISIS but was let in by the Biden policies was arrested in Texas for plotting a bombing. And none dare call it treason? https://www.zerohedge.com/political/joe-kent-sounds-alarm-bidens-border-invasion-flooded-nation-18000-known-and-suspected A major line-up of global talent will arrive in Belfast next year as RENDR, the annual technology and creativity festival, returns for a two-day showcase at Portview Trade Centre. Billed as a key meet-up for film, TV, gaming, animation and immersive art, it takes place on February 12-13 and will feature more than 30 speakers. Supported by NI Screen, the Arts Council, Belfast City Council and Visit Belfast, RENDR hosts keynote talks, live demonstrations, digital art exhibitions, gaming experiences and a programme of industry workshops. Among the headline guests is Belfast-born CG supervisor James Carson, whose latest work includes global hit KPop Demon Hunters for Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix. Since joining Sony Pictures Imageworks in 2015, Carson has worked on an array of major titles including Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Smurfs: The Lost Village, The Angry Birds Movie 2 and Alice Through the Looking Glass. Also confirmed is Emmy-winning VFX supervisor Jay Worth, known for his acclaimed work on Westworld, Lost and Amazon Primes recent adaptation of Bethesdas Fallout series. Giovanna Ferrari of Cartoon Saloon head of story and animation director on the Oscar-nominated My Fathers Dragon will appear alongside Tobias Weisner, compositing supervisor at Weta FX, who worked on The Last of Us season two. RENDR will also highlight the craft of practical effects. Camille Balsamo-Gillis, co-founder of Los Angeles studio ProMachina, will discuss miniature creation for film and TV, including recent work on The Fantastic Four: First Steps. From Limericks Studio Odyssey, Mark Maher, whose credits include The Hobbit trilogy and Netflixs Wednesday, will speak about his role as head of prop making on the shows second season. Festival director Michael Weir said: Were really proud to be at the heart of our growing creative sector to help incubate new ideas. RENDR is for the artist, the developer, the student, and the industry veteran. Early-bird tickets for standard, concession and VIP entry are on sale now. Visit rendrfestival.com Charlie McGettigan, who won the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland in 1994 along with Paul Harrington, has said he will hand back his trophy in protest after Israel was allowed to continue to compete in the competition as soon as he can find it. Claire Byrne on leaving RTE: It felt like the organisation was wagging its finger at me, saying youve been a bad person - you need to have a pay cap to stop your gallop Republican thought to be responsible for John Binghams death fled NI in late 1980s The IRA double agent referred to in Operation Kenova as a suspect in the murder of UVF leader John Bingham fled Northern Ireland in the late 1980s. Originally from the Carrick Hill area of north Belfast, the republican moved to England after being outed as an informant and under threat of death from the Provos. He has not been seen here since. 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. The annual community food drive with a twist is organized by UNICO of Pittsfield, which is asking Berkshire residents to donate non-perishable foods that can be eaten from a bowl to a number of community partners serving as drop-off locations. PITTSFIELD Now that the School Committee has given the Pittsfield Public Schools middle school restructuring the green light to proceed, there's a lot of work to be done and concerns to address. And several of those concerns, as expressed Wednesday night, came not from School Committee members, district officials or educators, but from the parents whose children may attend a fifth and sixth grade Herberg Middle School or a seventh and eighth grade Reid Middle School next year. The work that lies ahead, according to a project timeline shared with the School Committee, includes: Finalizing the transportation and bell schedules. Negotiations with labor unions including teachers, administrators, support staff, paraprofessionals, bus drivers and food service workers on changes in working conditions, including workday hours. Programming open houses and events for staff, families and students to build community and school spirit. Setting a staffing plan, making sure the proper teaching licenses are in place to cover humanities and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) courses. Arranging for the move, including building and furniture needs. Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips said the administration will continue to work as hard as possible to plan the transition from grade 6-8 middle schools with geographic districts to citywide middle schools. This is a risk for us," she told the School Committee on Wednesday night. "We're taking a risk as well to put something on the table better for our students, many students who don't have advocates for their circumstances. Moving forward now, she said, helps the schools gain the means to tailor interventions for students falling behind, balance classrooms with social and economic diversity in mind, and curate teaching staffs with a more balanced mix of experienced and new teachers. We just have to ask ourselves which outweighs the other: the loss or the gain? Because we're working toward the gain and acknowledging the loss, Phillips said. Several parents who addressed the committee Wednesday night were concerned that more attention seems to be focused on logistics than curriculum and school environment. While all said they support the concept, they remain worried that the district is rushing. As parents, we worry that in order to push this through, the district may solve for busses and contracts first and curriculum, school climate and the daily student experience will be what falls to the wayside, Danielle Giulian said. Giulian said the proposal needs "a clear plan" for academic continuity and a school environment "that encourages students to show up, feel safe and succeed. These aren't questions rooted in resistance. They're rooted in love, responsibility and a deep belief that our children deserve the very best version of this plan," she said. "So on behalf of the many families who share these concerns, please do not rush this. Maureen Garner also had questions about the district's foundational challenges. How will this proposal actually address the real issues our district is facing? How will it improve attendance?" she asked. "How will it reduce the behavioral problems we're seeing across the schools? How will it solve the low staffing levels, the difficulty of hiring certified teachers and the ongoing instability?" However, some parents addressing the committee urged it to keep moving ahead with the plan. Lindsay Ciepielas middle school-aged son attends Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School. But after a recent meeting of the restructuring advisory committee, she and her son got to talking in the car. And I just wanted to share with the committee that in our family there is interest in returning back to the district if this restructuring moves through, she said. Knesset Israel Rabbi David Weiner, a member of the middle school restructuring committee, said waiting another year would shortchange another cohort of students without much gain in return. We ought to remember that our current approach to the middle grades is not equitable. ... Not moving forward will perpetuate the status quo that no one finds acceptable, he said. On the other hand, our thoughtfully developed plan will help set the stage for stronger education system, and most importantly, for better educated young people. Ultimately, the School Committee voted 6-1, allowing Phillips and the administration to move forward. Mayor Peter Marchetti, who backs the restructuring, was the lone no vote, saying he needed more assurances to support the timeline. But Marchettis bid to move the go/no-go deadline to February failed on a 5-2 vote, with Vice Chair Daniel Elias joining him in supporting that amendment. Making a fundamental change at the middle school level, supporters say, is the only way to bring about long-sought improvements at schools that have faced challenges and low state accountability scores. Its hoped that, in turn, would help reverse an exodus of families who are pursuing school choice, charter schools and parochial schools at the middle school levels over concerns about academic performance and problem student behaviors. In wanting to push the decision deadline forward to February, Marchetti said he simply wasnt confident that the schools can pull off the change. Waiting until February, he said, would give the next School Committee more answers with which to make an informed decision. Can you tell me that you're 1,000 percent confident where we are today, that we can have an awesome implementation? Because I believe the answer to that question is 'no,'" he said. "It's why, if this goes to a vote tonight, I vote no because we're not in a place to assure folks that we can run it properly. Committee member Diana Belair like Sara Hathaway, Dominick Sacco, William Cameron and William Garrity, taking part in what is likely her final School Committee meeting said the project should move forward so parents can get clarity on where their kids are heading next year. I propose that instead, we determine tonight whether we're on a good track to say yes, we are going forward unless some catastrophe happens and we can't make our goals, or we are not moving forward at a fast enough pace, Belair said. I don't think that we can say we're not deciding anything now because it's already driving me nuts to think about it. Marchetti and Elias the only two committee members who will continue serving in January expressed the most concern over whether the district can pull off such a significant paradigm shift by September. They pointed to punch list items that remain open questions: School and bus schedules, agreements with the districts labor unions, and getting faculty, especially fifth grade teachers, to volunteer for the new assignment rather than being assigned. One of those hurdles is a big one: Work conditions, such as start and end times for classes, which have to change to accommodate transportation, are laid out in collective bargaining agreements between the schools and the labor unions representing teachers, administrators and professionals. Those changes cant be dictated unilaterally; they must be bargained. Those talks have yet to begin, United Educators of Pittsfield President Jeanne Lemmond said Wednesday night. But the seemingly simple matter of deciding when the bell rings, and for whom, has to be decided in order to write contract proposals adjusting the workday. To that end, Phillips said the transportation team is willing to work over the holiday vacation to find more efficiencies in bus routes now projected running 45 minutes. Theres also what Marchetti called an outside the box proposal to consider: Flipping the middle school and elementary schedules so the elementary day starts earlier and the middle school day starts and ends last. That proposal came from Lemmond. A survey taken by the district gauging interest in middle school positions showed that of 34 fifth and sixth grade teachers who replied, 17 strongly agree on working at the fifth and sixth grade campus, five were agree, six were disagree and six were "strongly disagree. The district projects it needs eight humanities teachers and eight STEM teachers per grade level for the fifth and sixth grade building. Interest was stronger at the seventh and eighth grade level: Out of 25 respondents, 20 said they strongly agree with teaching at a grades 7-8 school. Phillips said a fourth and fifth grade teacher reached out to her Wednesday with concerns about the future. And the teacher was wondering, What will happen to me? Where will I go? And I love teaching fifth grade. And she talked about joy, Phillips said. I appreciated her sharing this with me, because that's what we want for all of our teachers to have that joy." But as the committee wrestled with whether to delay its decision to February or March, Phillips pointed out that much was hinging on getting the go-ahead to start pursuing staff for the buildings. She also said she understands that for many city parents, the lack of detailed information about whats next is unsettling. We're human. I completely expect that parents would say, You know, I'm in a very stable school right now. You can't tell me who's going to be my teacher. You can't tell me who's going to be my classmates, Phillips said. She then pointed out that scenario isn't true for every school in the district, but rather is reflective of those in smaller, stable schools. We do have planning still to do," she added. "I wouldn't say we're behind, but we stay accelerated. But the questions that want to be answered are questions that even if we waited a year, even a year from now, I can't tell you what time your exact bus stop is going to be, because the population will change next year." Access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Ralph Gardner Jr. is a journalist whose work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and New York magazine. He can be reached at ralph@ralphgardner.com . More of his work can be found on Substack. As Hancock Elementary School enrollment drops, a legislative tweak could open door to school choice students A new bill filed by state Rep. John Barrett and state Sen. Paul Mark would exempt small districts like Hancock which lack their own middle or high schools from paying costly tuition for school choice students who continue on to other districts, potentially allowing Hancock Elementary to reopen to out-of-district families. Last year, we advocated for a change in the states school choice rules that hamstring Hancock and other smaller rural school districts for doing exactly what the states school choice system encourages: attracting and welcoming families who want to choice their students into those districts. Last week, we were glad to hear that the Legislature is considering an update to school choice rules to alleviate this burden on communities like Hancock. Yet our happiness over this targeted tweak to school choice rules is tempered by the reality that both the need for and the predictable consequences of the tweak highlight bigger problems with the states school choice paradigm. To be sure, the nonsensical rule harming communities like Hancock does need to be addressed. Currently, Hancock is on the hook financially for students who choice into the towns elementary school and then go on to attend secondary school in Mount Greylock Regional School district, with which Hancock has a tuition agreement. That doesnt pass the smell test. Why should a small town like Hancock essentially be penalized for attracting choice students to its elementary school by paying for a student from one outside district to attend another? Its worth noting that this rule applies to 10 districts in the commonwealth with tuition agreements, and four of them are in the Berkshires. So, it was good to see state Rep. John Barrett III, D-North Adams, step up with a legislative fix to an unfair and counterintuitive rule that disproportionately affects Berkshire school districts. While were happy for Hancock, we worry about what this fix will do for the districts on the other end of school choice stick that is to say, the districts that lose students on net to school choice. A Berkshire school community has a unique stake here, too. According to state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education data from last year, Pittsfield Public Schools saw more students choice out than any Massachusetts community except for Springfield and adjusting for the difference in population, Pittsfields ratio of choice-out students to district population exceeds even Springfields. Every year, hundreds of Pittsfield students go to school somewhere else. They take millions of dollars with them According to fiscal 2023 state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education data, 585 full-time equivalent Pittsfield school children attended schools outside the city limits via school choice. That's more children leaving the city every school day than the enrollment of Herberg Middle School. When students choice out of a district, that district sees see precious state aid dollars go with them. In theory, thats supposed to be the mechanism that drives innovation and improvement via school choice: Districts compete for students and the additional aid that comes with attracting them. In practice, it can create a vicious cycle for districts like Pittsfield facing socioeconomic challenges that neighboring communities dont. The districts losing students are essentially punished financially, which can stymy the improvements that could help them retain their students. Theres good reason to suspect this proposed school choice tweak that would help communities like Hancock will accelerate that vicious cycle for communities like Pittsfield. Instead of Hancock paying the tuition gap for an elementary choice student who goes on to Mount Greylock, the choice students home district would pay for it. Thats fairer for Hancock. Yet its also more costly for districts losing school choice students the ones that likely need more investment, not less. And if the tweak has the intended effect of lowering burden on communities like Hancock for accepting choice students, it could result in more students choicing out of those struggling districts as well, further compounding the problem. Our Opinion: Massachusetts must reconsider the cost of school choice on districts like Pittsfield As Pittsfield's schools continue to struggle, millions in vital aid dollars leave with the hundreds of students choicing out annually. Is school choice working as intended? As weve argued before, this is the problem with a school choice model that essentially encourages competition between school districts amid stubborn socioeconomic inequities. It suggests a zero-sum contest with commonwealth students caught up in the stakes. Theres real reason to predict that this legislative fix that would do right by Hancock will encourage a school choice trend that has heaped more challenges on districts like Pittsfield. We want the best for both Hancock Elementary School and Pittsfield Public Schools. And so a fix for one raises a broader and trickier question for all who care about our commonwealths ability to deliver quality public education to all: What sort of fix is needed to address the inequities that the states school choice system seems to exacerbate rather than address? That will require more than a tweak, and we urge our lawmakers to grapple with that big question prompted by this small fix. Ministry of Education establishes AI Centre of Excellence for Healthcare at IISc December 13, 2025 | Saturday | News Working closely with a wide range of healthcare providers, industry partners, and government bodies image credit- freepik In line with the Government of Indias vision of Make AI in India and Make AI Work for India, the Ministry of Education has set up four Centres of Excellences in Artificial Intelligence (AI-CoEs), each hosted by a premier academic institution in India. As part of this national initiative, the Translational AI for Networked Universal Healthcare (TANUH) Foundation has been established at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, as a dedicated AI Centre of Excellence in Healthcare, to advance AI-driven healthcare innovation at scale in the country. TANUH AI-CoE is a Section 8 not-for-profit company that focuses on developing and deploying scalable AI solutions for the effective management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at the point of care. The centre operates as a multidisciplinary hub, bringing together clinicians, data scientists, and AI researchers. Nine faculty members from IISc, spanning areas of digital health, machine learning, and public health, anchor the centres research programmes. TANUHs core team, comprising executives, engineers, programme managers, and research staff, with significant industry experience, enables the translation of health-AI technologies from the lab to the population scale. TANUHs goal is to design and deploy tools for early detection, risk prediction, monitoring and personalised solutions across high-burden conditions such as oral cancer, breast cancer, retinal diseases, diabetes, and mental health. These tools will help frontline health workers, improve primary and hospital care, and include human decision-making to make sure that the care is safe and effective. The solutions are designed to be used directly where patients are treated, follow responsible AI standards, and are created and tested together with doctors and researchers at top national institutions like AIIMS, New Delhi. TANUH has already launched Aarogya Aarohan, an application developed by the CoEs Oral Cancer Screening team, in collaboration with AIIMS, ARTPARK, Biocon Foundation, BITS Pilani (Goa), KLE Societys Institute of Dental Sciences, Triveous, and other clinical and industrial partners, with guidance from the Oral Cancer Task Force. Aarogya Aarohan is a point-of-care, AI-empowered, white-light, mobile phone-based tool for the early detection of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) and oral cancers. Marley Spoon Group SE: Marley Spoon Group SE announces measures for the financial restructuring of its German subsidiary Marley Spoon SE ^ EQS-Ad-hoc: Marley Spoon Group SE / Schlagwort(e): Finanzierung Marley Spoon Group SE: Marley Spoon Group SE announces measures for the financial restructuring of its German subsidiary Marley Spoon SE 12.12.2025 / 20:30 CET/CEST Veroffentlichung einer Insiderinformation nach Artikel 17 der Verordnung (EU) Nr. 596/2014, ubermittelt durch EQS News - ein Service der EQS Group. Fur den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, PUBLICATION, OR FORWARDING, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH DISTRIBUTION OR PUBLICATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. OTHER RESTRICTIONS ARE APPLICABLE. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICE AT THE END OF THIS PUBLICATION. Marley Spoon Group SE announces measures for the financial restructuring of its German subsidiary Marley Spoon SE * Increase and extension of the loan from Runway Growth Finance until 31 December 2030 with the vast majority of the loan (including interest) being subordinated * Lenders are granted the right to convert the loan in whole or in part into shares of Marley Spoon SE, whereby the conversion right in respect of the subordinated loan amount may be exercised only once and is capped * Shares in Marley Spoon SE to be held through two holding companies * Simplified capital reduction planned at Marley Spoon SE to offset losses Luxembourg, 12 December 2025 - Marley Spoon Group SE (ISIN: LU2380748603, "Company", together with its group companies "MS Group"), a leading global subscription-based meal kit provider, announces that the negotiations with stakeholders on necessary financial contributions for the financial restructuring of its German subsidiary Marley Spoon SE, based in Berlin, Germany ("MSSE"), have been finalised. The Company holds 99.5% of the shares in MSSE. The investment in MSSE is a material asset of the Company and MSSE plays a central role in the MS Group. The implementation of MSSE's financial restructuring is a key factor in the Company's ongoing efforts to ensure financial sustainability and enables investments in its profitable growth. The resolved financial restructuring of MSSE includes the following measures in particular: The term of the existing loan to MSSE as borrower and Runway Growth Finance Corp. and Runway Growth Finance L.P. (collectively "Lenders") has been extended until 31 December 2030 and increased by an amount of approx. EUR 35.1 million ("Loan"). The Lenders have declared a qualified subordination in the amount of approx. EUR 103.1 million (including accrued interest) plus future interest. Furthermore, the Lenders are granted the right to convert the Loan wholly or partially into shares of Marley Spoon SE. The Lenders shall have the right to contribute the Loan to MSSE in exchange for the issue of (ordinary) shares of MSSE as part of a capital increase in kind. The Lenders' participation in MSSE as a result of a possible conversion of the subordinated part of the Loan may not exceed 80%; this right may be exercised only once. Additionally, the Lenders have the right to convert the part of the Loan which has not been subordinated up to an amount of about EUR 4.0 million. Any excess amounts will be posted to the capital reserve. In this context, MSSE and the Company are to effect a simplified reduction in the share capital of MSSE from EUR 73,559,137 by EUR 53,943,369.00 to EUR 19,615,768.00. Therefore, MSSE will convene an extraordinary general meeting at short notice to resolve on the simplified capital reduction. Furthermore, the Company has granted the Lenders the right to acquire shares in Marley Spoon Group SE (warrant) representing 1.00% of the registered share capital. Finally, the Company is required to implement a structure required for US-based lenders. The Company will form two holding companies and contribute its shares in MSSE to one of those entities. These structural changes at Company level are intended to give the Lenders a simplified access to the secured shares in MSSE in the event of an enforcement scenario. Important Notice This publication may not be published, distributed, or transmitted in the United States, Canada, or Japan. This publication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities (the "Securities") of the Company in the United States, Canada, Japan or any other jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The Securities of the Company may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act. The Securities referred to herein may not be offered or sold in Canada or Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Canada or Japan subject to certain exceptions. This release may contain forward-looking statements, estimates, opinions and projections with respect to anticipated future performance of the Company ("Forward-Looking Statements"). These Forward-Looking Statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "may," "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These Forward-Looking Statements include all matters that are not historical facts. Forward-Looking Statements are based on the current views, expectations and assumptions of the management of the Company and involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Forward-Looking Statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Any Forward-Looking Statements included herein only speak as at the date of this release. We undertake no obligation, and do not expect to publicly update, or publicly revise, any of the information, Forward-Looking Statements or the conclusions contained herein or to reflect new events or circumstances or to correct any inaccuracies which may become apparent subsequent to the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We accept no liability whatsoever in respect of the achievement of such Forward-Looking Statements and assumptions. Ende der Insiderinformation --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12.12.2025 CET/CEST Die EQS Distributionsservices umfassen gesetzliche Meldepflichten, Corporate News/Finanznachrichten und Pressemitteilungen. Originalinhalt anzeigen: https://eqs-news.com/?origin_id=ee564c94-d78a-11f0-be29-0694d9af22cf&lang=de --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sprache: Deutsch Unternehmen: Marley Spoon Group SE 9 Rue de Bitbourg 1273 Luxembourg Luxemburg E-Mail: ir@marleyspoon.com Internet: www.marleyspoongroup.com ISIN: LU2380748603, LU2380748785 WKN: A3C81B Borsen: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (General Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Munchen, Stuttgart EQS News ID: 2245168 Ende der Mitteilung EQS News-Service --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2245168 12.12.2025 CET/CEST Quelle: dpa-Afx Ryanairs Michael OLeary has given a timetable for his departure, with the sometimes-controversial airline boss planning to hand over to a nicer successor by 2035. The 64-year-old was in talks to extend his contract for three to five years beyond its current end in 2028, he told the Financial Times. OLearys existing golden handcuffs deal promises a 100 million payout if he hits certain targets. As the Financial Times reports, OLeary said he should finally head for the exit in five to 10 years, adding: I dont want to hang around till 96 like [Warren] Buffett. While he has speculated before about retirement quipping he wanted to stay working until the last of his teenage children had left for university in 2029 this is the first time OLeary has laid out a detailed timetable for his departure. Advertisement In the year to date, Ryanairs share price is up 54 per cent. My contract runs out in 28, he said. Were in talks at the moment about extending that. In 28 Ill be 67. I cant see any reason not to do another three to five-year period of time, but to my mind, I suspect were coming to the end of it at that stage. OLeary said: In an ideal world, we would have a modest interregnum . . . You would announce this is the next group chief executive, and I would stay around for two years to train them up. Taking me out at some point in the next five to 10 years would allow Ryanair to be a little bit softer and a little bit nicer, he said. Ryanair would be better off if they didnt have someone who was always shouting and swearing and actively lighting fires. It is not clear if he believes a diplomatic approach is better. Only last month, during the companys earnings call, he laid into bullshit regulations invented by idiots in the European parliament and UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves for taxing the shit out of everything that moves. His publicity-seeking comments have allowed the company to generate headlines while keeping marketing costs low, such as the 2009 suggestion that Ryanair could start charging passengers to use toilets. OLeary joined Ryanair in the late 1980s to work for founder Tony Ryan and rose to become chief executive in 1994. Ireland Expanded Irish Jewish Museum 'creates a new and serious terrorist risk' Read more During his tenure, Ryanair has grown to become Europes largest airline, carrying over 200 million passengers annually across the region and North Africa. Advertisement He oversaw much of the business before taking on the companys official leadership, and has been instrumental in shaping its culture, especially its maniacal focus on costs, and knack for attracting media coverage. Succession is always a risk, he said before adding, Theres no point in pretending otherwise. If I take the top tier of management, were all in our early sixties. We have the second tier of management in their early to mid-forties. Some of the senior leaders may say they have had enough in 28. By the time the second tier is in their mid-forties or early fifties, thats when they should be taking over. The presence of drones during the recent visit of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy once again highlighted Ireland's security vulnerabilities. Hybrid warfare, which includes cyberattacks, drone incursions, and disinformation, has long been considered a big threat to the State. This risk will significantly increase with Ireland due to take up the EU presidency. Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July 1st to December 31st, 2026. The Irish Navy was unable to shoot down the drones amid confusion over rules of engagement. Cathal Berry, a former TD and deputy commander of the Army Ranger Wing, told the Irish Examiner: "Ireland has no authority to shoot anything down out there unless theres a direct threat to the ship itself. There was no direct threat to the ship, so normal rules of engagement apply. Anyone is entitled to fly helicopters or aircraft around in international waters, international airspace. Advertisement "And the main mission had already been achieved president Zelenskiy has safely landed in Dublin Airport. Mr Berry said that LE William Butler Yeats lacked the ability to neutralise the drones, even if it needed to do so. Theres no soft kill option on the naval ship. The weapons on board are over 50 years old. Theyre all second-hand, and most of the sighting systems are WW2 vintage. So the only option they have is to pump a big load of lead up into the sky into the flight path and the approach route into Dublin Airport, which would be absolutely ridiculous and irresponsible. Taoiseach Micheal Martin has called on members of the public to obtain their flu vaccination whilst acknowledging that he is very concerned about levels of infection in the community. The President of the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine, Conor Deasy on Friday told the Six One News on RTE that the peak of the flu virus in Ireland will occur in or around Christmas Day. Mr Deasy said that healthcare professionals have been doing Trojan work following a rise in presentations at hospitals. He noted that a particularly nasty strain of flu has been circulating in recent weeks. Speaking in Cork, the Taoiseach acknowledged the existence of a particularly virulent flu this season. Mr Martin described vaccination levels in Ireland as high relative to other EU countries. However, he indicated that we want them to be higher. Advertisement We would appeal to people to get vaccinated. That's the most effective sort of weapon at our disposal to deal with this. The hospitals will manage this and will bring in various protocols and will escalate those protocols when appropriate. But undoubtedly, a flu season like this does put pressure (on hospitals). Mr Martin confirmed that public health restrictions were not being considered at this particular point. He emphasised that hospitals have protocols and approaches to dealing with events of this kind. But it is a particularly stronger, more virulent form of flu than previous ones, and so it's having an impact on people in terms of their own health, so it has necessitated greater hospitalisation and so forth. So people need to be vigilant and look after themselves. Meanwhile, flu activity in Ireland is at high levels, with case and hospitalisation numbers both rising rapidly in recent weeks, according to data from the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). Ireland Body recovered from the River Boyne on Saturday Read more The highest number of cases this winter season to date was recorded in those aged 65 years and older and less than 15 years, but flu cases are increasing in all age groups this season. Flu vaccination significantly reduces hospitalisations by preventing severe illness and lowering the risk of serious complications. To date this season, 73 percent of ICU admissions due to flu had not received the current seasonal influenza vaccine. The HPSC indicates that in the week between November 30th and December 6th last, there were 2,944 flu cases reported. This represented an increase of 49 percent compared to 1,971 cases reported the previous week. 1,622 flu Emergency Department (ED) cases were reported an increase of 55 percent compared to 1,072 the previous week. Migrants began crossing the English Channel on Saturday after the longest pause in small boat arrivals in the UK in seven years. Before the weekend, no vessels had reached the English coast for 28 days, according to UK Home Office figures. The most recent date on which people arrived in the UK after completing the journey by boat was November 14th, marking the longest uninterrupted run since a 48-day gap in autumn 2018. Figures for Saturday, when a number of small boats were seen in the Channel, will be released later. A Border Force vessel in Dover on Saturday (Gareth Fuller/PA) December is traditionally one of the quietest months for Channel crossings, with a combination of low temperatures, poor visibility, less daylight and stormy weather making the journey particularly difficult. The most arrivals recorded in the month of December is 3,254, in 2024. This year looks likely to see the second highest annual number of migrants arriving in small boats since data was first reported in 2018. The all-time high is 45,774 arrivals in 2022. A Ukrainian drone attack in south-western Russia killed two people as parts of Ukraine went without power following Russian assaults on energy infrastructure hours before peace talks were set to restart in Germany. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukrainian, US and European officials will hold a series of meetings in Berlin in the coming days, adding that he will personally meet with President Donald Trumps envoys. Most importantly, I will be meeting with envoys of President Trump, and there will also be meetings with our European partners, with many leaders, concerning the foundation of peace a political agreement to end the war, Mr Zelensky said in an address to the nation late on Saturday. All necessary services are currently working to restore electricity and water supply in our communities affected by Russias overnight attack. Once again, the main strike targeted our energy sector, the south of the country, and the Odesa region. Two people have been wounded in pic.twitter.com/F6ZhEMsEHy Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) December 13, 2025 Mr Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are traveling to Berlin for the talks, according to a White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. American officials have tried for months to navigate the demands of each side as Mr Trump presses for a swift end to Russias war and grows increasingly exasperated by delays. Advertisement The search for possible compromises has run into major obstacles, including the possession of Ukraines eastern Donbas region, mostly occupied by Russia but parts of which remain under Ukrainian control. The chance is considerable at this moment, and it matters for our every city, for our every Ukrainian community, Mr Zelensky said. We are working to ensure that peace for Ukraine is dignified, and to secure a guarantee a guarantee, above all, that Russia will not return to Ukraine for a third invasion. The drone attack in Russias Saratov region damaged a residential building and several windows were also blown out at a kindergarten and clinic, said governor Roman Busargin. Glory to Ukraine ____ pic.twitter.com/PdqPFJCsYS Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) December 12, 2025 Russias Defence Ministry said it had shot down 41 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight. In Ukraine, Russia launched overnight drone and missile strikes on five Ukrainian regions, targeting energy and port infrastructure. Ukrainian interior minister Ihor Klymenko said that over a million people were without electricity. Mr Zelensky said Russia had sent over 450 drones and 30 missiles into Ukraine overnight. An attack on the Black Sea city of Odesa caused grain silos to catch fire at the port, Ukrainian deputy prime minister and reconstruction minister Oleksiy Kuleba said. Two people were wounded in attacks on the wider Odesa region, according to regional head Oleh Kiper. Recruits attend drills at a training ground in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine (Andriy Andriyenko/AP) Kyiv and its Western allies say Russia is trying to cripple the Ukrainian power grid and deny civilians access to heat, light and running water for a fourth consecutive winter, in what Ukrainian officials call weaponising the cold. On the front lines, Ukrainian forces said that the northern part of the critical city of Pokrovsk was under Ukrainian control, despite Russias claims earlier this month that it had taken full control of the city. Advertisement The Associated Press was not able to independently verify the claims. The latest attacks came after Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov reaffirmed on Friday that Moscow will give its blessing to a ceasefire only after Ukraines forces have withdrawn from parts of the Donetsk region that they still control. Ukraine has consistently refused to cede the remaining part of the region to Russia. Mr Ushakov told the business daily Kommersant that Russian police and national guard would stay in parts of eastern Ukraines Donbas even if they become a demilitarised zone under the prospective peace plan, a demand likely to be rejected by Ukraine as US-led negotiations drag on. Recruits rest after drills at a training ground in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine (Andriy Andriyenko/AP) Mr Ushakov warned that a search for compromise could take a long time, noting that the US proposals that took into account Russian demands had been worsened by alterations proposed by Ukraine and its European allies. We dont know what changes they are making, but clearly they arent for the better, Mr Ushakov said, adding: We will strongly insist on our considerations. Advertisement In other developments, around 480 people were evacuated Saturday from a train traveling between the Polish city of Przemysl and Kyiv after police received a call concerning a threat on the train, Karolina Kowalik, a spokeswoman for the Przemysl police, told The Associated Press. Nobody was hurt and she did not elaborate on the threat. Polish authorities are on high alert since multiple attempts to disrupt trains on the line linking Warsaw to the Ukrainian border, including the use of explosives in November, with Polish authorities saying they have evidence Russia was behind it. 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 Trump vows to retaliate after three Americans killed in Syria attack US President Donald Trump has vowed to retaliate after two US servicemen and one American civilian were killed in Syria. James Cox A former chief executive of Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) is leaving the paediatric healthcare group for a regional role in the Health Service Executive, the Minister for Health has confirmed. Eilish Hardiman served two terms as chief executive of CHI from 2013 until April 2024, and intended to pursue a third term in charge of the organisation. However, former health minister Stephen Donnelly prevented her third term, citing government policy that chief executives of non-commercial State organisations cannot serve more than two consecutive terms. Following a mediation process, Ms Hardiman started her new role on her previous salary of almost 184,000. Opposition politicians criticised the appointment, citing controversies at CHI surrounding spinal care for children with scoliosis and spina bifida. Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said Ms Hardiman was appointed to the strategic leadership role to reflect her knowledge and due to her leadership experience in paediatric healthcare in a letter addressed to Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy. As CHI moves into the operational phase of transition, responsibility for implementing these plans and managing the transition of hospitals to the new facility [the National Childrens Hospital] will now be led by the new CEO and the strengthened executive management team, Ms Carroll MacNeill said. My department has been made aware that Ms Eilish Hardiman is moving to a regional role within the HSE, where her experience and expertise can continue to support service integration and delivery. Ms Hardiman will be working in the Dublin and midlands regional health area and will remain on the same salary, The Irish Times reports. The Ministers letter was sent in response to parliamentary questions submitted by Social Democrats health spokesman Padraig Rice. Breaking News Would you like to receive our breaking news news? Signup today! e-Edition Subscribers e-Edition Only - $39.00 Year This is the exact replica of our weekly printed paper. Great for searching archives! General Interest Imported List: General Interest Lee University was awarded a $30,000 grant by the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities to support scholarly conversations about the intersection between Christianity and international relations. The project will be directed by the universitys Dr. Ana Shippey, associate professor of political science. The grant will fund three conferences, titled Reframing International Relations: Imago Dei (Lee University, 2026), Shalom (Lipscomb University, 2027), and Agape (Baylor University, 2028). The Imago Dei conference will take place on April 16-18. CCCU faculty from Baylor, Georgetown, Lee, Lipscomb, and Westmont will collaborate and host the three-day conference on Lees campus for international relations scholars, including panels, workshops, and a public panel open to the community. The Imago Dei conference is the first of three conferences that will focus on international relations from a Christian perspective. Political science has historically treated Christianity as peripheral to the study of politics, focusing on the malevolent aspects of religion instead of its benevolent role, said Dr. Shippey. My colleagues and I believe that Christians have much to contribute to a fuller and clearer understanding of international relations and are thankful for the opportunity to reframe the Christian narrative in international relations. International relations is a subfield of political science that studies the interactions of nations and states on a broad range of topics, including politics, economy, diplomacy, and conflict resolution. The goal of Reframing International Relations: Imago Dei is to discuss the tensions that exist between the Christian concept of Imago Dei - the belief that humans are created in the likeness of God - and the critical idea of the supremacy of the state as the critical actor in international relations. Fourteen universities are expected to participate in the conference. "The opportunity to offer Christian-informed approaches for studying international relations seems especially important right now, said Dr. Debbie Murray, Lee provost. We welcome the opportunity to engage in productive and creative ways for Christian scholars to join hands and work together to influence a broader academic audience in the implementation of this grant." Lee University acknowledges funding from the Networking Grants for Christian Scholars, a project run by the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. The CCCU is an international association of more than 185 Christian higher education institutions, emphasizing public advocacy, professional development and scholarship, and experiential education while maintaining a Christ-centered outlook. For more information about the CCCU, visit cccu.org/. For more information about the History, Political Science, and Humanities Department at Lee, visit leeuniversity.edu/academics/arts-sciences/hps/. The Red Bank Police Department is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office for the "Booze It and Lose It" campaign to increase impaired-driving enforcement from Dec. 12 to Jan. 1, 2026.THSOs statewide "Booze It and Lose It" campaign is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" mobilization to reduce impaired-driving crashes nationwide during the holiday season.Officials said, "Increased state and national messaging about the dangers of drunk driving, coupled with increased sobriety checkpoints and high visibility enforcement, aim to drastically reduce the number of drunk-driving crashes, injuries and fatalities this year."The consequences of a single DUI conviction for a first-time offender in the state of Tennessee may include costly fines, court costs, legal fees, jail time, mandatory drug and alcohol treatment and/or the installation of an ignition interlock device in his/her vehicle."The THSO provides grant funding to support the Red Bank Police Departments increased enforcement efforts during the "Booze It and Lose It" holiday campaign. Houston Museum under renovation photo by John Shearer Houston Museum under renovation photo by John Shearer Houston Museum under renovation photo by John Shearer Houston Museum under renovation photo by John Shearer Houston Museum under renovation photo by John Shearer Houston Museum under renovation photo by John Shearer Houston Museum under renovation photo by John Shearer Houston Museum under renovation Houston Museum under renovation Houston Museum under renovation Houston Museum under renovation Houston Museum under renovation Houston Museum under renovation Houston Museum under renovation Pam Reed Temporary Houston Museum photo by John Shearer Temporary Houston Museum photo by John Shearer Temporary Houston Museum photo by John Shearer Temporary Houston Museum photo by John Shearer Temporary Houston Museum photo by John Shearer E.Y. Chapin home in 1890s Remodeled Chapin home when Houston Museum was there Previous Next The Anna Safley Houston Museum of Decorative Arts at 201 High St. across from Rembrandts coffee shop has for years housed a big city-like collection of rare and valuable decorative glassware, pottery, furniture and other items. It had started after several longtime Chattanooga families helped make sure Ms. Houstons wishes of seeing her items meticulously preserved through a non-profit organization came true shortly before her death in 1951. But in contrast, the former home on High Street where the items have been on display since 1969 almost did not survive. And it took not an old Chattanooga family or resident as was the case in the beginning, but a new resident to help see the value in preserving the current building. When Pam Reed took over as executive director in 2022 after volunteering some not long after moving to Chattanooga from New York with her husband, Bill, the word was out that the Victorian-era former home that had housed the collection for 50-plus years needed to go. That is, even though no finalized plans had been made. They were planning to knock down the building because they were under the impression that the house had to be knocked down, she said as she recently gave a tour of the work. But Im a very curious person and I wanted to hear for myself. And after checking with some people in the construction and remodeling realm, she got a different reply from what had been the previous consensus. Everyone unanimously told us that this building is in great shape, it just needs some work, she said. So instead, the museum board and supporters decided to get behind preserving the structure and undertake an extensive, multimillion dollar renovation that includes adding an architecturally complementary wing on the back. In a Chattanooga community that has seen several older buildings torn down or scheduled to be razed in recent months, saving this structure that dates to about 1892 was one big victory for the local historic preservation community. It showed that sometimes all old buildings really need is a little tender loving care. And this rare collection from an also-unique Ms. Houston can now be shared in even better and more various ways, said Ms. Reed, a Philadelphia native who owned a bar and event space in New York and was a fashion designer before coming to Chattanooga. And like a collection of earlier residents who helped get the museum started, she added that the current museum community another large group of local people a couple of generations removed from the initial one again deserves the credit. People have been showing up and being very generous, she said of those who have donated to and supported the renovation and construction campaign. Its a very unique museum and Im glad people see the value in that. Ms. Reed, who had an amicable and naturally articulate and enthusiastic manner as she talked, said the initial phase of work took place in 2024 at the base level. She said that in the basement area, they had to replace the brick piers. They were no longer engaged with the structural beams in some places, she said, adding that workers also installed French drains. But as she added of this part of the work with an optimistic tone, Once they started digging, it was in much better condition than we thought. It was fixable. Inside the home, after workers also put in new wiring amid the walls made of horsehair plaster, they have done such work as restoring all the fireplace mantels and surrounding tilework, which are uniquely different from each other. They have also opened up part of a wall and are also touching up the wood floors and stairway railings. Carpet on the stairway has also been removed. The workers even opened an old window on the north side that had been closed off from the inside, and a couple of the vintage radiators are being preserved for display use, with the others scheduled to be donated to a reuse business. The building was originally heated by a coal-powered boiler and the fireplaces before the radiators began being used, she said. And we are keeping the original windows when we can, she said. There were three or four windows that needed to be replaced. The roof, which is original, also needed some repair work, she mentioned. In other words, just like the treasured museum items that are occasionally polished and dusted, so, too, is the old home. As she added in summation, Any of the original character we can maintain, we are. They have also converted the porch that was enclosed in 1992 into a more visitor-friendly entrance and ticket-purchasing area. In the past, visitors had to walk around the corner to find a welcome desk. A gift shop will now be in the old dining room, she added. The former home and current museum will also have plenty of other new features as well, including an ADA-approved restroom on the first floor, meaning visitors who were physically unable to go upstairs will no longer have to walk over to Rembrandts to use the facilities. The entire building will also be ADA compliant, she said. Expanded kitchen, event space and educational facilities are also being worked into the facility, including with the expansion that will include an elevator. The work which is scheduled to be completed around late summer 2026 -- is being done by architect Justin Dumsday of River Street Architecture and by contractor New Blue Construction. When we were visiting the home, a worker gave to Ms. Reed an old, brown-colored Coca-Cola bottle that had just been uncovered that day while work was being done on the foundation related to the new addition. Perhaps it is a new item for display, although I am not sure what Ms. Houston would have thought of the value of old Coke bottles! While the work is being done, the museum has a small pop-up museum of selected pieces of the collection and a gift shop in the former Back Inn Cafe at 412 E. Second St. a block east. Ms. Reed said the Bluff View Art District officials had been kind and accommodating in letting them use the space. For those looking for Christmas gifts, the museum and gift shop will be open only through Dec. 22, before closing from Dec. 23 through Jan. 1 for the holidays. These pieces at the pop-up museum are just a few among 15,000 items digitized and put in 900 boxes with the help of some UTC interns as the museum began preparing for the restoration and construction work, she added. While the items seem like pieces that would have come from the collection of a rich person, Ms. Houston was evidently a person of very modest means. Married several times and a little eccentric and a person who had no tolerance for phonies or snobs, she at one time had a store at 741 McCallie Avenue by the current Yellow Deli. She later moved everything to a barn-like building off Spring Creek Road, where she later also lived with a fox terrier named Sonny. Despite her eccentricities, she also was said to have friends and acquaintances, and old newspaper articles tell of someone kindly bringing her food for payment for several days. Ms. Reed surmises that Chattanooga was a good location for this person who lived in several places in the United States, because she could easily hop aboard the local train and visit bigger cities and look for prized items for her collection. At least in later years, she wanted to hold on to the valuable possessions and maybe sold the less valuable items to customers to help her meet expenses. While she might have had limited finances, she had an expanded vision, and she went and saw attorney Blaine Buchanan about her wishes to charter an organization to start a museum. This dream came true before her death in 1951, and the museum initially opened in 1961 in the now-razed old E.Y. Chapin home at 24 Bluff View near the Hunter art museum, which owned the home. The museum moved into the current building in January 1969 after the home was reportedly purchased by an anonymous donor and given to the museum. That was at a time when home values of historic residences in downtown Chattanooga were probably as low as they were ever going to be during the height of the suburban flight era. And now this museum building, which no one knows if Ms. Houston ever passed or noticed during her life, is ready to continue being appreciated in the future, just like her priceless collection. Ms. Reed, a mother of two and whose husband operates Pedestrian Wine and Cheese on Frazier Avenue after getting laid off from his initial job that brought him to Chattanooga, thinks Ms. Houston would approve of the museums update. She might also like the house and be glad it is being saved. We are trying to do some things she did, like be good stewards, she said. This is a more systematic approach, and I think she would appreciate that, too. This collection of this woman who was said to be quite a character will continue being in a refurbished building that many realize now also has its own special character. * * * Jcshearer2@comcast.net Drivers traveling on I-24 in Hamilton County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have a temporary impact on traffic. As part of Phase 2 (the second of two projects) to widen and improve the I-75 at I-24 interchange, Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews will conduct lane closures on I-24 in both directions on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to midnight for construction activities. The closures will take place on I-24 West from the I-75 South Exit ramp to Germantown Road, and on I-24 East from mile marker 183 to mile marker 185. Exit 184 on I-24 West will be closed during this time; traffic will be directed to Exit 183. Additionally, Monday, at 9 p.m. through Tuesday, at midnight, the far-right lane on I-24 West will be closed to the South Moore Road Exit onto North Terrace. The contractor will also close two lanes on North Terrace to the South Moore Road intersection for construction activities. Traffic on North Terrace will yield to traffic coming from I-24 West at Exit 184 (South Moore Road). This work is weather-dependent. Should inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances cause delays, it will be rescheduled to take place at a later date. Uniformed police officers will be present to assist with traffic control and law enforcement. As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel. Get the latest construction activity traffic updates from the TDOT SmartWay Map. Travelers can also call 511 for statewide travel information. The Move Over Law was passed in 2006. The penalty for violating the law in Tennessee carries the possibility of up to 30 days in jail and a maximum fine of up to $500. Lapido + Co, a creative studio and marketing agency from Chattanooga, announces an expanded ownership structure and growth across both its service offerings and team.The new family partnership unites Co-Founders Ashley and Nick Lapido with Amanda Morehead, Ashleys sister and Nicks sister-in-law. All three are graduates of Southern Adventist University, and now form a three-way partnership.Officials said, "This evolution formalizes years of collaboration and strengthens the companys ability to deliver elevated creative and strategic services across the Southeast."Since joining Lapido + Co one year ago as chief design officer, Amanda has brought extensive expertise in branding, graphic design and creative direction.She has built a successful portfolio in web and graphic design, and now leads the agencys entire design division. Under her leadership, Lapido + Co has grown its design-driven accounts and now manages nearly half of the agencys client portfolio."Anyone who knows us knows Amanda has always been a core part of Lapido + Co. Making her an official partner feels less like a change and more like acknowledging whats been true all along. Were building this studio with intention - the right people, the right clients and the right pace. And this partnership strengthens everything were working toward: meaningful work, creative integrity and a team that feels like family, said Ms. Lapido, CEOOfficials said, "Over the last year, Lapido + Co has added two social media coordinators and a director of digital marketing, expanding both capacity and strategic depth."The director of digital marketing functions as a high-level guide for clients - offering big-picture planning, milestone development, performance reporting and an integrated approach that connects organic social media with paid digital advertising. This role ensures clients receive clear, simplified insights without needing to decipher dense analytics, creating a seamless experience across every part of their digital strategy."With these additions, the agency continues to grow intentionally - adding support which protects creative quality, prevents burnout and allows the team to stay deeply aligned with every brand they serve."Lapido + Co has seen expansion into hospitality, restaurants, construction, architecture and interior design - high-visual, premium industries that rely heavily on standout photography, brand consistency and strong digital presence."This year, Lapido + Co joined the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, and will sponsor the American Institute of Architects Chattanooga in 2026.This further strengthens our local engagement and positions the agency at the center of the regions creative and professional community," officials said.What sets us apart is the way we work: small, intentional and deeply integrated. Our clients choose us because we dont operate like a typical agency. We embed ourselves into their processes so were not another task to manage - were the team that helps things get done. At the end of the day, our goal is to take things off their plates, not add to them. Thats what allows us to support them through every stage of growth - from ongoing social strategy to branding, design and full web projects, said Ms. Morehead, chief design officer."With a strengthened family-led leadership team, expanded creative capabilities and strategic partnerships with regional organizations, Lapido + Co is poised for continued growth in 2026," officials said. "New initiatives are already underway, including elevated brand experience packages, expanded content photography services and deeper collaboration with industry partners across the Southeast." Feature: Chinese-built geopark museum becomes catalyst for Tanzania's growing tourism sector Xinhua) 11:20, December 13, 2025 ARUSHA, Tanzania, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Morning sunlight bathed the Ngorongoro highlands as streams of visitors stepped into a museum nestled within the Ngorongoro Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark in Tanzania's Arusha region. Among them was Lina Okello, a first-time traveler from Kenya, who paused in awe at a space where geology, culture, and time converge. The recently opened Chinese-built Ngorongoro-Lengai Geological Heritage Museum is already reshaping Tanzania's tourism landscape, offering an immersive gateway into one of the world's most celebrated conservation areas. "I've been to national parks before, but never understood how these landscapes came to be," Okello said, her gaze fixed on a sweeping illustrated panorama of the Ngorongoro Crater. "Here, you feel like you're walking through history before seeing the real thing outside." Since its opening on Oct. 16 this year, the museum has drawn 575 visitors, according to manager Agness Gidna, who described the institution as a milestone in Tanzania's efforts to diversify tourism and deepen educational engagement with the country's natural and cultural heritage. Built jointly by the governments of China and Tanzania, the 32-billion-Tanzanian-shilling (about 13 million U.S. dollars) museum is China's first foreign-aid geological park project. Inspired by Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai, one of the world's rarest volcanoes, the design incorporates symbolic colors: grey for volcanic ash, orange for lava, blue for the sky and universe, brown for human heritage, and green for ecology. The structure reflects the interconnectedness of geology, humanity, and environmental conservation. Vinay Sapra, a board member of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators, said the new facility has added significant depth to the tourism circuit. Sapra described the geopark museum as "a very interesting phenomenon," offering rich insights and learning opportunities that bring Tanzania's geological and cultural story to life. The museum serves as a one-stop hub of knowledge that ordinary visitors would struggle to access on their own, Sapra said, adding that it provides essential context for understanding the evolution of Ngorongoro's landscapes and communities. Inside the museum, German tourist Michael Bauer, fresh off a Serengeti safari, examined early human fossils with fascination. "I didn't expect such a modern museum here," he said. "You see the crater, the wildlife, the Maasai culture outside, and then you come here and understand how everything connects. It makes the whole trip richer." Also known as the Urithi Geo-Museum, the institution highlights Ngorongoro's unique natural and geological heritage while celebrating the ecological richness of the crater and the cultural traditions of surrounding communities. Drawing from decades of scientific research across the Ngorongoro Lengai geopark, the exhibits include geological formations, volcanic features, rock specimens, early human fossils, ancient stone tools, and a panoramic illustration of the crater. Cultural displays feature traditional artifacts from the Hadzabe, Datoga, Iraqw, and Maasai communities, offering a holistic picture of the region's human history, according to Gidna. "To help visitors understand this history in a structured way, the displays are arranged into six thematic sections," said Gidna. "This layered approach allows visitors to walk through geological time, gaining an appreciation of the forces that shaped the landscape and the societies that have lived alongside it." As more international travelers explore the museum, Gidna said Tanzania's standing as a premier global tourism destination is set to grow even stronger. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) Tennessee American Water is sending letters to customers this month "as part of its commitment to provide safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water service." The letters request help from customers to identify the material of the portion of pipe that connects the water meter to customer homes or businesses. Officials said this effort supports the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, which requires all water utilities to identify and make public the materials that both company-owned and customer-owned service lines are made of to address and minimize exposure of lead in drinking water. Tennessee American Water does not install or maintain customer-owned service lines, so customer participation is essential. Tennessee American Water continues to meet and surpass local and federal drinking water standards. The lead service line survey effort supports the continuation of high-quality service, and we appreciate our customers assistance with this effort, said Lori Stenzel, Tennessee American Waters Manager for Water Quality and Environmental Compliance. Customers can check their service line material using the interactive map at tennesseeamwater.com/leadfacts . If the customer-owned portion is listed as unknown, the website provides a step-by-step guide to determine and report the material. Our goal in creating this webpage and map is to proactively and transparently communicate to customers information about their service line material and all that we do to provide water that meets all local and federal regulations and how they can self-report the material of their service line, continued Ms. Stenzel. Officials said the company began building its service line inventory in 2024 and remains committed to proactive communication and regulatory compliance. This survey effort aligns with statewide initiatives supported by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). Nathaniel Barker Hughes, Jr., former TVA Manager of Power, and longtime resident of Chattanooga was received into the loving arms of Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, on December 11, 2025. Nat, as he was called, was born in Birmingham, on Dec. 14,1922, to Nathaniel Barker Hughes, Sr. and Catherine Conner Hughes. He grew up during the Great Depression in Birmingham, AL, and graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1941. Nat served three years in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater including the invasion of Luzon Island, Philippines and preparations to invade Japan. After the war, Nat graduated from Auburn University with a degree in electrical engineering. Known for his proficiency in college, he solved physics problems for many students that were on his dry-cleaning route. Nat also served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1946 until 1950. Nat began his career at TVA in 1947 as an electrical engineer and achieved the title of Professional Engineer. He was stationed in Memphis for his first nine years at TVA. There he worked maintaining and operating the electrical transmission lines and substations. He then came to the TVA power operations Chattanooga office where he held several management positions before ultimately being promoted to Manager of Power (head of the TVA electric power system). During his term, he served on President Nixons scientific team to the former Soviet Union and was a member of both the Tennessee and Kentucky Governors energy study committees. Upon leaving TVA, Nat served as a consultant in the electric power industry. A man dedicated to serving Jesus Christ and others, Nat served as an elder at First Presbyterian Church Chattanooga since 1963. He was the former president of the Chattanooga Chapter of Child Evangelism; president of Tennessee Bible Mission; Sunday school teacher for 15 years; short term missionary to Spain and Ecuador; and volunteer for the Boys Club and the Boys Scouts of America. Known for his handiwork, Nat was a master craftsman having produced many exquisite items from his woodworking shop. On a mission trip to Spain, Nat led a group of volunteers installing a high voltage electrical line serving a building under renovation. A true gentleman with an unassuming nature, Nat was faithful to God, his family, his country and others. He was kind and considerate to everyone. His positive attitude and warm smile uplifted all who were blessed with his presence. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Catherine Hughes Landstreet. He is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce Jennings Hughes; sons, Nathaniel Barker Hughes III (Donna), and Thomas L. Hughes (Laura); grandchildren, Shelly Hughes Main (Chris), Garrett Hughes, Natalie Hughes Gooday (Paul), and Allison Hughes; five great-grandchildren, sister, Mary Hughes Walker of Birmingham, one nephew and three nieces, and several great-nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church Chattanooga. A Celebration of Life will take place at First Presbyterian Church Chattanooga at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, with a family visitation from 10:30 a.m.12 p.m. There will be a private burial at Forest Hills Cemetery. To share your memories of Nat, please visit https://www.hamiltonfhofchattanooga.com/obituary/nathaniel-nat-hughes-jr Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 45406 Hixson Pike, Hixson, Tn. 37343, 423 531-3975. I follow some young Veterans who are now honoring their oaths to support and defend our Constitution as members of Congress. Among them is Rep. John James from Michigans 10th congressional district. Take a moment to meet this American Patriot. John grew up in the Palmer Woods neighborhood of Detroit. He graduated from the Catholic Brother Rice High School and earned an appointment to the United States Military Academy (West Point), graduating in 2004.John says: Im the product of parents born in the Jim Crow South, who moved to Michigan for opportunity. By the Grace of God and a momma who wouldnt quit, I was able to go to West Point, serve in Iraq as a Ranger-qualified Apache pilot, then help run and 10x my family company, and serve MI in Congress. Im living the American Dream, and Im fighting to keep hope alive for Michigan. Upon graduation from USMA, John commissioned as an Army Aviation officer. After completing aviation and Ranger training, he served on active duty for eight years, including two deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In Iraq, as a pilot in the AH-64 Apache, he led two Apache helicopter platoons, logging more than 750 combat flight hours as a Battle Captain and Assistant Operations Officer. Notably, one of his West Point classmates is Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX), who also became an Apache pilot. In 2012, after his honorable discharge as a Captain, John joined James Group International, a company founded by his father in 1971, becoming CEO of the companys Renaissance Global Logistics, specializing in global supply chain management services. He completed a masters degree in supply chain management from Penn State University, a degree he started while still on active duty. In 2015, he also completed an MBA from the University of Michigan. He grew his family companys revenue from $35 million to $137 million and added 100 jobs. John is bold about his devotion to God and country and his desire to serve in public office. In 2018, he was a Senate candidate, declaring: I believe that we need a combat veteran on the floor of the U.S. Senate [who] understands what it takes to keep America someone who understands national security from a strategic and tactical level as this world becomes a more dangerous place. But we also need somebody who understands economic opportunity and someone whos actually created jobs. Unfortunately, that was too steep a climb against a three-term incumbent, Democrat Debbie Stabenow. In 2022, he set his sights on a more manageable goal: running for and being elected to Congress. He was reelected in 2024. From his congressional office, John says: The Army Aviator motto is High Above the Best: supporting and protecting the boots on the ground. Today, my office looks a little different, but the missions the same: providing support for the best the hardworking Michiganders on the ground. He insists: Elected officials should take note: their mission is to serve the best of the best, the American people, and never lose sight of who theyre fighting for. Asked about Donald Trump and the Republican-led Congress, he said Trump is not a politician and neither am I. He added: The nation is becoming increasingly more divided. Career politicians have become increasingly more ineffective. I would say that our president has kept his promises and were trending in the right direction. Speaking earlier this year to the graduating class of Adrian College about his challenges and failures, John said: Failure is not final. Its a data point thats all it is. Its not a life sentence, not a moral judgment. Just information. Failure says, This path didnt work. Try another. He mentioned having a tough time getting into the high school he wanted to attend and getting into West Point. He didnt pass Ranger School on his first attempt, having to recycle the first phase. And he noted he didnt win over his wife, Liz, right away she insisted he needed to mature first. He says: Im chasing my purpose, not a paycheck. Ive had many jobs. Ive lived in many places. And Ive failed many, many times. But my entire adult life I was prepared to sacrifice everything in pursuit of my purpose. In August, John was back in the co-pilot seat of a helicopter, this time flying a mission with the Coast Guard from Air Station Detroit. He was an advocate for the Coast Guards new fleet of MH-60 helicopters. John has now set his sights on being the next governor of Michigan in the 2026 election, saying: Our state has suffered long enough. Michigan is strong. Our people are strong. But we are being held back by a lack of strong, competent leadership leadership with real-world experience in the areas Michiganders need most. Its time to get Michigans government out of fantasyland and back to common sense. John and his wife, Liz, have three young sons, John (11), Hudson (9), and Christian (6), and are raising them in Shelby Township. Live your life worthy of his sacrifice. Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis Pro Deo et Libertate -- 1776 Join us in daily prayer for our Patriots in uniform -- Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen -- standing in harm's way in defense of American Liberty, honoring their oath "to support and defend" our Constitution, and for the families awaiting their safe return. Pray also for our Veterans, First Responders, and their families. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (center) is joined by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, and TPUSA supporters at the Governor's Mansion in Austin on Dec. 8, 2025. | Photo credit: Office of the Texas Governor Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced this week that hundreds of schools across the state are prepared to host chapters of Turning Point USAs high school initiative. Speaking Monday at the Governors Mansion, Abbott underscored the importance of TPUSAs Club America program for young people. The organization was founded in 2012 by conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot on Sept. 10 during Turning Point USAs America Comeback Tour stop in Orem. Authorities later arrested 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson, who allegedly targeted Kirk because of his conservative Christian views, particularly regarding transgender issues. Abbott appeared alongside Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, TPUSA Senior Director Josh Thifault, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath, and other officials. He revealed that more than 500 Texas high schools now have active Club America chapters, including numerous campuses in North Texas, and praised the state for having more chapters than any other in the nation. 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, Abbott said. 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 press conference, Abbottwho formally launched his reelection campaign last monthpaid tribute to Kirks impact on the conservative youth movement. He reiterated his administrations commitment to ensuring that Club America can expand and flourish in Texas, warning that schools that interfere with student efforts to start chapters may face repercussions. Although Abbott noted that the state does not intend to require schools to form these clubs, he stressed that students have the right 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. According to TPUSA, Club America is the leading youth movement for freedom-loving American values, with more than 1,200 high school chapters across the country. The program focuses on empowering student leaders to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government. Home News BLM executive director of OKC chapter charged with fraud, money laundering involving millions in donor funds Activist is also an associate minister of UCC-affiliated Church of the Open Arms, has Universal Life Church minister credentials The executive director of a Black Lives Matter chapter in Oklahoma has been charged with wire fraud and money laundering involving millions of dollars in donor funds. Federal prosecutors say she used the money for personal travel, shopping and real estate. Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson, 52, faces 20 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering for allegedly diverting more than $3.15 million in charitable donations from accounts linked to Black Lives Matter Oklahoma City, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Oklahoma. The indictment alleges that from June 2020 to at least October 2025, she transferred bail refund checks into personal bank accounts and used the money for expenses unrelated to the groups stated mission. Dickerson began leading BLM OKC in 2016. The group received donations through the Arizona-based Alliance for Global Justice, which acted as a fiscal sponsor. BLM OKC was not registered as a tax-exempt organization, but its sponsor required funds to be used in line with nonprofit purposes and prohibited real estate purchases without approval. Between spring 2020 and late 2025, BLM OKC raised more than $5.6 million, primarily from online contributors and national bail funds. These funds were intended to post bail for individuals arrested during violent protests after George Floyd, who was high on fentanyl and methamphetamine when he died while restrained in police custody. The indictment states that when those bail funds were returned, Dickerson kept them for herself and spent them on vacations, luxury items and property. Court documents say Dickerson used the money to travel to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, spend tens of thousands of dollars on retail shopping, and buy a 2021 Hyundai Palisade. She also reportedly paid over $50,000 for food and grocery deliveries and acquired six properties in Oklahoma City, some in her name and others in the name of Equity International LLC, a company she controlled. The charges also accuse Dickerson of submitting two false annual reports to the Alliance for Global Justice, stating the funds had been used for tax-exempt purposes while omitting any mention of personal spending, according to The Associated Press. If convicted, Dickerson could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each wire fraud count, and up to 10 years and a similar fine for each money laundering count. She has not been taken into custody. In a Facebook livestream following the indictment, she said, I cannot make an official comment about what transpired today, adding, I am home. I am safe. I have confidence in our team. Dickerson founded the chapter in 2016 and has been associated with the Church of the Open Arms, which belongs to the United Church of Christ, where she is listed as an associate minister. The church previously held fundraisers for the BLM chapter. State records show the properties she bought were acquired between 2021 and 2022, including one labeled church property. That building was intended for BLM OKC use but was deeded in her name. She also has Universal Life Church minister credentials filed in Oklahoma County. Social media posts show Dickerson traveling and engaging with political figures. In one photo, she is standing next to Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. Her posts also reference figures such as Assata Shakur, a convicted murderer and member of the Black Liberation Army who died in Cuba in September. Funds to BLM OKC were routed not only through the Alliance for Global Justice but also via George Soros' Tides Center, another nonprofit supporting progressive organizations. The Tides Foundation, affiliated with that center, is facing a lawsuit from the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation for allegedly mismanaging $33 million. The Alliance for Global Justice has also supported other controversial organizations, including Samidoun, which the U.S. Treasury Department has linked to a designated terrorist group. The Black Lives Matter network has faced other financial scandals. In 2021, founder Patrisse Cullors resigned after reports surfaced of her buying several homes and awarding large contracts to relatives, according to the New York Post. In a separate case, Sir Maejor Page, who ran a fraudulent BLM group in Atlanta, was convicted of defrauding donors and sentenced to 42 months in prison last year. Dickersons chapter is not affiliated with the national organization currently under federal investigation. The Justice Department issued subpoenas in the fall to determine whether leaders misused tens of millions in donations raised during the 2020 protests. Home News Quebec City officials vote to remove crucifix displayed in council chamber Quebec City officials have voted to remove a crucifix displayed in the citys council chamber. The decision follows a recommendation to preserve the item in a heritage collection while reinforcing the principle of state secularism. The crucifix will be relocated to Quebec Citys collection of ethno-historical artifacts, according to the CBC. The decision aligns with a provincial trend toward removing religious symbols from government spaces. The councils resolution comes after months of deliberation by an advisory commission on inclusion, which had concluded the crucifix was incompatible with a space meant to embody democratic and religious neutrality. The commission, made up of elected officials, community members and the Wendat Nation chief, reportedly consulted legal and historical experts to support its conclusions. The crucifix was first placed in the council chamber in 1936, removed in the 1970s, and reinstalled around a decade later. The crucifix hanging in the chamber was sculpted by artist Jacques Bourgault. In September, Mayor Bruno Marchand publicly supported the commissions conclusion that the council chamber must reflect state neutrality. His position marks a departure from that of former Mayor Regis Labeaume, who had retained the crucifix in 2019, calling it a historical object that should not be removed in the name of secularism. Bill 21, formally titled An Act respecting the reinforcement of laicity in Quebec and passed in 2019, is a provincial law reinforcing secularism in public institutions. That same year, the crucifix that had hung for decades in Quebecs National Assembly was taken down from above the Speakers chair in the Blue Room, marking one of the earliest such removals in the provinces recent political history. Last week, the Coalition Avenir Quebec government tabled Bill 9, which aims to build on existing secularism measures passed under Premier Francois Legault, including Bill 21. In September, the Quebec government proposed a ban on public prayer, prompting criticism from religious leaders. Archbishop Christian Lepine of Montreal said at the time that such a policy would undermine basic freedoms in a democratic society, according to Catholic News Agency. He argued that banning prayer in public could discourage actions that bring people together during periods of economic, social, and environmental stress. At its core, to forbid public prayer would be somewhat like forbidding thought itself, he wrote in a letter published on Sept. 2. The archbishop said the proposal would clash with both the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Quebecs own Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. He also called it incompatible with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Lepine said Pope Francis 2022 penitential pilgrimage to Canada, which included a stop in Quebec City, might have been prohibited under such a law. Home News Time magazine snubs Charlie Kirk, names AI 'architects' as 'Person of the Year' Conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly slams 'genuinely wrong' pick Time magazine is facing backlash from one of conservative medias biggest voices over its decision to snub Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk as its Person of the Year despite Kirks death marking the first major political assassination in the U.S. since the 1960s. Instead, the century-old magazine gave its annual award to a collective of tech titans leading the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, framing the year as a tipping point when the technology "roared into view" with irreversible momentum. Time's announcement, unveiled Thursday, celebrated the "Architects of AI" as the magazine's 2025 honorees, with a reimagined version of the iconic 1930s photograph "Lunch Atop a Skyscraper" as its cover art. Replacing the classic photos hard-hatted construction workers were eight suited tech leaders perched on a beam overlooking New York City: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, AMD CEO Lisa Su, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, and AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li, founder of World Labs. Time also shared an alternate cover image on social media, featuring towering "AI" letters wrapped in scaffolding that resembled digital wiring, along with the caption, "For delivering the age of thinking machines, for wowing and worrying humanity, for transforming the present and transcending the possible, the Architects of AI are TIMEs 2025 Person of the Year. Editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs defended the unconventional group pick Thursday in an explanatory essay, noting Time's tradition of straying from individuals when warranted. "Weve named not just individuals but also groups, more women than our founders could have imagined (though still not enough), and, on rare occasions, a concept: the endangered Earth, in 1988, or the personal computer, in 1982," Jacobs wrote. This year's choice, Jacobs argued, spotlights "the individuals who imagined, designed, and built AI" rather than the tech itself, noting the undeniable parallels between the rise of AI and the advent of the personal computer in the early 1980s. "This was the year when artificial intelligences full potential roared into view, and when it became clear that there will be no turning back or opting out," he wrote. Time, acquired in 2018 by Salesforce co-founder Marc Benioff who has dubbed AI "probably the most important" tech wave of his lifetime insisted Benioff stays out of editorial calls. The tradition, dating to 1927, honors whoever "most shaped headlines over the previous 12 months." Prediction markets had pegged AI along with Huang and Altman as frontrunners, but Kirk's name loomed large in conservative circles, out-Googling even Trump, the 2024 winner who succeeded Taylor Swift. Other contenders included Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff elected after Pope Francis' death; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; and New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. In an on-air tirade on Thursdays episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, the veteran journalist and podcaster unleashed on Time magazine's decision, slamming the choice as "a thumb in the eye, and it's genuinely wrong," accusing the publication of ignoring "reality based on your own politics." "It's [expletive] AI. It's AI architects. It's not Charlie Kirk, which is so obvious," said Kelly. "It's as obvious as the nose on your face." Pointing to Times previous controversial choices for Person of the Year, including Vladimir Putin and Ayatollah Khomeini, Kelly accused the media outlet of playing politics. AI architects are not the most influential people of the year, she said. To ignore what happened with Charlie Kirk in September and the worldwide revival of faith that followed his assassination is to ignore reality based on your own politics. The snub, coming just three months after Kirk's shocking assassination on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, raised even more questions because Kirk wasnt even listed as an honorable mention, said Kelly. Home News World Vision distributes toys to children in Jamaica impacted by Hurricane Melissa World Vision is distributing toys to children in Jamaica whose lives have been affected by Hurricane Melissa, as the long road to recovery on the hard-hit island nation continues. The Evangelical charity organization is distributing toys to children in the five western parishes of Jamaica that were severely affected by Hurricane Melissa earlier this year. In an interview with The Christian Post, which took place after a distribution in Chester Castle in Hanover Parish on Thursday, where the charitable organization Operation Blessing also helped out, World Visions Director of U.S. Programs, Reed Slattery, spoke about their relief efforts and discussed the situation on the ground six weeks after the hurricane made landfall in Jamaica. So we had Squish Mallows for the little kids so that every time they open it up out of the box, they just give it a big hug and squeeze, he explained. We had some Lego sets for the older kids. Then we had Puma shoes that the kids were also able to pick out, so they got a brand new pair of shoes, and then we topped it off with a backpack full of school supplies. Slattery noted how children had lost their books and school supplies because many of schools were damaged by the hurricane. Slattery told CP that World Vision is on track to provide toys and supplies to 2,000 children between now and Dec. 26, when the last distribution will take place in Trelawny in conjunction with the Usain Bolt Foundation, a charitable organization established by Jamaican Olympic runner Usain Bolt. Toy distributions have already taken place in the parishes of Westmoreland, Hanover and St. James, while a distribution in St. Elizabeth is slated for next week. Slattery estimated that distributions in Westmoreland and Hanover each served 300-400 children. The toy distributions are in addition to the relief efforts that World Vision has been engaging in for the past six weeks, which remain ongoing. World Vision has worked to provide food boxes that contain enough food to feed a family of five for a week, specifically canned goods, including sardines and crackers. World Vision has been collaborating with another charitable organization, WaterStep, to provide clean water to hurricane victims. For the families, we also have bottles of bleach, he said. Commenting on the recovery efforts six weeks after the storm made landfall, Slattery insisted that the situation is still pretty dire. According to Slattery, You drive through these communities and you see the power lines down. Folks dont have power. Itll be several more months before that comes back online. So the rebuilding efforts are really going to take a while. Outside of this Christmas distribution, our main focuses have been clean water through our [partnership] with [WaterStep] as well as food, canned food and then non-food items such as tarps, generators, solar lights, things like that to try to help families as theyre in this really challenging time, Slattery stressed. One other thing that we did early on was we set up churches as communication hubs. We took out Starlink units and cords and power generators and gas cans so that we could get them up online to at least start communication between them and understanding their needs. He added that while communications getting a little bit better, the food and the water will still continue to be a need even after the holidays. So far, World Vision has shipped more than 12 40-foot shipping containers, several hundred pallets of relief materials from the U.S. and 1.5 shipping containers filled with toys. In light of the long recovery expected, World Vision anticipates continuing relief efforts for the foreseeable future. Our team is going to be on the ground through the year, he vowed. Were going to do some reassessing next year as we get into 2026, but we see a presence here for the next 90 days, continuing to meet some of these basic needs. And then well continue to assess through our partnerships if theres any other collaborations or areas that we can help, such as rebuilding things. Slattery concluded the interview by urging Americans to donate to World Visions relief efforts in Jamaica. Those hoping to contribute to help disaster victims can do so by visiting donate.worldvision.org. Slatttery characterized Hurricane Melissa as the most damaging storm he has seen in his 20 years working at World Vision, where he has taken part in relief efforts following about 15 storms. While Slattery noted that Hurricane Helene caused severe damage in western North Carolina last year and was some of the worst devastation he had ever seen, he characterized Hurricane Melissa as similar to Helene but more severe in terms of the damage, the intensity and how vast and widespread it is because the infrastructure in Jamaica was not as advanced as the infrastructure in the U.S. Home Opinion Cashless bail is not just politics, its spiritual warfare Recently, two stories broke through the noise. Two women. Two cities. Two unprovoked attacks. And two predators who never should have been walking free. Heres the hard truth no one wants to say out loud: These attacks are not random. Theyre the result of a system that shrugs off accountability, ties the hands of judges, and lets predators roam free all in the name of compassion. Bethany MaGee, 26, stepped onto a Chicago train expecting an ordinary ride home. Instead, a man she had never met doused her with a flammable liquid and set her on fire. She now faces years of surgeries and a lifetime of trauma. More than three months earlier, Iryna Zarutska, 23, boarded a light-rail car in Charlotte. Moments later she was stabbed by a man with a long history of criminality and mental health problems. Iryna had fled the war in Ukraine to rebuild her life in the United States. On August 22, 2025, she died on a train in the country she believed would protect her. Two women caught off guard. Two violent offenders the system refused to restrain. And one ideology that continues to call itself justice. The Progressive experiment that endangers everyone Cashless bail was marketed as moral progress. A fairer justice system. A more compassionate approach to crime. The rhetoric sounded noble, and many people believed it. But instead of repairing the justice system, lawmakers have only succeeded in tearing it apart. They treated consequences as oppression, accountability as cruelty, and restraint as discrimination. Reality pushed back. In a study conducted by the Data Collaborative for Justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice examining the effects of New Yorks bail reform, researchers discovered what common sense has always known: Releasing high-risk violent offenders leads to more crime. While advocates celebrated stable overall rearrest rates, they ignored the studys critical finding that bail reform tended to increase recidivism for people facing more serious charges and with recent criminal histories. Among violent felony defendants, the expanded pretrial release population contributed to 345 additional crimes in New York City. In McHenry County, Illinois, States Attorney Patrick Kenneally documented a 30 percent increase in crime by defendants on pretrial release. Whats more, court appearance rates plummeted by 280% as defendants simply stopped showing up for trial. This was predictable and preventable. This is what happens when ideological fantasy collides with the real world. The ideology behind the chaos Cashless bail emerged from a worldview shaped by neo-Marxist categories oppressor versus oppressed, structures versus individuals, sociology replacing morality. Under this belief system, more popularly known as social justice, crime becomes a symptom of poverty, not a choice rooted in human depravity; offenders are recast as victims; and accountability becomes discrimination. Make no mistake: This is spiritual warfare. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). The judges who release violent predators are not the ultimate enemy. They are simply the tools of a darker agenda one that inverts justice, calls evil good, and sacrifices the innocent on the altar of progressive ideology. When evil is explained away, it is never restrained. The victims are everywhere When a man with 72 arrests is released back into the neighborhood, his next victim is not a politician with a security detail. His next victim is an innocent young woman like Bethany MaGee. When a man with 14 arrests dating back decades and a documented history of mental illness and violence is released, hes going to feel free to go on a train and stab a young woman like Iryna Zarutska to death because he doesnt think hell ever have to suffer any real consequences for it. And so the danger spreads to the subways in New York, to the sidewalks in Seattle, to the highways in Colorado, and to homes in Los Angeles. No society that abandons its most innocent or its most vulnerable will long survive. The moral frame: Mercy without justice is cruelty Scripture is direct. Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil (Ecclesiastes 8:11). For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out Gods wrath on the wrongdoer (Romans 13:4). Government exists to restrain evil, protect the innocent, and maintain order. When it refuses to do that, it betrays the very people God calls it to protect. Removing restraint is not mercy it is neglect. And the scars on the bodies of women like Bethany and the grave of a woman like Iryna bear witness to that neglect. Two legislative responses and what they reveal Some leaders are pushing back. In Congress, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., introduced the Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act, which would cut federal funding to any jurisdiction that maintains cashless bail policies or fails to detain violent offenders pretrial. More significantly, North Carolina responded to Irynas murder by passing Irynas Law in October 2025, ending cashless bail statewide, requiring secured bonds or GPS monitoring for violent offenders, and expediting death penalty cases. The bill passed with a veto-proof majority, as 81 Republicans and Democrats voted yes and 31 voted no. And the oppositions reasoning tells you everything you need to know about the progressive mind. Democratic lawmakers condemned the bill for creating only the perception of safety, but not real safety. Critics warned that the law would increase the jail population. As if violence on the streets is a price worth paying to keep cells empty. Charlotte defense attorney Tim Emry put it like this: The state shouldnt spend millions of dollars locking people up. Translation: Better to let predators roam free than to detain them. Better that women die on trains than that dangerous men sit in cells. Better that the innocent bleed than that the guilty be restrained. This is the progressive calculus laid bare. They measure success not by how many daughters come home safe but by how few criminals face consequences. To wit: 11 North Carolina Senate Democrats walked out of the chamber before the vote rather than go on the record. Even Democrat Gov. Josh Stein, who ultimately signed the bill, couldnt resist criticizing it for focusing too much on bail instead of comprehensive background checks and common-sense gun laws. A woman was stabbed to death by a violent career criminal with 14 prior arrests and still released without bail and the governors response is gun control. This is what happens when an entire worldview is built on denying human depravity. A warning and a call Bethany should be enjoying a normal week, not healing from burns inflicted by a man the system repeatedly released. Iryna should be living out the hope she brought with her to America, not buried because a violent offender was once again set free. This is not an issue of left versus right. It is an issue of order versus chaos. Protection versus abandonment. Truth versus ideology. What can be done about it? Pastors: Preach what Scripture says about justice and the purpose of government. Your people need clarity, not slogans. Civic leaders: Stop pretending evil restrains itself. It doesnt. Voters: Justice is local. Safety is local. Accountability is local. President Trumps executive order cutting federal support for cashless bail states is a signal, but criminal pretrial policy belongs to the states. Your state legislators, judges, and prosecutors control this. And only your state can reverse the damage. Demand that your legislators restore judicial discretion. Support prosecutors who believe accountability protects communities. Vote out officials who value ideology over innocent life. Christians: Evil only wins when good men do nothing. The Gospel doesnt just save souls it transforms societies. And Gods people do not retreat. Stand up. Speak out. Vote for those who will push for laws and policies that protect the vulnerable. Do your part to defend the innocent and support crime victims and their families. Most importantly, share the hope of the Gospel and help people understand Gods good order and the principles of justice and accountability. And remember that, ultimately, the gates of Hell will not prevail. Not against the Church. Not against truth. Not against those who refuse to bow to lies dressed up as compassion. For cashless bail is not just politics; its another aspect of spiritual warfare. But, praise God, Christ has already won the victory. Originally published at the Standing for Freedom Center. For all the buzz about AIs potential to transform business, many organizations struggle to ascertain the extent to which their AI implementations are actually working. Part of this is because AI doesnt just replace a task or automate a process rather, it changes how work itself happens, often in ways that are hard to quantify. Measuring that impact means deciding what return really means, and how to connect new forms of digital labor to traditional business outcomes. Like everyone else in the world right now, were figuring it out as we go, says Agustina Branz, senior marketing manager at Source86. A model of a proposed design for a new Air Force One plane sits on the table as US President Donald Trump meets with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Store in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 24, 2025. The U.S. Air Force said on Friday the delivery of the first of two new Air Force One jets from Boeing has been delayed by another year to mid-2028, the latest in a series of delays. The latest delay risks further upsetting President Donald Trump, who said he wants to fly in the new planes before the end of his term in January 2029. The cost for Boeing's current effort to build the two new jets is over $5 billion. The current Air Force One airplanes entered service in 1990. The Air Force One program, which involves converting two 747-8 aircraft into specialized jets equipped with advanced communications and defense systems to serve as the next generation of U.S. presidential air transport, would be four years behind schedule with a 2028 delivery. Boeing said in a statement that it is making progress on the program: "Our focus is on delivering two exceptional Air Force One airplanes for the country." In 2018, Boeing received a $3.9 billion contract to build the two planes for use as Air Force One, though costs have since risen. Boeing has posted $2.4 billion in charges against earnings from the project. In May, the United States accepted a luxury Boeing 747 jetliner as a gift from Qatar. The White House asked the Air Force to rapidly upgrade the gift for use as Air Force One. The government tapped defense contractor L3Harris Technologies to overhaul the 747 from Qatar. Trump expressed his displeasure with Boeing over the delays earlier this year but ruled out European rival Airbus as an alternative. Around the same time, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who serves as an adviser to Trump, was "helping us a lot" in navigating the delivery of the presidential jet. In June, Boeing hired a former Northrop Grumman executive, Steve Sullivan, to lead the Air Force One program, according to two people briefed on the matter. Sullivan, who previously worked on key Northrop programs including the B-21 bomber, replaced Gregg Coffey, who moved to another role at the U.S. planemaker. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attends a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia September 9, 2021. Mikhail Voskresensky | Kremlin Sputnik | via Reuters Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko freed 123 prisoners on Saturday including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and leading opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava after two days of talks with an envoy for U.S. President Donald Trump. In return, the U.S. agreed to lift sanctions on Belarusian potash. Potash is a key component in fertilisers, and the former Soviet state is a leading global producer. The prisoner release was by far the biggest by Lukashenko since Trump's administration opened talks this year with the veteran authoritarian leader, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Western governments had previously shunned him because of his crushing of dissent and backing for Russia's war in Ukraine. Bialiatski says human rights struggle will go on Nine of the released prisoners left Belarus for Lithuania and 114 were taken to Ukraine, officials said. Belarusian human rights activis Ales Bialiatski speaks after he and the Belarusian human rights organization Vjasna were awarded the 2020 Right Livelihood Award in Stockholm on December 3, 2020. Anders Wiklund | Afp | Getty Images Bialiatski, co-winner of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, is a human rights campaigner who fought for years on behalf of political prisoners before becoming one himself. He had been in jail since July 2021. Visibly aged since he was last seen in public, he smiled broadly as he embraced exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on arrival at the U.S. embassy in Lithuania. Bialiatski told Reuters he had spent the previous night on a prison bunk in a room with nearly 40 people, and was still getting to grips with the idea of being free. He said the goals of the human rights struggle for which he and his fellow campaigners had won the Nobel prize had still not been realised. "Thousands of people have been and continue to be imprisoned ... So our struggle continues," he said in his first public comments in the three years since he won the award. The Norwegian Nobel Committee expressed "profound relief and heartfelt joy" at his release. Kalesnikava, a leader of mass protests against Lukashenko in 2020, was among the large group taken by bus to Ukraine. "Of course, it's a feeling of incredible happiness first of all: to see with your eyes the people who are dear to you, to hug them, and understand that now we are all free people. It's a great joy to see my first free sunset," she said in a video published by the Ukrainian Telegram channel Khochu Zhit. It showed her embracing Viktar Babaryka, an opposition politician arrested in 2020 while preparing to run against Lukashenko in an election. Babaryka said his son Eduard was still in prison in Belarus. Tatsiana Khomich, Kalesnikava's sister, told Reuters she had been worried she might refuse to leave Belarus and had been prepared to try to persuade her. "I very much look forward to hugging Maria... the last five years was very hard for us, but now I talked to her (by phone) and I feel as if the five years did not happen," she said. U.S. aims to decouple Lukashenko from Putin Author James Comey, former FBI Director, speak at the Barnes & Noble Upper West Side on May 19, 2025 in New York City. Comey sat with Esposito to discuss his career and new book "FDR DRIVE," the third of a series of fictional crime novels featuring attorney Nora Carleton. Prosecutors must return evidence seized from a key figure in the dismissed criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey, but the U.S. Department of Justice can seek a new warrant for the information, a federal judge has ruled. The ruling is at least a temporary setback for prosecutors mulling another attempt to charge Comey, one of President Donald Trump's critics whom the DOJ has sought to prosecute. A lawyer for Richman declined to comment on Saturday. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington ruled that while prosecutors must return files seized from Daniel Richman, a law professor and former attorney for Comey, a copy can be deposited with the court for safekeeping in the event that prosecutors seek a new warrant. Richman sued last month seeking to bar prosecutors from using material he alleged had been improperly seized from him during a probe in 2019 and 2020. The probe ended in 2021 with no charges. Kollar-Kotelly, whose ruling was released Friday night, wrote that it was an unreasonable seizure of Richman's property to keep a copy of Richman's files without safeguarding them against being searched without a warrant in a new investigation. However, the judge declined to block the Justice Department from using or relying on the materials in the future, saying prosecutors should be free to pursue leads based on what they learned from the files and pursue a warrant to obtain them again. Prosecutors used the files this year to build their case against Comey. The former FBI director was indicted in October on charges of making false statements and obstructing Congress in connection with his 2020 testimony about FBI officials anonymously providing information to news outlets. A federal judge last month dismissed criminal cases against Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James another of Trump's perceived political enemies after the judge determined that both indictments were secured by an unlawfully appointed U.S. attorney in Virginia's Eastern District. Todd Combs, one of Warren Buffett's handpicked investment lieutenants and a key executive at Geico, Berkshire Hathaway' s crown jewel insurance business, is leaving the conglomerate after a 15-year tenure that helped define the firm's post-Buffett transition. Combs, 54, first caught the attention of Buffett's late partner Charlie Munger, who famously recounted receiving an unsolicited letter from the former hedge fund manager. "He sent me a letter. That's how it happened," Munger said in 2011. "And at any rate, I had a meal with him, and then I called Warren and said, 'I think this is the guy you should talk to.'" Combs joined Berkshire in 2010 and spent 15 years wearing two hats helping oversee a portion of its sprawling public-equity portfolio while also running Geico, where he became chief executive in 2020. His background in financial companies was seen as a particular asset. "Todd has the advantage that he's been thinking about financial companies like Berkshire for a great many years," Munger said at the time. Berkshire announced this week that Combs is headed to JPMorgan Chase to lead a new Security and Resiliency Initiative at the nation's largest bank, to find direct equity investments in the defense, aerospace, health care and energy industries. Jamie Dimon told the Financial Times this week that JPMorgan is a "natural home" for Combs because he's sat on the bank's board for nine years. Combs finds it "unbelievably interesting to use his skills in different ways" at JPMorgan, Dimon said. Combs' exit comes as Berkshire continues to hammer out its leadership structure ahead of Buffett's departure from the CEO role at the start of the new year. The company is seemingly moving to centralize decision-making that had long been decentralized under Buffett, adding a general counsel role and creating a president overseeing consumer, service and retail businesses. 'Genuine and Authentic' In interviews over the years, Combs has described a candid relationship with the Oracle of Omaha. He recalled that Buffett challenged him early on about his preference for Mastercard over Berkshire's longtime holding American Express , as well as his view that Progressive had structural advantages over Geico. Berkshire's Geico is "better at marketing and branding, but Progressive is a data company and data is going to win in the long run," Combs told Buffett. He later acknowledged that he didn't yet understand Geico's technology stack as deeply as he does now. Combs said he never felt pressure to tell Buffett what he wanted to hear, arguing that excessive deference can distort decision-making at the top. Buffett appreciated Combs' candor, "because when you're CEO, or especially Warren or whatever, everybody kisses your ass, everybody tells you what they think you want to hear... I'm not here to agree with you. And you're not here to agree with me... So that honesty, I guess, is at least genuine and authentic," he said. Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has unveiled the final tally for her 2025 charitable donations, which totaled $7.17 billion in gifts to roughly 225 organizations, she wrote in a blog post published on Tuesday. "This dollar total will likely be reported in the news, but any dollar amount is a vanishingly tiny fraction of the personal expressions of care being shared into communities this year," Scott wrote. Scott's 2025 giving brings her total donation amount since 2019 to $26.3 billion, based on her past public announcements of her charitable giving. This year's donations went to a wide range of nonprofits including several historically Black colleges and universities, and organizations focused on issues including poverty, social injustice and climate change. Scott's updated philanthropic tally puts her behind only fellow billionaires Warren Buffett and Bill Gates in terms of lifetime giving, according to Forbes. Forbes still estimates a $29.9 billion net worth for Scott, who became one of the world's wealthiest women following her 2019 divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. DON'T MISS: The ultimate guide to teaching your kids about money Following her divorce, Scott signed The Giving Pledge, committing to giving away the bulk of her wealth in her lifetime. She tasked a team of advisors with helping her step up her philanthropic giving by identifying "organizations with strong leadership teams and results" across a wide range of areas of societal need, she wrote in a 2020 blog post. Specifically, she wanted to pay "special attention to those operating in communities facing high projected food insecurity, high measures of racial inequity, high local poverty rates and low access to philanthropic capital," she wrote. In her Tuesday essay, Scott wrote about putting her giving into perspective, citing data from Giving USA, which reported in June that Americans donated more than $590 billion in charitable giving in 2024. Much of the country's philanthropy whether monetary or otherwise happens on a relatively small scale, Scott wrote. "Over 70% of Americans reported giving both labor and money to people they know, and half reported doing the same for strangers," wrote Scott, adding: "It's easy to focus on the methods of civic participation that make news, and hard to imagine the importance of the things we do each day with our own minds and hearts." Scott mentioned multiple examples of generosity she received before she became wealthy, helping inspire her more recent philanthropy. She wrote about a "local dentist who offered me free dental work when he saw me securing a broken tooth with denture glue in college," and her college roommate at Princeton University "who found me crying, and acted on her urge to loan me a thousand dollars to keep me from having to drop out in my sophomore year." That roommate, Jeannie Ringo Tarkenton, went on to found Funding U, a student lender that offers loans to low-income students without requiring a co-signer, Scott noted. Scott highlighted those examples while encouraging civic participation in myriad forms, from financial gifts to random acts of kindness: "Respect, understanding, insight, empathy, forgiveness, inspiration all of these are meaningful contributions to others." Scott's blog post did not break down how or why she chose any of the hundreds of organizations she supported in 2025. A long-standing aspect of her giving does stand out in contrast to many other billionaire philanthropists: Her donations typically come without any strings, meaning organizations are free to use the money however they see fit. Her goal has been to "de-emphasize privileged voices" like her own, "and cede focus to others," she wrote in a 2021 blog post. "People struggling against inequities deserve center stage in stories about change they are creating," Scott wrote in that post. "This is equally perhaps especially true when their work is funded by wealth." 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. Two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in Syria on Saturday by a suspected Islamic State attacker who targeted a convoy of American and Syrian forces before being shot dead, the U.S. military said. The attack was barely a month after Syria announced it had signed a political cooperation agreement with the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State, which coincided with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to the White House. The attacker was a member of the Syrian security forces, three local officials told Reuters. A Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson told a state-run television channel that the man did not have a leadership role in the security forces. "On December 10, an evaluation was issued indicating that this attacker might hold extremist ideas, and a decision regarding him was due to be issued tomorrow, on Sunday," the spokesperson, Noureddine el-Baba, told Syrian television channel Al-Ikhbariya. In a post on his Truth Social platform, U.S. President Donald Trump vowed "very serious retaliation," mourning the loss of "three great patriots". He described the incident in remarks to reporters as a "terrible" attack. Neal Mohan, the CEO of YouTube speaks during a panel for the Summit for Democracy on March 30, 2023 in Washington, DC. YouTube's CEO Neal Mohan is the latest in a line of tech bosses who have admitted to limiting their children's social media use, as the harms of being online for young people have become more evident. Mohan, who took the helm of YouTube's leadership in 2023, was just named Time's 2025 CEO of the Year. He said in an interview with the magazine that his children's use of media platforms is controlled and restricted. "We do limit their time on YouTube and other platforms and other forms of media. On weekdays we tend to be more strict, on weekends we tend to be less so. We're not perfect by any stretch," Mohan said in one TikTok video posted by Time Magazine on Thursday. He stressed "everything in moderation" is what works best for him and his wife, and that extends to other online services and platforms. Mohan has three children: two sons and one daughter. Experts have continued to sound the alarm on how excessive smartphones and social media use has harmed children and teenagers. Jonathan Haidt, NYU professor and author of "The Anxious Generation," has advocated for children to not have smartphones before the age of 14 and no access to social media before the age of 16. "Let them have a flip phone, but remember, a smartphone isn't really a phone. They could make phone calls on it, but it's a multi-purpose device by which the world can get to your children," Haidt said in an interview with CNBC's Tania Bryer earlier this year. This week, Australia became the first country to formally bar users under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms. 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. Mohan said in a more extensive interview with Time on Wednesday that he feels a "paramount responsibility" to young people and giving parents greater control over how their kids use the platform. YouTube Kids was launched in 2015 as a child-friendly version of the Google-owned platform. He said his goal is "to make it easy for all parents" to manage their children's YouTube use "in a way that is suitable to their household," especially as every parent has a different approach. Asian Television Network International Limited (CVE:SAT Get Free Report) was down 38.5% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as C$0.02 and last traded at C$0.04. Approximately 204,000 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 903% from the average daily volume of 20,335 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.07. Asian Television Network International Stock Down 38.5% The stocks 50 day moving average is C$0.07 and its 200 day moving average is C$0.09. The company has a market capitalization of C$976,120.00, a PE ratio of -0.36 and a beta of 1.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10,844.68, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a current ratio of 0.59. Asian Television Network International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Asian Television Network International Limited engages in the specialty, pay television broadcasting, and advertising primarily for the south Asian community in Canada. It operates premium pay specialty television channels in 9 languages. The company provides its flagship ATN-HD general interest service; and various Bollywood movie channels with approximately 100 movies a month, as well as various channels that include sports, news, music, lifestyle, spiritual, and regional language channels. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Asian Television Network International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Asian Television Network International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Commercial Metals Company (NYSE:CMC Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $69.25 and last traded at $69.4920, with a volume of 657710 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $66.18. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on CMC shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Commercial Metals from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the company from $64.00 to $78.00 in a report on Friday, December 5th. Jefferies Financial Group raised Commercial Metals from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the stock from $70.00 to $78.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Commercial Metals from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, September 15th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Commercial Metals from $64.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Citigroup upgraded shares of Commercial Metals from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $60.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Friday, October 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Commercial Metals currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $66.40. Get Commercial Metals alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Commercial Metals Commercial Metals Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 2.03 and a current ratio of 2.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.83 billion, a PE ratio of 92.76, a P/E/G ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.49. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $60.74 and a 200-day moving average of $56.06. Commercial Metals (NYSE:CMC Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The basic materials company reported $1.37 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.05. Commercial Metals had a net margin of 1.09% and a return on equity of 8.76%. The firm had revenue of $2.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.10 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.90 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Commercial Metals Company will post 3.09 earnings per share for the current year. Commercial Metals Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 13th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 30th were paid a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 30th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. Commercial Metalss payout ratio is presently 94.74%. Insider Activity at Commercial Metals In other Commercial Metals news, Director John R. Mcpherson purchased 1,722 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, October 20th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $58.09 per share, with a total value of $100,030.98. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 6,722 shares of the companys stock, valued at $390,480.98. This trade represents a 34.44% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.62% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Commercial Metals Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Commercial Metals by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,270,373 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $359,167,000 after acquiring an additional 161,195 shares in the last quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Commercial Metals by 14.9% in the 1st quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,161,292 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $191,461,000 after acquiring an additional 539,309 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners boosted its holdings in shares of Commercial Metals by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,641,930 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $208,629,000 after buying an additional 67,139 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in Commercial Metals by 10.0% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 3,193,930 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $156,215,000 after acquiring an additional 290,256 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in Commercial Metals by 6.6% in the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,823,923 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $104,474,000 after acquiring an additional 112,267 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.90% of the companys stock. About Commercial Metals (Get Free Report) Commercial Metals Company manufactures, recycles, and fabricates steel and metal products, and related materials and services in the United States, Poland, China, and internationally. It operates through two segments, North America and Europe. The company processes and sells ferrous and nonferrous scrap metals to steel mills and foundries, aluminum sheet and ingot manufacturers, brass and bronze ingot makers, copper refineries and mills, secondary lead smelters, specialty steel mills, high temperature alloy manufacturers, and other consumers. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Commercial Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Commercial Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW Get Free Report) and Mativ (NYSE:MATV Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, risk, valuation, institutional ownership and earnings. Volatility & Risk Sherwin-Williams has a beta of 1.24, meaning that its stock price is 24% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Mativ has a beta of 0.86, meaning that its stock price is 14% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get Sherwin-Williams alerts: Institutional & Insider Ownership 77.7% of Sherwin-Williams shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 95.0% of Mativ shares are held by institutional investors. 0.6% of Sherwin-Williams shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.0% of Mativ shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Valuation and Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Sherwin-Williams $23.10 billion 3.53 $2.68 billion $10.25 32.06 Mativ $1.98 billion 0.35 -$48.70 million ($8.03) -1.57 This table compares Sherwin-Williams and Mativs revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Sherwin-Williams has higher revenue and earnings than Mativ. Mativ is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Sherwin-Williams, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Sherwin-Williams and Mativ, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Sherwin-Williams 0 5 10 1 2.75 Mativ 1 1 1 0 2.00 Sherwin-Williams currently has a consensus price target of $390.87, suggesting a potential upside of 18.94%. Mativ has a consensus price target of $10.00, suggesting a potential downside of 20.87%. Given Sherwin-Williams stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Sherwin-Williams is more favorable than Mativ. Profitability This table compares Sherwin-Williams and Mativs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Sherwin-Williams 11.05% 66.75% 11.37% Mativ -22.03% 7.06% 1.73% Dividends Sherwin-Williams pays an annual dividend of $3.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. Mativ pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. Sherwin-Williams pays out 30.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Mativ pays out -5.0% 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. Sherwin-Williams has raised its dividend for 48 consecutive years and Mativ has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Mativ is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Summary Sherwin-Williams beats Mativ on 14 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks. About Sherwin-Williams (Get Free Report) The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coating, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. It operates through three segments: Paint Stores Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group. The Paint Stores Group segment offers architectural paints and coatings, and protective and marine products, as well as OEM product finishes and related products for architectural and industrial paint contractors, and do-it-yourself homeowners. The Consumer Brands Group segment supplies a portfolio of branded and private-label architectural paints, stains, varnishes, industrial products, wood finishes products, wood preservatives, applicators, corrosion inhibitors, aerosols, caulks, and adhesives to retailers, including home centers and hardware stores, and dedicated dealers and distributors. The Performance Coatings Group segment develops and sells industrial coatings for wood finishing and general industrial applications, automotive refinish products, protective and marine coatings, coil coatings, packaging coatings, and performance-based resins and colorants. It serves retailers, dealers, jobbers, licensees, and other third-party distributors through its branches and direct sales staff, as well as through outside sales representatives. The company has operations primarily in the North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The Sherwin-Williams Company was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. About Mativ (Get Free Report) Mativ Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells specialty materials in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, the Americas, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Advanced Technical Materials and Fiber-Based Solutions. The Advanced Technical Materials manufactures and sells various engineered polymer, resin and fiber-based substrates, nets, films, adhesive tapes, and other nonwovens for the filtration, protective solutions, release liners, and healthcare end-markets. This segment sells its products directly, as well as through sales agents and distributors. The Fiber-Based Solutions segment produces packaging and specialty paper products. This segment provides premium packaging products that are used for wine, spirits and beer labels, folding cartons, box wrap, bags, hang tags, and stored value cards servicing retail, cosmetics, spirits, and electronics end-use markets; and premium papers, which are used in commercial printing services, advertising collateral, stationery, corporate identity packages and brochures, direct mail, business cards, and other uses. It also offers branded paper-based products for the consumer channel, such as bright papers, cardstock, stationery paper, envelopes, journals, and planners. This segment distributes its products through authorized paper distributors, converters, retailers, and specialty business converters, as well as directly to end-users. The company was formerly known as Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. and changed its name to Mativ Holdings, Inc. in July 2022. Mativ Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia. Receive News & Ratings for Sherwin-Williams Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sherwin-Williams and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Free Report) had its target price raised by Argus from $25.00 to $30.00 in a report published on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. Argus currently has a buy rating on the technology companys stock. Several other research firms have also commented on HPE. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted 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. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $26.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. They issued a market perform rating and a $24.00 price objective for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and fourteen have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $25.53. Get Hewlett Packard Enterprise alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise Trading Down 3.3% Shares of NYSE HPE opened at $23.73 on Wednesday. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a 1-year low of $11.97 and a 1-year high of $26.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.01 and a quick ratio of 0.76. The businesss 50 day moving average is $23.28 and its two-hundred day moving average is $21.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $31.30 billion, a P/E ratio of -395.35, a PEG ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.34. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 4th. The technology company reported $0.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $9.68 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.91 billion. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a return on equity of 9.15% and a net margin of 0.17%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.58 EPS. 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, research analysts expect that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will post 1.85 EPS for the current year. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Investors of record on Friday, December 19th will be issued a $0.1425 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 19th. This is a positive change from Hewlett Packard Enterprises previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. This represents a $0.57 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Hewlett Packard Enterprises dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -866.67%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Director Jean M. Hobby sold 29,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.79, for a total transaction of $689,910.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 32,279 shares in the company, valued at approximately $767,917.41. This trade represents a 47.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP John F. Schultz sold 148,501 shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.99, for a total value of $3,711,039.99. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 248,091 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,199,794.09. The trade was a 37.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 390,425 shares of company stock valued at $9,455,299 over the last 90 days. 0.36% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hewlett Packard Enterprise Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. TFC Financial Management Inc. increased its holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 2,694.4% during the third quarter. TFC Financial Management Inc. now owns 1,006 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 970 shares during the period. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 176.7% in the 3rd quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,043 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 666 shares during the period. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new stake in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise during the 1st quarter worth $27,000. Finally, CVA Family Office LLC lifted its stake in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 126.7% during the 2nd quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 1,437 shares of the technology companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 803 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.78% of the companys stock. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. It operates in six segments: Compute, HPC & AI, Storage, Intelligent Edge, Financial Services, and Corporate Investments and Other. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares International High Yield Bond ETF (BATS:HYXU Get Free Report) shares shot up 0% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $54.94 and last traded at $54.9152. 10,193 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 62% from the average session volume of 6,275 shares. The stock had previously closed at $54.90. iShares International High Yield Bond ETF Trading Up 0.0% The businesss 50-day moving average is $54.86 and its 200-day moving average is $54.73. iShares International High Yield Bond ETF Company Profile (Get Free Report) The iShares International High Yield Bond ETF (HYXU) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value-weighted index comprised of high yield bonds from developed markets ex-US Dollar. HYXU was launched on Apr 3, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares International High Yield Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares International High Yield Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BARK, Inc. (NYSE:BARK Get Free Report) Director Jim Mcginty sold 60,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $0.63, for a total value of $37,800.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 439,384 shares in the company, valued at $276,811.92. The trade was a 12.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. BARK Trading Down 1.8% NYSE BARK traded down $0.01 during trading on Friday, reaching $0.66. 495,054 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 998,073. BARK, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $0.63 and a fifty-two week high of $2.32. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $0.77 and its 200-day simple moving average is $0.86. The firm has a market capitalization of $113.97 million, a PE ratio of -3.32 and a beta of 1.89. Get BARK alerts: BARK (NYSE:BARK Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The company reported ($0.03) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.01) by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $106.97 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $103.57 million. BARK had a negative return on equity of 23.45% and a negative net margin of 7.81%. Equities analysts forecast that BARK, Inc. will post -0.09 EPS for the current fiscal year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on BARK shares. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of BARK from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of BARK in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, BARK presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $2.63. Read Our Latest Analysis on BARK Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Virtu Financial LLC lifted its stake in shares of BARK by 71.5% in the 1st quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 76,226 shares of the companys stock valued at $106,000 after purchasing an additional 31,786 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC bought a new position in BARK during the first quarter valued at about $589,000. EntryPoint Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of BARK by 48.4% in the first quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC now owns 191,930 shares of the companys stock worth $267,000 after buying an additional 62,571 shares during the last quarter. State of Wyoming acquired a new stake in shares of BARK in the first quarter worth about $176,000. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of BARK by 627.8% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 154,257 shares of the companys stock worth $214,000 after acquiring an additional 133,061 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 28.76% of the companys stock. BARK Company Profile (Get Free Report) BARK Inc, a dog-centric company, provides products, services, and content for dogs. It operates in two segments, Direct to Consumer and Commerce. The company serves dogs through monthly subscription services. It is also involved in the design of playstyle-specific toys, satisfying treats, personal meal plans with supplements, and dog-first experiences designed to foster health and happiness of dogs everywhere. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for BARK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BARK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:BBSC Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $77.78 and last traded at $77.4460, with a volume of 2888 shares. The stock had previously closed at $76.20. JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF Stock Down 1.6% The company has a market cap of $600.58 million, a P/E ratio of 18.09 and a beta of 1.14. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $74.59 and a 200 day moving average price of $70.94. Get JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its stake in shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF by 650.0% in the first quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 435 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 377 shares during the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its position in JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF by 27.8% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,048 shares of the companys stock worth $63,000 after purchasing an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its holdings in JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF by 116.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,251 shares of the companys stock worth $149,000 after buying an additional 1,212 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MGO One Seven LLC acquired a new position in JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $272,000. About JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF The JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF (BBSC) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in small-cap stocks. The fund tracks a market-cap-weighted index of US small cap companies. BBSC was launched on Nov 16, 2020 and is managed by JPMorgan Chase. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MediaAlpha, Inc. (NYSE:MAX Get Free Report) CTO Kuanling Amy Yeh sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.16, for a total value of $39,480.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief technology officer directly owned 399,662 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,259,551.92. This represents a 0.75% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Kuanling Amy Yeh also recently made the following trade(s): Get MediaAlpha alerts: On Wednesday, December 10th, Kuanling Amy Yeh sold 12,000 shares of MediaAlpha stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.49, for a total value of $161,880.00. MediaAlpha Stock Performance Shares of NYSE MAX traded down $0.09 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $13.00. 715,235 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 530,272. MediaAlpha, Inc. has a 12 month low of $7.33 and a 12 month high of $13.92. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $12.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is $11.34. The firm has a market cap of $847.01 million, a PE ratio of -433.09 and a beta of 1.21. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In MediaAlpha ( NYSE:MAX Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.21 by $0.05. MediaAlpha had a negative net margin of 0.10% and a negative return on equity of 71.02%. The business had revenue of $306.51 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $283.30 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.17 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 18.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that MediaAlpha, Inc. will post 0.48 EPS for the current year. A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on shares of MediaAlpha from $18.00 to $19.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Zacks Research raised MediaAlpha from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of MediaAlpha in a research note on Monday. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $13.50 target price on MediaAlpha in a report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on MediaAlpha from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $17.25. Get Our Latest Stock Report on MediaAlpha Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of MediaAlpha by 18.1% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 557,796 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,154,000 after acquiring an additional 85,581 shares during the period. Divisadero Street Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in MediaAlpha in the second quarter worth about $952,000. Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its holdings in MediaAlpha by 21.7% during the 1st quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 50,406 shares of the companys stock worth $472,000 after purchasing an additional 8,981 shares during the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC acquired a new position in MediaAlpha during the 2nd quarter valued at about $895,000. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in MediaAlpha during the 1st quarter valued at about $4,675,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.39% of the companys stock. About MediaAlpha (Get Free Report) MediaAlpha, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates an insurance customer acquisition platform in the United States. It optimizes customer acquisition in various verticals of property and casualty insurance, health insurance, and life insurance. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Read More Receive News & Ratings for MediaAlpha Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MediaAlpha and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MHK Get Free Report) insider Suzanne Helen sold 1,150 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.37, for a total transaction of $126,925.50. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 77,093 shares in the company, valued at $8,508,754.41. This trade represents a 1.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Mohawk Industries Stock Down 0.1% Mohawk Industries stock traded down $0.16 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $112.50. The stock had a trading volume of 876,496 shares, compared to its average volume of 807,855. Mohawk Industries, Inc. has a 12-month low of $96.24 and a 12-month high of $143.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.23. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $115.56 and its 200-day moving average price is $117.09. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 2.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. Get Mohawk Industries alerts: Mohawk Industries (NYSE:MHK Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The company reported $2.67 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.68 by ($0.01). Mohawk Industries had a net margin of 3.93% and a return on equity of 6.97%. The business had revenue of $2.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.73 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.90 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. Mohawk Industries has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.900-2.000 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Mohawk Industries, Inc. will post 9.8 EPS for the current fiscal year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In MHK has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Barclays set a $121.00 price objective on Mohawk Industries in a report on Monday. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Mohawk Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, December 6th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Mohawk Industries from $130.00 to $125.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Vertical Research initiated coverage on shares of Mohawk Industries in a report on Monday, October 20th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Raymond James Financial reiterated a strong-buy rating and set a $150.00 target price (up from $140.00) on shares of Mohawk Industries in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $137.54. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on MHK Institutional Investors Weigh In On Mohawk Industries Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of MHK. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in Mohawk Industries during the third quarter valued at $25,000. MTM Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Mohawk Industries in the second quarter worth about $28,000. Quent Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Mohawk Industries during the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Brooklyn Investment Group lifted its position in shares of Mohawk Industries by 2,506.3% during the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 417 shares of the companys stock valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 401 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SJS Investment Consulting Inc. grew its stake in shares of Mohawk Industries by 5,385.7% during the 3rd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 384 shares of the companys stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 377 shares during the period. 78.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Mohawk Industries Company Profile (Get Free Report) Mohawk Industries, Inc designs, manufactures, sources, distributes, and markets flooring products for residential and commercial remodeling, and new construction channels in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Global Ceramic, Flooring North America, and Flooring Rest of the World. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Mohawk Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mohawk Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Panasonic Holdings Co. (OTCMKTS:PCRFY Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 1.3% on Friday . The company traded as low as $9.2150 and last traded at $9.36. 100 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 100% from the average session volume of 248,305 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.48. Panasonic Stock Performance The stocks 50-day moving average price is $9.36 and its 200-day moving average price is $9.36. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The company has a market capitalization of $21.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.08, a P/E/G ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.03. Panasonic Company Profile (Get Free Report) Panasonic Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, research, develops, manufactures, sells, and services various electrical and electronic products worldwide. It operates through five segments: Lifestyle, Automotive, Connect, Industry, and Energy. The Lifestyle segment offers refrigerators, microwave ovens, rice cookers, washing machines, lighting fixtures, vacuum cleaners, air-conditioners, air to water heat pump system, air purifiers/sterilizers, and freezing or refrigerating showcases, as well as ventilation and perflation equipment. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Panasonic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Panasonic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dole (NYSE:DOLE Get Free Report) is one of 38 publicly-traded companies in the AGRI OPERATIONS industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare Dole to related companies based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, dividends, earnings, valuation and profitability. Dividends Dole pays an annual dividend of $0.34 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Dole pays out 226.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, AGRI OPERATIONS companies pay a dividend yield of 3.3% and pay out -99.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Dole has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Dole lags its rivals as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio. Get Dole alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent ratings for Dole and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Dole 0 2 0 0 2.00 Dole Competitors 431 807 1019 38 2.29 Profitability Dole currently has a consensus price target of $16.00, suggesting a potential upside of 3.53%. As a group, AGRI OPERATIONS companies have a potential upside of 39.99%. Given Doles rivals stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Dole has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals. This table compares Dole and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Dole 0.17% 7.98% 2.56% Dole Competitors -292.89% -84.08% -18.63% Valuation & Earnings This table compares Dole and its rivals gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Dole $8.48 billion $125.51 million 103.03 Dole Competitors $4.95 billion $103.81 million 3.45 Dole has higher revenue and earnings than its rivals. Dole is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry. Institutional & Insider Ownership 41.7% of shares of all AGRI OPERATIONS companies are held by institutional investors. 41.8% of Dole shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 11.6% of shares of all AGRI OPERATIONS companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Risk and Volatility Dole has a beta of 0.64, meaning that its stock price is 36% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Doles rivals have a beta of 0.80, meaning that their average stock price is 20% less volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Dole rivals beat Dole on 8 of the 15 factors compared. About Dole (Get Free Report) Dole Food Company, Inc. (Dole) is a producer, marketer and distributor of fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. The Company is a producer of bananas and pineapples, and packaged fruit products, packaged salads and fresh-packed vegetables. The Company has three business segments: fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and packaged foods. The fresh fruit segment contains operating divisions that produce and market fresh fruit to wholesale, retail and institutional customers worldwide. The fresh vegetables segment produces and markets fresh-packed and value-added vegetables and salads to wholesale, retail and institutional customers, primarily in North America and Europe. The packaged foods segment contains several operating divisions that produce and market packaged foods, including fruit, juices, frozen fruit and healthy snack foods. In November 2013, Dole Food Company, Inc announced that an investor group acquired the remaining 60.43% interest in the Company. Receive News & Ratings for Dole Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dole and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW Get Free Report) dropped 2.8% during trading on Wednesday following insider selling activity. The stock traded as low as $216.00 and last traded at $216.26. Approximately 9,089,855 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 73% from the average daily volume of 5,267,033 shares. The stock had previously closed at $222.60. Specifically, Director Frank Slootman sold 1,993 shares of Snowflake stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.31, for a total value of $445,056.83. Following the sale, the director owned 150,456 shares of the companys stock, valued at $33,598,329.36. The trade was a 1.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Christian Kleinerman sold 548 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.31, for a total value of $122,373.88. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 510,435 shares in the company, valued at $113,985,239.85. This represents a 0.11% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In other Snowflake news, Director Michael L. Speiser sold 50,338 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $230.65, for a total transaction of $11,610,459.70. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 32,756 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,555,171.40. This represents a 60.58% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Get Snowflake alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have commented on SNOW. JMP Securities raised their price target on Snowflake from $283.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Snowflake from $272.00 to $299.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. BTIG Research reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $312.00 price target on shares of Snowflake in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Snowflake from $275.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating and set a $285.00 price objective on shares of Snowflake in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-five have assigned a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $274.78. Snowflake Trading Down 1.2% The firm has a market cap of $73.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -53.95 and a beta of 1.09. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $250.24 and its 200-day moving average price is $227.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a current ratio of 1.37. Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, December 3rd. The company reported $0.35 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.31 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $1.21 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.18 billion. Snowflake had a negative net margin of 30.76% and a negative return on equity of 45.91%. Snowflakes quarterly revenue was up 28.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.20 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Snowflake Inc. will post -2.36 EPS for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of SNOW. Berkshire Capital Holdings Inc. lifted its position in shares of Snowflake by 71,500.0% in the first quarter. Berkshire Capital Holdings Inc. now owns 7,160 shares of the companys stock worth $1,047,000 after purchasing an additional 7,150 shares in the last quarter. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd acquired a new position in Snowflake in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $6,845,000. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC acquired a new position in Snowflake in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $3,900,134,000. Bank of Hawaii purchased a new stake in Snowflake in the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,019,000. Finally, Goldstream Capital Management Ltd purchased a new stake in Snowflake in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,801,000. 65.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. 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. Further Reading 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. SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:SPEU Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $51.36 and last traded at $51.4650, with a volume of 35686 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $50.83. SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF Stock Down 0.7% The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $50.37 and its 200 day simple moving average is $49.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $726.71 million, a PE ratio of 16.86 and a beta of 0.94. Get SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Garde Capital Inc. increased its position in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF by 28.8% in the second quarter. Garde Capital Inc. now owns 993 shares of the companys stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 222 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. grew its stake in shares of SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 37,358 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,810,000 after acquiring an additional 285 shares during the period. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC increased its holdings in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF by 45.8% in the 2nd quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC now owns 917 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 288 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada increased its holdings in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF by 8.9% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 5,325 shares of the companys stock worth $234,000 after acquiring an additional 437 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sargent Investment Group LLC raised its stake in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF by 6.1% during the 3rd quarter. Sargent Investment Group LLC now owns 10,435 shares of the companys stock worth $520,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares during the period. SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF Company Profile The SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (SPEU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the STOXX Europe TMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of Western European companies across the market-cap spectrum. SPEU was launched on Oct 15, 2002 and is managed by State Street. See Also Receive News & Ratings for SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hook Mill Capital Partners LP purchased a new stake in Birkenstock Holding PLC (NYSE:BIRK Free Report) during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm purchased 450,357 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $22,149,000. Birkenstock comprises 2.2% of Hook Mill Capital Partners LPs portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest holding. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of Birkenstock by 34.5% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 908 shares of the companys stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 233 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Birkenstock by 61.0% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 1,288 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 488 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Birkenstock by 3,131.3% in the 2nd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 2,068 shares of the companys stock worth $102,000 after acquiring an additional 2,004 shares in the last quarter. Amalgamated Bank grew its position in Birkenstock by 26.8% during the 2nd quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 2,632 shares of the companys stock worth $129,000 after acquiring an additional 556 shares during the last quarter. Finally, California State Teachers Retirement System increased its holdings in Birkenstock by 67.3% during the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 3,358 shares of the companys stock valued at $165,000 after purchasing an additional 1,351 shares in the last quarter. 19.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Birkenstock alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently weighed in on BIRK shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Birkenstock from $81.00 to $66.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 19th. Guggenheim upgraded shares of Birkenstock to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an outperform rating and issued a $70.00 price target on shares of Birkenstock in a report on Friday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Birkenstock in a report on Monday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Birkenstock has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $68.38. Birkenstock Trading Up 1.1% NYSE BIRK opened at $45.51 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.78, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. Birkenstock Holding PLC has a 12 month low of $38.16 and a 12 month high of $62.66. The company has a market capitalization of $8.55 billion, a PE ratio of 25.28, a P/E/G ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.14. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $41.96 and a 200 day simple moving average of $47.19. About Birkenstock (Free Report) Birkenstock Holding plc manufactures and sells footwear products. It also offers sandals, shoes, closed-toe silhouettes, skincare products, and accessories. The company sells its products through e-commerce sites and a network of owned retail stores, as well as business-to-business channels. It operates in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Europe, APMA, and internationally. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BIRK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Birkenstock Holding PLC (NYSE:BIRK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Birkenstock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Birkenstock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. G2 Investment Partners Management LLC bought a new stake in Hippo Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HIPO Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund bought 59,900 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,673,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in HIPO. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey lifted its holdings in shares of Hippo by 12.2% during the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 4,481 shares of the companys stock worth $125,000 after acquiring an additional 489 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in Hippo during the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in Hippo by 8.3% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 16,193 shares of the companys stock valued at $414,000 after purchasing an additional 1,236 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Hippo by 1.0% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 154,130 shares of the companys stock worth $3,940,000 after purchasing an additional 1,466 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Hippo by 6.3% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 43,417 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,213,000 after purchasing an additional 2,588 shares in the last quarter. 43.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Hippo alerts: Hippo Stock Performance Hippo stock opened at $31.17 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $33.84 and a 200-day moving average of $31.42. The company has a market capitalization of $789.64 million, a P/E ratio of 8.61 and a beta of 1.57. Hippo Holdings Inc. has a 1 year low of $19.92 and a 1 year high of $38.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.94. Analysts Set New Price Targets Hippo ( NYSE:HIPO Get Free Report ) last posted 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 net margin of 21.30% and a negative return on equity of 5.89%. The business had revenue of $120.60 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $117.75 million. On average, equities research analysts predict that Hippo Holdings Inc. will post -3.63 earnings per share for the current year. HIPO has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. JMP Securities set a $45.00 price target on Hippo and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Zacks Research raised shares of Hippo from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on shares of Hippo from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Hippo in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Citigroup reissued an outperform rating on shares of Hippo in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $37.50. Get Our Latest Report on HIPO Insider Buying and Selling at Hippo In other Hippo news, CEO Richard Mccathron sold 5,000 shares of Hippo stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.82, for a total transaction of $149,100.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 452,704 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,499,633.28. The trade was a 1.09% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Guy Zeltser sold 1,819 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,214,537.60. The trade was a 2.57% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders sold 11,996 shares of company stock worth $401,633. 10.80% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. About Hippo (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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HIPO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Hippo Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HIPO Free Report). 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. Alstom ADR (OTCMKTS:ALSMY Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $2.77 and last traded at $2.77, with a volume of 12618 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $2.73. Analysts Set New Price Targets ALSMY has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Barclays reaffirmed an underweight rating on shares of Alstom in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of Alstom in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Finally, Citigroup upgraded shares of Alstom from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold. Get Alstom alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Alstom Alstom Price Performance Alstom Company Profile The stock has a fifty day moving average of $2.55 and a two-hundred day moving average of $2.41. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. (Get Free Report) Alstom SA provides solutions for rail transport industry in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Pacific, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. The company offers rolling stock solutions comprising people movers and monorails, light rails, metros, commuter trains, regional trains, high-speed trains, and locomotives; asset optimization, cybersecurity, connectivity, digital passenger, and security and city mobility solutions; and signaling products, such as urban, mainline, and freight and mining signaling. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Alstom Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alstom and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Arc Resources Ltd. (OTCMKTS:AETUF Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the nine research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. AETUF has been the topic of a number of research reports. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Arc Resources in a report on Monday, September 15th. Wall Street Zen lowered Arc Resources from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, August 18th. UBS Group downgraded Arc Resources from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Friday. Capital One Financial raised Arc Resources to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Scotiabank downgraded Arc Resources from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Get Arc Resources alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on AETUF Arc Resources Trading Down 1.3% AETUF stock opened at $18.83 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.54 and a quick ratio of 0.53. Arc Resources has a 1-year low of $15.05 and a 1-year high of $23.86. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $18.22 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $19.32. The company has a market capitalization of $10.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.14, a PEG ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 0.29. Arc Resources (OTCMKTS:AETUF Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The energy company reported $0.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.41 by ($0.14). Arc Resources had a net margin of 25.94% and a return on equity of 16.90%. The company had revenue of $889.86 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.05 billion. Research analysts anticipate that Arc Resources will post 2.23 EPS for the current fiscal year. Arc Resources Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 30th were paid a dividend of $0.1376 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 29th. This represents a yield of 306.0%. Arc Resourcess dividend payout ratio is presently 32.54%. About Arc Resources (Get Free Report) ARC Resources Ltd. engages in the acquiring and developing crude oil, natural gas, condensate, and natural gas liquids in Canada. It primarily holds interests in the Montney basin located in Alberta and northeast British Columbia. ARC Resources Ltd. was founded in 1996 and is based in Calgary, Canada. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Arc Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arc Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banque Transatlantique SA increased its holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP Free Report) (TSE:CP) by 127.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 174,723 shares of the transportation companys stock after purchasing an additional 97,964 shares during the period. Banque Transatlantique SAs holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City were worth $13,864,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Blue Capital Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the second quarter valued at approximately $640,000. Bank of America Corp DE grew its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 2.0% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 5,298,525 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $420,014,000 after acquiring an additional 103,905 shares in the last quarter. Alkeon Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 82.2% in the 2nd quarter. Alkeon Capital Management LLC now owns 2,004,000 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $158,857,000 after acquiring an additional 904,000 shares during the last quarter. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City in the 2nd quarter worth $692,000. Finally, Banco BTG Pactual S.A. bought a new position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the 2nd quarter valued at about $491,000. 72.20% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Canadian Pacific Kansas City alerts: Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stock Performance NYSE:CP opened at $75.11 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $67.39 billion, a PE ratio of 22.90, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.11. The stocks fifty day moving average is $73.28 and its 200 day moving average is $76.07. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a fifty-two week low of $66.49 and a fifty-two week high of $83.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.63. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Increases Dividend Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( NYSE:CP Get Free Report ) (TSE:CP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The transportation company reported $0.80 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by ($0.01). Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a net margin of 28.41% and a return on equity of 8.79%. The firm had revenue of $2.62 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.71 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.99 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 3.42 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 26th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.228 per share. This represents a $0.91 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 31st. This is a positive change from Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys payout ratio is currently 20.12%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have recently issued reports on CP. Jefferies Financial Group set a $90.00 target price on Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Citigroup cut their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $90.00 to $88.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 13th. Morgan Stanley raised Canadian Pacific Kansas City from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Monday. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $88.00 to $87.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Canadian Pacific Kansas City currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $91.69. Read Our Latest Research Report on Canadian Pacific Kansas City Canadian Pacific Kansas City Profile (Free Report) Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; merchandise freight, such as forest products, energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals, consumer products, and automotive; and intermodal traffic comprising retail goods in overseas containers. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Boothbay Fund Management LLC lowered its stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH Free Report) by 22.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 14,018 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 3,975 shares during the quarter. Boothbay Fund Management LLCs holdings in Parker-Hannifin were worth $9,791,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in PH. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Saudi Central Bank purchased a new position in Parker-Hannifin in the first quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Interchange Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in Parker-Hannifin during the second quarter valued at $31,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC increased its position in Parker-Hannifin by 56.1% in the second quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 64 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sagard Holdings Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin in the second quarter valued at $46,000. Institutional investors own 82.44% of the companys stock. Get Parker-Hannifin alerts: Parker-Hannifin Stock Performance Parker-Hannifin stock opened at $884.58 on Friday. Parker-Hannifin Corporation has a 1-year low of $488.45 and a 1-year high of $908.35. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The firm has a market capitalization of $111.63 billion, a PE ratio of 31.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.13 and a beta of 1.25. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $807.88 and its 200 day simple moving average is $750.56. Parker-Hannifin Announces Dividend Parker-Hannifin ( NYSE:PH Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $7.22 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.62 by $0.60. The firm had revenue of $5.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.94 billion. Parker-Hannifin had a net margin of 18.17% and a return on equity of 27.23%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $6.20 EPS. Parker-Hannifin has set its FY 2026 guidance at 29.600-30.400 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 29.600-30.400 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Parker-Hannifin Corporation will post 26.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th were paid a $1.80 dividend. This represents a $7.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. Parker-Hannifins dividend payout ratio is currently 25.65%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts have recently weighed in on PH shares. KeyCorp increased their price target on Parker-Hannifin from $825.00 to $935.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Parker-Hannifin from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Cowen reiterated a hold rating on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research note on Friday, August 29th. Susquehanna reissued a positive rating and issued a $1,000.00 price target on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $726.00 to $723.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 20th. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Parker-Hannifin presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $889.50. Read Our Latest Research Report on Parker-Hannifin Insider Activity In related news, VP Berend Bracht sold 3,507 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $864.58, for a total value of $3,032,082.06. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 2,580 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,230,616.40. This trade represents a 57.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Rachid Bendali sold 1,437 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $852.99, for a total transaction of $1,225,746.63. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 2,714 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,315,014.86. This represents a 34.62% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock. About Parker-Hannifin (Free Report) Parker-Hannifin Corporation manufactures and sells motion and control technologies and systems for various mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets worldwide. The company operates through two segments: Diversified Industrial and Aerospace Systems. The Diversified Industrial segment offers sealing, shielding, thermal products and systems, adhesives, coatings, and noise vibration and harshness solutions; filters, systems, and diagnostics solutions to ensure purity and remove contaminants from fuel, air, oil, water, and other liquids and gases; connectors used in fluid and gas handling; and hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical components and systems for builders and users of mobile and industrial machinery and equipment. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Parker-Hannifin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Parker-Hannifin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brevan Howard Capital Management LP lessened its holdings in Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SPR Free Report) by 27.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 321,324 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 122,092 shares during the period. Brevan Howard Capital Management LPs holdings in Spirit Aerosystems were worth $12,352,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of SPR. Pentwater Capital Management LP grew its stake in shares of Spirit Aerosystems by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Pentwater Capital Management LP now owns 9,330,000 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $321,512,000 after buying an additional 110,000 shares in the last quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. raised its position in shares of Spirit Aerosystems by 25.7% during the 2nd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 6,502,847 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $248,084,000 after buying an additional 1,328,419 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Spirit Aerosystems by 14.3% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,803,541 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $183,255,000 after acquiring an additional 600,891 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC grew its position in Spirit Aerosystems by 51.9% in the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 2,545,611 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $87,722,000 after acquiring an additional 870,263 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new stake in Spirit Aerosystems during the second quarter worth approximately $95,804,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.59% of the companys stock. Get Spirit Aerosystems alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on SPR shares. Zacks Research upgraded Spirit Aerosystems from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Spirit Aerosystems in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Spirit Aerosystems currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $38.63. Spirit Aerosystems Price Performance Shares of NYSE SPR opened at $39.44 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $4.64 billion, a P/E ratio of -1.78 and a beta of 1.11. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $37.60 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $38.68. Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. has a 1 year low of $27.00 and a 1 year high of $42.33. Spirit Aerosystems (NYSE:SPR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The aerospace company reported ($4.87) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.37) by ($4.50). The firm had revenue of $1.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.92 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted ($3.03) EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. will post -11.88 EPS for the current year. Spirit Aerosystems Profile (Free Report) Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc engages in the design, engineering, manufacture, and marketing of commercial aerostructures worldwide. It operates through three segments: Commercial, Defense & Space, and Aftermarket. The Commercial segment offers forward, mid, and rear fuselage sections and systems, floor beams, nacelles, struts/pylons, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, flaps and slats flight control surfaces, wing structures, and wing systems. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SPR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SPR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Spirit Aerosystems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Spirit Aerosystems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp increased its holdings in shares of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Free Report) by 54.2% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 331,604 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after purchasing an additional 116,610 shares during the period. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corps holdings in TJX Companies were worth $40,950,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First American Bank boosted its stake in TJX Companies by 4.5% in the 2nd quarter. First American Bank now owns 138,840 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $17,145,000 after purchasing an additional 5,921 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia increased its stake in TJX Companies by 129.9% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 269,813 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $33,319,000 after purchasing an additional 152,453 shares in the last quarter. FCG Investment Co purchased a new position in shares of TJX Companies in the first quarter worth $2,620,000. MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of TJX Companies in the second quarter worth $5,045,000. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC lifted its stake in shares of TJX Companies by 66.6% during the second quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 76,998 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $9,508,000 after buying an additional 30,779 shares during the period. 91.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get TJX Companies alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes TJX has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company restated a market perform rating and issued a $145.00 target price (up previously from $140.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating and issued a $162.00 price objective (up from $159.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Guggenheim upgraded TJX Companies to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Bank of America upped their target price on TJX Companies from $150.00 to $168.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have issued a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $161.10. TJX Companies Stock Up 0.3% TJX Companies stock opened at $156.10 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $146.43 and its 200 day moving average price is $136.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The firm has a market cap of $173.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.49 and a beta of 0.76. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $112.10 and a 52 week high of $157.72. TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $15.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.80 billion. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 58.30% and a net margin of 8.68%.TJX Companiess revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.14 earnings per share. TJX Companies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.330-1.360 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.630-4.660 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current year. TJX Companies Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.425 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 12th. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio is 37.53%. Insider Buying and Selling at TJX Companies In other TJX Companies news, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 24,363 shares of TJX Companies stock in a transaction on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.31, for a total value of $3,686,365.53. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 510,780 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $77,286,121.80. The trade was a 4.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total transaction of $75,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 22,212 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,362,896.80. This trade represents a 2.20% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 54,863 shares of company stock worth $8,226,366. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders. TJX Companies Company Profile (Free Report) The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TJX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for TJX Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TJX Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. UBS Group upgraded shares of Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM Free Report) (TSE:BAM.A) to a hold rating in a research report released on Thursday morning,Zacks.com reports. A number of other analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. National Bankshares cut their price target on shares of Brookfield Asset Management from $71.00 to $69.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 27th. Bank of America downgraded shares of Brookfield Asset Management from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $68.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Thursday, September 4th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their target price on Brookfield Asset Management from $62.00 to $59.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 10th. Wall Street Zen raised Brookfield Asset Management from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Brookfield Asset Management in a research note on Monday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $63.98. Get Brookfield Asset Management alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on BAM Brookfield Asset Management Stock Performance NYSE:BAM opened at $53.80 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $88.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.63, a PEG ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 1.39. Brookfield Asset Management has a fifty-two week low of $41.78 and a fifty-two week high of $64.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 0.97. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $53.75 and a 200-day moving average price of $56.74. Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM Get Free Report) (TSE:BAM.A) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The financial services provider reported $0.41 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.39 by $0.02. Brookfield Asset Management had a return on equity of 33.77% and a net margin of 58.25%.The company had revenue of $1.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.34 billion. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Brookfield Asset Management will post 1.7 EPS for the current fiscal year. Brookfield Asset Management Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a dividend of $0.4375 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $1.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.3%. Brookfield Asset Managements payout ratio is currently 109.38%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Brookfield Asset Management Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Jump Financial LLC bought a new stake in Brookfield Asset Management in the first quarter worth approximately $629,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 430,081 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $23,774,000 after buying an additional 6,728 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its stake in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 9.8% in the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 1,096,412 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $53,083,000 after acquiring an additional 97,445 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 31.5% during the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 560,827 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $27,172,000 after acquiring an additional 134,233 shares during the period. Finally, Avior Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Brookfield Asset Management by 2,106.9% during the second quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,724 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $427,000 after acquiring an additional 7,374 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.41% of the companys stock. About Brookfield Asset Management (Get Free Report) Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. is a real estate investment firm specializing in alternative asset management services. Its renewable power and transition business includes the operates in the hydroelectric, wind, solar, distributed generation, and sustainable solution sector. The company's infrastructure business engages in the utilities, transport, midstream, and data infrastructure sectors. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Asset Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Asset Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Humankind Investments LLC raised its position in Bunge Global SA (NYSE:BG Free Report) by 101.9% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 40,367 shares of the basic materials companys stock after acquiring an additional 20,373 shares during the quarter. Bunge Global makes up about 0.8% of Humankind Investments LLCs holdings, making the stock its 20th largest holding. Humankind Investments LLCs holdings in Bunge Global were worth $3,241,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in Bunge Global by 9.8% during the second quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 1,360 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $109,000 after acquiring an additional 121 shares during the period. M&T Bank Corp boosted its position in shares of Bunge Global by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 6,743 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $541,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board grew its stake in shares of Bunge Global by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 17,288 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,321,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares during the period. Retirement Systems of Alabama increased its holdings in shares of Bunge Global by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 28,841 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $2,315,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Greenleaf Trust lifted its stake in shares of Bunge Global by 4.0% in the second quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 4,221 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $339,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.23% of the companys stock. Get Bunge Global alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have issued reports on BG. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Bunge Global in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Morgan Stanley set a $95.00 price objective on Bunge Global in a research note on Monday, October 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Bunge Global from $107.00 to $109.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Bunge Global in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Barclays raised Bunge Global from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $105.00 to $120.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Bunge Global has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $106.00. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Bunge Global news, VP Christos Dimopoulos sold 25,300 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.37, for a total transaction of $2,387,561.00. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 104,537 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,865,156.69. This represents a 19.49% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.80% of the companys stock. Bunge Global Price Performance NYSE:BG opened at $92.82 on Friday. Bunge Global SA has a 12-month low of $67.40 and a 12-month high of $99.55. The firm has a market cap of $17.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.79. The companys 50-day moving average is $93.24 and its two-hundred day moving average is $84.76. The company has a current ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. Bunge Global (NYSE:BG Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The basic materials company reported $2.27 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.23 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $22.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.46 billion. Bunge Global had a net margin of 2.20% and a return on equity of 9.06%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 71.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.29 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Bunge Global SA will post 7.94 EPS for the current year. Bunge Global Profile (Free Report) Bunge Global SA operates as an agribusiness and food company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Agribusiness, Refined and Specialty Oils, Milling, and Sugar and Bioenergy. The Agribusiness segment purchases, stores, transports, processes, and sells agricultural commodities and commodity products, including oilseeds primarily soybeans, rapeseed, canola, and sunflower seeds, as well as grains comprising wheat and corn; and processes oilseeds into vegetable oils and protein meals. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bunge Global SA (NYSE:BG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bunge Global Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bunge Global and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Cellcom Israel, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CELJF Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 8,251 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 384% from the previous sessions volume of 1,704 shares.The stock last traded at $12.00 and had previously closed at $12.09. Cellcom Israel Stock Performance The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $10.54 and its 200-day simple moving average is $9.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 0.70. Get Cellcom Israel alerts: Cellcom Israel (OTCMKTS:CELJF Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The company reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $311.45 million during the quarter. Cellcom Israel had a return on equity of 9.56% and a net margin of 5.40%. About Cellcom Israel Cellcom Israel Ltd. provides cellular communications services in Israel. It operates in two segments, Cellular and Fixed-line. The Cellular segment offers cellular communications, and cellular equipment and related services. The Fixed-line segment provides infrastructure and internet access, internet-based television, international telephony, landline telephony services, and transmission services for business customers and for telecommunication operators; and conferencing, cloud computing, and server hosting services, as well as IOT solutions. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Cellcom Israel Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cellcom Israel and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:DIFTY Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Thursday . 128,538 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 75% from the previous sessions volume of 73,378 shares.The stock last traded at $4.72 and had previously closed at $4.73. Daito Trust Construction Price Performance The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $4.82 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $19.26. About Daito Trust Construction (Get Free Report) Daito Trust Construction Co,Ltd. designs, constructs, and rents apartments and condominiums in Japan. It operates through three segments: Construction, Real Estate, and Finance. The company design and construct rental housing and other structure construction; ironwork and construction; building management and renovation, and whole building leasing; rental housing tenant guarantor services; advertising; and LP gas supply businesses. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Daito Trust Construction Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Daito Trust Construction and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Henry James International Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (NYSE:DB Free Report) by 121.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 189,208 shares of the banks stock after buying an additional 103,747 shares during the quarter. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft accounts for approximately 1.8% of Henry James International Management Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. Henry James International Management Inc.s holdings in Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft were worth $5,540,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Amundi grew its stake in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 15.3% in the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 40,664,519 shares of the banks stock worth $1,182,931,000 after purchasing an additional 5,403,011 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 35.0% during the second quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 25,471,401 shares of the banks stock worth $745,803,000 after buying an additional 6,605,750 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in the second quarter worth approximately $719,395,000. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale increased its holdings in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 14.0% in the second quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 18,047,605 shares of the banks stock valued at $530,500,000 after buying an additional 2,219,444 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Entrust Global Partners L L C acquired a new stake in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft during the 1st quarter valued at $365,750,000. 27.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft alerts: Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft Stock Performance Shares of DB opened at $37.25 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $74.20 billion, a PE ratio of 13.75, a PEG ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a current ratio of 0.78. The companys 50 day moving average price is $35.53 and its 200 day moving average price is $33.57. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft has a 52 week low of $16.60 and a 52 week high of $38.78. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft ( NYSE:DB Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The bank reported $0.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.16. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft had a net margin of 7.99% and a return on equity of 5.97%. The company had revenue of $9.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.75 billion. Research analysts expect that Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft will post 2.93 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in a report on Monday, October 20th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Zacks Research cut shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 22nd. Barclays upgraded shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold. Get Our Latest Report on Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft About Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (Free Report) Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, a stock corporation, provides corporate and investment banking, and asset management products and services to private individuals, corporate entities, and institutional clients in Germany, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (NYSE:DB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Elevatus Welath Management increased its stake in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:EEM Free Report) by 106.7% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 129,730 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 66,968 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF makes up approximately 2.1% of Elevatus Welath Managements investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. Elevatus Welath Managements holdings in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $6,258,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. raised its position in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 212.1% during the second quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 4,634,821 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $223,062,000 after acquiring an additional 3,149,813 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $100,644,000. Bank of Nova Scotia raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 314.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 2,240,422 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $108,078,000 after purchasing an additional 1,700,100 shares during the period. Bailard Inc. raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 670.9% in the 2nd quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 1,894,392 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $91,385,000 after purchasing an additional 1,648,670 shares during the period. Finally, USA Financial Formulas acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $67,857,000. 81.39% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Stock Performance iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF stock opened at $54.24 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $54.49 and a 200 day simple moving average of $51.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.46 and a beta of 0.64. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a 52 week low of $38.19 and a 52 week high of $56.31. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (the Fund), seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded equity securities in global emerging markets, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the Index). Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EEM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:EEM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Enova International, Inc. (NYSE:ENVA Get Free Report) were up 10.2% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $153.30 and last traded at $155.8730. Approximately 161,046 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 40% from the average daily volume of 268,255 shares. The stock had previously closed at $141.40. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have issued reports on ENVA. Wall Street Zen downgraded Enova International from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 22nd. Citizens Jmp boosted their price objective on Enova International from $149.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research report on Friday. BTIG Research raised their target price on shares of Enova International from $144.00 to $199.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday. Citigroup reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Enova International in a research note on Friday. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Enova International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Enova International has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $136.50. Get Enova International alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on ENVA Enova International Stock Up 3.1% The company has a current ratio of 19.29, a quick ratio of 19.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.20. The company has a market capitalization of $4.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.96 and a beta of 1.31. The firms 50 day moving average price is $123.47 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $114.65. Enova International (NYSE:ENVA Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The credit services provider reported $3.36 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.03 by $0.33. Enova International had a net margin of 9.64% and a return on equity of 24.50%. The business had revenue of $460.71 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $806.63 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.45 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 16.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Enova International, Inc. will post 10.31 EPS for the current year. Enova International declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, November 12th that authorizes the company to repurchase $400.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the credit services provider to repurchase up to 12.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. Insider Activity at Enova International In related news, CFO Steven E. Cunningham sold 14,874 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.70, for a total value of $1,795,291.80. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 127,719 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,415,683.30. This trade represents a 10.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO David Fisher sold 35,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.55, for a total value of $4,394,250.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 348,223 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $43,719,397.65. The trade was a 9.13% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 67,874 shares of company stock worth $8,426,042 in the last ninety days. 8.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Enova International Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Pacer Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Enova International in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Enova International by 174.2% in the third quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 255 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 162 shares during the period. Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in Enova International during the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Enova International by 350.0% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 450 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 350 shares during the period. Finally, BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S bought a new stake in shares of Enova International during the 1st quarter valued at about $56,000. Institutional investors own 89.43% of the companys stock. Enova International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Enova International, Inc, a technology and analytics company, provides online financial services in the United States, Brazil, and internationally. The company provides installment loans; line of credit accounts; CSO programs, including arranging loans with independent third-party lenders and assisting in the preparation of loan applications and loan documents; and bank programs, such as marketing services and loan servicing for near-prime unsecured consumer installment loan. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Enova International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enova International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fullerton Fund Management Co Ltd. trimmed its holdings in TC Energy Corporation (NYSE:TRP Free Report) (TSE:TRP) by 69.1% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 15,700 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 35,100 shares during the period. Fullerton Fund Management Co Ltd.s holdings in TC Energy were worth $765,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. FORA Capital LLC acquired a new stake in TC Energy during the first quarter worth approximately $776,000. Fractal Investments LLC grew its position in shares of TC Energy by 34.4% in the second quarter. Fractal Investments LLC now owns 649,000 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $31,665,000 after purchasing an additional 166,000 shares during the last quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY increased its stake in shares of TC Energy by 93.8% during the second quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY now owns 1,153,849 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $56,296,000 after purchasing an additional 558,498 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in TC Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $493,434,000. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd bought a new stake in TC Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $833,000. 83.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get TC Energy alerts: TC Energy Stock Up 0.6% TRP stock opened at $54.67 on Friday. TC Energy Corporation has a 52 week low of $43.51 and a 52 week high of $55.37. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $52.89 and a 200 day simple moving average of $51.06. The company has a quick ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.60. The company has a market cap of $56.89 billion, a PE ratio of 23.56 and a beta of 0.70. TC Energy Increases Dividend TC Energy ( NYSE:TRP Get Free Report ) (TSE:TRP) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The pipeline company reported $0.56 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.56. The firm had revenue of $1.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.63 billion. TC Energy had a net margin of 23.86% and a return on equity of 10.61%. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.03 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that TC Energy Corporation will post 2.63 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be paid a $0.85 dividend. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.2%. This is a positive change from TC Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. TC Energys payout ratio is 104.74%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades TRP has been the topic of a number of research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on TC Energy from $74.00 to $84.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Scotiabank reissued an outperform rating on shares of TC Energy in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of TC Energy in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. TD Securities reiterated a buy rating on shares of TC Energy in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Barclays reissued an overweight rating on shares of TC Energy in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $84.00. Get Our Latest Research Report on TC Energy About TC Energy (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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for TC Energy Corporation (NYSE:TRP Free Report) (TSE:TRP). 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. Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co. LLC lowered its holdings in Knife River Corporation (NYSE:KNF Free Report) by 30.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 714,485 shares of the companys stock after selling 311,164 shares during the period. Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co. LLCs holdings in Knife River were worth $58,331,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. State Street Corp increased its holdings in Knife River by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,101,198 shares of the companys stock valued at $171,542,000 after purchasing an additional 12,308 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in shares of Knife River by 4,145.2% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,667,822 shares of the companys stock valued at $150,456,000 after buying an additional 1,628,535 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Knife River by 1.1% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,395,726 shares of the companys stock valued at $113,960,000 after buying an additional 15,464 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Knife River by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,272,829 shares of the companys stock valued at $103,914,000 after buying an additional 35,900 shares during the period. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its position in Knife River by 7.1% during the 1st quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,179,797 shares of the companys stock worth $106,429,000 after acquiring an additional 78,209 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.11% of the companys stock. Get Knife River alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of Knife River from $115.00 to $105.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. DA Davidson dropped their price target on shares of Knife River from $105.00 to $95.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Knife River in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Knife River from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $75.00 target price for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on Knife River in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. They issued a neutral rating and a $83.00 price target on the stock. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $96.33. Knife River Price Performance Shares of KNF stock opened at $77.15 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $69.35 and a two-hundred day moving average of $78.09. The firm has a market cap of $4.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.56, a P/E/G ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.43. Knife River Corporation has a 1-year low of $58.72 and a 1-year high of $108.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 2.39 and a quick ratio of 1.47. Knife River (NYSE:KNF Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $2.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.45 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $1.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.22 billion. Knife River had a net margin of 4.87% and a return on equity of 9.97%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Knife River Corporation will post 4.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Knife River Profile (Free Report) Knife River Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides aggregates- led construction materials and contracting services in the United States. It operates through Pacific, Northwest, Mountain, Central, and Energy Services segments. The company mines, processes, and sells construction aggregates, including crushed stone and sand, and gravel; and produces and sells asphalt and ready-mix concrete. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KNF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Knife River Corporation (NYSE:KNF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Knife River Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Knife River and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Newmont, Freeport-McMoRan, Barrick Mining, Hecla Mining, and Agnico Eagle Mines are the five Gold stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Gold stocks are shares of companies involved in the exploration, mining, production, refining, or financing of gold including miners, royalty/streaming firms, and related service providers. Investors use them to gain exposure to moves in the gold price and to potential operational upside from production and discovery. Their prices track gold to some degree but are also affected by company-specific factors (costs, reserves, management and geopolitical risk), so they can be more volatile than holding physical gold. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Gold stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: Newmont (NEM) Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, Fiji, and Ghana. Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) Freeport-McMoRan Inc. engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile. Read Our Latest Research Report on FCX Barrick Mining (B) Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX. In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick. Read Our Latest Research Report on B Hecla Mining (HL) Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold. Read Our Latest Research Report on HL Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM) Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. It explores for gold. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Read Our Latest Research Report on AEM Featured Stories Goodnow Investment Group LLC bought a new position in QXO, Inc. (NYSE:QXO Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm bought 68,760 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,481,000. QXO accounts for approximately 0.1% of Goodnow Investment Group LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of QXO. Cherry Creek Investment Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of QXO by 48.5% in the 2nd quarter. Cherry Creek Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 69,780 shares of the companys stock worth $1,503,000 after acquiring an additional 22,800 shares in the last quarter. Seven Grand Managers LLC bought a new stake in shares of QXO during the second quarter valued at approximately $14,939,000. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in QXO by 91.0% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 47,192,412 shares of the companys stock worth $1,016,525,000 after purchasing an additional 22,484,977 shares during the period. Amundi grew its stake in QXO by 26.4% in the first quarter. Amundi now owns 715,087 shares of the companys stock worth $9,861,000 after purchasing an additional 149,504 shares during the period. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc raised its holdings in QXO by 66.7% in the second quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 587,511 shares of the companys stock worth $12,655,000 after purchasing an additional 235,084 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.68% of the companys stock. Get QXO alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have recently commented on QXO. Raymond James Financial started coverage on shares of QXO in a report on Friday, September 5th. They set an outperform rating and a $28.00 target price on the stock. Loop Capital initiated coverage on shares of QXO in a research note on Thursday. They set a buy rating and a $31.00 price objective on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d) rating on shares of QXO in a research note on Monday. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of QXO in a report on Tuesday, September 2nd. They set an overweight rating and a $35.00 target price for the company. Finally, Benchmark upgraded QXO to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 25th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $32.71. QXO Stock Down 3.5% Shares of QXO stock opened at $21.34 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 2.24 and a current ratio of 3.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.39 billion, a PE ratio of -48.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.37 and a beta of 2.42. QXO, Inc. has a 52-week low of $11.85 and a 52-week high of $24.69. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $18.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $19.82. QXO (NYSE:QXO Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.14 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.12 by $0.02. QXO had a negative net margin of 3.81% and a positive return on equity of 3.70%. The firm had revenue of $2.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.78 billion. The businesss revenue was up 20726.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that QXO, Inc. will post -0.13 EPS for the current fiscal year. QXO Company Profile (Free Report) QXO, Inc operates as a business application, technology, and consulting company in North America. The company provides solutions for accounting and business management, financial reporting, enterprise resource planning, human capital management, warehouse management systems, customer relationship management, and business intelligence. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding QXO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for QXO, Inc. (NYSE:QXO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for QXO Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for QXO and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Grupo Simec, S.A. de C.V. (NYSEAMERICAN:SIM Get Free Report)s share price gapped down before the market opened on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $29.48, but opened at $27.00. Grupo Simec shares last traded at $28.60, with a volume of 712 shares trading hands. Grupo Simec Price Performance The firm has a market cap of $4.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.18 and a beta of 0.34. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $28.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is $27.78. About Grupo Simec (Get Free Report) Grupo Simec, SAB. de C.V. manufactures, processes, and distributes special bar quality (SBQ) steel and steel alloys products in Mexico, the United States, Brazil, Canada, Latin America, and internationally. The company produces I-beams, channels, structural and commercial angles, hot rolled bars, flat bars, rebars, cold-finished bars, electro-welded wire mesh and mesh panels, and wire rods, as well as semi-finished tube rounds and other semi-finished trade products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Simec Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Simec and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Henry James International Management Inc. trimmed its position in Intercontinental Hotels Group (NYSE:IHG Free Report) by 6.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 107,511 shares of the companys stock after selling 7,708 shares during the quarter. Intercontinental Hotels Group comprises about 4.1% of Henry James International Management Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest position. Henry James International Management Inc. owned about 0.07% of Intercontinental Hotels Group worth $12,400,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in Intercontinental Hotels Group by 125.7% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 451,823 shares of the companys stock worth $52,113,000 after acquiring an additional 251,647 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Intercontinental Hotels Group by 170.5% in the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 305,177 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,444,000 after purchasing an additional 192,342 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP increased its position in Intercontinental Hotels Group by 369.2% in the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 172,622 shares of the companys stock worth $19,910,000 after purchasing an additional 135,829 shares during the last quarter. ABC Arbitrage SA bought a new stake in Intercontinental Hotels Group in the second quarter worth $11,987,000. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC lifted its position in Intercontinental Hotels Group by 137.6% during the second quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 134,489 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,512,000 after purchasing an additional 77,883 shares during the last quarter. 15.09% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Intercontinental Hotels Group alerts: Intercontinental Hotels Group Stock Performance IHG opened at $138.33 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $127.62 and a 200 day moving average of $121.75. Intercontinental Hotels Group has a 52-week low of $94.78 and a 52-week high of $139.52. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently weighed in on IHG shares. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Intercontinental Hotels Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday. Morgan Stanley upgraded Intercontinental Hotels Group from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Intercontinental Hotels Group in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Intercontinental Hotels Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a report on Friday, September 26th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Intercontinental Hotels Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Intercontinental Hotels Group has a consensus rating of Hold. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Intercontinental Hotels Group Intercontinental Hotels Group Profile (Free Report) InterContinental Hotels Group PLC owns, manages, franchises, and leases hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Greater China. The company operates hotels under the Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, voco, HUALUXE, Crowne Plaza, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, EVEN, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, Garner, avid hotels, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and Candlewood Suites brand names. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IHG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Intercontinental Hotels Group (NYSE:IHG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Intercontinental Hotels Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Intercontinental Hotels Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII Free Report) in a research report released on Friday, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm issued a buy rating and a $376.00 price target on the aerospace companys stock. HII has been the topic of a number of other reports. Wall Street Zen raised Huntington Ingalls Industries from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 29th. TD Cowen increased their target price on Huntington Ingalls Industries from $320.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Zacks Research cut Huntington Ingalls Industries from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a market perform rating and set a $362.00 price objective on shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries in a report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $325.75. Get Huntington Ingalls Industries alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on HII Huntington Ingalls Industries Price Performance Shares of NYSE:HII opened at $327.10 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $12.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.59, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.37. Huntington Ingalls Industries has a 1-year low of $158.88 and a 1-year high of $333.31. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $304.95 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $273.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.06. Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The aerospace company reported $3.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.29 by $0.39. The firm had revenue of $3.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.95 billion. Huntington Ingalls Industries had a net margin of 4.74% and a return on equity of 11.79%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 16.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.56 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Huntington Ingalls Industries will post 13.99 EPS for the current fiscal year. Huntington Ingalls Industries Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 12th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th were issued a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.7%. This is a boost from Huntington Ingalls Industriess previous quarterly dividend of $1.35. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 28th. Huntington Ingalls Industriess payout ratio is 38.12%. Insider Buying and Selling at Huntington Ingalls Industries In related news, CEO Christopher D. Kastner sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $321.06, for a total transaction of $4,815,900.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 68,139 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,876,707.34. This represents a 18.04% 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, VP Chad N. Boudreaux sold 787 shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $314.17, for a total transaction of $247,251.79. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 20,441 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,421,948.97. The trade was a 3.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 17,103 shares of company stock worth $5,477,768. Company insiders own 0.72% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Huntington Ingalls Industries Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HII. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC purchased a new position in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Rakuten Securities Inc. raised its holdings in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 140.0% during the 2nd quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 108 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the period. SouthState Corp boosted its stake in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 310.0% during the second quarter. SouthState Corp now owns 123 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 93 shares during the period. Anchor Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 400.0% during the second quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 125 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc increased its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 120.0% during the third quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 110 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. 90.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Huntington Ingalls Industries (Get Free Report) Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc designs, builds, overhauls, and repairs military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls, Newport News, and Mission Technologies. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. III Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MHK Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 15,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,573,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of MHK. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in Mohawk Industries by 7.8% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,964,190 shares of the companys stock worth $338,444,000 after buying an additional 213,429 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in Mohawk Industries by 7.4% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,957,197 shares of the companys stock valued at $205,192,000 after acquiring an additional 135,246 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its position in Mohawk Industries by 2.1% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,915,831 shares of the companys stock valued at $200,856,000 after purchasing an additional 39,556 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its stake in Mohawk Industries by 28.0% during the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 1,820,314 shares of the companys stock worth $190,842,000 after purchasing an additional 398,349 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ariel Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Mohawk Industries by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Ariel Investments LLC now owns 1,743,574 shares of the companys stock valued at $199,081,000 after purchasing an additional 57,391 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.98% of the companys stock. Get Mohawk Industries alerts: Mohawk Industries Stock Performance Shares of Mohawk Industries stock opened at $112.50 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $6.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.74, a P/E/G ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 1.23. Mohawk Industries, Inc. has a twelve month low of $96.24 and a twelve month high of $143.13. The companys fifty day moving average is $115.23 and its 200 day moving average is $117.17. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 2.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. Insider Activity at Mohawk Industries Mohawk Industries ( NYSE:MHK Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The company reported $2.67 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.68 by ($0.01). Mohawk Industries had a return on equity of 6.97% and a net margin of 3.93%.The company had revenue of $2.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.73 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.90 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Mohawk Industries has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.900-2.000 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Mohawk Industries, Inc. will post 9.8 EPS for the current year. In other Mohawk Industries news, insider Suzanne L. Helen sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.54, for a total transaction of $273,850.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 79,878 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,749,836.12. This represents a 3.03% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders sold 9,400 shares of company stock valued at $1,043,794 over the last quarter. 17.40% of the stock is owned by insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MHK has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Raymond James Financial restated a strong-buy rating and set a $150.00 price objective (up from $140.00) on shares of Mohawk Industries in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Vertical Research started coverage on shares of Mohawk Industries in a research note on Monday, October 20th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on shares of Mohawk Industries from $124.00 to $118.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Mohawk Industries from $130.00 to $125.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Mohawk Industries in a research note on Friday, October 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $137.54. Read Our Latest Stock Report on MHK About Mohawk Industries (Free Report) Mohawk Industries, Inc designs, manufactures, sources, distributes, and markets flooring products for residential and commercial remodeling, and new construction channels in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Global Ceramic, Flooring North America, and Flooring Rest of the World. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Mohawk Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mohawk Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF (BATS:EWUS Get Free Report) shares rose 1.9% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $41.09 and last traded at $41.3910. Approximately 16,233 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 52% from the average daily volume of 10,701 shares. The stock had previously closed at $40.62. iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF Trading Up 1.1% The firm has a market cap of $41.06 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.52 and a beta of 1.10. The stocks 50 day moving average is $40.64 and its 200 day moving average is $40.62. Get iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF stock. Flow Traders U.S. LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF (BATS:EWUS Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 25,899 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,066,000. Flow Traders U.S. LLC owned approximately 2.59% of iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF at the end of the most recent reporting period. About iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF The iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF (EWUS) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI United Kingdom Small Cap index, a market-cap-weighted index of small-cap United Kingdom companies. EWUS was launched on Jan 25, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (NYSE:HPF Get Free Report)s stock price crossed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of $16.53 and traded as low as $16.03. John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II shares last traded at $16.0450, with a volume of 40,058 shares trading hands. John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Trading Down 0.6% The company has a fifty day moving average price of $16.53 and a 200 day moving average price of $16.25. Get John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II alerts: John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 11th will be paid a $0.1235 dividend. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.2%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 11th. Institutional Trading of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II About John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of HPF. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II in the first quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Fifth Third Bancorp bought a new stake in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II during the 2nd quarter valued at $69,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II during the 2nd quarter worth $104,000. Wolverine Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II in the second quarter worth $112,000. Finally, Readystate Asset Management LP acquired a new position in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II during the third quarter valued at $195,000. (Get Free Report) John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC. It is co-managed by John Hancock Asset Management. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in securities of companies operating across diversified sectors. Read More Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in KB Financial Group Inc (NYSE:KB Free Report) by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 1,554,154 shares of the banks stock after buying an additional 26,423 shares during the quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLCs holdings in KB Financial Group were worth $128,357,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of KB. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its holdings in KB Financial Group by 585.7% during the second quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 336 shares of the banks stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 287 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of KB Financial Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. PDS Planning Inc raised its stake in shares of KB Financial Group by 4.3% in the 2nd quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 8,373 shares of the banks stock valued at $692,000 after acquiring an additional 349 shares in the last quarter. Groupama Asset Managment raised its stake in shares of KB Financial Group by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Groupama Asset Managment now owns 19,478 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,588,000 after acquiring an additional 360 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Aprio Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in KB Financial Group by 4.9% in the 1st quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC now owns 9,617 shares of the banks stock worth $520,000 after purchasing an additional 446 shares during the last quarter. 11.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get KB Financial Group alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of KB Financial Group in a report on Monday, December 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy. KB Financial Group Trading Down 0.2% KB Financial Group stock opened at $85.18 on Friday. KB Financial Group Inc has a 52 week low of $46.38 and a 52 week high of $92.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.38, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a current ratio of 1.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $32.49 billion, a PE ratio of 8.04, a PEG ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 1.11. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $84.01 and its 200-day simple moving average is $82.10. About KB Financial Group (Free Report) KB Financial Group Inc provides a range of banking and related financial services to consumers and corporations in South Korea, the United States, New Zealand, China, Cambodia, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and internationally. The company operates through Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, Other Banking Services, Credit Card, Securities, Life Insurance, and Non-Life Insurance segments. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for KB Financial Group Inc (NYSE:KB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for KB Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KB Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT Free Report) had its price objective cut by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $517.00 to $492.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday,MarketScreener reports. They currently have a hold rating on the aerospace companys stock. Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. UBS Group decreased their target price on Lockheed Martin from $514.00 to $513.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Citigroup began coverage on Lockheed Martin in a research note on Thursday. They set a neutral rating and a $505.00 price objective for the company. Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $440.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Lockheed Martin in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Lockheed Martin to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $508.72. Get Lockheed Martin alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin Stock Performance Shares of NYSE LMT traded up $5.15 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $480.03. 1,383,011 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,321,043. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.32, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.13. Lockheed Martin has a one year low of $410.11 and a one year high of $516.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $111.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.80, a PEG ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.24. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $476.03 and a two-hundred day moving average of $465.68. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The aerospace company reported $6.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.33 by $0.62. Lockheed Martin had a return on equity of 111.84% and a net margin of 5.73%.The business had revenue of $18.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.45 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $6.84 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Lockheed Martin has set its FY 2025 guidance at 22.150-22.350 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Lockheed Martin will post 27.15 EPS for the current fiscal year. Lockheed Martin Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a $3.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. This is a positive change from Lockheed Martins previous quarterly dividend of $3.30. This represents a $13.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.9%. Lockheed Martins dividend payout ratio is currently 77.05%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Lockheed Martin news, COO John Frank A. St sold 7,792 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $491.04, for a total value of $3,826,183.68. Following the sale, the chief operating officer owned 1 shares in the company, valued at approximately $491.04. This represents a 99.99% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.14% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lockheed Martin Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. United Financial Planning Group LLC purchased a new stake in Lockheed Martin in the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 285.7% in the third quarter. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 54 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the period. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lockheed Martin during the third quarter worth about $27,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Lockheed Martin during the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Lockheed Martin in the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. 74.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Lockheed Martin (Get Free Report) Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. The company operates through Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Lockheed Martin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lockheed Martin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. London Co. of Virginia trimmed its position in shares of Lamb Weston (NYSE:LW Free Report) by 1.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,490,353 shares of the specialty retailers stock after selling 36,094 shares during the quarter. London Co. of Virginia owned approximately 1.79% of Lamb Weston worth $129,125,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. American National Bank & Trust acquired a new position in Lamb Weston in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its stake in shares of Lamb Weston by 64.2% in the second quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 537 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. increased its holdings in Lamb Weston by 407.7% in the second quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 594 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 477 shares during the period. City State Bank raised its position in Lamb Weston by 86.8% during the 2nd quarter. City State Bank now owns 779 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 362 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Lamb Weston by 519.9% during the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 843 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 707 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.56% of the companys stock. Get Lamb Weston alerts: Lamb Weston Stock Up 0.3% Shares of NYSE LW opened at $59.67 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.05. The firm has a market cap of $8.31 billion, a PE ratio of 28.55, a P/E/G ratio of 3.94 and a beta of 0.44. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $61.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is $57.07. Lamb Weston has a 12-month low of $47.87 and a 12-month high of $83.98. Lamb Weston Announces Dividend Lamb Weston ( NYSE:LW Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 24th. The specialty retailer reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter. Lamb Weston had a return on equity of 28.08% and a net margin of 4.56%.The firm had revenue of $1.15 billion during the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Lamb Weston will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 31st were paid a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 31st. Lamb Westons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 70.81%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have recently weighed in on LW. Cfra Research raised Lamb Weston to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on shares of Lamb Weston in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a neutral rating and a $57.00 target price for the company. Stifel Nicolaus set a $66.00 price target on shares of Lamb Weston in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Lamb Weston from $66.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on shares of Lamb Weston from $59.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $65.70. Get Our Latest Report on Lamb Weston About Lamb Weston (Free Report) Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc produces, distributes, and markets frozen potato products worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Global, Foodservice, Retail, and Other. It offers frozen potatoes, commercial ingredients, and appetizers under the Lamb Weston brand, as well as under various customer labels. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Lamb Weston (NYSE:LW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Lamb Weston Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lamb Weston and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brevan Howard Capital Management LP increased its position in shares of McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD Free Report) by 402.8% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 40,489 shares of the fast-food giants stock after acquiring an additional 32,436 shares during the period. Brevan Howard Capital Management LPs holdings in McDonalds were worth $11,830,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Nova Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of McDonalds in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. HFM Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in McDonalds in the first quarter worth approximately $26,000. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. grew its position in McDonalds by 142.9% in the second quarter. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. now owns 85 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of McDonalds in the second quarter valued at $25,000. Finally, GFG Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of McDonalds during the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. 70.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get McDonald's alerts: Insider Activity at McDonalds In other McDonalds news, EVP Manuel Jm Steijaert sold 6,567 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $305.50, for a total value of $2,006,218.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 4,606 shares in the company, valued at $1,407,133. The trade was a 58.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Ian Frederick Borden sold 17,134 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $310.00, for a total value of $5,311,540.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 26,353 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,169,430. This trade represents a 39.40% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 40,030 shares of company stock valued at $12,240,570. Insiders own 0.25% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Truist Financial cut their target price on McDonalds from $360.00 to $350.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on McDonalds in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. They set a sector perform rating and a $320.00 price objective on the stock. Piper Sandler reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $325.00 target price on shares of McDonalds in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. BTIG Research restated a neutral rating on shares of McDonalds in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, KeyCorp reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $335.00 price objective on shares of McDonalds in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, McDonalds has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $324.57. Read Our Latest Stock Report on MCD McDonalds Stock Performance MCD stock opened at $316.84 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $304.98 and a 200 day simple moving average of $303.78. McDonalds Corporation has a 52 week low of $276.53 and a 52 week high of $326.32. The stock has a market cap of $225.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.03, a P/E/G ratio of 3.44 and a beta of 0.52. McDonalds (NYSE:MCD Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The fast-food giant reported $3.22 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.33 by ($0.11). McDonalds had a net margin of 32.04% and a negative return on equity of 280.89%. The company had revenue of $7.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.10 billion. The firms quarterly revenue was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.23 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that McDonalds Corporation will post 12.25 EPS for the current year. McDonalds Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be paid a $1.86 dividend. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. This is a boost from McDonaldss previous quarterly dividend of $1.77. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. McDonaldss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 63.48%. McDonalds Company Profile (Free Report) McDonalds Corp. engages in the operation and franchising of restaurants. It operates through the following segments: U.S., International Operated Markets, and International Developmental Licensed Markets and Corporate. The U.S. segment focuses its operations on the United States. The International Operated Markets segment consists of operations and the franchising of restaurants in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the U.K. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MCD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for McDonald's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McDonald's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi Estate Co. (OTCMKTS:MITEY Get Free Report) shares gapped down prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $24.08, but opened at $23.06. Mitsubishi Estate shares last traded at $24.58, with a volume of 2,657 shares trading hands. Mitsubishi Estate Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 1.69 and a current ratio of 2.09. The companys fifty day moving average price is $22.26 and its 200 day moving average price is $20.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $29.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.41 and a beta of 0.09. Get Mitsubishi Estate alerts: Mitsubishi Estate (OTCMKTS:MITEY Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The company reported $0.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.18 by ($0.14). The business had revenue of $2.52 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.74 billion. Mitsubishi Estate had a return on equity of 5.47% and a net margin of 11.67%.Mitsubishi Estate has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.090-1.090 EPS. About Mitsubishi Estate Mitsubishi Estate Co, Ltd. engages in the real estate activities in Japan and internationally. The company develops, leases, manages, and sells office buildings and commercial facilities; operates rental offices, coworking space, virtual offices, hourly meeting rooms, home delivery storage service, commercial nursing homes, and building garages; offers real estate management, as well as building management services, such as security, facility management, cleaning, and planting services; and operates hotels and airports. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Mitsubishi Estate Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mitsubishi Estate and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Morguard Real Estate Inv. (TSE:MRT.UN Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Thursday . The company traded as high as C$6.05 and last traded at C$6.05, with a volume of 4400 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$6.05. Analyst Ratings Changes MRT.UN has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. TD Securities upped their target price on shares of Morguard Real Estate Inv. from C$5.00 to C$5.50 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Morguard Real Estate Inv. from C$5.50 to C$6.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$5.75. Get Morguard Real Estate Inv. alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on MRT.UN Morguard Real Estate Inv. Stock Up 0.3% The firms 50 day moving average price is C$5.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$5.81. The company has a market cap of C$404.04 million, a P/E ratio of -8.91 and a beta of 0.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 135.58, a quick ratio of 0.04 and a current ratio of 0.08. Morguard Real Estate Inv. (TSE:MRT.UN Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported C$0.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Morguard Real Estate Inv. had a negative net margin of 41.19% and a negative return on equity of 10.91%. The business had revenue of C$57.69 million for the quarter. Equities research analysts anticipate that Morguard Real Estate Inv. will post 0.780083 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Morguard Real Estate Inv. (Get Free Report) Morguard Real Estate Investment Trust is a closed-end trust that owns, manages, and invests in a diversified real estate portfolio of commercial properties across Canada. The company has three reportable segments namely Retail, Office, and Industrial. It generates maximum revenue from the Retail segment. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Morguard Real Estate Inv. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Morguard Real Estate Inv. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NEC Co. (OTCMKTS:NIPNF Get Free Report)s share price gapped down prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $37.57, but opened at $35.60. NEC shares last traded at $35.60, with a volume of 636 shares changing hands. NEC Trading Up 6.8% The firm has a market capitalization of $9.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.19 and a beta of -0.47. The firms 50-day moving average is $35.86 and its 200 day moving average is $31.52. NEC Company Profile (Get Free Report) NEC Corporation provides information and communication technology solutions in Japan and internationally. It operates through five segments: Public Solutions Business, Public Infrastructure Business, Enterprise Business, Network Services Business, and Global Business. It provides systems integration services, including systems implementation and consulting; maintenance and support services; outsourcing and cloud services; and system equipment. See Also Receive News & Ratings for NEC Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NEC and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thailand, Cambodia have agreed to cease all shooting effective Friday evening: Trump Xinhua) 11:24, December 13, 2025 WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday on social media that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to cease all shooting effective Friday evening. "I had a very good conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running War," Trump said on Truth Social, adding that both countries are ready for peace. Following armed clashes in late July, the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict reignited on Sunday afternoon. Both sides accused each other of initiating the attack and confirmed casualties. Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said Thursday that the latest border clashes with Cambodia have left nine Thai soldiers dead, more than 120 people injured, and nearly 200,000 Thai civilians displaced. As of Friday afternoon local time, the number of Cambodian evacuees from the border fighting has risen to more than 300,000, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior said in a press release. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) London Co. of Virginia boosted its position in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC Free Report) by 15.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,844,928 shares of the railroad operators stock after buying an additional 250,055 shares during the period. Norfolk Southern makes up about 2.7% of London Co. of Virginias holdings, making the stock its 4th biggest position. London Co. of Virginia owned approximately 0.82% of Norfolk Southern worth $472,254,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Aberdeen Group plc lifted its holdings in Norfolk Southern by 6.4% in the second quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 529,726 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $135,610,000 after acquiring an additional 31,878 shares during the period. Morningstar Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 2nd quarter valued at about $597,000. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund lifted its stake in shares of Norfolk Southern by 682.1% in the second quarter. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund now owns 56,012 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $14,337,000 after purchasing an additional 48,850 shares during the period. West Family Investments Inc. purchased a new stake in Norfolk Southern during the second quarter worth about $260,000. Finally, Teacher Retirement System of Texas grew its position in Norfolk Southern by 10.4% during the second quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 116,795 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $29,896,000 after buying an additional 10,990 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.10% of the companys stock. Get Norfolk Southern alerts: Norfolk Southern Trading Up 1.0% Shares of Norfolk Southern stock opened at $296.99 on Friday. Norfolk Southern Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $201.63 and a fifty-two week high of $302.24. The businesss fifty day moving average is $287.93 and its two-hundred day moving average is $277.01. The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. The firm has a market cap of $66.64 billion, a PE ratio of 22.65, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 1.32. Norfolk Southern Announces Dividend Norfolk Southern ( NYSE:NSC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.30 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.31 by ($0.01). Norfolk Southern had a net margin of 24.22% and a return on equity of 18.93%. The business had revenue of $3.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.11 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.25 EPS. Norfolk Southerns revenue for the quarter was up .0% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Norfolk Southern Corporation will post 13 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th were paid a dividend of $1.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 7th. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Norfolk Southerns dividend payout ratio is currently 41.19%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades NSC has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Benchmark reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Norfolk Southern in a research note on Monday, October 27th. TD Cowen reduced their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $320.00 to $314.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 24th. Susquehanna raised their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $284.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on Norfolk Southern from $320.00 to $315.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their price objective on Norfolk Southern from $347.00 to $333.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Norfolk Southern has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $297.90. Get Our Latest Analysis on NSC Insider Activity at Norfolk Southern In related news, Director Sameh Fahmy purchased 1,650 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were bought at an average price of $282.97 per share, with a total value of $466,900.50. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 12,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,395,640. This trade represents a 15.94% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Richard H. Anderson purchased 2,600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, October 27th. The stock was bought at an average price of $281.86 per share, for a total transaction of $732,836.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 7,000 shares in the company, valued at $1,973,020. The trade was a 59.09% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders have acquired 4,454 shares of company stock valued at $1,259,874. Insiders own 0.06% of the companys stock. Norfolk Southern Company Profile (Free Report) Norfolk Southern Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods in the United States. The company transports agriculture, forest, and consumer products comprising soybeans, wheat, corn, fertilizers, livestock and poultry feed, food products, food oils, flour, sweeteners, ethanol, lumber and wood products, pulp board and paper products, wood fibers, wood pulp, beverages, and canned goods; chemicals consist of sulfur and related chemicals, petroleum products comprising crude oil, chlorine and bleaching compounds, plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, chemical wastes, sand, and natural gas liquids; metals and construction materials, such as steel, aluminum products, machinery, scrap metals, cement, aggregates, minerals, clay, transportation equipment, and military-related products; and automotive, including finished motor vehicles and automotive parts, as well as coal. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NSC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Norfolk Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Norfolk Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NAC Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of 0.0735 per share on Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 7.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund Stock Down 0.6% Shares of NAC stock traded down $0.08 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $11.91. The stock had a trading volume of 571,638 shares, compared to its average volume of 452,853. Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund has a 1-year low of $10.35 and a 1-year high of $12.25. The businesss fifty day moving average is $11.85 and its 200-day moving average is $11.40. Get Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund alerts: Institutional Trading of Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Highline Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund during the third quarter worth $29,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 2,800 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 1,400 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE lifted its holdings in shares of Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund by 52.9% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 4,400 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 1,523 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund by 484.3% in the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 7,245 shares of the companys stock worth $82,000 after buying an additional 6,005 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sanders Morris Harris LLC acquired a new stake in Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund during the third quarter worth about $115,000. About Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of California, United States. The fund invests in undervalued municipal securities and other related investments that are exempt from regular federal and California income taxes. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NRK Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of 0.069 per share by the financial services provider on Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund Stock Performance NRK stock traded down $0.05 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $10.08. The company had a trading volume of 390,160 shares, compared to its average volume of 308,147. Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund has a 12 month low of $9.30 and a 12 month high of $10.85. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $10.15 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $9.86. Get Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Guggenheim Capital LLC increased its stake in Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund by 9.4% in the 2nd quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 1,056,567 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $10,471,000 after acquiring an additional 91,186 shares during the last quarter. Stockman Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund during the second quarter worth about $297,000. PFG Investments LLC increased its position in shares of Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund by 1.0% in the second quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 260,163 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,578,000 after purchasing an additional 2,564 shares during the last quarter. Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund by 96.7% in the second quarter. Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC now owns 140,575 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,393,000 after purchasing an additional 69,092 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Realta Investment Advisors bought a new stake in Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund during the second quarter valued at approximately $529,000. Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund Company Profile Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of New York. The fund invests in undervalued municipal securities and other related investments the income, covered by insurance from insurers with a claims-paying ability, exempt from regular federal and New York income tax and are rated Baa, BBB or better and having an average maturity of 15.98 years. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. London Co. of Virginia trimmed its position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 17.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,228,823 shares of the companys stock after selling 468,265 shares during the quarter. Philip Morris International makes up approximately 2.3% of London Co. of Virginias holdings, making the stock its 9th largest position. London Co. of Virginia owned 0.14% of Philip Morris International worth $405,940,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in PM. HRT Financial LP lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 111.3% in the 2nd quarter. HRT Financial LP now owns 372,816 shares of the companys stock valued at $67,900,000 after purchasing an additional 196,350 shares during the period. Holocene Advisors LP raised its holdings in Philip Morris International by 270.6% in the second quarter. Holocene Advisors LP now owns 1,141,371 shares of the companys stock worth $207,878,000 after purchasing an additional 833,380 shares in the last quarter. Hook Mill Capital Partners LP lifted its position in Philip Morris International by 8.1% during the second quarter. Hook Mill Capital Partners LP now owns 80,336 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,632,000 after buying an additional 6,012 shares during the period. ICONIQ Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 8.3% during the 2nd quarter. ICONIQ Capital LLC now owns 8,111 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,477,000 after buying an additional 620 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co. LLC grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 24.1% in the 2nd quarter. Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co. LLC now owns 8,789 shares of the companys stock worth $1,601,000 after buying an additional 1,709 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 78.63% of the companys stock. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Philip Morris International Stock Performance Shares of NYSE PM opened at $153.49 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $153.62 and its 200-day moving average price is $165.35. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52-week low of $116.12 and a 52-week high of $186.69. The company has a market cap of $238.93 billion, a PE ratio of 27.81, a P/E/G ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.42. Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $8.12 billion during the quarter. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.33% and a negative return on equity of 122.14%. On average, analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Investors of record on Friday, December 26th will be given a dividend of $1.47 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 26th. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.8%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 106.52%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages recently issued reports on PM. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $190.00 to $185.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Morgan Stanley set a $175.00 price target on Philip Morris International and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Barclays cut their price target on Philip Morris International from $220.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus set a $180.00 price objective on Philip Morris International in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $189.00. Get Our Latest Research Report on PM Philip Morris International Profile (Free Report) Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bwcp LP trimmed its position in Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:PLNT Free Report) by 7.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 280,204 shares of the companys stock after selling 21,544 shares during the quarter. Planet Fitness comprises about 5.0% of Bwcp LPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest position. Bwcp LPs holdings in Planet Fitness were worth $30,556,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PLNT. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings in Planet Fitness by 62.7% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 3,289,606 shares of the companys stock valued at $317,810,000 after buying an additional 1,268,262 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Planet Fitness during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $116,175,000. Ninety One UK Ltd boosted its position in shares of Planet Fitness by 35.7% during the 2nd quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 2,883,906 shares of the companys stock valued at $314,490,000 after acquiring an additional 759,227 shares during the last quarter. Junto Capital Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Planet Fitness in the first quarter valued at $52,580,000. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC grew its holdings in shares of Planet Fitness by 152.8% in the second quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 851,866 shares of the companys stock valued at $92,896,000 after purchasing an additional 514,876 shares in the last quarter. 95.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Planet Fitness alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms recently issued reports on PLNT. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of Planet Fitness in a research note on Friday, October 17th. They set a buy rating and a $125.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $135.00 target price on shares of Planet Fitness in a report on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Planet Fitness in a report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Planet Fitness from $108.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Guggenheim raised Planet Fitness to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $119.92. Planet Fitness Trading Up 0.1% Shares of NYSE:PLNT opened at $108.64 on Friday. Planet Fitness, Inc. has a 12 month low of $87.72 and a 12 month high of $114.47. The company has a market capitalization of $9.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 44.34, a PEG ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 1.28. The firms 50-day moving average is $101.47 and its 200 day moving average is $104.34. Planet Fitness (NYSE:PLNT Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $330.35 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $323.95 million. Planet Fitness had a net margin of 15.97% and a negative return on equity of 126.58%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.64 earnings per share. Planet Fitness has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.000-3.030 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Planet Fitness, Inc. will post 2.51 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Planet Fitness (Free Report) Planet Fitness, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, franchises and operates fitness centers under the Planet Fitness brand. The company operates through three segments: Franchise, Corporate-Owned Stores, and Equipment. The company is involved in franchising business in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, and Australia. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PLNT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:PLNT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Planet Fitness Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Planet Fitness and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA Get Free Report) VP Richard Daniell sold 115,468 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.68, for a total transaction of $3,311,622.24. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 48,384 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,387,653.12. This trade represents a 70.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Price Performance TEVA opened at $29.80 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $34.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.67. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has a 12 month low of $12.47 and a 12 month high of $30.20. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.31. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $23.43 and a 200 day simple moving average of $19.60. Get Teva Pharmaceutical Industries alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on TEVA shares. Wall Street Zen lowered Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday. Barclays assumed coverage on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a report on Tuesday. They set an overweight rating and a $35.00 target price on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $28.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $30.25. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TEVA. Phoenix Financial Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 9.4% in the 3rd quarter. Phoenix Financial Ltd. now owns 41,295,244 shares of the companys stock valued at $834,164,000 after acquiring an additional 3,533,800 shares in the last quarter. Ion Asset Management Ltd. boosted its position in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 6.5% during the first quarter. Ion Asset Management Ltd. now owns 39,033,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $599,945,000 after purchasing an additional 2,383,500 shares during the last quarter. Menora Mivtachim Holdings LTD. grew its stake in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 1.1% in the third quarter. Menora Mivtachim Holdings LTD. now owns 38,920,294 shares of the companys stock valued at $786,190,000 after purchasing an additional 427,000 shares in the last quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. increased its position in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 12.9% during the 3rd quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. now owns 37,696,690 shares of the companys stock worth $761,455,000 after purchasing an additional 4,306,363 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 13.6% during the 3rd quarter. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. now owns 32,582,212 shares of the companys stock worth $658,161,000 after purchasing an additional 3,896,790 shares in the last quarter. 54.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Company Profile (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. See Also 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. Skeena Resources Limited (NYSE:SKE Get Free Report)s share price traded up 6% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $25.53 and last traded at $25.5350. 241,956 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 54% from the average session volume of 524,876 shares. The stock had previously closed at $24.10. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have weighed in on SKE shares. Desjardins raised shares of Skeena Resources to a moderate buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Skeena Resources in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Scotiabank reissued an outperform rating on shares of Skeena Resources in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Raymond James Financial restated a strong-buy rating on shares of Skeena Resources in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Skeena Resources from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Skeena Resources has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Skeena Resources alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Skeena Resources Skeena Resources Stock Performance The company has a market capitalization of $2.96 billion, a PE ratio of -33.44 and a beta of 1.23. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $18.77 and its 200-day simple moving average is $16.88. Skeena Resources (NYSE:SKE Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported ($0.09) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.06) by ($0.03). Analysts expect that Skeena Resources Limited will post -0.98 EPS for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Skeena Resources by 431.1% during the third quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 2,390 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 1,940 shares during the period. Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. purchased a new position in Skeena Resources during the 1st quarter worth $77,000. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Skeena Resources in the 1st quarter worth $89,000. Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Skeena Resources in the 3rd quarter worth $99,000. Finally, Cutler Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Skeena Resources in the second quarter valued at about $167,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 45.15% of the companys stock. About Skeena Resources (Get Free Report) Skeena Resources Limited explores for and develops mineral properties in Canada. The company explores for gold, silver, copper, and other precious metal deposits. It holds 100% interests in the Snip gold mine comprising one mining lease and nine mineral tenures that covers an area of approximately 4,724 hectares; and the Eskay Creek gold mine that consists of eight mineral leases, two surface leases, and various unpatented mining claims comprising 7,666 hectares located in British Columbia, Canada. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Skeena Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Skeena Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Spacetalk Limited (ASX:SPA Get Free Report) insider Michael Rann purchased 20,000 shares of Spacetalk stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 5th. The shares were bought at an average price of A$1.00 per share, for a total transaction of A$20,000.00. Spacetalk Stock Performance The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of -134.83. The stock has a market cap of $10.20 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.73 and a beta of 0.83. Get Spacetalk alerts: Spacetalk Company Profile (Get Free Report) Recommended Stories Spacetalk Limited, a technology company, provides wearables and mobile communication solutions in Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. It offers Spacetalk Kids and Spacetalk Adventurer, which are mobile phone, GPS tracker, and watch all-in-one wearable devices; Meet Spacetalk Life, a wearable safety device; accessories comprising charging cable, dock, and USB type A; and kids and adventurer accessories. Receive News & Ratings for Spacetalk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Spacetalk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. All those hundreds of thousands of young men from Third World countries coming into the open borders UK illegally, giving attention to, and raping under-age English girls is posing a problem for the Marxist Green Party and its new leader Zack Polanski. I am sick of it! Why are all these young men from Afghanistan only paying attention to young English girls? I was in my bijoux Hackney flat and marvelling on how shiny my new Italian marble floor was, when I remembered I had another appointment at the Hackney Public Toilets, with some dirty old bugger. We need more diversity in public toilets, all I get is some old white man, I need those open borders diversity with a young Afghan man or five oof, rape me, beat me, whip me! The Green Party is fighting for more open borders from the already open borders of the UK under the current Labour government. Derry City and Strabane District Council members clashed over a proposal by People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin to write to Tesco management regarding the suspension of an employee in Newcastle, County Down, who refused to handle Israeli goods. In response to the suspension, pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside the supermarket and called for the workers immediate reinstatement. Councillor Harkin mooted that Council write to the company asking them for clarification on the matter, to request the worker be reinstated without punishment, and to ensure Tesco workers in the Derry City and Strabane District are not victimised for acting on their conscience to oppose genocide. Councillor Harkin also noted that Derry workers for other companies have refused to handle Israeli goods without punishment. Theres been a long-standing campaign calling on Tesco to remove its products, he said. So I would like to propose that we write to Tesco management asking for this worker to be reinstated without punishment, but also asking that workers in our district who work for Tesco are not punished for acting on their conscience. Its very important that we do everything we can, because this cant be allowed to stand. We cant have workers getting fired and suspended or threatened because theyre taking a stand in solidarity with Palestine and refusing to support apartheid. SDLP councillor Rory Farrell seconded councillor Harkins proposal and agreed that workers should not be punished for exercising their conscience at their place of work. Councillor Farrell noted: Tesco stocks literally thousands of products, I would imagine in terms of Israeli products the percentage is pretty small, so it seems like a very heavy handed approach from management. Sinn Fein councillor Emma McGinley also supported the motion and added: It is completely wrong that people would be punished for acting on their conscience in the face of a genocide. its ridiculous from Tesco, to be honest. DUP alderman Keith Kerrigan opposed the proposal and argued that it was not councils place to dictate what Tesco does or doesnt do as an employer, while UUP alderman Derek Hussey said he wont be supporting the motion, from the Derry City and Strabane branch of the Palestinian authority or the Hamas government in Gaza Australia Post has reminded those looking to send presents and complete their online Christmas shopping that they have just days left to get it done. Those who fail to act could miss the Christmas deadline. Gary Starr, Australia Post's Executive General Manager Parcel, Post and eCommerce, told Yahoo News time is running out. With Christmas just around the corner, this is your last week to get your shopping done and your gifts in the mail," he told Yahoo News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If youre sending presents interstate, make sure you get your parcel in by this Friday to give it the best chance of arriving on time. Australia Post's Christmas cutoff dates are just days away. Source: Australia Post/Getty "And if youre posting cards or sending to or from WA, NT, Tasmania, or regional and remote areas, its best to allow a little extra time." He warned that the entire network is reaching "peak capacity" with extended hours, extra weekend deliveries and thousands of seasonal team members on board. "The most important thing customers can do is post early to avoid any last-minute stress, he said. Within Australia: To ensure delivery before Christmas, parcels sent via Parcel Post should be posted by Monday, December 22, for same-state deliveries and by Friday, December 19, for interstate parcels. Express Post parcels should be sent by Tuesday, December 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Letters and cards need to be posted by Thursday, December 18, for same-state deliveries and by Tuesday, December 16, for interstate deliveries. If you are sending to or from Western Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania, or regional and remote locations, its best to allow a few extra days. Australia Post is urging the public to plan ahead this Christmas. Source: Reddit/Actual_Requirement58 International: Christmas posting deadlines vary by service and destination. Economy Air parcels should be sent between November 21 and December 5, International Standard parcels between 28 November and 12 December, and International Express parcels between 5 and 18 December. Australia smashes postal records with Black Friday boost It comes as the postal service recorded its busiest delivery day on record, with over 5.8 milllion parcels processed in one day recently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shoppers spent approximately $1.5 billion online during retails biggest shopping event of the year, Black Friday, as 3.1 million Australian households shopped online, an increase of 9.2 per cent making it the most active cyber sales period to date. But as sales go wild, Australia Post issued a few stark warnings including ensuring that pets are secured at home, and making sure that packages are safe to avoid porch pirates stealing unattended deliveries at residential properties. If a parcel is stolen after it has been delivered, it becomes a matter for police, however, were encouraging customers to consider our secure delivery options to reduce the risk of this happening," Australia Post General Manager Group Security, Kevin Zuccato previously said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Ruairi McHugh, held a special reception in the Guildhall for participants of the Community Climate Conversations programme, recognising their vital contribution to shaping a more sustainable and climate-resilient region. The initiative was led by the Derry and Strabane Sustainability and Climate Commission bringing together 15 conversation starters, a group of residents from all backgrounds broadly reflective of the city and district across all demographics. The project was funded by Innovate UK as part of the Net Zero Living programme, in line with Derry City and Strabane District Councils Climate Action Plan and its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions. The group took part in a series of workshops and discussions, learning how to hold inclusive, productive conversations with their communities, before bringing that insight back to identify themes, insights and actionable ideas. Speaking at the event, Mayor McHugh praised the participants for their dedication, saying: Today we celebrate not just the conversations, but the action, passion, and leadership shown by local people in working together to protect our environment. Your insights and lived experiences are already helping shape Council policies and community-led climate solutions. I want to thank all who took part for stepping forward and being part of this important collective effort. Ideas identified focused on active travel, renewable energy, biodiversity protection, sustainable housing, and community education. Its hoped the findings will further empower communities to take practical climate action at grassroots level. Co-chair of the Sustainability and Climate Commission, Professor Ian Montgomery, stressed the importance of working collaboratively with residents as the district continues to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. This is only the beginning. Its important that local voices continue to guide our climate actions, ensuring they reflect the priorities and values of the people who live here. Together, we can deliver a greener, fairer, and more resilient future for Derry and Strabane. For more information on the Derry & Strabane's Sustainability & Climate Commission and how you can get involved CLICK HERE. 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. TV host and social media sensation, Eric Roberts, has been announced as the sixth contestant that will feature on this season of Dancing with the Stars. The Ireland AM host and Donegal native first came on the radar because of his social media content, where he has amassed over one million followers. He now hosts Ireland AM on weekends and also featured on Squid Games: The Challenge. Earlier this year, he launched his debut childrens book Gary the Stinky Goose, which was inspired by Erics years as a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) in Donegal, and by his nephew Oisin who has cerebral palsy and autism. READ NEXT: BREAKING: Woman in her 70s dies following road traffic collision "Im so excited to get stuck into training and equally terrified at what lies ahead! Ive been a fan of the show for years and some of my friends have taken part and told me how amazing the experience is and also how difficult it can be! So, Im trying to mentally prepare myself for it all. Ive had a couple of fittings and lets just say its stuff I wouldnt normally wear, but Im leaving it up to the professionals and stylist every week I'm up for anything (within reason)!," Eric said. He added that his family were so excited when they heard the news and his wife is being "extremely supportive." "I grew up loving hip hop and robotics. I taught myself how to do hip hop in my bedroom after watching Step Up just in case anyone challenged me to a dance battle and I loved it so much. I havent broken out those moves now in a while so it might be time to bring them back," Eric said. The next three celebrity dancers will be revealed on The Late Late Show tonight on RTE One. The remaining dancers will then be unveiled on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Dancing with the Stars returns to RTE One and RTE Player in January Oti Mabuse, Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian, and Karen Byrne all doing the scoring each week. A 19th Century building in Drogheda is of huge importance to the town and should be brought back to life to serve locals, a local Aontu rep has said. Michael ODowd says leaving St. Johns Home vacant and allowing it to fall into further decline is a failure of leadership and vision. He said: St Johns Home is a protected historic building that has been left vacant, derelict, and abandoned for far too long. While the main structures remain standing and the roofs are intact, the site has been unused for many years and continues to deteriorate through neglect. This is not acceptable for a building of such importance in the centre of Drogheda. Built in 1816 as a charitable home, St Johns along with St Peters Church of Ireland helped define Peters Hill, one of Droghedas most important civic spaces. He continued: It is important to acknowledge that genuine efforts were made in recent years to return the buildings to use, including proposals for refurbishment and town-centre housing. With the best will in the world, those efforts were not successful, and the buildings remain unused. Read Next: Duffy calls it a day for Louth Louth County Council must now take the lead. The Council should bring all relevant parties together, provide clarity on the future of the site, and actively support a plan to restore, reuse, or sensitively redevelop St Johns Home. St Johns Home should once again serve the people of Drogheda, and decisive action is now required. Dundalk and Drogheda are set to be included in the living cities initiative, Tanaiste Simon Harris has confirmed. The living city initiative is a tax incentive that encourages people to live in historic inner-city areas. It is already in place is Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford. The Tanaiste confirmed that there will be five regions added to the initiative alongside Dundalk and Drogheda, Letterkenny, Sligo and Athlone have also been included. Mr Harris said the initiative will bring much needed Government support to Dundalk and Drogheda to tackle vacancy and dereliction. He said the government hopes to open applications by "June at the latest". Read Next: Landmark Dundalk pub put up for sale Labour TD for Louth, Ged Nash said he intends to "hold the Tanaiste to his promise" that the initiative will be "making a difference on the streets of Drogheda and Dundalk, by the middle of next year." Deputy Nash said there can be "no excuses" for the government in implementing the scheme and praised Louth County Council for "quickly and proactively" doing their part to tackle areas of dereliction in both towns. Simon Harris said draft maps from local authorities should be returned by the end of January, however, Deputy Nash said Louth County Council have "already provided it to the Department of Finance." Finally, Mr Nash said he looks forward to the initiative "breathing new life into our two largest towns." Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD today announced the allocation of 133,913 in funding to three animal welfare charities in Louth. Dundalk Dog Rescue is set to receive 32,000, Drogheda Animal Rescue will receive 51,563 and Louth SPCA will get 50,350. Under the Animal Welfare Grants Programme 6,434,803 in funding has been awarded to 94 animal welfare charities nationwide the highest ever awarded. Minister Heydon said: The welfare of animals continues to be a priority to me and my Department. In this regard, I am delighted to be in a position to provide the highest ever allocation under the grants programme to animal welfare charities throughout the country. I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the staff and all the volunteers in these organisations for their dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes to animals in their care. The department say the funding provided this year continues to reward those organisations that have a proven track record in rehoming, providing education to the public on animal welfare, and guidance to prevent welfare problems in the future. Read Next: Landmark Dundalk pub put up for sale In advance of the Christmas season, Minister Heydon urged the public to think carefully before getting a pet this Christmas. "A pet can bring great joy, but with that comes responsibility. Owning and caring for a pet is a major, long-term commitment. "New owners should ensure that they source their pet responsibly from a reputable source such as a charity or a reputable breeder. 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. A fundraiser for Feile OSullivan from West Cork has been officially named the number one GoFundMe campaign in Ireland in 2025. Just before her 13th birthday, Feile suffered a devastating tractor accident that resulted in a double leg amputation and months of critical care. Supported by her family, local GAA clubs, and her wider community in West Cork, over 720,000 has been raised to fund life-saving medical treatment, prosthetics, and rehabilitation. The announcement comes as part of GoFundMes 2025 Year in Help report, which shows that over 50m was raised across Ireland this year. Ireland has once again been named the most generous country in the World, topping GoFundMes global charts for the seventh year in a row. Feile has undergone more than 60 operations since the accident, and she continues to inspire her community with her displays of courage and determination. Her family says the generosity shown has been transformational, and will ensure she receives the specialist care she needs for the years ahead. Work is ongoing to increase dental training places in Cork despite the scrapping of plans for a new dental school and hospital, the minister for health has said. Social Democrats TD for Cork South Central Padraig Rice asked the minister in the Dail her plans to increase capacity at University College Corks Dental School following the decision not to build a new dental school. Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said that officials in her department are continuing to collaborate with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an expansion of dental training places in UCC. As part of this engagement, my department has received a strong proposal from UCC requesting 4.7m in capital funding to establish a new dental community-based training facility in Cork. "This would enable the training of additional undergraduate students in a primary care setting, benefiting both Irish and EU students, she said. While the proposal is promising, it currently delivers limited increases in domestic student places. Discussions are currently ongoing between my department and the Department of Further and Higher Education to further maximise the benefits this proposal will bring with a view to expanding Irish and EU places to help meet the required oral healthcare workforce capacity in Ireland. Ms Carroll MacNeill added: My department proactively engaged with UCC across 2024 regarding the construction of a new dental school and hospital in Cork. Several options were considered and my department offered 25m in capital funding to assist in fitting out a new dental school and hospital estimated to cost in excess of 74m. A decision was made by UCC not to proceed with the new dental school and hospital, but instead to refurbish the existing Cork University Dental School and Hospital, and to develop a new primary care dental facility in Cork. This refurbishment, at a total cost of 15m, is being co-funded by my Department and UCC. Work is ongoing through the appropriate processes to explore all options to support UCC to deliver on its remit regarding education and healthcare service provision. Hundreds of euro worth of steaks were stolen from various shops in Cork city and now the 47-year-old culprit has been jailed for five months. Sergeant John Dineen outlined details of 11 separate thefts carried out by the accused man, including one in June when he stole 297 worth of steaks from Aldi in Blackpool. The total amount of steaks stolen during the summer by Adam Kiely of no fixed address amounted to over 700. More than 300 worth of washing products such as washing machine pods were also stolen. Sgt Dineen said the accused man told gardai he was carrying out these thefts in order to sell them to buy intoxicants. Eddie Burke, solicitor, said: He lived in England for a good number of years. He returned a year ago. All his documents were lost or taken. He could not get services in this country. He could not be accommodated. Invariably he lived on the streets and had no resources. He carried out these offences purely to survive. Adam Kiely pleaded guilty to all of the theft charges and to public order offences and one count of possession of a scissors and a Stanley blade to be used in connection with carrying out thefts. Mr Burke said the defendant did not have many previous convictions and that the ones before the court on this occasion were committed out of desperation. Met Eireann have updated Cork to a status orange rain warning this weekend with possible flooding expected on Sunday. Previously, Met Eireann issued a status yellow weather warning which was expected to come into effect from 6pm on Saturday. This status yellow rain warning was to remain in place until midnight on Sunday night. However, the national forecaster has, as of this morning, issued a status orange warning for Sunday which will come into effect from 3am and remain in place until 6pm on Sunday evening. Sunday is expected to bring "significant rainfall accumulations, especially on high ground, with the highest totals expected in Kerry and West Cork," Met Eireann have said. Significant river and surface water flooding, hazardous travelling conditions and poor visibility as expected as a result. A status yellow rain warning remains in place for counties Cork, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Donegal and all of Connacht today, Saturday, from 6pm and will see heavy spells of rain with an increased risk of flooding due to high river levels and saturated ground. A spokesperson for Cork County Council said the local authority's Severe Weather Assessment Team convened earlier today to assess preparations as the risk of flooding in the West Cork and Bandon-Kinsale Municipal Districts is high. Council crews have been deployed across the county and are monitoring known hotspots for flooding, with pumps deployed and sandbags available in several locations. Cork County Council is advising motorists to exercise extreme caution as driving conditions may be hazardous with surface flooding possible. Motorists should avoid driving through flowing or standing water and should exercise caution during heavy rain, the spokespersons said. Please be conscious of cyclists and pedestrians. Issues such as flooding and road damage should be reported to the Councils Emergency Out of Hours number on (021) 4800048. In the event of an emergency call 999 or 112 and request the Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Gardai or Irish Coastguard as appropriate. In the event of a disruption to power supply, please contact ESB Networks at 1800 372 999. Electronic music has always been defined by its subgenres. House, techno, trance, dubstepeach with distinct sonic signatures, BPM ranges, and devoted followings. DJs built reputations by mastering specific sounds, and audiences knew exactly what to expect when walking into a deep house night versus a hard techno rave. But in 2025, a growing movement of artists is rejecting these categorical boundaries entirely, creating genre-fluid experiences that prioritize emotional narrative over stylistic purity. This shift represents more than eclectic taste or artistic restlessness. It reflects a fundamental reimagining of what electronic music can accomplish when freed from the constraints of genre orthodoxy. Rather than perfecting a single sound, genre-fluid artists are weaving together disparate influences to create something entirely newperformances and productions that feel cinematic, exploratory, and intensely personal. Breaking the BPM Barrier Traditional electronic music categories rely heavily on tempo. House typically sits between 120130 BPM, techno pushes slightly faster, while ambient drifts below 100. These numerical boundaries created clear frameworks for both DJs and dancers, but they also imposed creative limitations that increasingly feel outdated in an era of infinite sonic possibilities. Taylor Thomson, an LA-based DJ and producer who's become known for his genre-defying approach, sees these restrictions as arbitrary obstacles rather than helpful guidelines. "I'm not interested in being the best deep house DJ or the most authentic techno producer," Thomson explains. "Those are arbitrary distinctions that don't reflect how people actually experience music. When I'm building a set, I'm thinking about arc and momentumhow do I take people on a journey that feels complete? That might mean starting with ambient textures, building through house grooves, and climaxing with harder techno elements. The genre labels are irrelevant to the emotional experience." Thomson's productions and performances blend deep house, synth-pop, and experimental techno into cohesive narratives that resist easy categorization. His Night Signal imprint has become a platform for similarly boundary-pushing artists, creating a community around cross-pollination rather than genre loyalty. Narrative Over Nostalgia What distinguishes genuinely genre-fluid artists from DJs who simply play diverse styles is intentionality. Rather than randomly jumping between sounds, they construct narratives that give each transition purpose and meaning. Thomson's approach draws inspiration from film scoring and storytelling traditions, treating sets as three-act structures with clear introduction, development, and resolution. "Hardware forces you to think horizontally across a set rather than vertically within individual tracks," Thomson notes. "When you're manipulating synthesizers in real time, you're creating connective tissue between different moments. That's what makes genre-blending feel organic rather than jarring." His setup reflects this philosophy. Using equipment like the Arturia MicroFreak for experimental textures and Roland TR-8S for rhythm programming, Thomson creates seamless transitions between genres by manipulating shared sonic elements. A filter sweep might connect an ambient passage to a house groove, while carefully programmed percussion provides rhythmic continuity across tempo changes. This narrative framework creates cohesion even when moving between dramatically different sonic territories. A set might open with atmospheric synth-pop that establishes mood and tone, gradually introducing rhythmic elements that build tension, before resolving into driving techno that provides cathartic release. Each section serves the larger story rather than existing as isolated genre exercises. The Global Influence Factor The genre-fluid movement also reflects electronic music's increasingly global perspective. As artists draw inspiration from diverse cultural traditions and regional scenes, the Western-centric genre classifications that dominated the industry's first decades feel inadequate. Amapiano from South Africa, UK garage's ongoing evolution, and hard techno's European resurgence are all influencing producers worldwide, creating hybrid sounds that don't fit existing taxonomies. Thomson's work in Los Angeles positions him at the intersection of multiple influences. The city's tech culture, film industry aesthetics, and diverse musical traditions all inform his productions. "The old genre system served gatekeepers more than it served artists or fans," Thomson argues. "If you wanted radio play or festival bookings, you needed to fit cleanly into a category. But most interesting music exists in the spaces between those categories." Through platforms like SoundCloud, Thomson documents his ongoing exploration of these in-between spaces. Tracks might incorporate 1980s synth-pop aesthetics with contemporary techno production, or blend ambient soundscapes with four-on-the-floor rhythms. What unifies these experiments is attention to emotional coherence rather than stylistic consistency. Industry Adaptation The death of rigid genre categories has practical implications for how electronic music gets marketed, promoted, and consumed. Streaming platforms and record labels traditionally relied on genre tags to organize content and target audiences. As artists resist these classifications, new frameworks are emerging that emphasize mood, energy level, and contextual use rather than technical specifications. Thomson has observed this shift in his own release strategy. Rather than pitching Night Signal releases as "deep house" or "techno," he describes them in terms of emotional qualities and intended applications. A track might be "late-night introspective" or "peak-time euphoric"descriptors that communicate experience rather than technical attributes. This evolution benefits both artists and audiences. Artists gain creative freedom to follow inspiration without categorical constraints, while listeners discover music based on emotional resonance rather than arbitrary style definitions. The result is an electronic music culture that increasingly prizes innovation and expressiveness over orthodoxy and tradition. Technical Mastery Required Creating compelling genre-fluid sets requires different skills than mastering a single style. DJs must develop a deeper understanding of how energy flows across different tempos and textures, how to maintain momentum through dramatic shifts, and how to signal transitions so audiences can follow the narrative journey. Thomson's live performances demonstrate these techniques. His use of the Pioneer DJ XDJ-RX3 alongside hardware synthesizers allows fluid movement between prepared material and improvised elements. He might use a synth-generated texture to bridge between two tracks from different genres, creating seamless transitions that feel intentional rather than random. The visual aspect of hardware performance also enhances genre-fluid sets. When audiences can observe the physical manipulation of equipment, they gain insight into the creative process. A filter sweep or tempo adjustment becomes a visible gesture that prepares them for upcoming shifts, creating anticipation rather than confusion. Thomson's Instagram presence frequently showcases these technical approaches, offering transparency about methods while demonstrating how genre-blending creates cohesive experiences. His documentation helps emerging DJs understand that genre fluidity requires purposeful curation rather than random eclecticism. The Signature Sound Paradox As genre boundaries dissolve, questions emerge about how artists will define their identities and how audiences will discover new music. If traditional categories no longer apply, what replaces them? The answer may lie in individual artistic voicesdistinctive approaches to sound design, performance style, and emotional territory that transcend technical specifications. Thomson's trajectory suggests that success belongs to artists who develop recognizable sonic signatures while maintaining stylistic flexibility. His productions consistently feature certain qualitieswarm analog textures, cinematic builds, unexpected harmonic progressionsthat create coherence across diverse genre influences. Fans recognize his work through these signature elements rather than genre adherence. "When you're not worried about fitting into a category, you start developing your own sonic signature," Thomson explains. "The elements that make your music recognizable regardless of tempo or style. For me, that includes warm analog textures from hardware synths, unexpected harmonic progressions, and cinematic builds. These create coherence even when I'm moving between what would traditionally be called different genres." Cultural Impact and Community Building The genre-fluid movement extends beyond individual artistic choices to reshape electronic music culture itself. Venues and promoters are increasingly booking nights based on vibe and community rather than strict genre focus. Audiences attend events to experience curated journeys rather than predictable sonic consistency. Thomson's Night Signal events and radio series exemplify this approach. Each edition functions as both a performance and a curatorial statement, introducing audiences to boundary-pushing sounds that might not find space in more genre-specific contexts. The platform has become known for showcasing artists who resist categorization, creating a community around exploration rather than orthodoxy. This cultural shift aligns with broader trends in electronic music consumption. Younger audiences, raised on streaming platforms with infinite options, often care less about genre purity than previous generations. They navigate music through mood playlists and algorithmic recommendations that ignore traditional boundaries, making them naturally receptive to genre-fluid approaches. What Comes Next The dissolution of genre boundaries doesn't mean the end of musical specificity. Certain sounds will always deserve dedicated communities and specialized knowledge. Deep techno historians, jungle revivalists, minimal house puriststhese communities preserve important traditions and push their chosen sounds forward in valuable ways. What's changing is the assumption that genre purity is inherently superior to genre fluidity. Electronic music has always evolved through boundary-crossing and rule-breaking. Detroit techno emerged from funk, disco, and European synth-pop. UK garage blended house with R&B and jungle. Every major development in electronic music history came from artists who refused to stay in their lane. Thomson believes the current moment represents another such evolutionary leap. "We're seeing African influences reshape global electronic music, UK sounds experiencing massive revivals while mutating into new forms, hard techno booming while simultaneously slower experimental sounds gain traction," he observes. "These aren't contradictory trendsthey're all part of electronic music's ongoing evolution beyond categorical thinking." As electronic music continues maturing as an art form, the future increasingly belongs to artists who can tell compelling stories with sound rather than those who execute specific genres flawlessly. The technical skills matter, but emotional resonance and narrative coherence matter more. For both artists and audiences willing to embrace this complexity, the death of genre categories represents not a loss but an opportunitythe chance to experience electronic music's vast possibilities without the constraints of outdated taxonomies. 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. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has launched an intensive manhunt for fugitive convict Mike Mathe, who escaped from Plumtree Prison under circumstances that remain under investigation. Authorities suspect the breakout may have involved inside assistance.Reports indicate that Mathe fled in the early hours of Saturday after allegedly cutting through the prison's burglar bars with a hacksaw blade. Following the escape, security teams were immediately deployed to track his movements and prevent further risks to the public.ZPCS spokesperson Chief Superintendent Meya Khanyezi reassured citizens that investigations are ongoing. "The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service wishes to inform the public that an inmate unlawfully escaped from Plumtree Prison. Investigations into this incident are currently underway, and we are working diligently to apprehend the escaped inmate and prevent any further occurrences," she said.She emphasised that the service remains committed to its mandate of ensuring public safety and upholding the highest standards of professionalism, adding that operational procedures are being reviewed to prevent future incidents.Chief Superintendent Khanyezi called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report any information that could lead to Mathe's recapture, warning them not to approach the fugitive. "The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of all citizens," she said.Local residents, particularly those near transit routes in Plumtree, have been urged to exercise caution while assisting authorities in the search for the escaped inmate. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shane Nigam (@shanenigam786) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shane Nigam (@shanenigam786) : Shane Nigams Haal has spent the past few weeks in the eye of a regulatory storm, but the clouds have finally lifted. The film, directed by debutant Veeraa, is now preparing for its theatrical arrival during the Christmas season. While the producers have not yet announced a specific release date, the confirmation itself has sparked new curiosity around the project. Viewers who have followed the films legal journey will likely see its release as a small but meaningful victory for creative expression.Haal became a flashpoint after the Central Board of Film Certification insisted on the removal of six portions. The list included a scene featuring the consumption of beef biryani, which quickly drew public attention and triggered debates around censorship. Unwilling to alter the film beyond what they felt was necessary, the makers approached the High Court. Their petition set the stage for a case that placed artistic freedom and regulatory authority in direct conversation.The CBFC argued that screening permission would only be granted if all six contested portions were removed. The Single Bench, however, arrived at a very different conclusion. Four of the six cuts were annulled while two were retained. Both the CBFC and the Catholic Congress challenged this decision, but the Division Bench dismissed the appeals. The judges also watched the film themselves before delivering the final verdict which further reinforced the ruling.With the court fully satisfied, Haal is now free to enter the release pipeline without further uncertainty. For a film that has made headlines for everything except its story so far, this ruling shifts the conversation back to the work itself.Haal is scripted by Nishad Koya and features Shane Nigam in a romantic drama setting. Sakshi Vaidya plays the female lead and her pairing with Nigam promises to bring a new energy to the genre. The supporting cast is packed with familiar Malayalam cinema names that include Johny Antony, Madhupal, Sangeetha Madhavan Nair, Joy Mathew, Nishant Sagar, Niyas Becker, Riyaz Narmakala, Suresh Krishna, Raveendran, Sohan Seenulal, Manoj KU, Unniraja and Sreedhanya.The technical lineup also signals that Haal aims for a polished big screen experience. Nandagopan V handles the music which is expected to play a central role in shaping the emotional tone of the film. Ravi Chandran is in charge of cinematography and is likely to bring a warm visual texture to the narrative. Editing is by Akash Joseph Varghese, whose recent work has shown a skill for keeping romantic dramas fluid and intimate. The film is produced by Juby Thomas under JVJ Productions.With its legal burdens behind it, Haal can finally shift attention to its craft and its performers. Shane Nigam, who has built a reputation for intense character driven roles, may find this film becoming a key release in a year that has tested many actors in the Malayalam industry. For debutant Veeraa the court verdict not only clears the film for release but also ensures that his vision arrives largely intact which is no small achievement for a first time filmmaker.As anticipation builds, Haal is poised to step into theatres as one of the more talked about Christmas releases. The long wait may just turn out to be part of its charm.Also Read Ananya Panday is taking a trip down memory lane! The actress recently shared a "special throwback" click from Filmfare OTT Awards 2024, where she is seen posing with Huma Qureshi, Manisha Koirala and Kareena Kapoor Khan. The Filmfare cover image of January 2025, titled Queens Of The Night had garnered major appreciation from fans for featuring the brightest female stars in OTT of the previous year. For those unaware, Ananya had won an award in the BEST ACTOR, CRITICS' (FEMALE): FILM category at the event. Taking to social media, the actress had shared clicks with the Black Lady. She captioned the post as, "Filmfare Best Actor (Female) - Critics Choice for Kho Gaye Hum Kahan [four crying emoticons] itni shiddat se maine tumhe paane ki kaushish ki hai, ki har zarre ne mujhe tumse milane ki saazish ki hai [heart emoticon] thank you thank you thank you." Her friends, including Suhana Khan, Shanaya Kapoor and rumoured boyfriend Walker Blanco had congratulated her on the win. Recalling the same, Ananya shared the cover image and wrote, "Such a special throwback to such a special night... [three red heart emoticons]. On the professional front, Ananya has starred in Call Me Bae, CTRL, Kesari: Chapter 2 and more recently. She is gearing up to be seen in Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, alongside Kartik Aaryan. The movie is slated to release on December 25, 2025. Interestingly, Filmfare is back with the sixth edition of OTT Awards. The Filmfare OTT Awards 2025, co-powered by Hyundai is set to take place on December 15, 2025 in Mumbai. The event will witness spectacular star appearances and fans are also curiously waiting to know about this year's OTT winners. Stay tuned for more. Also Read: Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday Open Up About Their Parents Constantly Asking for OTPs Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 12, 2025) - Supreme Critical Metals Inc., (CSE: CRIT) (FSE: VR6) (OTC Pink: VRCFF) ("Supreme" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "LIFE Offering") consisting of a maximum of 6,666,667 units of the Company (the "Offered Units"), and a minimum of 3,600,000 Offered Units, at a price of $0.15 per Offered Unit for minimum gross proceeds of $540,000 and a maximum gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000.05. The Company's previously announced offering of up to 4,651,162 flow-through units ("FT Units") at a price of $0.215 per FT Unit, for proceeds of up to $1,000,000 (the "Concurrent Offering"), including the most recent December 8th closing of FT Units, continues concurrent with the LIFE Offering. Closing of the LIFE Offering is not conditional upon the closing of the Concurrent Offering. Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the LIFE Offering is being made to purchasers' resident in all provinces of Canada, except Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106 (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). Under the LIFE Offering, each Offered Unit will consist of one common share of the Company ("Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will be exercisable for a period of 12 months from the Closing Date (as defined herein) (the "Expiry Period") and will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share prior to the expiry of the Expiry Period at an exercise price of $0.21 per Warrant. The securities issued pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption will not be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. An offering document related to the LIFE Offering (the "Offering Document") will be available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on Supreme's website at www.supremecriticalmetals.com. Prospective purchasers should read the Offering Document before making an investment decision. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering, as more specifically described in the Offering Document and for general corporate and working capital purposes. The closing of the Offering is anticipated to occur on or about January 15, 2026, or such other date(s) as may be determined by the Company (the "Closing Date") and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the conditional approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Supreme Critical Metals Inc. Supreme Critical Metals Inc. (CSE: CRIT) (FSE: VR6) (OTC Pink: VRCFF) is a publicly traded, diversified exploration company advancing a portfolio of high-potential silver, copper, uranium, and gold properties across North America. The Company follows a disciplined, data-driven acquisition strategy focused on mining-friendly jurisdictions with established infrastructure, predictable permitting, and supportive regulatory frameworks. Additional information about Supreme Critical Metals is available on the Company's website at www.supremecriticalmetals.com. On Behalf of the Board of Supreme Critical Metals Inc. "Glen R. Watson" Glen R. Watson President & CEO LIKE AND FOLLOW Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Such forward-looking information is provided to inform the Company's shareholders and potential investors about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "anticipate", "proposed", "estimates", "would", "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "will", and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking information contain these identifying words. More particularly and without limitation, the forward-looking information in this news release includes expectations regarding the Company's business plans and operations. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions that have been used to develop such information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the Company's current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs based on information currently available to the Company. Whether actual results, performance, or achievements will conform to Supreme's expectations and predictions is subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from Supreme's expectations. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release. ### To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277959 SOURCE: Supreme Critical Metals Inc. North Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 12, 2025) - Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) ("Lion One" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of the Company's annual and special general meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") held on December 12, 2025. At the Meeting, the number of directors of the Company was set at four (4) with the following directors re-elected at the Meeting: Walter Berukoff, Richard Meli, Tayfun Eldem, and Todd Romaine. In addition, shareholders of the Company approved the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan as described in the management information circular dated October 31, 2025 (the "Circular") as well as the re-appointment of Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants as the auditor of the Company for the ensuing fiscal year. About Lion One Metals Limited Lion One Metals is an emerging Canadian gold producer headquartered in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Tuvatu project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Deposit, the Underground Gold Mine, the Pilot Plant, and the Assay Lab. The Company also has an extensive exploration license covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, which is host to multiple mineralized zones and highly prospective exploration targets. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Walter Berukoff, Chairman & President Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility or the adequacy or accuracy of this release 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. 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 Lion One Metals Limited's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. 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 Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries 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 stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited 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. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277971 SOURCE: Lion One Metals Limited Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - December 12, 2025) - Canadian Critical Minerals Corp. (TSXV: CCMI) (OTCQB: RIINF) ("CCMI" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has closed the first tranche of its previously announced private placement for gross proceeds of $588,850 through the issuance of 16,824,286 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.035 per Unit (the "Offering"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant of the Company (a "Warrant"), with each Warrant exercisable into one Common Share at a price of $0.05 for a period of five (5) years. The Company expects to complete a second tranche of the Offering next week. The Offering remains subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. In accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Units were issued to Canadian purchasers pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106, as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). The Common Shares and Warrants issued to purchasers resident in Canada are immediately freely tradeable in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. There is an offering document related to the Offering and the use by the Company of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption that can be accessed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.canadiancriticalmineralsinc.com. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid finders fees of $2,401 and 68,600 finders warrants with each finder warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one common share at a price of $0.05 for a period of two years. The finder warrants and the underlying common shares are subject to a four month and one day hold period from the closing date of the Offering in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering to complete its application to restart the Bull River Mine project near Cranbrook, BC. and for working capital. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About CCMI CCMI is a mining company primarily focused on copper production assets in Canada. CCMI's main asset is the 100% owned Bull River Mine project (150 million lbs of copper) near Cranbrook, British Columbia which has a Mineral Resource containing copper, gold and silver. CCMI also owns a 5.3% interest in XXIX Metal Corp. which holds a 100% interest in the Thierry copper project near Pickle Lake, Ontario and a 100% interest in the Opemiska copper project near Chapais-Chibougamau, Quebec. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans with respect to the Company's projects and the timing related thereto, the merits of the Company's projects, the Company's objectives, plans and strategies, the use of proceeds of the Offering and other matters. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward- looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other agency or governmental clearances, necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, risks of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Data Analysis and Retrieval + (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. 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. 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/277977 SOURCE: Canadian Critical Minerals Inc. QUEBEC CITY, Dec. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robex Resources Inc. ("Robex" or the "Corporation") (TSX-V: RBX, ASX: RXR) announces that, further to the announcement on December 10, 2025, it has filed an addendum (the "Addendum") to the management information circular of the Corporation dated November 11, 2025 (the "Circular"). The Addendum provides certain information regarding the amending agreement (the "Amending Agreement") entered into between Robex, Predictive Discovery Limited ("Predictive") (ASX: PDI) and 9548-5991 Quebec Inc. ("Acquireco") to amend the previously announced arrangement agreement dated October 5, 2025 among Robex, Predictive and Acquireco (together with the Amending Agreement, the "Arrangement Agreement"), pursuant to which Acquireco, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Predictive, will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Robex ("Robex Shares") by way of a statutory plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") under Chapter XVI - Division II of the Business Corporations Act (Quebec) (the "Transaction"). The record date for determination of Robex Shareholders entitled to receive notice and vote at the Meeting remains at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on November 3, 2025 (6:00 a.m. Australian Western Standard Time on November 4, 2025) ("Record Date"). The Addendum is being sent to holders of Robex Shares as at the Record Date. Based on the unanimous recommendation of the special committee of independent directors of Robex (the "Robex Special Committee"), and after consultation with its outside financial and legal advisors, the board of directors of the Corporation (the "Robex Board") has unanimously determined that the Arrangement is in the best interests of Robex, and that the Amended Consideration to be received by Robex Shareholders pursuant to the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Robex Shareholders. Accordingly, THE ROBEX BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT ROBEX SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ARRANGEMENT RESOLUTION AT THE MEETING. Meeting Postponed to December 30, 2025 The Meeting, previously scheduled for December 15, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) (9:00 p.m. Australian Western Standard Time), has been postponed to December 30, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) (9:00 p.m. Australian Western Standard Time) to allow Robex Shareholders additional time to deposit proxies or voting instruction forms. The Meeting will be held virtually. To participate, Robex Shareholders must register online at www.icastpro.ca/q04g09(French) by 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on December 22, 2025 (6:00 a.m. Australian Western Standard Time on December 23, 2025). Robex Shareholders will be able to access and participate in the Meeting using the same registration links provided above, which will serve as the entry point to the Meeting. Deadline to Deposit Proxies Extended The form of proxy, voting instruction form (including the CDI voting instruction form) and letter of transmittal that were mailed to Robex Shareholders with the Circular remain valid. No further action is required of Robex Shareholders who have already voted their Robex Shares if there is no change to their vote. If you have not already submitted your form of proxy or voting instruction form or you wish to change your vote, please carefully review the updated instructions below. The deadline to deposit proxies has been extended to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on December 29, 2025 (6:00 a.m. Australian Western Standard Time on December 30, 2025) (the "Revised Proxy Deadline"). To be valid, the proxy form must be received by the Corporation's transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. by Internet, telephone or mail at their Toronto office, 320 Bay St., 14th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 4A6 no later than the Revised Proxy Deadline. The deadline to submit CDI voting instruction forms has also been extended. CDI voting instruction form must now be received by the Corporation's CDI register, Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited by Internet at www.investorvote.com.au, by post to GPO Box 242, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia or by fax to 1800 783 447 (within Australia) or +61 3 9473 2555 (outside Australia), no later than by 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on December 28, 2025 (6:00 a.m. Australian Western Standard Time on December 29, 2025) (the "Revised CDI VIF Deadline"), and CDI Holders are encouraged to submit their CDI voting instruction forms as soon as possible to ensure their instructions are carried out. Beneficial Robex Shareholders must submit their voting instruction form to their intermediary in advance to ensure their intermediary can vote by the cut-off. The chair of the Meeting may waive or extend the proxy cut-off without notice. Addendum to Information Circular The information contained in the Addendum supplements the information contained in the Circular to provide Robex Shareholders with sufficient information concerning the Amending Agreement, in order to permit Robex Shareholders to form a reasoned judgment concerning voting their Robex Shares in respect of the Arrangement Resolution. The Addendum should be read in conjunction with the Circular. Under the Amending Agreement, Robex Shareholders will now receive 7.862 fully paid ordinary shares in the capital of Predictive ("Predictive Shares") for each Robex Share held (the "AmendedConsideration" or the "Amended Exchange Ratio"). Following completion of the Transaction, existing Predictive shareholders and former Robex Shareholders will own approximately 53.5% and 46.5%, respectively, of the combined company on a fully diluted in-the-money basis Second Fairness Opinions Each of Cormark Securities Inc. ("Cormark") and Canaccord Genuity Corp. ("Canaccord") were engaged to evaluate the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Amended Consideration to be received by Robex Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement. Cormark provided an updated fairness opinion to the Special Committee (the "Second Cormark Fairness Opinion") to the effect that, as of the date of such Second Cormark Fairness Opinion, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set out therein, the Amended Consideration to be received by the Robex Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement, is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Robex Shareholders. Additionally, Canaccord provided an updated fairness opinion to the Robex Board (the "Second Canaccord Fairness Opinion" and together, the "Second Fairness Opinions") to the effect that, as of the date of such Second Canaccord Fairness Opinion, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set out therein, the Amended Consideration to be received by the Robex Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement, is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Robex Shareholders. The full text of the Second Fairness Opinions is attached as Exhibit A to the Addendum. Pro Forma Capitalization As a result of the Amended Consideration, certain pro forma information provided in the Circular has changed. The following table sets forth the pro forma consolidated capitalization of the Robex and Predictive (the "Combined Company") using the Amended Exchange Ratio, after giving effect to the Arrangement as of June 30, 2025. Securities(1) Pro Forma After Giving Effect to the Arrangement (A$)(2)(3) 4,793,405,455 1,251,722,072 Notes: As of June 30, 2025, after giving effect to the Arrangement, there will be: 98,275,000 Predictive Warrants consisting of 98,275,000 Robex Warrants from and after the Effective Time, as adjusted by the Amended Exchange Ratio, 90,395,140 Predictive Options consisting of a combination of (i) 37,562,500 Predictive Options, and (ii) 52,832,640 Robex Options from and after the Effective Time, as adjusted by the Amended Exchange Ratio; 76,750,000 Predictive PRs; and 40,489,300 Predictive PSUs consisting of 40,489,300 Robex PSUs from and after the Effective Time, as adjusted by the Amended Exchange Ratio. Assumes that outstanding Robex DSUs will be settled in cash rather than for an aggregate of 3,931,000 Predictive Shares; however, such determination will be made by Predictive prior to the Effective Time. The pro forma capitalization of the Combined Company assumes that the accelerated expiry of Robex's listed common share purchase warrants was completed as of June 30, 2025. Based on the unaudited pro forma financial information following the completion of the Arrangement included in Exhibit B to the Addendum, accumulated losses at June 30, 2025 on a consolidated basis totaled A$125,407,956. Fully Diluted Share Capital The following table sets forth the expected number and percentage of securities of the Combined Company expected to be outstanding on a fully diluted basis after giving effect to the Arrangement. The information in the table below is based on information available to each of Robex and Predictive as at December 12, 2025. Number Percentage Predictive Shares 4,793,405,455 94 % Predictive Warrants 98,275,000 2 % Predictive Options 80,634,723 2 % Predictive PSUs 40,489,300 1 % Predictive PRs 73,680,000 1 % Total (on a fully diluted basis)1 5,086,484,478 100.00 % Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information of the Combined Company giving effect to the Arrangement and the accompanying notes have been updated to reflect the Amended Consideration and are included as Exhibit B to the Addendum. The unaudited pro forma financial information has been prepared in a manner consistent with Predictive's and Robex's respective accounting policies as applied and disclosed in the Predictive Financial Statements, the Robex Financial Statements, and the condensed interim financial statements of Predictive for the period ended December 31, 2024 and the condensed interim financial statements of Robex for the period ended June 30, 2025. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of financial position as at June 30, 2025 gives effect to the Arrangement as if the transaction had closed on June 30, 2025. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the twelve months ended June 30, 2025 give effect to the Arrangement as if the transaction had closed on July 1, 2024. The unaudited pro forma financial information is based on the respective historical consolidated financial statements of Predictive and Robex. The unaudited pro forma financial information and adjustments, including the allocation of the purchase price, are based upon preliminary estimates of fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, current available information and certain assumptions that Predictive believes are reasonable in the circumstances, as described in the notes to the unaudited pro forma financial information. The unaudited pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be indicative of the results that would actually have occurred, or the results expected in future periods, had the events reflected herein occurred on the dates indicated. The actual financial position and results of operations of the Combined Company following completion of the Arrangement may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected in the unaudited pro forma financial information due to a variety of factors. Principal Securityholders To the best of the knowledge of the directors and officers of each of Robex and Predictive, upon completion of the Arrangement, the following persons or companies will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over, Predictive Shares carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to the Predictive Shares: Name of Predictive Shareholder and Municipality of Residence Number of Predictive Shares % of Total Outstanding Predictive Shares BlackRock, Inc. New York 676,349,071 14.1% Security Holdings of Directors and Officers After giving effect to the Arrangement, it is expected that the directors and executive officers of the Combined Company as a group will beneficially own or control or direct, directly or indirectly, approximately a total of 22,207,062 Predictive Shares, representing 0.46% of the outstanding Predictive Shares. Restated Information Circular Robex also announces that it has filed an amended and restated Circular. Shareholder Questions and Voting Assistance Robex Shareholders who have questions about the information contained in this press release or require assistance with voting their shares, may contact Robex proxy solicitation agent and shareholder communications advisor: Laurel Hill Advisory Group Toll-Free: 1-877-452-7184 Robex has engaged Canaccord Genuity as financial advisor, Peloton Legal Pty Ltd as Australian legal advisor, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP as Canadian legal advisor. Cormark Securities Inc. has been engaged as financial advisor to the Robex Special Committee. This announcement was approved by the Managing Director. 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. Robex Resources Inc. Matthew Wilcox, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Alain William, Chief Financial Officer Email: investor@robexgold.com Investors and Media: Michael Vaughan, Fivemark Partners Phone: +61 422 602 720 Email: michael.vaughan@fivemark.com.au ABOUT ROBEX RESOURCES INC. Robex Resources is a Canadian gold mining company listed on the TSX-V and ASX, and headquartered in Quebec, Canada. Robex's material properties consist of the Nampala Project in Mali and the Kiniero Project in Guinea. Not an Offer No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements and applicable U.S. state securities laws. Forward-looking Statements This announcement contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "Forward-looking Information"). These include statements regarding future outlook and anticipated events, such as the consummation and timing of the Transaction and the satisfaction of the closing conditions under the Arrangement Agreement; the timing of the Meeting and of the Revised Proxy Deadline and Revised CDI VIF Deadline; the filing and delivery of the Addendum, press release and any other ancillary materials; pro forma ownership of the Combined Company; and future plans, projections, objectives, estimates and forecasts and the timing related thereto. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address circumstances, events, activities or developments that could or may or will occur are Forward-looking Information. Forward-looking Information is generally identified by the use of words like "will", "create", "enhance", "improve", "potential", "expect", "upside", "growth", "estimate", "anticipate" and similar expressions and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", or "should", or the negative or grammatical variations of such terms, are intended to identify Forward-looking Information. Although Robex believes that the expectations reflected in the Forward-looking Information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on Forward- looking Information since no assurance can be provided that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking Information is based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or good faith belief of the officers and directors of Robex as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the Forward-looking Information. Forward-looking Information involves numerous risks and uncertainties. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, risks related to the closing of the Arrangement, changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange fluctuations and general economic conditions, increased costs and demand for production inputs, the speculative nature of exploration and project development, including the risks of obtaining necessary approvals, licenses and permits and diminishing quantities or grades of reserves, political and social risks (including, but not limited to, in Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali and West Africa more broadly), changes to the legal and regulatory framework within which Robex operates or may in the future operate, environmental conditions including extreme weather conditions, recruitment and retention of personnel, industrial relations issues and litigation, as well as the risks identified in the section titled "Risk Factors" in Robex's most recently filed Annual Information Form which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking Information is designed to help readers understand Robex' views as of that time with respect to future events and speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by applicable law, Robex assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any Forward-looking Information contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the Forward-looking Information. If Robex updates any Forward-looking Information, no inference should be drawn that Robex will make additional updates with respect to such or other Forward-looking Information. All Forward-Looking Information contained in this announcement is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. _____________________ 1 Assumes that outstanding Robex DSUs will be settled in cash rather than for an aggregate of 3,931,000 Predictive Shares; however, such determination will be made by Predictive prior to the Effective Time. What works are the performances that blend nicely with the murkiness of the plot. Kalki Koechlin is an actress who is always fun to watch. She happens to be one of the most unafraid performers in the Hindi film industry Cast: Karan Tacker, Kalki Koechlin, Saloni Batra, Danish Sood, Shubham Choudhury, Nimisha Nair Director: Robbie Grewal Language: Hindi Gaurav Tiwari is the man who may have seen in shows and television news channels. He was described as the nations first paranormal investigator. It was the faithful July 2016 when he died under mysterious circumstances. The immediate cause of death that was reported was asphyxiation. But as the police investigation deepened, it was reported that it was death by suicide. His financial strain made him take the drastic step. But this was also just a conjecture. It was a mystery left unanswered. And there is a new web series that attempts to tell his story wrapped in a horror narrative. The series is called _Bhay - The Gaurav Tiwari Mystery_. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Gaurav Tiwari is played by actor Karan Tacker. And he essays and embodies the role with restrain. Theres palpable ache in his body language as the series progresses and we see him getting plagued by the world he chose himself. The show begins with real life footages of his encounter with demonic spirits and his attempts to dig deeper into the world of paranormal. The first scene opens with his body in the hospital and two doctors discussing how it all happened. And then we move to a flashback a decade before he passed away. Its June 2006 and a bunch of friends are trying to call a spirit. Director Robbie Grewal has tried to lace the show with some humor. So one friend suggests they should try to call the spirit of Kishore Kumar as he has never met him. But it all gets complicated and chilling post this. What works for the show is how carefully it crafts a story around a man who existed for real, and who also experienced the paranormal for real. You will not be able to suspend your disbelief while watching the series. Its too contagious to be left midway. Its a show that forces you to binge watch it because of the story that it is trying to tell. And what works are the performances that blend nicely with the murkiness of the plot. Kalki Koechlin is an actress who is always fun to watch. She happens to be one of the most unafraid performers in Hindi film industry. She has been a part of the Hindi film industry for the last 16 years, and made some truly commendable choices. What makes Kalki stand out is that she never tries to stand out. And this web series is the best example of that. And Karan Tacker gets into the nuances of the late paranormal investigator. This is a performance that is rightfully restrained, devoid of any histrionics. But the one aspect that stands out in the show is the camerawork and cinematography. It is not easy to re-create what has already happened before, especially if it happens to be eerie and spooky. Games View All The web series has been given the perfect name. Bhay. In most of the horror movies that have been made in Hindi cinema, there is always one question that happens to be common- Do you believe in ghosts? But there are no such questions this time around. Because this show is about a man who has experienced this for real. Its a show that jolts you and forces you to think twice before saying ghosts do not exist. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rating: 3.5 (out of 5 stars) Bhay - The Gaurav Tiwari Mystery is now streaming on Amazon MX Player Tandon revealed, I had actually met Imtiaz for another film for a lead. I met him through UTV. He was making Rockstar with them at that time. So the meeting was for Rockstar. Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! actress Saumya Tandon who played Akshay Khannas wife in Dhurandhar, and who played Kareena Kapoor Khans sister in Jab We Met, has revealed in an interview she was approached by Imtiaz Ali for his 2011 romantic drama Rockstar. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Tandon revealed, I had actually met Imtiaz for another film for a lead. I met him through UTV. He was making Rockstar with them at that time. So the meeting was for Rockstar, and then this (Jab We Met) came up, and I just thought that I was so new and had no one to guide me. I met Imtiaz for the first time where they could meet where they were casting for a Kashmiri girl. They were meeting a lot of girls to cast for Rockstar. Whether they decided for me or not, I dont know. That film fizzled out with UTV back then, and Ashtvinayak ke saath Jab We Met happened. Rockstar happened two years later with Ranbir Kapoor. Initially, it was supposed to happen with John Abraham and a new girl, she added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Aditya Dhars _Dhurandhar_ has triggered a fierce debate in India and even across the border, where the story is set, drawing criticism from Pakistani critics and social media users who claim that the movie has numerous factual inaccuracies and the makers have taken creative liberties. Released on December 5, the high-octane spy thriller is directed and written by Dhar. Featuring Ranveer Singh in the lead role, the film follows covert intelligence operations set against a backdrop of geopolitical and terror events like Kandahar plane hijack, 2001 Parliament Attack and 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The film, which has led to polarising reactions from many critics and people in India, is mostly set in Lyari town of Karachi, an area known for its history of gang wars and violent turf battles. Iulia Vantur has released her first song in her home country and in her native language. Titled Colinde, Corinde, the track was performed for the very first time at the Vatican, in front of Pope Leo XIV and thousands of people, including leading spiritual figures from around the world, at the grand celebration marking 60 years of Nostra Aetate at the Paul VI Hall. This song is a dream come true, a wish that has been rising slowly like a Christmas cake. Over the years, I received many ideas and proposals to sing in Romanian, but I am truly happy that my first song in Romanian is a Christmas carol. It was meant to be this way. My blessed journeys often begin with a carol, born out of longing for my country, our traditions, my home, and a deep desire to reconnect with my roots and to return more often. I visit my parents and my loved ones as much as I can, but it never feels enough, shares Iulia Vantur. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Carrying deep meaning and symbolism, the carol strengthens Iulias special bond with this genre, which she considers a talisman that has opened many paths for her. I have wanted to release a Romanian carol for years. I love carols because they connect me to my childhood, to home, to Romania, to my parents. Every year without fail, I sing Christmas carols to my parents, even if I am thousands of kilometres away. We connect on video call, and that has become our special Christmas tradition. My mother cries every year from emotion, sometimes my father too, and in those moments I feel like a child again. It is my favourite part of Christmas. My musical journey in India also began because of a Romanian carol. Fourteen years ago, I sang a Romanian carol that touched hearts, even though it was in a foreign language. That melody was later recreated in India as the song Teri Meri, and it opened the door to my first Hindi track. I owe so much to carols, and my love for music truly started with them. Games View All When I was invited to sing at the Vatican in the presence of the Pope, I chose to sing my favourite carol and perform Colinde, Corinde for the first time because it holds such a special place in my heart. It felt like the truest way to represent my Romanian essence, she adds. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The music video for Colinde, Corinde was filmed in both London and Romania, and features her dearest people who are her parents. The music and lyrics are written by Rimenescu, Eugenia Nicolae and Cezar Cazanoi Caval, with production by C and P Viral Nation Romania. The creation of the song feels like a story that was meant to unfold. A Romanian friend, Sergiu, who lives abroad and shares this longing for home, connected me with Eugenia Nicolae and Rimenescu, two incredibly talented artists. The moment I stepped into the studio, I fell in love with the melody and the lyrics. They went straight to my heart. You just know when a song is the one. Everything flowed naturally, the way it does when something is meant to be. Viral Nation supported me throughout and together we decided to offer this carol to people as a Christmas gift. Since I was filming an action movie in London, I wished to shoot part of the video there, to bring the beautiful Christmas ambience to the audience in Romania. It symbolises distance, longing and my constant thoughts of home. The song begins with a letter to Santa, where I ask to be with my parents for Christmas. I also wished to film in Romania and include the most precious people in my life, my parents. A carol without them simply would not make sense to me. When I think of carols, I think of them. This video is truly a cherished memory in our family album. It is my Christmas dedication to my beloved parents and to all parents around the world who miss their children. It is also for all the children who long to feel like kids again in the loving arms of their parents. There is no feeling more beautiful. This carol is not just a song. It is an emotion. I hope it warms hearts and brings joy and peace, says Iulia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One of the most shocking terror incidents in the history of India took place on December 13, 2001, when five armed terrorists opened fire inside the Parliament premises. Nine security personnel and one Parliament staff member lost their lives neutralising the five terrorists. On this day in 2003, former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was captured by the American soldiers Indian Black Cat commandos escort civilians outside the Parliament House as half a dozen armed men stormed the complex in New Delhi, India. File image/AP Even after 24 years of the gruesome Parliament attack on December 13, 2001, the day continues to shape Indias national security. Five armed terrorists stormed the Parliament House in New Delhi and opened fire inside the complex. 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. In a dramatic turn of events, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was captured by the US forces on this day in 2003. This brought an end to the nine-month manhunt after the US invaded Iraq. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here is all that took place on this day across the world. Attack on the Indian Parliament The attack on the premises of the Indian Parliament building on December 13, 2001, remains one of the most shocking incidents in Indian history. Around noon, when both houses of Parliament had adjourned for lunch, a white Ambassador car bearing counterfeit Home Ministry stickers drove up to one of the gates. As it was lunch hour, many ministers and Members of Parliament were still inside the complex. Chaos erupted, and the attackers carrying AK-47s, grenades, and explosives opened fire at the security personnel when their car was stopped by security personnel. What followed was nearly half an hour of chaos, gunfire, and confusion. The attackers rushed toward the building, clearly intending to cause mass casualties or take hostages. Had Parliament still been in full session, the toll might have been catastrophic. But the security forces reacted with remarkable speed, and members of the CRPF, Delhi Police, and Parliament Security Service engaged the terrorists, preventing them from entering the main structure. Nine security personnel and one Parliament staff member lost their lives neutralising the five terrorists. The bravery of the guards prevented a national tragedy from becoming even worse. The attack brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war, triggering massive troop mobilisation along the border. Investigations later linked the attackers to Pakistan-based groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, prompting years of diplomatic strain. Afzal Guru of the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), who was convicted for plotting the attack, was hanged in Tihar jail on 9 February 2013. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US forces captured Saddam Hussein The world watched a dramatic turning point in the Iraq War unfold when Saddam Hussein was captured on December 13, 2003. The capture was a major symbolic victory for the coalition forces and brought an end to the nine-month manhunt following the US-led invasion of Iraq. Saddam Hussein is filmed after his capture in this file footage. File image/Reuters After months of intelligence gathering, raids, and false leads, US forces finally closed in on a small farm near ad-Dawr, just outside Saddams hometown of Tikrit. Operation Red Dawn involved hundreds of troops sweeping through the area and found a narrow, concealed spider hole beneath a modest hut. When they lifted the lid, they found Saddam himself in a dishevelled state. He reportedly offered little resistance, uttering, I am Saddam Hussein. I am the president of Iraq. I want to negotiate. The images released afterwards showing a subdued demeanour became instantly iconic. For Iraqis who had lived under his regime, reactions ranged from relief to scepticism about what would come next. For the international community, the capture shifted the conversation from the hunt for Saddam to the enormous challenge of rebuilding Iraq. He was later put on trial by an Iraqi tribunal, convicted of crimes against humanity, and executed in 2006. This Day, That Year The Japanese Imperial Army seized Chinas Nanjing and carried out the Nanjing Massacre, killing 300,000 on this day in 1937. The Four-Power Pact was signed between the United States, Great Britain, Japan, and France in 1921. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwean comedian Kapfupi, real name Freddy Manjalima, has confirmed that his marriage to Mai Nga has ended. The announcement comes amid reports that the couple has gone their separate ways.In an interview, Kapfupi said he wants Mai Nga to be the first to explain publicly why their marriage failed. He hinted that infidelity played a role in the breakdown of their relationship.She is the one who has the reason as to why she ran away from me, he stated.Kapfupi also revealed that he possesses detailed evidence regarding his wifes alleged affairs and claimed he is prepared to present the information in court if necessary. I have everything about her cheatings and the names and details of her boyfriend, he said.He added that the alleged boyfriend has threatened legal action, but Kapfupi insisted he is ready to defend himself without a lawyer. To the public I say I do not need any lawyer, ndichazvimiririra ndega, I will stand in court on my own, he declared.The comedians statements suggest the couples split was fraught with personal disputes, though he refrained from giving a full account until Mai Nga speaks publicly. The Lahore University of Management Sciences is offering a four-credit university course on Sanskrit. With this, the classical language is back in a Pakistani varsity for the first time since Partition. It all began when Shahid Rasheed, an engineer-turned-sociology professor, took an interest in the ancient language For the first time since Partition, a university in Pakistan is teaching Sanskrit. The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), an esteemed varsity in the country, is offering a four-credit university course on the classical language. A Lahore-based engineer-turned-sociology professor is reviving the interest in Sanskrit in Muslim-majority Pakistan. LUMS is now planning to introduce courses on the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita. Lets take a closer look. Professor behind revival of Sanskrit in Pakistan Shahid Rasheed, associate professor of sociology at Forman Christian College, has turned his passion for Sanskrit into pedagogy. He told ThePrint that his ancestry can be traced back to Haryanas Karnal. One of his grandmothers was from Sheikhpura in Uttar Pradesh. He said these links are reminders of a shared civilisational landscape split by borders, politics, and history. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rasheed, 52, always had a keen interest in languages. Fifteen years ago, he came across a book titled Self-Teach Sanskrit. After the book gathered dust on his bookshelf for years, he opened it one fine day. Devanagari attracted me. It is so artistic, I found it profound, the professor said. He did not feel Sanskrit was out of bounds once he mastered the script. Classical languages contain much wisdom for mankind. I started with learning Arabic and Persian, and then studied Sanskrit, Rasheed told The Tribune. As there were no books or teachers in Pakistan who could teach him the language, he turned to online platforms, studying under Cambridge Sanskrit scholar Antonia Ruppel and Australian Indologist McComas Taylor. It took almost a year to cover classical Sanskrit grammar. And Im still studying it, he said. Speaking to ThePrint, Rasheed said, I asked anyone travelling abroad to bring me Sanskrit books. Now I have a full shelf. How LUMS started teaching Sanskrit After learning Sanskrit, Rasheed decided to organise workshops on the classical language in Lahore, which attracted students from computer science, business, and the humanities. Dr Ali Usman Qasmi, Director of the Gurmani Centre at LUMS, had known Rasheed for some time. As he became aware of his workshops, he reached out to the professor. We were incredibly lucky, Qasmi told ThePrint. LUMS already offered Punjabi, Balochi, Pashto, Sindhi, Arabic and Persian. But Qasmi asked, what about others like local Indian languages or classical Indian languages? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaking to The Tribune, Qasmi said that Pakistan has one of the richest but least-studied Sanskrit archives at the library of the Punjab University. A significant collection of Sanskrit palm-leaf manuscripts were catalogued in the 1930s by scholar JCR Woolner, but no Pakistani academic has engaged with this collection since 1947. Only foreign researchers use it. Training scholars locally will change that, he said. Rasheed first organised a Hindi workshop at the Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature at LUMS. Later, he started a four-month Sanskrit programme. This year, Rasheed began a full university-level introductory course on Sanskrit, the first such in Pakistan. Qasmi said that after their weekend programme, which was open to all, saw a good response, they decided to roll out a proper university course on the language. Even though the number of students is still small, we hope it will grow over the next few years. Ideally, by spring 2027, we should be able to teach the language as a year-long course, he told The Tribune. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rasheed concluded his first full semester-long course, Introduction to Sanskrit, only weeks ago. Although fewer than 10 students enrolled, all of them displayed commitment to learning the language. All of them want to continue to level two, Rasheed said to ThePrint. A hundred per cent satisfaction. The LUMS is now considering offering courses on the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita. Hopefully, this sets a momentum. In 10-15 years, we could see Pakistan-based scholars of the Gita and the Mahabharata, Qasmi was quoted as saying by The Tribune. Language creates bridges Qasmi said offering Sanskrit as a course at the varsity aligns with LUMS broader language ecosystem, which includes Sindhi, Pashto, Punjabi, Baluchi, Arabic and Persian. We understand the importance of connecting with this incredible tradition, which is part of the Pakistani-Indian global heritage. So much of our literature, poetry, art and philosophy go back to the Vedic age. Many historians believe that the Vedas were written in this region. It then becomes even more important to read the classical texts in their original language, he told The Tribune. Rasheed said to the Indian newspaper that he often gets questions about his own learning of the language. People ask me why Im learning Sanskrit. I tell them, why should we not learn it? It is the binding language of the entire region. Sanskrit grammarian Paninis village was in this region. Much writing was done here during the Indus Valley Civilisation. Sanskrit is like a mountain a cultural monument. We need to own it. It is ours too; its not tied to any one particular religion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rasheed aims to write the first comprehensive Sanskrit grammar in Urdu, which he told ThePrint would likely have three volumes. He has already begun work on the first one. It will take me a few years, he said. But this is my lifes project. I never imagined people in India would take interest in this, he added. But language does create bridges. With inputs from agencies PM Narendra Modi is heading for a three-nation tour today, covering West Asia and Africa. He will first head to Jordan, where he will hold talks with King Abdullah II. The Indian leader will then travel to Ethiopia and Oman. The visits are aimed at bolstering bilateral ties and enhancing New Delhis strategic presence Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for a three-nation tour next week. File Photo/PMO via PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a three-nation tour on Monday (December 15). He is first heading to Jordan, then to Ethiopia, and then to Oman, with his trip concluding on December 18. The visit aims to enhance Indias trade and security ties with the three nations as well as bolster its strategic presence in West Asia and Africa. A free trade agreement (FTA) between India and Oman is also likely in the cards during Modis trip. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lets take a closer look. PM Modis Jordan visit PM Modi will kick-start his three-nation tour with a visit to Jordan for his first bilateral trip to the country. He will be in the West Asian nation from December 15-16 at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. The Indian premier will meet King Abdullah II to assess the entire gamut of relations between India and Jordan, and exchange perspectives on regional issues, according to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The discussions will also reportedly focus on counterterrorism, energy partnerships and rising economic opportunities amid a geopolitical shift in West Asia. The visit comes as India and Jordan mark 75 years of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. PM Modi and King Abdullah are expected to address the India-Jordan business event. India and Jordan also share strong economic ties, with India being the third largest trading partner of Jordan, and the bilateral trade between the two countries is valued at $2.8 billion, the MEA said. Jordan has also enhanced connectivity with India in recent times. Royal Jordanian has recently started direct flights between Amman and Mumbai and plans to expand its operations to New Delhi. Jordan provides a tourist visa on arrival to Indian tourists, the ministry added. Prime Minister @narendramodi will embark on a visit to #Jordan from 15-16 December. - Neena Malhotra, Secretary South, @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/97XBtJMW55 All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) December 12, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD During his trip, PM Modi will interact with the vibrant Indian community. The West Asian country is home to nearly 17,000 Indians, with many employed in the garment sector, as per the Indian Embassy in Amman. According to the MEA, Modis trip aims to further boost India-Jordan bilateral engagement, explore new avenues of collaboration for mutual growth and prosperity, and reiterate our commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability. PM Modis Africa push After Jordan, PM Modi will head to Ethiopia for a state visit from December 16-17. The Indian leaders first visit to the East African nation will strive to enhance bilateral ties. Modi will hold wide-ranging talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on several sectors, including agriculture, investment and development cooperation. The duo had met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg in 2023. Ethiopia is an important and trusted partner in the Global South and the African context. The current visit reflects Indias commitment towards deepening South-South Cooperation and strengthening our partnership with Africa, the MEA said. This will be Modis third trip to Africa this year, which is aimed at strengthening Indias position as a leader of the Global South, people familiar with the matter told Economic Times (ET). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India and Ethiopia share a long history of partnership in the sector of education, skilling and capacity building. India has been offering scholarship and training opportunities to Ethiopian students and professionals through iTech and ICCR scholarships, the MEA said. Ethiopia, which joined BRICS in 2023, is one of Indias biggest development partners in Africa. India is also among the East African countrys top three investment partners, with investment in various fields such as agriculture and floriculture, engineering, plastics, manufacturing, cotton and textiles, ET reported. About 650 Indian companies have licensed investments of over $5 billion in Ethiopia. Trade will be a major agenda during PM Modis visit. India is Ethiopias second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade clocking $571.52 million during 2023-24, according to Indias Department of Commerce. The visit will also help consolidate cooperation across a broad spectrum of areas, including economy, trade, culture, and people-to-people contacts. On the economic front, discussions are expected to focus on diversifying trade, enhancing connectivity and identifying new opportunities for investment in infrastructure, IT, mining, agriculture, and manufacturing, MEA Secretary (South) Dr Neena Malhotra was quoted as saying by ANI. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD During his visit, PM Modi will also meet the Indian diaspora in Ethiopia. The Indian community has a notable presence in Ethiopias education sector, with about 150 Indians in faculty positions at universities and higher educational institutions. In Africa, Ethiopia is among the largest recipients of long-term concessional credit from India. New Delhi has sanctioned lines of credit of more than $1 billion to Ethiopia for different sectors. Modis last stop: Oman The third and final leg of PM Modis three-nation tour is Oman. After his Ethiopia trip, he will be back in West Asia. This is going to be his second trip to Oman since 2018. India and Oman are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sultan of Oman Haitham Bin Tariq before their meeting at the Hyderabad House, in New Delhi, December 16, 2023. File Photo/PTI PM Modi, accompanied by a high-level delegation, will be in Oman from December 1718, when the two countries are expected to sign a free trade agreement. Discussions between the two countries on an FTA, officially called the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), began in November 2023, with the talks concluding this year. Earlier, the Union Cabinet green-lit the FTA ahead of PM Modis visit. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal could also visit Oman for the signing of the pact. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Shura Council or Majlis AShura of Oman has also cleared the agreement. Highlighting the importance of the trip, the MEA said on Friday (December 12) that several agreements are expected to be signed between the two nations. We are all very optimistic about the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The teams from both sides have been working very hard for its early finalisation, and we have, we are working towards it. I can inform you that a number of documents that are expected to be signed during the visit are in the last stages of their finalisation, the ministry said. India enjoys close trade ties with Oman, which is New Delhis third-largest export destination among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Economic and commercial relations between the two countries remain robust, with bilateral trade during the financial year 2024-25 reaching US$10.613 billion. India has had a similar agreement with another GCC member, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), since May 2022. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India and Oman plan to bolster bilateral cooperation, with a focus on economic and strategic partnerships. Muscat has reportedly offered to supply spares of the Jaguar aircraft, previously used by their Royal Air Force, to India. The Royal Air Force of Oman has retired its Jaguar jets and the delivery of their spares could happen soon. The Royal Air Force of Oman used to operate Jaguar jets, but they were retired from their service some time back. They have many spares of these aircraft, which they would be willing to transfer to us in the near future and we are expecting that the supplies of those spare parts are likely to come in the coming days, Arun Kumar Chatterjee, a secretary in the MEA, said. Oman is Indias closest defence partner in the Gulf region. Defence cooperation has become a key component of the strategic partnership between the two nations. Oman is the first Gulf country with which all three wings of Indias armed forces hold joint exercises. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The MEA has expressed hope that the hydrocarbon cooperation between India and Oman will continue. Defence, energy, technology, trade, food security and connectivity will be high on the agenda as PM Modi arrives in Oman next week. The expected announcement of the FTA could further uplift the India-Oman relations. With inputs from agencies A fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane club in North Goas Arpora killed 25 people over the weekend. The owners of the nightclub, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, fled the country within hours of the deadly blaze. They are now being deported from Thailand. Heres all this and more in our weekly wrap Police and forensic personnel inspect the site where a fire killed 25 people at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, in Arpora, Goa, December 8, 2025. PTI A tragedy rocked Goa after a nightclub caught fire, killing over 20 people. The owners of the doomed Birch by Romeo Lane club, who fled from India after the incident, have been detained in Thailand. It has been six months since Ahmedabad witnessed a major plane crash that left 241 people dead. Only one passenger survived after Air India Flight 171, bound for London, crashed just moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport in June. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Flyers continued to face inconvenience due to IndiGos flight disruptions. While the Indian airlines operations stabilised to a large extent, hundreds of flights were cancelled this week as well. Heres all this and more in our weekly wrap from India. 1. A fire broke out at the packed Birch by Romeo Lane club in North Goas Arpora on December 6 night, leading to the death of 25 people. A preliminary investigation by the Goa Police and the Directorate of Fire Services revealed that the blaze was set off when electric firecrackers struck the wooden ceiling at the nightclub. Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of the flashy island-style club, escaped from the country just hours after the fire erupted. Authorities suspended their passports after they fled to Thailand. The brothers have now been detained in the Southeast Asian country, with India seeking to deport them. We explain why the entrepreneurs will not be extradited. 2. Families of the victims, as well as the world, are waiting for answers related to the deadly Air India plane crash. Investigation is on as to why the ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner lost thrust shortly after take-off from the Ahmedabad airport and crashed into a building of a medical university on June 12. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Officials from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will go over data extracted from the doomed planes cockpit voice and flight data recorders with representatives of US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in Washington this week. The preliminary report has given some indication as to what could have happened. Read our report to know more. 3. IndiGo is facing the governments wrath after the airline cancelled thousands of flights last week, stranding thousands of passengers across the country, after failing to prepare for new crew-rostering rules. The airline attributed the disruption to a compounding effect of multiple factors which coincided in lesser or greater measure in an unfortunate and unforeseeable confluence. Travellers wait outside an arrival terminal of the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, after Indias biggest airline IndiGo cancelled hundreds of flights nationwide, leaving thousands of passengers stranded, in Kolkata, December 5, 2025. File Photo/Reuters After the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) slashed IndiGos 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. As the airline will fly fewer flights this winter, will passengers suffer? Or will other Indian airlines offer alternatives? We take a look here. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 4. _Vande Mataram_, Indias national song, made headlines this week. One hundred and fifty years ago, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay penned the popular poem that became a rallying cry during the Indian Independence movement. To commemorate 150 years of the national song, the Parliament held hours-long discussions on Vande Mataram in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The ruling BJP hit out at the Congress, accusing former PM Jawaharlal Nehru of doing tukde tukde of the national song. Is it true, though? Find out in our story. 5. Mexico is planning to impose tariffs on thousands of products exported from nations with which it does not have a formal trade agreement (FTA). The move will affect India, with sectors such as automobiles, auto components, engineering goods, chemicals, steel and machinery set to take a hit. Besides India, China, South Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia will also be impacted as Mexicos sweeping increase in import duties comes into force. The new duties, which will go as high as 50 per cent, are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. But why is the country hiking tariffs? We explain. 6. Amid tensions between India and the US, President Donald Trump has threatened to announce new tariffs on agricultural imports, especially on rice imports from India and fertiliser from Canada. This came after American farmers claimed India, the largest producer of rice, was dumping the grain on the US. However, the data does not fall in line with this allegation. The US is not Indias main rice market. West Asia continues to be New Delhis main rice destination. We explain here. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is all we have for you this week. If you like reading our analyses of everyday news, you can bookmark this page to stay updated. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was in Oslo on Wednesday (December 10), hours after her daughter accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. This was her first appearance in a year after she went into hiding following a crackdown on dissent by President Nicolas Maduro. At the centre of her secret journey to Norway was US Special Forces Veteran Bryan Stern. Heres how he helped her escape Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machados secret journey from Venezuela to Norway was nothing less than a Hollywood thriller. United States Special Forces veteran Bryan Stern was at the centre of the Venezuelan opposition leaders escape. The operation to get Machado out of Venezuela was risky, given that she had been in hiding for a year after her opposition movement triumphed over President Nicolas Maduro in last years election. She arrived in Oslo on Wednesday (December 10), hours after her daughter accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How did Machado escape? We take a look. Planning Machados escape US Special Forces veteran Bryan Stern, the founder of Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, helped Maria Corina Machado escape. He and his team of US military veterans have carried out hundreds of evacuation missions around the world. However, Stern said this operation was different due to Machados profile and increased levels of surveillance. He told CNN that this was the first person [whom he rescued] that has a Wikipedia page. Reports say Stern got a call late last Friday and spoke to someone on Machados team. The US veteran and his team had only a week to plan Machados escape, the mission they dubbed Operation Golden Dynamite, reported NPR. They did not want to take a land route, as there would be too many checkpoints where she could be recognised. So, they settled on extracting her via sea. Speaking to Washington Post, Stern said, We had a lot of infrastructure, human and physical infrastructure, built to support these kinds of operations, he said. But not for this kind of person so that became the number one problem. Machado was put on a travel ban by Maduros government. Sterns organisation called it the most high-threat and high-stakes mission we have ever done. Another challenge was ensuring that their boat did not become a target of the US military, which has carried out deadly strikes on over 20 boats that it claims were bringing drugs to America in recent months, killing at least 87 people. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Stern said in a virtual press conference on Friday (December 12) that he contacted the US military to inform them about their presence at sea. In this case, because the US military is conducting operations in this part of the world, I was worried about I was deeply concerned about being targeted by the US military, he told reporters. We communicated in such a way where the US government, the US military, knew that we were doing something in the region. They did not know the details of it. They knew where we would be operating, where some of our rally points were, and then at the very highest levels and the very last minutes we disclosed what the objective was, Stern was quoted as saying by CNN. ALSO READ: What the dramatic US seizure of Venezuela-linked oil tanker tells us Venezuelan opposition leaders daring escape The dangerous mission to extract Machado from Venezuela lasted roughly 16 hours. As per a Latin Times report, the politician left a suburb in Caracas, where she has been in hiding for a year, for a coastal fishing village earlier this week. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Machado then boarded a local fishing boat on the Venezuelan coast. The boat set sail toward a rendezvous point in the Caribbean Sea. However, Machados vessel did not arrive at that predecided point. We were supposed to meet in the middle, but when that couldnt happen, we pivoted and went to them, Stern told NPR. Tension was high as the two boats braved 10-foot waves in the middle of the night, with only flashlights to guide them. I could be Maduros guys, I could be cartel guys anything really, Stern told NPR. Everyone is skittish approaching each other in the dead of night at sea. In 10-foot waves? This is scary stuff. When they were close enough to hear one another, a voice came from the boat that said: Its me Maria! Stern pulled her aboard and they carried the final leg of the journey to a Caribbean island, which is reported to be Curacao. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaking to CBS News, Stern said that the operation was dangerous and scary, but added that the conditions were ideal for us. The higher the waves, the harder it is for radar to see. Thats how it works. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado reacts from a balcony of Grand Hotel, after her daughter Ana Corina Sosa Machado, accepted the award on her behalf, in Oslo, Norway December 11, 2025. Reuters He said the nighttime rendezvous and the conversation he had with the Venezuelan freedom fighter during the journey impressed him. Personally, I was starstruck. Shes a hero of mine, Stern said. When I got to see her for the first time and validate that it was her, my heart skipped a beat. Because of her face, because of her signature, because the entire Venezuelan intelligence service, the entire Cuban intelligence service, parts of the Russian intelligence, were all looking for her for months, and specifically this week, in particular, because of the Nobel Prize, (it) made this operation significantly more high risk than weve ever done before, he said, according to CNN. Stern recalled that Machado was tougher than the veterans helping her escape. Were all bitching and moaning its cold, its wet, were hungry, its dark, he said. She didnt complain once. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Machado, who said he had followed her fight for democratic change for years, assumed Venezuelas Iron Lady got her nickname for her political steeliness. But he said there is more to it. Shes gnarly, he told NPR, laughing. Pretty awesome. Their boat reached the shore early Wednesday morning. From Curacao, Machado boarded a plane for Norway. There are many things we had to go through, and so many people who risked their lives so that I could get to Oslo, she told the head of the committee that awards the Nobel Prize, according to audio released this week. And I am very grateful to them. And this is a measure of what this recognition means to the Venezuelan people, she added. Dont want her to return Machado arrived in Oslo just hours after the ceremony for the Nobel Peace Prize. She received a warm welcome from the crowd, whom she waved to from the balcony of Oslos Grand Hotel. The leader said she plans to return to Venezuela, even if she will have to stay in hiding. Stern said he would help her but advised her against the move for her own safety. When we were on the boat together, we talked about this, and I begged her not to go back, he told CNN. Shes a real hero and icon of mine, and to put her back in harms way where she may be arrested, killed, tortured, who knows what? I would really not want to do that, but like us, shes a leader, and she wants to be there for her people. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per Latin Times, Machado is expected to spend a few days in Norway, then travel to European countries to gather support for her cause. She will eventually arrive in the US. With inputs from agencies Public health experts say the current wave of H3N2 influenza is being fuelled not just by colder temperatures but by a complex mix of environmental stressors, immunity gaps following the Covid-19 pandemic, low influenza vaccination uptake and sustained exposure to hazardous air pollution. India is witnessing an unusually sharp surge in H3N2 influenza cases this winter, with health systems under growing strain as the virus converges with record levels of air pollution across several major states. Data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) shows influenza positivity rates climbing rapidly from late September, touching 1213 per cent by November, higher than what is typically seen during seasonal flu cycles. Public health experts say the current wave of H3N2 influenza is being fuelled not just by colder temperatures but by a complex mix of environmental stressors, immunity gaps following the Covid-19 pandemic, low influenza vaccination uptake and sustained exposure to hazardous air pollution. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The World Health Organisation has repeatedly warned that prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter such as PM2.5 weakens respiratory defences, increasing vulnerability to viral infections and worsening outcomes. In the Delhi-NCR region and several other urban centres, doctors describe OPDs overflowing with patients presenting prolonged cough, breathlessness and chest congestion, symptoms that often blur the line between pollution-induced respiratory distress and viral illness. States including Kerala, Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Puducherry are reporting some of the highest caseloads, raising concerns about widespread community transmission. Against this backdrop, Firstpost spoke to Dr Neetu Jain, Senior Consultant in Pulmonology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at PSRI Hospital to understand what is driving this years aggressive H3N2 wave, how pollution is intensifying disease severity and what patients, hospitals and policymakers must urgently prioritise to prevent a deeper public health crisis. Whats fuelling H3N2 surge this winter? Dr Jain: Beyond the usual seasonal temperature drops, there are many reasons that this years rise in influenza is higher than usual. These include poor air quality, increased indoor socialisation, reduced immune response following prior Covid exposure, and lower-than-normal flu vaccination rates. Together, these factors increase susceptibility and accelerate transmission. Pollutions role in severity Dr Jain: Severe pollution irritates and inflames the respiratory tract, weakening the lungs protective mechanisms. When someone is exposed to H3N2 during this period, symptoms become more severe. Breathlessness increases, and complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia often requiring hospitalisation become more likely. Higher complications in smog zones? Dr Jain: Yes. We are observing prolonged recovery, persistent cough, deeper lower-respiratory involvement, and higher rates of secondary infections in polluted areas. Many patients remain symptomatic for weeks, and pneumonia and severe bronchitis are noticeably more common than in regions with better air quality. How is this H3N2 wave clinically different from regular seasonal flu? Dr Jain: This wave is marked by prolonged cough, deeper chest congestion, extreme fatigue and greater shortness of breath. Symptoms often last beyond 1014 days and a larger proportion of patients develop wheezing or lower-lung involvement, especially when pollution exposure is high. Which groups face the highest risk and what should they do now? Dr Jain: Vaccination is critical, along with early medical evaluation and timely antiviral therapy if symptoms develop. High-risk individuals should avoid pollution exposure, wear N95 masks outdoors, maintain good indoor air quality, stay hydrated, and seek immediate care if breathlessness worsens. Why are certain states reporting disproportionately high caseloads? Dr Jain: These states have dense populations, high mobility, varying pollution levels, and relatively low influenza vaccination coverage. Together, these factors enable rapid community spread and a higher number of clinically significant cases. When should patients seek medical care amid overlapping symptoms? Dr Jain: Anyone with sudden high fever, persistent cough, or increasing breathlessness should seek care promptly. High-risk individuals should consult a doctor immediately for early antiviral treatment. Rapid deterioration, dehydration, or breathing difficulty requires urgent medical attention. With December showing no signs of plateauing, what must hospitals urgently strengthen? Dr Jain: Hospitals need expanded flu screening, better triage systems, adequate antiviral supplies, oxygen availability, increased staffing, improved diagnostics, stronger referral pathways, and tighter infection control measures. India saw to it that its defence infrastructure was on par with the rest of the world as global shifts lead to uncertainty in the coming years. From raising military production to acquiring assets, India was on top of its game in 2025 when it comes to defence The Bhairav Commandos of the Indian Army will help bolster national defence. Representational image/AFP The year 2025 was in many ways a defining moment for India to display its military prowess. Be it defending the soil in response to terrorism or a push for self-reliance, there was hardly a dull moment in drafting Indias defence policies this year. India saw to it that its defence infrastructure was on par with the rest of the world, as global shifts lead us to uncertainty in the coming years. From increasing its own military production to acquiring important assets from abroad and even partake in joint exercises, India was on top of its game in 2025 when it comes to defence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Heres a look at how it was a rewarding year for the Indian defence ecosystem: Operation Sindoor Although it came as a befitting reply to terrorism that killed many in Pahalgam this year, Operation Sindoor was, by far, the watershed moment in the military that this country has seen in a long time. The operation showcased full tri-services coordination, seamless integration of indigenous systems, and use of advanced digital and satellite-enabled targeting. This calibrated, non-escalatory action shattered old thresholds of cross-border deterrence and redefined Indias message against terror, integrating economic and non-kinetic tools alongside military responses. Indias deployment of the S-400 missile system and the BrahMos missiles, which New Delhi co-manufactured with Moscow, was exemplary during the military conflict with Pakistan. Following Indias Operation Sindoor on May 7, which targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan, New Delhi emphasised that the strikes were limited and non-escalatory. However, Pakistan responded with a military offensive three days later. The Indian armed forces successfully repelled the attack, and during the conflict, the S-400 air defence system was credited with intercepting and downing Pakistani drones and missiles. Over 600 Pakistani drones were downed or repelled by the Indian Armys air defence (AD) units, which were deployed along the western front during Operation Sindoor. The army mobilised over 1,000 AD gun systems and 750 shortand medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems in double-quick time. Tejas exports, BrahMos deals Following Operation Sindoor, Indias indigenous defence capabilities, including the Tejas fighter jet and BrahMos missile, gained strong international recognition. In September, India signed a major contract for 97 fourth-generation Tejas jets, a move aimed at reducing the IAF to an all-time low of 29 fighter squadrons, each comprising 16 to 18 jets. The order came following Operation Sindoor, which saw Pakistan use Chinese-origin jets like J-10s armed with PL-15, and made IAF come to the conclusion based on an internal assessment that it will need far more than even its authorised 42.5 fighter squadrons. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In 2025, Indias BrahMos Aerospace secured major missile export deals worth approximately $482 million with two nations, believed to include Indonesia and another ASEAN country. Negotiations with Indonesia have reached the final stages and are pending Russian approval, while contract signings are expected by year-end. These agreements mark a significant expansion of the BrahMos missiles global footprint after the landmark sale to the Philippines in 2022. After the BrahMos missile proved highly effective in Operation Sindoor, India and Russia began negotiations to jointly manufacture an advanced version of the missile. Russia, earlier this year, offered full technical cooperation for the upgraded missile in India. Quad shifts In 2025, the Quad shifted focus toward practical cooperation in critical technologies, infrastructure, and regional security, with India taking an active strategic lead. Regular summits and ministerial meetings institutionalised the Quad further, helping it adapt to new challenges and making it a stable platform for Indo-Pacific dialogue. India hosted the inaugural Quad Ports of the Future Conference to improve sustainable port infrastructure and logistics in the region, highlighting its central role in maritime security and supply chain resilience. Quad partners ramped up collaboration on supply chain security, digital connectivity, and cyber resilience programs. Joint initiatives like the Open Radio Access Network and the Clean Energy Supply Chains diversified technology access and ensured transparent standards for critical sectors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India also led educational and innovation outreach, expanding the Quad STEM Fellowship and scholarships for Indo-Pacific students and supporting the Quad Counter Terrorism Working Group, which tackled new threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles and CBRN risks. IndiaRussia defence ties under sanctions pressure This year was a good one for India-Russia defence ties. Bypassing US pressures on New Delhis Russian oil purchases, defence deals between the two countries soared in 2025. Moscow has reaffirmed its commitment to deliver the remaining units of the S-400 air defence system to India by 2026. India signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five squadrons of the S-400 Triumf missile system, a state-of-the-art air defence platform capable of engaging multiple aerial threats at long ranges. Three squadrons have already been delivered. In September, Russia submitted a proposal for the supply and local production of its fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jets. Russia continues to be Indias largest defence supplier, even as New Delhi expands its sources for military equipment. From 2020 to 2024, Russia provided 36 per cent of Indias arms imports, with France supplying 33 per cent and Israel 13 per cent, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India-US defence framework The most notable defence deal between India and the United States announced in 2025 was the signing of a 10-year Defence Framework Agreement. The new IndiaUS Defence Framework Agreement encompasses strategic logistics, joint production, and technology transfer as its core pillars. The signing of the agreement is being seen as a significant push to counter Chinas expanding influence across the Indo-Pacific region. The pact between the two nations is expected to deepen military interoperability, enabling the seamless use of each others bases, logistics, and maintenance facilities. The agreement will also secure long-term access to advanced defence technologies, crucial for Indias indigenous defence production and modernisation. The United States has also cleared the sale of the FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missile system and the M982A1 Excalibur precision-guided artillery projectiles to India, a development that will strengthen New Delhis military capabilities. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced the sale in a notification saying that the US State Department has approved the sale of $93 million worth of military equipment. The purchase includes 100 Javelin missiles, one fly-to-buy round, 25 command-launch units, training aids, simulation rounds, spare parts and full lifecycle support. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Delhi brought back stricter anti-pollution curbs on Saturday after air quality deteriorated sharply, with the AQI crossing the 400 mark and entering the severe category, prompting authorities to reimpose GRAP-3 restrictions across the city. The India Gate remained partially visible just a day after the festival of lights. Here, people walk in the morning near the India Gate monument. AP Anti-pollution curbs under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-3) were reimposed in Delhi on Saturday as air quality slipped back into the severe category. At noon, the national capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 405, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In the early hours of Saturday, AQI levels had already crossed 400. The restrictions were reactivated after air quality worsened further, with the AQI touching 409, down from 393 recorded at around 8 am. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed pollution control boards across the NCR and other agencies to intensify preventive measures to prevent further deterioration. This includes the implementation of all Stage III actions in addition to the existing measures under Stages I and II. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Under GRAP, air quality during winter is classified into four stages: Stage I (Poor, AQI 201300), Stage II (Very Poor, AQI 301400), Stage III (Severe, AQI 401450) and Stage IV (Severe Plus, AQI above 450). Curbs under GRAP-3 include a ban on non-essential construction and demolition activities, as well as stone crushing and mining operations. The use of older diesel goods vehicles is prohibited in Delhi. Schools up to Class 5 are required to shift to a hybrid mode of learning, while offices in Delhi-NCR may operate with 50 percent staff strength. Wazirpur records worst AQI Several parts of Delhi reported severe air quality early Saturday. Wazirpur was the worst affected, recording an AQI of 443. Other severely polluted areas included Jahangirpuri (439 and 442), Vivek Vihar (437), Anand Vihar (435), Ghazipur (435), Rohini (436), Chandni Chowk (419), Burari Crossing (415) and RK Puram (404). Dangerously high AQI levels have become a frequent occurrence in Delhi during winter. According to a report by news agency IANS, citing environmental experts, the worsening air quality has been attributed to stagnant winds, vehicular emissions, industrial activity and seasonal factors such as crop residue burning in neighbouring states. Health experts have warned that prolonged exposure to such pollution levels can aggravate asthma, reduce lung function, increase cardiovascular stress and cause irritation of the eyes and throat. Delhi airport advisory Delhi Airport said flight operations were normal despite low visibility conditions. In a post on X, the airport stated that low visibility procedures were in place and advised passengers to check with their respective airlines for updated flight information. On Friday, Delhi remained under a thick layer of smog, with the AQI recorded at 386. Dense haze was reported in areas such as Ghazipur and Anand Vihar, where visibility remained severely affected. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Karthigai Deepam saga is only the latest reminder of the grand old partys long history of discomfort with independent judges and constitutional limits If the Congress genuinely seeks to reclaim the mantle of democracy, liberalism, and constitutionalism, the path is clear. It must abandon a version of secularism that routinely degenerates into selective appeasement. Representational image: File photos The controversy surrounding the Thiruparankundram Karthigai Deepam is not merely a local religious dispute. It is a revealing episode in Bharats long and uneasy relationship with secular politics, civilisational memory and judicial independence. At one level, the issue concerns the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam an ancient ceremonial lamp at Deepathoon, a stone lamp pillar situated on the Thiruparankundram hill in Tamil Nadu. At a deeper level, it exposes how so-called secular parties, led by the Congress and the DMK, continue to instrumentalise religion, institutions, and even the Constitution to serve vote-bank politics often at the cost of constitutional norms and democratic values. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madras High Court issued an order directing temple authorities to light the Karthigai Deepam at Deepathoon from this year onwards, he was merely stating the obvious: that the lighting of a ceremonial lamp cannot offend anyones sensibilities. The order was neither radical nor unprecedented. It simply reaffirmed an established religious practice associated with a site of immense historical and spiritual significance. Thiruparankundram hill is home to the Subramaniya Swamy temple, one of the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan, alongside ancient Jain caves and the 14th-century dargah of Sikkander Badusha, the last ruler of the Madurai Sultanate. It is a civilisational palimpsest, not a zero-sum religious battlefield. Yet instead of complying with the verdict, the Tamil Nadu government led by the DMK in alliance with the Congress chose to defy judicial authority. And when a division bench of the Madras High Court upheld Justice Swaminathans ruling, calling the states appeal a ruse to circumvent timely compliance, then came the threat via (un)constitutional means. The so-called secular parties rallying under the Congress umbrella and reportedly backed by around 100 Members of Parliament initiated impeachment proceedings against Justice Swaminathan. The provocation was straightforward and alarming: a judge had done precisely what judges are meant to do interpret the law and uphold constitutional rights without fear or favour; the Congress-led alliance, with its impeachment move, attempted to take away this very constitutional provision. Whatever ones view of the underlying religious dispute, the political signal to the judiciary (and other constitutional bodies, including the Election Commission) is unmistakable: decide wrongly in a sensitive matter, and parliamentary retribution may follow. This is precisely the kind of fear complex Justice HR Khanna (most notably remembered for his minority opinion in the highly publicised ADM Jabalpur v Shiv Kant Shukla case during the 197577 Emergency) warned the country about half a century ago in his memoir Neither Roses Nor Thorns. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Familiar Instinct The Congresss discomfort with an independent judiciary is not new. It is woven into the partys political DNA. Barely sixteen months after the Constitution came into force, Jawaharlal Nehru introduced the First Constitutional Amendment, fundamentally altering the documents fundamental character. Constitutional scholar Upendra Baxi famously described this moment as the birth of the Second Constitution or Nehruvian constitution. This impulse intensified under Indira Gandhi. Judicial supersessions, ideological vetting of judges, and overt attempts to bend the courts to political convenience became routine. The supersession of three senior judges following the 1973 Kesavananda Bharati judgement was not merely administrative it was a warning. In Neither Roses Nor Thorns, Justice Khanna recounts the moment the Indira Gandhi government announced a new Chief Justice after Kesavananda Bharati, superseding three senior judges. The effect, he writes, was to instil fear or inducement fear of professional punishment and hope of advancement both corrosive to judicial independence. That episode, he recalls, altered the courts complexion and internal atmosphere. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Justice Khanna observes, One of the new trends was the change in the approach of the court with a view to give tilt in favour of upholding the orders of the government. Under the cover of high-sounding words like social justice the court passed orders, the effect of which was to unsettle settled principles and dilute or undo the dicta laid down in the earlier cases. The Emergency was the logical culmination of this mindset. When nine High Courts held that personal liberty could not be extinguished even during the Emergency, judges were transferred, demoted, or denied confirmation. In the infamous ADM Jabalpur case (1976), Justice Khanna alone dissented, rejecting the governments claim that even illegal killings by the State would have no judicial remedy. He knew the price of dissent. I have prepared a judgement which is going to cost me the Chief Justiceship of India, he told his sister. It did. Khanna, who was then the senior-most judge in the Supreme Court, was superseded in 1977. He resigned soon after. His security was immediately withdrawn. Invitations stopped. And he became, in his own words, persona non grata. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Justice Khanna writes, After the judgement I found a perceptible change in attitude Invitations for official dinners stopped. Even at public functions some acquaintances would try to avoid me. Ideology Over Independence This pattern did not end with the Emergency. As documented by Abhinav Chandrachud in his book Supreme Whispers, the period following the Golak Nath case (1967) saw systematic ideological screening of judges. S Mohan Kumaramangalam, a senior Indira Gandhi cabinet minister, openly argued that a judges social philosophy should determine their fitness for appointment. Chandrachud writes, Though Kumaramangalam died in a plane crash in May 1973, Kumaramangalams legacy was that the social philosophy of judges had begun to be considered while appointing them. Thereafter, while ascertaining whether or not to appoint someone as a judge, the government started looking at whether that person had identified himself, even in the most inconsequential manner, with an opposition party. According to Asoke Sen, who served his second term as law minister between 1984 and 1987, the government during that time would not appoint anyone with known anti-Congress views, though it was not looking for minions who would agree with it on everything. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One illustrative case was that of Justice Chandurkar, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court and later the Madras High Court. His elevation to the Supreme Court was reportedly blocked simply because he attended the funeral of RSS leader MS Golwalkar and spoke respectfully of him. Indira Gandhi reportedly defended the decision by saying, My party people think hes not good and not likely to be helpful to us. The practice continued under Rajiv Gandhi. In interviews with George H Gadbois Jr, former Chief Justices YV Chandrachud and PN Bhagwati acknowledged that governments sought judges favourable to them, especially in anticipation of election-related litigation. Justice Chinnappa Reddy recalled being warned by a senior judge that the government would be angry if a case was not decided in its favour. Notably, ideological filtering was not limited to governments alone. Abhinav Chandrachud records that Chief Justice PN Bhagwati himself evaluated judges based on their social and economic philosophies. For instance, Bhagwati reportedly declined to elevate Chief Justice Chittatosh Mookerjee to the Supreme Court because he considered him too conservative. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Conclusion Seen against this backdrop, the reaction to the Deepam case appears less an aberration than a reflex. The message is unmistakable: institutions that do not conform will be managed, undermined, or intimidated. Impeachment meant for grave misconduct is being weaponised as a tool of political pressure. This instinct extends beyond the judiciary. The Election Commission, too, has faced sustained attacks from the Congress, particularly from Rahul Gandhi ironically, an institution once headed, with Congress backing, by individuals whose proximity to the ruling family mattered more than administrative credentials. In one case, the appointees only credential was that he had written a hagiography on Mother Teresa and, more importantly, was a Gandhi family acolyte. The Deepam controversy shows that while the Congress may no longer wield power, it has not shed the habits of power. Decades of governance have blurred the distinction between party, government, and state. Institutions came to be viewed not as restraints on authority, but as instruments to legitimise it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If the Congress genuinely seeks to reclaim the mantle of democracy, liberalism, and constitutionalism, the path is clear. It must abandon a version of secularism that routinely degenerates into selective appeasement. It must allow institutions courts, election bodies, constitutional authorities to function without intimidation. And it must learn to accept differences and disagreement without retaliation. History suggests this has never been the Congresss strongest instinct. But then no party can redeem far less revive itself without confronting its own past and, of course, the nations realities. (Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) In the December 7 LegCo election, a significant number of Hongkongers either deliberately cast a record number of invalid ballots or chose to abstain All 90 seats were again won by pro-establishment candidates fully aligned with Beijing. Yet the silent protest was unmistakable: 69.1 per cent abstained, and thousands spoiled their ballots. Image: Chan Long Hei/AP Photo The latest election for the eighth term of the Hong Kong Legislative Council (LegCo) was held on December 7, 2025. The results were declared on December 8, and the term of the new LegCo will commence on January 1, 2026. The following were the distinct features of the election: Patriots Only Only specially curated candidates vetted as patriots by the government were allowed to run for the global financial hubs 90-seat legislature. Of these, only 20 seats were directly elected through geographical constituencies. The remaining seats were filled through: Election Committee Constituency (ECC) 40 seats elected by a small Election Committee stacked with Beijing loyalists; and Functional Constituencies (FC) 30 seats representing trades, professions, and sectors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hobsons Choice Under the complex web of Hong Kongs electoral system, revised since 2020, voters effectively face a Hobsons choice. They may vote only for candidates presented to them by the government. The only alternative available to voters is not to vote at all. Decision to Opt Out This is precisely what happened during the December 7 election, despite the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) extending voting hours to 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., compared with the usual 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., in an effort to boost turnout. In addition to the 615 general polling stations, extra polling stations were opened to enable special groups to vote. According to government data, the final turnout in the Legislative Council election was a near record low of 31.9 per cent, compared with 30.2 per cent in 2021 the lowest since Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The absolute number of votes cast, however, was slightly lower than four years ago. Spoiling the Show Voters clearly expressed anger and frustration, exacerbated by the recent fire accident in which at least 159 Hongkongers were killed. This frustration was reflected not only in nearly 70 per cent of registered voters refusing to vote, but also in many others deliberately seeking to spoil the process. In the LegCo election recently completed, a substantial number of Hongkongers disrupted the voting exercise by casting a record number of invalid ballots, despite stern official warnings against doing so. According to government data cited by Nikkei Asia, the number of invalid votes exceeded 41,000 more than 3.1 per cent of the total votes cast. This is the highest number of invalid votes since Hong Kongs return to China in 1997 and represents a 50 per cent increase over the 27,495 invalid votes recorded in the first patriots-only LegCo election in 2021. Travesty of an Election What impact did invalid votes have on the election? I argue that the impact was significant. Eleven of the 20 winners in geographical constituencies received far fewer valid votes and significantly more invalid votes. This is the travesty of the election: 69.1 per cent of voters chose not to vote, despite elaborate government arrangements including extended voting hours and additional polling stations. More than 3.1 per cent of the 31.9 per cent who voted cast invalid ballots as a form of protest. Taken together, the election boycott and invalid votes make the 2025 LegCo election the least patronised election since Hong Kong returned to China in 1997. At face value, Hong Kongs latest LegCo elections appeared similar to elections elsewhere in the world. However, as the foregoing analysis demonstrates, this was far from the case. Hong Kong: An Abridged History First, the Opium Wars and British Rule Hong Kong became a British colony through a series of treaties following the Opium Wars. Britain seized Hong Kong Island in 1841 during the First Opium War against the Qing Dynasty. The war ended with the Treaty of Nanking in 1842, which ceded Hong Kong Island to Britain in perpetuity and opened five Chinese ports to trade. The Kowloon Peninsula was added in 1860 following the Second Opium War via the Convention of Peking, and the New Territories were leased to Britain for 99 years in 1898. For nearly 156 years thereafter, Hong Kong remained a British colony. Second, the Handover to China At midnight on June 30, 1997, Hong Kong was formally handed over to China, ending 156 years of British rule. The terms were set out in the Sino-British Joint Declaration signed on December 19, 1984, by Margaret Thatcher and Zhao Ziyang. The agreement promised Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy under the principle of one country, two systems until 2047, preserving its capitalist system and freedoms. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Third, Compliance with the Terms China committed to maintaining Hong Kongs autonomy, legal system, and freedoms for 50 years after 1997. However, as the following sections demonstrate, China has largely breached these commitments despite asserting adherence to them. Whither the Basic Law Adopted by Chinas National Peoples Congress (NPC) on April 4, 1990, and effective from July 1, 1997, the Hong Kong Basic Law serves as the territorys mini-constitution. It enshrines the principle of one country, two systems, allowing Hong Kong to maintain its capitalist economy, common-law legal system, and a high degree of autonomy (except in foreign affairs and defence) for at least 50 years. The Basic Law also defines the executive, legislative, and judicial structures, as well as the method for selecting the Chief Executive. Articles 39, 45, and 68, read together, provide for the eventual election of the Chief Executive and Legislative Council by universal suffrage under a one person, one vote system. However, recent electoral changes have significantly curtailed direct public representation. Elections in Hong Kong: A Brief History Whether under British rule or after the transfer to China, Hong Kongs electoral history has been brief and chequered. First, Elections under British Rule Direct Rule: Hong Kong was governed by a British-appointed Governor who exercised near-absolute authority. LegCo: Established in 1843, LegCo initially consisted entirely of appointed members, including officials and business elites. First Elections: The first elections occurred on March 7, 1982, for District Boards, introducing limited indirect representation. LegCo Elections: The first direct elections for 18 geographical constituency seats were held in 1991. Pro-democracy candidates won 16 of 18 seats, driven by a united front and the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square protests. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite this mandate, power remained diluted: in the 60-seat LegCo, 21 members were elected through restricted functional constituencies and another 21 were appointed by the Governor, preserving conservative and pro-business influence. Second, Elections after the China Takeover One: 1998-2019 Post-1997 elections combined geographical constituencies, functional constituencies, and Election Committee seats. LegCo had 60 seats in 1998 and 70 seats by 2012, with roughly half directly elected. Pro-democracy forces gained momentum in 2004 and 2012, winning nearly 60 per cent of the popular vote. Despite loyalty pledges and disqualifications after 2015, opposition influence persisted until 2019. Two: 2019-2021 The 2019 protests, triggered by an extradition bill, escalated into mass demonstrations demanding full withdrawal of the bill, an inquiry into police conduct, release of arrested protesters, withdrawal of the riot label, and universal suffrage. In the November 24, 2019 local elections, pro-democracy candidates won a landslide victory, capturing 389 of 452 seats, with turnout reaching nearly 70 percent of eligible voters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China responded with the 2020 National Security Law and, in 2021, overhauled the electoral system. LegCo was expanded to 90 seats, but directly elected seats were cut to 20, while 40 EC seats and 30 FC seats ensured pro-Beijing dominance. All candidates were required to pass patriot vetting. Three: 2021-2025: Patriots Only The First: The December 2021 patriots-only election saw turnout collapse to 30.2 per cent, down from 58 per cent in 2016. All 90 seats went to pro-Beijing candidates. The Latest: The 2025 election followed the same format. Turnout was 31.9 percent, with 1,317,682 votes cast out of 4.1 million eligible voters. More than 3.1 per cent of voters cast invalid ballots as protest votes. Turnout in FC and EC categories stood at 40.09 per cent and 99.45 per cent respectively. All 90 seats were again won by pro-establishment candidates fully aligned with Beijing. Yet the silent protest was unmistakable: 69.1 per cent abstained, and thousands spoiled their ballots. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Hong Kong Basic Law promised Hongkongers a way of life under one country, two systems for 50 years, including the eventual realisation of one person, one vote. By 2025, that aspiration has withered. Hong Kong is now firmly under Beijings grip, and universal suffrage has receded into near impossibility. (The author is a multi-disciplinary thought leader with Action Bias and an India based impact consultant. He is a keen watcher of changing national and international scenarios. He works as President Advisory Services of Consulting Company BARSYL. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) The latest US National Security Strategy retains India as an important Indo-Pacific partnerbut the language today is more functional than visionary The US-India partnership is not weakening, but it is changing character. Representational image/ Reuters Not very long ago, the Indo-Pacific was projected by Washington as the central theatre of 21st-century geopolitics, and India as its indispensable democratic anchor. The Trump 1.0 administration spoke of a transformational USIndia partnership; the Quad was energised, defence ties expanded, and India was increasingly projected as a pillar of the future Asian balance. The latest US National Security Strategy retains India as an important Indo-Pacific partnerbut the language today is more functional than visionary. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This shift is not merely a reflection of changing administrations but of deeper strategic compression in Washington. The Biden years saw US focus diverted by the Ukraine war and cascading crises in West Asia. Strategic bandwidth, military stockpiles, diplomatic capital and political attention were consumed elsewhere. The Indo-Pacific remained important on paper but lost its exclusivity in practice. Trump 2.0 has inherited this congested landscape. In this recalibration, Indias importance remains, but its earlier sense of centrality appears diluted. This is not abandonment but reprioritisation under pressure. Perception, however, shapes behaviourand in geopolitics, perceived downgrades often matter as much as real ones. Pakistans New Confidence and the Optics of Dilution Few actors read these shifts more attentively than Pakistan. Recent Pakistani strategic commentaries reflect a quiet but visible sense of elation. The emerging narrative in Islamabad is blunt: that India overestimated the durability of its elevated position in Washingtons strategic imagination; that the US is rediscovering balance rather than favour; and that India is no longer indispensable. Whether this reading is fully accurate is less important than the effect it produces. The perception of Indias relative downgrading encourages diplomatic assertiveness in Pakistan and reinforces the ChinaPakistan strategic axis with renewed confidence. At the very least, it sharpens the temptation to test India politically and strategically in calibrated ways. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This shift in Pakistani commentary coincides with the release of the new US National Security Strategy and the timing of President Vladimir Putins visit to India. Across South Asia, these overlapping signals are all being read together. The Putin Visit and Indias Strategic Counter-Signal The Putin visit carries meaning far beyond symbolism. It sends a calibrated message that the India-Russia relationship remains central to Indias hard security architecture. This is not sentimentality but cold strategic logicdefence supplies, technology access, energy security, and leverage across Central Asia and Eurasia. At the same time, Russia is pursuing clear gains of its own. Through India, Moscow retains relevance across the Indian Ocean, preserves influence in West Asia, sustains proximity to Central Asia, and maintains depth near the Pamirs and Xinjiang. This is a relationship of mutual utility, not charity. For Washington, it introduces visible dissonance. The US would prefer Indias security trajectory to converge steadily with its own framework. India is instead signalling that its national security will remain multi-anchoredan approach that sits uneasily with a US strategic culture growing uncomfortable with hedging. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What Washington Now Quietly Expects from Delhi The deeper shift lies in the role the US now implicitly expects India to play. The broad impression from the strategy is that Washington increasingly views India as a regional net security provider rather than a future co-architect of global order. The expectation is that India will shoulder flank and area security in the Indo-Pacificespecially across the Indian Oceanwhile the US retains strategic flexibility at the apex. This is classic offshore balancing. The US intervenes decisively when core interests are threatened but increasingly expects capable regional powers to manage stability in the interim. In this framework, India is valued as a stabiliser and balancernot yet as an equal strategic pole. This creates a clear asymmetry. In the US vision, India provides area security while Washington reserves escalation control at higher levels. In Indias relationship with Russia, by contrast, the focus is directly on hard security outcomes rather than delegated responsibility. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indias own aspiration extends beyond being a regional manager. It sees itself as an emerging civilisational polean agenda-setter, not merely a balancer. The gap between how India views itself and how Washington increasingly appears to view India is where the real strategic friction lies. A Partnership That Endures, But Is Quietly Changing None of this suggests a rupture in US-India relations. Defence cooperation remains robust, technology collaboration is expanding, the Quad endures, and China remains a shared strategic challenge. Yet the emotional vocabulary of the partnership has changed. The language today is a little cooler, more utilitarian, and shaped many times by the episodic outbursts from Washington. India, for its part, appears to have responded with strategic restraint. It has neither overreacted to shifting American signals nor abandoned the partnership. Instead, it has reinforced strategic autonomydeepening ties with Russia, expanding engagement in West Asia, strengthening outreach in Africa and Southeast Asia, and steadily building indigenous deterrence capabilities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What is unfolding is not a collapse of partnership but a reinterpretation of its meaning. The US is recalibrating global priorities under strain; India is recalibrating expectations under realism. Both continue to need each other, but neither now approaches the relationship with the same assumptions that animated the passion five or six years ago. The latest US National Security Strategy does not downgrade India explicitly. Yet it subtly adjusts the frame within which India is located. India remains importantbut as part of a more crowded American strategic map where Europe and West Asia compete directly with the Indo-Pacific for attention and resources. Pakistan senses opportunity in this shift. Russia capitalises on it. India, meanwhile, seems determined to respond not with anxiety, but with diversification. The US-India partnership is not weakening. It is changing character. Whether this recalibration ultimately constrains or enables Indias great-power ambitions will depend less on Washingtons preferencesand far more on how confidently New Delhi defines its own. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (The writer is the former Commander of Indias Srinagar-based Chinar Corps. Currently he is the Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir and a member of the National Disaster Management Authority. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) News / National by Staff reporter Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube's proposed 2026 cash withdrawal levy has ignited fierce debate, as critics argue it disproportionately burdens ordinary citizens while leaving politically connected elites untouched. The measure, aimed at curbing the flow of funds from formal banks to informal channels, has exposed deep contradictions in Zimbabwe's financial governance.Permanent Secretary for Finance George Guvamatanga recently questioned the need for corporations to withdraw US$5 000 in cash, implicitly framing large cash withdrawals as unnecessary. Yet, the government has never scrutinized how figures like Kudakwashe Tagwirei, presidential advisor Paul Tungwarara, Wicknell Chivayo, or even President Emmerson Mnangagwa himself move vast sums in cash for highly visible political handouts. This glaring discrepancy highlights a two-tiered system in which ordinary citizens face levies and interrogation, while elites operate with impunity.The controversy underscores that cash in Zimbabwe is not merely a transactional medium but a tool of opacity, enabling patronage networks, masking corruption, and consolidating political power. Digital alternatives exist, yet the political elite continue to rely on untraceable cash, raising urgent questions about the sources and accountability of these funds.Economists and business leaders warn that the levy will increase transactional costs, discourage formal banking, and push more citizens into the informal sector, effectively rewarding a system that selectively enforces rules. Unless the government applies financial discipline equally to all, levies on ordinary withdrawals will merely expose the rot at the heart of economic governance and deepen public cynicism about Zimbabwe's financial system.In short, the policy risks penalising the governed while leaving the governors untouched, making informal channels not a choice but a rational response to a system perceived as unfair, opaque, and deeply politicised. Unlike Pakistan, whose historical record has been that of a state willing to pimp the country, always ready to offer itself for the right price to any of the world powers, India has a self-image of a country with dignity While Pakistans relations with the US have considerably warmed up, Indias equation with the Trump administration has been on a downhill trajectory. File image/White House The United States has approved a major tech upgrade worth $686 million for Pakistans F16 fighter jets that will modernise its existing fleet, extend the aircrafts life through 2040 and also address operational safety concerns. The deal is currently under review, where it will meet the scrutiny of the US lawmakers, a development that will be closely watched by India. This new upgrade comes after the Trump administration approved $397 million in aid for Pakistan to upgrade the F16 fighter jets in February strictly for the purpose of counter-terrorism operations to ensure they were not used against India, as reported by the American news agency, Reuters. While there is much activity going on for Pakistans F16 fleet this year, it is also interesting to note that the country was also added to the list of purchasers of Amraam missiles by the US in September after a visit in July by its Air Chief Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Although the US Embassy in New Delhi was quick in giving a clarification that the deal is not for any new supply and is solely for the maintenance purpose of the weapons already supplied, the original US Department of War document which contained the list had included Pakistan, explicitly mentioning foreign military sales to multiple countries. These developments in the US-Pakistan military ties have come with closer cooperation in other domains as well. Just recently, the Export-Import Bank of the United States has approved $1.25 billion in funding for the Reko Diq copper-gold mining project in Pakistans insurgency-hit province of Balochistan. These mines are located in the provinces remote Chagai district and are geographically very close to both Afghanistan and Iran. As per certain estimates, they contain around 15 million tonnes of copper and 26 million ounces of gold. However, little progress has been achieved so far in exploring them, even by Canadian mining giant Barrick, due to issues of land disputes, legal tangles, poor infrastructure and separatist violence. Despite this, the US has committed almost $2 billion to explore the mines. This comes close on the heels of the IMF releasing a $1.2 billion tranche for Pakistan, citing significant progress in the Pakistani economy. Looking at all these new developments, one cannot deny the upwards trajectory of US-Pakistan relations this year. Unlike Trump 1.0, when he had stopped security assistance to Pakistan, citing insufficient action against terrorism, this time he has reversed his stand and once again approved military aid to Pakistan, as evident in the $397 million extended for F16s in February. Thus, if on one hand we have China supplying critical military hardware such as J-10CE fighter jets, Type 054 A/P frigates, HQ-9B surface-to-air missile systems, and ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagle AWACS aircraft, among others, then we also have the United States arming up Pakistan with state-of-the-art weaponry. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While the US has so far clarified on multiple occasions that these upgrades are strictly for counter-terrorism purposes, it is difficult to believe so in a year when Pakistan has already used its F-16 aircraft against India during Operation Sindoor, with India even downing 4-5 jets most likely to be F16 only, as revealed by Indian Air Force Chief Amar Preet Singh in October. Despite Pakistan clearly violating the end-user agreement by scrambling the planes against India, the US is still going ahead with further upgrading its planes instead of countering the country. India is completely justified in feeling dejected with this act of the Trump administration because, unlike China, which beefs up Pakistan to balance India, the US has so far professed India as a strategic partner to counter China in the Indo-Pacific. It is in view of this strategic partnership that these acts of supplying Pakistan with critical military hardware or upgrades do not make sense to India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, the truth is that Pakistan is back in business with the US by all means. In fact, as churlish as it may sound, it has a lot to do with the kind of personality that the current US President Donald Trump has. At one level, the military and civilian establishment in Pakistan have massaged his ego the right way by advocating a Nobel Peace Prize for him, but Pakistan has also cracked the code of transactional foreign policy really well this year. In September 2025, the United States signed a $500 million deal to explore critical minerals in the country with Pakistan. Both countries have inked MoUs to cooperate on rare earth minerals and oil reserves in the country. The most defining feature of this cooperation is the supply of antimony, a crucial mineral needed by the American arms industry in view of the rising demand due to the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China possesses 85 per cent of the worlds antimony reserves, while the US has been preserving its own reserves in Alaska and other places for strategic purposes. Thus in March 2025, when substantial antimony reserves were discovered in Balochistan, which are crucial for not only military hardware but also for batteries, flame retardants and semiconductors, Pakistan got a new lever to enchant Washington towards it, and Trump got a new pretext to upgrade military hardware for the country. No wonder Pakistan made it to the list of Amraam missile purchasers released on September 30, and it quickly returned the gesture by sending a sample shipment of antimony, copper concentrate and rare earth elements such as neodymium and praseodymium to the United States in October 2025. It is clear from the events this year that todays Pakistan is not seeking mere aid, as it did for doing the US dirty business during the Cold War or pretending to fight the terrorists during the Global War on Terror at the turn of this century. Now Pakistan wants trade, investment and mutual respect from the United States, as stated by Asim Munir. This elevation in its status, if pulled off successfully by keeping the supply lines of rare earth and critical minerals steady, would definitely be milked by Munir and team to the hilt. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Not to mention the side-show by lobbyists hired for the purpose by Pakistan and Trumps interest in cryptocurrencies, which has also been exploited by the country for its benefit. This year they have secured F-16 upgrades and Amraam missile commitment, and the subsequent years may bring even more opportunities for Pakistans military-dominated state. But where does that leave India? While Pakistans relations with the US have considerably warmed up, Indias equation with the Trump administration has been on a downhill trajectory. India has continued to deny Trumps silly claims of bringing peace with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and has also refused to get bullied on the issue of trade, rather embracing the debilitating tariffs quite bravely. Unlike Pakistan, whose historical record has been that of a state willing to pimp the country, always ready to offer itself for the right price to any of the world powers, India has a self-image of a country with dignity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It has clearly articulated its desire to be an independent pole in world politics, and to realise this goal, it is also working on the means. Naturally, Indias ambitions are not going down well with either China or the United States. Thus, if the Biden administration played the normative games against India for refusing to condemn Russia, then the Trump administration is using tangible hardware deals to prop up Pakistan at Indias expense. But instead of being demotivated due to Trumps shift towards Pakistan, India must accept this fait accompli. Going further, Indias growing might will always be balanced by the other great powers. Hence, the need is to focus on the countrys own manufacturing strength, its emerging defence-industrial complex and its relationships with multiple partners, including time-tested friend Russia, rather than rueing over the consequences it is facing for not succumbing to American bullying. (The author is a New Delhi-based commentator on geopolitics and foreign policy. She holds a PhD from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. She tweets @TrulyMonica. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Biden and Trump administrations may disagree on many fronts, but when it comes to Bangladesh, both seem to have converged on a shared assumption: Islamists will hold a larger stake in the countrys future, and the US must now engage them directly If Washingtons engagement ends up empowering Islamist actors with a long history of violence, sectarianism, and ideological hostility to democratic pluralism, the strategic costs will be felt across the subcontinent especially in India. Representational image: AP As Bangladesh approaches yet another defining political transition, the country has become the centre of an unusual and consequential diplomatic experiment. Over the past year, Washington has intensified its engagement with Bangladeshs Islamist parties, most prominently the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB). This shift in American diplomacy subtle at first, now increasingly explicit signals a strategic recalibration that could reshape South Asias political trajectory in unexpected ways. The Biden and Trump administrations may disagree on many fronts, but when it comes to Bangladesh, both seem to have converged on a shared assumption: Islamists will hold a larger stake in the countrys future, and the United States must now engage them directly. But this outreach is occurring at a moment when Bangladesh is at its most politically fragile and when Islamist revivalism is at its most assertive since the early 1990s. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The risk is simple: Washington may be betting on forces whose rise could deepen instability across the region, empower extremist networks, and undermine Bangladeshs secular foundations foundations that were laid with enormous sacrifice in 1971. A Sudden Pivot It began quietly. In Sylhet earlier this year, officials from the US embassy held a meeting with leaders of Jamaat-e-Islamis regional branch a group historically linked to the massacres and atrocities of 1971. That meeting was followed by a series of additional engagements: a US diplomat meeting a Jamaat leader at the American Club; former ambassadors visiting Jamaats headquarters; an embassy-invited Jamaat delegation discussing internal democracy and minority rights; and finally, a high-profile July visit by US charge daffaires Tracey Ann Jacobson to Jamaats central leadership. The symbolism was unmistakable. Many Bangladeshis saw it as a quiet endorsement a signal that Washington now considers Jamaat a legitimate stakeholder in the countrys political future. Even more striking was the decision to issue a US visa to Jamaats ameer, Shafiqur Rahman, despite his long history of incendiary rhetoric targeting Jews, including recent praise for Hamas commander Yahya Sinwar. Rahmans meetings in New York, Buffalo, Michigan, and Washington DC further cemented the impression that a once-isolated Islamist movement had suddenly become acceptable in Western policy circles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Misreading What explains this dramatic shift? Three calculations appear to be driving Washingtons approach: 1. A changing political map in Bangladesh The 2024 uprising that unseated Sheikh Hasina created a power vacuum. The interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus has granted unprecedented political space to Islamist factions long considered beyond the pale. Washington seems to be adjusting to this new reality perhaps too quickly and without the caution warranted by Bangladeshs historical memory. 2. A belief in the moderation through engagement thesis This is a familiar logic in Western diplomacy. From Egypts Muslim Brotherhood to Tunisias Ennahda, US policymakers have repeatedly argued that Islamist movements soften when brought into institutional politics. Yet the evidence across the Middle East suggests the opposite: once empowered, Islamists often entrench themselves and narrow democratic space. 3. Geopolitical competition in the Bay of Bengal With Chinas growing footprint in Bangladeshs infrastructure, ports, and defence partnerships, Washington may see political inclusivity even with Islamists as necessary to maintain access in a strategically vital region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But in making this gamble, the US risks misreading the ideological depth of the groups it is courting. Islamists Being Mainstreamed The Yunus-led interim government has played a central role in normalising groups previously associated with extremist activity. Jamaat and IAB, once constrained by court rulings and electoral regulations, have re-entered political life with new confidence. But this mainstreaming is not merely political. It is accompanied by a visible decline in Bangladeshs secular civic space. Human rights groups and journalists have documented a disturbing resurgence of communal violence, especially against Hindu communities. Jihadist activity previously contained through extensive counter-terror operations has shown signs of revival. Calls for stricter blasphemy laws and censorship have grown louder. Vigilante groups, some linked to Islamist student wings, have reappeared in key districts. In this environment, Washingtons outreach risks reinforcing the very forces that are eroding Bangladeshs pluralistic foundations. A Wider Geopolitical Scramble Bangladeshs political transition has triggered a global diplomatic race. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to local reports, envoys from more than 35 countries including China, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Japan, Iran, Pakistan, and EU member states have met with Jamaat or their political allies in the past year. This remarkable breadth reflects a widespread expectation: the Islamist parties may be kingmakers or even coalition leaders after the upcoming election. For India, the implications are profound. A Jamaat- or IAB-influenced government in Dhaka could: Amplify cross-border radicalisation Fuel extremist networks in West Bengal and Assam Re-open strategic space for Pakistans ISI Complicate counter-terror cooperation Revive Rohingya-linked insurgency pathways Increase pressure on Hindu communities inside Bangladesh and along border districts. For China and Turkey, however, the Islamist revival offers potential leverage. Both countries have cultivated ideological or economic ties with Islamist movements across various regions. Beijing has already positioned itself as a patient investor. Ankara sees ideological affinity. Pakistan sees an opportunity to re-enter Bangladeshs political equation after decades of marginalisation. In this crowded geopolitical field, Washingtons outreach looks less like a strategy and more like a hurried attempt to retain influence. Washington Continues to Ignore The US approach in Bangladesh is not an isolated phenomenon. It mirrors a long-standing trend in Western foreign policy: the belief that Islamists can be reliable democratic actors if integrated early into political processes. This assumption collapsed dramatically in the Middle East: In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood attempted to capture state institutions rather than broaden democratic participation In Libya and Tunisia, Islamist factions contributed to political fragmentation. In Yemen, US-funded programmes strengthened Al-Islah, leading to disastrous unintended consequences. But despite this history, publicly funded American institutions especially the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) continue to invest heavily in engaging Islamist parties throughout the developing world. Bangladesh is now becoming the next testing ground for this deeply flawed doctrine. The Stakes Could Not Be Higher STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If Jamaat, IAB, and their allies rise to significant political power in Bangladesh, several outcomes are likely to reshape South Asias security environment: Repressive blasphemy and censorship regimes Accelerated communal violence targeting minorities Deepened ideological alignment with Turkey and Pakistan Increased vulnerability to jihadist recruitment A rollback of womens rights and secular protections A new wave of radicalisation in Indias border states For India and for the Bay of Bengal region the strategic implications would be immense. Far More Dangerous What the United States views as inclusive diplomacy may, in effect, be legitimising the most regressive forces in Bangladeshs political arena. The stakes extend far beyond Dhakas internal dynamics. Bangladesh is one of South Asias most important buffers against radicalisation, a key maritime actor, and a major partner in regional connectivity. If Washingtons engagement ends up empowering Islamist actors with a long history of violence, sectarianism, and ideological hostility to democratic pluralism, the strategic costs will be felt across the subcontinent especially in India. Bangladesh today stands at a crossroads. And the choices foreign governments make in the coming months will determine whether South Asia moves toward stability or slides into a new era of ideological confrontation. (Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is an award-winning journalist, writer, and Editor of the newspaper Blitz. He specialises in counterterrorism and regional geopolitics. Follow him on X: @Salah_Shoaib. 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 Google has launched Disco, an experimental AI-first browser that turns browsing activity into custom web applications, as it steps up competition with a new wave of AI-powered browsers led by OpenAIs ChatGPT Atlas. Google has unveiled Disco, an experimental browser that automatically creates custom web applications based on a users browsing activity. The move marks a direct challenge to the emerging class of AI-powered browsers, particularly OpenAIs ChatGPT Atlas, which has been positioned as a rival to Chrome despite being built on Chromium, the open-source platform developed and maintained by Google. While rival products have largely focused on adding AI chat features to conventional browsers, Googles Disco seeks to rethink the role of a browser when artificial intelligence sits at its core. The launch comes weeks after OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman described Atlas as a challenger to Chromes long-standing dominance, claiming it would end the browsers 17-year monopoly. Unlike Atlas, which essentially layers ChatGPT onto a traditional browsing experience, Disco aims to redesign how browsers function with AI built in from the ground up. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD AI-generated apps at the centre A key feature of Disco is GenTabs, powered by Googles Gemini 3 model. GenTabs analyses open tabs and turns them into interactive applications tailored to the users activity. Researching holiday destinations, for instance, can produce a trip planner with maps and itineraries. Studying complex subjects generates visualisation tools and learning aids, while meal planning results in recipe organisers with integrated shopping lists. This approach differs sharply from competitors such as ChatGPT Atlas, Perplexitys Comet and Microsoft Edge with Copilot, which primarily add AI chat panels to existing browser layouts. How Disco differs from rivals Atlas offers features such as context-aware right-click menus and agent-based tasks like booking reservations, but it still operates as a conventional browser with AI assistance added on top. Comet and Edge follow similar models, integrating their AI systems into familiar interfaces rather than redefining browser behaviour. By contrast, GenTabs treats AI-generated applications as core browser elements rather than supplementary tools. Users can refine these apps using natural language commands, with all outputs linked back to original sources. Early testers report using GenTabs for project planning, research synthesis and educational work that would otherwise involve managing large numbers of tabs. Strategic timing in browser competition Google is currently offering Disco via a waitlist for macOS users only, describing it as a discovery vehicle for testing ideas that could later be incorporated into Chrome or other products. The company has acknowledged that the browser remains limited in its early stages. The competitive backdrop is notable. OpenAI, Perplexity and Microsoft are all building AI browsers on Chromium, which restricts how radically they can reshape the browsing experience, as innovations must sit atop an architecture designed for pre-AI web use. Whether GenTabs proves to be a genuinely superior innovation or simply an alternative approach remains unclear. Google Labs has a track record of launching experimental projects that never gain wider adoption. What is clear, however, is that competition in the browser space is intensifying, with companies betting heavily on AI as the next major battleground. While Googles control of Chromium offers structural advantages, turning experimental ideas into widely adopted products remains a significant challenge. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Google will construct three subsea cables in Papua New Guinea, with the project funded by Australia under the Pukpuk defence treaty. A subsea cable is a long, insulated fibre-optic cable laid on the seabed to carry internet data, telecommunications, or electricity between countries and continents. (AI Image) Alphabets Google is set to build three subsea cables across Papua New Guinea, marking a major upgrade to the countrys digital infrastructure, as the government confirmed the project is being financed by Australia through a mutual defence agreement. The initiative comes as regional powers focus more closely on connectivity and security in the Pacific. Papua New Guinea, the largest Pacific Island nation, is seen by Australian and US military planners as strategically important due to its location north of Australia and its natural resources, particularly as China increases its presence in the region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The $120-million project will connect northern and southern Papua New Guinea with the Bougainville autonomous region using high-capacity subsea cables, acting minister for information and communications technology Peter Tsiamalili said on Friday. Funding tied to Pukpuk Treaty The entire investment (is) funded through Australias commitments under the Pukpuk Treaty, Tsiamalili said in a statement, referring to the mutual defence pact signed in October. He said the project reflected a shared commitment by both countries to improve digital security, support regional stability, and advance national development. According to the statement, Google will build the cables, and Tsiamalili met Australian and US diplomats this week at Googles Australian office to discuss the project. Australias foreign affairs department said on Saturday the cables would help reduce internet costs for consumers, support economic growth and expand education opportunities. The project would also position Papua New Guinea to attract investment from hyperscalers and global digital enterprises, said Tsiamalili, who also serves as police minister. Under the Pukpuk Treaty, Australian defence personnel are granted access to Papua New Guineas communications systems, including satellite stations and cables. The United States has also deepened defence ties with the country, signing a defence cooperation pact in 2023. Regional competition over digital infrastructure Australia and the United States have jointly supported several subsea cable projects across the Pacific Islands in recent years, aiming to counter Chinas efforts to build critical communications infrastructure, which Canberra views as a security concern. Papua New Guineas domestic submarine cable was built by Chinas Huawei in 2018 and financed through a loan from Chinas EXIM bank. Australia has committed over A$450 million ($300 million) to support undersea cable connectivity across the Pacific and Timor-Leste, including the Coral Sea Cable between Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia, an Australian foreign affairs official said in a statement to Reuters on Saturday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Australia is also expected to fund a new international cable to Papua New Guinea. Last month, Google said it planned to build a data hub on Australias Indian Ocean territory of Christmas Island, another strategic defence location, supported by new cables linking the island to Australian cities that host key defence bases also used by the US military. Google also said two additional cable systems would extend westwards to Africa and Asia to deepen the resilience of internet infrastructure across the Indian Ocean. Three Filipino fishermen were injured after China Coast Guard vessels used water cannons and aggressive manoeuvres against Philippine fishing boats near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea, officials said. An aerial view shows a China Coast Guard vessel operating near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. (FIle/Reuters) Three Filipino fishermen were injured during a confrontation at sea after China Coast Guard vessels acted against Philippine fishing boats in a contested area of the South China Sea, according to Philippine authorities on Saturday. Philippine officials said the incident occurred near Sabina Shoal, a fish-rich area about 150 kilometres (93 miles) from the island of Palawan. Beijing said on Friday that it had taken necessary control measures involving about 20 Philippine fishing boats in the area. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The fishermen were targeted with water cannons and dangerous blocking manoeuvres, a Philippine coast guard spokesman said in a statement on Saturday. Three fishermen sustained physical injuries, including bruises and open wounds. Two (Filipino fishing boats) also suffered significant damage from high-pressure water cannon blasts, said Commodore Jay Tarriela. He added that small Chinese rigid hull inflatable vessels had also deliberately cut the anchor lines of several (boats). Escalating maritime confrontations In a statement released on Saturday, the China Coast Guard said it had taken necessary control measures against the Philippine vessels including issuing warnings via loudspeaker and conducting external manoeuvring to drive them away. A video released by the Philippine side showed water cannon blasts crashing over small fishing boats. Tarriela told AFP that the high-powered streams had destroyed wooden structures on the vessels. The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to requests for comment. The incident is the latest in a series of confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the disputed waterway, which Beijing claims nearly in its entirety despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. In October, the Philippines accused a Chinese ship of deliberately ramming one of its government vessels in the Spratly Islands, an allegation Beijing rejected, blaming Manila for the incident. A month earlier, one person was injured when a water cannon attack by a China Coast Guard vessel shattered a window on the bridge of another fisheries bureau vessel near the Beijing-controlled Scarborough Shoal. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With most European leaders talking tougher about immigration amid a rise in farright populism and Trump administration warnings that they could face civilisational erasure unless they tighten their borders, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stands apart. FILE - Riot police officers cordon off the area after migrants arrive on Spanish soil and crossing the fences separating the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco in Melilla, Spain, on June 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Javier Bernardo, File) As migration hardens into one of Europes most divisive political battlegrounds, Spain is emerging as a clear outlier. While centrist governments across the continent tighten borders under pressure from surging far-right parties and amid warnings from figures linked to the Trump administration that Europe risks civilisational erasure unless it acts Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is defending a more open, economically driven approach to immigration. At a time when many leaders frame migration primarily as a threat, Sanchez has consistently argued that newcomers are essential to Spains prosperity. His governments stance places Madrid increasingly at odds not only with Europes political mood but also with the tougher rhetoric emanating from Washington under Donald Trumps renewed influence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Spains economic case for openness Spain has absorbed millions of migrants from Latin America and Africa over the past decade, many of them arriving legally by air and integrating relatively quickly into the labour market. Sanchez regularly links immigration to Spains strong economic performance, arguing that foreign workers are helping offset an ageing population and labour shortages. Spains economy has grown faster than any other in the European Union for a second consecutive year, a trend officials partly attribute to immigration boosting the workforce and tax base. Spains progress and strong economic situation owe much to the contribution of migrants, Sanchez said earlier this year after anti-migrant unrest flared in a southern town. That framing reflects continuity with previous progressive governments, according to Anna Terron Cusi, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute and former Spanish migration official. What has changed, she notes, is the political environment: the rise of the far-right Vox party, which has amplified anti-immigration rhetoric, particularly targeting Muslim migrants. Unlike many European leaders, Sanchez has chosen to confront that narrative head-on rather than accommodate it. Europe turns inward under political pressure Elsewhere in Europe, the trajectory is moving in the opposite direction. Despite a sharp fall in irregular border crossings into the EU over the past two years, centrist leaders are tightening asylum and migration rules as far-right parties gain ground. In France, President Emmanuel Macron has increasingly spoken of a migration problem and backed tougher legislation aimed at restricting illegal immigration while tightening integration requirements. In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz campaigned on stricter migration controls and moved quickly after taking office to reinforce border checks and step up deportations of rejected asylum-seekers. These shifts reflect a broader recalibration across Europe, where governments fear losing voters to anti-immigration parties. Reuters has reported that multiple EU states are revising asylum systems, expanding border controls and narrowing legal pathways, even as demographic pressures persist. Spain has not been immune to these constraints. Sanchezs government amended immigration laws last year to allow hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants to obtain residency and work permits, arguing Spain needs roughly 300,000 additional foreign workers annually to sustain pensions and public services. Yet critics said the reforms were flawed, and a broader amnesty proposal later stalled in parliament amid political resistance and EU-wide sensitivities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Control at the borders, tension at home Spains openness is also more conditional than rhetoric sometimes suggests. In coordination with the EU, Madrid has paid African governments to curb departures toward Spanish shores. After a surge in dangerous sea crossings to the Canary Islands last year, Sanchez travelled to Mauritania alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who pledged 210 million to strengthen border controls there. Arrivals to the Canaries are down about 60% this year, a decline even critics attribute to tougher controls in Africa. Human rights groups, however, argue that Spains deterrence policies have contributed to deadly outcomes, pointing to incidents such as the 2022 Melilla border tragedy, where 23 migrants died during clashes with security forces. Sanchez has defended the actions of Spanish and Moroccan authorities, calling the incident an attack on Spains borders, while his office insists the migration policy is effective and responsible. Domestically, immigration is fuelling another sensitive debate: housing. Economists warn that rapid population growth, combined with limited construction, over tourism and short-term rentals, has worsened affordability. Spains central bank estimates the country will need around 24 million working-age immigrants over the next three decades, but analysts caution that integration without sufficient housing could deepen social strains. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sanchezs government has promised to expand public housing and curb speculative second-home purchases by wealthy foreigners. Whether Spain can sustain its pro-migration stance economically, politically and socially as Europe moves in the opposite direction may determine how durable this divergence from the prevailing European and Trump-aligned line ultimately proves. With inputs from agencies According to Apples App Store charts, Lemon8, an app owned by TikTok parent company ByteDance, was the weeks most downloaded lifestyle app, followed by the photo-sharing app Yope Australia's social media ban for teens will come into effect from December 10. Representational Image/Reuters Australians have turned to a range of lesser-known apps following a sweeping social media ban that has blocked under-16s from popular platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. According to Apples App Store charts, Lemon8, an app owned by TikTok parent company ByteDance, was the weeks most downloaded lifestyle app, followed by the photo-sharing app Yope. US-based video-sharing platform Coverstar, which markets itself as a safe space for children, ranked third, while the Chinese social media app RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu, has also seen user growth. Even Meta-owned messaging app WhatsApp has benefited, as younger users search for new ways to stay connected. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The surge in downloads comes after Australia became the first country to ban under-16s from using 10 apps deemed potentially harmful to children and teenagers. The law places responsibility on tech companies to verify users ages, and firms including Meta, X, TikTok, and Google must report data to the countrys digital regulator to show progress in deactivating over one million teen accounts. The Australian government has indicated it may expand the law to cover additional apps if necessary. Lemon8, a sister company to TikTok, has held discussions with Australias eSafety Commissioner, which enforces the new rules. Yope has submitted a request for exemption, with Ismailau noting that the app is built primarily for private messaging and has no algorithmic or public content at all. He added that a new wave of alternative apps is emerging to challenge the dominance of major social media companies that he said treat society like a cash cow. Requests for comment from Lemon8, RedNote, and Coverstar were not returned. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that the country has taken control back from powerful tech giants as the ban on social media for teens started to take effect. This is world-leading. This is Australia showing enough is enough. It is about our families taking back control, Albanese said in a speech as the world-first laws came into effect. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Teens under the age of 16 lost their social media accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok as the government ordered tech companies to remove such accounts or face a fine. Hundreds of thousands of adolescents are impacted, with Instagram alone reporting about 350,000 Australian users aged 13 to 15. Not every Australian has to prove their age, only those suspected of falling foul of the ban. And young users are still able to access some social media without logging in they just cannot register for their own accounts. Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus-led interim government on Saturday ordered a nationwide security clampdown as fresh unrest gripped the country following the shooting of a right-wing cultural groups youth leader. Bangladeshs interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, on Saturday imposed a nationwide security clampdown following renewed unrest after the shooting of a youth leader from a right-wing cultural organisation. Sharif Osmann Hadi, leader of Inquilab Mancha and a candidate in the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 12, was shot on Friday while launching his election campaign in Dhakas Bijoynagar area. Doctors have described his condition as critical. The government will initiate the second phase of Operation Devil Hunt to ensure public safety and tackle the rising threat posed by illegal firearms, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said at a press briefing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The interim administration first launched Operation Devil Hunt in February this year, following protests sparked by an attack on the private residence of a former minister in the northern suburbs of Dhaka. That operation focused on alleged supporters and henchmen of the now-defunct Awami League, led by deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Home Adviser Chowdhury announced a reward of Taka 50 lakh (USD 40,985.81) for information leading to the arrest of one of the suspects who shot Hadi. Meanwhile, police issued the suspects pictures, identifying him as Faisal Karim Masud. He was one of the three motorcycle-borne assailants who shot Hadi in the head from close range in Bijoynagar, where the youth leader is contesting as an independent candidate. Newspaper reports quoting Hadis associates said the assailants were acquainted with him and had accompanied him since Friday morning, a day after the election commission announced the poll schedule. Hadi was initially rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) following the shooting, from where he was shifted overnight to the specialised Evercare Hospital. His (Hadis) condition is critical. He has been provided a life support system, DMCH Director Brigadier General Mohammad Asaduzzaman told reporters earlier. Doctors at Evercare said on Saturday that Hadis condition remains static but not out of danger, while the medical board formed for him preferred not to perform any surgery immediately, relying on medication and supportive treatment for now. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Chief Adviser Yunus ordered a manhunt for the suspects, and on Saturday met Hadis family members, assuring them of all support for his treatment. The whole country is praying for him, and everyone is trying to ensure that he receives the best medical care, Yunus said. Hadi was a frontline leader of last years student-led violent street protest dubbed the July Uprising, which toppled the Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5. Home Adviser Chowdhury said the government had taken steps to ensure special security for the frontline fighters of the July Uprising, adding MP candidates would also be issued firearm licenses if they wanted. He said that candidates who earlier handed over their licensed weapons to the authorities, would be returned their arms. Meanwhile, critically ill former prime minister Khaleda Zias Bangladesh Nationalist Party, as well as the Jamaat-e-Islami, and student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) strongly criticised the attack on Hadi. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD NCP chief organiser Hasnat Abdullah, Hadis close comrade during and after the uprising, said, There would be no place for fascists (Awami League) in Bangladesh, regardless of the name or platform under which they operate. We take an oath in Osman Hadis blood they will not be given even an inch of space in this country, he told a protest rally. The Inquilab Mancha spearheads a campaign to arrest all terrorists of the disbanded Awami League from the central to grassroots levels and ensure security of the July warriors. It was at the forefront of a campaign to disband the Awami League, which the Yunus-led interim government did in May this year, disqualifying it from contesting the polls. With inputs from agencies Belarus Lukashenko has freed more than 120 prisoners, including prominent opposition figures, in a move linked to talks with the United States that has also seen Washington agree to ease sanctions on Belarus. Belarusian Nobel Prize winner Ales Bialiatski (R) speaks to journalists next to Belarusian opposition leader and political activist Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (L) at the US embassy after he was released in Vilnius, Lithuania on December 13, 2025.- AFP Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko freed 123 prisoners on Saturday, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and senior opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, following two days of talks with an envoy of President Donald Trump, according to a US statement. In return, the US agreed to lift sanctions on Belarusian potash, a key ingredient used in fertilisers. The former Soviet state is among the worlds leading producers of potash. This marks Lukashenkos largest prisoner release since Trumps administration began engaging with the long-time authoritarian leader earlier this year. Western governments had previously shunned him over his suppression of dissent and support for Russias war in Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD High-profile opposition figures freed Bialiatski, co-winner of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, is a prominent human rights campaigner who spent years advocating for political prisoners before being jailed himself in July 2021. Also released were Kalesnikava, a leading figure in the mass protests against Lukashenko in 2020, and Viktar Babaryka, who was arrested that year while preparing to challenge the president in the election. US strategy on Russia influence US officials told Reuters that engagement with Lukashenko is aimed at reducing his dependence on Russian President Vladimir Putin. The approach has been viewed with deep scepticism by the Belarusian opposition. Trumps envoy, John Coale, earlier told reporters in Minsk that, acting on the presidents instructions, the United States would lift sanctions on Belarusian potash. The US and the European Union imposed wide-ranging sanctions on Belarus following a violent crackdown on protesters after the disputed 2020 election, which led to most opposition figures being jailed or forced into exile. Sanctions were tightened further after Lukashenko allowed Belarus to be used as a staging ground for Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Signs of a diplomatic thaw The lifting of potash sanctions signals a thaw between Washington and the isolated Belarusian leadership. Coale met Lukashenko in Minsk on Friday and Saturday. A close ally of Russia, Lukashenko has ruled the country of 9.5 million for more than three decades and has faced sustained Western sanctions over human rights abuses and his backing of Moscows actions in Ukraine. Cambodia on Friday accused Thailand of continuing bombardment at the border shortly after the US President Donald Trump announced that both nations have agreed to restart the ceasefire. Armoured personnel carriers are seen on a road near Thailand-Cambodia's border in Sisaket province, the day after the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand agreed to a ceasefire in a bid to bring an end to their deadliest conflict in more than a decade and ahead of military negotiations. File image/ Reuters Cambodia on Friday accused Thailand of continuing bombardment at the border shortly after the US President Donald Trump announced that both nations have agreed to restart the ceasefire. The accusations from Cambodia came shortly after Trumps call with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. On December 13, 2025, the Thai military used two F-16 fighter jets to drop seven bombs on several targets," the Cambodian Defence Ministry said in a post on social media on Saturday. Thai forces have not stopped the bombing yet and are continuing the bombing, the ministry said, listing aerial attacks on hotel buildings and bridges earlier in the morning. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, local news outlet Khmer Times cited the Cambodian Ministry of Information to report that two hotels were bombed in the Thmor Da area of Pursat province, on the border with Thailand. The news outlet also published a series of photos showing badly bombed hotel and casino buildings. Will Trumps call go to waste The reports of these strikes came after Trump announced on his social media platform TruthSocial that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to cease all shooting on Friday. I had a very good conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running War, Trump said in the post. It is pertient to note that the original ceasefire between the two countries was brokered by Malaysia in July. That truce also received pressure from Trump, who went ahead and threatened to withhold trade privileges unless Thailand and Cambodia agreed. The deal was eventually formalised in October at a regional meeting in Malaysia, which was attended by Trump. However, despite the deal, both Thailand and Cambodia continued with their bitter propaganda war, and minor cross-border violence continued. It is important to note that the root of these clashes lies in a history of enmity over competing territorial claims. These claims largely stem from a 1907 map created while Cambodia was under French colonial rule, which Thailand maintains is inaccurate. Tensions between the two nations intensified in 1962 when the International Court of Justice ruling awarded sovereignty to Cambodia, which still riles many Thais. News / National by Staff reporter Botswana authorities have intercepted a vehicle transporting seven undocumented children from Tsholotsho in Matabeleland North, who were being smuggled into South Africa.The incident highlights a recurring challenge in border communities, particularly during school holidays when parents working in South Africa rely on "omalayitsha" - informal transporters - to ferry children across borders. The practice exposes minors to dangerous journeys without legal documentation or adult guardians.During the rainy season, risks escalate as children may be forced to cross flooded rivers or abandoned during police crackdowns. Omalayitsha charge between R2 000 and R2 500 per trip and often bribe officials along the route to evade detection. Many rural families cite the high cost of passports - US$170 - as a barrier to legal travel.Botswana police arrested the transporter involved in the latest case. Last year, 14 Tsholotsho children spent 48 days in Botswana under similar circumstances, missing weeks of school while authorities processed their cases.One parent, whose seven-year-old child was among the detained, confirmed the incident."Omalayitsha was transporting seven children to South Africa, including my child. I am from Bhubhude Village in Tsholotsho. We are waiting for the court dates to know what will happen," the parent said, admitting the risk taken was "a big mistake and a gamble."Former Tsholotsho Rural District Council chairperson and Ward 9 councillor Esau Siwela said most of the children and the arrested driver are from Ward 15 - Emagumndwini, Tshetshisa, and Gandisa areas. He noted that one affected parent contacted him for help in reuniting with their child. Last year, Clr Siwela assisted in securing documents required by Botswana authorities to release the 14 previously detained children."We must understand the children are not under arrest, but in the care of Botswana's social services department. However, this practice is a form of child abuse. Even though Botswana officials take good care of them, it is traumatic for the children to spend so much time with strangers, facing language barriers and uncertainty," Clr Siwela said.He explained that Botswana is legally bound to follow strict protocols outlined in bilateral agreements with Zimbabwe before releasing undocumented minors. DNA tests and court processes are required to verify parental claims and determine whether the children are victims of trafficking or smuggling.Clr Siwela added that caring for the children places financial pressure on Botswana, which must provide food, shelter, clothing, and welfare services during investigations. He called for stronger community education."We need chiefs, village heads, councillors and MPs to work together. Some children travel in very poor conditions with omalayitsha, and when trouble strikes, some drivers abandon them and flee," he said.As of the time of reporting, the Zimbabwean embassy in Botswana had not responded to inquiries regarding the incident. Earlier this week, Reuters reported that Taiwans Francois Wu Chih-chung travelled to Israel recently, although it is not clear who he met there. Meanwhile, Taiwan has neither denied nor confirmed the news Chess pieces are seen in front of displayed China and Taiwan's flags in this illustration taken January 25, 2022. Reuters The Chinese Embassy in Israel has expressed discontent over reports of the Taiwanese deputy foreign minister secretly meeting Israeli officials. Earlier this week, Reuters reported that Taiwans Francois Wu Chih-chung travelled to Israel recently, although it is not clear who he met there. Meanwhile, Taiwan has neither denied nor confirmed the news. The Chinese Embassy in Israel on Saturday commented on the visit, saying that Beijing opposes official exchanges between a country it has diplomatic relations and Taiwan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Chinese embassy in Israel lodged a solemn representation with Israel immediately, the embassy said in a post on social media. We once again urge the Israeli side to earnestly abide by the one-China principle, correct its erroneous actions, cease sending any wrong signals to separatist forces advocating Taiwan independence, and take concrete actions to safeguard the overall development of China-Israel relations, the embassy added. Before he was appointed Taiwans deputy foreign minister last year, Wu spent six years as the islands de facto ambassador in Paris. His most recent public appearance overseas was at the Berlin Security Conference on November 19. While Taiwan and Israel do not share formal diplomatic relations, the two countries have maintained unofficial economic, technological and defence ties and have established de facto embassies in Taipei and Tel Aviv. In October, Taiwans leader, William Lai Ching-te, said he wanted the island to develop a T-Dome missile defence system modelled on Israels Iron Dome, prompting a swift rebuke from Beijing. A joint communique establishing diplomatic relations between Beijing and Israel, signed in 1992, states that Israel recognises the Peoples Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and regards Taiwan as an inalienable part of its territory. Three US House members have introduced a resolution to overturn President Trumps emergency-driven tariffs on India, arguing that the duties are damaging to American consumers, workers, and vital economic ties Three members of the US House of Representatives have taken formal steps to challenge President Donald Trumps tariff policy on India, arguing that it rests on an overreach of emergency powers and is causing economic harm at home. The lawmakers have introduced a resolution aimed at cancelling the national emergency declaration that paved the way for duties of up to 50 per cent on Indian goods. The resolution was introduced on Friday by Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey, and Raja Krishnamoorthi. It seeks to strike down the additional 25 per cent secondary tariffs imposed on August 27, 2025, which were added to earlier reciprocal duties. Together, the measures sharply increased import costs on several Indian-origin products under authorities granted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ross said the tariffs were having a negative impact on her state. North Carolinas economy is deeply connected to India through trade, investment, and a vibrant Indian American community, she said, pointing to billions in investment and thousands of jobs tied to Indian companies. She added that the duties were undermining an important economic relationship. Veasey described the policy as harmful to households. India is an important cultural, economic, and strategic partner, and these illegal tariffs are a tax on everyday North Texans who are already struggling with rising costs, he said. Krishnamoorthi focused on the wider economic effects. Instead of advancing American interests or security, these duties disrupt supply chains, harm American workers, and drive up costs for consumers, he said, adding that removing the tariffs would strengthen US-India economic and security ties. Pushback against emergency trade powers The House move comes after a bipartisan effort in the Senate to curb the Presidents use of emergency powers to impose trade barriers, a method Trump has increasingly relied on in disputes with several countries. Supporters of the resolution say it is intended to restore Congresss constitutional role in trade policy while improving ties with India, described as a key strategic partner. Ending Trumps India tariffs is part of a broader effort by congressional Democrats to reclaim Congress authority over trade and stop the President from using emergency powers to unilaterally impose misguided policies, the lawmakers said in a joint release. Trump initially imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods on August 1, before doubling it days later. He cited Indias continued purchases of Russian oil, arguing that these helped finance Moscows war in Ukraine. The European Union agreed on Friday to indefinitely freeze Russias sovereign assets spread across the bloc, as Moscow threatens to retaliate against Euroclear. The European Union agreed on Friday to indefinitely freeze Russia's sovereign assets spread across the bloc, as Moscow threatens to retaliate against Euroclear. The decision of the EU to use emergency powers to immobilise 210 bn of Russias central banks assets marks a significant step towards using the cash to aid Ukraines defence. European Council president Antonio Costa and other EU leaders delivered the commitment on Friday. It was in October when they agreed to keep Russian assets immobilised until Russia ends its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates for the damage caused. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Before this move, the EU was obligated to renew the frozen assets every six months, creating potential for a Kremlin-friendly government, such as Hungary, to veto the move. Interestingly, the move came hours after Russias central bank said it was filing a lawsuit against Euroclear, the Brussels central securities depository that holds these assets. The lawsuit that is being filed in Moscow court alleges that Euroclears illegal actions had caused damage to the central banks ability to manage funds and securities. Meanwhile, the European financial institution has declined to comment on the matter. However, a spokesperson said it was currently fighting more than 100 legal claims in Russia. Why it matters Last week, the European Commission proposed a 90bn (79bn) loan for Ukraine, secured against Russian assets immobilised in the EU since its full-scale invasion. However, the plan was blocked by Belgium, which fears a cascade of lawsuits from Moscow and the seizure of Belgian assets in the country. On Friday, the Prime Minister of Belgium, Bart De Wever, met his British counterpart Keir Starmer in Downing Street for long-planned talks on the EU-UK reset, migration and the Russian assets. After the meeting, De Wevers spokesperson said they had discussed the possible use of the value of immobilised Russian sovereign assets and agreed to continue to work closely to make progress on this complex issue. Meanwhile, a Downing Street spokesperson also shared an identical statement. It was clear, they agreed, that keeping up the economic pressure on Russia and putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position would remain the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace," it said. It is pertinent to note that the meeting between the two leaders is coming ahead of an EU summit next week, when leaders have promised decisions on funding Ukraine in 2026-27, amid warnings that Kyiv will run out of money next spring to fund its defence and pay doctors and teachers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD EU officials believe that the proposed 90bn loan will meet two-thirds of Ukraines financial needs for the next two years, and expect Kyivs other international partners to provide the rest. The Belgian government has said that it must have guarantees from EU partners that it will not be on the hook for a multibillion-euro bill if it is sued by Russia. Germany is set to host talks between US and Ukrainian delegations this weekend on a possible ceasefire in the Ukraine war, just days before a wider summit with European leaders and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Berlin. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C), next to US special envoy Steve Witkoff (2nd L) and US Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll (4th L), faces the Ukrainian delegation during discussions on a US plan to end the war in Ukraine at the US Mission in Geneva, on November 23, 2025. Image- AFP Germany will host delegations from the US and Ukraine over the weekend for talks on a possible ceasefire in the Ukraine war, ahead of a summit with European leaders and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Berlin on Monday, a German official said on Saturday. A US official said President Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner were travelling to Germany for discussions involving Ukrainian and European representatives. The decision to send Witkoff, who has led negotiations with Ukraine and Russia on a US peace proposal, appeared to signal that Washington sees scope for progress. The White House had said on Thursday that Trump would send an official only if he believed meaningful progress was possible. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Talks on a possible ceasefire in Ukraine are taking place in Berlin this weekend between foreign policy advisers from, among others, the US and Ukraine, a German government source said. European support amid US pressure On Monday, German leader Friedrich Merz will host Zelenskiy and other European leaders for a summit in Berlin. The meeting is the latest public show of support for the Ukrainian president from European allies, even as Kyiv faces pressure from Washington to sign up to a peace plan that initially reflected Moscows key demands. Britain, France and Germany have in recent weeks been working to refine the US proposals, which in a draft disclosed last month called on Kyiv to cede more territory, abandon its ambition to join NATO and accept limits on its armed forces. The White House said Trumps special envoy would meet Zelenskiy and European leaders in Berlin this weekend as Washington pushes for a plan to end Russias war with Ukraine. Fresh Russian strikes before talks Ahead of the meetings, Zelenskiy warned on Saturday that Russia still aims to destroy Ukraine, after Kyiv said massive Russian strikes on energy facilities overnight had left thousands without electricity across the country. Russia said it had struck Ukrainian facilities with hypersonic ballistic missiles, describing the attacks as retaliation for Ukrainian strikes. It is important that everyone now sees what Russia is doing every step they take in terror against our people for this is clearly not about ending the war. They still aim to destroy our state and inflict maximum pain on our people, Zelenskiy said in a post on X. An 80-year-old woman was killed when a Russian shell hit a residential building in Ukraines northeastern Sumy region, the regional governor said. Diplomatic push intensifies Trump has stepped up pressure on Kyiv to reach an agreement since unveiling a plan to end the war last month, which drew criticism for echoing Moscows demands, including Ukraine giving up key territory. The 28-point proposal has triggered intense diplomatic engagement between the US and Ukraines European allies, with Ukrainian officials recently saying they had sent Washington a revised version. Germany has said it will send a group of soldiers to Poland to help with a project to fortify the countrys eastern border as worries mount about the threat from Russia. Germany has announced that it will deploy a contingent of troops to Poland to assist in reinforcing the countrys eastern frontier amid rising concerns over potential threats from Russia. Poland, a key backer of Ukraine in its conflict with Moscow unveiled plans in May last year to strengthen an extensive section of its eastern border which runs alongside Belarus and Russias Kaliningrad exclave. According to a spokesperson for Berlins defence ministry, the German soldiers will be tasked primarily with engineering work. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Their duties may involve building defensive structures, excavating trenches, installing barbed wire and setting up anti-tank obstacles, the spokesperson said on Friday. The support provided by German soldiers as part of (the operation) is limited to these engineering activities. The spokesman did not specify the exact number of troops involved, saying only it would be a mid-range two-digit number. They are expected to participate in the project from the second quarter of 2026 until the end of 2027.The spokesman stressed that parliamentary approval was not needed for the deployment as there is no immediate danger to the soldiers from military conflicts. Except for certain exceptional cases, the German parliament has to approve the deployment of the countrys armed forces overseas. Since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Warsaw has staunchly backed Kyiv and been a transit route for arms being supplied by Ukraines Western allies. Warsaw has also modernised its army and hiked defence spending. Germany is Ukraines second-biggest supplier of military aid after the United States and has sent Kyiv a huge quantity of equipment ranging from air defence systems to armoured vehicles. With inputs from agencies The vessels, supertankers used to transport vast quantities of crude, are taking on oil at the government-run port of Jose, according to shipping reports seen by Bloomberg US forces abseil onto an oil tanker during a raid described by US Attorney General Pam Bondi as its seizure by the United States off the coast of Venezuela, December 10, 2025, in a still image from video. Image/X-US Attorney General Two so-called ghost oil tankers are loading crude off Venezuelas coast, highlighting the challenge the Trump administration faces in trying to cut off exports that underpin the countrys economy. The vessels, supertankers used to transport vast quantities of crude, are taking on oil at the government-run port of Jose, according to shipping reports seen by Bloomberg. Preliminary vessel-tracking data show Venezuela has loaded nearly 880,000 barrels of crude a day so far this month, a sharp increase from an average of about 586,000 barrels a day in November. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The surge in activity at Venezuelas largest port comes just days after the US seized a tanker carrying Venezuelan crude, a move that signalled a tougher stance but has not yet halted shipments. The seizure is part of Washingtons broader effort to deprive President Nicolas Maduro of oil revenues and push him to step aside. Whether the strategy succeeds may hinge on whether these tankers ultimately depart Venezuelan waters, risking interception by US authorities. What could US disruptions mean for Venezuela? Disruptions to supplies from the country with the worlds largest proven oil reserves could ripple through global markets. In practice, the impact has been limited so far, as booming production in places such as the US and Guyana has flooded the market. The International Energy Agency estimates global oversupply at a record 3.8 million barrels a day. About 30% of Venezuelas oil exports, roughly 300,000 barrels a day, could be affected by US enforcement actions, according to energy consultancy Rapidan Energy Group. The ghost tankers, which attempt to mask the origin of their cargo to avoid sanctions, are expected to load close to 4 million barrels of Venezuelas flagship Merey 16 crude, shipping data show. Sailing under the false names Crag and Galaxy 3, both vessels are bound for Asia. In Venezuelan ports, ship identities are often concealed by covering vessel names, making it unclear whether the tankers are already sanctioned. Where are the ships? Satellite imagery corroborates the reports, showing all three berths at the Jose offshore terminal occupied by the two supertankers and a third vessel, the Aframax Nave Neutrino, chartered by Chevron Corp. Chevron is currently the only company permitted to lift Venezuelan crude under a license from the US Treasury Department. In recent months, the Trump administration has escalated pressure on Caracas, ordering strikes on boats in the Caribbean allegedly linked to drug trafficking and warning of possible military action on Venezuelan soil. The campaign intensified with the seizure of the supertanker Skipper, accused of facilitating illicit oil shipments tied to foreign terrorist groups. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Maduro has condemned the seizure as an act of piracy and has vowed to defend Venezuelas natural resources. India has opened talks with Mexico after the latter announced a unilateral hike in import tariffs on several products, with New Delhi seeking a negotiated solution while keeping the option open to protect Indian exporters if needed. India is in talks with Mexico over its unilateral decision to raise tariffs on a range of products, seeking mutually beneficial solutions while reserving the right to take appropriate steps to protect the interests of Indian exporters, news agency PTI reported on Saturday. The higher duties apply to countries that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico, including India, China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia. The official said to PTI that India had engaged with Mexico even at the stage when the proposal was first introduced. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Mexico raised the issue with the Ministry of Economy on September 30, 2025, seeking special concessions to shield Indian exports from the proposed tariff hike. India values its partnership with Mexico and stands ready to work collaboratively toward a stable and balanced trade environment that benefits businesses and consumers in both countries, the official added. Free trade agreement talks on the table India and Mexico are also exploring the possibility of launching negotiations for a free trade agreement, with the terms of reference to formally begin talks expected to be finalised soon. Experts believe such an agreement could help insulate Indian exporters from the new tariffs, which were imposed amid US pressure on Mexico to align with higher tariffs on China and curb trans-shipment to the US. Details of Mexicos tariff decision Mexicos Senate approved the tariff measure on December 11, 2025, and it has since been cleared by both chambers of Congress. The move is aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing trade imbalances. Under the decision, Mexico will impose import duties ranging from around 5 percent to as high as 50 percent on about 1,463 tariff lines covering goods from countries without free trade agreements. The final list of affected products is yet to be officially notified. The higher tariffs will take effect from January 1, 2026. Ongoing dialogue and high-level talks The Department of Commerce is engaged with Mexicos Ministry of Economy to explore mutually beneficial solutions which align with global trade rules, the official said. A high-level meeting has already taken place between Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Mexicos Vice Minister of Economy Luis Rosendo, with follow-up technical discussions expected soon. India reserves the right to take appropriate measures to safeguard the interests of Indian exporters, while continuing to pursue a solution through constructive dialogue, the official added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Concerns over impact on exports The official noted that the actual impact on Indian exports would depend on the importance of Indian goods to Mexicos domestic supply chains, as well as exporters ability to secure exemptions or pass on the additional costs to consumers. India has also conveyed that unilateral increases in most favoured nation tariffs without prior consultation do not align with the spirit of cooperative economic engagement or the principles of predictability and transparency underpinning the multilateral trading system. Industry flags risks The government said it is closely examining the implications of Mexicos tariff changes and remains in touch with stakeholders to monitor developments. Federation of Indian Export Organisations Director General Ajay Sahai said the move is a cause for concern, especially for sectors such as automobiles and auto components, machinery, electrical and electronics, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles and plastics. Such steep duties will erode our competitiveness and risk disrupting supply chains that have taken years to develop, Sahai said, adding that the decision underlines the need for India and Mexico to fast-track a comprehensive trade agreement. Industry body ACMA also warned that domestic auto component manufacturers are likely to face higher cost pressures due to the increased duties. Indias exports to Mexico stood at USD 5.75 billion in 202425, while imports from Mexico were valued at USD 2.9 billion. The Israeli military struck a car in Gaza City on Saturday carrying senior Hamas commander Raed Saed, one of the architects of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, according to an Israeli defence official and Israeli media. The Israeli military carried out an airstrike on a vehicle in Gaza City on Saturday that was reportedly carrying Raed Saed, a senior Hamas commander described as one of the planners of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, according to an Israeli defence official and Israeli media reports. Gaza health authorities said the strike resulted in four deaths. However, there was no immediate confirmation from Hamas or medical officials on whether Saed was among those killed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a brief statement, the Israeli military said it had struck a senior Hamas commander in Gaza City but did not disclose the individuals identity or provide additional details. Should Saeds death be confirmed, it would mark the most high-profile killing of a senior Hamas leader since a ceasefire agreement took effect in October. The Israeli defence official said Saed headed Hamas weapons manufacturing apparatus. Hamas sources have also described him as the second-in-command of the groups armed wing, after Izz eldeen Al-Hadad. Saed used to head Hamas Gaza City battalion, one of the groups largest and best-equipped, those sources said. The war in Gaza began after Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and seized 251 hostages in an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed more than 70,700 Palestinians, most of them civilians, health officials in Gaza say. The October 10 ceasefire has enabled hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to Gaza Citys ruins. Israel has pulled troops back from city positions, and aid flows have increased. But violence has not completely halted. Palestinian health authorities say Israeli forces have killed at least 386 people in strikes in Gaza since the truce. Israel says three of its soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire began, and it has attacked scores of fighters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Under the agreement, Mexico will be required to release 202,000 acre-feet of water starting next week. The agreement includes both the current water cycle and the deficit from the previous cycle. The two countries are expected to finalise the plan at the end of January The US and Mexico have reached an agreement on sharing water, days after President Donald Trump threatened to slap additional tariffs on the country. The United States and Mexico reached an understanding to meet the current water obligations of American farmers and ranchers, the US Department of Agriculture said in a statement. It said the agreement includes both the current water cycle and the deficit from the previous cycle. The two countries are expected to finalise the plan at the end of January. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Under the agreement, Mexico will be required to release 202,000 acre-feet of water starting next week. US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement on Friday that Mexico has delivered more water in the last year than in the previous four years combined, but fallen short of its obligations. Farmers across South Texas have been reeling from the uncertainty caused by the lack of water. Now they can expect the resources promised to them, Rollins added. Trump has accused Mexico of violating a water treaty, warning that he would impose a 5 per cent tariff on the country if it fails to release more water to the US. Mexico continues to violate our comprehensive Water Treaty, and this violation is seriously hurting our BEAUTIFUL TEXAS CROPS AND LIVESTOCK. Mexico still owes the U.S over 800,000 acre-feet of water for failing to comply with our Treaty over the past five years, Trump said. Trump said that Mexico owes over 800,000 acre-feet of water to the US under the decades-old treaty. He also set a deadline for Mexico to release 200,000 acre-feet before December 31, with the remainder to follow soon after. Whats the treaty? The dispute stems from a 1944 water treaty that requires Mexico to share water with Texas and other US border regions. The shortfalls have intensified frustration among US farmers, particularly in Texas, who say the lack of water is hurting crop production. Trumps threats come as his administration holds formal hearings on the future of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which he signed in his first term and which is subject to review every six years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Industry groups and trade experts have expressed concern that Trump might pull the US out of the pact, a step some warn could undo years of tariff-free trade in major sectors like agriculture and auto manufacturing. What has Sheinbaum said? Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has not commented on the agreement, but on Tuesday expressed confidence in reaching a solution. At the time, she also cautioned it would be physically impossible to meet the December 31 deadline because of limitations on the pumping equipment, but said: We have the best will to deliver the amount of water that is owed. Mexico acknowledged that it has been behind in its water deliveries to the US over the past five years, citing drought in 2022 and 2023. With inputs from agencies California and 19 other US states have filed a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from enforcing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas. The states joining California in the lawsuit include New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, and New Jersey. (AI Generated) California, joined by 19 other US states, has filed a lawsuit to prevent the Trump administration from enforcing a steep new fee on H-1B visas, intensifying an ongoing dispute over immigration policy and the cost of hiring skilled foreign workers. The lawsuit aims to block a $100,000 charge on new H-1B visas, a move critics say would dramatically raise costs for employers across key sectors. The fee, announced in September, is far higher than existing H-1B visa charges, which typically range between $2,000 and $5,000. It marks at least the third legal challenge to the policy, which opponents argue could severely disrupt a programme widely used by the technology industry, universities, and healthcare providers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who is leading the case, has said the Trump administration does not have the authority to impose such a surcharge. His office argues that federal law allows immigration agencies to collect only fees that cover administrative costs, not to raise revenue. No presidential administration can rewrite immigration law, Bonta said at a press conference in San Francisco. No president can ignore the co-equal branch of government of Congress, ignore the Constitution, or ignore the law. Impact on H-1B programme and employers The H-1B programme permits US employers to hire foreign professionals in specialised roles that usually require at least a bachelors degree or an equivalent qualification. Technology firms, many based in California, are among the largest users of the visas, along with hospitals, schools, and research institutions. Bonta warned that a six-figure fee would place heavy financial pressure on both state and private employers delivering essential services. He said it could worsen labour shortages and lead to reductions in education, healthcare, and public services, noting that tens of thousands of educators and healthcare professionals nationwide work on H-1B visas. Congress has refined this program, setting caps, establishing fees, enhancing enforcement, and strengthening protections, but what Congress has never done is authorise a President to impose a six-figure surcharge designed to dismantle the program entirely, Bonta said at a press conference. The states joining California in the lawsuit include New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, New Jersey, and Washington, all represented by Democratic attorneys general. The case is being led jointly by Bonta and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. Legal battle and federal response Under the Trump administrations order, new H-1B visa recipients are barred from entering the United States unless their sponsoring employer pays the $100,000 fee. The administration has said the rule does not apply to existing H-1B holders or to applicants who filed before September 21. The order relies on presidential powers under federal immigration law to restrict the entry of foreign nationals considered harmful to US interests. The White House has defended the policy as lawful and necessary to address what it describes as abuse of the H-1B system. Critics of the programme, including some conservative groups, argue that it allows companies to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign labour. Business groups and major employers dispute this, saying the visas are critical to filling gaps where qualified US workers are in short supply. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Legal opposition to the fee has been growing. The US Chamber of Commerce, along with a coalition of unions, employers, and religious groups, has filed separate lawsuits. A judge in Washington, DC, is scheduled to hear arguments in the Chambers case next week. Bontas office has said the $100,000 fee has no link to the actual cost of processing H-1B applications and therefore breaches federal law. It has also argued that the US Constitution prevents a president from unilaterally imposing revenue-raising fees, a power reserved for Congress. This is about the separation of powers, Bonta said at a press conference, adding that no administration can rewrite immigration law or destabilise schools, hospitals and universities through executive action alone. The Trump administration announced the fee in September, describing the H-1B programme as overused. While the president has previously taken a tough stance on high-skilled immigration, he has more recently acknowledged the need for foreign talent in certain industries, highlighting ongoing tensions between his populist supporters and allies in the technology sector. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Justice Department declined to comment on the lawsuit, and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment. From survival to revival, ancient Hezhen ethnic art breathes new life Xinhua) 11:37, December 13, 2025 A video on the protection achievements of China's "Hezhen Yimakan storytelling" is played during the 20th regular session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in New Delhi, India, Dec. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Yue) HARBIN, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- As morning mist rises over a river in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, the raw, ancient chant of 65-year-old Wu Baochen pierces the quiet, bringing to life Yimakan, an oral storytelling art unique to the Hezhen -- also known as the Hezhe -- one of China's smallest ethnic minority groups. Performed solo, Yimakan blends narrative and song without instrumental accompaniment. Passed down orally through generations, the ancient art form reflects the history, heroic tales, fishing and hunting practices, rituals, and moral norms of the Hezhen people, whose dialect has no written script. "Yimakan is a treasured cultural heritage of the Hezhen people," said Wu, a national-level inheritor of Yimakan. On Thursday, the 20th regular session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage decided to transfer the "Hezhen Yimakan storytelling" from the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The committee also approved the inclusion of the Hezhen Yimakan storytelling safeguarding program in the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices, recognizing the effectiveness of this heritage protection initiative. Though now brimming with new vitality, the age-old oral tradition once hovered on the verge of extinction. Born into a Yimakan family in Heilongjiang's Tongjiang City, one of the main settlements of the Hezhen people, Wu began learning Yimakan in his childhood from his family members and other local elders. "As a child, I listened to my grandfather perform Yimakan over and over and memorized it quietly in my heart, but only by growing up did I understand the meaning behind the songs," Wu said. The transmission of Yimakan traditionally takes place within families such as Wu's. "Language is key. The Hezhen language is the carrier of Yimakan, yet many young Hezhen people can no longer speak it," Wu added. According to Wu Xuan, deputy director of the Center for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Heilongjiang Province, the Hezhen population numbers only about 5,300, and with even fewer fluent speakers of the Hezhen language, Yimakan faces a severe shortage of successors. "Fifteen years ago, fewer than five people nationwide could still perform a complete Yimakan epic," Wu Xuan said. Wu Baochen, an inheritor of Hezhen Yimakan, performs at Jiejinkou Hezhe Township in Tongjiang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, June 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) In 2011, Yimakan was inscribed on UNESCO's Urgent Safeguarding List. Since then, a series of community-centered protection measures has been rolled out, uniting efforts to raise awareness and ensure the continued vitality of this ancient art form. As part of these efforts, comprehensive audiovisual documentation of the remaining national-level practitioners has been carried out. In recent years, digital tools have further enhanced efforts to preserve Yimakan. At a Yimakan inheritance base in Tongjiang, visitors can simply put on a headset and be transported to the banks of the flowing Heilongjiang River, where they can experience the legendary tales of the Hezhen epic through Yimakan. Moreover, online Hezhen language lessons and oral-history archives featuring the narratives of inheritors have together formed a digital safeguarding network for Yimakan. According to official data, today, there are seven centers dedicated to the study and practice of Yimakan storytelling in Heilongjiang, with 11 inheritors recognized at the national and provincial levels and more than 100 at the municipal and county levels. Younger practitioners are breathing new life into the tradition. Born in the 1990s, Hu Yi, a provincial-level inheritor, blends ancient Yimakan melodies with modern electronic music and shares them via social media. "I want to bring Yimakan to life in a way young people can relate to and keep it thriving in modern times," she said. In October, the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee adopted the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development, encouraging deeper integration of culture and tourism through the vigorous development of cultural tourism and using culture to empower economic and social development. Cultural tourism has become a vital protection tool in Tongjiang. Scenic areas of Jiejinkou Village welcomed over 1 million visitors in three years, generating more than 7 million yuan (about 1 million U.S. dollars) in revenue. Bacha Village combines homestay with intangible cultural heritages such as the Yimakan and the fish-skin craft, attracting over 30,000 tourists annually and helping boost local incomes. With the latest inscriptions, the total number of Chinese elements on UNESCO's Lists and Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage has risen to 45. Wu Xuan believes that the effective safeguarding of Yimakan demonstrates the vitality of China's ethnic culture and offers valuable lessons for intangible cultural heritage protection for other ethnic groups. Her view is echoed by Tang Yang, deputy director of the ethnic studies institute at the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences. "The experience accumulated in safeguarding Yimakan will serve as an important platform for cultural exchange and a window through which the international community can better understand Chinese culture, helping to strengthen the global reach and appeal of Chinese civilization," Tang said. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) News / National by Staff reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa has issued a stern warning to foreign investors who flout Zimbabwe's laws, telling those unwilling to comply with national regulations, traditions and customs to leave the country.Mnangagwa made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing the National Annual Chiefs Conference in Harare, which was attended by traditional leaders from across the country. His warning comes amid growing reports of human rights abuses and environmental violations linked to some investment projects."Investors are, once again, called upon to respect our laws, traditions and customs," Mnangagwa said. "Those who don't want to follow our laws should go back to their countries."The President's comments follow persistent allegations by civil society organisations and affected communities against certain investors, notably Chinese nationals, accused of beatings, forced displacements without compensation and the desecration of graves to pave the way for mining operations. There have also been numerous reports of local workers being subjected to excessively long working hours and failing to receive their wages and benefits.Mnangagwa emphasised the central role of traditional leaders in safeguarding land and natural resources, calling for their mandatory involvement in oversight processes."You, our esteemed chiefs, are the custodians of the land, environment as well as natural resources," he said. "I, therefore, urge you to continue ensuring that investment projects, including mining activities, are done responsibly and sustainably."He further directed key government institutions, including the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, local authorities, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Forestry Commission, to ensure meaningful consultation with communities before projects are approved."The Ministry of Mines, councils, EMA and the Forestry Commission, among other stakeholders, are challenged to ensure that local communities are consulted and participate during environmental impact assessments," Mnangagwa said. "Don't work alone in your offices. Our chiefs and others should know what you are doing in their villages."The President said his administration would continue to insist that all investments are carried out in a responsible and sustainable manner, ensuring that communities, as well as women and young people, benefit from the country's natural resources.Reflecting on the purpose of the conference, Mnangagwa said it provided a platform to address challenges affecting rural communities. He also praised traditional leaders for their historic role in the liberation struggle and for their continued support of his administration and the ruling Zanu-PF party."May I also express my heartfelt appreciation for the unwavering and gallant support provided by the traditional leadership to my administration and our revolutionary mass party, Zanu-PF," he said."As we work hard, community by community, towards Vision 2030, let us continue to be united, patriotic and focused, and always implement decisions, projects and programmes that carry our nation forward." Mohammadi has recently accused Iranian authorities of escalating repression following the June ceasefire with Israel Mohammadi has recently accused Iranian authorities of escalating repression following the June ceasefire with Israel. Reuters Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has been violently arrested by Iranian security forces in the eastern city of Mashhad, her foundation has said. The Nobel Committee said that they are deeply concerned by todays brutal arrest of Narges Mohammadi and called on the authorities to immediately clarify Mohammadis whereabouts, ensure her safety and integrity, and to release her without conditions. Mohammadi, 53, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 for her activism against the oppression of women in Iran. She was reportedly arrested along with other activists on Friday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Arrested violently Mohammadi was released from jail briefly in December 2024 on health grounds, after being held in the notorious Elvin Prison in Iran since 2021. Her recent arrest happened when she was attending the memorial service of Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer found dead in his office last week. Several other activists, along with Mohammadi, were arrested from the ceremony, where they were reportedly shouting slogans like death to the dictator and long live Iran. Taghi Rahmani, Mohammadis husband, told the BBC, They arrested Narges violently. The brother of the lawyer witnessed her arrest at the memorial. This act is against human rights laws, and amounts to some kind of revenge. This happened in Mashhad today and is concerning because the establishments crackdown has intensified recently. Why was she arrested? Mohammadi has recently accused Iranian authorities of escalating repression following the June ceasefire with Israel. Last week, she wrote an article for Time magazine describing how the Iranian state exerts control over every aspect of personal and public life. Their peace is disrupted by surveillance, censorship, arbitrary arrest, torture, and the constant threat of violence, she said. She also told the Nobel Committee that she had received warnings from agents of the regime through indirect channels and via her lawyers. The threats conveyed to Ms Mohammadi make it clear that her security is at stake, unless she commits to end all public engagement within Iran, as well as any international advocacy or media appearances in support of democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression, the Nobel Committee said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite these threats, she has remained defiant over the past year, refusing to wear the mandatory headscarf and continuing to meet with fellow activists across the country. Kim Jong Un has confirmed that North Korean troops cleared mines in Russias Kursk region during a 120-day deployment, acknowledging nine deaths as Pyongyangs support for Moscows war effort deepens. North Korea sent troops to clear mines in Russias Kursk region earlier this year, leader Kim Jong Un said in a speech carried on Saturday by state media, a rare acknowledgement by Pyongyang of the deadly tasks assigned to its soldiers there. Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to fight for Moscow as it presses ahead with its nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine, according to South Korean and Western intelligence agencies. Analysts say Russia is giving North Korea financial aid, military technology, food and energy supplies in return, allowing the diplomatically isolated nation to sidestep tough international sanctions on its nuclear and missile programmes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hailing the return of an engineering regiment, Kim noted that they wrote letters to their hometowns and villages at breaks of the mine-clearing hours, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The regiment suffered the heartrending loss of nine lives during the 120-day deployment that started in August, Kim said in a speech at a welcome ceremony on Friday, KCNA reported. He awarded the deceased soldiers state honours to add eternal lustre to their bravery. All of you, both officers and soldiers, displayed mass heroism overcoming unimaginable mental and physical burdens almost every day, Kim said. The troops had been able to work a miracle of turning a vast area of danger zone into a safe and secure one in a matter of less than three months. North Korea only confirmed in April that it had deployed troops to support Russia and that its soldiers had been killed in combat. Images released by KCNA showed a smiling Kim embracing returned soldiers, some in wheelchairs, at the grand ceremony in Pyongyang on Friday. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Months after a ceasefire, Palestinians who lost limbs in Gaza remain trapped by shortages of prosthetics and slow medical evacuations As of December 1, 235 patients had been evacuated since the ceasefire began in October. (AI Image) For many Palestinians injured in Gaza, the guns may have fallen silent, but daily life remains frozen. Survivors of airstrikes and shelling say they are still waiting for treatment, mobility, and a chance to rebuild their lives, as limited aid and slow evacuations keep thousands in limbo. Sitting in her wheelchair, Haneen al-Mabhouh dreams of rebuilding her family and of walking again. With one leg amputated, her life in Gaza remains on hold as she waits for permission to travel abroad for further treatment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD An Israeli airstrike in July 2024 destroyed her home in central Gaza while she and her family were asleep. All four of her daughters were killed, including her 5-month-old baby. Her husband suffered severe burns. Al-Mabhouhs legs were crushed under the rubble, forcing doctors to amputate her right leg above the knee. For the past year and a half, I have been unable to move around, to live like others. For the past year and a half, I have been without children, she said while speaking at her parents home. Prosthetic shortages and stalled care The 2-month-old ceasefire has brought little relief to thousands of Palestinians who suffered amputations during nearly two years of bombardment. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there are between 5,000 and 6,000 amputees from the war, with children making up 25%. Those who lost limbs are struggling to adapt, facing a severe shortage of prosthetic limbs and lengthy delays in medical evacuations out of Gaza. The WHO said a shipment of essential prosthetic supplies recently entered Gaza, marking what appears to be the first significant delivery in the past two years. Previously, Israel allowed almost no ready-made prosthetic limbs or materials needed to manufacture them into Gaza since the war began, according to Loay Abu Saif, head of the disability programme at Medical Aid for Palestinians, and Nevin Al Ghussein, acting director of the Artificial Limbs and Polio Center in Gaza City, the outlet reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for coordinating aid, did not respond to questions about how many prosthetic supplies had entered Gaza during the war or its policies on such items. Al-Mabhouh said she was asleep with her baby girl in her arms when the strike hit their home in Nuseirat. For weeks while recovering in hospital, she did not know her children had been killed. She underwent multiple surgeries. Her hand still struggles to move, while her remaining leg is shattered and held together with rods. She needs a bone graft and other treatments available only outside Gaza. Although she was placed on a medical evacuation list 10 months ago, she has yet to receive permission to leave. Now living at her parents house, she needs help changing clothes and cannot even hold a pen. Grief over her daughters weighs heavily on her. I never got to hear her say mama, see her first tooth or watch her take her first steps, she said of her baby. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She says she dreams of having another child but cannot do so until she receives treatment. Its my right to live, to have another child, to regain what I lost, to walk, just to walk again, she said. Now my future is paralysed. They destroyed my dreams. Medical evacuations remain slow The ceasefire has barely increased the pace of medical evacuations for the 16,500 Palestinians the UN says are waiting for vital treatment abroad, including amputees and patients with chronic illnesses or severe wounds. As of December 1, 235 patients had been evacuated since the ceasefire began in October, averaging just under five a day. In the months before, the rate was about three a day. Israel said last week it was ready to allow patients and other Palestinians to leave Gaza through the Israeli-held Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt. However, it remains uncertain whether this will happen, as Egypt, which controls the other side of the crossing, has said Rafah must also be opened for Palestinians entering Gaza, as outlined in the ceasefire agreement. Dr Richard Peeperkorn, the WHOs representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, told The Associated Press that the backlog is due to a lack of countries willing to host evacuated patients. He said new medical evacuation routes are needed, particularly to the Israeli-occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, where hospitals are prepared to receive patients. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For those still waiting, daily life has ground to a halt. Yassin Marouf lies in a tent in central Gaza, his left foot amputated and his right leg barely held together with rods. The 23-year-old and his brother were hit by Israeli shelling in May as they returned from visiting their home in northern Gaza, which their family had been forced to flee. His brother was killed, and Marouf lay bleeding as a stray dog attacked his injured leg. Doctors say his right leg will also need to be amputated unless he can travel abroad for surgery that might save it. Marouf said he cannot afford painkillers and is unable to visit the hospital regularly to have his bandages changed as required. If I want to go to the bathroom, I need two or three people to carry me, he said. Mohamed al-Naggar had been studying for an IT degree at the University of Palestine before the war. Seven months ago, shrapnel struck his left leg during airstrikes on the house where his family was sheltering. Doctors amputated his leg above the knee. His right leg was also badly injured, and shrapnel remains lodged in parts of his body. Despite four surgeries and physical therapy, the 21-year-old al-Naggar is still unable to move around. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD John Moolenaar, the Michigan Republican who leads the influential China panel, questioned claims that Chinas most advanced chips, produced by Huawei, can match those made by Nvidia An Nvidia AI chip is a specialised processor, typically an advanced Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)engineered to handle the intensive, parallel computations that modern artificial intelligence models require. (Reuters) The Republican chair of the US House Committee has posed questions to the Trump administration about its decision to sell Nvidias H200 chips to China. John Moolenaar, the Michigan Republican who leads the influential China panel, questioned claims that Chinas most advanced chips, produced by Huawei, can match those made by Nvidia. President Donald Trump earlier this week announced that he would allow Nvidia to sell its second-best chips, H200, to China, ignoring concerns from some US security officials that it would fuel Beijings AI ambitions that would in turn help accelerate its militarys modernisation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What has the lawmaker said? Huawei has sought to end-run US technology controls by linking ever-greater numbers of less-capable chips together to achieve individual service output comparable to Nvidias results, Moolenaar wrote to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in a letter seen by the Financial Times. He highlighted that Huawei has said that its flagship chip, the 910C, is a competitor to Nvidia. The lawmaker further noted that Huawei was less willing to acknowledge that the 910C is manufactured in Taiwan by TSMC. Given Chinas relentless indigenisation drive, the fact that the 910D is a step backward in capability represents a tacit admission that Chinas domestic fabs, without the benefit of illegal production abroad, are not yet able to replicate the 910Cs sophistication at scale, he wrote. Moolenaar also pointed to reports suggesting that DeepSeek, Chinas leading AI firm, has had to rely on smuggled Nvidia chips to keep training its models. He added that allowing China to purchase millions of chips more advanced than those it can produce domestically would undercut Trumps push to preserve US dominance in the AI industry. China keeps an eye China has set a limit on the imports of Nvidias H200 chips after 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. 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. As the Russia-Ukraine war continues to rage on, reports are emerging that the Russian forces have attacked two Ukrainian ports, damaging three Turkish-owned vessels. Firefighters work at the site of a civilian vessel hit during a Russian missile strike in the town of Chornomorsk, Odesa region, Ukraine, on December 12, 2025. Reuters As the Russia-Ukraine war continues to rage on, reports are emerging that the Russian forces have attacked two Ukrainian ports. However, what was even more concerning was the fact that the attack damaged three Turkish-owned vessels, including a ship carrying food supplies, Ukrainian officials said. The authorities noted that the Friday attacks by the Russian forces targeted Chornomorsk and Odesa ports in Ukraines southwestern Odesa region on the Black Sea. A Ukrainian spokesperson told Reuters that three Turkish-owned vessels were damaged in total, but did not provide additional details. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the videos circulating online, firefighters can be seen tackling a blaze on board what Ukrainian authorities described as a civilian vessel in Chornomorsk. Soon after the incident, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released a statement, insisting that Russian attacks had no military purpose whatsoever. Today, the Russian army carried out a missile strike on our Odesa region, and last night there was also a Russian attack on Odesas energy infrastructure. At one point we talked about the situation in this city and the people of Odesa with President Trump. Todays Russian pic.twitter.com/gIgXUlc4AJ Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) December 12, 2025 This proves once again that Russians not only fail to take the current opportunity for diplomacy seriously enough, but also continue the war precisely to destroy normal life in Ukraine, Zelenskyy said. It is crucial that the world maintains the proper moral compass: who is dragging out this war and who is working to end it with peace, who is using ballistic missiles against civilian life, and who is striking the targets that influence the functioning of Russias war machine, he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD About the targeted vessel In the statement, Zelenskyy did not name the vessel, but it was identified as the Panama-flagged and Turkish-owned Cenk T, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, the ships owners, Cenk Shipping, confirmed it was attacked at about 4 pm local time. No casualties were reported among the crew, and the authorities noted that the damage to the vessel was limited. An employee of a private company was also injured in a separate attack on Odesa port, where a cargo loader was also damaged, Ukraines Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba confirmed. He also mentioned that Russia had used drones and ballistic missiles in the port strikes, which were aimed at civilian logistics and commercial shipping. The attacks affect Ukraine since three large Black Sea ports in the Odesa region are a key economic artery for Kyiv. In her first public interview since being sentenced to death in absentia, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has spoken to Network18 from exile, strongly criticising the Yunus-led interim government and warning that Bangladesh is facing a deep political and constitutional crisis marked by democratic backsliding. In a rare and detailed interaction from exile, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sharply criticised the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, describing the present situation as a deep political crisis marked by constitutional violations and a breakdown of law and order. Speaking to CNN-News18, she rejected all corruption charges against herself and her family, calling the International Crimes Tribunal proceedings politically motivated victors justice. She also condemned the exclusion of the Awami League from the political process and warned that constitutional changes made without parliamentary approval are illegal and will have lasting consequences. According to Hasina, national healing is only possible through the restoration of democracy, inclusive politics and a genuinely independent rule of law. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the exclusive interview with News1818s Shalinder Wangoo, Hasina spoke publicly for the first time since being sentenced to death in absentia, addressing the political turmoil in Bangladesh, the 2024 student-led protests, the allegations against her, and broader concerns over democracy, justice and minority rights in the country. Far from home and far from your country, how do you see Bangladesh? Is everything there going well? I follow developments closely, and my greatest wish is for peace, stability and the safety of all Bangladeshis. I am deeply concerned by reports of political exclusion, attacks on minorities and the economic disruption that followed last years turmoil. Our country is under severe strain: democracy is under threat, law and order has nearly collapsed, and ordinary people live in fear. We urgently need calm, accountable and democratic leadership to be restored. The student-led protests that began over job quotas evolved into a nationwide movement that led to your resignation and flight to India. The ICT has described the events of JulyAugust 2024 as genocide under your watch, holding you responsible for ordering lethal force against protesters. Looking back, what do you see as the turning points, and how will history judge that period? The summer of 2024 was a tragic sequence of events. The protests began with understandable grievances but were inflamed by irresponsible political actors and a heavy-handed interim response. Initially peaceful demonstrations were turned into uncontrollable street clashes, leading to the loss of innocent lives. History will judge this period harshly if there is no honest and impartial accounting. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD You were sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity. You have called the tribunal rigged and politically motivated. Why do you believe the trial was unfair? I have repeatedly highlighted the political motivations behind this tribunal, a view shared by independent human rights organisations and several eminent international lawyers. The ICT was never about justice; it was about political retribution. It was controlled by my opponents, who sought to discredit or destroy the Awami League. The unprecedented speed of the trial and the interim governments control over the judiciary made a proper defence impossible. I was denied the right to choose my lawyer, and the prosecution relied on weak, fabricated evidence that I could not challenge. There was no credible examination of the events of July and August 2024, no serious analysis of the chain of command, no independent forensic review and no consideration of alternative accounts. I will pursue all lawful appeals and seek an independent review. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I must also highlight the constitutional crisis created by Yunus through the manipulation of the ICT. The tribunal was established to prosecute the war crimes of 1971, not to resolve contemporary political disputes. Any change to its mandate must go through Parliament. Instead, the current regime rewrote its jurisdiction through executive orders without democratic oversight. These actions are constitutionally invalid, meaning every verdict delivered under this framework rests on an unlawful foundation. The nation must ask what happens if a future Parliament refuses to endorse these changes. What becomes of verdicts, especially death sentences, delivered in the meantime? How can the state justify executions carried out under a legal framework that may later be declared unconstitutional? This is the danger of unelected governments tampering with constitutional institutions. It causes lasting damage to public trust and political culture. The interim government has repeatedly sought your extradition from India. How do you respond? Any extradition request must follow the law, not politics. I respect legal processes, but such requests must be transparent and protect the rights of the accused. My message to Dhaka is clear: pursue justice in a way that heals the nation, not deepens divisions. Reconciliation requires impartial investigations, not victors justice. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD You and members of your family were convicted in corruption cases in December 2025. How do you address these charges? These convictions are further examples of politically driven prosecution. My family and I categorically deny the allegations. No credible evidence was presented because none exists. The trials proceeded in absentia, without transparency or a fair opportunity to defend ourselves. This was not justice; it was political score-settling. Bangladesh deserves better, and I will challenge these verdicts through every legal avenue, while urging international scrutiny. During your 15-year tenure, Bangladesh saw strong economic growth. What legacy do you believe will endure? I am proud of the economic progress achieved under my leadership: sustained growth, dramatic poverty reduction and transformative infrastructure. Our GDP grew by 450 percent during that period, a figure cited by the IMF. Millions were lifted out of poverty, and the garment sector expanded significantly. These gains reflect the resilience of our people, supported by strategic policymaking by the Awami League. I firmly believe these achievements will endure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Your party has been banned from the February 2026 elections. Should the ban be lifted? Excluding the Awami League disenfranchises tens of millions of voters and undermines the credibility of any election. For polls to be considered fair, all major parties must be allowed to participate. We have been elected nine times since 1971. A democracy cannot function by excluding its largest political force. There are reports of rising attacks on minorities. What are you hearing? I am deeply saddened by reports of attacks on Hindu and other minority communities. These acts are unacceptable. The state has a duty to protect all citizens, yet the interim government has consistently downplayed this violence. Ensuring minority rights and justice is a basic obligation of governance. How do you assess Yunuss reform agenda and the idea of a New Bangladesh? An interim government, being unelected, should have limited ambitions and a short mandate. It can contribute positively by restoring inclusive politics and preparing for credible elections. Unfortunately, Yunus has failed to do so. Elections have been delayed, the largest party banned, judicial institutions weaponised and the media silenced. Chaos and fear are becoming normalised. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What advice would you give voters ahead of the 2026 elections? Voters must continue to peacefully assert their right to choose freely. No election that excludes the countrys most popular party can be free or fair. The international community must hold the interim government accountable. The outcome should reflect the peoples will, not imposed restrictions. From exile, what is your vision for national healing, and would you return to Bangladesh? My vision is a reconciled Bangladesh where democracy, constitutional governance, minority rights and the rule of law are restored. I would consider returning only when there are clear guarantees of safety, due process and genuine constitutional order. Are you concerned about Bangladeshs growing engagement with Pakistan after your ouster? Any diplomatic shift must not compromise Bangladeshs security or national interest. I am concerned that reduced scrutiny could embolden extremist elements. The state must ensure that no external alignment allows radicalism or violence to take root. US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to renew a truce following days of deadly clashes between the two neighbouring nations. US President Donald Trump (right) looks on as Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (centre) and Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul hold up documents during a signing of a peace deal on the sidelines of the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 26, 2025. (Photo: Andrew Caballero/AFP) US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to renew a truce following days of deadly clashes between the two neighbouring nations. Trump announced the restart of the ceasefire on his social media platform TruthSocial after his phone calls with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, Trump wrote in his post on Friday. It is pertient to note that the original ceasefire between the two countries was brokered by Malaysia in July. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD That truce also received pressure from Trump, who went ahead and threatened to withhold trade privileges unless Thailand and Cambodia agreed. The deal was eventually formalised in October at a regional meeting in Malaysia, which was attended by Trump. However, despite the deal, both Thailand and Cambodia continued with their bitter propaganda war, and minor cross-border violence continued. Tension simmers between the two It is important to note that the root of these clashes lies in a history of enmity over competing territorial claims. These claims largely stem from a 1907 map created while Cambodia was under French colonial rule, which Thailand maintains is inaccurate. Tensions between the two nations intensified in 1962 when the International Court of Justice ruling awarded sovereignty to Cambodia, which still riles many Thais. Earlier, Thailand had deployed fighter jets to carry out airstrikes on what it says are military targets. Meanwhile, Cambodia has deployed BM-21 rocket launchers with a range of 30-40km. According to the data shared by public broadcaster ThaiPBS, at least six of the Thai soldiers who were killed were hit by rocket shrapnel. On Thursday, the Thai armys northeastern regional command said that some residential areas and homes near the border were damaged by BM-21 rocket launchers from Cambodian forces. The military also noted that it destroyed a tall crane atop a hill held by Cambodia, where the centuries-old Preah Vihear temple is located. They argued that the crane had to be destroyed because it allegedly held electronic and optical devices used for military command and control purposes. Fighting has continued along the ThailandCambodia border despite Trumps claim that a fresh ceasefire had been agreed, with Bangkok insisting there is no halt in military operations. US President Donald Trump (right) looks on as Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (centre) and Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul hold up documents during a signing of a peace deal on the sidelines of the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 26, 2025. (Photo: Andrew Caballero/AFP) Thailands leader vowed on Saturday to continue fighting along the disputed border with Cambodia, even as fighter jets struck targets hours after President Donald Trump said he had brokered a new ceasefire. Caretaker Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thailand would continue to perform military actions until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people. Trump, who helped broker a ceasefire in the long-running border dispute in October, said he spoke to Anutin and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Friday and that both had agreed to cease all shooting. However, neither leader referred to any such agreement in statements following their calls with Trump, and Anutin said there was no ceasefire in place. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I want to make it clear. Our actions this morning already spoke, Anutin wrote in a Facebook post. The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the continued fighting. Hun Manet said on Facebook on Saturday that he welcomed a proposal by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who has been mediating peace talks, to halt hostilities from Saturday evening. Anwar, who chairs the 10-nation Asean grouping, urged both sides to refrain from any further military actions including the use of force or forward movement of armed units starting at 1500 GMT. He said an Asean observer team led by Malaysias chief of defence forces would be deployed to the border, with the US government providing satellite monitoring support. Asked about the Malaysian proposal, Anutin said there has been no agreement on halting anything. Thailands foreign minister later said Bangkok would cooperate with the observer team, but stressed that any ceasefire would need to be preceded by talks. We cant just announce a ceasefire while the fighting is going on, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Cambodia and Thailand have exchanged heavy-weapons fire at several points along their 817-km border since Monday, marking some of the heaviest clashes since a five-day conflict in July. Trump helped end that fighting through calls with both leaders and has since sought to intervene again to restore the truce. Thailand suspended the ceasefire last month after a Thai soldier was seriously injured by a landmine, one of several that Bangkok says were newly laid by Cambodia. Cambodia has denied the allegation, despite having nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in August. Thai Defence Ministry spokesman Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri said clashes had occurred across seven border provinces, with Cambodian forces firing heavy weapons, making it necessary for Thailand to retaliate. The Thai army said two civilians were seriously injured when a rocket landed in Sisaket province. Cambodias Information Ministry accused Thai forces of striking bridges and buildings and firing artillery from a naval vessel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hundreds of thousands of people on both sides of the border have been displaced since the latest fighting erupted. Speaking from a camp on the Cambodian side late on Friday, 62-year-old Mar Kly said she had fled so many wars in the past, including during the Khmer Rouge era. She recalled cutting part of her skirt to wrap her childrens feet to protect them from burning while walking barefoot, adding that the current conflict was between governments, not ordinary people. Thousands of Hungarians marched to Prime Minister Viktor Orbans offices on Saturday, led by opposition leader Peter Magyar, who urged the veteran nationalist to resign over an abuse scandal at a juvenile detention centre. Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Budapest on Saturday and marched towards Prime Minister Viktor Orbans offices, with the protest led by opposition figure Peter Magyar, who called on the long-serving nationalist leader to step down over an abuse scandal at a juvenile detention facility. Braving freezing temperatures, the crowd moved through the Hungarian capital behind a banner declaring Protect the children!, holding teddy bears and lit torches to show support for victims of physical abuse linked to a case that emerged several years ago. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Earlier this week, prosecutors said seven individuals had so far been taken into custody in connection with the case at the state-run juvenile centre in Budapest. Orban, who faces what could be the toughest challenge to his 15-year rule in an election likely in April, condemned the abuse in an interview with news outlet Mandiner, calling it unacceptable and criminal. More and more revolting things keep surfacing on a daily basis, which I did not think were possible in this country, said Judit Voros, one of the protesters marching to Orbans offices on Castle Hill in Budapest. Earlier this week, the government placed Hungarys five juvenile correctional institutions under direct police oversight while prosecutors investigate the case. Prosecutors have been investigating the centres former director for months on suspicion of running a prostitution ring, money laundering and human trafficking. A video published this week by opposition activist and former lawmaker Peter Juhasz prompted the resignation of the centres acting director. With inputs from agencies In the lawsuit, the group claims the White House violated the law by starting construction without submitting plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, failing to conduct an environmental assessment of the project, and refusing to seek authorisation from Congress An excavator works to clear rubble after the East Wing of the White House was demolished in Washington, DC. The demolition is part of US President Donald Trump's plan to build a multimillion-dollar ballroom on the eastern side of the White House. AFP A non-profit preservation group hired by the US Congress to maintain historic buildings and sites has sued the White House over the construction of President Donald Trumps dream project, the big, beautiful ballroom. The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit on Friday, saying that the White House did not seek the necessary reviews before demolishing the East Wing in October. No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever not President Trump, not President Joe Biden, and not anyone else, the first-of-its-kind lawsuit said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Group says construction should be stopped The group has asked a federal group to order the halt of construction of the ballroom, pitched as a much-needed and exquisite addition. It says rebuilding should only be allowed after the White House complies with the law by going through the legally mandated review processes. Carol Quillen, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said, The White House is arguably the most evocative building in our country and a globally recognised symbol of our powerful American ideals. In the lawsuit, the group claims the White House violated the law by starting construction without submitting plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, failing to conduct an environmental assessment of the project, and refusing to seek authorisation from Congress. It also says that Trump is violating the US Constitution, which reserves to Congress the right to dispose of and make all rules regarding property belonging to the United States. White House hits back Meanwhile, the White House has said, President Trump has full legal authority to modernise, renovate, and beautify the White House - just like all of his predecessors did. The White House had previously pledged that its construction plans would be reviewed by the National Capital Planning Commission before work began, but the lawsuit alleges that the site is already undergoing extensive construction. According to the filing, the White House grounds have become a bustling construction site, with dozens of workers driving piles, stockpiling materials, and amassing heavy machinery. News / National by Staff reporter Embattled Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Douglas Mwonzora has expelled six senior party members, including Shakespeare Mukoyi and former legislator Albert Chidhakwa, after a dramatic takeover of the party's headquarters, Harvest House, deepened internal divisions.Mukoyi and Chidhakwa were among those expelled following their role in the seizure of the iconic opposition building, a move that has intensified the power struggle within the MDC. The expulsions come after Mukoyi was initially stripped of his position as secretary for defence, with party leaders accusing him of treachery.Mukoyi led the takeover of Harvest House, claiming he had evicted Mwonzora, whom he accused of presiding over the party's decline. The standoff has exposed sharp fault lines within the MDC, once Zimbabwe's strongest opposition force.In a statement, the MDC confirmed the expulsions, saying its council had ratified the immediate removal of Mukoyi, Chidhakwa, Gift Chimanikire, Solomon "Sox" Chikohwero, Rhino Mashaya and Adrian Chifamba in terms of Clause 5.10(a) and (d) of the party's constitution."They are therefore barred from conducting any business or entering into any contract on behalf of the MDC," the party said.The dispute over Harvest House marks the latest chapter in the prolonged battle for control of the MDC, which has struggled to regain cohesion since the death of its founding leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, in 2018. In the years following his death, the party has been plagued by infighting and splits that have steadily eroded its political influence.Under Mwonzora's leadership, the MDC took control of Harvest House in 2020 from the MDC Alliance, then led by Nelson Chamisa, at the height of a fierce internal power struggle. Chamisa later went on to form the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).In its latest statement, the MDC accused Mukoyi of collaborating with rival political forces to seize the party's premises. The party alleged that he was working with former members now aligned to the CCC, as well as other groups, to wrest control of Harvest House."Council unequivocally condemned the violent seizure of MRT House by a group of rebels led by Shakespeare Mukoyi, aided by Zanu-PF, CCC, the Restoration Group members and elements of the Zimbabwe Republic Police," the statement said. It added that party leadership had been directed to reclaim the premises "without delay and by all lawful means necessary."As the battle over Harvest House continues, the latest expulsions underscore the deepening crisis within a party that once posed the most serious challenge to Zanu-PF's long-standing grip on power. In the past week, President Donald Trump and senior Republican lawmakers have presented starkly different views of a top U.S. national security challenge: Russia, its war in Ukraine and the threat it poses to Europe and the United States. President Donald Trumps attempt to reset US policy towards Russia has exposed a widening fault line within his own party with senior Republican lawmakers moving to reinforce support for Ukraine and NATO even as the White House signals a more conciliatory approach towards Moscow. The tension surfaced sharply over the past week. Trump released a new national security strategy calling for a rapid end to the war in Ukraine, a reduced US role in European security and the restoration of strategic stability with Russia, a document that was openly welcomed by the Kremlin. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Days later, Republican leaders on Capitol Hill advanced a sweeping defence policy bill reinforcing US commitments to Ukraine and NATO and curbing the Pentagons ability to scale back US military presence in Europe without congressional approval. Together, the moves point to widening differences between the Trump administration and congressional Republicans on how to handle Russia and safeguard US security interests in Europe. Congress reinforces Ukraine and NATO commitments The Republican-led House and Senate Armed Services Committees used the annual National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) to send a clear signal that many lawmakers continue to view Russia as a strategic adversary. The bill reaffirms military assistance and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine and places restrictions on the Pentagons ability to reduce US troop levels in Europe below 76,000 or relinquish US command roles within NATO without fulfilling strict reporting and oversight requirements. It also preserves US security initiatives aimed at strengthening the Baltic states against what lawmakers describe as Russian aggression. Lawmakers backing the bill argue that these provisions are designed to ensure continuity and prevent abrupt policy shifts. A source familiar with the bills drafting said it was not meant to challenge Trumps national security strategy directly but to prevent unilateral decisions by the Pentagon, including the suspension of arms supplies or intelligence support to Kyiv, without informing Congress. Trumps push for strategic stability with Moscow In contrast, Trumps national security strategy outlines a more restrained US role in Europe and calls for a swift settlement of the nearly four-year war in Ukraine. The document argues that Europe should assume primary responsibility for its own defence and criticises NATO as a perpetually expanding alliance. Trump has also warned that continued US military support for Ukraine may depend on Kyiv accepting a peace plan that would involve conceding territory to Russia. The Kremlin praised the strategy, saying it aligned in many respects with Moscows own outlook, a response that has unsettled European officials and many US lawmakers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The administration has defended its approach as an effort to reduce prolonged conflict and refocus US resources on domestic priorities and the Western Hemisphere. A White House spokeswoman said the administration strongly supports the NDAA and framed the debate as consistent with Trumps policy of peace through strength. A broader foreign policy rift within the Republican Party The Ukraine debate is part of a wider unease among Republican lawmakers over several recent administration decisions. In recent weeks, some have publicly questioned a sustained US bombing campaign targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats in Latin American waters, a military buildup around Venezuela and Trumps approval of sales of advanced US-made computer chips to China. Theres more willingness to challenge policies they think are flawed, and its not just related to Ukraine, said John Herbst, a former US ambassador to Ukraine now with the Atlantic Council, noting that most Republicans continue to see Russia as an adversary whose war aims must not succeed. While the NDAA is expected to pass with bipartisan support and be signed into law by Trump, the episode underscores a deeper tension. Even as the president maintains firm control over the Republican Party, Congress is signalling that there are clear limits to how far US policy can shift on Russia, Ukraine and NATO without legislative pushback. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Two American troops and an interpreter were killed in central Syria on Saturday after an alleged member of the Islamic State group opened fire on a joint US-Syrian patrol. Three Americans were killed Saturday in Syria in an ambush attack by an Islamic State group member, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. Two US service members and one US civilian were killed, and three service members were injured, as a result of an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman in Syria. The gunman was engaged and killed, CENTCOM, which oversees the American military in the Middle East, said on X. The statement said the names of the service members involved would not be released for at least 24 hours, in line with Department of War policy and out of respect for their families, until their next of kin have been formally informed. It added that further details would be shared as more information becomes available. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD U.S. Personnel Ambushed by ISIS Gunman in Syria TAMPA, Fla. On Dec. 13, two U.S. service members and one U.S. civilian were killed, and three service members were injured, as a result of an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman in Syria. The gunman was engaged and killed. As a matter U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 13, 2025 Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the attack occurred as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement in support of counter-terrorism operations, while US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack said the ambush targeted a joint USSyrian government patrol. The savage who perpetrated this attack was killed by partner forces, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X. Parnell said the identities of the deceased troops would be withheld until after their families were notified. The incident is the first of its kind reported since Islamist-led forces overthrew longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December last year, and rekindled the countrys ties with the United States. With inputs from agencies The incident occurred roughly a year after Syrias former president Bashar Assad fled the country ahead of the advance of opposition fighters into Damascus. Assad later received asylum in Russia and indicated in a statement that he wished to continue resisting. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US President Donald Trumps special envoy is set to meet Ukrainian and European leaders in Berlin as Washington pushes for progress on ending the war with Russia. US President Donald Trumps special envoy is due to travel to Berlin this weekend for talks with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky and senior European leaders, as Washington intensifies efforts to shape a plan to end Russias war against Kyiv. The meetings come amid growing diplomatic pressure from the United States for movement towards a negotiated settlement. A White House official on Friday confirmed to AFP the accuracy of a Wall Street Journal report stating that envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Zelensky and European leaders over the weekend to review the state of peace negotiations. Germanys government said Berlin will host a broader gathering next Monday, including the heads of the European Union and Nato, shortly after Zelensky attends a German-Ukrainian business forum with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US pressure on Kyiv has increased in recent weeks. Ukrainian officials said they had sent Washington an updated plan based on Trumps original 28-point peace proposal aimed at ending the conflict that began with Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022. Trumps plan, which was made public last month, drew criticism for reflecting key Russian demands, including Ukraine relinquishing significant territory to Russia. The revised US-led proposal includes the prospect of rapid European Union membership for Ukraine, a step opposed by Moscow. Under the latest plan, Ukraine could join the EU as early as January 2027, a senior source familiar with the matter told AFP on Friday. At the same time, European and Ukrainian leaders are seeking assurances from Washington, with the French presidency saying they are asking the United States to provide security guarantees before Ukraine agrees to any territorial concessions. The United States forces raided a cargo ship travelling from China to Iran last month amid brewing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. The new 2025 national security strategy under Donald Trump sharply reframes US priorities by downplaying China, pivoting toward a hemispheric focus on migration and drugs. (AP) The United States forces raided a cargo ship travelling from China to Iran last month amid brewing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. The news was first reported in the Wall Street Journal, reflecting increasingly aggressive maritime tactics by the American President Donald Trumps administration. Unnamed officials told the American news outlet that the US personnel boarded the Chinese vessel several hundred miles from Sri Lanka. It is pertinent to note that this is the first time in several years that the US forces have intercepted cargo travelling from China to Iran. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per the report, the operation took place in November, just weeks before US forces seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, citing sanctions violations. The US Indo-Pacific Command has yet to confirm the incident. An official told WSJ that they seized material potentially useful for Irans conventional weapons." However, the official noted the seized items were dual-use and could have both military and civilian applications. The source went on to mention that the ship was allowed to proceed further into the interdiction, which involved special operations forces. For years, Iran has been heavily sanctioned by the US. However, neither Iran nor China immediately responded to the report. China regularly calls the US sanctions on Iran illegal. China condemns Venezuelas Earlier in the day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun condemned the seizure of the oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, which was brought to a port in Texas on Friday. The action came amid a wider military pressure campaign against Venezuela, which Caracas has charged is aimed at toppling the government of leader Nicolas Maduro. Beijing opposes unilateral illicit sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law or authorisation of the UN Security Council, and the abuse of sanctions, Guo said on the Venezuelan operation. Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday the Trump administration would not rule out future seizures of vessels near Venezuela. With inputs from agencies. The US Treasury Department lifted sanctions Friday on Brazil Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw a trial of his countrys jailed former president Jair Bolsonaro. US Treasury Dept lifts sanctions on Brazil's Supreme Court justice who oversaw the Bolsonaro case. AFP The US Treasury Department lifted sanctions Friday on Brazil Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw a trial of his countrys jailed former president Jair Bolsonaro. The sanctions were part of a series of punitive actions taken against Brazil by the administration of President Donald Trump, a longtime ally of Bolsonaro who had slammed the trial as a witch hunt. Moraes was sanctioned in July, and Washington took aim at his wife Viviane Barci de Moraes a few months later. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The sanctions against the couple and a company linked to their family were eased after efforts to repair diplomatic ties between Brazil and the United States, in a blow to Bolsonaro and his family who had lobbied hard for the measures. A senior official from Trumps administration told AFP that continued designation is inconsistent with US foreign policy interests. Moraes welcomed the lifting of the sanctions. I believed, and I still believethat the truth, once it reached US authorities, would prevail, Moraes said in Brasilia. And the truth, with the efforts of President Lula and his entire team, prevailed. After months of animosity, Trump and Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held their first official meeting in October, leading to a flurry of negotiations between diplomats. As ties improved, the Trump administration last month exempted key Brazilian exports from a 40-percent tariff that had been imposed over the trial. Lobbying Ties between the US and Brazil had soured even before the Bolsonaro trial, as Moraes oversaw efforts to regulate social media and temporarily blocked Elon Musks X platform and accounts popular with conservative voices. In imposing the sanctions earlier this year, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Moraes had taken it upon himself to be judge and jury in an unlawful witch hunt against US and Brazilian citizens and companies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bolsonaro began serving a 27-year jail term in November after his conviction for a scheme to stop Lula from taking office after 2022 elections. His son Eduardo, a federal lawmaker, moved to the United States earlier this year after months of jetting back and forth from Brazil to lobby for sanctions against judicial officials. He has since been charged for the crime of coercion for his alleged efforts to sway the outcome of the coup trial against his father. In a statement on social media, Eduardo said the decision to lift the sanctions on Moraes was received with regret. He said a lack of internal cohesion and the insufficient support for initiatives conducted abroad contributed to the worsening of the current situation. We are grateful for the support that President Trump has shown throughout this journey and for the attention he dedicated to the serious crisis of freedoms afflicting Brazil. On Friday, the senior Trump administration official welcomed the passing of a bill by Brazils chamber of deputies which is dominated by Bolsonaro supporters that could slash the former presidents prison sentence considerably. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amid the brewing tensions in the Caribbean, reports are emerging that Venezuelan oil exports have reportedly fallen sharply since the US seized a tanker this week and imposed new sanctions on shipping companies doing business with the Latin American nation Amid the brewing tensions in the Caribbean, reports are emerging that Venezuelan oil exports have reportedly fallen sharply since the US seized a tanker this week and imposed new sanctions on shipping companies and vessels doing business with Caracas. It is pertinent to note that the US seizure of the Skipper tanker off Venezuelas coast on Wednesday was the first such instance of America capturing the Venezuelan oil cargo. White House noted that the sanctions on the seized vessel were imposed back in 2019. Hence, the Wednesday incident marked a sharp escalation in rising tensions between the Trump administration and the government of Nicolas Maduro. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Since the seizure, only tankers chartered by the US oil company Chevron have sailed into international waters carrying Venezuelan crude. The data, which was reviewed by Reuters, also showed the decline. It is important to note that Chevron has US government authorisation to operate through joint ventures in the country and export its oil to the US. Sources told Reuters that other tankers have loaded about 11m barrels of oil and fuel are stuck in Venezuelan waters. The US Attorney General, Pam Bondi, said this week the Skipper was intercepted and retained under a seizure warrant. Meanwhile, Guyanas maritime authority said it was falsely flying the countrys flag. What lies ahead The tanker is now reportedly heading to Houston, where it will offload its cargo onto smaller ships. Washington has already maintained that it is planning to intercept more such ships that are transporting Venezuelan oil, sources told Reuters. Meanwhile, Venezuela has condemned the tanker seizure, calling it blatant theft and international piracy. The Venezuelan government said that it would file complaints with international bodies. At the same time, Venezuelan lawmakers took a step to withdraw the country from the International Criminal Court, which is currently investigating alleged human rights abuses in the South American nation. The seizure took place after more than 20 US military strikes occurred in the Caribbean and Pacific against alleged drug vessels this year. There has been a large-scale US military buildup in the southern Caribbean as the relations between the US and Venezuela reach their most volatile point in years. Nearly 90 people have been killed in the course of these strikes on suspected drug boats, alarming human rights advocates and stirring debate among US lawmakers as to the legality of the actions. Meanwhile, Brazils president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, spoke by phone with Maduro, emphasising the need to have peace in South America. Overall, the tensions in the region are extremely high. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD News / National by Staff reporter Parliament has dismissed a petition from residents of Magwegwe West in Bulawayo seeking intervention in a protracted land dispute with the Bulawayo City Council (BCC), citing that the matter falls outside its constitutional powers.The affected residents, who purchased residential stands from BCC in 2016, have been unable to commence construction due to ongoing legal wrangles between the council and a contracted developer. In November, frustrated by delays, the residents began erecting makeshift shelters on the unserviced plots, vowing to occupy the land until the council fulfilled its contractual obligations.Seeking to resolve the impasse, the group submitted a petition to Parliament requesting assistance. However, Speaker Jacob Mudenda confirmed that the petition could not be entertained."On the 4th of December 2025, Parliament received a petition from the Magwegwe West home seekers beseeching Parliament to solve the contractual land dispute," Mudenda stated. "The petition was deemed inadmissible because it requested Parliament to perform a duty that is beyond its constitutional mandate. The petitioners were also advised accordingly."With Parliament declining to intervene, the residents remain without a clear path forward, as the legal dispute between BCC and the contractor continues. The city council recently confirmed that it cannot halt the construction of temporary shelters on the site because control of the land remains with the contractor involved in the court case, leaving homeowners in prolonged uncertainty. News / National by Staff reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday presented 10 brand-new Ford Everest vehicles to members of the Zanu-PF Elders Council as part of ongoing efforts to enhance party mobility and strengthen organisational activities. The donation, which took place at State House, also included 10 laptops, iPads, and iPhones for the party's Information and Publicity Department to support its communication and outreach mandate.The Elders Council, led by former Cabinet Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, received the vehicles to aid in their advisory role to the party. Other council members present included Cdes Idah Mashonganyika, Josaya Hungwe, David Parirenyatwa, Enock Sibanda, Gibson Masiya, Edna Madzongwe, Angeline Masuku, Maina Mandava, and Aaron Mabhoi Ncube. President Mnangagwa personally handed over the car keys during a colourful ceremony attended by Zanu-PF Secretary-General Advocate Jacob Mudenda, Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya, and Deputy Chief Secretary George Charamba.In his address, Sekeramayi praised President Mnangagwa's leadership, pledging the council's continued support for the government's development agenda. He highlighted improvements in infrastructure, including bridge construction, road rehabilitation, schools, and hospitals. Other council members echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude for the recognition and support from the President. Former Senate President Edna Madzongwe noted that the donations demonstrated the President's commitment to party elders.The Elders Council, composed of former Politburo members and senior party figures, advises the President on party governance, external relations, conflict resolution, and doctrine and ideology. Their role is to provide guidance on issues referred by the President and the First Secretary of the party.President Mnangagwa also handed over laptops, iPads, and iPhones to the party's Information and Publicity Department. Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Christopher Mutsvangwa, welcomed the donations, noting that they come at a crucial time as Zimbabwe implements its National Development Strategy 2. He said the new tools would enable the department to effectively communicate the government's economic initiatives and successes, including the emergence of a vibrant middle class, business-friendly policies, and increased global economic engagement.Mutsvangwa added that the department's role is to connect Zimbabweans across the country, highlighting local economic activity, village business units, and initiatives such as solar power adoption and financial inclusion, reinforcing the narrative of a more connected and thriving economy. Opinion / Columnist The so called deadline to vendors to leave CBD is a denial of the economic decline and disaster facing Zimbabwe today. It is apparent that vending is the only informal employment currently available in Zimbabwe due to underemployment and unemployment. We are faced here with a sad catastrophe and it is at this time that we must unite as Zimbabweans against those who seek to deny us a decent life in the harsh circumstances. The vending problem is a result of a failed economy and directly a failed state. Most companies have closed shop amid the much hyped and touted blank Zimasset which has but remained a pipe dream.DARE notes with grave concern the tendency to window dress poverty in the name of organised vending. It is true the world over that vending is in itself a form of employment especially in third world failed states like Zimbabwe. DARE acknowledges the hard efforts of our mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers in the streets vending not because of their choice but economic disparities that exists in Zimbabwe. We salute these vendors who of late have been able to send children to school and put food on the table. In the same vein we commend their resilience and bravery of not giving in to hopelessness and desperation.We want then to urge Harare City Council not allocate stalls in areas that are far from the catchment areas, near bus termini and mini bus ranks. The point being the vendors need access to clients and in such a scenario the municipality should copy the South African model in Tshwane where stalls are smart and clearly demarcated and vendors pay a fee towards usage of such stalls. Removing vendors to sites where they cannot access clients is mischievous and a mockery. Indeed we stand in solidarity with vendors and urge them to be resilient in the face of those who have amassed wealth albeit corruptly.DARE applauds the army for saying no to abuse, to beat up, threaten and evict vendors in towns. Zimbabwe is not in a state of emergency and the purported use of the army through the controversial JOC is surely provocation to hungry, hopeless Zimbabweans. We definitely demand a formal state of emergency through parliament with clear operational parameters which do not infringe the bill of human rights and constitution. The army should remain in their barracks come Sunday and refuse to take illegal action against a battered citizenry.On the other hand vendors should speak with one voice and not partisan because the issue at hand is about survival. We are astounded that Grace Mugabe has remained mum during these trying times as an instigator of wanton occupation of public spaces for vending in our cities. Her tacit involvement in the issue of vendors should be condemned as politicking with peoples stomachs. Indeed she should issue an apology to the nation or actively help in pursuing a win-win situation between vendors and concerned parties.DARE remains seized with protecting the citizenry of this country who are trying by all means to eke a humiliating but dissent livelihood. We advocate for restoration of values that recognises that we are all our brothersa keepers. Vendors are human beings and should be empowered and be given access to markets in a way that is organised and healthy for the nation.DARE categorically ask government to address the economic challenges or fall on their sword by resigning en-mass. Zanu-PF has failed the nation and we cannot afford one more day under this humiliation. We need new elections and electoral reforms which will give confidence and trust to an incoming government. We call upon the international community to condemn the planned harassment of vendors as a reminder of Murambatsvina which left homes and families devastated.Dare kwese kwese!!!!!IDale yonke indawo!!!!Inserted by the Information and Publicity Department, Democratic Assembly for Restoration and Empowerment (DARE)Clemence Tauya NhliziyoCell Number: +263 777 839676e-mail address: nhliziyoct@gmail.com/ndabalizwe@gmail.comTwitter handle: @tauya01Skype ID: clemence.nhliziyo Photos by Garfield County Communications photo Frasier visits with his Garfield County coworkers during his recent retirement party. Frasiers calm and gentle presence softened the hard edges of the ugly and difficult reality of sexual abuse of children by helping them deal with its impacts on them. The Lab/golden retriever mix also provided a boost to colleagues in the Garfield County Department of Human Services doing difficult child welfare work. Hed be present in weekly support group meetings for employees to process things and theyd often stop by her office asking for the chance to take him on a walk to decompress. 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%. CAF member arrested and charged in joint police operation into foreign interference and security of information National Defence News release December 11, 2025 - Ottawa, Ont. - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces On December 10, 2025, the Canadian Forces Military Police, specifically the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS), arrested and charged Master Warrant Officer Matthew Robar, a member of the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, with multiple offences pursuant to the National Defence Act (NDA) and other Acts. The arrest and charges stem from a joint forces operation between the Canadian Forces Military Police, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Federal Policing - Central Region's Integrated National Security and Enforcement Team. The charges are as follows: One (1) count of Communicating Special Operational Information under section (s.) 17(1) of the Foreign Interference and Security of Information Act (FISOIA), pursuant to s. 130 of the NDA; One (1) count of Breach of Trust in Respect of Safeguarded Information under s. 18(1) of the FISOIA, pursuant to s. 130 of the NDA; Two (2) counts of Contravention of Storage Regulations under s. 86 Criminal Code of Canada (CC) contrary to s. 117 Firearms Act, pursuant to s. 130 of the NDA; Three (3) counts of Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order and Discipline, pursuant to s. 129 of the NDA; and One (1) count of Feigning Disease, pursuant to s. 98 of the NDA. Quotes "The protection of national security relies on collaboration and precision. The success of this operation demonstrates the strength of joint policing efforts and what can be achieved when agencies and organizations work together toward a common goal. I am proud of the team's dedication and the coordination that ensured the safety and security of Canadians." Brigadier-General Vanessa Hanrahan, Canadian Forces Provost Marshal "This investigation demonstrates the importance of the RCMP's partnership with the Canadian Forces Military Police. I am proud of the aligned effort to ensure national security threats are investigated in a timely manner, and those responsible are held accountable ensuring the safety of Canadians." Matt Peggs, Regional Commander Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Federal Policing - Central Region Quick facts The investigation began in 2024 and focused on the unauthorized disclosure of safeguarded information to a Foreign Entity. The Canadian Forces Intelligence Command cooperated fully with investigators and police agencies throughout the course of the investigation. Section 130 of the National Defence Act covers any act or omission that is punishable under Part VII of the NDA, the Criminal Code of Canada, or any other Act of Parliament. Should the charges proceed to prosecution, they will be tried in the military justice system by court martial. As with all judicial proceedings, the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Security of Information Act was renamed and expanded as the Foreign Interference and Security of Information Act in 2024 to address growing foreign interference threats and was legislated under Bill C-70. In the enforcement of Canadian military and criminal laws, Canadian Forces Military Police, including members of the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, are peace officers and lawfully exercise jurisdiction over members of the Canadian Armed Forces and over all persons on defence establishments. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Contracts Contracts For December 4, 2025 ARMY Cummins Power Generation Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, was awarded a $500,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for 500-kilowatt skid mobile electric power generator sets and power plants, including minor modifications. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 12, 2025. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W909MY-26-D-0001). Sikorsky, A Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $433,214,151 modification (P00087) to contract W58RGZ-22-C-0010 for full funding of Program Year Five under the Black Hawk multi-year ten contract, providing for the delivery of nine UH-60M and 15 HH-60M aircraft, as well as associated program management, from July 2026 through December 2027. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $4,699,642,384. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2027. Fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement, Army funds in the amount of $433,214,151 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Alberici, St. Louis, Missouri, was awarded a $63,796,000 firm-fixed-price contract to replace the Fort Gibson Spillway Bridge in accordance with project plans and specifications. Work will be performed in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, with an estimated completion date of April 10, 2028. Fiscal 2022 construction, Corps of Engineers, civil funds in the amount of $63,796,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District, is the contracting activity (W912BV-26-CA-003). AIR FORCE Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Kongsberg, Norway, was awarded a $240,904,098 firm-fixed-price contract for the Joint Strike Missile Lot Two production. This contract provides for the purchase of all up rounds with containers, test hardware, and support items being produced under this contract. Work will be performed at Kongsberg, Norway, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2028. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2024 procurement missile funding in the amount of $137,970,866; and fiscal 2025 procurement missile funding in the amount of $102,933,232, are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8681-26-C-B002). Rockwell Collins has been awarded a $89,808,135 modification (P00014) on a sole source basis under basic contract (FA8105-23-D-B001), with fixed price, fixed price level of effort, and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract types. This modification establishes negotiated Option One pricing under the KC-135 avionics sustainment engineering services contract. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $180,366,135 from $90,558,000. Work will be performed at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and is expected to be complete by June 16, 2027. This modification contains Foreign Military Sales or services for Chile and Turkey. Fiscal 2026 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $49,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award via task orders. The contract activity is the Legacy Tanker Branch, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona, has been awarded a $39,307,155 contract modification (P00062) to a previously awarded contract (HQ085022C0007) for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) ground management and integration and operation and sustainment efforts. This supplemental effort adds the capability to verify and validate system capability readiness and performance for operational acceptance of the PWSA as well as raises contract ceiling for materials and a modification to a previously awarded unpriced change order. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $1,085,940,546 from $1,046,633,390. Work will be performed at Scottsdale, Arizona; Huntsville, Alabama; and Grand Forks, North Dakota, and is expected to be completed by August 2027. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $9,600,000 are being obligated at the time of the award. The Space Development Agency, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (HQ085022C0007). (Awarded Dec. 11, 2025) Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Linthicum Heights, Maryland, has been awarded a $17,374,467 modification (P00104) to a previously awarded contract (FA8615-17-C-6047) for continued Active Electronically Scanned Array interim contractor support radar repair and return. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $1,743,926,769 from $1,726,552,302. Work will be performed in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, and is expected to be completed Dec. 11, 2028. Fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $507,609; fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $10,458,000; and fiscal 2024 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $74,155, for a total of $11,039,764, are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., Tukwila, Washington, has been awarded a maximum $15,500,000 modification (P00161) to a previously awarded contract (FA8625-16-C-6599) for the expansion of communications capabilities for the delivery of two fully mission capable VC-25B aircraft. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $4,315,589,245 from $4,300,089,245. The modification is separate from the contract's firm-fixed-price engineering and manufacturing development efforts. Work will be performed at San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 1, 2026. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $500,000 are being obligated; and fiscal 2026 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $4,500,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. NAVY Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded a $28,764,354 modification (P00012) to a cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N0001922F1198) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001919G0029). This modification exercises an option to provide continued logistics support analysis, logistics products, product data, and technical publications resulting from production engineering changes, diminishing manufacturing sources, and material shortages in support of CH-53K King Stallion aircraft production and fielding for the Navy and Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut (84.23%); Bohemia, New York (7.03%); various locations within the continental U.S. (CONUS) (8.02%); and various locations outside the CONUS (0.72%), and is expected to be completed in December 2026. Fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $15,000,000 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The order that is being modified was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Analex, doing business as Arcfield, Chantilly, Virginia, is being awarded a $25,236,680 cost-plus-fixed fee contract (N0003026C2000) for the program support services of the Navy's Strategic Weapons Systems Reentry Subsystem. The contract has options in the amount of $71,095,921. Work will be performed in Colorado Springs, Colorado (68%); Washington, D.C. (22%); Albuquerque, New Mexico (3%); and various locations less than 1% (7% total). Work is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2028. Fiscal 2026 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,072,622; fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,530,000; fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance, (Navy) in the amount of $2,445,880; fiscal 2025 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $565,071; and fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,018,411, are being obligated on this award. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,018,411 and fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance in the amount of $2,445,880 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is being awarded on a sole source basis under 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1) and was previously synopsized on the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) online portal. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Missiles and Fire Control, Archbald, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $23,097,963 modification (P00007) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N0001924C0004). This modification adds scope for the production and delivery of 4,002 Laser Guided Training Rounds Bomb Dummy Unit (BDU- 59C/B), refurbishment of 1,334 shipping and storage containers (CNU-571/E) and associated non-recurring engineering for the Navy and Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Archbald, Pennsylvania and is expected to be completed February 2028. Fiscal 2026 procurement of ammunition (Navy and Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $23,097,963 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract being modified was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity JRC Integrated Systems LLC, Washington, D.C., is being awarded a $10,708,589 cost-plus-fixed-fee term contract (including option years) (N0003026C3031) for Trident II D5 Strategic Weapon System programs and Dreadnought programs. Tasks to be performed include operator and operational knowledge and expertise for the development, maintenance and review of arrangements, design disclosures, test procedures and program plans; conduct of special projects and analysis involving strategies for the program, construction and test facilities, and for shipyard execution, and life-cycle support concepts; government furnished information, material, equipment (GFI/M/E) and commitments management; root cause analysis and corrective action implementation; and documenting and tracking technical comments, decisions and recommendations. This contract also benefits a foreign military sale to the United Kingdom. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C. (70%); Groton, Connecticut (15%); and Cape Canaveral, Florida (15%). Work is expected to be completed on Dec. 20, 2030. Fiscal 2023 Ship Conversion, Navy funds in the amount of $1,747,166 will be obligated on this award and no funds will expire at the end of this fiscal year. This contract was awarded as a sole source acquisition with the authority of 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1) and was previously synopsized on the System for Award management (SAM.gov) online portal. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Huntington Ingalls Inc., Newport News, Virginia, was awarded a $9,434,758 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-22-C-2105) to exercise options for planning and design yard activities for standard navy valves installed in commissioned nuclear-powered submarines, submersibles, and aircraft carriers. Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) in the amount of $2,500,000 will be obligated at time of award and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY SNC Manufacturing LLC,* Orocovis, Puerto Rico, has been awarded a maximum $15,857,625 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for mechanics cold weather coveralls. This was a competitive acquisition with five responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Dec. 12, 2030. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-26-D-0013). *Small business https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/Article/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Africa Command leadership completes first visit to Tunisia By Staff Sgt. Emely Eckels December 11, 2025 U.S. Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commander of U.S. Africa Command, visited Tunis, Tunisia, with AFRICOM senior leaders, Nov. 12-14. Continuing a relationship over 200 years old, the command engaged face-to-face with Tunisian partners for discussions and demonstrations on how U.S.-Tunisia defense engagements have advanced Tunisia's military operational capacity and contributions to regional security. Africa remains an evolving and diverse theater requiring continued U.S. focus. The continent's security efforts transcend African borders to support European and global security and stability, to include the U.S. homeland. During the trip, Anderson accompanied by U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Ben Snell, AFRICOM J2 director; U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Justin Hoffman, AFRICOM J3 director; and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Roland McGinnis, Marine Forces Africa senior enlisted leader met with Khaled Shili, Tunisian minister of defense. This meeting later included further leadership discussions on priorities related to readiness, modernization, counterterrorism and cooperation between AFRICOM and the Tunisian air force, navy, army and explosive ordnance disposal units. While in Tunis, the command met with Bill Bazzi, the new U.S. ambassador to Tunisia, and embassy leadership to discuss ongoing bilateral programs and efforts to support Tunisia's continued development as a regional security contributor. Discussions focused on sustaining momentum in joint training, exercises and military-to-military cooperation. Throughout the engagement, AFRICOM leaders reaffirmed the United States' commitment to providing limited, targeted support for Tunisian partners to achieve shared security objectives and countering terrorist influence. About SETAF-AF U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine and Al-Quds Affairs Praises Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency's Role in Supporting Palestinian People Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) 11-12-2025 The Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine and Al-Quds Affairs, Ambassador Samir Bakr Diyab, today, 11 December 2025, received in Jeddah the Acting Director of the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Acharif Agency, Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui, during which both discussed the grave situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. The Assistant Secretary-General expressed the OIC's appreciation for the valuable role played by the Agency as the executive arm of the Al-Quds Committee in supporting the Palestinian people, particularly in the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif. For his part, Mr Echarkaoui expressed the commitment of the Agency to its duties and competencies, within its means, in continuing to support the socio-economic sectors in the holy city while preserving its religious and civilizational character, in implementation of the royal directives of His Majesty King Mohamed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address E5 Group ministers on strengthening defensive capabilities Poland - Ministry of National Defence 11.12.2025 On Thursday, 11 December, Ministry of National Defence secretary of state Pawe Zalewski represented the deputy prime minister - minister of national defence Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz at a teleconference of the European Group of 5 Defence Ministers (E5), with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commissioner for Defence and Space also participating. The meeting was primarily focused on matters of continued involvement of the E5 countries in strengthening European defence capabilities. New challenges ahead of Europe in light of shifting trends were discussed, noting the need for the European countries to take more responsibility for the security of the continent. The ministers have also confirmed unwavering commitment to helping Ukraine, which is our shared priority. The next E5 meeting is planned to take place in Poland in January 2026. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New capabilities on horizon for African Lion 2026 By Capt. Caroline Pirchner December 12, 2025 AGADIR, Morocco -- A multinational team of planners from military, government and industry sectors convened with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) in Agadir, Morocco, from Dec. 8-12, 2025, for the mid planning event (MPE) for African Lion 2026 (AL26). The week-long event allowed this diverse group of planners to synchronize and refine objectives. A central focus for AL26 will be a challenging command field exercise designed to validate the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa's (SETAF-AF) ability to lead a Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF). The exercise will test the task force's capacity to integrate U.S. forces with those from Morocco and other participating nations, a critical step in promoting regional security. For AL26 in Morocco, planners are exploring the introduction of a significant new element: a dynamic, multi-vendor experimentation and innovation hub. "AL26 has added several new programs to incorporate future warfare technology and innovation to include experimentation combined into a live multinational joint operations center," said Seth Henderson, lead AL26 planner, SETAF-AF. Key to this effort was the direct involvement of industry partners during the planning event. Industry representatives worked alongside multinational planners to align technical capabilities with training scenarios, focusing on integrating AI and other innovative technologies from the soldier in the field to the command headquarters. The exercise will challenge participants to adapt and counter sophisticated threats in an austere environment. "Our charge from day one was to bring in the core technologies we need to test, identify those that are best in class, and move them from experimentation to procurement to fielding as quickly as possible to counter the threats we're facing not only in Europe but globally," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Nick Dubaz, chief of the TRIAD Innovation Cell, SETAF-AF. The MPE reaffirmed the enduring strategic partnership between the U.S. and the Kingdom of Morocco, a cornerstone of the African Lion exercise series for nearly two decades. The event culminated in the official signing of the planning minutes between leaders, solidifying the shared commitment to the exercise. "More than 40,000 soldiers participated in the last five editions of this exercise, thus testifying to the commitment of our partners and the importance of this annual meeting, which is the largest military event in Africa," said one of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces planning representatives. Collaboration throughout the week brought together over 300 participants to finalize logistics and scenarios for thousands of personnel who will participate in AL26 this spring. This successful planning event marks a critical milestone, moving participants one step closer to the final planning and execution of African Lion 2026, an event that will showcase strength and commitment to a secure and stable Africa. About African Lion African Lion is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual multinational exercise. The joint, all-domain training, executed by SETAF-AF, is designed to strengthen interoperability among participating nations, enhance readiness and improve the collective ability to respond to crises and contingencies in the region. Subscribe to Exercise African Lion alerts for the latest news, photos and media at https://www.dvidshub.net/alerts. About SETAF-AF SETAF-AF is the U.S. Army's globally responsive, forward-deployed, Joint Task Force-headquarters for three combatant commands (U.S. Africa, U.S. European and U.S. Central Commands). Operating across Europe and Africa, SETAF-AF strengthens partner-led security, validates crisis response options and advances Army transformation. The unique posture across multiple continents allows the command to test emerging technologies, conduct scalable operations, and ensure the Army is ready to fight tonight and tomorrow. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Illinois National Guard unit plays vital role in U.S. military operations in Somalia By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton December 12, 2025 SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Approximately 155 Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard's Pontiac-based Alpha Troop, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment protected U.S. personnel and equipment in the Horn of Africa from October 2024 to July 2025, improving security posture in a strategically important part of the world. "Alpha Troop set the standard from day one for Task Force Associator in Somalia and the Horn of Africa - we exceeded every expectation and accomplished the mission, leaving our area of responsibility better off than when we arrived," said U.S. Army Capt. Andrew Mix, the unit's commander. "It was great to see our Soldiers operate at such a high level and integrate with various U.S. forces along with foreign partners, they truly made my job easy. Our Soldiers endured a lot along the way but stayed resilient to get the mission done. I am beyond proud of our Soldiers and impressed with everything we accomplished in Somalia." Most of the deployed Soldiers were from Alpha Troop but the deployed group also included 106th Cavalry Regiment Soldiers from Dixon and Aurora, as well as about 20 Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment, based in Chicago. The Soldiers protected vital U.S. infrastructure at two cooperative security locations: the Baledogle Military Airfield in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region and the city of Kismayo. The unit developed standard operating procedures for battle drills, fortified the entry control point, and conducted weekly patrols at Baledogle, which enhanced security posture on and around the base. The Illinois guard members developed a strong relationship with the Uganda People's Defense Forces, which is part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia established to help stabilize the country. They successfully reacted to a rocket attack and other threats, while also conducting multiple mortar illumination missions and deterring militant attacks against the base. The unit's Soldiers interoperated well with the multiservice military units and civilians who worked on the airfield. The Soldiers also conducted critical training, such as the Combat Lifesaver's Course, close-quarters battle training and rappelling. Several qualified in weapons, to include machine guns, rockets, and the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station, which allows Soldiers to operate weapons while inside an armored vehicle. At Kismayo, an Alpha Troop detachment assisted with the building and securing of a new area on the camp. They also built and operated a new entry control point and developed battle drill standard operating procedures. "The 2-106th Cavalry has always operated at a high standard," said U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Kelly Bishop, the unit's senior enlisted leader. The organization's 'mission-first' mentality sets us apart from other units. Our winning tradition and high standards are upheld by our leaders and instilled into our Soldiers from day one." Bishop detailed how the unit's performance on deployment lived up to those high standards. "We set the standard for the rest of the task force to follow, which was made up of nine companies [and] we led the task force in everything from sustainment and logistics to training and operations," he said. "Our Soldier's professionalism, hard work and dedication to mission success did not go unnoticed. Our Soldiers executed well above the standard and drastically improved overall security operations in our area of operations. Our improvements and accomplishments enabled our partner force freedom of maneuver and directly attributed to their success." Bishop went to note that he was "beyond proud" of how the Soldiers executed and their accomplishments during the mission. "It was truly an honor and a privilege to be a part of this mission and to have had the opportunity to serve as the first sergeant for the outstanding Soldiers of Alpha Troop, 2-106th Cavalry," Bishop said. About SETAF-AF U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New York is about to stop automakers from charging drivers for factory-installed car features, like heated seats and other basic comfort or safety features. The legislation, now awaiting the governors signature, would curb the growing practice of tying built-in vehicle features to subscription fees. For drivers, its a potential win. Once you buy a car, you wont be asked to pay monthly to use whats already there. What the bill does A1095 would prohibit vehicle sellers from charging a purchase fee or recurring subscription for any motor vehicle feature that uses components and hardware already installed in the car at the time of sale or lease. The bill further clarifies that the ban applies only when the feature would function after activation without ongoing cost to or support by the dealer, manufacturer, or any third-party service provider. If automakers are found to have violated the bill, the bill authorizes civil penalties to enforce compliance and deter subscription paywalls on hardware already provided to buyers. What's covered in the bill Under the proposed bill, features that come factory-installed (like heated seats & remote start) are the clearest examples of what would be protected from "subscription gating". The protection is intended to prevent companies from selling access to capabilities already included with a vehicle purchase via subscriptions. What the law doesn't cover A1095 explicitly does not apply to services that require ongoing external support, like real-time navigation updates or telematics that rely on continuous network access. That means automakers can still charge for connected services that entail recurring costs or third-party licenses. Essentially, it's more about banning subscriptions for features installed in a vehicle that don't require ongoing cloud support. How we got here This bill feels like it's been a long time coming, as automakers have experimented with software locks on hardware to create recurring revenue streams, arguing that subscriptions give buyers optionality and generate post-sale income for manufacturers. The backlash began when reports surfaced that some brands intended to charge monthly for features physically present in the car. One of them is BMWs trial of paid heated-seat access, a case that drew major consumer anger and online ridicule. Public reaction Since the bill's announcement, reactions on social media and car forums have been emphatic. Many drivers view subscription gating as double-charging and an erosion of ownership rights. In a Reddit thread titled "subscription fee laws", one user commented, "Hope this passes. I can understand remote start with the app having a cost since it does require a cell connection, but locking remote start with the keyfob behind a subscription is awful." Advertisement Advertisement Another user added, "This is reasonable, and manufacturers should accept it's reasonable. It doesn't (from just reading the lede) prevent them from charging you subscriptions, though. You want to activate the heated seats already fitted in your vehicle at manufacture, but which weren't included in the purchase package? Perfectly reasonable to charge a one-off fee. Unreasonable to charge a subscription." These comments reflect frustration and distrust, common themes in online reaction to feature paywalls. What the bill would mean So, if the governor signs A1095, automakers would face two clear choices. Sell features as one-time options, or stop pre-installing dormant hardware intended for monetization later. It could reduce automakers' opportunities for recurring revenue, but simplify ownership for consumers. Manufacturers may accelerate development of genuinely cloud-based services that do justify subscriptions, because those services fall outside the bills ban and can legitimately incur ongoing operating costs. The takeaway for buyers A major thing to takeaway from this is if youre shopping for a car now, read feature lists and dealer contracts carefully and ask whether any feature comforts rely on subscription activation or ongoing data plans. And until the law is final, consider prioritizing vehicles that offer permanent activation for features you value, or insist on documentation that any included hardware will remain functional without recurring fees. New Yorks A1095 draws a bright line between ownership and subscription. If the hardware is in the car and the function does not require ongoing third-party support, drivers should not be charged monthly to use it. Whether the governor signs the bill or not, the debate it has provoked has made one thing clear. The public expects to own the features built into the products they buy, not rent them back one month at a time. Honduras: Statement by the Spokesperson on the electoral process European External Action Service (EEAS) 12.12.2025 EEAS Press Team The European Union reiterates its support for the current electoral process in Honduras and the work that the National Electoral Council is carrying out despite all the technical difficulties. The EU calls on all candidates to wait and respect the counting process. On 30 November, Hondurans voted peacefully and in large numbers reaffirming their commitment to democracy. The will of the Honduran people must be respected. The EU urges political parties and authorities to refrain from actions that hinder the work of electoral institutions and to respect the rule of law. The National Electoral Council is the body responsible for declaring the election results and the EU is attentive to its pronouncement. The EU Election Observation Mission continues to be present in the country to accompany this process. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Starting from 2027 the duration of conscript service will be 12 months Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence 12. December 2025 - 16:07 Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur sent a bill for approval, pursuant to which draftees will be called up for conscript service twice a year for a period of 12 months starting from 2027. The aim of this change is to ensure more permanent combat readiness for the Estonian Defence Forces with the introduction of new high-tech capabilities. From 2027 onwards, the usual number of conscripts, i.e. up to 4,100 draftees per year, will once again be called up for conscript service. In addition, a uniform 12-month service period will be introduced for all conscripts, and draftees will be called up for military service twice a year (in weeks 8 and 34) instead of the current three times. 'Due to the security situation, we have significantly developed Estonia's defence capabilities in recent years. We have also already acquired, and are still acquiring, notable new capabilities, such as rocket launchers and medium-range air defence, which require the Estonian Defence Forces to adapt their training and improve quality. To this end, we will focus on training instructors of the Estonian Defence Forces in 2026 so that we can launch the renewed conscription system at the beginning of 2027. As a result, the overall combat readiness of the Defence Forces and their ability to defend the Estonian state will increase,' said Minister of Defence Pevkur. 'Considering the complexity of the new capabilities of the Estonian Defence Forces, changes in the security situation, and conclusions drawn from the war in Ukraine, we also need to adapt the training and service of our soldiers. One feature of these changes is extending the service length of all conscripts to 12 months and, in the course of this, establishing a period of constant combat readiness as part of service practice,' said Lieutenant General Andrus Merilo, Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces. 'Our new high-tech capabilities require soldiers to act with skill, speed, and precision in assessing situations, communicating information, operating equipment, and making decisions. Six months of intensive training must lay the groundwork for operating weapons systems, and the following six months of practice must simultaneously ensure both the constant readiness of the systems and the increase in proficiency.' The period where the unit is in constant combat readiness will essentially be a service practice during which soldiers repeatedly rehearse performing military tasks to increase their skills and gain experience. At the same time, establishing such period allows some of the new weapon systems to be kept on permanent standby to respond to potential military threats against Estonia. According to Anu Rannaveski, Director General of the Estonian Defence Resources Agency, the twice-a-year call-up system will enable the smoother planning of conscription and a more even distribution of conscripts across the service. 'This gives us better opportunities to ensure that the Defence Forces have people with the education and skills required for different specialities, and to utilise the potential of each draftee in a more targeted manner,' added Rannaveski. According to the Estonian Defence Forces, these changes are inevitable, as the scope and technical complexity of training have increased significantly in recent years, and the security situation requires maintaining several new capabilities in a state of constant combat readiness. Without changing the structure of military service, it would not be feasible to ensure an increase in overall capability or response speed. In the coming years, the Estonian Defence Forces will acquire several high-level weapon systems, including medium-range air defence and other sensitive capabilities that require competent and systematically trained operators. Most of the skills required for this are acquired during military service. A uniform 12-month service ensures that conscripts undergo six months of intensive general and specialist training, followed by six months of sustaining constant combat readiness as a practical component, during which their skills are continuously improved. This structure ensures the necessary depth and consistent quality of training in all specialities, resulting in even stronger defence forces. So far, most conscripts have served for 11 months, with a smaller proportion serving 8 months. These periods of service will be replaced by a single 12-month period of service from 2027. The changes will create a better prepared, more stable, and more consistent wartime structure for the Estonian Defence Forces, which meets the technical and tactical requirements of modern national defence. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Finnish Defence Forces to place large orders for defence system services with Finnish companies Finnish Ministry of Defence Ministry of Defence Publication date 12.12.2025 11.34 Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to procure support services for military aviation, maritime defence, intelligence, surveillance and command and control from the Finnish companies Patria Aviation Oy and Insta Group Oy. The main part of deliveries will take place in 2026-2030. The total value of the procurement from Patria Aviation Oy, excluding value added tax, is around EUR 62.4 million. In Finland, the employment impact will be around 540 person-years in 2026 and around 1,960 in 2026-2030. The total value of the procurement from Insta Group Oy, excluding value added tax, is around EUR 17.1 million. Its employment impact will be around 50 person-years in Finland. "The employment impact of procuring defence system services from our strategic partners is significant. It is an essential element of military security of supply that the Finnish Defence Forces can get critical services from the Finnish defence industry," Minister Hakkanen said. Both Patria Aviation Oy and Insta Group Oy are strategic partners of the Finnish Defence Forces. The partnership agreements cover life-cycle support services for the aircraft and systems in military aviation, maritime defence systems and the systems of intelligence, surveillance, command and control, target acquisition, training and information security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions: Chinese FM on US' seizure of oil tanker off Venezuela, imposition of sanctions Global Times By Global Times Published: Dec 12, 2025 04:32 PM China firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that lack a basis in international law and are not authorized by the UN Security Council, and opposes the abuse of sanctions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Friday. Guo made the remarks when asked to comment on the US' seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela carrying Venezuela oil, and the US Treasury Department's sanctions on six oil tankers, including one flagged by Hong Kong. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Clear Support for UN Resolution on Emergency Aid to Palestine Government of Norway Press release | Date: 12/12/2025 Today, 139 countries voted in favour of a UN resolution expressing full support for the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. - I am very pleased with the support the resolution received. It shows that countries from all regions and with diverse political positions are now uniting around fundamental humanitarian principles and respect for international law. This is a clear call to action for both those engaged in conflict and for the international community at a time when humanitarian principles are under severe pressure in Palestine, Sudan and Ukraine, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. The advisory opinion issued by the Court in October made it clear that Israel has obligations under international law to ensure that Palestinians living under occupation receive emergency assistance and other forms of aid. Norway has now, together with a group of countries, put forward a resolution in the UN General Assembly that follows up on the advisory opinion. The resolution expresses support for the Court and demonstrates that countries stand behind the right to life-saving emergency aid and other assistance to the population in Palestine. The Situation on the Ground in Palestine After two years of a war that has claimed 70,000 Palestinian lives and left Gaza in ruins, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire that entered into force on 10 October. The agreement is in line with the United States' 20-point plan for peace. - The ceasefire has now lasted for two months, and it is urgent to move forward with the implementation of phase two of the peace plan. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is extremely serious, and Israel continues to carry out strikes in Gaza. Developments in the West Bank are also dramatic, with an increase in settler violence and strict movement restrictions. I hope this resolution will help secure humanitarian access and other assistance to Palestine, said Eide. Norway, together with other countries, the UN, and humanitarian organizations, will now work to ensure that the Court's recommendations are translated into action. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tehran to host regional meeting on developments in Afghanistan: Foreign Ministry spokesperson IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Dec 12, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced plans to hold a regional meeting in Tehran for dialogue and exchange of views regarding developments related to Afghanistan. Esmaeil Baqaei told reporters that Iran's ongoing consultations with neighboring countries, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, aimed at strengthening peace and stability in the region. He said late n Thursday that the Islamic Republic of Iran attaches fundamental importance to security and stability in its neighborhood and will spare no effort to reduce tensions among regional countries and to promote mutual understanding. He described the upcoming meeting as the result of consultations at various levels with neighboring states and other regional parties, expressing hope that this initiative will play an effective role in fostering convergence and easing tensions. Baqaei added that the regional meeting will be held in the coming week in Tehran, hosted by Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the participation of special representatives on Afghan affairs from Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China, and Russia. 9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Deputy Secretary General visits the Netherlands NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 12 December 2025 On 11 and 12 December 2025, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska travelled to the Netherlands for a series of meetings and engagements in Rotterdam, The Hague and Delft. On 11 December, the Deputy Secretary General visited the Port of Rotterdam, and participated in a roundtable discussion on resilience and industry with Dutch representatives from the transport and energy sectors. She also met the mayor of the city of Rotterdam, Ms. Carola Schouten, to discuss societal resilience. On 12 December, the Deputy Secretary General spoke at an event organised by the Clingendael Institute and the Netherlands Atlantic Association, taking part in a panel discussion entitled "From The Hague to Ankara: NATO and The Future of Euro-Transatlantic Security". In her remarks, Ms. Shekerinska emphasised the need to deliver on the commitments NATO Allies made at the Summit in The Hague. As the Alliance prepares for the next Summit in Ankara, Turkiye, in July 2026, she said we must "spend more on defence together, and fairly. Boost the industrial base and spark innovation across all our nations. And keep up support for Ukraine." In The Hague, she also met senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of Justice and Security, and thanked the Netherlands for its valuable support to the Alliance and to Ukraine. In Delft, the Deputy Secretary General visited the Innovative Solutions In Space (ISISPACE) premises. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address HMNZS Aotearoa welcomed home after eight-month deployment New Zealand Defence Force Friends, family, haka, senior defence leaders and the Royal New Zealand Navy band were all on show on the wharves at Devonport Naval Base today to welcome home HMNZS Aotearoa and its 80-strong ship's company who have been deployed at sea since late March. 12 December, 2025 The return marks the conclusion of an exceptionally demanding operational year for the Navy's maritime replenishment vessel. The ship spent 307 days away from home and sailed more than 31,000 nautical miles as it conducted exercises and operations from Antarctica to the Korean Peninsula and throughout the wider Indo-Pacific region. Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Garin Golding, said the mission demonstrated New Zealand's commitment to defending the international rules-based system. "You can't just talk about it you have to be at sea doing it and your friends and partners and the international community need to see you do it as well," Rear Admiral Golding said. "And HMNZS Aotearoa and the ship's company have certainly been out there doing exactly that." As the fleet tanker, HMNZS Aotearoa played a critical support role throughout the year, from resupplying Scott Base and McMurdo Station to refuelling partner nations' ships while operating alongside the navies of Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam. The ship also demonstrated New Zealand's commitment to freedom of navigation and international law by transiting the Taiwan Strait while en route to support the monitoring of United Nations Security Council sanctions enforcement against North Korea. While this generated interest from Peoples Liberation Army (Navy) ships which closely monitored HMNZS Aotearoa's transit, for Commanding Officer, Commander Rob Welford, it was just business as usual sailing in an international sea lane. "Our Navy's purpose is to advance New Zealand's interests from the sea, but another key role is to protect those interests and I think we can look back on this year and say 'job done' on both levels," Commander Welford said. He praised the professionalism of his crew and their resilience over the lengthy deployment. "It's been a pleasure to work with such a competent and high-performing group of personnel. That's the benefit of spending this length of time on the water doing the mahi you leave Devonport as sailors but return as seasoned maritime professionals, with a wealth of new experiences and knowledge under your belt." HMNZS Aotearoa and its company will now enjoy a period of leave before beginning preparations for what will be another busy operational year in 2026. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PAF's modern assets play key role in 9th joint maritime drill with US Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno December 12, 2025, 11:05 am MANILA -- The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said Friday its modern and major assets played a key role in the 9th bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) between the Philippines and the United States, which took place in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Dec. 9-10. "PAF assets played a vital role in the exercise, with FA-50PH aircraft and A-29B 'Super Tucano' units conducting coordinated air operations in support of joint maritime security objectives," PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco said in a statement. The FA-50PH is the fastest and most modern aircraft in the PAF fleet and is capable of speeds of Mach 1.5 and could be used for air defense and a variety of other missions. Meanwhile, the A-29B is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, close-air support, and aerial reconnaissance. An S-70i "Black Hawk" helicopter also executed vertical replenishment missions aboard a US vessel in partnership with the Naval Air Warfare Wing of the Philippine Navy, she added. Basco said a W-3A "Sokol" search-and-rescue helicopter provided operational support, contributing to the activity's emphasis on safety, readiness, and integrated maritime response capabilities. "The PH-US MCA reflects the enduring cooperation between the Philippines and the United States in promoting regional security and stability. Through combined air and maritime operations, the PAF continues to strengthen its capabilities and contribute to a more secure and resilient maritime environment," she added. Earlier, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said the MCA aims to enhance interoperability between the US Indo-Pacific Command, in support of maritime security and improved maritime domain awareness within the region. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Marcos seeks deeper ties with China, Chile Philippine News Agency By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos December 12, 2025, 10:01 am MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expressed hope that the Philippines' bilateral relations with China and Chile will further improve under the leadership of the two countries' newly designated ambassadors. Marcos accepted the credentials of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan and Chilean Ambassador to the Philippines Felipe Alejandro Diaz Ibanez in separate ceremonies at Malacanan Palace in Manila on Thursday. During Jing's presentation of credentials, Marcos said China is one of the Philippines' most important friends and partners in the world. "I'm sure that there will be many opportunities for us to make the relationship between our two countries stronger, deeper and more important as the years go by," he told Jing. "I look forward to working with you in managing the differences and intensifying the cooperation between our two countries. Our differences should be the exception in our ties rather than the norm," he added. Jing, a seasoned Chinese diplomat, served as minister and deputy chief of mission at the Chinese Embassy in the United States before assuming his post as Beijing's new ambassador to Manila. Marcos also welcomed Chile's new envoy, expressing confidence that the Philippines will enjoy stronger ties under Diaz's leadership. "We are happy that an old friend of the Philippines has returned and the long and very fine relationship between our two countries will continue, and we would continue to promote an even longer and even closer relationship between our two countries," President Marcos said. Diaz entered the Chilean Foreign Service in 1999 and began his overseas career at the Embassy of Chile in the Philippines from 2003 to 2008, serving as consul and overseeing economic-commercial, cultural and cooperation affairs. Prior to his latest designation, Diaz served as Chile's Consul General in Tacna, Peru. The Philippines formalized diplomatic relations with Chile and China in 1946 and 1975, respectively. Both Jing and Diaz vowed to strengthen the bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between the Philippines and their respective countries. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH, France conclude 2nd round of talks on visiting forces pact Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno December 12, 2025, 9:49 am MANILA -- The Philippines and France successfully concluded the two-day second round of negotiations on the proposed Philippines-France Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) on Thursday. In a statement Thursday night, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said this marks another important step in strengthening the bilateral defense cooperation between the two nations. "Both sides described the discussions as productive and constructive, expressing optimism about the outcome of the ongoing negotiations," he added. For the second round of talks for the proposed SOVFA with Paris, Manila's delegation was led by Defense Undersecretary for Strategic Assessment and Planning Ignacio Madriaga, who also chairs the negotiation committee. Meanwhile, the French delegation was led by Rear Adm. Jerome Theillier, head of International Security Affairs of the Directorate General for International Relations and Strategy, Ministry of the Armed Forces of France. The proposed SOVFA seeks to establish a clear legal framework governing the presence and activities of visiting forces, thereby facilitating more effective military engagements, training, and cooperative activities between the two nations. "These talks underscore the shared commitment of the Philippines and France to deepening defense relations, enhancing interoperability, and strengthening cooperation in support of regional peace and stability," Andolong said. The SOVFA is seen as a pillar in sustaining momentum in bilateral engagements and expanding avenues for practical cooperation. "Both delegations reaffirmed the importance of upholding a rules-based international order, safeguarding maritime security, and fostering a stable, peaceful, and resilient Indo-Pacific region. In gearing towards becoming long-standing partners, the Philippines and France recognize that closer defense cooperation contributes significantly to collective efforts to address evolving security challenges," Andolong said. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese military urges Philippines to stop provocation in South China Sea Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source Xinhuanet EditorLi Weichao Time2025-12-12 18:59:29 BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese military on Friday urged the Philippines to immediately stop provoking incidents in the South China Sea. Tian Junli, spokesperson for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, said in a press release that multiple Philippine light aircraft, without approval from the Chinese government, illegally intruded into the airspace of China's Huangyan Dao. The Chinese naval and air forces conducted tracking, monitoring, warning, and resolute expulsion in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations, Tian said. Reiterating that Huangyan Dao is China's inherent territory, he pledged that troops of the theater command remain on high alert and will firmly safeguard national sovereignty and security, as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN General Assembly adopts resolution demanding Israel end Gaza aid restrictions Iran Press TV Friday, 12 December 2025 7:14 PM The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a draft resolution urging Israel to provide unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip. Passed on Friday, the resolution also calls on Israel to uphold the integrity of UN premises and comply with its obligations under international law. This measure was introduced in response to a recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), reaffirming Israel's responsibilities as both an "occupying power" and a member of the United Nations. Backed by Norway and over 12 other states, the resolution received support from 139 countries, while 12 voted against it and 19 abstained. Ahead of the vote, Norway's Permanent Representative, Ambassador Merete Fjeld Brattested, warned that 2024 was among the "most violent" years in three decades, with 2025 continuing in a similar trend. She, however, pointed to indications that the current trajectory may ease in the coming year and added, "The situation in occupied Palestine is a particular point in mind." "Civilians are paying the highest price. Respect for humanitarian principles is eroding. The most fundamental tenets of humanitarian law are under pressure," the Norwegian diplomat said, stressing that advisory proceedings before the ICJ serve as a tool to clarify legal responsibilities. Brattested emphasized that UN member states had requested clarity on essential questions regarding the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid to civilians in Palestine. She also underscored the urgency of the Court's conclusions by pointing to recent incidents, including Secretary General Antonio Guterres' denunciation of Israel's "unauthorized entry" into the headquarters of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees, located in occupied al-Quds's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. "As stated by the secretary-general, this is in clear violation of Israel's obligations to respect the inviolability of United Nations premises," she said, urging all member states to back the resolution. The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on Tues 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 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. 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. Since October 2023, the Israeli army has killed about 70,400 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and injured 171,000 others in the two-year war in Gaza that has reduced much of the blockaded Palestinian territory to rubble. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FM: Israel preparing for large-scale military operation against Lebanon Iran Press TV Friday, 12 December 2025 7:03 PM Lebanon's Foreign Minister Youssef Raji says his country has received warnings from Arab and international parties that the Israeli regime is preparing for "a large-scale military operation" against Lebanon. Raji told Al-Jazeera that Beirut is engaged in "diplomatic efforts to protect Lebanon and its facilities from any Israeli attack in the near future." Ahead of the second round of talks between Israeli and Lebanese representatives under the auspices of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism scheduled for next Friday, Raji said the meetings focus on the implementation of the ceasefire agreement reached last year, including an end to the Israeli attacks and the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the release of captives. He ruled out the signing of a normalization agreement with Israel, saying it's "currently far away." The minister reiterated that Lebanon is committed to the Arab Peace Initiative, endorsed by the 2002 Arab League Summit, which offered Israel recognition in exchange for a complete withdrawal from Palestinian territories occupied since the 1967 Six-Day War and the establishment of a Palestinian state with East al-Quds as its capital. His remarks came as Israel intensified its strikes on Lebanon on Friday, hitting hills and valleys in the Jezzine and Zahrani areas, including locations near al-Aaichiyeh, between al-Zrariyeh and Ansar, and around Jabal al-Rafie and the outskirts of several towns. According to eyewitnesses, the airstrikes targeted civilian sites and open fields. Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire that took effect on November 27, 2024. Under the deal, Tel Aviv was required to withdraw fully from Lebanese territorybut has kept forces stationed at five sites, in clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the terms of the November 2024 agreement. Since the implementation of the ceasefire, Israel has violated the agreement thousands of times through repeated assaults on Lebanese territory. Lebanese authorities have warned that the regime's violations of the ceasefire threaten national stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US slaps fresh sanctions on Venezuela amid escalated tensions Iran Press TV Friday, 12 December 2025 5:05 PM The United States has announced new sanctions on Venezuela, mounting more pressure on the energy-rich Latin American nation. The US Treasury Department said on Thursday that the fresh sanctions target 6 oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as well as family members of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores. It said the shipping companies and supertankers are "engaged in deceptive and unsafe shipping practices and continue to provide financial resources that fuel Maduro's corrupt narco-terrorist regime". Four of the tankers, including the 2002-built H Constance and the 2003-built Lattafa, are Panama-flagged, with the other two flagged by the Cook Islands and Hong Kong. US President Donald Trump threatened once more on Thursday night to soon begin strikes on suspected narcotics shipments making their way via land from Venezuela to the US. Trump's comments followed the US seizure of an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast. Iran blasted the seizure, calling it state-sponsored maritime piracy. Tehran urged governments and international organizations to oppose such bullying and hold Washington accountable for its actions. Colombia's President Gustov Petro also slammed the move by the US, describing it as oil piracy. The US seizure of the tanker comes amid an intense US military campaign in the Caribbean, including 22 lethal strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats since September that have killed more than 80 people. Legal experts see the attacks as illegal, extrajudicial killings and possible war crimes, reminiscent of the impunity often attributed to the Israeli regime killing Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Act of state piracy': Iran blasts illegal US seizure of Venezuelan oil tanker Iran Press TV Friday, 12 December 2025 7:09 AM Iran has condemned the US Navy's attack on a commercial vessel carrying Venezuelan crude oil off the coast of the South American country as an "act of state piracy," warning about the consequences of such coercive measures. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks a day after armed US soldiers confiscated the vessel, identified as the Skipper. US Attorney General Pam Bondi argued that the tanker had been sanctioned by Washington for multiple years over its alleged "involvement in an illicit oil shipping network". Baghaei said, "Invoking US domestic laws and unlawful sanctions to justify such an action can in no way alter the illegal and criminal nature of the 'armed robbery at sea.'" He warned about the repercussions that such coercive behavior will have on international peace, security, and trade, underscoring the responsibility of all governments and international institutions to oppose such unlawful actions and hold the US accountable. "The United States' seizure and confiscation of commercial vessels belonging to other countries constitute a blatant disregard for international law and a gross violation of the principles governing the security and safety of international navigation," the spokesman added. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro slammed the US seizure of the oil tanker as an act of "naval piracy" that escalated tensions between Washington and Caracas. "They kidnapped the crew, stole the ship and have inaugurated a new era, the era of criminal naval piracy in the Caribbean," he said, noting that his country "will secure all ships to guarantee the free trade of its oil around the world." Additionally, the Venezuelan government said in a statement that the true reason behind the US threats against Venezuela has always been "our natural resources, our oil, our energy". Senior American lawmakers also denounced the US's seizure of the Venezuelan oil tanker. Democratic Senator Chris Coons said he was alarmed at the actions of US President Donald Trump, who is "sleepwalking us into a war with Venezuela." Trump has accused Venezuela of facilitating drug trafficking, and increased the US military posture in the Caribbean Sea. Meanwhile, US forces have conducted a wave of lethal strikes on suspected drug boats and killed more than 80 people since September. Caracas says the US is seeking a "regime change" in Venezuela with the ultimate goal of seizing the country's oil resources. Late on Thursday, the US imposed sanctions on three nephews of Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil supertankers and the shipping companies linked to them. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tehran to host regional meeting on developments in Afghanistan Iran Press TV Friday, 12 December 2025 6:56 AM The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman has announced that Tehran will host a regional meeting to discuss the latest developments in Afghanistan. Esmaeil Baghaei stated that the meeting will take place next week, with the participation of special representatives for Afghanistan from Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China and Russia. The initiative follows earlier, unsuccessful efforts by Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia to bridge the gap between Islamabad and Kabul. Baghaei noted results from discussions held by Iran with neighboring countries at various levels, and expressed hope the initiative could effectively strengthen convergence and reduce tensions. Baghaei added that Iran has been engaged in ongoing consultations with neighboring countries, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, with the aim of strengthening peace and stability in the region. "The Islamic Republic places fundamental importance on security and stability in our country's neighboring environment, and, in this context, it spares no effort to reduce tensions among regional countries and strengthen understanding between them," the spokesman told reporters. His remarks come as relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply deteriorated in recent months, amid escalating border tensions and mutual accusations of harboring militants. Kabul accused Islamabad of carrying out drone strikes on October 9 that killed several people in the Afghan capital, vowing retaliation in response. The following days saw heavy cross-border clashes that left dozens of soldiers, civilians, and militants dead on both sides before Qatar brokered a ceasefire in October. Afghan and Pakistani officials inked a temporary ceasefire deal in Doha on October 19, but the deal has since been followed by several rounds of fruitless negotiations hosted by Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia in an effort to secure a more lasting peace. The most recent talks held in Turkey ended without progress after Kabul reportedly refused to provide written assurances that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups would not use Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan. Pakistan has long faced deadly attacks from militant outfits, including the resurgent TTP. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on the escalation of the situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo 12 December 2025 17:38 2075-12-12-2025 Moscow is seriously concerned about the reports of another escalation of the situation in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Hundreds of thousands of residents of these lands remain hostages to the unending hostilities. The number of refugees and displaced persons is growing. Russia urges the parties involved in the crisis to return to a political settlement following the previously assumed commitments within the existing negotiation platforms. Moscow supports the efforts of the African community to find ways to resolve the crisis in the east of the DRC based on the principle of "African solutions to African problems". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ranking Member Shaheen, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Restore and Safeguard U.S. Support for UNFPA Senate Foreign Relations Committee December 12, 2025 WASHINGTON --Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Tim Kaine (D-VA), Peter Welch (D-VT), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Patty Murray (D-WA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced the Support UNFPA Funding Act, legislation to authorize U.S. contributions to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and reassert American leadership in supporting access to family planning globally, preventing maternal deaths and responding to gender-based violence. The legislation comes as the Trump Administration's 2025 halting of U.S. funding for UNFPA has already forced the closure of health centers, cut off lifesaving maternal and reproductive health care and left millions of women and girls in fragile and conflict-affected settings without essential services. UNFPA operates in more than 150 countries and is the only U.N. agency mandated to provide reproductive and maternal health care in humanitarian crises, ensuring women and families can access voluntary family planning, safe childbirth services and protection from gender-based violence. "U.S. investment in UNFPA saves lives, advances women's rights and directly supports global stability and security," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "When the United States abruptly halted funding, clinics closed, women lost access to basic health care and preventable maternal deaths increased, particularly in conflict zones and humanitarian emergencies. This bill restores a common-sense, bipartisan approach: supporting voluntary, rights-based family planning and maternal health while ensuring full compliance with U.S. law. Undermining proven programs like UNFPA weakens our global leadership and creates unnecessary instability that ultimately affects Americans too." "The Trump Administration's short-sighted and chaotic cutoff of funding for the United Nations Population Fund eliminated lifesaving care for millions of people and hurt our credibility with our partners," said Senator Kaine, Ranking Member of the Foreign Relations subcommittee responsible for human rights and global women's issues. "This legislation restores this funding and recognizes the critical role this aid has in saving lives, supporting women and girls, and advancing global security and stability - and by doing so, keeping Americans safe." "For over half a century, the U.N. Population Fund has been indispensable in providing reproductive health services for women and combating gender-based violence around the world. It is outrageous that because of President Trump, this organization was forced to cut back on lifesaving aidincluding work to support voluntary family planning and end pregnancy-related deaths," said Senator Welch. "Ensuring that UNFPA can deliver lifesaving assistance to women, children, and families in the world's poorest countries is vital to global health and security." "The United Nations Population Fund does critical work in advancing women's health and supporting American security interests around the world," said Senator Rosen. "I'm proud to help introduce this bipartisan bill that supports maternal health and family planning while reaffirming our commitment to advancing women's rights around the globe." "The Trump administration's decision to cut off all funding for UNFPAdespite Congress appropriating money for it on a bipartisan basishas forced women across the globe to lose access to essential care and led to preventable suffering and deaths among pregnant women and newborns. Senselessly cutting off investments like these weakens America's global leadership and increases the likelihood of conflict and instability, which in turn threatens our own security," said Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray. "Supporting access to family planning and preventing gender-based violence isn't just the right thing to do; it's also a smart investment." "U.S. investment in humanitarian assistance around the world not only saves countless lives, but it is also an essential part of our overall national security and foreign policy strategy. But President Trump has made it clear that he does not understand the benefits of U.S. investment in humanitarian aid, including his efforts to cut funding to UN organizations like UNFPA that support the health of women and girls around the world. This bill restores U.S. funding to UNFPA to ensure it has the resources it needs to carry out its critical humanitarian work," said Senator Van Hollen. "Since entering office, Donald Trump and his administration have slashed funding for UNFPA, leaving millions of women and girls around the world without access to essential maternal and health care services," said Senator Booker. "I'm pleased to cosponsor this legislation that will restore funding to these vital programs, reassert U.S. leadership in supporting the rights of women and girls worldwide, and ultimately save lives." "The lifesaving work of UNFPA is indispensable for women and families around the world," said Senator Gillibrand. "When the Trump administration halted funding, clinics closed, access to basic health care disappeared, and preventable maternal deaths increased. Restoring this support is a matter of protecting women's health, upholding human rights, and reaffirming American leadership. I'll keep fighting to continue investing in proven programs that save lives and strengthen global stability." "Recklessly cutting funding to UNFPA has left millions of women and girls without the care that they need, threatened thousands of otherwise healthy pregnancies, and limited our global power and influence," said Senator Cortez Masto. "This is a commonsense bill that I'm proud to support." "Funding UNFPA ensures women and their families have access to life-saving care when they are most in need: in the face of war and crisis," said Senator Merkley. "The Trump Administration's partisan, ideological funding cuts put the lives of hundreds of vulnerable women and children in danger and undermine our global leadership. I will keep fighting to protect women and children's rights and their access to health care both here and abroad." "Ensuring women and girls around the world have access to safe, voluntary reproductive and maternal health care isn't just good policy - it's a matter of life and death," said Senator Durbin. "UNFPA's work saves lives every day, especially in communities facing conflict, displacement, or public health emergencies. In 2024, UNFPA provided sexual and reproductive health services to 10 million people across almost 50 countries. We've seen what happens when the U.S. walks away: clinics close, care disappears, and preventable tragedies rise. By restoring our commitment to UNFPA, we reaffirm a simple principle I've long supported: that every woman, no matter where she lives, deserves the dignity of quality health care and the freedom to make her own choices." "Women and girls around the world often struggle to access even basic health care, especially during conflicts," said Senator Coons. "When they thrive, their communities are safer, stronger, and more prosperous, and their nations and the world - including the United States - benefit. Restoring funding to UNFPA is a first step to making that possible." "The Support UNFPA Funding Act is a vital step to restoring US funding for a UN agency that provides lifesaving sexual and reproductive health services to millions worldwide," said Kelly Baden, Vice President for Public Policy, Guttmacher Institute. "UNFPA's work prevents maternal deaths, expands access to contraception, and combats gender-based violence, including child marriage and female genital mutilation. In humanitarian crises, UNFPA's work is particularly essential to ensure women and families receive critical health care and supplies. The Trump Administration's defunding of UNFPA and almost all family planning aid endangers lives, particularly those of women and girls. Congress must counter these devastating moves by strengthening support for UNFPA. We thank Senator Shaheen for her leadership in championing this critical legislation." "Hadassah commends Senator Jeanne Shaheen for her leadership in support of the UNFPA Funding Act, which will ensure that women and girls around the world can access maternal health, contraception and gender-based violence resources and care," said Carol Ann Schwartz, National President, Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America. "These issues are paramount for Hadassah, as our founding mission was to address the dire healthcare needs, including those of new and expectant mothers, in pre-state Israel." "PAI applauds Senator Shaheen and the original Senate co-sponsors for their bold leadership in introducing the Support UNFPA Funding Act," said Nabeeha Kazi Hutchins, President and CEO, PAI. "UNFPA's mission reflects the world we are working toward every day at PAI one without preventable maternal deaths or gender-based violence, and where everyone can access the lifesaving family planning and reproductive health services they need. We are grateful to the senators for championing this bill and standing with UNFPA, just as UNFPA has long stood with millions of women and girls worldwide." "Everyone deserves access to quality health care, no matter who they are or where they live," said Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "Full stop. Yet ever since President Trump took office, he and his administration have attacked foreign aid programs, including funding for UNFPA, endangering the health and safety of millions of people across the globe. We thank Sen. Shaheen for introducing this legislation to support UNFPA and its critical work on reproductive and maternal health care around the world." "The Trump administration assault on global health programs and family planning efforts specifically has caused untold suffering and threatens to undo decades of progress in reducing poverty, improving maternal and child health, and promoting economic development," said Brian Dixon, Sr. VP for Government and Political Affairs, Population Connection Action Fund. "United States support for UNFPA has played a crucial role in bringing essential and often life-saving reproductive health and family planning services to hundreds of millions of people around the world. It has helped provide educational and economic opportunities to girls and women and remains essential to building a more secure, more stable and healthier world for everyone. That's why this bill is so important. We're looking forward to working with Senator Shaheen to pass it and to begin to reverse the devastating actions of the administration to eliminate all assistance to UNFPA and to put safe, effective contraceptives out of reach for millions." "UNFPA provides essential sexual and reproductive health care for people around the world, including in humanitarian crises, where it is often the first - and sometimes the only - responder to the unique needs of women, girls and young people," said Dilly Severin, Executive Director, Universal Access Project. "Congress now has an opportunity to stand up for American values and our country's commitment to the promise of 'health for all' under the Sustainable Development Goals by restoring critical funding to UNFPA." "Thousands of Americans across all 50 states, including New Hampshire, where Sen. Shaheen serves, have voiced their support for UNFPA's lifesaving work," said Anu Surendran, CEO, USA for UNFPA. "Their voices reflect our values, compassion, and unwavering commitment to ensuring that millions of women and girls receive the care they need and deserve." "UNFPA has played an irreplaceable role in protecting the health and welfare of women and girls all over the world - especially those displaced by conflict and emergencies, such as in Sudan, Ukraine, and Gaza," said Melanie Nezer, Vice President, Advocacy and External Relations, Women's Refugee Commission. "In every conflict and emergency where the Women's Refugee Commission has engaged in research, we've seen that refugees and other displaced women and girls face unique and particularly difficult challenges to accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare. Today, UNFPA's critical work is under constant threat of funding cuts and restrictions and limitations that make this work more difficult, even as more women and girls experience otherwise preventable gender-based violence, health complications, and maternal deaths. Congress must take action now to restore and protect funding to UNFPA." Specifically, the Support UNFPA Funding Act would: Recognize the importance of the work of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), including its unique mandate to provide reproductive and maternal care in humanitarian crises by delivering voluntary family planning, maternal health services, midwife training and interventions to end child marriage and female genital mutilation; Highlight that in 2024, UNFPA provided sexual and reproductive health services to 10 million people across 49 countries and reached 3.6 million people with gender-based violence prevention, mitigation and response services; Establish as U.S. policy that financial support for UNFPA aligns with U.S. interests; Reaffirm congressional findings that UNFPA does not support or participate in coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization and complies fully with U.S. legal restrictions; Create a standing authorization for UNFPA to receive U.S. funding, except with respect to programs in China; and Authorize appropriations of $74 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support UNFPA's core programs and humanitarian operations. This legislation is endorsed by Advocates for Youth, American Jewish World Service, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Amnesty International USA, AVAC, Catholics for Choice, Center for Biological Diversity, Center for Reproductive Rights, Global Health Council, Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation (GWPF), Guttmacher Institute, Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Ibis Reproductive Health, International Center for Research on Women, Ipas, National Health Law Program, Oxfam America, PAI, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Population Connection Action Fund, Population Council, Population Institute, Reframe Health and Justice, Reproductive Freedom for All, United Nations Association of the National Capital Area, United Nations Association of the USA, Universal Access Project, U.S. Women's Caucus, USA for UNFPA, The Well Project, Women Graduates USA and the Women's Refugee Commission. Full text of the bill can be found HERE. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ICC With Dutch Support Preparing Measures in Case of New US Sanctions Sputnik News 20251212 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The International Criminal Court (ICC), with the support of the Dutch government, is developing measures in case of new US sanctions, Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel said on Friday. On Wednesday, media reported that the US administration, threatening sanctions, was demanding that the ICC include a clause in the Rome Statute stating that the court would not investigate US President Donald Trump and his high-ranking subordinates. Van Weel confirmed that Washington was preparing new sanctions against the court, adding that if sanctions are imposed, the ICC and the Netherlands will explore how to manage these restrictions. "Naturally, we, along with all member states, call on them not to do this," the minister said, as quoted by media. Among the main priorities is transferring services used by the court to non-American companies. If the Trump administration imposes sanctions on the entire court, this would mean that US companies would be prohibited from doing business with the ICC, the report added. "People will no longer be able to use banking services or email. Everywhere where US services are currently used, we will have to look for alternatives," van Weel stated. ICC Judge Kimberly Prost also said that the court should become more independent of US software developers and is now seeking alternatives that will not compromise its operations. However, according to van Weel, this will be challenging, as there are no truly European cloud services or large technology companies in Europe, so "there is a lot of work ahead." In February, Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the ICC for actions against Washington and its allies, including Israel. Some of these measures include blocking property and assets, and banning ICC members and their families from entering the US. The ICC condemned the US's decision, stating that it would continue to ensure justice worldwide. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The construction site of Long Thanh airport in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam, in December 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran The Vietnamese government has issued a directive to accelerate the development of Long Thanh International Airport, aiming to establish it as the most attractive and competitive aviation destination in Southeast Asia, with the ultimate goal of surpassing current regional leaders. According to conclusions announced by the Government Office on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized that Long Thanh must be positioned not merely as a large-scale infrastructure project, but as an internationally competitive hub. To realize this vision, the Ministry of Construction has been tasked with instructing the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) and Vietnam Airlines to develop a rigorous criteria framework. This framework will strictly prioritize service quality, operational efficiency, connectivity, and transit capability to ensure Long Thanh's attractiveness within the regional flight network. The government is moving quickly to prepare for additional investments, specifically directing officials to plan for a second runway and a second passenger terminal. Efforts are focused on leveraging existing machinery and resources to swiftly increase the airport's annual capacity to 50 million passengers and 1.5 million tons of cargo. These significant capacity expansion tasks are expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year. To attract international carriers and make Long Thanh a preferred destination in global flight networks, regulators have also called for competitive policies. These policies must address fees, charges, ground services, maintenance, cargo transit, and promotional activities. General Secretary To Lam emphasized this necessity during a site inspection on Nov. 13, calling for early adoption of policies to position Long Thanh as a priority destination. The airport's development is being advanced alongside a comprehensive plan for supporting transport infrastructure. Regulators mandate the simultaneous acceleration of the Bien HoaVung Tau Expressway, the Ben LucLong Thanh Expressway, and Ho Chi Minh Citys Ring Roads 3 and 4. Ho Chi Minh City has also been assigned to speed up investment preparations for the Thu Thiem, Long Thanh light rail line and the Suoi TienDong Nai Administrative Center, Long Thanh Airport metro line. Both key urban connections are targeted to begin construction in 2026. Beyond transport, Long Thanh is planned to develop a complete aviation services ecosystem designed to gradually form an "airport city." This new regional services and transit hub for Southeast Asia will integrate accommodations, hotels, conference facilities, commercial services, healthcare, training, maintenance, logistics, bonded zones, and financial services. Long Thanh Airport's Phase 1, which has a designed capacity of 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo annually, broke ground in January 2021. Many key components have now been completed, with flight inspection and calibration conducted from late September to late October. The airport is expected to begin technical operations next week and full commercial operations in mid-2026. Venezuelan Parliament Votes to Repeal Law Endorsing ICC's Rome Statute Sputnik News 20251212 BUENOS AIRES (Sputnik) - The Venezuelan parliament said it voted to repeal the law endorsing the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). "The National Assembly of Venezuela has approved the repeal of the law endorsing the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court," the parliament said on Telegram on Thursday. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez noted that the decision was made to "announce to the world the futility of an institution that should serve to protect the people, but instead serves only the goals of American imperialism." The jurisdiction of the ICC is not recognized by countries with more than half of the world's population. In addition to Russia, the list includes the US, China, India, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia. The Rome Statute has been signed by 137 states, yet only 124 countries have ratified the document. In recent years, the ICC has issued arrest warrants for several world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These decisions have been criticized. Some states, such as Hungary, decided to withdraw from the ICC, while US President Donald Trump signed the executive order on sanctions against the ICC for its actions against Washington and its allies, including Israel. The order states that the US will take significant measures against those "responsible for the ICC's transgressions." Some of the measures include the blocking of property and assets, as well as the suspension of entry into the US for ICC staff and their family members. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Interim Gaza Government Should Link Back to Palestinian Authority - PA Deputy Minister Sputnik News 20251212 GAZA (Sputnik) - A technocratic interim government for administering the Gaza Strip should be directly linked to the cabinet of the Palestinian Authority (PA), and the issue is being actively discussed among mediators involved in the Israeli-Palestinian settlement, Palestinian Deputy Foreign Minister Omar Awadallah told Sputnik. "It is now important to form a committee of technocrats to govern Gaza. It would be directly connected to the Palestinian government through an appointed minister. We proceed from the principle of 'unity of territory, people, and governance.' This matter is currently being discussed with Arab leaders and mediation partners, including the United States," he said. The leading option under consideration is the full return of the PA not only to Gaza, but also to the other Israeli-occupied areas of the West Bank, in line with the reconstruction plan proposed by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the deputy minister said. "There are also proposals to form an interim government made up of PA employees who remained in Gaza and continued working in civilian infrastructure," he added. A transition to Gaza's postwar governance, however, requires agreement from all sides in the conflict, including both Palestinian movement Hamas and Israel, Awadallah said, adding that Hamas has already expressed its consent to both US President Donald Trump's peace plan and to transferring authority over the governing committee to the PA. "Anyone wishing to move to the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza under President Trump's plan must accept the terms for forming this committee," he said. Israeli authorities maintain that the complete demilitarization of Hamas and the Gaza Strip, as well as the prevention of a Palestinian state, are fundamental conditions in talks over Gaza's future and the outlook for the region as a whole. On October 10, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas went into effect. On October 13, Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a declaration on the Gaza ceasefire. On November 17, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution supporting Trump's comprehensive plan for resolving the conflict in the Gaza Strip. Thirteen of the 15 council members voted in favor of the resolution, while two members - Russia and China - abstained from voting. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement on Haiti Force Generation Conference US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson December 12, 2025 The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Canada on behalf of the Standing Group of Partners on December 12. Begin Text The United States and Canada welcome the commitments and participation at the December 9 Haiti Force Generation Conference for the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), convened on behalf of the Standing Group of Partners. The shared determination of partner countries and organizations reflects a commitment to assist Haitians in addressing ongoing security challenges affecting the stability of the country and the region. Haiti's transitional government is taking significant measures to re-establish a democratic process, such as adopting an electoral decree to allow Haitians to choose their leaders for the first time in almost a decade. The conference deliberations sought to reinforce this trajectory by convening partners to coordinate, support, and strengthen security conditions on the ground. With 18 entities pledging personnel, resources, and technical support, their commitments underscore the breadth of international engagement behind this mission. This burden-sharing approach ensures the GSF mission will bring the tools required to meet the mandate. We will continue to work with our international partners to ensure that proper training, tools, and compliance mechanisms are in place to support personnel-contributing countries in their commitment to improving the security of Haitians. The United States and Canada also thank the countries that provided personnel to the GSF predecessor, the Multinational Security Support Mission, and remain committed to working alongside Haiti with the GSF to advance stability, protect civilians, and support the Haitian people's aspirations for a safer, more prosperous future. End Text NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK sanctions commanders responsible for Sudan atrocities and pledges additional humanitarian support as Cooper says atrocities must not go unpunished Press release The UK has sanctioned individuals suspected of atrocities including mass killings, sexual violence, and deliberate attacks on civilians in El Fasher, Sudan. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP Published 12 December 2025 UK sanctions senior Rapid Support Forces commanders suspected of atrocities including mass killings, sexual violence, and deliberate attacks on civilians in El Fasher, Sudan. The UK calls for an immediate end to atrocities, the protection of civilians, and the removal of barriers to humanitarian access by all parties to the conflict. The UK is stepping up its response to the crisis in Sudan with an additional 21 million to provide food, shelter, health services, and protection for women and children in some of the hardest-to-reach areas. The UK has today (12 December) sanctioned senior commanders of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) suspected of heinous violence in El Fasher, Sudan, including mass killings, systematic sexual violence and deliberate attacks on civilians. Those targeted include Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF Deputy Leader and brother of RSF leader General Hemedti, as well as three other commanders that are suspected of involvement in these crimes - who all now face asset freezes and travel bans. The RSF's actions in El Fasher are not random: they are part of a deliberate strategy to terrorise populations and seize control through fear and violence. The impact of their actions is visible from space. Satellite images of El Fasher show blood-stained sand, clusters of bodies, and evidence of mass graves where victims have been burned and buried. There needs to be accountability for these actions, and urgent steps taken to avoid this happening again. UK sanctioning of senior RSF commanders suspected of mass killings and sexual violence in El Fasher sends a clear message that those who commit atrocities will be held to account. This reflects the UK's determination to prevent further atrocities. The UK is also committing a further 21 million package of urgent support to communities on the brink, providing food, clean water, health care, and protection for women and children in areas hardest hit by violence. This lifeline will empower aid organisations to reach 150,000 people with essentials like food, medical care, and emergency shelter, as well as to keep hospitals running and reconnect families torn apart by conflict. UK aid commitments to Sudan this year rises to 146 million, underscoring the unwavering commitment to stand with the Sudanese people and meet humanitarian needs. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "The atrocities taking place in Sudan are so horrific they scar the conscience of the world. The overwhelming evidence of heinous crimes - mass executions, starvation, and the systematic and calculated use of rape as a weapon of war - cannot and will not go unpunished. "Today's sanctions against RSF commanders strike directly at those with blood on their hands, while our strengthened aid package will deliver lifesaving support to those suffering. "The UK will not look away, and we will always stand with the people of Sudan." The UK is pressing all parties to end the war and protect civilians and has repeatedly condemned the violence perpetrated by the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Last month, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a UK-led resolution condemning the atrocities and securing international consensus to mandate an urgent inquiry into atrocities in El Fasher. Our commitment goes beyond diplomacy: the UK provides technical support to international justice and accountability mechanisms, and this year we also invested 1.5 million in the Sudan Witness Project to monitor, verify and document human rights violations including attacks on civilians. We are exploring the possibility of further sanctions as part of our efforts to end impunity and demonstrate that those who commit atrocities are held to account. The UK is accelerating its response to Sudan's deepening crisis - acting decisively to save lives. The humanitarian situation in Sudan is the worst in the world, with 30 million people in desperate need of assistance. A further 12 million people have been driven from their homes. Famine and preventable diseases are rampant. Nearly 5 million Sudanese refugees have fled the country to the region. Some are at risk of falling prey to traffickers and smuggling gangs. The UK is providing support to refugees in the region to help discourage perilous onward journeys. We call on all parties to the conflict to allow unhindered passage for humanitarian workers, supplies, and trapped civilians. Background The Sanctioned Individuals are: Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo - Deputy Leader of the RSF, and brother of RSF leader, General Hemedti. There are reasonable grounds to suspect he is or has been implicated in mass killings of civilians, ethnically targeted executions, systematic sexual violence including gang rape, abductions for ransom, arbitrary detentions, and attacks on health facilities and humanitarian workers. Gedo Hamdan Ahmed - RSF Commander for the North Darfur. There are reasonable grounds to suspect he is or has been involved in mass killings, sexual violence, abductions, and attacks on medical and humanitarian personnel. Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris - Brigadier General of the RSF. There are reasonable grounds to suspect he is or has been responsible for violence against individuals based on ethnicity and religion, and the deliberate targeting of civilians. Tijani Ibrahim Moussa Mohamed - RSF Field Commander. There are reasonable grounds to suspect he is or has been responsible for deliberate targeting of civilians in El Fasher. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address This resolution mandates a strong package of measures to degrade Al-Shabaab: UK Explanation of Vote at the UN Security Council Speech Explanation of Vote by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Charge d'Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Somalia. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and James Kariuki CMG Published 12 December 2025 Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 12 December 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) The United Kingdom welcomes the unanimous adoption of this resolution. We thank all Council members for their constructive approach to negotiations, which enabled us to arrive at this consensus outcome. The resolution we have adopted today mandates a strong package of measures to degrade Al-Shabaab, including constraining its access to arms, disrupting its finances, and supporting Somalia to enhance its capabilities. This resolution also sets out a responsible pathway towards appropriate changes to the arms embargo in the future, ensuring the regime can continue evolving to effectively counter the threat from Al-Shabaab. And this resolution recognises the continuing threat posed by terrorist groups intent on undermining the security and prosperity of Somalia and the region. We welcome the ongoing campaign against the Islamic State in Somalia, and urge Council members to work closer together on efforts to degrade them. We also remain concerned about links between Al-Shabaab and the Houthis in Yemen, which represent a significant threat to the stability of Somalia and the region. We encourage the 2713 and 2140 sanctions committees to coordinate closely on monitoring and countering this threat. We now turn our attention to the AUSSOM mandate, where we look forward to maintaining our close collaboration with Somalia and all other Council members as we work to continue driving forward the security transition in Somalia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We condemn the recent M23 offensive and takeover of Uvira in eastern DRC: UK statement at the UN Security Council Speech Statement by Jennifer MacNaughtan, UK Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Jennifer MacNaughtan, UK Minister Counsellor Published 12 December 2025 Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 12 December 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) I will make three points: First, the United Kingdom welcomes the signing last week of the Washington Accords and the signing of the Framework Agreement in Doha last month. We commend the leadership of the United States, Qatar and of the African Union in driving these efforts. We call on the parties to implement the agreements and to honour their commitments in full. Second, we are deeply concerned that, despite progress on the political tracks, violence has increased in South Kivu. We condemn the recent M23 offensive and takeover of Uvira, with the support of the Rwandan Defence Forces. The UK urges an immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties to fully comply with Security Council resolution 2773. There can be no military solution to this conflict. This escalation in fighting has worsened an already dire humanitarian situation, which will only further deteriorate as refugees flee across the border into Burundi following M23's latest offensives. We are greatly concerned by continued reports of human rights violations and abuses, including conflict-related sexual violence - on which we have heard tragic testimony from Medecins Sans Frontieres today - perpetrated by the parties to the conflict and, in particular, by M23 and Wazalendo. The United Kingdom calls on the parties to fully comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, including ensuring the protection of civilians. Third, the United Kingdom reiterates our full support for MONUSCO. The mission continues to play a vital role, especially in supporting the protection of civilians. We also express our support for a MONUSCO role in ceasefire monitoring, to embed the progress towards peace and security made through the political process. It is critical that MONUSCO is able to deliver its mandate without hindrance. We again call for M23 to lift all obstructions to the mission's operations. We urge all parties to ensure MONUSCO's freedom of movement, in compliance with the decisions of this Council. The UK calls on all parties to now seize the opportunity to deliver the peace, prosperity and security that the people of eastern DRC so deserve. 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 12 December 2025 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General. ** Guest Good afternoon. Happy Friday, everyone. We are going to switch the order around, because our guest has to be on the move in a little while. So, we are going to start with our guest, Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization's (WHO) Representative for the West Bank and Gaza. He will be joining us from Gaza to brief on the health situation there. And this will be his last press conference before he retires at the end of this month. So, from all of us, let me say first off that, Rik, we are going to miss you, and we really appreciated all that you have done, particularly over these last few extremely difficult years. Thanks for everything, and please, the floor is yours. [briefing not transcribed] ** Sudan I will start with the Friday briefing, and since it's Friday, there is a lot of notes, so bear with me. First off, I have a statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Sudan. The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by reports that at least 30 civilians were killed, with many others injured, in a drone strike on the town of Katila in South Darfur State on 8 December. The attack reportedly took place roughly 150 kilometres south-west of the state capital, Nyala. It comes as the toll of escalating violence on civilians across the Darfur and Kordofan regions particularly through increasing drone strikes continues to grow rapidly. Further civilian casualties were reported in another strike on the town of Kutum, in North Darfur State, on the same day. The Secretary-General condemns all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. He demands that all parties abide by their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, across all areas of active conflict in Sudan. With the 1,000-day mark of this devastating conflict approaching, the Secretary-General reiterates his call on all States with influence over the parties to take immediate action and use their leverage to compel an immediate halt to the fighting and stop the arms flows that are fuelling the conflict. He also calls on the parties to agree on an immediate cessation of hostilities and to resume talks to reach a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process. The United Nations stands ready to support genuine steps to end the fighting in Sudan and chart a path towards a durable peace. ** Paris Agreement on Climate Today marks the tenth anniversary of the Paris agreement. In a social media post, the Secretary-General said a decade ago, the world found the courage to adopt the Paris Agreement, a pillar of hope for humanity. Today, he added, we must find courage once again. The Secretary-General called for 2026 to kickstart a new decade of implementation. The climate crisis is one of the defining challenges of our time, he said. Together, we can and we must build a liveable future for all. ** Ethiopia and Eritrea And today marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Algiers Agreement, a landmark peace treaty that formally ended the border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia and established a crucial framework for peaceful relations between the two nations. In a statement we issued this morning, the Secretary-General reiterated the steadfast support of the United Nations for the Algiers Agreement. At a time of renewed tensions, the Secretary-General urges Eritrea and Ethiopia to recommit to the vision of lasting peace and the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity embodied in the Algiers Agreement and strengthen efforts to build good-neighbourly relations. He calls upon both countries to continue working with regional and international partners to advance development cooperation for the benefit of all. ** Secretary-General's Travels The Secretary-General concluded his meetings in Saudi Arabia today and will travel to Iraq tomorrow, where he is expected to meet officials in Baghdad, including President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani and Foreign Minister Fuad Mohammad Hussein. The Secretary-General will underscore Iraq's progress and acknowledge the resilience of Iraq's citizens, who rebuilt their country after decades of conflict, terrorism and hardship. As UNAMI's mandate comes to an end this month, the Secretary-General will pay tribute to the women and men of UNAMI (United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq) who walked side by side with the Iraqi people for 22 years, and he will honour the victims of the 2003 terrorist attack on the UN headquarters at the Canal Hotel, which killed 22 of our colleagues and injured more than 100 others. He will reaffirm the UN's commitment to supporting Iraq's institutions, development and long-term stability. The Secretary-General will then return to Saudi Arabia, where on Sunday he will participate in the 11th UN Alliance of Civilizations Global Forum. We will share with you all his speeches and remarks in Baghdad and Riyadh. ** Myanmar Yesterday, we briefed you on the recent air strikes on a hospital in Rakhine State and the grave and deteriorating situation facing civilians in Myanmar. The Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate end to the violence inflicted on the population since the 2021 military takeover. The continued use of force threatens not only the people of Myanmar but also the wider stability of the region, driving displacement, weakening the rule of law and fuelling cross-border trafficking and other illicit activities. He again calls on the military to halt its operations causing harm to civilians and to meet its obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law, including the obligation to protect civilians. You will recall that the Secretary-General has also been clear on the political situation, including the planned elections later this month. He has repeatedly expressed concern regarding the military's stated intention to hold elections amid intensifying violence and human rights violations, and without conditions that permit the people of Myanmar to freely and peacefully exercise their political rights. The Secretary-General continues to urge all stakeholders to engage in an inclusive political process that reflects the will of the people and to support the efforts of his Special Envoy, Julie Bishop, in the search of a Myanmar-led resolution to the crisis. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory Turning to Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) tells us that heavy rain continued overnight across the Strip, flooding more tents and causing damaged buildings to collapse in Jabalya and Gaza City. Several casualties were reported, including among children. Our humanitarian partners warn that bad weather conditions and flooding are increasing the risk of disease outbreaks, including water-borne illnesses, as drainage systems overflow and water sources become contaminated. They stress that to enable urgently needed work to collect and safely dispose of waste, the immediate and sustained entry into Gaza of spare parts and access to essential machinery must be facilitated. As temperatures drop, families are struggling to keep their children warm at night, as they lack access to gas and electricity. They are also exhausted as they continue to seek out safer shelter on higher ground. Our partners are distributing winter clothing, tarpaulins and tents to affected families. However, they estimate that some 1.3 million people still need urgent shelter assistance across Gaza. For instance, they note that since the ceasefire just over two months ago, fewer than 50,000 tents for about 270,000 people have entered Gaza. This includes both UN-coordinated and bilateral aid. As we've mentioned, thousands of pallets of shelter materials have been rejected by the Israeli authorities, and many NGOs (non-governmental organizations) have been blocked from bringing in relief. Our partners leading on shelter estimate that more than 140,000 people were affected by earlier rains that flooded more than 200 displacement sites. They continue to help families access critical services and improve drainage as hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians remain at heightened risk of flooding. Families staying along the coast were displaced and are staying with relatives. Many other families sought temporary accommodation in already crowded emergency shelters. As tents and some classrooms were inundated, teams are removing water from flooded yards, clearing manholes and repairing damaged tents inside school compounds. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said it has shelter supplies for up to 1.3 million people outside Gaza, but the Agency has been barred from bringing that aid into Gaza, which is hindering humanitarian efforts. OCHA stresses, once again, that restrictions on the entry of aid must be lifted, including the ban on UNRWA and the denial of NGO operations. Turning to the West Bank, OCHA reports that since the beginning of the year, more than 1,000 people have been displaced in Area C, which constitutes some 60 per cent of the West Bank and where just like in East Jerusalem the Israeli authorities retain near exclusive control, including over law enforcement, planning and construction. Most of the people displaced had their homes demolished by Israeli authorities for lacking Israeli-issued building permits, which are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain. This level of displacement is the second highest annual record since 2009. OCHA also continues to document high levels of Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians, with devastating humanitarian impacts. Since the start of the year and as of today, an average of five such attacks has been recorded each day. We call for the protection of Palestinians across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem including by halting punitive and other unlawful demolitions and preventing attacks by settlers. ** Lebanon and Israel A quick update from our peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. Peacekeepers from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that yesterday, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) personnel pointed a green laser toward them in Sector East. A similar incident of laser pointing by the Israel Defense Forces took place the day before in Sector West. Any interference in the Mission's operations or intimidation of the peacekeepers must end immediately. Meanwhile, Israel Defense Forces military presence and activities in UNIFIL's area of operations continue. Yesterday, peacekeepers reported several air violations and machine gun fire from south of the Blue Line at Kafer Chouba and Markaba in Sector East. UNIFIL peacekeepers have continued to find unauthorized weapons caches and unexploded ordnance. On Wednesday, peacekeepers found rockets, mortar shells, fuses and a tunnel in Sector West. Separately, a UNIFIL and Lebanese Armed Forces combined patrol discovered inactive rocket launcher tubes, active rockets, and a 20-metres-deep tunnel in Sector West. As per standard practice, these discoveries were referred to the Lebanese Armed Forces. ** Security Council This morning, the head of our Peace Operations department, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, briefed [Security] Council Members on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He told Council members that the recent developments pose a serious risk of progressive fragmentation of the DRC. The territorial expansion of the AFC/M23, the establishment of parallel Administrations, and the weakening of the State's presence in certain areas are fuelling a dynamic that directly threatens the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. At the same time, Mr. Lacroix added, the conflict is becoming increasingly regionalized. The direct or indirect involvement of armed forces and groups from neighbouring countries, as well as the cross-border movements of displaced populations and combatants, are significantly increasing the risk of a regional conflagration. This threatens not only the stability of eastern DRC, but also the entire Great Lakes region. Mr. Lacroix said that the growing gap between political commitments and their effective implementation on the ground undermines the credibility of the peace process, weakens trust between the parties and fuels the sense of abandonment felt by the civilian population. Without concrete and immediate measures to enforce the agreements reached, the dynamics of conflict risk closing the door to dialogue. His full remarks have been shared with you. ** Great Lakes Region And in a statement issued this morning, Huang Xia, the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa, also reiterated our readiness to support international and regional diplomatic efforts towards a comprehensive political solution. He said he has begun a regional tour to hold in-depth consultations on ways and means to de-escalate tensions, adding that in the past 48 hours, he has been in touch with several foreign ministers from the region. ** Central African Republic Meanwhile, in the Central African Republic, disarmament and demobilization operations for combatants continue in the context of the peace process. This week in Sikikede and in Sam-Ouandja both in the country's north-east the national disarmament body launched new disarmament and demobilization operations, with our peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic, MINUSCA, providing logistical, technical and security support. These operations directly benefit civilians; communities feel reassured every weapon removed from circulation is one less risk for communities. Since 10 July, more than 1,000 combatants have been disarmed and demobilized. ** Ukraine Turning to Ukraine, our colleagues from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs report that as temperatures drop to zero, intense hostilitiesin front-line areas and attacks in other regions continue to cause widespread destruction to civilian infrastructure, including critical energy facilities. Overnight attacks on energy infrastructure in the Odesa region damaged two power substations, leaving part of Odesa City and surrounding areas without electricity and affecting at least 90,000 families. Hospitals, schools and other municipal facilities are now running on backup generators. The city's water supply and heating were also disrupted. According to the latest report from the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, betweenOctober and November, at least eight waves of large-scale missile and drone attacks severely affected the country's energy system. The strikes caused emergency power outages and daily electricity cuts in multiple regions, with scheduled power cuts lasting up to 18 hours each day. Some areas experienced disruptions to water services and heating that lasted for many hours or even days. Meanwhile in Kherson City, humanitarian organizations on the ground warn that following last week's attacks on the Central Heating Power Plant, the situation is critical, with about 40 per cent of the population cut off from heating. Local authorities have issued an urgent appeal for 120,000 heaters to help residents cope with the cold. OCHA is working with the UN Refugee Agency and other partners to coordinate emergency support. ** Elections And I wanted to flag that the organizations endorsing the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation have concluded their 20th Anniversary Implementation Meeting today in Geneva. Since its adoption, the number of organizations endorsing the document has grown from 21 to 54 with endorsing organizations in every region of the world. During today's event, the endorsing organizations reaffirmed their commitment to the Declaration's principles, including impartiality, professionalism, cooperation with national authorities and the protection of human rights. They also highlighted new tools and methodologies to strengthen international observation missions and support genuine democratic processes worldwide. More information has been shared with you. ** International Days Today is the International Day of Neutrality. Neutrality supports dialogue, preventive diplomacy, and the peaceful settlement of disputes all core to the UN's work. Neutral States play a vital role in strengthening international peace and friendly relations among nations. Today is also International Universal Health Coverage Day, underscoring the need for strong, resilient health systems and universal access to care. On Sunday, we mark the International Day against Colonialism in All Its Forms and Manifestations. Colonialism in its various forms continues to exist, undermining the principles of the UN Charter and hindering development. Ending colonialism remains a core UN priority. ** Guest on Monday On Monday, my guest will be Denise Brown, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan. She will be joining us virtually from Kadugli to brief on the humanitarian situation in Sudan. ** Questions and Answers Deputy Spokesman : Any questions? Yes. Question : Thanks, Farhan. As you know, the Security Council received a briefing on Congo and MONUSCO's mandate is up for renewal. I'm wondering, given the recent peace talks followed by violence, followed by the limitations of the peacekeepers there due to funding cuts, what the Secretary-General's position is on MONUSCO's mandate going forward and how the current situation there informs what is needed? Deputy Spokesman : Well, the Secretary-General has regularly reported to the Security Council on MONUSCO's mandate, and he's pointed to how the situation on the ground shows the clear need for the UN Mission's continued activities. We certainly hope that the Security Council will continue to support MONUSCO. Certainly, the sort of fighting we've seen in South Kivu, which, as you all know, is a place where the UN Mission is no longer even present, shows how dangerous it is for Congolese civilians when there is no UN presence to ensure their protection. And certainly, we trust that the Security Council will take seriously today's briefing from Mr. Lacroix and will continue to support the work that the UN Mission is doing. Yes, Pan? Question : Thank you, Farhan. This year marks the international year of peace and trust, and high-level forum was held in Turk... [pause] Deputy Spokesman : Turkmenistan? Question : Turkmenistan, yes. So, does the SG has any message for the forum? Deputy Spokesman : I think we certainly are just supportive of all efforts to uphold the cause of peace, and meetings among Member States to that end are helpful. Question : A follow-up. The Chinese President, Xi [Jinping] sent a congratulatory letter to the forum, in which the President emphasized the importance of mutual trust, mutual understanding and mutual respect and what is China's readiness to work with other countries to uphold world peace and security. Does the SG have any comments on the letter? Thank you. Deputy Spokesman : Nothing, beyond our support across the board for efforts among nations to reinforce mutual trust with each other. Mouna has a question online? Question : Yes. Can you hear me? Deputy Spokesman : Yes. Question : Thank you, Mr. Haq. We didn't get a chance to ask Dr. Peeperkorn some questions during the previous briefing, so I'm following up with you, if that's okay? We'd really appreciate any updated figures on the number of amputations among children in Gaza and current access to rehabilitation, prosthetics or orthopaedic care, and reconstructive procedures, both physical and psychological support. And based on these findings, what do you see as the most urgent interventions right now for people affected by amputations and the solutions that are being prioritized to respond to the impact of the recent floods that you just mentioned? Deputy Spokesman : Well, as Mr. Peeperkorn just said in his briefing, one of the things is for people who need advanced medical care to get it, including to have medical evacuation. So, people who need to have specialized care for amputations or for prosthetics should be able to receive that. And certainly, the other thing that's needed is that different equipment, including prosthetic limbs, need to be available inside Gaza. And so, the sort of restrictions that we've faced, including those on potential dual-use items, need to be lifted for things that amputees desperately need. Regarding the numbers, we've provided those sporadically, but you can also look at those on the website of the World Health Organization. Dezhi? Correspondent : Thank you. Question : Today, the GA adopted a resolution calling for Israel to cooperate with UN agencies, as well as third States, in the topic of Palestine. The Israeli Ambassador, [Danny] Danon, today said that they're not going to cooperate with UNRWA. This resolution wouldn't change what their position is. So first, I guess, what is the response from the Secretary-General on the adoption of this very long name resolution? I'm not going to read out the name. Deputy Spokesman : I appreciate that. Question : Thank you. And secondly, what's his response to the Israeli Ambassador? Deputy Spokesman : Certainly, the Secretary-General is heartened by the tremendous amount of support that the Member States, including through the General Assembly, have shown for the work of UNRWA. And regarding cooperation with UNRWA, of course, it's critical that all States, including Israel, cooperate and work with UNRWA, as I said at the start of this briefing. And as you're aware, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has also called for that in their recent ruling. Question : Second question. This happened during our briefing. US President [Donald] Trump posted something on Truth Social, said he had a good conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, as well as Prime Minister of Cambodia. Quote, "They have agreed to cease all shooting, effective this evening, and go back to the original peace accord made with me and them with the help of the Prime Minister of Malaysia." Any response to the latest development? Deputy Spokesman : We'll have to see, of course, if Thailand and Cambodia cease the current spate of conflict that we've seen in the last few days. Obviously, if that happens, that would be a tremendously welcome development. Question : Should the UN show gratitude to President Trump? Deputy Spokesman : We've expressed our gratitude for the efforts to bring Thailand and Cambodia back towards good-neighbourly relations. And certainly, we'll see whether this latest initiative works. Certainly, it would be a very welcome step forward. Have a great weekend, everyone. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deep concerns for Palestinians amid intense Israeli raids in occupied West Bank 12 December 2025 - The UN human rights office, OHCHR, has expressed alarm at reports of a so-called "settler road" being built in the occupied West Bank. Around 100 hectares of Palestinian land have been reportedly confiscated to make way for the new route. This would mark another step towards the progressive fragmentation of the West Bank, warned the head of the OHCHR's Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ajith Sunghay. "We are alarmed to hear that Israel has actually started building a new barrier and a road in the heart of the Jordan Valley," he said on Friday. "This is the most fertile land in the West Bank and the road is likely going to separate Palestinian communities from each other and the Palestinian farmers in Tubas from...land they own on the other side of the planned barrier." Mr. Sunghay maintained that the move would consolidate Israel's annexation of the West Bank and remove all sources of livelihood for Palestinians. He also noted that Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur shams camps have been emptied and that after almost one year, residents have not been allowed to return. This raises concerns about forcible transfer which is prohibited under international law, the UN rights official said, before expressing concern about warnings issued to continue bulldozing Palestinian camps. General Assembly boost for UNRWA The General Assembly on Friday gave "a strong endorsement" to a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that claims about the UN agency serving Palestine refugees (UNRWA) being infiltrated by Hamas militants in Gaza, lack substance. That's according to UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, who tweeted that the resolution backed by 139 States also pushed back on allegations that the main aid provider in the Gaza Strip was not a neutral organization. "This vote is an important sign of support for UNRWA from the overwhelming majority of the international community. As the ICJ has stressed, UNRWA is the key humanitarian actor in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and everything must be done to facilitate our work, not hinder or prevent it." Nineteen nations abstained with 12 voting against. The United States, Argentina, Bolivia and Hungary were among those joining Israel in opposition. Deputy UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters at the daily briefing that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "heartened by the tremendous amount of support" for UNRWA from Member States. Winter storms deepen humanitarian crisis Heavy rains across the Gaza Strip have flooded more displacement sites, collapsed damaged buildings in Jabalya and Gaza City, and caused further casualties, including children. Humanitarian agencies warn that overflowing drainage systems and contaminated water sources are heightening the risk of outbreaks of waterborne disease. "The immediate and sustained entry of spare parts and essential machinery must be facilitated," aid coordination office, OCHA, stressed, noting that waste collection and safe disposal are now severely constrained. As temperatures fall, families without access to gas or electricity are struggling to keep warm and are repeatedly moving in search of higher, safer ground. Tent shortage Aid partners are distributing winter clothing, tarpaulins and tents, but an estimated 1.3 million people still require urgent shelter support. Since the ceasefire two months ago, fewer than 50,000 tents have entered Gaza for around 270,000 people. Thousands of pallets of shelter materials have been rejected and many NGOs have been blocked from operating. Restrictions on the entry of aid must be lifted, OCHA said, including the ban on UNRWA, which has supplies for more than a million people stockpiled outside Gaza. In the West Bank, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been displaced this year in Area C and East Jerusalem, largely due to demolitions for lacking Israeli permits that are nearly impossible to obtain. OCHA continues to record an average of five Israeli settler attacks per day, with severe humanitarian impacts. The UN is calling for strengthened protection for Palestinians and an end to unlawful demolitions and settler violence. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Peace falters as fighting in eastern DR Congo raises fears of regional war By Vibhu Mishra 12 December 2025 - Civilians across eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are facing collapsing health services and mass displacement as fighting spreads, undermining recent peace efforts and raising fears of a wider regional crisis. A new offensive by the Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement du 23 mars (AFC/M23) has reignited large-scale hostilities in South Kivu, just days after international agreements were signed to de-escalate the conflict. The renewed fighting has caused civilian casualties, destroyed infrastructure and driven hundreds of thousands from their homes, according to United Nations officials and humanitarian groups. The UN and the Security Council have repeatedly described the majority-Tutsi M23 militia as backed by Rwanda - a claim Kigali has repeatedly denied. US Ambassador Mike Waltz told the Council on Friday that having brought Rwanda and DRC together in Washington to sign a peace agreement just last week, the Government was "incredibly disappointed" in Kigali's actions in recent days in support of the M23 rebels which they fully control. A crisis of 'incalculable consequences' Jean-Pierre Lacroix, head of UN Peace Operations, warned that the offensive has revived "the spectre of a regional flare-up with incalculable consequences," saying the territorial expansion of AFC/M23 and the weakening of the DRC Government's authority in eastern areas threaten national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said recent diplomatic breakthroughs - including the Washington Accords signed on 4 December between DRC and Rwanda, and the Doha Framework Agreement in November between DRC and the AFC/M23 - had generated genuine hope for de-escalation. But persistent ceasefire violations and renewed fighting now risk unravelling that progress. "The growing gap between political commitments and their effective implementation on the ground undermines the credibility of peace processes and fuels the sense of abandonment felt by civilians," Mr. Lacroix said. MONUSCO, a critical lifeline As violence escalates, the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO remains a central - and increasingly strained - pillar of civilian protection in eastern DRC, just days before the Security Council is set to decide on the renewal of its mandate. Mr. Lacroix told Council members that MONUSCO continues to provide direct physical protection to around 100,000 displaced people living near its bases, particularly in North Kivu and Ituri, through daily patrols, early-warning systems and close engagement with communities. He said the mission has adopted a more preventive posture, focusing on deterrence, rapid response and sustained presence around displacement sites where armed groups operate in close proximity. Operations constrained However, he cautioned that MONUSCO's ability to carry out its mandate is being increasingly constrained. Restrictions imposed by AFC/M23 on freedom of movement, fuel supplies, water and electricity - along with the continued closure of Goma airport - are limiting mobility, delaying rotations and hampering humanitarian access. At the same time, funding shortages and reductions in uniformed and civilian personnel, linked to the UN's broader liquidity crisis, are affecting the mission's rapid response capacity and operational reach. Mr. Lacroix stressed MONUSCO's role in protecting civilians and supporting de-escalation remains essential, warning that "diplomatic progress must now translate into real improvements on the ground." Health system collapsing The humanitarian toll is mounting. Hospitals and clinics across North and South Kivu are struggling to cope with a steady influx of wounded civilians amid acute shortages of staff, medicines and equipment. Dr. Javid Abdelmoneim, emergency medicine doctor and international president of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), said health systems in eastern DRC are "collapsing" under the combined impact of violence, mass displacement and shrinking humanitarian access. "MSF teams continue to witness staggering levels of violence, displacement and deprivation," he said. "This crisis is not easing." Sexual violence and disease outbreaks Sexual violence remains widespread and systematic, particularly affecting women and girls. Dr. Abdelmoneim said nearly 28,000 survivors sought care at MSF-supported facilities across eastern DRC in the first six months of the year alone - an average of more than 150 people a day. Many arrived too late for preventive treatment, while others never reached care at all. At the same time, infectious diseases are spreading rapidly. Cholera cases have surpassed 38,000 this year, with deaths more than doubling compared to last year. Measles continues to spread, and malaria outbreaks are unfolding amid limited diagnostic and treatment capacity. DR Congo pursuing solutions in good faith The Democratic Republic of the Congo condemned what it described as a renewed Rwanda Defence Forces-M23 offensive launched shortly after the Washington Accord was signed, saying it violated commitments and worsened an already grave humanitarian situation. Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner said Kinshasa had pursued diplomacy in good faith through US-, Qatari- and African-led processes but warned that continued attacks, civilian targeting and cross-border risks threaten regional stability. She urged the Security Council to enforce resolution 2773 (2025), strengthen MONUSCO's mandate and impose consequences for continued violations, stressing that durable peace requires accountability. Rwanda alleges persecution in South Kivu Rwanda rejected the accusations and said the renewed MONUSCO mandate should reinforce the Washington Peace Agreement and Doha Framework through strict impartiality and support for ceasefire implementation. Ambassador Karoli Martin Ngoga stated that progress depended on political will from all parties and raised concerns over what he described as persecution of the Banyamulenge community in South Kivu, citing displacement, killings and blockades by Congolese forces and allied militias. He called for a political solution and reaffirmed Kigali's stated commitment to advancing durable peace through the Washington process. Burundi condemns capture of Uvira Ambassador Zephyrin Maniratanga of Burundi condemned the reported capture of Uvira by Rwanda Defence Forces-backed M23 fighters, calling it a violation of resolution 2773 and warning of severe civilian suffering and mass displacement into his country. He said cross-border artillery and drone strikes had hit Burundian territory, threatening sovereignty and regional stability. He called for the full implementation of the Washington commitments, stronger civilian protection and urgent humanitarian assistance for refugees, while reaffirming its readiness to support peace efforts and defend its territorial integrity under the UN Charter. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ukraine UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Occupied Palestinian Territory Gaza: storm floods tents, leaves casualties as buildings collapse OCHA says that heavy rain continued overnight across the Gaza Strip, flooding more tents and causing damaged buildings to collapse in Jabalya and Gaza city. Several casualties were reported, including among children. Humanitarian partners warn that inclement weather conditions and flooding are increasing the risk of disease outbreaks, including water-borne illnesses, as drainage systems overflow and water sources become contaminated. They stress that to enable urgently needed work to collect and safely dispose of waste, the immediate and sustained entry into Gaza of spare parts and access to essential machinery must be facilitated. As temperatures drop, families are struggling to keep their children warm at night, as they lack access to gas and electricity. They are also exhausted as they continue to seek out safer shelter on higher ground. Partners are distributing winter clothing, tarpaulins and tents to affected families.* However, they estimate that some 1.3 million people still need urgent shelter assistance across Gaza. They note that since the ceasefire just over two months ago, fewer than 50,000 tents for about 270,000 people have entered Gaza. This includes both UN-coordinated and bilateral aid. Thousands of pallets of shelter materials have been rejected by the Israeli authorities, and many NGOs have been blocked from bringing in relief. Partners leading on shelter estimate that more than 140,000 people were affected by earlier rains that flooded more than 200 displacement sites. They continue to help families access critical services and improve drainage, as hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians remain at heightened risk of flooding. Families staying along the coast were displaced and are staying with relatives. Many other families sought temporary accommodation in already crowded emergency shelters. As tents and some classrooms were inundated, teams are removing water from flooded yards, clearing manholes, and repairing damaged tents inside school compounds. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said that it has shelter supplies for up to 1.3 million people outside Gaza, but the agency has been barred from bringing that aid into the Strip - hindering humanitarian efforts. Once again, OCHA stresses that restrictions on the entry of aid must be lifted, including the ban on UNRWA and the denial of NGO operations. West Bank: displacement, settler attacks continue at alarming levels OCHA reports that since the beginning of the year, more than 1,000 people have been displaced in Area C, which constitutes some 60 per cent of the West Bank and where - just like in East Jerusalem - the Israeli authorities retain near exclusive control, including over law enforcement, planning and construction. Most of the people displaced had their homes demolished by Israeli authorities for lacking Israeli-issued building permits, which are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain. This level of displacement is the second highest annual record since 2009. OCHA also continues to document high levels of Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians, with devastating humanitarian impacts. Since the start of the year and as of today, an average of five such attacks has been recorded each day. OCHAcalls for the protection of Palestinians across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem - including by halting punitive and other unlawful demolitions and preventing attacks by settlers. *Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in need in Gaza and the West Bank with urgent support. Ukraine Attacks imperil key energy infrastructure as temperatures plummet OCHA reports that as temperatures drop to zero, intense hostilities in front-line areas and attacks in other regions of Ukraine continue to cause widespread destruction to civilian infrastructure, including critical energy facilities. Overnight attacks on energy infrastructure in the Odesa region damaged two power substations, leaving part of Odesa City and surrounding areas without electricity and affecting at least 90,000 families. Hospitals, schools and other municipal facilities are now running on backup generators. The city's water supply and heating were also disrupted. According to the latest report from the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, between October and November, at least eight waves of large-scale missile and drone attacks severely affected the country's energy system. The strikes caused emergency power outages and daily electricity cuts in multiple regions, with scheduled power cuts lasting up to 18 hours each day. Some areas experienced disruptions to water services and heating that lasted for many hours or even days. Meanwhile in Kherson City, humanitarian organizations on the ground warn that following last week's attacks on the Central Heating Power Plant, the situation is critical, with about 40 per cent of the population cut off from heating. Local authorities have issued an urgent appeal for 120,000 heaters to help residents cope with the cold. OCHA is working with UNHCR and other partners to coordinate emergency support. Posted on 12 December 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Diptis journey has always been rooted in growth both personal and collective. She believes that her students success is the truest reflection of her own This advanced program focuses on mentorship, business audits, and accountability, providing personalized support for students. For instance, DVA assists students in mastering more complex recipes, advanced decoration techniques, and sophisticated marketing strategies.On the other hand, the Diamond Certification Program will also help small-time bakery owners looking to refine their menus and scale their operations, with a strong emphasis on mentorship-driven learning. We have an approach that also addresses mindset and confidence, helping our students overcome self-doubt and negative beliefs about entrepre neurship. DVAs philosophy is centered on transforming passion into purpose and purpose into success, creating a holistic platform for both skill development and business growth.Something that complements this well-defined approach is the way DVA leverages technology. I'm an engineer at heart, with an MBA to complement my journey. Its fair to say that this engineering mindset drives me. I've always believed that while technology is essential, its true power is unlocked when paired with the right intent to serve. When purpose meets innovation, the impact on society can be transformative.Piloting a mission to deliver world-class baking education beyond boundaries, DVA has partnered with a trusted third party LMS provider, tailoring the platform with specific inputs to meet its unique vision. This customized system enables students to access structured, step-by-step courses at any time, from any where. The app is OTP-based and number-verified, ensuring a secure and personalized experience. Recognizing that not everyone uses laptops, DVA has also introduced a mobile app to make learning even more accessible. This tech enabled approach has made baking education not just reachable, but engaging and outcome oriented.Additionally, DVA has gamified the entire learning experience assignments, course progression, and photo sharing so that learners are excited to return, participate, and grow. On the other hand, to reach learners globally, DVA also leverages both organic and performance -drivenacross platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Meta, and Google. At DVA, technology is not just a tool its a bridge that connects purpose with possibility. From our secure learning platform to the DVA mobile app, every innovation is designed to make learning flexible, personal, and result-oriented, adds Dipti.While this combined approach ensures that DVA graduates are business-ready, Dipti believes that baking is not just about businessa belief cemented by countless moving stories she has experienced firsthand over the past few years. One of the most moving stories from the DVA community is that of Kavya, a school principal from Hyderabad. She had recently lost her five-year-old daughter, Vaishnavi, and was struggling with unimaginable grief. In the midst of her pain, she came across one of Diptis Facebook posts about starting a bakery business.Drawn to the energy of the webinar, she joined the Super Baker program. Within three months, she began baking again not just as a skill, but as a way to reconnect with her daughter. Dipti says, During our virtual graduation ceremony, Kavya shared that she felt her childs presence through the journey, saying, 'Dipti, you are my angel. She went on to launch her home bakery, naming it Vaishnavis Delight, and now uses her earnings to support the education of homeless children, even adopting two herself.Dipti adjoins, Her story moved my husband deeply, inspiring him to leave his role as a VP at a reputed bank and join me in this mission full-time. Together, were committed to helping more women transform their lives through baking. Stories like these remind me that baking is not just a business it is a medium of healing, expression, and empowerment.Diptis journey has always been rooted in growth both personal and collective. She believes that her students success is the truest reflection of her own. Every milestone they achieve fuels her drive to do more, to give more, and to create deeper impact. Her mission is not just about teaching baking; its about transforming lives and constantly adding more value to her students lives, their businesses, and their families.Looking ahead, Dipti envisions writing another book and hosting immersive offline retreats that go beyond baking. These retreats will focus on building confidence, courage, clarity, and purposehelping women discover why theyre pursuing entrepreneurship in the first place. One of her most passionate visions is to establish a physical space: a baking therapy studio where women can heal, create, and become financially independent through the art of baking. Going forward, she is driving toward her ultimate goal of empowering more women through DVA, spreading joy and transformation in every corner of the world. Dipti envisions seeing every DVA student become confident and financially independent, and spreading happiness through baking.Dipti is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, author, and bakery business coach whose mentorship has transformed over 4,500 women across 14 countries. Her inspiring journey from a home baker to a pioneer in baking education has touched thousands of lives. Through her mentorship-led, community-driven programs, Dipti helps students transform their passion for baking into financially independent, purpose-filled careers fostering confidence, creativity, and lasting personal growth. Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2806 (2025), Security Council Extends Al-Shabaab Sanctions Regime, Panel of Experts Meetings Coverage Security Council 10064th Meeting (PM) SC/16245 12 December 2025 The Security Council today extended until 30 November 2026 its sanctions on weapons entering Somalia and its authorization for Member States to intercept vessels transporting them, while simultaneously renewing until 31 December 2026 the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the Al-Shabaab sanctions regime. Unanimously adopting resolution 2806 (2025) (to be issued as document S/RES/2806(2025)) under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the 15-member organ called on Member States to take reasonable steps to prevent the smuggling of weapons and ammunition into Somalia. Welcoming a recent technical assessment of the Al-Shabaab arms embargo (document S/2025/673), members also stressed that deliveries of all weapons, ammunition and military equipment to Somalia may only be provided in coordination with, and with prior notification to, the Federal Government of Somalia, to allow for appropriate review and consideration. They further decided that, prior to delivering any weapons, ammunition or military equipment to Somalia's Federal Member States or to "licensed private security companies" operating in the country, the supplying Member State shall notify the Federal Government to allow for appropriate review and consideration. While renewing the Council's maritime interdiction regime, the Council also expressed its intention to "review and revise" the provisions of today's resolution and take appropriate action regarding their extension or modification no later than 30 November 2026. Several Council members took the floor following the adoption to raise specific points. "The resolution we've adopted today mandates a strong package of measures to degrade Al-Shabaab," said the representative of the United Kingdom, which serves as penholder on the file. In addition, it effectively supports the Government of Somalia in its fight against the serious threats posed by that terrorist faction. "This resolution also sets out an appropriate pathway to changes in the arms embargo in the future, ensuring the regime can continue evolving to counter the threat from Al-Shabaab," he said, welcoming the ongoing campaign against other terrorist groups in Somalia and expressing particular concern over recognized links between Al-Shabaab and the Houthi militia in Yemen. In that regard, he encouraged the Council's 2713 and 2140 Sanctions Committees to cooperate closely in countering that interconnected threat. The Russian Federation's delegate urged the Council to continue paying close attention to Al-Shabaab's activities. Underlining the need to focus specifically on that group, she cautioned against "counterproductive efforts" by some Council members to artificially expand the 2713 Sanctions Committee mandate to cover additional terrorist factions, which are already monitored by other committees. Such expansions and linking of mandates can lead to politicization, as well as excessive reporting, she warned. Against that backdrop, she thanked the "A3" countries [Algeria, Sierra Leone and Somalia] for making significant improvements to today's text and noted that, for its part, Moscow fought the inclusion of references to wording from previous resolutions on automatic exemptions for weapons deliveries to private security companies, welcoming that "this gap has finally been closed". China's representative welcomed the unanimous adoption and voiced support for the countries of the Horn of Africa, which continue to combat the threats posed by Al-Shabaab. Member States must strictly adhere to the Council's sanctions aimed at curbing the flow of weapons and ammunition, he stressed, underlining the need to fully respect Somalia's sovereignty especially on the lifting or easing of any sanctions. He joined other speakers in stressing that the 2713 Sanctions Committee should remain focused on Al-Shabaab, rather than on other armed groups in the region. The representative of the United Statessaid the measures outlined in today's resolution are essential to maintain pressure on Al-Shabaab and other destabilizing actors in Somalia. However, her delegation remains concerned about the growing ties between Al-Shabaab and the Houthis in Yemen, including the use of Red Sea smuggling routes, and was disappointed that some Council members objected to the inclusion of references to such ties in today's text. "It is critical to address all forms of support to Al-Shabaab, including training and facilitation outside of Somalia," she stressed, also voicing her country's reservations to language in preambular paragraph 8 of the text and advocating instead for an end to "all forms of sexual violence". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Crisis Risks Spillover, Senior UN Official Warns Security Council, Calling for Swift Action on Resolution 2773 (2025) Meetings Coverage Security Council 10063rd Meeting* (AM) SC/16244 12 December 2025 The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains highly unstable, with continuing violence and a deepening humanitarian emergency that is putting civilians at grave risk and raising wider regional concerns, a senior UN official warned the Security Council today. "This threatens not only the stability of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, but the entire Great Lakes region," Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, said in his briefing to the 15-member organ. Recent events especially the Armed Forces Coalition (AFC)/23 March Movement (M23) offensive in South Kivu have revived fears of a wider regional conflagration with unpredictable consequences. He noted that diplomatic progress had been made through the Washington Accords on 4 December, the Doha Framework on 15 November and the 14 October ceasefire monitoring mechanism, but also stressed the urgent need to close the gap between diplomacy and reality and to implement resolution 2773 (2025) without delay. In North Kivu, AFC/M23 continues consolidating control and parallel administrations, while civilians face multiple threats from other armed groups. "Civilians continue to face grave threats from a range of armed groups," he said. "The humanitarian situation is equally alarming," he added, emphasizing that, as of today the Humanitarian Response Plan for Democratic Republic of the Congo is only 22 per cent funded. Despite financial constraints and operational restrictions, MONUSCO is sustaining protection work, including around internally displaced persons sites, supporting disarmament and repatriation efforts, and pressing for restored freedom of movement and the reopening of Goma airport. The representative of Sierra Leone, speaking as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, provided an overview of the work of the Committee since his last briefing. The Committee held three informal consultations in 2025, he said, stating that, during the meeting held on 2 July, the Coordinator of the Group of Experts provided an overview of the main findings and recommendations contained in the Group's Final report (document S/2025/446). During the meeting held on 20 October, the Coordinator of the Group of Experts provided an overview of the programme of work of the Group. During the meeting held on 27 October, the Committee received a briefing by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, on behalf of the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. Staggering Levels of Violence, Displacement, Deprivation in Kivus, Ituri Dr. Mohamed Javid Abdelmoneim, International President of Medecins Sans Frontieres, also briefed the Council, saying that, despite the appearance of political momentum and the signing of peace deals, his organization has still seen staggering levels of violence, displacement and deprivation in the Kivus and Ituri, with patients describing "extreme brutality". Health systems are collapsing, sexual violence is widespread and access and funding are shrinking, leaving "the gap between political signalling and the lived reality of millions" ever wider. He argued that civilians are being failed by both State and non-State actors, and cited grave abuses including killings, sexual violence, looting, blocked aid, and attacks on medical work, with ambulances stopped at gunpoint, facilities stormed and a health centre looted and destroyed. He further underscored the scale of sexual violence nearly 28,000 survivors sought care in six months. "From where we stand, beside patients, not behind podiums," he said, the Council's debates lack consequence. What is needed is the will to insist civilians are not expendable. Peace Processes Require All Partners to Honour Their Commitments In the ensuing discussion, the delegate of the United States, highlighting President Donald J. Trump's 4 December efforts to bring peace to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, said peace processes require all partners to honour their commitments. He voiced "profound disappointment" at renewed violence and asserted that the Rwanda Defence Forces have provided material, logistical and training support to M23, even fighting alongside the group in eastern Congo. He stressed that the United States would use all available tools to hold spoilers accountable and urged Rwanda to meet its obligations and respect the Democratic Republic of the Congo's right to defend its territory. Speakers repeatedly warned that signing of agreements does not equate with peace, with the representative of the Russian Federation saying that pacts signed in Washington, D.C., and Doha must be assessed by how they are implemented. "The current situation in South Kivu is an indicator of the real attitude of the participants in the negotiation process toward the agreements they signed on to," she emphasized. Panama's delegate, while welcoming recent diplomatic achievements, pointed out that the reality on the ground demonstrates that the "signing of agreements does not equate with peace". "We are deeply concerned that the commitments made by the parties are not being upheld," added Denmark's speaker. Greece's speaker, urging faster implementation of the December 4 Washington accords, warned that gains must not be undermined by a new escalation. Call to End Hostilities Immediately Other speakers called for an immediate stop to the fighting. "It is imperative to end hostilities immediately," said China's delegate, urging M23 to implement Security Council resolution 2773 (2025). "The priority now is for all parties to demonstrate political will," he added. "There can be no military solution to this conflict," added the representative of the United Kingdom, voicing concern over the increase of violence in South Kivu. Dr. Abdelmoneim's front-line testimony is a "wake-up call" for all, said the representative of Slovenia, Council President for December, speaking in his national capacity. "No progress is possible without silencing the guns," he added. The message is clear: "Silence the guns. Protect the people. Give diplomacy a fighting chance." MONUSCO is under strain, several speakers also stressed, with Pakistan's delegate condemning restrictions that leave nearly 40 per cent of the Mission's area under AFC/M23 control and prevent civilian protection. He warned of a "stark mismatch" after major budget cuts and troop reductions even as MONUSCO is expected to be a credible and impartial force that can help monitor and verify a ceasefire. MONUSCO Must Be Guaranteed Freedom of Movement France's delegate said that the present situation must not be allowed to jeopardize MONUSCO's mandate, negotiations for which are under way. Moreover, he called for an end to the M23's restrictions on the ground, impeding the carrying out of MONUSCO's mandate. The representative of the Republic of Korea added that said the Mission must be guaranteed freedom of movement and access to its operational infrastructure, calling on M23 to immediately lift all restrictions. The representative of Sierra Leone, also speaking on behalf of Algeria, Guyana and Somalia, voiced appreciation for MONUSCO's commitment over the past three decades. The presence of MONUSCO in the country is vital considering the offensive in South Kivu, he said, underscoring that ongoing discussions must be approached with care, maintaining the safety, lives and livelihood of the Great Lakes people at the centre. "A genuine paradigm shift is needed; one that reimagines the UN presence to reinforce African-led proposals and the Doha and Washington Proposals," he said. For her part, the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo deplored the "unacceptable" trampling on the agreement reached in Washington, D.C., on 4 December, the day after it was signed onto, pointing out that such actions put into question the hopeful dynamic created there. Outlining events taking place since 4 December, including the shelling of positions around places including Gatogota, and kamikaze drones hitting civilian areas, leading to the new displacement of 500,000 people, she said these attacks have pushed South Kivu to a breaking point and created a risk of regionalization, with shells also hitting Burundi. "Regional stability cannot rest on the normalization of such serious violations," she stressed. Calls for Targeted Sanctions, Restrictions on Arms Transfers to Rwanda "Resolution 2773 (2025) is not lacking in clarity, what is lacking is its enforcement," she continued, underscoring the need for accountability. She called on the Council to impose targeted sanctions against military and political leaders responsible for the aggression and revoke the status of troop-contributing country from Rwanda and establish a systematic notification regime for any transfer of weapons to Kigali. Rwanda's representative claimed that the Washington agreement was repeatedly broken by the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government and that conditions on the ground continued to deteriorate in ways the Council cannot ignore. He highlighted a pattern of air attacks affecting civilians, claiming that between March and December, there had been 50 air attacks, and said his country raised these concerns with Council members, but "nothing was done". If all sides implement commitments in good faith and support the Doha process, "we possibly have a peaceful solution" to a conflict that has gone on for too long. The representative of Burundi, denouncing the ongoing violations of Council resolution 2773 (2025) and the seizure of Uvira by Rwandan army, voiced concern over cross-border attacks, some of which violated his country's sovereignty. He called on the Council to advocate for urgent humanitarian assistance, as the UN system is impeded by lack of resources to meet the basic needs of refugees in Gatumba and Cibitoke. Pointing out that bombs on 4 December injured a woman and child in Cibitoke, which represents "a grave provocation", he said, should such irresponsible attacks continue, it would become difficult to avoid a direct escalation between the two countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on Sudan United Nations Secretary-General 12 December 2025 New York, UN Statements | Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Delivered by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by reports that at least 30 civilians were killed, with many others injured, in a drone strike on the town of Katila in South Darfur State on 8 December. The attack reportedly took place roughly 150 kilometres south-west of the state capital, Nyala. It comes as the toll of escalating violence on civilians across the Darfur and Kordofan regions - particularly through increasing drone strikes - continues to grow rapidly. Further civilian casualties were reported in another strike on the town of Kutum, in North Darfur State, on the same day. The Secretary-General condemns all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. He demands that all parties abide by their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, across all areas of active conflict in Sudan. With the 1,000-day mark of this devastating conflict approaching, the Secretary-General reiterates his call on all States with influence over the parties to take immediate action and use their leverage to compel an immediate halt to the fighting and stop the arms flows that are fueling the conflict. He also calls on the parties to agree on an immediate cessation of hostilities and to resume talks to reach a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process. The United Nations stands ready to support genuine steps to end the fighting in Sudan and chart a path towards a durable peace. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane returns home following 81-day patrol in Oceania United States Coast Guard Press Release | Dec. 12, 2025 Coast Guard Oceania District External Affairs - (808) 265-7748 HONOLULU -- The crew of USCGC Harriet Lane (WMEC 903) returned to Honolulu Saturday following an 81-day patrol in support of Coast Guard Oceania District's Operation Blue Pacific. The Harriet Lane crew departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in September to conduct joint operations and territorial integrity missions across Oceania. Patrolling more than 16,000 nautical miles throughout Oceania to include the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tonga, and American Samoa, the cutter's crew worked alongside interagency and Pacific Island partners to deter transnational criminal organization activities, facilitate the flow of commerce, and protect critical ocean resources. "This patrol was a resounding success for the crew of Harriet Lane and reinforced the Coast Guard's commitment as a trusted partner across Oceania," said Cmdr. Justin Matejka, commanding officer, Harriet Lane. "It was a pleasure to partner with the many professional officers from multiple Pacific Island Countries to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and transnational criminal organization activity. I am proud of the crew's incredible commitment to operational success and look forward to being a part of Harriet Lane's growing impact across the region." The Harriet Lane crew exercised partnerships with the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Tonga through bilateral maritime law enforcement agreements, professional exchanges, and domestic federal maritime law enforcement operations. In total, the Harriet Lane crew and Pacific Island enforcement officers conducted 31 boardings of fishing vessels, resulting in 20 potential violations. The crew conducted 15 additional high seas boarding and inspections on commercial fishing vessels, resulting in 2 potential violations of conservation and management measures under the Western and Central Fisheries Commission. Enhancing diplomatic relationships within the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordinating Group, the Harriet Lane crew also integrated Royal New Zealand Navy sea riders for a portion of the patrol. Harriet Lane's visit to Tonga included strategic discussions with Defense and Foreign Minister, Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation to address maritime security threats and counter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activity in the region. Commissioned in 1984, Harriet Lane is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Honolulu to support Coast Guard missions in the Pacific region. The service's medium endurance cutter fleet supports a variety of Coast Guard missions including search and rescue, law enforcement, maritime defense, and protection of the marine environment. -USCG- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address WFP warns of more displacement in Sudan as fighting rages in Darfurs and Kordofans amidst shrinking resources World Food Programme 12 December 2025 This is a summary of what was said by WFP Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response, Ross Smith, to whom quoted text may be attributed - at a press briefing In Geneva today. Mr Smith participated in the briefing remotely from Rome. GENEVA/ROME - I would like to share the latest updates from WFP about circumstances in Sudan's Darfur and Kordofan regions as well as our operational response. El Fasher, North Darfur The little that is known about current conditions in El Fasher is beyond horrific. Anywhere between 70,000 and 100,000 people could remain trapped inside. Network blackouts mean communications are largely cut off and extremely limited information is coming out of the city. Satellite images and survivor accounts describe the city as a crime scene with mass killings, burned bodies, and abandoned markets. There is also no indication that trade routes have opened up again and that any supplies are going into the city. There are no WFP humanitarian partners left on ground and no verified reports that any community kitchens are operating. Leaving El Fasher is extremely dangerous, with high risks of robbery, looting, and gender-based violence for women. The city and its surrounding roads are littered with mines and unexploded ordnance, making movement perilous. WFP staff who have met with people who did manage to escape to other parts of Darfur report that people had to pay exorbitant amounts for transport out of El Fasher, in addition to facing major protection risks. Where people are arriving, assistance is limited and stretched - with people staying out under the open sky, without medicine, and limited water supplies. WFP is providing assistance to newly the displaced wherever possible, but as people are on the move, meeting them where they are is a logistical and operational challenge. The World Food Programme (WFP) is calling for unimpeded access to El Fasher to urgently assess humanitarian needs. We understand as of yesterday that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) authorities have agreed to our (UN) minimum conditions in principle for the UN to enter El Fasher. After more than a year and a half under siege, the essentials for survival have been obliterated: markets destroyed, healthcare facilities decimated, and basic services wiped out. WFP is ready: food and trucks are in place to immediately reach the entire civilian population if safe passage is secured. We can react fast if access is granted. Tawila, North Darfur Over 650,000 people have sought safety in Tawila - the once small desert town has become a sprawling displacement settlement with a population the size of Boston, or the entire population of Luxembourg. The majority of families fled from Zamzam IDP camp in April 2025. Now more people are arriving from El Fasher since RSF took over the city late October 2025. These are families who endured famine and mass atrocities and are now living in overcrowded conditions. There is not enough shelter for people, many are staying in make-shift structures made of grass and straw. Cholera is widespread. WFP is providing food, but there is no healthcare, no sanitation, and very limited humanitarian support. Conditions are extremely difficult, and the needs are immense. The town is stretched far beyond its capacity and the humanitarian response can't keep pace with the needs. WFP assisted around half a million people in the city in November. Across Darfur we have consistently reached around two million people per month - half of whom are in North Darfur, in areas surrounding El Fasher. Across Sudan, WFP continues to reach over four million people each month with emergency food, cash, and nutrition aid. We have convoys en route to Tawila with more than 8,600 metric tons - enough for 700,000 people for a month. Just last week, one truck from one of the Tawila convoys was hit in a strike. The driver was seriously injured, though I am pleased to say he has now been released from hospital. This attack underscores the huge risks that humanitarians in Sudan face on a daily basis. Conflict Continues Unabated The conflict continues to evolve, with shifting territorial control placing vulnerable communities at grave risk. The deadly assaults on Zamzam in April 2025 and El Fasher in October 2025 by RSF are tragic reminders of the devastating toll such shifts can exact. WFP is also deeply concerned about escalating violence in the Kordofan region, particularly in Kadugli. Preventing the devastation seen in El Fasher from repeating in Kadugli must be a priority. With frontlines now concentrated in Kordofan, each clash forces more families to flee, compounding humanitarian needs at a time when resources are already stretched thin. WFP managed to get a convoy into Kadugli in October and has two more ready to move once permissions are secured. Funding Outlook and Challenges Operational gains made by WFP over the past year are at risk. Pipeline breaks loom. WFP warns of drastic ration cuts starting in 2026, with full pipeline breaks for food and nutrition supplies expected by April without new funding. To maintain current levels of assistance, WFP has been forced to stretch supplies thin. Beginning in January, rations will be reduced to 70 percent for communities in famine areas and 50 percent for those at risk of famine - the absolute minimum for survival. Even with these measures, WFP only has resources to sustain current support for four months. If another massive surge in displacement occurs - as seen recently from El Fasher - WFP will be forced to cut assistance elsewhere in Sudan. This is a devastating situation to be facing as we work tirelessly to respond to the world's largest humanitarian disaster. To protect hard-won gains, WFP must sustain a constant flow of aid. $695 million is urgently required over the next six months to keep momentum. Without this, the hunger crisis could spiral further out of control instead of improving. # # # About WFP The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cambodian evacuees from border conflict with Thailand rise to over 300,000: ministry People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 11:43, December 13, 2025 PHNOM PENH, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The number of Cambodian evacuees from the ongoing border fighting with Thailand has risen to more than 300,000 as of Friday afternoon, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior said in a press release. Nearly 90,000 families with over 300,000 people had fled their homes near the Thai border for safe shelters, the press release said. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict was still going on as of Friday afternoon, said Cambodian Defense Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata. "At 13:27 p.m., the Thai troops deployed aircraft to bombard Veal Intry area (in Preah Vihear province)," she said in a press briefing. Socheata added that the Thai army also intensified its artillery shelling and toxic smoke at Prey Chan village in Banteay Meanchey province on Friday afternoon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thailand, Cambodia have agreed to cease all shooting effective Friday evening: Trump People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 11:24, December 13, 2025 WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday on social media that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to cease all shooting effective Friday evening. "I had a very good conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running War," Trump said on Truth Social, adding that both countries are ready for peace. Following armed clashes in late July, the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict reignited on Sunday afternoon. Both sides accused each other of initiating the attack and confirmed casualties. Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said Thursday that the latest border clashes with Cambodia have left nine Thai soldiers dead, more than 120 people injured, and nearly 200,000 Thai civilians displaced. As of Friday afternoon local time, the number of Cambodian evacuees from the border fighting has risen to more than 300,000, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior said in a press release. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli airstrikes hit southern Lebanon amid ongoing ceasefire violations Iran Press TV Saturday, 13 December 2025 7:00 AM Israeli warplanes have carried out a wave of airstrikes across southern Lebanon in the latest near-daily attacks that have further strained a year-old ceasefire between the occupying regime and the Hezbollah resistance movement. Lebanon's state news agency reported that at least a dozen raids struck hills and valleys in the Jezzine and Zahrani regions on Friday, including areas near al-Aaichiyeh, between al-Zrariyeh and Ansar, and around Jabal al-Rafie and the outskirts of several towns. In a statement, the Israeli military claimed it hit a compound used by Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force for weapons training, as well as rocket-launching sites and other infrastructure. The strikes are part of the Israeli regime's push aimed at forcing Hezbollah to disarm. Hezbollah says it will not relinquish its arsenal while Israel continues to bomb Lebanon and occupy parts of the country. Tensions escalated further two weeks ago when Israel bombed Beirut's southern suburbs, killing Hezbollah's top military commander, Haytham Ali Tabatabai. His targeted assassination marked one of the most significant Israeli violations of the ceasefire with the Lebanese resistance group in the past year, as Washington continues to back Tel Aviv's widening wars across the region. Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in exchanging fire since October 8, 2023, only one day after the occupying entity launched a genocidal war against the Gaza Strip following a surprise operation led by Hamas. The Lebanese resistance movement vowed to keep up its retaliatory attacks as long as the Israeli regime continued its Gaza war. The Israeli regime escalated the conflict into a full-scale war by September 2024, killing more than 4,000 Lebanese and injuring around 17,000, most of them women and children. The Israeli military also martyred Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Secretary-General of Hezbollah, in its aggression against Lebanon. Although a ceasefire was reached in November 2024, Israel has been carrying out near-daily strikes in southern Lebanon, falsely claiming to target Hezbollah activities, violating the agreement. The Israeli regime is also persisting in its occupation of five key areas in southern Lebanon, specifically Labbouneh, Mount Blat, Owayda Hill, Aaziyyeh, and Hammamis Hill, all located in proximity to the border. The latest attacks come as Lebanon and Israel have, for the first time in decades, sent envoys to a US-monitored committee in Beirut, a step towards expanding indirect talks as encouraged by the Trump administration's so-called "Middle East peace plan." However, the US Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, has recently indicated that Israel's participation in talks does not mean the airstrikes will stop, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire and the risk of further escalation. Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem also criticized Lebanon's decision to participate, calling it a "free concession" to the Israeli regime. A recent report has revealed that former US President Joe Biden approved Israel's continued bombing of Lebanon after its ceasefire with Hezbollah. Former Israeli ambassador to the US Michael Herzog disclosed that Israel secured a "side understanding" with Washington to keep striking Lebanon. This came despite the US being a supposed guarantor of the truce. Herzog said he personally helped secure Israel's "freedom of action." Herzog did not say whether such secret deals remain under President Donald Trump, whose administration also ignores Israeli violations. With US backing, Israel has kept bombing southern Lebanon, killing more than 300 civilians since. In one September strike, an Israeli attack killed four family members, including a 10-year-old girl and 19-month-old twins. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address F-16 The sale of F-16s to Pakistan became a transformative element of the US-Pakistan bilateral relationship. In the early 1980s, the U.S. government initially agreed to sell Pakistan 111 F-16 aircraft. This decision was influenced by the close partnership with Pakistan during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The mainstay of the air force was the F-16 fighter. In December 1981, the government of Pakistan signed a letter of agreement for the purchase of 40 F-16A/B (28 F-16A and 12 F-16B) fighters for the Pakistan Air Force. The first aircraft were accepted in October 1982. The Pakistani F-16s were all Block 15 aircraft, the final version of the F-16A production run. They are powered by the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 turbofan engine. All 40 aircraft were delivered between 1983 and 1987. The F-16 Fighting Falcon was inducted into the PAF in 1983. The initial order was for 40 Block 15 aircraft (28 F-16As and 12 F-16Bs). The F-16A is a single-seat air combat fighter while the F-16B is a dual-seat combat capable fighter trainer. The F-16 is a true multi-mission aircraft and can carry up to 15,200 lb. of bombs, missiles and rockets. It presently equips No. 9 and No. 11 (OCU) squadrons of the PAF. In an air combat role, the F-16's manuverability and combat radius (distance it can fly to enter air combat, stay, fight and return) exceed that of all potential threat fighter aircraft. It can locate targets in all weather conditions and detect low flying aircraft in radar ground clutter. In an air-to-surface role, the F-16 can fly more than 500 miles (860 kilometres), deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and return to its starting point. An all-weather capability allows it to accurately deliver ordnance during non-visual bombing conditions. In designing the F-16, advanced aerospace science and proven reliable systems from other aircraft such as the F-15 and F-111 were selected. These were combined to simplify the aircraft and reduce its size, purchase price, maintenance costs and weight. The light weight of the fuselage is achieved without reducing its strength. The F-16 can withstand up to 9-g's - nine times the force of gravity - with internal fuel tanks filled - more g-force tolerance than any other current combat fighter. The cockpit and its bubble canopy give the pilot unobstructed forward and upward vision and greatly improved vision over the side and to the rear. The seat-back angle was expanded from the usual 13 degrees to 30 degrees, increasing pilot comfort and gravity force tolerance. The pilot has excellent flight control of the F-16 through its "fly-by-wire" system. Electrical wires relay commands, replacing the usual cables and linkage controls. For easy and accurate control of the aircraft during high G-force combat manoeuvres, a side stick controller is used instead of the conventional centre-mounted stick. Hand pressure on the side stick controller sends electrical signals to actuators of flight control surfaces such as ailerons and rudder. Avionics systems include a highly accurate inertial navigation system in which a computer provides steering information to the pilot. The plane has UHF and VHF radios plus an instrument landing system. It also has a warning system and modular countermeasure pods to be used against airborne or surface electronic threats. The fuselage has space for additional avionics systems. The key elements in the design are a very high thrust/weight ratio for good performance, especially in climbing and turning flight. The F-16 is amongst a few aircraft in the world which can go up in a 90-degree vertical climb like a rocket. Other features are a 'fly-by-wire' (as opposed to 'fly-by-cable') control system so that maximum agility can be extracted from a layout of relaxed static stability, a semi-reclining pilot's seat for added g-force tolerance, a clear-view bubble canopy offering 360 degrees field of vision for the pilot - perhaps the best in the world and advanced yet flexible avionics for long-range target acquisition and accurate weapons delivery. F-16 Acquisition - Peace Gate In 1985 the US Congress passed the Presslar Amendment, named for Larry Presslar, the Senator from South Dakota, to cut off aid and military sales to Pakistan if the President could not certify that Pakistan did not possess a nuclear explosive device. The Reagan administration supported the amendment. In fact, they helped write it. Even the Government of Pakistan did not object to the amendment because they claimed they were not pursuing a nuclear option. The Presslar amendment was considered a compromise. The Senator from California, Senator Alan Cranston, had another amendment that immediately would have cut off aid to Pakistan, without Presidential certification, because he believed Pakistan already possessed the materials needed to assemble a nuclear bomb. Pakistan ordered 71 additional Block 15 F-16 aircraft, 11 in December 1988 and 60 in November 1989. However, due to the U.S. embargo of military equipment, only 28 of these aircraft were built, and they were placed in storage at the U.S. Air Force Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Center in Tucson, Ariz. In October of 1990, nearly 5 years after the Pressler amendment became law, President (George Herbert Walker) Bush was unable to certify that Pakistan was not in possession of a nuclear explosive device. As a result, all U.S. direct aid and military sales were terminated. At the time of the aid cutoff, Pakistan was attempting to purchase a fleet of F-16's from the United States. Because of the enforcement of the Pressler amendment, delivery of the aircraft - aircraft that can carry and drop a nuclear bomb - never took place. The Pressler sanctions led to a decade-long suspension of security assistance to Pakistan and a "deficit of trust" between the two countries. The Pakistan Air Force was weakened by the Pressler amendment, which stalled delivery of F16 aircraft. The 28 brand-new F-16s were flown directly from the Fort Worth factory to the "bone yard" at Davis Monthan Air Force Base for storage. The sale of 40 F-16 multi-role fighter aircraft under the Peace Gate program to Pakistan not only encompassed a variety of geo-political, economic and military consequences for the country itself but subsequently creates unique challenges for USAF foreign military sales program managers. The suspension of US security assistance programs required under Pressler meant the suspension and eventual cancellation of an additional sale of F-16 aircraft that would have augmented the 40 F-16s Pakistan purchased in 1982. That cancellation has been viewed as a symbol of the collapse of the American relationship during the 1990s, a period which remains highly emotional for many Pakistanis. Despite claiming to have a strong policy on nuclear nonproliferation, the Clinton administration consistently had shown hostility toward the Pressler amendment - the only nuclear nonproliferation law with teeth. In the fall of 1993, the Clinton administration called for the repeal of the Pressler amendment, but backed off after pressure from Members of Congress. The Clinton administration in 2004 began to float a new proposal to grant a one-time waiver of the Pressler amendment to allow for the delivery of at least 22 of the F-16 aircraft sought by Pakistan. The administration's proposal was originally unconditional, but was later modified with a condition that Pakistan promise to cap its nuclear weapons arsenal. The Brown amendment, signed into law in January 1996, was designed to relieve some of the pressures created by the Pressler sanctions, which had crippled parts of the Pakistani military, particularly the Air Force. The Brown amendment allows nearly $370 million of previously embargoed arms and spare parts to be delivered to Pakistan. It also permitted limited military assistance for the purposes of counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, anti-narcotics efforts, and some military training. The Clinton administration hoped to sell these aircraft to a third country so that Pakistan can be repaid for the planes. In December 1998, President Clinton agreed the U.S. would repay Pakistan in cash and benefits the $463.7 million they had spent on the aircraft deal. F-16 Acquisition - Peace Drive The centerpiece of the security assistance relationship was the F-16 Peace Drive Aircraft Program. For Pakistan, the F-16 is a symbol of national pride and although the program began in the 1980s, F-16s continued to hold a special place in the U.S.-Pakistani security relationship. On 28 June 2005, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan of 36 F-16C/D Block 50/52 Aircraft as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $3 billion. In 2006 the governments of Pakistan and the United States signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) agreeing to the purchase of 18 Block 52 F-16s. The LOA provides Pakistan an option for an additional 18 aircraft. On December 11th, 2006 the U.S. government awarded an initial $78 million as part of a $144 million contract to Lockheed Martin for long-lead tasks related to the production of 18 new Advanced Block 52 F-16 aircraft for Pakistan. The final Pakistan F-16 under this contract was delivered in 2010. Pakistan had originally planned a total purchase valued at $5.1 billion, almost all of it in national funds. The 2005 Kashmir earthquake and subsequent financial constraints caused Pakistan to reduce the number of new planes it wanted to purchase from 36 to 18, which lowered the overall value of the deal to approximately $3.1 billion. The 18 new planes are valued at $1.4 billion, with the remainder of the $3.1 billion dedicated to associated munitions (valued at approximately $641 million) and 46 Mid-Life Update (MLU) kits for Pakistan's existing F-16 fleet (estimated to cost $891 million). Additionally, the United States has provided Pakistan with 14 F-16s designated as Excess Defense Articles (EDA). The entire F-16 program for Pakistan included the purchase of eighteen F-16C/D Block 52 aircraft, Mid-Life Update [MLU] for 46 aircraft, and a munitions package that includes AMRAAM, JDAM, and Enhanced Paveway guidance kits. On 28 June 2006, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan of 60 F-16A/B Mid-Life Update Modification kits as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $1.3 billion. As of late 2008 Pakistan operated forty-six F-16A/B aircraft. Thirty-two of these aircraft remain from the original forty aircraft that Pakistan bought in the 1980s. Since 2005, the USAF had transferred fourteen Excess Defense Article (EDA) F-16A/B aircraft to Pakistan. The United States Air Force (USAF) successfully delivered four excess defense article (EDA) F-16B aircraft to the Pakistan Air Force at Mushaf Air Base in Pakistan on June 28, 2008. Five USAF pilots ferried the aircraft from Hill Air Force Base. The four EDA aircraft are part of a larger package of 14 aircraft. With this delivery, the USAF had transferred eight aircraft to Pakistan. Another four EDA F-16 aircraft arrived in Pakistan on 28 July 2008. The final two aircraft are part of the Pakistan Mid-Life Update program and would arrive in Pakistan in December 2011. On October 13th, 2009 Lockheed Martin unveiled the first of 18 new F-16 Block 52 being produced for Pakistan in ceremonies at its Fort Worth, Texas, facility. The aircraft order is designated as "Peace Drive I," continuing a long tradition of naming F-16 international sales programs with the word Peace. The program raises the total number of F-16s ordered by Pakistan to 54. The Pakistan Air Force received its first F-16, in the Block 15 F-16A/B configuration, in 1982. Pakistan has been operating Lockheed Martin aircraft since 1963, when it received C-130B airlifters. The Peace Drive I order is for 12 F-16Cs and six F-16Ds, all powered by the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine. The first aircraft - a two-seat F-16D model - will be delivered to the U.S. government (as agent for Pakistan in the Foreign Military Sales process) in December, with the remainder following in 2010. In December 2010 Pakistan Air Force received the final batch of the F-16 fighter jets from the United States. These new F-16 C/D Block 52+ fighter jets were part of the 18 aircrafts ordered by the Pakistan Air Force. These new F-16 C/D Block 52+ fighter jets are stationed at the Pakistan Air Forces Shahbaz airbase. Pakistani defense minister said that PAF was interested in purchasing the F-16 fighter jets from the Royal Norwegian Air Force which was looking to replace them with the low observable stealthy F-35 fighter jets. The Pakistan F-16 program was composed of three Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs). The first LOA providing for the production of eighteen F-16C/D Block 52 aircraft was underway with four aircraft to be ready in June 2010; four aircraft in August 2010; five aircraft in October 2010; four aircraft in Dec 2010; and, one aircraft in December 2011. The second LOA provided for munitions and includes: five hundred AIM-120C-5 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM); seven hundred and fifty Mark-84 2000 lb General Purpose bombs; seven hundred BLU-109 2000 lb Penetrator bombs; five hundred Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) tail kits; sixteen hundred Enhanced Guided Bomb Unit (EGBU) kits; and assorted bomb fuzes and support equipment. These weapons will be available for delivery to Pakistan beginning in June 2010. The third LOA provides for the Mid-Life Update (MLU) of their current fleet of forty-six aircraft. The Pakistan MLU avionics upgrade kits are designed to provide the Pakistan Block 15A/B aircraft with many of the same capabilities as the new Block 52 F-16s that the PAF is procuring. The Mid-Life Update will enable the Pakistan Air Force to use an advanced targeting pod that provides the ability to generate ground position data that can then be used to direct guided munitions to a target. In addition, the Mid-Life Update comes with an advanced communications system that enables real time communication with ground forces - a critical capability for Close Air Support missions. Combined, these systems provide Pakistan's Air Force with the technological capability to conduct precision close air strikes. F-16s provide a critical counterterrorism capability to Pakistan and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has made extensive use of its aging F-16 fleet to support Pakistan Army operations in the Swat Valley and in the Bajaur Agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). According to information furnished to us by the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, the PAF flew 93 sorties in August 2008 in operations against the Taliban. However, their current model F-16 can be used for close air support missions only in daylight and good visibility. In February 2014 the Pakistan Air Force acquired 13 F-16A/B block 15 aircraft Fighter jets from Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF). Pakistan was to take the delivery of 12 F-16A and 1 F-16B fighter jets starting in March 2014. The Jordanian fighter jets would increase the F-16 total to 76. These fighter jets will serve PAF for another 20 years with almost 3,000 hours on average available to them for flying. Pakistan Air Force achieved another significant milestone in its quest for modernization and expansion of fighter aircraft fleet, as the first batch of F-16s from Jordan landed at an operational Air Base 27 April 2014. The aircraft were purchased from Royal Jordanian Air Force after series of negotiations held between concerned Ministries and the concerted efforts of Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force. To avoid extra burden on the national exchequer, PAF opted for the used planes as they were acquired at nominal cost per bird and could serve for longer duration. Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) delivered the last four F-16 aircraft to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) under Pakistan F-16 Modernization Program, at a ceremony held at TAI's facilities in Ankara, Turkey, on September 02, 2014. The avionics and structural modernization of 41 F-16s of Pakistan Air Force, under the program which was effected by a contract between TAI and Pakistan Ministry of Defense in 2009, was performed at TAI's facilities. Pakistan Air Force personnel also had been qualified for the modernization by having classroom and on-the-job training given by TAI and have participated to the work performed at TAI. 2016 Acquisition The State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Pakistan for F-16 Block 52 Aircraft, equipment, training, and logistics support. The estimated cost is $699.04 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on February 11, 2016. The Government of Pakistan requested a possible sale of Eight (8) F-16 Block 52 aircraft (two (2) C and six (6) D models), with the F100-PW-229 increased performance engine. The proposed sale improves Pakistan's capability to meet current and future security threats. These additional F-16 aircraft will facilitate operations in all-weather, non-daylight environments, provide a self-defense/area suppression capability, and enhance Pakistans ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counterterrorism operations. This sale will increase the number of aircraft available to the Pakistan Air Force to sustain operations, meet monthly training requirements, and support transition training for pilots new to the Block-52. Pakistan will have no difficulty absorbing these additional aircraft into its air force. India expressed disappointment over US administration's decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, saying it disagrees that "such arms transfers will help combat terrorism". Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned US Ambassador Richard Verma to convey India's "displeasure". "We are disappointed at the decision of the Obama Administration to notify the sale of F-16 aircrafts to Pakistan. We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help to combat terrorism. The record of the last many years in this regard speaks for itself. The US Ambassador will be summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs to convey our displeasure," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement earlier during the day. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 12 December 2025 - Day 1388 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 UK Ministry of Defence reported that on 28 November 2025 Russia failed in its attempt to rejoin the UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council, the key global shipping governance body, having lost its seat in 2023. As the only major maritime nation to be excluded from the elected Council, this represents a diplomatic setback for Russia, limiting its influence over regulatory decisions affecting global shipping, tanker operations, and Arctic maritime rules. Russia attempted to rejoin the IMO Council despite its continuing shadow fleet strategy, which seeks to evade Western sanctions, including the $60 per barrel oil price cap imposed on Russia after the illegal 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russia's shadow fleet, comprising 600-1,000 aging tankers, uses opaque ownership, ship-to-ship transfers, and false Automatic Identification System positions to sustain Russia's oil exports. The poor condition of shadow fleet vessels presents ongoing environmental risks at sea. Russia's failure to rejoin the IMO Council follows Russia's September 2025 failure to rejoin the UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council, and the ICAO's 03 October 2025 formal condemnation of Russia for interfering with satellite navigation signals in Europe, endangering air travel. Russia was removed from the ICAO Council in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Russia's subsequent confiscation of leased air assets. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Defense Forces are directing efforts to disrupt the execution of Russian invaders' offensive plans and exhaust their combat potential. Since the beginning of the day, there have been 161 combat clashes. The Russian enemy launched one missile and 26 air strikes, fired three missiles and dropped 72 controlled air bombs, carried out 2,119 kamikaze drone strikes and 2,872 shelling of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the North Slobozhansky and Kursky, the Russian opponent carried out 119 shells, including three - from jet systems of salpovogo fire. In the South Slobozhansky direction, four combat clashes took place in the areas of settlements Vovchansk, Sinelnikove, Kolodiazne, Dvorichanske. In the Kupyansky direction, the Russian enemy carried out four attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops in the areas of the settlements of Picnna, Nova Kruglyakivka and in the direction of Kurilivka. In the Lyman direction, Russian troops 24 times stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of settlements Serednye, Zarichne, Drobisheve and towards Druzhelyubivka, Novosergiyivka, New Peace, Stavkiv, Oleksandrivka, Novoselivka, Lyman, Chervony Stav. Ukrainian soldiers today repelled six Russian attacks on Ukrainian positions in the Slovak direction. Units of the Russian occupiers tried to advance in the areas of Torsky, Serebryanka, Pereyzny and Yampol. In the Kramatorsky direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled three attacks in the direction of the settlements of Privillya, Minkivka, another confrontation is currently underway. In the Konstantinivka direction, the Russian occupiers today stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders 20 times in the areas of the settlements of Scherbinivka, Pleshiyivka, Yablunivka, Rusin Yar and towards Konstantinovka, Stepanivka, Sofiyivka, another confrontation is currently underway. In the pokrovsky direction, Russian forces made 37 attempts to potisnisniti Ukrainian units. The greatest activity is observed in the areas of settlements Pokrovsk, Nikanorivka, Kotline, Udaachne, Novomikolaivka, Filiya and towards Dorozhne, Bilitske, Mirnograd, Novopavlivka, Suhetske, Rivne, Grishine, Leontovichi, four more clashes are currently ongoing. According to preliminary calculations, in this direction Ukrainian warriors have eliminated 109 and wounded 40 Russian invaders, destroyed one unit of automobile equipment, four special equipment units, one radio-electronic combat station, 11 units of motor equipment, a cannon, 10 unmanned aircraft, in addition to damaged one unit of special equipment, and 11 enemy shells. In the Oleksandrivsky direction, the Russian enemy attacked 18 times near the settlements Vorone, Privilla, Verbove, Oleksiyivka, Privillne, Green Grove and in the direction of Oleksandrograd, Vyshneve, Ribne, Krasnogirskie, Sosnivka, Zlagoda. The enemy caused aviation strikes via controlled aviation bombs on dobropasovomu and velikomihajlivci. In the Gulyaipil direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled 16 Russian attacks in the areas of settlements Privilla, Solodke and towards Dobropilla, Gulyaipol and Novoy Zaporizhia . The Russian aggressor caused air strikes in the areas of the settlements of Bratske, Gulyaipole, Rizdvyanka. In the Orihivsky direction, the Russian Zagarbnytskyi troops four times attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the area of settlements Primorske, Novoandriivka. In the Pridniprovsk direction, four Russian attacks were fought off. In other directions, significant changes in the environment have not been recorded. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in response to the terrorist attacks launched by Ukraine against civilian facilities in the Russian Federation from 6 to 12 December 2025, the Russian Armed Forces carried out massive and five group strikes including by Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missiles. They hit enterprises of the Ukrainian defence industry, fuel and power facilities providing them with work, transport, airfield and port infrastructure used for the benefit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, assembly facilities, storage areas, pre-flight training sites of long-range strike unmanned aerial vehicles, fuel and military equipment depots as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries. Over the past week, as a result of resolute actions of the Sever Group of Forces units in Kharkov direction, Russian troops liberated Liman (Kharkov region). Strikes were delivered at formations of three mechanised brigades, two motorised infantry brigades, a jaeger brigade, an assault regiment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a territorial defence brigade, and a border detachment of the Ukrainian border service. In Sumy region, strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, a motorised infantry brigade, an infantry brigade, a jaeger brigade, an air assault brigade, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, three territorial defence brigades, and a border detachment of the Ukrainian border service. In total, the enemy has lost more than 1,470 troops, a tank, eight armoured fighting vehicles, 72 motor vehicles, 12 field artillery guns, two counter-fire radars, and 18 ammunition and materiel depots in the area of responsibility of the Sever Group of Forces. The Zapad Group of Forces units continue to destroy an AFU group surrounded on the left bank of the Oskol River. Kurilovka and Kucherovka (Kharkov region) have been liberated. Russian troops engaged four mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigade, two assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a territorial defence brigade, and two national guard brigades. The enemy losses in this direction amounted to more than 1,530 troops, two tanks, 34 armoured fighting vehicles, including 17 Western-made vehicles, 98 motor vehicles, and 11 field artillery guns. Seven electronic warfare stations and 47 ammunition depots were neutralised. Over the past week, the Yug Group of Forces liberated Seversk and Chervonoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Russian troops inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of four mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigade, two assault brigades, an air assault brigade, a mountain assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a marine brigade, two territorial defence brigades, and two national guard brigades. In total, more than 1,095 troops, 24 armoured fighting vehicles including six NATO-made vehicles, 81 motor vehicles, and eight field artillery guns, have been neutralised in the area of responsibility of the Yug Group of Forces. Six electronic warfare stations and 35 ammunition, fuel, and materiel depots were neutralised. The Tsentr Group of Forces during the week has liberated Rovnoye (Donetsk People's Republic), continued to destroy an AFU group in Dimitrov as well as to mop up scattered enemy formations in Svetloye and Grishino (Donetsk People's Republic). Strikes were delivered at formations of six mechanised brigades, two jaeger brigade, an airmobile brigade, two air assault brigades, three assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, three marine brigades, two territorial defence brigades, and four national guard brigades. The enemy losses in this direction amounted to more than 3,130 troops, two tanks, 17 armoured fighting vehicles, 29 motor vehicles, and four field artillery guns. The Vostok Group of Forces continued to advance to the depths of the enemy's defence and liberated of Ostapovskoye (Dnepropetrovsk region). Three mechanised brigades, three assault brigades, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and two territorial defence brigades have been hit. Over the past week, the AFU has lost more than 1,580 troops, 26 armoured fighting vehicles, 78 motor vehicles, eight field artillery guns, four electronic warfare stations, and three ammunition and materiel depots in the Vostok Group's area of responsibility. The Dnepr Group of Forces liberated Novodanilovka (Zaporozhye region). Russian troops hit two mechanised brigades, a mountain assault brigade, and three coastal defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Up to 310 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, 78 motor vehicles, five field artillery guns including three U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzers, nine electronic warfare stations, and 14 ammunition, fuel, and materiel depots have been neutralised. Over the week, strike drones, missile troops, and artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation destroyed four MLRS and one anti-aircraft missile system of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Over the past week, the Russian Aerospace Forces have shot down a Su-27 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force. Air defence systems shot down three guided aerial bombs, 27 U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, five Neptune long-range guided missiles, and 1,756 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. The Black Sea Fleet destroyed one AFU uncrewed surface vehicle in the central part of the Black Sea. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 669 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 102,178 unmanned aerial vehicles, 639 anti-aircraft missile systems, 26,506 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,630 MLRS combat vehicles, 31,857 field artillery guns and mortars, and 48,863 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address